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Arsene Wenger lamented his Arsenal side playing within themselves during Sunday's 0-0 draw with Premier League leaders Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.
The hosts were unable to break the deadlock and end Wenger's winless run in matches against Jose Mourinho.
Wenger was left frustrated by his side's toothless display as they struggled to muster clear-cut opportunities in the stalemate.
"I believe that we played with the handbrake on at times. We were conscious of being hit on the counter-attack and it was important not to lose," he told Sky Sports.
"We produced a performance that was requested. In the first half we played with the right intensity but we lacked the right decisions.
"In the second half our intensity dropped and it was too comfortable for Chelsea.
"Chelsea will be champions. We know that. It is impossible to lose it now."
Sunday's game also saw the return of Cesc Fabregas to the Emirates for the first time since his departure to Barcelona in 2011.
The Spaniard was booked for diving following a first-half tangle involving Santi Cazorla, with Wenger adding: "You don't have to be a certain type of player to try and win a penalty in a massive game."
Martinez hails Everton´s ´incredible mentality´ after beating United
26 April 2015
Roberto Martinez cited Everton's mental strength as the key to their superb 3-0 win over Manchester United at Goodison Park.
Martinez's players executed his game-plan of sitting deep and hitting United on the break to perfection on Sunday, and were rewarded with goals from James McCarthy, John Stones and Kevin Mirallas.
Everton have endured a testing season after ending 2013-14 in fifth place, with Martinez coming in for criticism from some sections of the Goodison faithful.
However, they are finishing the campaign strongly, with the win over United extending their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six matches.
"[The players deserve] Huge credit because we were facing a very good side," Martinez told Sky Sports.
"We had to be at our best and truly I felt that, as a team, we were at a fantastic level. In every department we were very, very good."
Speaking about his ploy of looking to hurt United on the counter, Martinez added: "You know Manchester United are a very good side with the way they keep the ball.
"We were quite happy to allow them to have it in certain areas but we showed an incredible intensity [to win it back] and that's how McCarthy's goal came.
"From then on, we were always a threat. Obviously Manchester United had to rush things a bit more which played into our hands.
"To keep our concentration for 90 minutes and keep a clean sheet - I thought it was magnificent and showed an incredible mentality."
Southampton defender Toby Alderweireld has revealed he has a broken bone in his shoulder and played through the pain barrier in Saturday's 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
Alderweireld sustained the injury during a 2-1 defeat at Stoke City last weekend, but was determined to be involved as former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino made his first return to St Mary's Stadium following his close-season switch to Tottenham.
The Belgium international confirmed: "I have a small bone that is broken so normally I couldn't play, but the desire to play was very high.
"I went to a specialist and he said 'Nothing can happen, it's only pain management and how far you can go'.
"So I did everything, I played with a lot of pain but I did my best to play and to help the team."
The draw with sixth-placed Tottenham means Southampton trail Pochettino's men by a place and a point, with four games remaining in the chase to secure Europa League football next season.
Alderweireld, who feared his season was over due to his shoulder injury, added: "Of course we would rather like to have won, but all gates are open.
"Everything is open for European football so we will see.
"We didn't lose so the next couple of weeks will decide whether we finish seventh or fifth or something."
Peter Odemwingie's return from injury represented the main positive for Stoke City manager Mark Hughes in the wake of Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw at home to Sunderland.
Seeking a record Premier League points tally, Stoke had to settle for a share of the spoils at the Britannia Stadium, Charlie Adam cancelling out a first-minute opener from Connor Wickham.
Yet a boost was provided by the 80th-minute introduction of Odemwingie, who had been out since August after suffering a serious knee injury in a 1-0 win at Manchester City.
Hughes played down Odemwingie's chances of earning a start before the end of the campaign, but suggested the 33-year-old forward is likely to get further chances as a substitute in the coming weeks.
"Among the disappointment [of not beating Sunderland], the really pleasing thing from our point of view is Peter Odemwingie coming back and getting on the pitch, having a good positive effect," said Hughes.
"He'll be better for that and we're delighted that he's able to come on and make an impact.
"It's a little bit too soon for him in terms of his game time. He's probably not ready to start games yet but he can impact games for us from now until the end of the season coming from the bench."
Odemwingie joined Stoke from Cardiff City midway through last season and made an immediate impression with six goals in 15 Premier League appearances.
