Damola Ogungbe

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has leapt to the defense of Chelsea's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy in the light of two errors that led to the Blues' loss against West Ham. Cole said that the Chelsea keeper should be given some grace has he has been in top form for so long and he is only human too.&nbsp;

West Ham's Arthur Masuaku (below) celebrates his winning goal against Chelsea

Mendy was culpable for gifting West Ham a first-half penalty, failing to immediately clear a short back pass from Chelsea captain Jorginho. The Senegalese shot-stopper was also beaten by a fortuitous cross-cum-shot from Arthur Masuaku as the Hammers scored the winner in the 87th minute.

Despite Mendy's errors, Cole unequivocally defended the goalkeeper, recalling that the 29-year-old has been outstanding for the Blues in recent times. The ex-Chelsea midfielder told Daily Mail: "Mendy was at fault for the penalty. That was a freak of a goal. You can't blame him. He's been outstanding for such a long time."

Cole then stressed that Mendy was only human, thus prone to mistakes. The 40-year-old former England international also commended the Chelsea squad, stating that the current team means other teams have to rely on the extraordinary to beat them.

"Goalkeepers are human beings, not robots. It would take something like that to beat this Chelsea team - a world-class goal or something out of the ordinary," Cole said.&nbsp;

Mendy has been in great form since he joined Chelsea last summer

Manuel Lanzini converted the Mendy-induced penalty in the 40th minute to briefly bring West Ham level after a Thiago Silva opener. Mason Mount's volley shortly after ensured Chelsea went in for the break on top at 2-1. Jarod Bowen brought the Hammers level again in the 56th minute before Masuaku completed the comeback for David Moyes' side.

Following Saturday's loss, Chelsea dropped from the first position, ceding the first and second spots to Manchester City and Liverpool. Saturday's game was the first time Chelsea had conceded three goals in a match since Thomas Tuchel took charge in late January.&nbsp;

Edouard Mendy was at fault for West ham's first and third goal as Chelsea concedes three goals for the first time under Thomas Tuchel

He is not a robot - Joe Cole backs Mendy after horror show at West Ham

Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned his former club's players to be wary of the famous 'new manager bounce' as they prepare to face Manchester United on Sunday. The Czech legend noted that United's players might play better because they are trying to impress the new manager.&nbsp;

United are expected to announce the signing of a new interim manager, Ralf Rangnick after Sunday's game, with the German tactician taking over immediately. Whilst Michael Carrick would still be in charge of Sunday's clash, all the pre-match talk has been focused on the imminent arrival of Rangnick, a fact that is not lost on the players too.

German Ralf Rangnick is poised to become interim manager of Manchester United

Thus, Cech believes that this might present a potential banana skin for The Blues, who are widely regarded as favourites going into the match. The Stamford Bridge legend said on the club's official website that the Chelsea players need to be wary of the 'reaction' the Red Devils will put up in the 'tricky' match.

"We have a saying in Czech: ‘the new broom sweeps better’. It’s always tricky when you play teams with a new manager," Cech said.

"That’s what our next opponents Manchester United will be hoping for on Sunday: when you get a change of manager, you always have a reaction.

"Suddenly, everybody starts from the same spot again. The new manager brings new ideas, about the team, about the tactics, about the strategy, but only when he gets involved in training does he start choosing his team."

Cech, who now works as a technical advisor at Chelsea, reiterated that despite Rangnick having not taken over, the United players would still be keen on impressing Carrick.

Chelsea have dropped only seven points this season after 12 league matches

"Even if it’s only the manager who has left, and everyone else has stayed in place, you still get the sense of a fresh start. For players who maybe haven’t played as many games, they suddenly feel like this is their opening, their chance to get in the team," the ex-Blues shot-stopper said.

"For players who have been playing, they know if they don’t have a good week, the manager might pick someone else. It gives everybody a new incentive and new motivation to perform well."

Manchester United have won just one of their last seven Premier League games and they come into this fixture 12 points behind Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel's side are on a six-game unbeaten run in the league, last tasting defeat at home to Manchester City on 25th September.

