With Jeremy Mathieu's arrival at the Camp Nou, Barcelona finally have the centre-back they have been searching for. With Puyol now retired, the Frenchman has been signed to partner Gerard Piqué at the heart of Barça's defence. However, there are those who question whether the club have finally found a centre-back capable of filling Puyol's boots or whether they will continue having the...Full Story »

The Mathieu saga goes on with no agreement possible at the moment given Valencia and Barcelona's differing standpoints. 'Los Azulgranas' have officially offered €15m over three years which does not cut the mustard with Valencia president Amadeo Salvo, who wants €20m in cash. "We are not playing games," revealed the club. "If Barcelona offer one euro less, the French player will not...Full Story »

The Frenchman stresses his gratitude to 'Los Che' but says that he is keen to embark on a new challenge: "I am not hiding the fact that this would be a step forward in my career; it is a reward for my hard work and efforts and is a unique opportunity that any player would jump at". "I joined Valencia on a free transfer five years ago and this deal would benefit all parties involved. I think t...Full Story »

Jeremy Mathieu: Wanted by Barcelona Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta has revealed that the club have made an offer for Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu. The 30-year-old centre-back, who has been capped twice by France, is reported to have a 20 million euro price tag as Barcelona continue their hunt for Carles Puyol’s replacement. Puyol’s retirement from football at t...Full Story »

Valencia head to Real Valladolid desperate to erase the memory of their 3-0 defeat at Basle in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The result all but puts Valencia out of the tournament and means a repeat appearance in European competition next season is nigh on impossible. Captain Jeremy Mathieu was particularly scathing of his team's performance in a press conference on F...Full Story »

A solitary goal by Jeremy Mathieu was enough for Valencia to see off Getafe and keep the side in the hunt for a top-four finish alongside Real Sociedad. The French centre-back struck just before half-time to give the visitors the lead in what was a largely uneventful match at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Getafe, meanwhile, missed an opportunity to gain ground in their bid to qualify for the E...Full Story »

A solitary goal by Jeremy Mathieu was enough for Valencia to see off Getafe 1-0 and move three points clear of Real Sociedad into fourth spot in the Primera Division. The French centre-back struck just before half-time to give the visitors the lead in what was a largely uneventful match at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. The result means Sociedad must beat Sevilla if they are to prevent Ernesto Va...Full Story »

The 29-year-old France international has been rumoured to be one of the players tipped to be on Barca's list to strengthen their back four during the summer. However, Mathieu is not thinking beyond continuing to impress for Valencia and playing for them for the last year of his current contract, at least. "Any player likes a team like Barcelona but I only have one thing in my head and that i...Full Story »

ROO-D AWAKENING ... Rooney walks off after Montenegro draw THERE was a minor, low Richter-scale tremor here on Sunday night. But nothing compared to the cattle-prod up the backside England received with 13 minutes to go last night at the City of Podgorica Stadium. Every England fan then prepared themselves for an earthquake to engulf Roy Hodgson’s side. After laying siege to the Englan...Full Story »

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is an injury concern for England after missing most of Thursday's training session with an infected toe. Roy Hodgson will take charge of his first Three Lions match this Saturday against Norway in Oslo, as preparations for Euro 2012 gain pace. Despite the 27-year-old looking to cement a place in the team, he lasted just three minutes at England's training base...Full Story »