|
|
Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas admits defeat in race for Neymar
The Portuguese coach has admitted that the creative forward will not move to Stamford Bridge, as he believes the player has already made up his mind about his future
07-Feb-2012 2:54:00 PM
By Luis Mira
Getty Images
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that his side have failed in their efforts to sign Santos star Neymar.
The 20-year-old has committed his future to Santos until the summer of 2014 and Villas-Boas says that the player has already chosen his next destination.
"I think that the Neymar matter is closed and locked in a safe," the Portuguese coach told reporters at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony.
"He has decided his future and no one knows where he will go. Unfortunately, he will not come to us.
"What I can say is that there is a lot of talent in Brazil and it is positive that these young players are staying in their country. There has been a change in the way that the Brazilian player perceives the Brasileirao and that is important for the growth of the competition.
"Neymar, Lucas and Ganso reflect that change."
Last month, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell hinted that the club could try to sign Neymar in 2014.
The Brazil international turned down a move to Chelsea in 2010 as he felt it was too early to leave his homeland.
The 20-year-old has committed his future to Santos until the summer of 2014 and Villas-Boas says that the player has already chosen his next destination.
"I think that the Neymar matter is closed and locked in a safe," the Portuguese coach told reporters at the Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony.
"He has decided his future and no one knows where he will go. Unfortunately, he will not come to us.
"What I can say is that there is a lot of talent in Brazil and it is positive that these young players are staying in their country. There has been a change in the way that the Brazilian player perceives the Brasileirao and that is important for the growth of the competition.
"Neymar, Lucas and Ganso reflect that change."
Last month, Barcelona president Sandro Rosell hinted that the club could try to sign Neymar in 2014.
The Brazil international turned down a move to Chelsea in 2010 as he felt it was too early to leave his homeland.
Make Your Prediction Choose match
Santos - Fluminense FC
Santos
Fluminense FC
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Santos 2-0 Fluminense FC
- 15.17 %
-
Santos 3-1 Fluminense FC
- 11.8 %
-
Santos 2-1 Fluminense FC
- 8.99 %
Inside Goal.Com
-
Euro 2012 Group D: Stats to keep at your fingertips
With the final edition of the statistical overview, we take a look at hosts and heavyweights in Group D
-
Blast from the Past - Euro 1976 Final: Czechoslovakia 2(5)-(3)2 West Germany
This edition of Blast from the Past brings a highly eccentric clash between Czechoslovakia and Germany in the Euro 1976 Final.
-
Blast from the Past - Euro 1972 Semi-finals: Belgium 1-2 West Germany
In the latest piece of Blast from the Past, Goal.com takes a look at one of the best matches for the tournament's 1972 edition...
-
Poll: Who will be most missed at Euro 2012?
Several key players from the top teams in the competition will be absent from the Poland and Ukraine, but Goal.com asks whose loss from the tournament will be felt the greatest
-
The list of EPL targets from Euro 2012 Group A
With the transfer rumour mill set to kick into frenzy throughout this month's European Championship, Goal.com looks at which players could be heading for England this summer