Ralf Rangnick is set to be United's new interim manager and will be watching on as the Red Devils take on Chelsea

Cech warns Chelsea 'Rangnick effect' can help United win

Former Liverpool midfielder John Barnes has called for Manchester United to drop Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench in an effort to concede fewer goals.

The 58-year-old football pundit believes that United should prioritise the needs of the team over the achievements of the five-time Ballon d'Or winner, and that Ronaldo needs to help the team in the defensive phase when they lose the ball.

John Barnes believes Manchester United concede more goals because of Cristiano Ronaldo

"Manchester United need to prioritise the team, not the individual. If Ronaldo is scoring goals, but the team are losing - he's part of that. You need players to run around when they're not scoring," Barnes told Bonus Code Bets.

The ex-England international extended his criticism to other members of the United attack, citing that it is not sustainable for the Old Trafford side to play with a forward line consisting of Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford.&nbsp;

He reiterated that the team needs balance as playing these forwards at the same time would result in conceding more goals than they would score.&nbsp;

The ex-Liverpool player said: "Manchester United can't afford to have Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, and Marcus Rashford on the pitch at the same time as they aren't going to work defensively. They might score two goals, but concede more. The balance of the team is the most important thing."

Barnes continued with his criticism of Ronaldo, saying that the 36-year-old is part of the problem at United.

Manchester United have struggled despite Cristiano Ronaldo's goal-scoring exploits

"There's no point scoring one and conceding two. That's why the balance of the team should be important. The way Ronaldo is playing in terms of his goal scoring is fantastic, but when they don’t have the ball, he's part of a front four who don't work defensively," he explained.

"There's no point in saying that just because he's scoring goals, we're happy with him. If you're losing games, the person who's scoring a lot of goals is part of the reason why you're not defending well."

Cristiano Ronaldo is Manchester United's highest goal scorer this season, netting 10 goals so far this season. However, United have underwhelmed, particularly in the Premier League where they sit eighth on the log.&nbsp;

Cristiano Ronaldo could not stop Manchester United's slide in a 4-1 defeat to Watford

Cristiano Ronaldo has been roundly criticised for his lack of defensive abilities despite scoring ten goals this season already

United cannot win games with 'problematic' Ronaldo - Barnes

Incoming Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick reportedly turned down the opportunity to take charge of Chelsea when Frank Lampard was sacked earlier this year. The German had been offered a temporary deal but reportedly refused, citing that he is not an 'interim manager.'

Chelsea approached Ralf Rangnick after they sacked Frank Lampard in January 2021

According to various reports, the 63-year-old is expected to assume duties as United's interim manager soon but with another deal in place to take up a consultancy role within the club for two years. Rangnick will manage the United team till the end of the season when a permanent manager will be appointed.

At the time Chelsea made their approach, Rangnick was unattached but he subsequently joined Russian club Lokomotiv Moscow in July as Head of Sports and Development. When he was offered the Chelsea job he said: "I’m not an interim coach. To the media and players you would be the four-month manager.”

Meanwhile, Lokomotiv Chairman Alexander Plutnik has seemingly confirmed Rangnick's imminent departure from the club.

Ralf Rangnick has turned Red Bull-controlled clubs Leipzig and Salzburg into Champions League regulars

Speaking to the media ahead of Lokomotiv's Europa League game on Thursday, Plutnik said: "Things are good. We are now focused on the game. We will think after the match. Everything will be fine."

