#10 Diego

[Podolski]

he's one of my favourite players so for me yeah
not sure how good he'd be for the team

[Vargas_4]

Werder Bremen chairman Jürgen Born has rejected the possibility of highly-rated midfielder Diego leaving the club at the end of the season.

The Brazilian talent has been linked with a move away from Weserstadion, with several European giants thought to be in a race for his signature.

Real Madrid look to be leading the race, but Juventus have also head talks, with reports in England suggesting Chelsea monitoring the situation as well.

However, Werder Bremen's president has denied these claims and even gone as far as to guarantee that he will not allow the midfielder to leave in the summer transfer window.

"If someone wants to sign Diego, he will have to kill me first," Born told Spanish radio station Onda Cero.

"He is contracted until 2011 and he is our best player."

Although Diego's father, who is also his agent, claimed earlier today that the Brazilian international would be eager for a move to Real Madrid, Born has ensured that the Spanish club have not made any official approach.

"Real Madrid have not called me," he declared.

Goal.com - Werder Bremen - Bremen Play Hard Over Diego

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[Vargas_4]

Werder Bremen star Diego has put an end to the recent rumours suggesting a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

Reports have claimed that the Brazilian player could leave Werder Bremen to join the Spanish giant in the summer, with Diego's father, who is also is agent, having allegedly claimed that his son would be eager to sign with the Merengues.

But the former Porto midfielder has denied the speculation, saying that he is more than happy with life in Bremen.

"The rumours about my father are not true - he would never force me to go to another club," Diego told German TV channel DSF.

"All he wants is for me to be satisfied and that is at Werder Bremen."

Diego also confirmed that his stay at Werder Bremen will not depend on qualification for the Champions League, despite his side currently being in fourth place in the Bundesliga.

"Even if we do not qualify for the Champions League, I want to stay at Werder Bremen," he added.

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Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Diego Happy In Bremen

[Vargas_4]

^ This doesn't mean anything.

If Real Madrid really wants him, they'll get him.

[Trim]

Werder Bremen playmaker Diego has admitted to being upset by the hostile reception he was given by Arminia Bielefeld fans on Sunday.

The Brazil international was booed throughout the game at the Schüco-Arena, which finished 1-1.

Just Saying Thanks

But when Diego went to applaud home fans at the final whistle he was met by incessant whistling, backing up a recent fan survey which put him in the top five most hated players in the Bundesliga.

"They made a good atmosphere and I wanted to thank them," said Diego of his actions. "Nobody likes to be booed off the pitch," he added of the fans' reaction. "I don't know what it was for or what I've done wrong."

Away Day Target

The Werder No10 has only just returned to domestic action having served a three-match ban for shoving Frankfurt's Sotos Kyrgiakos to the ground during yet another away game where he was given rough treatment on and off the field. Against Bielefeld he was fouled seven times, with each tumble to the ground being greeted by angry whistles from home fans.

Reputation

"Diego gets treated differently by the referees to other players," claimed Arminia's Daniel Halfar after the game, with team mate Markus Bollmann adding: "as soon as you go anywhere near him he gets a free-kick."

This isn't the first time such accusations have been levelled at the Brazilian, with Bayern's Mark Van Bommel branding him 'the king of divers' after the 1-1 draw in Munich in February, but Diego says he can't understand the accusations. "On the pitch my opponents always apologise for their fouls," he explained. "So I don't know why they're saying such things afterwards."

Bremen team mate Markus Rosenberg also stuck up for the playmaker: "It's just not true to say that Diego likes a tumble and curries favour with the referees," said the Swede. "He doesn't go to ground any earlier than other players."

Bremen's indifferent form has seen them slump to fourth in the table, ahead of fifth placed Schalke on goal difference.

Goal.com - Werder Bremen - Diego: What Have I Done Wrong?

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One thing I know - the Bielefeld fans stink. They booyed Ribéry for nothing, and he owned them with a goal and shhhh`ed them. They'll boo any opponent, trying to deconcentrate him. If you're a poor player, it might have effect on you, but if you're a great player like Franck is, it will just give you extra motivation.

As, for Diego and fouling him, I will agree with the tag given to him as a 'diver'. He dives a lot, and refs buy it a lot. But it's also a fact that he's a very fouled player. It's his position and his movement that makes the other players stop him by fouls.

[Vargas_4]

Werder Bremen star Diego has acknowledged that he is very much a man in demand.