Eden Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year winner on Sunday, after the Chelsea midfielder's brilliant Premier League campaign.
Hazard has scored 13 goals so far for Jose Mourinho's side, who are bound to win the English top-flight trophy as they carry a 10-point lead into their final five games.
The 24-year-old was the first Belgian player to win the award, and marked the fifth straight year an Englishman did not claim the honour - with Gareth Bale (2010-11, 2012-13), Robin van Persie (2011-12) and Luis Suarez (2013-14) the recent winners.
Tottenham's Harry Kane was handed the Young Player of the Year honours having chalked up 20 league goals.
The PFA's Premier League team of the year was: David de Gea (Manchester United), Ryan Bertrand (Sunderland), John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham) and Diego Costa (Chelsea).
Eden Hazard was named the PFA Players' Player of the Year winner on Sunday, after the Chelsea midfielder's brilliant Premier League campaign.
Hazard has scored 13 goals so far for Jose Mourinho's side, who are bound to win the English top-flight trophy as they carry a 10-point lead into their final five games.
The 24-year-old was the first Belgian player to win the award, and marked the fifth straight year an Englishman did not claim the honour - with Gareth Bale (2010-11, 2012-13), Robin van Persie (2011-12) and Luis Suarez (2013-14) the recent winners.
Tottenham's Harry Kane was handed the Young Player of the Year honours having chalked up 20 league goals.
The PFA's Premier League team of the year was: David de Gea (Manchester United), Ryan Bertrand (Sunderland), John Terry (Chelsea), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal), Harry Kane (Tottenham) and Diego Costa (Chelsea).
Mourinho hits back at critics: You want football on the moon… with no goals!
By Harry Sherlock
Apr 28, 2015 09:19:00
The Chelsea manager has been criticised for his pragmatic approach in recent weeks but has retorted by saying there is an unhealthy obsession with "ball possession" in England
Jose Mourinho has once again slammed critics who brand his Chelsea side as boring, claiming detractors want a sterile game of football "played on the moon".
The Blues opened up a 10-point lead at the top of the Premier League table with a 0-0 draw against Arsenal at the weekend, but Mourinho was subsequently criticised for his pragmatic approach against the Gunners.
The Portuguese has now hit back, however, and insists that the obsession with "ball possession" will lead to a game without goals.
"People talk about style and flair but what is that?" he told reporters. "Sometimes I ask myself about the future, and maybe the future of football is a beautiful, green grass carpet without goals, where the team with more ball possession wins the game.
"The way people analyse style and flair is to take the goals off the pitch. It's the football they play on the moon – where the surface is not good, with some holes but no goals.
"Everyone speaks about teams playing fantastically well because they 'had great ball possession'. It looks like the goals aren't important. They conclude a team that scores as many as we do is boring but a team with 70 per cent of the ball who don't score isn't.
"Maybe, when my grandsons play, football will be a game without goals and we'll just enjoy people passing the ball. But when football is played without goals, you will say it's boring. You will say 'bring the goals back'. For me, it's still about putting the ball in your opponents' net, and keeping it out of your own."
Mourinho also says that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – who is famed for craving an expansive style of play – is delighted with the way the Blues are playing, and has revealed that the Russian celebrated with the squad after their goalless draw at the Emirates.
"He is very happy," Mourinho added. "I saw him hugging the players in the dressing room after the game and, yes, I think he's happy and I think every Chelsea fan is happy if we win the title. If we do, we will have had a fantastic Premier League season."
Rodgers rues shot-shy Liverpool as Champions League hopes fade
By Dom Farrell
Apr 29, 2015 00:35:00
Tuesday night's 1-0 loss at relegation-threatened Hull City leaves the Reds seven points off fourth place, while Steve Bruce insists there is still work to do at the KC Stadium
Brendan Rodgers lamented a lack of cutting edge from Liverpool after Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Hull City all but ended their Champions League qualification hopes.
After a goalless draw at West Brom, the Reds again drew a blank as Michael Dawson's 37th-minute header proved decisive to leave Liverpool seven points adrift of fourth place with just four games to play.
"We didn't look like scoring really," Rodgers told reporters. "We had some good moments and had enough of the ball but never really threatened the goal as much as we'd have liked.
"We had enough of the game, between the boxes we were okay, but where it counts in that final third we just couldn't make the breakthrough."
Meanwhile, Steve Bruce believes Hull still have work to do avoid relegation despite the crucial victory.
