If you could form the ultimate five-a-side football team who would you pick? I’ve been thinking about mine for the last couple of days and I ‘think’ I have finally narrowed it down; so I thought I’d write this and submit it before I change my mind again!

In goal I think I would have to have Italy’s number one Gianluigi Buffon. At the top of his game he’s the best by far in the world. Although he will be 30 next year he still has the physical ability and reflexes required from goalkeepers at the highest standard. The guy was born into a sporting family so he was destined to become the best in his game! He was really important in helping Juventus get promoted back into Serie A after they were demoted with the whole match-fixing scandal and was deservedly offered a new contract once they were promoted which will keep him at the club until 2012. Need to mention Petr Cech but still sticking with Buffon for his experience.

Now in defence I debated for a while whether I’d have two defenders or two midfielders and in the end opted for the latter option, simply as it was too hard to cut out one of the midfielders I had in mind! Therefore the rock in my defence and captain would be John Terry. Some of you may think I’m biased for sticking an Englishman in there, maybe I am, but he plays with so much passion for club and country its difficult not to add him. He never backs out of a tackle and always gives 110%. Now that’s praise seeing as I’m an Arsenal fan! The guy is so hard that after he got a full boot to the face last season from Abou Diaby, spasmed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital he discharged himself just a few hours later to celebrate with his team-mates after winning the Carling Cup and was back playing the following week!!

Those two midfielders I mentioned: Kaká and Cesc Fabregas. Again many of you might argue this now and start saying Ronaldinho but judging from this season I wouldn’t want him. Kaká and Fabregas are the driving forces in their teams and have the creativity and awareness to change a game and get results for their teams. They never stop running and so the two of them together will be absolutely lethal. Some of you might say I’ve chosen Fabregas because I’m a Gooner and you’re right. It’s my team and he’s too good! Cristiano Ronaldo is someone I considered a lot too but the two I’ve gone for edge it for three reasons: 1) still can’t forgive him for “winkergate”, 2) he plays for Utd and 3) he’s too arrogant. I’ll have him as a sub.

That just leaves the one striker. I’ve thought about this a lot and found it the hardest to select the attacking players. Thierry Henry is a favourite but his last year with us was hardly worth remembering and this season he’s still adapting at Barcelona. On his day he’d have to be in there straight away. So would Fernando Torres or Wayne Rooney who I’m big admirers of also but I think for his raw skill, confidence for his age and team-work I’ve got to choose Lionel Messi. He can finish, he can run with it, he’s good in the air (with his hands — backup for Buffon in that case!) and he can set up goals. An all round forward and he’s only 20!
.

Final five:

GK — Buffon

DF — Terry

MID — Kaká, Fàbregas

F — Messi
.

Obviously most of you probably won’t agree and everyone’s going to have their own opinion, so let me know what yours is by adding your comments below.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

How many times have we seen Tottenham end up losing or drawing games in the last minute/s this season? After the sacking of Martin Jol and the appointment of widely praised Juande Ramos many thought their season would turn around. Wrong!

They didn’t get off the best of starts to the 2007/08 campaign after losing 1-0 to Sunderland. And Michael Chopra’s last minute goal to snatch a result from Spurs on the opening day of the season has not been the only one they’ve seen since.

Their abysmal record in the Premier League this season, from their expectations, has seen them win just two games in total. Both at home meaning; they’ve actually lost more times at home (4) so far this season than away (3). They have the second highest record of goals scored at home so far this season with 17; better than Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool, (only Arsenal have scored three more than them). In return though, they’ve actually conceded the most goals at home this season so far — 15. Derby who are languishing at the bottom of the table have even conceded one less with 14.

These statistics have revealed Tottenham to be in 16th place, well below their expectations where for the last two seasons running they’ve almost broken into the top four and getting themselves in the Champions League. The latest defeat came at the weekend at home to Birmingham. A fine win for new Brum boss Alex McLeish, 3-2 with, yet again, Spurs conceding a last minute goal this time from Sebastian Larsson.

