ENYA'S GIST BLOG

Cristiano Ronaldo will "decide on the day" whether he fit enough to play in Real Madrid's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City, says Guillem Balague. After a 0-0 draw at the Etihad on Tuesday, which Ronaldo missed with a thigh injury, the forward is in a race against time to be fit for Wednesday night's crucial return leg at the Bernabeu. Ronaldo - who will sit out Saturday's league game against Real Sociedad - would be a huge miss for Real having scored 16 goals in 10 Champions League games this season, and Balague says the fact the 31-year-old has chosen to take treatment away from the club is indicative of the "medical crisis" at Real.

Arsene Wenger has called on protesting supporters to respect Arsenal's "values" and suggested fan unrest may have contributed to this season's failed title challenge. Arsenal's most successful manager is facing unprecedented criticism amid another end-of-season scrap for a top-four place, and two prominent fan groups have joined forces to co-ordinate a protest at the Saturday Night Football game against Norwich. Supporters are being asked to display banners reading: "Time for change. Arsenal is stale - fresh approach needed" in a message intended for Wenger and the club's hierarchy.  Ahead of the game the manager claimed Arsenal's fans have been "manipulated" by people with "personal agendas" and "big egos" and even suggested a "difficult climate" at the Emirates has been a factor in disappointing home results. "I can understand the frustration," Wenger said. "No one is mo...

Claudio Ranieri says Leicester will be "strong, solid" and without nerves as they aim to pull off one of sport's biggest shocks on Sunday. A win at Manchester United will secure a first English title in the club's 132-year history and make a 5,000/1 pre-season pipe-dream a reality. And Ranieri says he will go to Old Trafford relaxed after a week of watching his players prepare in the same way they have all year.   "It is important to finish the story like an American movie," he said. "Always in the final it is okay, a happy ending. It's a good opportunity but for this reason we have to be focused. Let me be calm, wait, we have time." Friday was 'Blue Day' in Leicester as the city celebrated its team's success already this season, but the manager was not getting caught up in the euphoria at his pre-match press conference. "I can understand the happiness around the city," he said, "but that'...

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has verbally agreed a new five-year contract with Tottenham. The Argentine has been a huge success since arriving at White Hart Lane in 2014, steering Spurs to fifth in the Premier League and the Capital One Cup final in his first season before masterminding their title challenge this campaign. That success has led to speculation he could be tempted away from north London, with Manchester United and PSG touted as potential destinations, but after opening talks with chairman Daniel Levy several months ago, he is now ready to sign a deal which would keep him at the club until 2021. "It was an easy decision when you feel the love of the people and the potential of the club is massive, so why change?" he said on Friday. Pochettino: Alli won't change Midfielder won't change despite ban, says Spurs boss "We create a good atmosph...

Real Madrid seek to keep their man, Chelsea continue their efforts to sign Stones and it could be FA Cup or the sack for Martinez. It's Friday's Paper Round emizyyhung2@gmail.com After speculation his future at Madrid was uncertain, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to be offered a two-year contract extension worth £16.5 million a year, according to the Daily Mail. The report says Madrid were considering selling Ronaldo, however the idea was dismissed to keep the 31-year-old until at least 2018. Instead, James Rodriguez and Isco could be sold in his place, as Madrid seek to turn around an indifferent season by making a range of squad changes. Paper Round's view: Ronaldo is still a wondrous footballer, however Madrid have to work out how they're going to bankroll this squad reshuffle. It's clear that Zidane wants to build his own team, as the sale of CR7 would have gone a long way to funding it. Read the full story Chelsea renew interest ...

Bayern Munich sound out Alexis Sanchez, Mats Hummels snubs Premier League clubs and Arsenal attempt a raid on a Chelsea starlet. It's Wednesday's Paper Round. The Mirror are reporting that German powerhouse Bayern Munich are after the signature of Alexis Sanchez. The report says that Bayern have been making enquiries about whether Arsenal and Arsene Wenger would be prepared to sell their star forward, and that Bayern are seeking to take advantage of the fact Sanchez has been in poor form recently. The interest comes as Arsenal seek to tie Sanchez down to a new contract, since it's been two years since he came to London for a transfer fee of £33 million. Paper Round's view: The ball is comfortably in Arsenal's court regarding this issue. There is no way on God's green earth Arsene Wenger allows his prized asset to just up and leave because of some poor form and fitness issues. Bayern will probably have to look elsewhere. Dortmund...