"Of course when you play Liverpool you've got to defend well, which we did, and we gave ourselves a chance to put back-to-back victories at this particular stage is crucial," he said.
"We give ourselves a good chance, but we still need a couple of results. I don't think 34 [points] is enough. We're all delighted, but back to work in the morning."
Hull host Arsenal, Burnley and Manchester United in the run-in and have a trip to Tottenham in a tricky finish to the season but Bruce insists he never lost faith in this squad.
"I've never really doubted the character," he added. "We've had a lot to put up with, with injuries and conceding in the last minute - we've lost 10 points, especially before Christmas in that situation.
"The one thing I've come to know is the vast majority of them are desperate to be in the Premier League and I think that's showed in the last couple of performances."
Man United, Chelsea, Barcelona & PSG to compete in USA tour
By George Ankers
Apr 28, 2015 17:26:00
The Premier League clubs are set to compete in the International Champions Cup this summer and will face the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona
Manchester United and Chelsea will travel to the United States this summer to compete in the pre-season International Champions Cup, where they will meet Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, the English clubs have announced.
The Red Devils won the tournament last summer in the early weeks of Louis van Gaal's tenure at the club, but them and Chelsea will face daunting opposition in Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this year.
In a league format featuring 10 teams playing four games each, United will begin the cup on July 17 when they face Mexican side Club America in Seattle.
A match against Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes, for whom United legend George Best once turned out, follows on July 21 before Van Gaal's men take on the most glamourous games of the tour.
Barcelona will be their opponents at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California on July 25 before PSG meet them at Soldier Field in Chicago four days later.
Chelsea will open their campaign against New York Red Bulls on July 22, taking on PSG on July 25 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Barca three days later at Washington DC's FedEx Field.
Jose Mourinho's men will then come home to Stamford Bridge to host Fiorentina in their final game of the cup on August 5.
"Manchester United has a great history of visiting these US cities, creating memorable experiences for players and fans that date back as far as the 1950s," Richard Arnold, United managing director, said in a statement.
"Tour 2015, presented by Aon, will allow the team to train at some of the best facilities in the world and play in front of thousands of passionate US supporters at first-class stadiums.
"After this month's Manchester derby broke records to become the most-watched Premier League match in US cable television history, the club is excited to be returning to the United States at a time when the appetite for football is greater than ever."
Southampton have no intention of selling their best players after allowing a host of talent to leave ahead of the 2014-15 campaign, according to head of football development Les Reed.
Many anticipated a season of struggle for Southampton as the likes of Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Dejan Lovren were all sold, with coach Mauricio Pochettino having jumped ship for Tottenham.
However, under the stewardship of manager Ronald Koeman, Southampton have provided a sustained challenge for European football and are seventh in the Premier League table with four matches remaining.
Southampton's impressive performances have led to suggestions that more players will depart at the end of the season, with the likes of Nathaniel Clyne, Morgan Schneiderlin and Jay Rodriguez all linked with a move away from St Mary's Stadium.
But Reed is looking to add to the current crop, telling Sky Sports News: "It wouldn't be our intention to sell any of our players this summer.
"We're in the process of renegotiating contracts with some, but our main purpose at the moment is keeping this squad together and adding to it."
Reed also believes that Southampton can tap into their famed academy to boost the squad next term should they qualify for the UEFA Europa League.
"We don't operate like other clubs," he added.
"When other managers say they need a bigger squad, that means go out and buy more players, whereas we develop our players.
"I think that part of the depth in our squad will come from our academy graduates actually being more permanently in the squad."
Leicester City 1-3 Chelsea: Title in sight for Blues thanks to second-half fightback
Apr 29, 2015 21:38:00
Marc Albrighton has given the Foxes, who were on a four-game winning streak, the lead, but goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires mean just one more win is needed
Chelsea can win the Premier League title on Sunday after John Terry and Ramires struck late to give them a 3-1 come-from-behind victory at Leicester City.
Jose Mourinho's side extended their lead over both Manchester City and Arsenal to 13 points with a gutsy win at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday that showcased their character.
And now Chelsea, unbeaten in 14 league games, can secure English football's greatest prize for the first time since 2010 with victory against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Leicester, who had won four matches in a row to move out of the relegation zone they had occupied since November, lost Andy King and Robert Huth in the first 25 minutes to injuries, but still took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Marc Albrighton.