The stats I’ve just highlighted above show that Spurs don’t lack goals. In fact they have one of the best attacking forces in the Premiership. Fair enough Dimitar Berbatov hasn’t reproduced his remarkable tally last season but captain Robbie Keane has been brilliant. In fairness to them they can play good football on their day and can produce goals. They have a decent young team and made some good signings in the summer in Gareth Bale and Darren Bent (although he’s not worth the same as Thierry Henry, definitely overpriced). So it doesn’t take a lot to work out the problem with the team lies at the back. The stats don’t lie!

Recently I read an article that the board were still blaming Martin Jol for the outcome to their season so far. Well…what about the players? As Brian Clough once said, “Managers don’t win games, players do!” And what happened at Birmingham?? What about the great Ramos revolution, why has it not started?? Paul Robinson has not had the best of season’s, for club or country, that’s a given. But he needs a lot more protection from his defence. I’ve got several mates who are Spurs fans who have told me that their team are missing Ledley King. Maybe but what about the other defenders? Does the Spurs defence really just rely on injury-prone King??

Far too often I’ve watched them this season not defend properly and not close down the opposition sooner, therefore not defending their lead/ point. They always seem to buckle under the pressure, especially when having to fight in the last 10 minutes of a game.

The amount of points dropped by Spurs this season in games they’ve thrown away in the last minute/s amasses to 19. A shocking 19 points! Add those points onto their total now and the club would find themselves level on points with Chelsea, potentially levitating themselves all the way up to third. Isn’t that what they were expecting at the beginning of 2007/08? Instead they find themselves with a measly 12 points, one more than Middlesbrough who are in the relegation zone.

I expect January is going to be a massive month for Spurs in the transfer market. I’m just wondering whether a DECENT defender or two will be brought in though or whether they’ll bring in another striker and three or four midfielders to clog up an already expanded squad.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Today’s top transfer rumors:

Internazionale have shown an interest in wonderkid Lionel Messi but the young Argentinean has rejected any potential offers coming in for him. He admitted to being flattered with the interest shown in him and with the admiration coming from Inter’s president Massimo Moratti but has decided that Barcelona is where he will remain for the foreseeable future. In an interview with the Argentinean press he said, “I have Barcelona in my heart and I expect to stay here for a long time.”

Wigan’s new manager Steve Bruce is hoping to sign a new striker in January and his priorities at the moment are linked to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink at Celtic and Wolves’ Andy Keogh. Wolves signed Keogh in January this year for £600,000 from Scunthorpe. Celtic meanwhile brought Dutchman Vennegoor of Hesselink in 2006 for a deal worth around £3.4m. He has impressed since playing in the SPL though and Celtic will surely not want to let him go.

Meanwhile I’ve heard that should Wigan end up going down this year Welsh midfielder Jason Koumas could leave them to join Everton who are keeping an eye on him. Sunderland are also said to inspecting him too. Everton are also linked with Norwegian striker Thorstein Helstad who is valued at £1.5m.

According to the Daily Express newspaper Chelsea are reportedly ready to splash the cash in the transfer window. With Andriiy Shevchenko and Wayne Bridge linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge Avram Grant is considering bids on Royston Drenthe who only joined Real Madrid in the summer, Nicklas Bendtner from Arsenal, Nicolas Anelka from Bolton and Benni McCarthy from Blackburn. Real Madrid are apparently prepared to negotiate a swap deal, with Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda trading places with Drenthe.

Various newspapers are claiming today that Manchester City, who you can bet on spending big during the transfer window, are prepared to meet the £17m asking price for Javier Mascherano. The Argentine was going to sign for Liverpool permanently in the New Year after they paid the sum to owner Kia Joorabchian. However, with the confusion and uncertainty surrounding Rafa Benitez at the moment Mascherano has already said that should the boss go then he will too. Watch this space.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

More of the latest news from the transfer rumours coming up in today’s headlines.

Arsenal are preparing a £5m move for PSV Eindhoven’s Dutch international Ibrahim Afellay. The young midfielder, who has Moroccan roots, is considered as one of the most exciting prospects to emerge from the Netherlands recently. He often plays on the right of midfield for PSV but can play a more central position as a result of his creative qualities.

Out of favour goalkeeper Arsenal Jens Lehmann is wanted by German club Wolsburg and could leave in order to regain first team football and keep his first team position in the German national lineup.

