FootbaLL LoVeRs

Avram Grant To Jose Mourinho: My Chelsea Were Better

2009-01-17T22:10:00.000-08:00

Jose Mourinho recently said that man who succeeded him as Chelsea manager, Avram Grant, did "nothing" for the club during his seven-month stint at the helm.
The Israeli led the Blues to their first-ever Champions League final, where they lost to Manchester United on penalties, but Mourinho claimed he would have gone one better had he stayed at Stamford Bridge.
Grant is confused by the Inter Milan coach's unprovoked criticism and has defended his efforts in resurrecting a Blues side that were in turmoil when he took over.
He told the News of the World, “What the fans need to remember is that Jose did not leave me a team that were champions, that was Manchester United and we were in sixth position after a very poor start to the season.
“Everyone was in shock. The atmosphere in the dressing room was not good, critics were saying the football was boring and negative and we had just had a poor draw with Rosenborg in the Champions League.
“The supporters were booing the team after that match, the stadium was half empty and Jose knew his time was up.
“He then walked out a couple of days before an away match with United when Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Ricardo Carvalho were all out injured and I agreed to step in.
“I was director of football and was enjoying my job. Jose agreed I should come and we worked for three months together. He did his job and I tried to help him. I felt it was a very important role. But things were not good. Morale was low and questions were being asked.
“With a lot of effort — and a lot of thinking and hard work — I started putting the team back together again.”
What's Stopping Mou?
Grant then launched a stinging counter-attack at Mourinho, insisting the Portuguese had plenty of chances to lead Chelsea to European glory.
“I don’t see how Jose can claim he would have won the Champions League if he’d still been in charge,” the 53-year-old continued.
“He was boss for more than three years and he didn’t even make the Champions League final once. What stopped him? He had the biggest budget in the history of football, some of the best players and an owner that gave him everything.
“But he got beaten twice in the semi-finals by teams with half the budget he had at his disposal.
“What he forgets is that we beat Liverpool with a team that had (Fernando) Torres in and only missed winning the biggest prize in football by inches — and that penalty shoot-out miss did not make us a bad side.”
One Of The Best
Nicolas Anelka's flubbed spot-kick doomed Chelsea to trophyless season and signalled the end of Grant's whirlwind spell in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat.
But people often forget that the Pensioners came agonisingly close to claiming a double last term, as they battled Man United right to the wire for the Premier League title - a remarkable achievement after the start they endured.
And Grant said, “Jose says that I did ‘nothing’ in the League. Perhaps his memory is failing him because my winning ratio of games was second to none. We won all the big games at home when I was in charge, beating Arsenal, United and Liverpool.
“I am told one of the best in their history. We won all the big games at home when I was in charge.
“If we hadn’t started the season so badly under Jose, we would have been champions — it’s a fact — but the dropped points cost us dearly at the end. We paid the price for a poor start under his guidance.”
Mike Maguire, Goal.com

David Beckham Urges Kaka To Stay At Milan

2009-01-17T22:09:00.000-08:00

There was an air of mourning mixed with chants of anger at the San Siro last night as AC Milan claimed victory over Fiorentina thanks to Alexandre Pato's lone goal.
The result was secondary, even though it keeps the Rossoneri alive in the Scudetto race, as David Beckham made his first appearance at the Giuseppe Meazza since arriving on-loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
But even he wasn't the centre of attention, as the focus was purely on Kaka in what might prove to be his last game as a Milan player.
The Brazilian superstar now seems all but certain to join Manchester City now that their mammoth €120 million bid is set to be accepted by the Italian giants.
However, Beckham does not buy into the frenzy surrounding the former FIFA World Player of the Year's proposed move and hopes he snubs the vast riches on offer at Eastlands.
"I don't think it was Kaka's last game," the 33-year-old midfielder said in The Daily Mail.
"I think there's always going to be speculation around him, there's always going to be speculation around big players at big clubs and they don't come much bigger than Ricardo (Kaka). But he's very happy here.
"Without doubt he should stay. AC Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world. It's not always about money. There is not one player in that dressing room that cares about money before football. I hope he stays."
Wise words from a man who has so often been accused of favouring personal gain over the pursuit of footballing greatness.
Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Real Madrid Offer Milan Late Bid For Kaka - Report

2009-01-17T22:05:00.000-08:00

As the Kaka transfer drama rumbles on, Real Madrid are attempting to throw a late spanner in the works.

According to the News Of The World, the club contacted Kaka's father on Friday night and signalled their intent to sign the player.