The hosts were the better side in the first half, but Chelsea responded like champions do, with Didier Drogba levelling proceedings in the 48th minute.
Chelsea captain Terry then struck with 11 minutes remaining before a Ramires stunner capped their superb away win.
Leicester, who remain one point above the bottom three, face Newcastle United in a crucial relegation clash on Saturday.
Chelsea took no risk with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois - battling a minor hip problem - and replaced him with Petr Cech, while Oscar dropped to the bench after his nasty collision with Arsenal's David Ospina on Sunday.
Leicester, who gave forward Jamie Vardy another pain-killing injection to allow him to play, made a bright start, pressing and harrying Chelsea, who rued Cesc Fabregas' decision to square across the face of goal instead of shoot in the 17th minute.
The departures of King, on his 300th Leicester appearance, and Huth, robbed the home side of momentum, but, in a first half bereft of chances, they almost took the lead through an unlikely source, as Paul Konchesky's near-post volley was superbly pushed onto the post by Cech.
Chelsea survived the ensuing goalmouth scramble, but they did not last until the break, as a fast counter in the third minute of stoppage time saw substitute Matty James play in Vardy down the left.
Vardy got to the byline and cut-back, with Cesar Azpilicueta's slip allowing Albrighton to steal in and, first time, fire into the bottom-left corner to delight the home crowd.
Chelsea came out firing after the break, though, and were quickly on level terms through Drogba, after a dink from Eden Hazard - the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year - set Branislav Ivanovic free.
And the defender stormed towards the byline before steering a pass to Drogba, who made no mistake from nine yards with a typically predatory finish.
The Ivorian spooned a great chance over less than two minutes later, while Fabregas should have done better when Willian's cross from the right had Leicester scrambling, but the ex-Arsenal man saw the ball bounce off his knee and go wide.
The chances kept coming for Chelsea, as Drogba flashed an effort just wide from a difficult angle, while Willian curled over as the visitors pressed for a second goal.
And it came in the 79th minute as, after Gary Cahill's header from Fabregas' corner was saved by Kasper Schmeichel, Terry reacted quickest to flick in from close range.
Leicester were given no chance to mount a late rally, either, as Ramires rocketed a first-time effort into the top-left corner from just outside the penalty area four minutes later, sealing Chelsea's terrific triumph.
A second-half comeback saw the Blues beat Leicester City and the Portuguese was full of praise for his team, who are one victory away from championship glory
Jose Mourinho believes every team wants to be like Chelsea after they moved to within three points of the Premier League title.
Second-half goals from Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires saw the Blues come from behind to beat relegation-threatened Leicester City on Wednesday night.
A win against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will seal a first league title since 2010 and Mourinho once again brushed off the recent accusations that his team are boring.
"I think it’s phenomenal what [the players] are doing, top of the league since day one, it’s not easy," he told Sky Sports.
"To play against a team that is having a fantastic run, winning 12 points out of 12, playing at home, [with] big enthusiasm, self-confidence, to be losing at half-time, come in the second half and to do it the way my boys did it, I think it’s fantastic.
"I know what I feel in relation to the work in the last two years, and with the work these boys are doing since pre-season day one, so I don’t need other people to recognise what we are.
"I know exactly what we are and I think, in a very pragmatic way, we are what every team would like to be."
Chelsea have led the Premier League standings since the end of August and Mourinho called on the home supporters to push his team over the line as they look to clinch the league crown on Sunday.
He added: "I think it was a very good performance, a very good victory, and now I think Stamford Bridge instead of celebrating, Stamford Bridge has to be ready to push the team next Sunday.
"We need to win and we need Stamford Bridge not to be celebrating the title, because we do not have the title, we need Stamford Bridge to push us strong to the three points we still need."
Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson bemoaned bad luck after his side's superb winning run came to an end with a 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday.
Leicester had won four games in a row to climb out of the relegation zone they had occupied since November but found champions-elect Chelsea - who can win the Premier League with success against Crystal Palace on Sunday - in inspired form after half-time.
Pearson's side controlled the first 45 minutes and deservedly led at the break through Marc Albrighton's first Premier League goal since 2011, but Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ramires all netted in the second half to give Chelsea an excellent win.
Leicester's cause was not helped by the fact midfielder Andy King - in his 300th appearance for the club - and defender Robert Huth were forced off in the first 25 minutes through injuries, and while Pearson acknowledged Chelsea were the better side, he said the forced early changes had an impact.