Manchester City are considering a move for Mamadou Niang. The striker is seen as a possible, cheaper, alternative signing for Nicolas Anelka who Manchester City are also looking to bring in. The Senegalese hitman currently plays his football with French side Marseille.

Derby new boss Paul Jewell wants to solve the team’s lack of goals by signing Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts. The player is valued at £2m. He could gain more first team football at Derby as he currently has to fight for a place among Benni McCarthy, Roque Santa Cruz and Matt Derbyshire. Meanwhile rumours are beginning to surface that McCarthy could be leaving Blackburn after throwing a tantrum and storming off after being substituted against Newcastle.

Reading’s Nicky Shorey is going to reject a transfer to West Ham in January so he can leave in six months when his contract expires. Newcastle United are interested in him but the favourites are Manchester United who could be prepared to offer Reading’s £5m valuation of the left-back.

Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez is hoping to sign out of favour midfielder Matt Taylor from Portsmouth. The player was a regular last season but has hardly featured this season after the signings of several players by Pompey in the summer.

Sunderland want to add to their attacking lineup in the New Year by signing West Ham’s Bobby Zamora. The bid stands to be worth around £2.5m.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

The recent arrests of Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and others have brought the whole investigations scandal of corruption in football back into the frame. The police probe began back on January 11th 2006 after Luton manager Mike Newell highlighted the concerning issue of bungs in football, openly criticising agents and claiming that illegal payments often occur throughout the game.

On January 18th, Newell met with the FA to discuss his claim. By the 24th, the Premier League had officially announced they would be making inquiries into the scandal of bung payments. On March 3rd the former Metropolitan Police commissioner Lord Stevens was put in charge of the inquiry and his team began their examination of 362 transfers that occurred between the 1st January 2004 to 31st January 2006.

Another claim was made in August by another manager, Alan Curbishley who said he was offered a bung whilst he was in charge at Charlton. On September 19th 2006, the BBC documentary TV series Panorama made an investigation alleging that the then Bolton manager Sam Allardyce took illegal payments. The programme also claimed that Allardyce’s son Craig and several other football agents Peter Harrison, Teni Yerima and Charles Collymore were involved with bungs. Harry Redknapp and his former assistant Kevin Bond (who had since gone to Newcastle) were also brought into the equation of corruption.

The next day, both Bond and Yerima said they would sue the BBC over the accusations made towards them in the Panorama programme. On the 22nd Harrison also announced he would be suing. By the 25th Allardyce revealed he had organised his lawyers to prepare a case against the BBC after his portrayal in the programme. The BBC officials met the FA to find out what evidence it would disclose for their joint inquiry with the Premier League.

The next day on the 26th Newcastle had terminated Bond’s contract. Colin Gordon, the agent for then England manager Steve McClaren, said “tens of millions of pounds has gone out of the game” in dodgy deals and labelled his own profession as the “scum of the earth”. Due to his remarks the Association of Football Agents acted quickly demanding an apology and a retraction to his damaging statement. On the 29th Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson criticised Gordon, and revealed that the agent was banned from dealing with the club to past problems, no doubt when McClaren was in charge.

In October 2006, Wigan’s chairman Dave Whelan gave his theory on the messy saga saying all managers should be banned for life, and clubs relegated should they be caught taking bungs. Lord Stevens then announced on the 2nd the inquiry, which had been extended by two months, had now been whittled down to 39 transfers involving eight clubs. He also said that less than half the 150 agents contacted had cooperated, and as a result the FA may use their rules to force them into opening their bank accounts for further examination. In the same month the BBC handed over Panorama evidence they had to the FA.

By December 12th, Lord Stevens presented the report he’d conducted to the Premier League board. A further investigation would have to be made into 17 transfers as eight agents failed to cooperate. In January this year the FA met with Lord Stevens, as they looked to start applying pressure on the eight unnamed agents to make them open their bank account, so that all transactions could be traced. Another report by Lord Stevens was given to the Premier League in March, identifying clubs which broke or ignored the rules in 50 key transfers out of the original 362.

