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French striker Olivier Giroud has extended his stay at Chelsea and will be a part of manager Frank Lampard's plans for the 2020/21 season. Giroud joined Chelsea on a deadline day transfer from Arsenal in January 2018, he has gone on to make 39 starts and 37 sub appearances and scored 21 goals for the blues. Frank Lampard on Giroud: ‘Since I have been back at Chelsea, Olivier has been brilliant as a professional and as a man in general. ‘He has great qualities to help the squad both on and off the pitch, not only with his talent but with the example he sets every day and the experience he brings to our young squad. I am very pleased that will continue next season.’ Giroud had emphasised his importance to the squad by taking on the responsibility of leading the attack with Tammy Abraham injured, and making an important contribution, not least when he expertly found the net to open the scoring in a win against Tottenham in February, and helped to knock Liverpool out

Ghana's Thomas Partey is at the crossroads. The Atletico Madrid midfielder faces a distressing dilemma. For the past five years, Partey has grown, his game maturing. Emerging from obscurity to fight his way into one of Europe’s top clubs, Partey has earned his spot. Now, Simeone seems to rely on Partey’s industry to win games. Simeone has shown loyalty to Partey, being patient with the midfielder’s growth through loan spells with clubs like Mallorca and UD Almeria, as well as time with Atletico B. Partey, too, with a cool head and a steady trust for the process, has benefitted from the waiting game, the fruits of which have shown in how he has become a regular at the Wanda Metropolitano. As far as midfielders go, Partey now ranks with the elite. He has one of the best interception rates in Europe and, complemented by his tough tackling and long range passing, has now drawn comparisons with the likes Paul Pogba and Wilfred Ndidi. His skill set has made him a hot cake o

German government has given approval for the Bundesliga to go ahead later this month. The Bundesliga will become the first league in Europe to resume playing football during the Coronavirus crisis. Chancellor Merkel said in Today's press conference that 'Yes, football can come back, now leave me alone with this crap. I have more important things to do.' Merkel, alao said the earliest fixtures can resume is May 15. More to follow.