Real Madrid are willing to match Manchester City's record-breaking €120 million bid, but they will not go anywhere near the estimated €562,000-a-week wages that City are said to be offering.

In their favour, however, is the fact that Kaka appears reluctant to move to a club that does not play at the highest level, a platform that Real Madrid can guarantee.
In addition, a move to the Bernabeu would only materialise in the summer, after their club elections, allowing the Brazilian star to play out the season at Milan.

Arjun Miglani, Goal.com

Scholes wants to win everything

2008-12-24T05:07:00.002-08:00

Manchester United ace Paul Scholes has set his sicghts on ‘winning everything’ with the club this season.

The 34-year-old has just recently returned from a three-month injury absence.

Scholes said in the Daily Star: “This year has been a great one for us. We won the league and the European Cup in May and this season has gone well so far.

“We are still in four competitions and I’m looking forward to next year.

“My aim for 2009 is to see United win everything and for me to be a part of a team that goes on to lift trophies at the end of the season.”

He continued: “Now we can really concentrate on the league, the Champions League and the two domestic cups.”

[Source: Daily Star]

Mourinho plans Premiership return

2008-12-24T05:07:00.001-08:00

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has admitted that he wants to return to the Premier League one day.

The 45-year-old won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup twice during his three year spell as Chelsea boss.

He told Sky Sports News: “I never hide. I am in love with the English game. I have to go back one day, for sure. I just love it.

“One of my ambitions is to win the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga. The three big championships in Europe.

“One day I will go back to England because I love it and one day I will go to Spain to win La Liga. But at the same time, I am really, really happy with Inter.

“I want to make Inter a better club. I am very, very happy with the way things have gone so far. It has been a new start to me.

“My team is almost like I used to call my Chelsea team in 2004/2005, a ‘victory machine’. You always have a feeling you will win because the team is so strong.”

[Source: Sky Sports News]

Scolari urges Chelsea to give him more cash

2008-12-24T05:06:00.002-08:00

Chelsea boss Phil Scolari has asked the club chiefs for money to spend on new players in the January transfer window.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon insists they will not spend any money in the January transfer window.

Scolari is desperate to bring in a new striker in January.

A source close to the Brazilian told the Sun: “Sometimes the best way to re-energise a team is to inject fresh blood, that’s all he asked for.

“Felipe was promised funds to buy before he joined. Everyone knows he wanted Robinho and what happened there.

“He knows financial situations have changed. But he is not asking for £20million, just a reasonable amount to get a new player in.”

[Source: The Sun]

Why have Arsenal failed to live up to their expectations?

2008-12-24T05:06:00.001-08:00

The headline of this article has been the question being asked for the past couple of weeks in the SoccerNews poll. A number of you have voted and the result makes for interesting reading.

Disappointing

Despite beating Chelsea and Manchester United and holding Liverpool to a draw with only ten men, there is no doubt that this season has been, in the main, a disappointing one for the Gunners. They wouldn’t have wanted to be sitting in fifth place at Christmas time and despite Arsene Wenger’s protestations about being a young side and learning all the time and being a great side in the future, he must be as upset as the fans and the players.

There has been some turmoil at the club with William Gallas speaking out about team-mates and things that should have stayed in the dressing room. He was, of course, stripped of the captaincy.

Someone new

There has been some strange comings and goings at boardroom level, and for the first time in his reign, there have been a few fans thinking that Arsene Wenger has done as much with the club as he can and they should consider bringing in someone new.

They lost Hleb and Flamini. There has been much talk of Adebayor and Fabregas leaving. They have been without Rosicky and Eduardo.

All out attack

The fans have booed their own player in what seemed like an all out attack against Emmanuel Eboue. It is some time since the Gooners have turned on one of their own.

Transfers in have been minimal and many eyebrows were raised about the signing of Michael Silvestre. Hardly a move designed to bring about an end to the small run of trophyless years.

Stubborn

The board spoke out that Wenger had money to spend if he wanted to, yet the big names did not come. Is this because Arsene Wenger stubbornly refuses to bring world stars to the club or because the club has a wage structure that makes getting the top players to sign too difficult?

The results of the poll show that at 43% nearly half of the respondents feel that they have under achieved due to the simple fact that the squad is too inexperienced.

Some 18% think the blame lies in a weak midfield. With the loss of Hleb, Flamini, Gilberto, and Rosicky, that may well be the case.

Roughly the same number of respondents put the blame firmly at Arsene Wenger’s door, blaming his stubborn views on the club’s transfer policy.