On June 8th it was discovered that a 61 year-old man was arrested in May, suspected of money laundering. Officers made the arrest on May 23rd and bailed him until October. Raids were made in July in Newcastle, Portsmouth and Rangers as well as two homes. By September another man, aged 28, openly rumoured to be Tottenham’s defender Pascal Chimbonda was taken in for police questioning.

The latest untwining to this fine mess comes down to the arrests last week of Harry Redknapp, chief executive Peter Storrie, footballer Amdy Faye (part of one of the transfers under examination), agent Willie McKay and former Portsmouth now Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric. Out of the 17 transfers that had been knuckled down to eight had been refused to be signed off by Lord Stevens and his Quest team. Sylvain Distin, Portsmouth defender, said the arrest of his team’s manager was saddening for the team but for all supporting him. He even went as far as to claim conspiracies surrounding Redknapp’s arrest, which may have happened because of opposition by certain individuals to his possible appointment for the England manager job. In the meantime, the five arrested have been bailed until February. After the arrests last week, seven now remain the police’s main focus so expect more arrests to soon follow.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Now we are in December this means we are less than a month away from the transfer window being opened to allow clubs the freedom the start their shopping.

Should Newcastle United’s Obafemi Martins’ threat to leave the side come true Newcastle have their sights on Espanyol hitman Luis Garcia. The Spaniard is rated at £18m after scoring 24 goals in 79 games for last season’s UEFA Cup finalists. Espanyol’s sporting director Sebastian Javier has stated that he does not want to see the player leave but should a good offer come in for him then they would “study the matter.” Matins is becoming annoyed at playing second fiddle at Newcastle to Michael Owen and summer signing Mark Viduka this season having scored 17 goals last term.

Meanwhile Newcastle are monitoring the situation of Wes Brown at Manchester United after the defender rejected a new deal to remain at Manchester United. The England defender is out of contract in the summer and was offered a new four-year deal worth £50,000 a week. However Brown wasn’t happy with the terms and now Sam Allardyce could make a swoop for him in January if Manchester United decide to cash in.

West Ham want to bring in Stephen Carr from Newcastle in the mean time. The Republic of Ireland right-back joined the Magpies for £2m in 2004 from Tottenham and would relish the opportunity of moving back to London apparently.

Chelsea are now prepared to let Andriy Shevchenko leave in January for just £12m, having bought him initially for £30m in May 2006 from AC Milan. Rivals Inter Milan and Juventus are the most likely destination for the Ukrainian. Avram Grant has made it clear that Shevchenko is not part of his plans and Roman Abramovich has had to finally concede the thought of losing the player. Ironically, it was Jose Mourinho’s refusal of giving the player a starting place in the team which was one of the decisions that eventually led to his fate.

Tottenham are keeping a close eye on Portugal Under-19 captain Adrien Silva. The midfielder is close to breaking into the Sporting Lisbon first team. He did turn down the chance to join Chelsea at the age of 15 but has now said, “My dream is to follow Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani into the Premier League.”

Bolton’s Ivan Campo is set to leave the Reebok Stadium in the New Year after being told he does not feature in new boss Gary Megson’s plans for the team. 33 year-old Campo is likely to take a drop in wages to join Championship side Sheffield United in a cut-price deal of £500,000. The Blades’ manager Bryan Robson is also said to be interested in taking Stelios who has been reported recently in wanting a move away from the club.

Danny Guthrie’s loan spell at Bolton from Liverpool could become a permanent move in the transfer after impressing in his three months with the team. Megson has made Guthrie a regular to his line-up and is very keen on keeping the young midfielder in his side.

As reported previously on SL Middlesbrough look certain to dump South Korean Dong-Gook Lee in January after failing to impress at Boro. The striker has won 60 caps for his country but has not made an impact since being in England. Boro also want to unload Gaizka Mendieta and have recently tried to pay the Spaniard off to leave the club but have failed in agreeing on a price. The player is out f contract next summer and Middlesbrough hope he can find a new club in the transfer window.

Fulham defender Philippe Christanval has been linked with a move to Juventus. The Italian team are desperate to bring in a new defender in the New Year to tighten things at the back for them and have recently been linked with Aston Villa’s Olof Mellberg. 29 year-old Christanval has been out with a knee injury this season but Juventus are still keen and made an enquiry on the Frenchman last week.