"It is difficult when you have to make a couple of substitutions in the game which are not really tactical. That is difficult to deal with but we gave a good account of ourselves," he said.
"The players didn't deserve to be on the end of a 3-1 defeat.
"To be fair to Chelsea, they showed more intent and quality at the times that was needed.
"Having taken the lead we showed positive intent but in the second half, with them equalising so early, it gives a different complexion, and the way the game developed suited their game plan."
Leicester remain one point above the bottom three and now face Newcastle United in a crucial clash on Saturday.
Pearson said despite defeat, the manner of their performance has given his side confidence.
"There is a feeling we are capable and have given ourselves a better chance of avoiding relegation," he said.
"Tonight is a setback because when you go ahead you expect to push on but we came up against a side able to take advantage of their quality in the second half."
The Leicester manager also offered his view on Chelsea, saying that Jose Mourinho's men will be deserved champions.
"I've heard criticisms of Chelsea recently and I find it bemusing to be honest," he added.
"The best sides are able to win games in different ways - and Chelsea illustrated that tonight. They are worthy champions."
Pearson left his post-match press conference abruptly after taking umbrage to a question from a reporter, who did not agree with the manager's assessment that Leicester had received unfair criticism this season. The ugly two-minute spat was not the first time Pearson has clashed with a journalist this season.
With Liverpool set to overhaul their squad at the end of the season, full-back Glen Johnson has effectively given up on remaining at Anfield.
While Johnson stopped short of calling an end to his Liverpool career on Wednesday, the 30-year-old conceded it is unlikely he will earn a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of June.
Johnson has started Liverpool's past three Premier League matches but had been a bench player or out of Brendan Rodgers' squad entirely for the 15 previous games.
The former Chelsea and Portsmouth defender has played 17 Premier League matches for 13 starts this term.
"Of course [I expect to leave at the end of the season], I have no contract," Johnson told the Liverpool Echo.
"I don't think that will change but we have to wait and see.
"I have always been professional all season, always wanted to play and that's still what I'm doing.
"I've got four more games and then let's see what we do in the summer."
Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League, seven points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with four games remaining, which leaves Rodgers' side with only a slim chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.
With just one point collected in their past three fixtures, Liverpool must bring in reinforcements if they want to challenge for the title in 2015-16, according to Johnson.
"Every team is going to try and do their business in the summer to try and make themselves stronger for the following the season," he said.
"The club needs to do that too.
"We have some fantastic young players, but we say the same every year – we always have some good young players coming through.
"The club has got some business to do in the summer."
Tottenham midfielder Erik Lamela is happy at the club and sees his future at White Hart Lane.
Lamela, 23, has been linked with a move away, with reports suggesting the Argentine is no longer in Mauricio Pochettino's plans.
But the former Roma man said his future was at Tottenham.
"I obviously see myself here [in Tottenham]," Lamela said.
"Those questions start to be usual but I am very good here and I see myself in here."
Tottenham sit sixth in the Premier League with four matches remaining, with their chances of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League slim.
Lamela said there was still work to do for his team.
"The evaluation is positive. We still have to finish the Premier League," he said.
"It will be good to gain access to the European competition but nothing is decided yet so we better wait."
As for his chances of being picked in Argentina's Copa America squad, Lamela said: "Everyone works towards this goal, but nobody knows who will be on the list yet.
"I have done my part as I keep training everyday in order to improve."
Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Bryan Oviedo suffered a fractured metatarsal in training and will miss the remainder of the Premier League campaign.
The Costa Rica international has endured lengthy spells on the sidelines since breaking his leg in two places against Stevenage in January 2014, with other injuries restricting him to just 11 appearances this season.
Martinez said: "We had a real disappointing situation with Bryan Oviedo in training, he's fractured his fifth metatarsal, which is incredible bad luck.
"He was in a great moment of form to get back in the squad and get back playing, but it was a very unfortunate action and he's going to be out for the rest of the season.
"He was trying to get on the ball and his ankle rolled a in a very awkward position. It's not his leg he had a breakage, it's the other."
The Everton manager hailed Oviedo's mental toughness in the face of such misfortune.
"It's given us a lesson in the mental strength he has," Martinez added. "We were really down for him and gutted and he's the one who's leading the rehab and is ready just to count the days down until he can come back.