15% of respondents felt that the internal problems at the club have caused the problems and 5% actually went as far as to blame William Gallas personally.

Benitez and Torres close to Liverpool returns

2008-12-24T05:04:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez is close to a return to the Liverpool dugout for Friday's clash against Bolton, while star striker Fernando Torres should also be back in action soon.

Liverpool manager Benitez missed Sunday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal while he recovered from a kidney stones operation, but he is expected to be back on the bench for Bolton's Boxing Day visit to Anfield.

Benitez's assistant Sammy Lee hopes his imminent return can provide the perfect boost for Liverpool to finish the year on a high.

“Rafa is a lot better, he's on the mend. He has been in a lot of pain but he is improving,” Lee said.

“His presence is always missed, but the organisation he has put in place is such that even though he has not been here this week, the battle plan is still there.

“We know what we have to do, the game plan is there, it is business as usual.

“He is missed and hopefully he will be back with us for the Bolton game.

“He is a hands-on manager, it is hurting him more being away from the training ground really, but he will be back soon.”

The Bolton game may be too soon for Torres to return from a hamstring injury that has forced the 24-year-old to miss five matches, but Lee expects him back soon.

“Fernando's progress has markedly improved. He is getting better. He improves with every training session and he has worked very hard on his rehabilitation,” Lee said.

“We will put him in when we see fit, that's not evasive but I don't want to start revealing our line-up.”

Liverpool go into the first of their Christmas fixtures on top of the Premier League and protecting an unbeaten home league record in 2008.

It is the first time Liverpool have been top at this stage since 1996, and two wins over the holiday period against Bolton first and then at Newcastle on Sunday will give them their best points tally in a calendar year for 19 years.

“The lads will be in training on Christmas Day, we have two very important games in three days coming up and they are very professional and accept that they have to have their Christmas at a different time to everyone else,” Lee added.

“They know the job in hand, they know what preparation is needed to stay at the top of the Premier League.”

Sacchi Loses Faith In Milan's Scudetto Bid

2008-11-25T04:06:00.000-08:00

Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has expressed doubts about the Rossoneri's ability and consistency to pull results out of the bag week in, week out following the controversial 2-2 draw with Torino on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have struggled to break down the lesser teams this season: they drew with both Lecce and Toro and only just managed to scrape past Chievo 1-0.

Sacchi, who coached at the club between 1987 and 1991, doesn't think Milan have what it takes this term even though they are just three points behind bitter city rivals Inter.

"Milan have an excellent tactical culture. Carlo Ancelotti has been there for seven years but he doesn't always find the equal motivation and determination," Sacchi told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"The team has great technical qualities and they are brilliant at holding onto the ball but sometimes they over do it and they fail to find the same hunger and enthusiasm.

"A lot of players move without the ball and they only express their best football in the big games and this could cost them."

"I don't think it will be easy for them to win."

The Rossoneri take on Portsmouth in the UEFA Cup on Thursday night but their main aim this season remains the Scudetto.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Girlfriend Demands Four Ducklings From Pato

2008-10-27T05:06:00.000-07:00

The Rossoneri star has been impressing on the pitch but also off it as his girlfriend reveals she wants to spend the rest of her life with him and she has already laid down the objectives for next season.

"Pato is my future and I want to spend my life by his side," Brito told Brazilian magazine 'Contigo'.

"I want to have four children with him because I come from a big family and I want to have a big family too.

"I want to get married in church as this has always been my dream."

Pato has been scoring on the pitch for Milan now it's time to do it off the turf.

Brito has risen to fame for her acting roles but, most notably, for her appearance in Playboy magazine when she turned 18.

Meanwhile, Milan are just one point off the top of Serie A following their 1-0 win over Atalanta on Sunday night, thanks to Kaka.

Salvatore Landolina

Xabi Strike Smashes Chelsea's Unbeaten Run

2008-10-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

A deflected goal from Xabi was enough to see Rafa Benítez's side rack up a victory over Luis Felipe Scolari's charges.

After 86 league games without tasting defeat at Stamford Bridge, something finally gave as Xabi's deflected effort silenced the home crowd.

After that early goal the Reds went on to remain the better side for the most part, and Pepe Reina was given relatively little to do between the posts.

That was largely down to a spirited defensive showing from the Scousers that endured in the face of sustained possession from the hosts.

On a rare break forward, in fact, Liverpool managed the lead. With Chelsea dithering over a clearance after an offensive throw-in, Xabi Alonso attempted to rifle the ball past Cech. His shot lacked conviction, but Bosingwa's body deflected it so that the helpless 'keeper could only flail at it with his legs.