Want-away Reading striker Leroy Lita has been linked with a move to Championship side West Brom who want cover for injured pair Kevin Phillips and Ismael Miller. Lita scored 14 goals for the Royals last season but has only made six league appearances this season. Fulham and Charlton are also monitoring the situation.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is planning a bid for 19 year-old Walsall star Ishmel Demontagnac. Villa have been watching the England Under-19 midfielder all season and are now ready to make their move for him. The club are also haggling over a £12.5m price for Valencia defender Marco Caneira and are also keen on Luton’s midfielder David Bell.

And finally, new Wigan manager Steve Bruce wants to use his close relationship with Arsenal to take Armand Traore on loan for six months. Whilst in charge at Birmingham Nicklas Bendtner, Fabrice Muamba and Sebastian Larsson all helped Birmingham win promotion last season whilst this year they took Johan Djourou on loan.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Pele as he would later be known around the world) was often rated as the best player in the world. Only he and fellow legend Diego Armando Maradona, have received the honours by FIFA with the awards of officially being dubbed the greatest players in the history of the game. An ongoing debate among football fans to this day remains, who was better?

Pele is hailed in Brazil as a national hero and is an instrumental ambassador of the game. After scoring his 1,000th career goal he dedicated it to the poor children in the slums of Brazil. Maradona, despite his controversies, was one of the most skillful players to ever play the game and he won several trophies with Boca Juniors, Barcelona and Napoli. For his country he won 91 caps and scored 34 goals. Most notably one of the best ever was against England in a dazzling solo run (voted as Goal of the Century in an online debate conducted by FIFA in 2002), plus one of the most controversial in the same game now famously named as the “Hand of God”.

Pele on the other hand is the record all-time top scorer for his country (77 goals in 92 caps — amazing!), and is the only player in history to be part of three World Cup winning teams. He began smashing records at an early age though making his debut for Santos Futebol Clube at just 15, then making his debut for Brazil at 16 and winning his first World Cup at 17. Despite all the many offers he was given during his club career to join rich European clubs he remained loyal to Santos, playing for them for two decades. He did finally leave however in 1975 when he joined the all star squad of the New York Cosmos. He made 64 appearances for them and scored 37 times. In case you’re wondering he played 1,345 games for Santos and scored 1,265 goals (again amazing — the guy’s a machine!).

Maradona played in four World Cups for Argentina steering them to success in 1986 where he also collected the Golden Ball award as the tournaments best player. Despite his praises though he has faced some troubles during his life. He was banned from the game for 15 months in 1991 after he failed a drugs test for cocaine abuse in Italy. He was banned again during the 1994 World Cup, where he was sent home, this time for ephedrine. After he retired from the game in 1997 his weight ballooned and he suffered ill health. Again he was back on the cocaine. Since giving up drugs though he has become a television host in Argentina. Both men fathered children with women who have been left to raise them single-handedly, with little support from the leading figures of football.

Maradona did however achieve similar goal-scoring feats to Pele: 28 goals in 40 games (during his first spell at Boca Juniors, his second spell he scored 7 goals in 31 matches); 38 goals in 58 games (Barcelona); 115 goals in 259 games (Napoli). Despite his small size (1.65 m, 5 ft 5 in) Maradona had strength, could run with the ball and could withstand challenges, unlike some of today’s players who can’t even withstand challenges where there’s not even any contact! These main attributes of his are highlighted by his unbelievable goal in the 1986 World Cup. If you haven’t seen it, shame on you, but anyway think Lionel Messi but the original. Not only could he score goals with his unstoppable runs where he could take out a whole defence on his own but he was a team player too. With his strength and control he could often hold up the ball against a defender whilst a team-mate made the run through where he would thread it through to them.

Pele had an incredible eye for goal with deadly strike force and always glowed with confidence, even at such an early age. He was good in the air and was also a good team player, often laying on assists for his team-mates. Pele’s original technique and athleticism were highly praised whilst his dribbling ability and acute passing molded him into an all-round forward and natural goalscorer.

