OptiNews - Friday 15 to Thursday 21 December 2017

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

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Tickets for #SaintsFC’s trip to #FFC in the #EmiratesFACup go on sale to 2017/18 Official Members tomorrow: http://sfcne.ws/FulhamTixFAC

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 12:54:37

| | Liverpool will only bid for Virgil van Dijk on one conditionEMPIREOFTHEKOP |
| | Celtic star says this player is a class above Tottenham’s Wanyama | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Virgil van Dijk’s future and why Fabregas must startFOOTBALLLONDON |

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Sourced from ESPN FC article

Mauricio Pellegrino ‘can’t control’ Virgil van Dijk future at Southampton

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Mauricio Pellegrino was unable to guarantee Virgil van Dijk will stay at Southampton after leaving the Netherlands defender on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s 1-0 loss at Chelsea.

Marcos Alonso’s free kick was decisive as Saints’ winless run was extended to five games to keep them in a congested lower half of the Premier League table.

Van Dijk was one of six changes to the line-up which had begun the midweek mauling by Leicester and his omission at Stamford Bridge sparked suggestions of a January departure.

Pellegrino insisted the former Celtic defender remained a key member of the squad after he started the previous 11 games, but would not rule out a move when the winter transfer window opens next month.

"Virgil is an important player,’’ Pellegrino said. "I can’t control the market. I’m not the owner of the player. I can have my opinion and this I have give to the technical director, to the chairman, my opinion. After the board can decide altogether which is the best for the team.’’

Saints insisted last summer Van Dijk would not be sold despite a dalliance with Liverpool, while Manchester City and Chelsea have also been linked with a bid in the region of £70 million.

Asked if Saints’ resolve remained, Pellegrino added: "I can’t control this. I will recommend to try to keep our best player here in the club. The club was clear in the beginning and I have the same opinion.’’

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte expressed his admiration for Van Dijk afterwards and said: "He’s a really good player. He had a bad [knee] injury, but I think he recovered very well. I wish him the best.’’

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 13:54:50

| | Chelsea 1 Southampton 0 - Post-Match Fascinating FactsVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Vital View - Premier League - 16th December 2017VITALFOOTBALL |
| | Liverpool boss as opposition manager hints at selling top target | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
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| Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino unsure about future of Liverpool target Virgil van DijkIBTIMES |
| | Saints boss drops Van Dijk admission after demoting defender to benchEMPIREOFTHEKOP |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Pellegrino coy on van Dijk speculation | Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino was coy about speculation linking defender Virgil van Dijk with a move away … 17-12-2017 |

Older content…

| Southampton Player Ratings: Chelsea (A)2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Key Battles2 days ago |
| Antonio Conte believes Chelsea will suffer against “very strong” Southampton2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Last time out2 days ago |
| Match Preview: Chelsea vs Southampton2 days ago |
| Potential Chelsea line-up against Southampton2 days ago |
| Chelsea v Southampton: Combined XI2 days ago |
| Southampton predicted XI: Chelsea (A)2 days ago |
| Pellegrino is in no position to bemoan Saints’ lack of connection3 days ago |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

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#SaintsFCU23s face #ReadingFC in #PL2 action tomorrow! Watch our preview with @RadhijaidiOff and Nathan Tella:

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte drops huge Virgil van Dijk hint after Southampton win

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Chelsea beat Southampton 1-0 at Stamford Bridge yesterday, with Van Dijk left on the Saints’ bench.

The Dutchman’s absence once again raised questions over his future at St Mary’s, having been heavily linked with a move away over the summer.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for the former Celtic man as the January window approaches, with reports suggesting David Luiz is on his way out.

And Conte did little to play down the rumours.

When asked about Van Dijk, Conte said: ”He’s a really good player. He had a bad (knee) injury, but I think he recovered very well. I wish him the best.”

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Still look for the perfect #SaintsFC gifts for Christmas?

The last UK postage date is tomorrow! Shop here: http://sfcne.ws/StorePostageUK

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 17:55:45

| | Southampton fans react on Twitter to Maya Yoshida’s display in defeatHEREISTHECITY |
| | Virgil van Dijk dropped as Southampton boss questions his commitmentTHISISANFIELD |
| | Saints At Chelsea The Verdict - Southampton NewsTHEUGLYINSIDE |

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Blogs – Fresh Saints

New content from (- Blogs – Fresh Saints)

| Two good, two bad: Chelsea v Southampton | After Wednesday’s embarrassing defeat to Leicester, it’s safe to say that Saints fans weren’t feeling too optimistic … 17-12-2017 |

Older content…

| 2017-18 Premier League cups – Understanding the tough and easiest starts2 days ago |
| Two good, two bad: Southampton v Leicester3 days ago |
| What is Southampton FC’s average yearly salary? And how does it compare to Premier League rivals?4 days ago |
| Two good, two bad: Souhampton v Arsenal7 days ago |
| Behind enemy lines: Southampton v Arsenal8 days ago |
| Basel’s Mohamed Elyounoussi on Southampton’s radar11 days ago |
| Preview: Bournemouth v Southampton15 days ago |
| In defence of defending – a response to Pep Guardiola’s post match comments17 days ago |
| Five positives to take into Southampton’s biggest test of the season so far19 days ago |

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Sourced from Daily Echo article

Pellegrino seeks van Dijk stay

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Mauricio Pellegrino will recommend to the Saints board that they resist any offers for Virgil van Dijk in January despite dropping him for the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.