Chelsea tried their best to build from the back, but time and again their moves broke down on the edge of the area, allowing the likes of Gerrard to respond with swift counters that saw Cech tested with long-range efforts.

Further back Mascherano and his back four were looking increasingly comfortable as Chelsea ran out of ideas heading into the second half.

Still, Chelsea had the occasional spell of dominance that called for physical play from the visitors. As early as the 22nd minute Riera had picked up a merited yellow for hacking down Bosingwa, and Reina, too, could have joined him in the book for bringing down Malouda, but the Blues' forward was already offside.

Both sides made their changes in an attempt to inject life into their play, Babel replacing Keane to hold the ball up and run onto counters while di Santo and Belletti replaced Kalou and Malouda.

This had the desired effect for both sides as first the Reds came close with a low drive from an Alonso free-kick, and then an increasingly frantic Chelsea created a chance of their own. Ashley Cole inexplicably fired off-target after Di Santo directed Lampard's cross towards him for a golden opportunity.

Although Liverpool started to panic a bit and defend deeply, they may have known in their heart of hearts even with ten minutes to go that they'd done enough, and the match ended 1-0 in their favour.

Chelsea launch £16m legal fight over John Mikel Obi transfer deal

2008-10-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

Chelsea have began a legal battle against Lyn Oslo and their former chief executive Morgan Andersen to recoup the £16million transfer fee they paid for midfielder John Mikel Obi.

The move follows the criminal conviction of Andersen by a Norwegian court last March for falsifying documents in relation to Mikel's sale in June 2006 for which he was given a suspended one-year jail sentence.

Chelsea claim the entire transfer deal was based on the "fraudulent misrepresentation" that Mikel had an employment contract with Lyn and are now demanding their money back.

Mikel was at the centre of a major row at the time with both Chelsea and Manchester United claiming to have agreed to sign the Nigerian.

The dispute dragged on for more than a year and was eventually settled when Chelsea agreed to pay £16m in compensation - £12m to United and £4m to Lynn.

The club,however, stressed today that their refund claim is against Lynn and Andersen and has nothing to do with United.

Spot the difference: John Mikel Obi was paraded in United shirt before he changed his mind and signed for Chelsea

A Chelsea spokesman said: 'The club have issued a claim at the High Court in relation to the transfer of Jon Obi Mikel.

'The claim is against FC Lyn Oslo and Morgen Andersen and follows the criminal conviction in Norway of Lyn's former Chief Executive Officer Morgan Andersen.

'At the time of the transfer, Chelsea, Lyn and Manchester United agreed that the fees paid would be in final settlement of the transfer, any claims related to it and that no further action or comment regarding the transfer would be made.

'Chelsea has written to Lyn to make clear that because the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law, the settlement previously agreed is not binding.'

After a slow start, Mikel has emerged as a key player at Stamford Bridge and has cemented a first-team place this season in the absence of Michael Essien.

Credit bunch: Top 20 European summer transfers - does your club's big buy feature?

2008-10-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

English football may be feeling the burden of an estimated £3billion debt, but that doesn't stop free-spending Barclays Premier League clubs dominating in the transfer market.

An analysis of the world's biggest deals from the summer transfer window shows half of the top 20 were completed by English clubs, with the deadline-day captures of Robinho for Manchester City and Dimitar Berbatov for Manchester United leading the way.

1 - Robinho (Real Madrid to Manchester City) - £32.4m

2 - Dimitar Berbatov (Tottenham to Manchester United) - £30.75m

3 - Daniel Alves (Sevilla to Barcelona) - £26m

4 - Danny (Dynamo Moscow to Zenit St Petersburg) - £24.3m

5 - Ricardo Quaresma (Porto to Inter Milan) - £19.5m

6 - Robbie Keane (Tottenham to Liverpool) - £19.5m

7 - Jo (CSKA Moscow to Manchester City) - £19.5m

8 - Amauri (Palermo to Juventus) - £18.5m

9 - David Bentley (Blackburn to Tottenham) - £17.8m

10 - Ronaldinho (Barcelona to AC Milan) - £17m

Hleb: Signing Cesc would be absolutely Fab for Barcelona

2008-10-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Barcelona midfielder Alexander Hleb admits he has been trying to persuade former Arsenal team-mate Cesc Fabregas to join him at the Nou Camp.

Spain international Fabregas vowed earlier this week that he would one day like to return to Barca, the club he left to join Arsenal in 2003, and for Hleb that day can not come soon enough.

