Ronaldo named Uefa's Best Player in Europe

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The Real Madrid star has been voted as the top performer in 2013-14 ahead of Bayern Munich pair and fellow nominees Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben

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Cristiano Ronaldo has been named as Uefa's Best Player in Europe for his Champions League-winning heroics with Real Madrid in 2013-14.

The Portuguese, 29, scored a remarkable 17 goals in 11 European games as Carlo Ancelotti's stormed to the Decima and struck three times en route to Copa del Rey glory as Madrid completed the cup double.

Though the Santiago Bernabeu side were less successful in La Liga, Ronaldo still averaged more than a goal a game (31 efforts in 30 matches) as they finished third behind Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

The former Manchester United forward was voted as the best player ahead of Bayern Munich duo Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben, who starred as Pep Guardiola's men lifted four of a possible six trophies last season.

"I'm really, really happy," Ronaldo said upon being presented the award following the draw for the 2014-15 Champions League group stage on Thursday.

"I have to say thank you to my team-mates, to my family, my friends. I don't have this trophy in my museum - I'll put it there straight away."

Ronaldo has already begun the new campaign in superb fashion, scoring three goals in four games including his double as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla to win the Uefa Super Cup earlier in August.

Betting: Chelsea the big winners from the Champions League draw

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After being drawn with Schalke, Sporting and Maribor, Paddy Power have cut the odds on the Blues winning the tournament while Carlo Ancelotti's side remain the favourites

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All eyes were on the Champions League draw taking place in Monaco on Thursday afternoon.

Europe's elite clubs waited with baited breath breath to find out which teams they would be drawn against in the group stage and the bookmakers have reacted accordingly.

Champions League Winner Odds
Odds from Paddy Power
	Was	Now
Real Madrid	7/2	7/2
Bayern Munich	4/1	4/1
Barcelona	11/2	11/2
Chelsea	9/1	6/1
Manchester City	12/1	14/1
Paris Saint-Germain	14/1	14/1
Arsenal	20/1	20/1
Atletico Madrid	25/1	25/1

Chelsea were the shortest priced English side and there was no danger of them losing that tag after they were drawn against Schalke, Sporting and Maribor in what looks one of, if not the kindest group.

The Blues, who finished third in the Premier League last season, were the biggest movers within the front running pack, having their price cut by a third.

Jose Mourinho's side have been cut to 6/1 from 9/1 in the outright winner market and with a seemingly favourable group and plenty of summer reinforcements they could well be a popular pick to make another serious tilt at the title.

In some parts it was Bayern Munich who were the pre-draw favourites to win back the crown they secured in 2013 and Pep Guardiola's men were the first team to be drawn by Iker Casillas as the ceremony got underway.

Bayern were 4/1 with Paddy Power and there has beenno movement on that after the German champions were drawn alongside Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Roma.

City have understandably remained steady in the betting at 12/1 with Paddy Power, although they did progress from a group that included Bayern last season in a campaign that included a 3-2 win at the Allianz Arena and they will be well fancied to qualify for the knockout stages once again.

Most firms had holders Real Madrid as the tournament frontrunners and Paddy Power were no exception.7/2 was the pre-draw price for a newly beefed up Madrid side to win back-to-back European titles this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have been kept short by the bookmakers and they remain 7/2 favourites to retain the trophy they secured with victory over city rivals Atletico in Lisbon earlier this year.

The Blancos have been drawn with Basel, Liverpool and Bulgarian side Ludogorets in Group B which has been deemed a favourable draw by the odds compilers. The Reds are still available at the same price of28/1 the same as before the draw took place.

Barecelona retain their place as third favourites at 11/2 in the betting although their odds drifted after the news that the Catalan giants will face Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax and APOEL in Group F.

Paris Saint-Germain may have dominated Ligue 1 for the last two seasons but they have yet to convert that into a serious European challenge. Punters who think that will change can back them at 14/1.

Before the draw Atletico Madrid may have caught the eye as a value bet at a double figure price despite the loss of some key players this summer. Diego Simeone's side came within minutes of securing an historic double last season and have been drawn alongside Serie A winners Juventus, Olympiakos and Malmo in their group and they remain 25/1 to win the tournament with Paddy Power.

Arsenal (20/1) squeezed past Besiktas by the smallest of margins in their play-off tie but were still a top seed in the drawing process and the Gunners will now play Borussia Dortmund, Roma and face another trip to Turkey in the shape of a clash with Galatasaray.

In an otherwise fairly even draw it certainly seems Chelsea are the big winners as far as the bookmakers are concerned.