Rangnick is a well-respected figure in German football and he is credited with shaping the philosophies of the current crop of top German managers including Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel and Julian Nagelsmann. He is expected to take over from Michael Carrick after this weekend's trip to Chelsea.&nbsp;

Wave goodbye: Leipzig head coach Ralf Rangnick caught by surprise when Jochen Schneider suddenly quit his backroom staff

Ralf Rangnock has accepted the same interim manager role at Manchester United, a two-year consultancy offer at might have changed his mind

Why incoming Manchester United interim coach Rangnick rejected manager role at Chelsea

Qatari football club Al Sadd have confirmed that they have struck an agreement with FC Barcelona granting permission for manager Xavi to leave the Qatari Stars League club and join the Spanish giants.&nbsp;

The QSL club made the announcement on their official Twitter page on Friday morning. Al Sadd CEO Turki Al-Ali made the revelation, stating that Xavi had informed the club of his desire to join Barcelona days ago.&nbsp;

After negotiations with the Spanish club and the payment of his release clause, the Qatari club have given their blessings for the departure of the coach.&nbsp;

Turki Al-Ali said: "Xavi informed us a few days ago of his desire to go to Barcelona at this particular time, because of the critical stage his hometown club is going through, and we understand this and decided not to stand in his way.

"The Al Sadd administration has agreed on Xavi’s move to Barcelona after the payment of the release clause stipulated in the contract. We’ve agreed on cooperation with Barcelona in the future. Xavi is an important part of Al Sadd’s history and we wish him success.

"Xavi and his family will remain welcome in Doha, and our relationship will continue," the Al Sadd CEO concluded.

Xavi is now expected to rejoin FC Barcelona, six years after leaving the Spanish side for Al Sadd, initially as a player. He took charge of the Qatari club as manager in 2019.&nbsp;He will take up the position of Head Coach at the La Liga club following the sacking of former boss Ronald Koeman.

Xavi is currently in charge of Al Sadd in Qatar

The road is now clear for the Blaugrana to announce the return of their legendary midfielder.

Al Sadd confirm Xavi's return to Barcelona

Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani has revealed he's raring to go for the upcoming Manchester derby. Manchester United and Manchester City will go head-to-head in the 186th instalment of the hotly-contested rivalry on Saturday at Old Trafford.&nbsp;

Saturday's early kick-off will set the tone for the weekend, as United will try to build on last week's 3-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur. The match against the Lilywhites saw Cavani partner Cristiano Ronaldo in a new-look two-man attacking unit, with the No. 21 netting his first goal of the season in that encounter. The Uruguayan will hope to reprise that role, starting from the off against their city rivals.

Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo celebrate after Cavani scored Manchester United's second goal against Tottenham in a 3-0 win

The 34-year-old, who spoke with United Review ahead of the fixture, stated that he understands the significance of the Manchester derby to the United fans, and is looking forward to taking part in it.&nbsp;

“I understand perfectly well what these games mean, and I feel just how significant a derby is for a club and its fan-base,” Cavani said.&nbsp;

“I think there are some games that are really special, because of all the history behind them and the rivalry that exists with the other club. They are the kind of games that I think everyone, including me at least, wants to be involved in, because they are very special occasions. Games that remain part of history and stay in everyone’s memory.”

Despite not featuring in the Manchester derby yet, Cavani has played in derbies in other countries, specifically touting his involvement in the Napoli-Juventus and PSG-Marseille derbies.&nbsp;

Cavani said: "I have one or two memories of other derbies I’ve played in, such as Paris-Marseille, where I’ve been fortunate enough to get on the scoresheet.&nbsp;

“You can feel the joy you experience and the passion you feel the moment you score. I’ve played in Napoli-Juventus games, which unfortunately isn’t considered a true Clásico, but it is an opponent in a game that, over the years, has announced itself as almost a derby game."

The Uruguayan striker missed all three matches against Manchester City last season through a combination of injuries and suspension, but revealed that the fans have never failed to remind him of the importance of the fixture.&nbsp;

"[In Manchester], last season you’d see the odd fan who’d let you know that the derby game was coming up," Cavani said.&nbsp;

“But they’ve also spoken to me about how much the Liverpool game means to them too. I think it’s also one of those games that’s talked about an awful lot and where you can feel it yourself, just exactly what it means. That derby shares that same feeling, a special game that the fans really want to win.”

Manchester United's Uruguay international striker Edinson Cavani is eyeing a return to South American football, his father said

The Uruguayan is striking up a promising partnership with club legend Cristiano Ronaldo

Edinson Cavani talks tough ahead of Manchester derby

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