The way things were: Cesc Fabregas and former Gunners team-mate Alex Hleb

Hleb moved to Barca this summer after three seasons at the Gunners, and the Belarus ace would be delighted if the highly-coveted Fabregas followed suit.

Hleb said in El Mundo Deportivo: "We get on very well on and off the pitch. For me he is like a brother. We call each other a lot to talk about things.

"He tells me he misses me at Arsenal and, without wanting to detract from anyone, I would love it if he came to Barca to be a part of all this.

"I don't stop insisting that he should return to Barca and he doesn't stop insisting that he is very happy at Arsenal and with Arsene Wenger.

"I will keep boring him until he changes his mind. If in the end he listens to me, I think it would be great for Barcelona."

Roman Abramovich loses £12billion in Russian share plunge

2008-10-11T06:59:00.000-07:00

Roman Abramovich has lost £12billion on the Russian stock exchange, it was revealed today.

The Chelsea FC owner has seen his fortune shrink as Russia's Micex Index has gone into freefall.

The decline in value of two of his companies on the Moscow-based index, steel maker Evraz and mining company Highland Gold, has left the 41-year-old tycoon £11.9billion worse off.

It comes just four days after details emerged of the £200million super-yacht Abramovich is having built - set to be the largest private yacht ever constructed.

The massive bill for the boat amounts to just a 60th of today's gargantuan losses for the Russian oligarch.

Abramovich's woes come on a disastrous financial day for London's Premiership football clubs, with the owners of Arsenal and West Ham also suffering from the effects of instability in the markets.

Arsenal's part-owner Alisher Usmanov has lost £7billion on the Micex index, which has declined 61 per cent since its peak in May.

West Ham's Icelandic owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson also said he may sell the club after losing £230million.

Chelsea open legal proceedings against Lyn and Andersen over Mikel transfer

2008-10-11T06:53:00.000-07:00

Chelsea have issued a high court claim for £16m against the Norwegian club FC Lyn Oslo and their disgraced former chief executive, Morgan Andersen, over the controversial purchase of John Mikel Obi, though there seems little prospect of the Premier League club being able to recoup all the money they paid for the Nigeria midfielder.

Mikel arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 in a complicated deal that saw some £4m paid to Lyn Oslo and £12m to Manchester United, who believed they had originally signed the player on professional terms. However, Andersen was convicted in an Oslo court earlier this year of forging contracts relating to Chelsea and Mikel, which enabled the Norwegian club to gain a slice of the player's transfer fee. Chelsea duly informed Lyn that the deal was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation that the player had an employment contract at the Oslo club and that they would seek full repayment.

Chelsea have privately stressed that they are not attempting to put Lyn Oslo out of business, and it appears unlikely that the Norwegian club, currently mid-table in their domestic league, would have the funds to pay anything close to the £16m compensation demanded. With that in mind, the two clubs are involved in "positive discussions" in a bid to reach some kind of compromise over the case, the pursuit of which has fast become a point of principal for the Premier League leaders.

Although Chelsea are technically seeking the return of the entire fee, the most likely result will be an out-of-court settlement between the clubs, given their willingness to maintain dialogue. "The claim is against FC Lyn Oslo and Morgan Andersen and follows the criminal conviction in Norway of Lyn's former chief executive officer," said a Chelsea spokesman. "It is for the entire £16m fee paid by Chelsea for the player as it is now clear, following Andersen's conviction, that the transfer was based on the fraudulent misrepresentation that Mikel had an employment contract with Lyn.

"Chelsea has written to Lyn to make clear that because the transfer was based on a fraudulent misrepresentation, now proven by a court of law, the settlement previously agreed is not binding. Chelsea is in contact with Lyn and looks forward to working positively with them to resolve the claim promptly. Chelsea would like to make clear that this legal action is against Lyn and Morgan Andersen."

That reflects the reality that Manchester United, who declined to comment, are not involved in any way in Chelsea's pursuit of the money they paid two years ago. Indeed, Chelsea are not intending to involve their Premier League rivals in the high court case. However, this should prove the final twist in a saga that infuriated Sir Alex Ferguson who, along with United, had been convinced that Mikel was bound for Old Trafford rather than Stamford Bridge some two years ago.

Mikel claimed to have signed a youth contract with Lyn in 2005 but, within a week, United announced they had agreed to sign him on professional terms at the end of the Norwegian season in January 2006. The player was even photographed wearing a United shirt, only for Chelsea also to claim to have reached an agreement to sign the player. That prompted United and Lyn to report the London club and the player's agents, John Shittu and Rune Hauge, to Fifa and it was not until June 2006, some 14 months after the saga first flared up, that Chelsea agreed a compromise deal to pay both Lyn and United for the player's services.