The prodigious Brazilian talent has been strongly linked with a move away from Weserstadion, with several European giants thought to be in a race for his signature, including Real Madrid, Chelsa and Juventus.

"With respect to Werder Bremen, my club, I prefer not talking about names, but several proposals have emerged," said Diego, who is expected to be handed the playmaker's role for Brazil's friendly against Sweden on Wednesday in the absence of Kaka.

The fact that the match will be held in London has inevitably led to renewed rumours that Chelsea are making a powerplay for his signature. This won't sit well with Werder, who have been keen to point out that Diego's contract with the club runs until 2011 and are adamant that they don't intend to part with their crown jewel a day earlier.

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Goal.com - Werder Bremen - Diego Admits Foreign Interest

[Vargas_4]

Inter Milan have renewed their interest in Werder Bremen star Diego, according to Tuttosport.

The Brazilian is regarded as one of the best playmakers currently plying his trade in Europe, and has been in excellent form this season, scoring 13 goals in the German Bundesliga.

Diego’s future past the end of this campaign is clouded in doubt, with Juventus and Real Madrid both being linked with summer moves.

The Bianconeri are believed to have pulled out of the running, however another Italian team, Inter, have entered.

The Nerazzurri are looking for a top-class creative midfielder, and are prepared to splash €30m in order to sign Diego.

Inter director Marco Branca has already made contact with Diego’s father and agent Djair da Cunha, and the chances of an agreement between both clubs and the player are said to be possible.

Diego first shot to fame in Brazil as a 17-year-old when he formed a devastating partnership at Santos with current Real Madrid star Robinho. The duo led the team to the Brazilian Championship in 2002.

He has won 34 caps for the Brazil national team, scoring six goals.

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Goal.com - Inter Milan - Inter Renew Diego Interest

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Another report from the italian media, that we 'believe' so much.

One thing is for sure though: Diego will leave sooner than expected.

[Trim]

Arsenal are heading a distinguished pack chasing the signature of Werder Bremen playmaker Diego, according to the player’s father.

It is believed that the Gunners spoke to relevant officials about the availability of the 23-year-old after he dazzled in a recent friendly for Brazil at the Emirates last week.

However, Diego's father and agent Djair da Cunha claims Arsene Wenger will finally have to spend big to land the star, something in the region of £23.5million, in order to win a three-way fight against Real Madrid and Juventus.

Although fellow Premier League sides Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea have also been strongly linked with a summer move for the Bundesliga star, Djair insists these clubs are not really interested.

"There has been a lot of speculation - not all of it is true”, said Djair.

"But Real, Arsenal and Juve all want my son. Juve sporting director Alessio Secco has already been to Bremen to talk with the Werder sporting director."

Diego is under contract at Bremen until 2011, but if Djair was to have his way his son will soon be playing on the biggest stage: "I'm not happy about the situation in Bremen. Diego's dream is to win the Champions League.

"We accept the contract he has with Werder and Diego will behave professionally: We'll wait until July."

Goal.com - England - Arsenal Head Race To Sign Diego

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Just three wins in ten matches: Werder Bremen have hardly set the world alight in 2008.

The Green-Whites looked certain Champions League qualifiers during the winter break, but fourth place at the moment would only be good enough for a place in next season's UEFA Cup.

Not enough goals

Werder's trademark attacking football has faltered. They haven't managed more than two goals in any of their games in 2008 (exception: the crazy 6-3 defeat in Stuttgart).

Werder have also been eliminated from the UEFA Cup by Scottish side Glasgow Rangers.

Diego's dip in form

Goes Werder's game hand in hand with the form of playmaker Diego? A look at the Brazilian's season statistics at least suggests that.

Diego, too, has seemingly lost his form during the winter break.

• Diego was outstanding in the first half of the season, scoring nine goals and creating a further six. In 2008 the Brazilian has scored three goals and failed to create a goal so far.
• His last assist (for Hugo Almeida) came in the home match against Hertha on October 24, 2007. Diego hasn't been creator in Werder's last 33 goals.
• It had been similar last season: eight goals and nine assists in the first half of the season were followed by just five goals and four assists after the winter break.
• Diego set up his team-mates for 3.9 shots per game in the first half of the season. That ratio has dropped to 2.6 in 2008.
• His dribblings are less successful, too. He completed 40 per cent in the first half of the season compared to 31 per cent in 2008. His crosses (36 per cent to 21 per cent) are less accurate, too.
• Despite his dip in form Diego is still second in the Bundesliga's scoring charts. His 18 points (twelve goals, six assists) are only surpassed by Luca Toni (19, 16 goals and three assists).

