Tottenham’s £20 million Russian target has been likened to a slave, continuing the ridiculous claims that were started by the oh-so-wise head of world football Sepp Blatter. [Read the rest of this entry »]

Who knows what to believe anymore when it comes to Valencia ace, David Villa. Just weeks ago, the Spanish striker was making it known the he would move to another club if the right opportunity came around. Well, after winning the Euro 2008 championship for his country, that doesn’t seem to be the case any longer.

The Associated Press is reporting that Villa has made it known that Liverpool, Chelsea, et al, should not even waste their time tracking him anymore. He’s more than prepared to stay and play out the rest of his contract at Valencia.

“I am very grateful, I am very happy to be here. Of course I’m staying,” Villa told a reported 4,000 fans who turned up late Tuesday to pay tribute to the seven Valencia and Villarreal players who helped Spain win Euro 2008. “I still have several years left on my contract and of course I’d like to stay on for more years than those I have already signed for.” (AP)

For a club like Liverpool that had been tracking Villa for some time, the comments that Villa is prepared to stay at Valencia has to sting. However, I’d give Villa another week to let the Euro 2008 rush sit in; once the rush of the title subsides, you have to wonder if you’ll see his name back on the market.

Is anyone really sold on the fact that Villa is no longer on the summer transfer market? Do you really think he’s content on staying at Valencia, or were his comments based on the fact that he had 4,000 screaming fans around him at the time?

Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was hoping to get in a round of golf at a charity event yesterday without having to discuss the Ronaldo to Madrid saga. So when the big Scot came off the course, chances were pretty good that the media standing in front of him were going to get stonewalled on the only question that seems to matter in Manchester these days. Boy were they in for a shock… [Read the rest of this entry »]

The curtain came down on Euro 2008 last night with the result that football fans around the world hoped for. With some familiar faces from the Premiership wearing the red of Spain, we English fans now rather like their brand of football. We used to think it was boring and slow, but now we recognise our good friends Nando and Cesc in the team, we have decided that actually we love it. [Read the rest of this entry »]

If you believe every rumour out there (and honestly, who doesn’t?), then you’d be just the type of person that would enjoy this lovely bit of news coming from the Emirates. [Read the rest of this entry »]

As the United-Real tug-of-war for Cristiano Ronaldo continues, a member of Real’s Dutch contingent has felt the need to speak out at rumours he may be heading to Old Trafford as part of an exchange agreement to assist the transfer.

Wesley Sneijder released a statement on his personal site, rejecting claims he was on his way to Manchester as part of a deal to bring Ronaldo to the Santiago Bernabéu. He told his fans that, despite interest from the newly-crowned European champions after a sparkling display at Euro 2008, he will remain in Madrid:

I’d like to comment briefly on the reports and rumours that I might be going to Manchester United as part of some kind of exchange deal

As I’ve said already, when I left Ajax, all I wanted was to go to Real Madrid. They are the best club in the world. And now that I’m here, all I want is to win as many trophies as I can with them and wear the white shirt for as long as possible.

In short, I’m flattered to be linked to Manchester United…but it’s not happening. End of story.

Many different types of deal have been flying about with regard to Ronaldo’s protracted move to Real. Some have been as high as €100million (£80million), others have including Real players, including Sneijder himself, Sergio Ramos and Brazillian Robinho. Sneijder proclaimed his objection to Robinho being mentioned, hoping the two linkwith Ronaldo this coming season:

The same rumours have been doing the rounds about Robinho. Well, I hope he stays too, and I hope that Cristiano Ronaldo joins us at the Bernabéu.

I’m sure United fans would like to see Sneijder or Robinho (or both) at Old Trafford, whilst also pocketing £40million or so. Yet, does Sneijder’s snub show that United are always second to Real Madrid’s reputation and money in terms of attracting players?

In footballing terms, one is a big loser, and one is an even bigger loser – but, far more importantly – who is the bigger pillock? [Read the rest of this entry »]

After being eliminated from another international tournament, finishing with 10 men against Italy, a cull of the ageing French squad looks likely. Hollywood has taught us that remakes are rarely as enthralling as originals, and France v Italy 2008 was not quite the contest that France v Italy 2006 was. 60m French citizens must be feeling much the same way I felt when I paid £8 to watch ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’. Deep down they knew what would happen, but they kidded themselves along the way. [Read the rest of this entry »]

With Liverpool players expected back in training on July 7, manager Rafa Benitez will continue to put things in place for the coming season.

This week, a number of deals could well be sorted.
[Read the rest of this entry »]

It’s been a season to remember for Petr Cech, but perhaps not for the right reasons. [Read the rest of this entry »]

You really do have to love the tenacity emanating from Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka. Not only has the Frenchman made it clear that he’s ready to fire the club back into the Premiership Title next season, but he’s also said that he guarantees he’ll score 35 goals next sea…

Oops, nevermind, I was reading the wrong story. Apparently Anelka would like to do the exact opposite next season. You know, the part where is dances around the field and does nothing for 90 minutes.

In French Anelka apparently doesn’t mean ruthless striker. It actually stands for: floating striker that doesn’t enjoy scoring goals, but instead enjoys playing because he loves the game (so that’s why he made the move from Bolton to Chelsea last season!).