That decision was made on the basis that Mikel was under contract in Oslo, the reality of which was dispelled when Andersen — the chief executive at the Norwegian club at the time — was convicted of making false accusations and fraud over the agreement that apparently existed between his club and the midfielder. He was given a one-year suspended sentence after a court decided the professional contract Mikel subsequently denied ever signing and which committed him to the club actually carried a signature cut out from the amateur agreement to which he had previously been tied.

Alonso too slow for Juventus

2008-10-09T04:28:00.000-07:00

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri says Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is too slow.

Ranieri was close to signing the Spaniard in the summer and the former Chelsea boss has now revealed the reason.

He said: “He was a player we wanted.

“But he is a player, who even though he is an extraordinary man and a great professional, left me perplexed by the slowness of his movement in midfield.

“In the midfield of Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool, where all of them are little soldiers, he finds himself in a fantastic position.

“But in our midfield, he would have found it hard to support the midfield line seeing as Mauro Camoranesi and Pavel Nedved are not players that come back to give support like Liverpool’s wingers.”

[Source: The Sun]

Manchester City rumours

2008-10-09T04:27:00.000-07:00

Today’s newspaper watch brings two new rumours concerning the likely signings of Manchester City.

The Daily Mirror believes that Mark Hughes is lining up a January bid for Sampdoria’s twenty-six year old notoriously short tempered Italian playmaker Antonio Cassano.

The unpredictable Cassano has recently found love with a seventeen year old water polo player and is unlikely to want to move away.

(Source - Daily Mirror)

The Sun newspaper tells us that City are keen to sign Rennes’ Cameroon defensive midfield player Stephane Mbia for a fee of £9.6 million when the transfer window re-opens in January.

The twenty-two year old, who can also play at right back, has made eleven appearances for Cameroon.

(Source - The Sun)

Van Nistelrooy still expects Ronaldo to join Madrid

2008-10-09T04:26:00.001-07:00

Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy believes that Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo will one day make a move to Real Madrid.

In an interview with Spanish sports paper Marca, Van Nistelrooy said to expect that the Portuguese winger will join ‘Los Galacticos’ next summer, “or the one after”.

Ronaldo was close to a move this summer but Real Madrid and Manchester United never came to an agreement. After undergoing surgery, the forward recently made his return to the pitch.

The Portuguese star does have a long term contract with United, who seem anything but willing to let him go without a fight.

Despite this summer’s transfer rumours, Ronaldo’s popularity among United fans doesn’t seem to have received a knock.

Bentley: We Must Stop The Jokes

2008-10-09T04:23:00.000-07:00

Initially it was a toothpick, and now it is a triangle. The latter of these inanimate objects contain more points than Tottenham Hotspur can currently brag.

The north London club have embarked on such a bad start that only a very minor percentage of Spurs supporters will remember the last poor run of form to a season's birth 96 years ago. The same year the Titanic sunk; but will the lily white ship sink just as spectacularly?

In order for the jokes and puns to come to an end, Tottenham wideboy David Bentley has called on the players to steer their vessel out of trouble.

"I know people are having a laugh at the fact we are bottom of the league at the moment but it's up to everyone at the club to stop the jokes," Bentley is quoted by the Metro as saying.

"We're not happy with what has been happening. You cannot hide from the situation but what we need are a team of leaders who take responsibility. We have to grow as people."

"We have more than enough good players at Tottenham to get us out of this situation and I give my word that we will," the confident ex-Blackburn Rovers winger said.

"I still love being at Spurs and I don't regret joining the club for one second."

Venables turns down Newcastle role

2008-09-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Terry Venables rejected the chance Thursday to step into the hotseat at troubled Newcastle, who have been managerless since Kevin Keegan's abrupt departure earlier this month.

With the club up for sale by owner Mike Ashley, Venables was reported to have been offered the chance to come in as a caretaker manager.

Venables confirmed to The Sun newspaper, for whom he writes a column, that he had been in talks with the St James' Park hierarchy.

But the newspaper's website later Thursday said that the 65-year-old had “turned down” Newcastle's plea to become stand-in boss amid uncertainty over the club's future.

Former England, Tottenham and Barcelona boss Venables was one of the leading candidates to become Newcastle manager when Bobby Robson was sacked in 2004, although the club's then-owners eventually plumped for Graeme Souness.