In the aftermath of the humbling against Leicester last week, Pellegrino said he would only pick players who were ‘committed 100 per cent’ to the club.

He made six changes for the trip to Stamford Bridge, including leaving out van Dijk, over whom there is already much speculation with the January transfer window just days away.

However, Pellegrino put his changes down to the rigours of playing three games in the space of a week, rather than purely dropping those he viewed as having a lack of commitment.

“We played three games in six days and it’s really difficult to keep the same condition when from Wednesday night to Saturday it is less than three days to recover and I have enough squad with not too much difference between them,” said Pellegrino.

“Most of them have showed they can compete and this is good thinking about the future.”

When asked whether he could confirm the changes were all down to rotation rather than commitment issues, he replied: “It is one thing in the same hand with other.

“I will repeat that the players are not machines and sometimes they have got ups and downs like you, like me, like everybody in this room. One day we are 100 per cent and then not in the best day.

“For this reason I put fresh people to regenerate the energy in the team and we compete well until the end.

“Physically we were ok, except Ryan who was one of the only players that repeat 90 minutes in three games.”

He added: “Sorry, but I repeat I change Dusan Tadic, I change Sofiane, I change van Dijk, Charlie Austin – a lot of players.

“Every single game when we have got many games in a row I change players and van Dijk is one of the players.”

Saints went down to a Marcos Alonso free kick in first half stoppage time at Chelsea, but in truth aside from a couple of second half openings for sub Charlie Austin they struggled to make an impact on a Blues side who were far from their best.

The major talking point after the game was Pellegrino’s decision to bench van Dijk, and how it might affect his future, given he was so keen to leave in the summer and a number of suitors are being linked again.

“Obviously Virgil is an important player and always it depends on how they are, the energy they have got in every training session. A lot of things make an important player.

“I will repeat that I can’t control the market and I am not the owner of the player.

“I can have my opinion, and I can give to the technical director and the chairman my opinion, but then after the board can decide all together which is the best for the team.”

Pellegrino made clear his desire for van Dijk to stay at the club as he said: “I will recommend to try and keep our best players here in the club.

“The club was clear at the beginning and I have the same opinion.”

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 18:55:59

| | Arsenal have reportedly joined in on the chase for highly coveted defender | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Stringer at 40, Phil Taylor’s curtain call and the week’s best sportswritingTHE42 |

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Sourced from Daily Star article

Virgil van Dijk: Man Utd join Liverpool, Man City and Barcelona in January hunt - report

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Southampton’s star defender is still looking to leave St Mary’s.

The Dutchman was keen to secure a transfer Liverpool in the summer.

But a move failed to materialise after the Reds were accused by Southampton of tapping up Van Dijk.

Chelsea and Manchester City were also credited with interest earlier this year.

And now, Manchester United appear ready to outline their own desire to sign Van Dijk.

According to Spanish outlet Don Balon, United could bid for the 26-year-old in January.

Van Dijk was considered one of the best central defenders in the Premier League last term until his campaign was cut short early in January by injury.

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

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#SaintsFC’s @SamGallagher40 netted his second goal of the season for loan club #BCFC yesterday against #QPR:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 19:56:13

| | Pellegrino coy on van Dijk speculationREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Liverpool Van Dijk alternative subject of £25m bid from giants - Transfer TalkTHISISFUTBOLCOM |
| | Football fans want the FA to investigate Marcos Alonso’s yellow card vs SouthamptonGIVEMESPORT |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 20:56:28

| | £4.5 million-rated man, Southampton star: The 5 players that need to be on Leeds’ transfer shopping list next monthFOOTBALLLEAGUEWORLD |
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| Southampton Fan View: Chelsea defeat embodies how Pellegrino is content with mediocrityYAHOOSPORTUK |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Our man of the match: Chelsea (A) | Southampton were once again defeated at the weekend, this time at the hands of Chelsea. Saints travelled to Stamford … 17-12-2017 |
| Chelsea 1-0 Southampton: Match Report | Southampton suffered another defeat, at the hands of the holders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London. Saints are … 17-12-2017 |

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| Pellegrino coy on van Dijk speculation20 hours ago |
| Southampton Player Ratings: Chelsea (A)2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Key Battles2 days ago |
| Antonio Conte believes Chelsea will suffer against “very strong” Southampton2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Last time out2 days ago |
| Match Preview: Chelsea vs Southampton2 days ago |
| Potential Chelsea line-up against Southampton2 days ago |
| Chelsea v Southampton: Combined XI2 days ago |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

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Tickets for #SaintsFC’s home #PL clash with #THFC will go on sale to eligible members tomorrow: http://sfcne.ws/TicketSpursH

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 17/12/2017 23:06:20

| | Morata sends message to Chelsea fans after being benched againFOOTBALLLONDON |

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Read Southampton

New content from (- Read Southampton)

| Chelsea and Manchester City to fight for Virgil van Dijk | Chelsea will rival Manchester City in their pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, according to the … 17-12-2017 |

Older content…

| Our man of the match: Chelsea (A)a day ago |
| Chelsea 1-0 Southampton: Match Reporta day ago |
| Pellegrino coy on van Dijk speculationa day ago |
| Southampton Player Ratings: Chelsea (A)2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Key Battles2 days ago |
| Antonio Conte believes Chelsea will suffer against “very strong” Southampton2 days ago |
| Chelsea vs Southampton: Last time out2 days ago |
| Match Preview: Chelsea vs Southampton2 days ago |
| Potential Chelsea line-up against Southampton2 days ago |

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