Bundesliga - Die offizielle Webseite

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Werder Bremen playmaker Diego has admitted that he is pleased to see his name mentioned by Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster, but is currently focused on helping Werder qualify for next season's Champions League.

The twenty-three year old Brazilian is a player in high demand this summer, with a number of top European clubs linked with moves for him, and although Diego is aware of Real Madrid's interest, he treaded carefully on the subject when questioned by AS.com

"It is difficult for me to speak of Madrid if Madrid does not speak of me... yes a lot of things have been said, mainly as a result of Schuster saying that he appreciated my game and that it would he would like to have me in his team," he explained.

"But since then there has been nothing. I must take good care when speaking about Madrid because my words can be taken negatively in Germany. However, it is clear that it is nice to be recognised as a top player by such a coach."

Robinho

Diego originally made his name at Santos alongside current Madrid player Robinho and he looks back fondly the days they spent together at the club.

"Two children were dominating the world of adults. They were great times with a lot of joy and we played together to win the championship," he recalled.

Robinho has been out of favour in recent weeks, but Diego puts in down to injury rather than a loss of form.

"I speak with him and I know that it is an abdomen problem that slowed him down a little, but he continues to be one of Madrid's best players," he asserted.

Wait For The Summer

Despite declarations from his father and agent to the press, indicating that a number of clubs want to take him on board for next season, Diego is content to focus on helping Werder achieve their goals and will then speak to the club in the summer to decide his future.

"The president said to me that we would speak at the end of the season... I have never said that I am unhappy at Werder Bremen and I am not desperate to leave, although that it is truth that many clubs have shown an interest.

"It is not the time to solve things yet. For me it is good that great clubs wish to contract me, but I am very centered on my work at Werder. Madrid are a great club, as are Barcelona, Chelsea or Juve. All are important clubs, but right now my mind is focused on the important moment we have reached at Werder," he concluded.

Goal.com - Transfer Zone - Diego Flattered By Madrid Talk

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Werder Bremen midfielder Diego has denied yet again that he his poised for a move away from the Weser Stadion at the end of the season.

Speculation linking him to a move to one of the big clubs in Spain, Italy, or England continues almost on a daily basis, but the Brazilian has again refuted the truth of the stories.

“I still have three years on my contract in Bremen and don’t see any reason to leave” he said after Werder’s 5-1 win over Schalke in which he starred.

Media reports in Spain claim he is asking Werder Bremen boss Jürgen Born to be allowed to negotiate with a bigger club with the view to a summer move.

“That just isn’t true” Diego said. “And it is also untrue that I am unhappy in Bremen.

“It is often so that foreign media reports interpret things wrongly or distort reality” he added.

The mercurial midfielder has hit top form again this season for the Green and Whites after enjoying a spectacular season last year too.

Real Madrid have been the team constantly linked with him with trainer Bernd Schuster a confirmed fan.

Goal.com - Werder Bremen - Diego Denies Transfer Rumours

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While Diego denies rumors, here comes another story of a possible transfer of him to Manchester City:

English Press: Sven Moves For Diego

The People newspaper claims that Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has been in preliminary contact with Diego's entouarge over a possible summer move.

The Brazilian ace has enjoyed a tremendous season with Werder Bremen, meaning that no shortage of top European clubs are after his signature.

But City boss Eriksson now believes that the 23-year-old could be coaxed to Eastlands, and has begun talking to the player's representatives and family over a possible Premier League move.

Diego, who managed 13 goals from midfield in his debut Bundesliga season last year, is said to be open to the prospect of a switch to City, although with the likes of Real Madrid also said to be interested, it may not be the most realistic of prospects.

Furthermore, Blues' moneyman Thaksin Shinawatra is said to be at loggerheads with Eriksson over the Swede's ambitious plans for the summer, and a wage packet to tempt the Brazilian - and of course a fee to please the German side - may not be forthcoming.

What's more, The People is the sole source for this news, and neither of the two clubs - nor the player himself - have confirmed the information given.

Goal.com - Transfer Zone - English Press: Sven Moves For Diego