He also has experience of working in the north-east of England having helped Middlesbrough avoid relegation in 2002 after being brought in to help Bryan Robson manage the side.

A similar salvage operation is required at Newcastle, who are currently second from bottom of the Premier League and were dumped out of the League Cup on Wednesday night following a 2-1 defeat at home to Tottenham.

That match was watched by 20,577 people, the club's lowest crowd in 16 years, which will not have helped Ashley's hopes of a quick sale.

Consortiums from China and Nigeria are reported to be considering bids but there has been no indication that anyone is willing to meet Ashley's asking price of more than 400 million pounds.

Venables's last job was as a part-time assistant to former England boss Steve McClaren. That role came to an end when McClaren was sacked in November of last year following England's failure to reach Euro 2008.

Kaka, Robinho in, Ronaldinho out as Brazil squad named

2008-09-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

There was no place for AC Milan's Ronaldinho on Thursday as Brazil coach Dunga named his 22-man squad for next month's 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Colombia.

Dunga called on Ronaldinho's club-mate Kaka, whose last game for his country was against Uruguay in November last year, and Manchester City's new wonder signings Jo and Robinho.

Despite appearing at the Beijing Olympics last month, where he scored two goals before Brazil were knocked out in the semi-finals, Dunga chose to leave Ronaldinho out.

“Ronaldinho has not had enough time to improve with his new club. He is missing rhythm,” said Dunga. “I have confidence in him, as do all Brazilians, and I hope he can become again the Ronaldinho that all the world knows.”

Brazil play Venezuela on October 12 then Colombia four days later.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA), Doni (AS Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelona/ESP), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Juan (AS Roma/ITA), Thiago Silva (Fluminense), Alex (Chelsea/ENG), Kleber (Santos), Juan (Flamengo)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos/GRE), Josue (Wolfsburg/GER), Lucas (Liverpool/ENG), Anderson (Manchester United/ENG), Elano (Manchester City/ENG), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA), Mancini (Inter Milan/ITA), Julio Baptista (AS Roma/ITA)

Strikers: Luis Fabiano (Sevilla/ESP), Jo (Manchester City/ENG), Pato (AC Milan/ITA), Robinho (Manchester City/ENG)

Great Dane Tips Gerrard For Derby Glory

2008-09-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

And the former Danish international also tipped new-boy Robbie Keane to break his drought by finding the net at Goodison Park.

"Steven is always our key man," Molby told the club's official website.

"Last season Steven got substituted at Goodison which surprised many people so maybe for this game he will want to do something special. It would be nice for him to get his 100th goal for Liverpool in the derby.

"I also think Robbie Keane will be relishing the derby. Newspaper columns have been full with stories about his lack of goals so far, but if he starts on Saturday then what a great game to get your first goal in!

"I'm sure he will find the net sooner rather than later and Saturday would be perfect. Once he gets his first then he will get plenty of goals."

Wary

The Reds triumphed in the corresponding fixture last season, coming from behind to snatch a controversial 2-1 win. Dirk Kuyt scored both goals from the penalty spot, while at the other end Jamie Carragher was lucky not to concede a pair of spot-kicks in the dying minutes.

Everton will be eager to reverse the result this time around, and Molby is wary of the attacking talents at David Moyes' disposal.

"We will have to defend well and we know they have got excellent players going forward," the former Ajax midfielder said.

"(Mikel) Arteta is getting back to his best and (Tim) Cahill is scoring goals. Yakubu can be a handful and they have (Louis) Saha who is also a threat.

"Everton's problem this season and it has been a massive one, is their defending so hopefully we can take advantage of that."

Scrappy

Rafael Benitez's men come into the clash on the back of some scrappy performances, having drawn against Stoke City last weekend before edging past Crewe Alexandra in the Carling Cup midweek.

Star striker Fernando Torres is yet to reach full fitness or form after a hamstring injury, and Molby admitted Liverpool's forwards would have to be extra sharp against the Toffees.

He added: "We haven't found our scoring boots so far this season but I think Liverpool will shade this game and win 2-1."

Mike Maguire

Sheffield United confirm victory over West Ham in Tevez case

2008-09-23T05:58:00.001-07:00

West Ham could be set for a £30m payout after an independent FA tribunal ruled in Sheffield United's favour over the Carlos Tevez affair, and the Blades have not given up hope that as a result of today's ruling the Premier League may also be forced to take action.

"The Blades began their legal fight for reinstatement some 16 months ago, which also included an arbitration hearing against the Premier League," said United in a statement on their website. "This award could now pose a question as to what the Premier League will do." United refused to comment further on the matter when questioned by guardian.co.uk today and it is unclear what further action the Premier League could take, with reinstatement an impossibility, though a hefty windfall from West Ham now seems likely.