"He's an incredible example of mental strength."
The injury also rules Oviedo out of his country's Gold Cup campaign, Martinez said.
Arnesen: Depay is 99.9 per cent certain to seal Premier League move
30 April 2015
Memphis Depay's move from PSV to the Premier League is "99.9 per cent" certain, according to former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen.
Netherlands international Depay has been in stellar form for the Eredivisie champions this season, netting 21 goals in 28 league appearances for Phillip Cocu's side.
Those performances have attracted the attention of a number of clubs around Europe, with Depay widely reported to set for a switch to England.
Manchester United - managed by Depay's former national coach Louis van Gaal - have been heavily linked with the 21-year-old.
Arnesen, also former PSV sporting director, says he has no idea where Depay will end up, but believes, if given the time, the forward will shine regardless of his destination.
"For me, it's 99.9 per cent," he told Perform at the Sporting Directors' Summit at the Etihad Stadium.
"Yes, he will [be a success]. I've seen him many times this season and he is going from strength to strength, even though he's only 21 years old.
"It's difficult to stop him. It will of course take time because it's totally different than in Eredivisie.
"The level is so much higher here, playing much more games, so he needs to be protected.
"Don't expect too much in the beginning but he's definitely the big talent and he'll be good in the Premier League.
"I don't know where he wants to go. I've seen a lot of players coming into the Premier League from Holland who didn't achieve because the level is so high in the Premier League, but Depay can do very well."
QPR must harness the battling spirit they have shown in recent weeks if they are to survive in the Premier League this season, says head coach Chris Ramsey.
Last weekend's goalless draw with West Ham was their fifth point from a possible 12, and left QPR four points from safety with four to play.
Ramsey has been impressed with the attitude shown by his players and has called for more of the same, starting at Liverpool on Saturday.
"We need to play with spirit we've had in the last few games," he said. "I have always said the difference between teams at the top and where we are is that little bit of quality at crucial times.
"We have to go out and try to be positive and get the wins we need to stay up.
"We were deflated at the beginning of the week, but the mood is [now] quite good, we're making sure nobody's chin is too close to the ground.
"We believe we can stay up, we know it's a difficult task but everyone is up for it."
Meanwhile, Ramsey insists he is not letting the uncertainty of his own future affect his focus on keeping QPR up.
"When we spoke early in the year we said we'd make a decision later on in the season - we haven't come to that time yet," he added. "As far as I'm concerned, I'm not thinking about that
"At the forefront [of my mind] is the season has only got three or four weeks left, so I'm sure I'll find out soon enough what's going to happen. As far as I'm concerned we're just looking at trying to get ourselves above that line."
Morgan Schneiderlin has been ruled out for the rest of Southampton's season due to a knee injury sustained last weekend.
The France midfielder was forced off in the 90th minute as Southampton drew 2-2 with Tottenham on Saturday to remain in firm contention for a UEFA Europa League spot.
"It's the ligaments of his left knee and that's a shame because he's out for the last part of the season," Koeman said.
"He's a key player so it's disappointing. It's a knee injury. It's not five months but at least four or five weeks."
Groin issues have limited Schneiderlin to 26 appearances so far this season – a figure he will end the season on due to his latest injury.
Despite being heavily linked to north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal as a host of key players departed St Mary's Stadium prior to this season, Schneiderlin has remained and blossomed under Koeman.
His impressive form in a campaign that has seen the south-coast club surpass expectations will do nothing to deter any potential suitors.
Schneiderlin's own claims in January that he will evaluate his standing at the end of the campaign could lead to another close-season of speculation.
Koeman will also have to make do without winger Dusan Tadic for Saturday's trip to Sunderland due to a groin injury.
Alan Hutton has returned to training ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League clash with Everton on Saturday after missing the last four games due to an ankle injury.
The Scotland right-back has not featured since limping out of Villa's 3-1 defeat at Manchester United almost a month ago.
Villa manager Tim Sherwood revealed that Hutton will be assessed on the eve of his relegation-threatened side's game home encounter with Roberto Martinez's men.
Sherwood said on Thursday: "Alan Hutton is back in training. He has trained during the latter part of the week and will train tomorrow.
"We need as many bodies between now and the end of the season as possible. We'll assess him tomorrow."
Villa are just two points ahead of third-bottom Sunderland with four matches remaining and Dick Advocaat's side have a game in hand.