“Goals are not my thing,” Anelka, 29, said. “I don’t play football to score goals. I love the game.

“I am not interested in scoring if I play poorly during the match. It is for this reason that I want to play behind a main striker. It is where I feel I am most useful. People only remember goals. I am different.” (Telegraph)

He’s YOUR striker Chelsea supporters! Do you think Anelka has gone off the reservation since he left the club to join Les Bleus at Euro 2008? Or is this his way of telling everyone that he’s fine not playing in his traditional 4-4-2 role?

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez faces a potential Olympics nightmare after Holland’s Under-23 boss Foppe de Haan announced today that he intends to include Ryan Babel in his squad.

The attacking Dutch midfielder is currently recovering from an ankle injury he picked up in training at the weekend that will rule him out of EURO 2008.

But Babel will be called upon for the Olympics in Beijing if he recovers in time.

“If Ryan recovers, he’s a sure candidate for a place in the team,” Dutch boss Foppe de Haan says.

“With his qualities, he could be a very important player for us. We must wait and see how long his convalescence will last.

“I find it a shame that Ryan has to miss the European Championship final stage.

“His absence is also a large blow to the national side. He could have been our secret weapon.”

With Javier Mascherano and Sebastian Leto set to be selected for Argentina and Lucas Leiva expected to be called up to play for Brazil, Liverpool may well be short of midfielders come the start of the season.

Manager Rafa Benitez has already said on record that he wants Masch to put club before country, with a first-class opening to the season imperative if Liverpool are to challenge for league honours.

But Mascherano is desperate to play for his country.

“I owe Rafa a lot in my career and I’m very appreciative of him, but I want to go to Beijing because nothing counts for me more than helping my nation.

“He knows I leave my life on the pitch every time I play for Liverpool.”

Even if he wanted to, Benitez is powerless to stop Masch, Babel and Co from taking part in the Olympics if selected by their country.

The Olympics’ football tournament runs from August 8-24 in Beijing, China.

Liverpool and Netherlands winger Ryan Babel will miss Euro 2008 after he tore ankle ligaments in training on Saturday, the BBC reports.

The 21-year-old Liverpool star is highly regarded in Holland and was widely expected to feature in Marco van Basten’s team during the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

There’s no word how serious the injury is but Reds fans will hope Babel rapidly recovers after impressing during his first season at Anfield.

After initially struggling, the latter part of the season saw Babel firmly established as a regular in the first team. He went on to score ten goals in all competitions for the club.

The Netherlands are in Group C along with France, Italy and Romania for Euro 2008, which starts on June 7 .

With Fernando Torres, Liverpool number nine in form at the moment, it’s likely the Reds top scorer will find himself playing plenty of football at this summer’s Euro 2008. Now that might be good for Spain, but is it good for Liverpool?

The club don’t want a tired or possibly injured Torres slowing down the start of next season’s campaign. Let’s hope Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has persuaded Tom Hicks and Co to cough up a bit of cash to purchase another top class striker. If not, the red half of Merseyside could find themselves with a very blunt set of strikers come August.

With Peter Crouch expected to move on and Andriy Veronin hopefully on his way too after firing blanks all season, it’s obvious Rafa needs a top-draw striker to cover Torres. At least, if the club has any hope of challenging United or Chelsea who are both expected to improve their squads this summer.

United have a potent set of attacking players, what with the likes of Tevez, Ronaldo, Nani and Rooney. And expect Sir Alex to add a new name to that list. To challenge the momentum that’s building at Man U, Liverpool need to dig deep into the coffers (Yes, Mr Hicks, that means you if you’re listening!) to bring in new striking talent to keep the quest for that elusive Premiership title on track.

David Villa might be nice, but it’s unlikely the Spanish ace would be prepared to play second fiddle to Torres, given Benitez’s preference for 4-5-1. Dutch striker Huntelaar might also tempt Benitez given his penchant for hard-working Dutchmen, although it remains to be seen whether the lad can cut it at the top level.

Another option might be to move Ryan Babel up a notch. The Dutchman with the occasional silky skills has done well in his first season at Anfield. Expected to feature for Holland at Euro 2008, the experience against Europe’s finest might be all he needs to set the premiership alight. Then again, probably not.

Personally, I’d like to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic make a move to the Premiership. He’s at the peak of his game, big enough to cause defenders trouble and capable of moments of outstanding sublime football.

I don’t really see it happening though. Rafa doesn’t go for prima donnas. Ask Djibril Cissé.

Who do you want to see partnering Torres come August?

Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva says that he is ready to forgive his culprit Martin Taylor for wrecking his season and Euro 2008 hopes. But he does admit that he has received no apology from Taylor at all so far.

The Brazilian born Croatian international striker says:

Apology? There has been no apology. How can I accept an apology if I haven’t seem him or spoken to him?

I think he came to the hospital, but I did not see him. My wife told me that he came to see me while I was having the operation and someone pointed out Taylor to her at the hospital.

Maybe he was there when I was unconscious but I certainly did not see him that day. But if he comes to me now then I will accept an apology. I am a son of God so I will accept an apology.

Taylor broke Eduardo’s leg in a Premiership clash between Birmingham City and Arsenal and since then there has been death threats thrown at the Taylor. There have also been a plethora of news reports that Taylor had apologized to Eduardo but those reports have now been proved to be futile.

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