United's claim dates back to the 2006-07 season when Tevez played a major role in helping West Ham avoid relegation, at the expense of Neil Warnock's side. In April 2007 the Hammers were fined £5.5m by the Premier League for breaching the rules in relation to Tevez and Javier Mascherano, but were not docked any points. Tevez was cleared to play on for the Hammers, Mascherano having departed for Liverpool in January, and the Argentine striker scored the only goal of the game in West Ham's 1-0 win over Manchester United on the last day of the season, a result that ensured the club stayed in the top flight.

United lost an initial appeal against their relegation in the summer of 2007, but continued their fight in an FA tribunal. That tribunal has today ruled in their favour.

"I can confirm that both clubs have been notified of the ruling," said the United chairman, Kevin McCabe. "The arbitration panel has awarded in our favour. The matter is still legally in process so I do not wish to comment any further until we have completed that process."

Warnock, the Blades' manager during the club's season in the top flight, said today that he feels justice has been done. "I think everyone in the country knows this is the right verdict," he told Sky Sports News. "This justifies what Kevin McCabe has said all along: that we were hard done by, that it wasn't done legally and we were fighting for our rights. It was scandalous. It changed one or two lives and it shouldn't have happened. This verdict puts your faith back into the justice system."

The Daily Mail today suggests that United are demanding £30,396,897.32 from the London club, with £21,788,795 of that figure considered to be compensation for the loss of Premier League status. The rest of the sum is based on reduced transfer fees, season ticket sales, merchandising and "lost business opportunities".

"We have no doubt that West Ham would have secured at least three fewer points over the 2006-07 season if Carlos Tevez had not been playing for the club," reads the tribunal's judgment according to the Mail. "Indeed, we think it more likely than not on the evidence we heard that even over the final two games of the season West Ham would have achieved at least three points less overall without Mr Tevez. He played outstandingly well in the two wins West Ham secured in those last two games."

West Ham are believed to be considering an appeal, but because both clubs and the FA agreed to the tribunal it is unclear whether or not they have the right to do so.

"We need to digest the full findings of the arbitration panel and will consult our lawyers on the next steps we might take before making any further comment," a West Ham spokesman told the BBC.

Chelsea gamble on 'player with three lungs' to fill Essien void

2008-09-23T05:56:00.000-07:00

Luiz Felipe Scolari expects to have Mineiro, a 33-year-old Brazilian midfielder, available for the Premier League game against Aston Villa a week on Sunday. Chelsea are set to sign the former Brazil international, who left Hertha Berlin in the summer, to provide backup in midfield after the injuries to Michael Essien and Deco.
"Mineiro is a player I need because I lost Essien for six months and only John Mikel Obi is there for us," Scolari said. "He won't play this week but maybe after 10 days he will play. He needs to play in the reserve team and needs some time but that is good for me because he gives me some options."
Arsène Wenger had considered a move for the Brazilian but after watching him in a behind-closed-doors friendly the Arsenal manager said this month that nothing would happen "at the moment". Birmingham were reportedly also interested in Mineiro, who was offered an extension to stay at Hertha last summer but felt the offer was not good enough. He made 36 Bundesliga appearances for Hertha Berlin, scoring twice in an 18-month spell.
Liverpool fans may remember him from their Club World Championship final in December 2005 when the midfielder scored the only goal of the game, beating Liverpool's offside trap and slotting calmly past José Reina, to win the trophy for Sao Paulo. He was a late call-up for Brazil in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup, replacing the Barcelona midfielder Edmilson who suffered a serious knee injury, but did not play in Germany.
A year later, however, he was Dunga's first choice in midfield together with Arsenal's Gilberto Silva - keeping Manchester United's Anderson on the bench - as Brazil won the 2007 Copa América in Venezuela. He is highly respected in Brazil and Scolari knows him well, having given him his first cap in 2001. His tireless running makes him an ideal back-up for Essien - who is unlikely to play again this year - and his coach at Sao Paulo, Muricy Ramalho, once said: "The guy is incredible. He runs so much at times it makes you wonder whether he has got three lungs, not two, like the rest of us."
Salomon Kalou has said that more goals will follow from him after he scored the equaliser against Manchester United on Sunday. "It's my first goal against Manchester United so I hope it is the start of a lot of goals and it has given me a lot of confidence," he said. "It is a good feeling to come off the bench and score."