Draw in full:

Group A: Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Olympiakos, Malmo

Group B: Real Madrid, Basel, Liverpool, Ludogorets

Group C: Benfica, Zenit, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco

Group D: Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray, Anderlecht

Group E: Bayern Munich, Manchester City, CSKA Moscow, Roma

Group F: Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax, APOEL

Group G: Chelsea, Schalke, Sporting, Maribor

Group H: Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, BATE

Bayern Munich confirm Xabi Alonso agreement

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The experienced midfielder is set to continue his career at the Bundesliga champions after losing his starting berth at Madrid and will undergo a medical imminently

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Bayern Munich have announced they have reached an agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Xabi Alonso, with the former Spain international travelling to Germany on Thursday to undergo his medical.

The Bundesliga champions were keen to add an extra midfielder to their squad due to the ongoing injury problems of players such as Javi Martinez, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara and they see the 32-year-old Alonso as a valuable addition.

The club were linked with a bid for Athletic Bilbao's Ander Iturraspe this week but have now confirmed it is Alonso who is poised to move to the Allianz Arena, subject to medical tests.

"It is correct that we have been in talks with Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso," Bayern executive board member Jan-Christian Dreesen said at a press conference.

"We have basically reached an agreement. The player will arrive in Munich later on Thursday to undergo his medical."

Alonso signed a new contract with Real Madrid until the summer of 2016 earlier this year, but has lost his starting berth at the Santiago Bernabeu side this term as Carlo Ancelotti favours new signing Toni Kroos alongside Luka Modric and James Rodriguez in a three-man midfield.

The midfielder, who announced his decision to retire from Spain duty earlier this week, started his professional career with Real Sociedad and also played for Eibar and Liverpool before joining Madrid in the summer of 2009.

He had since made over 200 official appearances in all competitions for the Bernabeu outfit, but will now continue his career at Bayern.

Bayern are the best in the world, says Benatia

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The Morocco international, bought in a €30 million deal from Roma, is looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga and feels he has joined a top team

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New Bayern Munich signing Mehdi Benatia believes the Bundesliga champions are arguably the best team in the world.

The 27-year-old defender signed a five-year deal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday to complete his €26 million deal - potentially rising to €30m - from Roma and he cannot wait to get started at his new team.

"Bayern are the best club in the world. I am really happy to be here," the Morocco international said at a press conference.

"I am looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga, the fans and the packed stadiums. 

"I want to make the team even stronger than it already is and do my utmost to support the team."

Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer, meanwhile, believes Benatia is exactly what Pep Guardiola's side needed.

"Benatia is strong, fast, very good in the air and quite good with the ball at his feet as well."

The centre-back is Bayern's fifth major signing of the summer transfer window after the previous arrivals of Robert Lewandowski, Juan Bernat, Pepe Reina and Sebastian Rode.

Additionally, Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to complete his move to Bavaria before the weekend is finished.

Bayern have turned down 'several' enquiries for Shaqiri - Rummenigge

The club's chairman says interest from England and Italy has not been entertained as Pep Guardiola considers the Switzerland attacker an important player

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Bayern Munich have rejected "several enquiries" from sides in England and Italy for attacking midfielderXherdan Shaqiri, according to chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Switzerland star made just 10 starts in the BUNDESLIGA for Bayern last season, though he still netted six goals and went on to become the standout performer for his country at the World Cup this summer.

Shaqiri has been heavily linked with a possible move to Liverpool, with Serie A giants Juventus and Roma also rumoured to be considering a bid for the 22-year-old.

Rummenigge has confirmed there has been significant interest in the player but insists he remains a valued part of Pep Guardiola's first-team plans.

"We've had several enquiries from teams in England and Italy. I've never had a conversation because we are convinced he will have a good CAREER with us. He must stay healthy, [but] the coach is convinced by him," he told the club's official website.

Bayern are set to complete a deal for goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the coming days but Rummenigge suggested there would not be a large number of arrivals this summer.

"We have a good team. Pep wants 18 top players and five or six talents. He is very happy with his squad, he does not want unhappy players sitting in the stands," he said.

Borussia Dortmund became incensed by Rummenigge's public talk of Marco Reus' buyout clause after the winger was linked with a switch to the Allianz Arena.

The 58-year-old believes the two clubs retain a large amount of respect for each other, as proven by the mentality within Germany's World Cup-winning squad.

"A friendship seems to have sprung up between the players at the World Cup. This is a good thing," he added.

"We are competitors, both clubs want to fight for the championship, but we have respect for each other, no question."

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