Who do you think was better between the two? Let me know by adding your comments below.

Also See:

Maradona vs. Pele: the Hand of God vs. the Right Hand of God.
My friend who played with Pele.
10 Great Football Player Rivalries.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Lionel Messi are all up for the FIFA World Player of the year. The three players have been shortlisted for the award which is announced at FIFA’s world player gala in Zurich on December 17. It’s the first time any of the three have been up for the honour.

Kaka, who pretty much carried AC Milan to the Champions League victory last season is the favourite to win but faces very tough competition from 22 year-old Ronaldo and 20 year-old Messi who have both had exceptional years.

Last year saw world cup winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro win the award. Previous years have seen Ronaldo (the Brazilian) and Zinedine Zidane win three times each, whilst Ronaldinho has won twice. If Cristiano Ronaldo wins it will be a first for a player from an English club.

The award is decided by votes made from managers and captains of the national teams in FIFA’s member countries.

Kaka has picked up an award this season already, named as the FIFPro world player of the year. The reward was given in October after been voted for by 45,000 of his fellow professionals. Cristiano Ronaldo last season won both Player of the Season accolades after aiding Manchester United to the Premier League title. He has since continued his fine form into the current season.

Lionel Messi is the outsider of the three having enjoyed a brilliant 12 months for both club and country. He is regarded as one of the most gifted young players in the world so should he not win it this year be sure to expect him collecting the prize in future years.

Who do you think will win the award this year out of the three players?

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

So tomorrow is the 1st December meaning the January transfer window is exactly one month away from being opened to allow in the fresh deals for players during the mid-season re-boosting

Newcastle United want to bolster their fragile defence in the New Year by bringing in Bruno Alves from Porto. The Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce was watching him during midweek in Porto’s game against Liverpool in the Champions League group game. The 26 year-old central defender was linked with Aston Villa in June. His strength and commanding presence is something Allardyce is surely hoping will contribute to the Newcastle back four.

Nicolas Anelka was linked with a move to Newcastle yesterday but today the transfer rumours sees him linked with a move to Manchester City. After Sven Goran Eriksson was given the thumbs up to bring in more players to his already revamped Manchester City squad be sure to expect Manchester City to be linked with nearly every player in the build up to January. Anelka has played for Manchester City before from 2002-2005 and it seems Sven may be keen on bringing ‘Le Sulk’ back to Eastlands. The offer is supposed to be around £12m.

Other strikers on Manchester City’s radar include Peter Crouch and Heerenveen’s Alfonso Alves.

Bolton could be making a move for Swedish defender Jonas Olsson after his agent revealed he could be allowed to leave in January. The player, currently with NEC Nijmegen, is said to be flattered with the interest shown in him by Premiership clubs as Newcastle have previously been linked with him as well.

Chelsea’s Wayne Bridge has cited that he’s considering his options in the New Year having been omitted from the Chelsea squad in their last two games without an explanation from boss Avram Grant. The 27 year-old left back has had a fortnight to forget following his disastrous contribution to England in their defeat to Croatia. Andriy Shevchenko has also expressed his unhappiness at the lack of impact he’s having at Chelsea. The Ukrainian could be given a chance in January though when Didier Drogba represents the Ivory Coast at the African Nations Cup.

Rumours have surfaced though that Avram Grant could be looking to bring in a new striker at Chelsea with Anelka strongly linked with the London club. Today though has seen CSKA Moscow Brazilian forward Vágner Love, 23, linked with Chelsea as Grant would prefer a younger striker.

In other news former Chelsea and Manchester United Argentine playmaker Juan Sebastian Veron is set to join MLS side DC United. The 32 year-old international joins a side notorious for bringing in South American players such as Christian Gómez, Facundo Erpen, Luciano Emilio, Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

With just over a month to go until the January sales transfer speculation mounts every day. It seems like it’s going to be a busy month in the New Year.

In demand at the moment Nicolas Anelka has been linked with a move again to another Premiership club, this time Newcastle. With injury-prone England striker Michael Owen in the team the Magpies want dependable cover up front and see the Frenchman as the perfect target. The fee is reportedly going to be £8m + Nicky Butt. With Bolton performing below expectations this season new boss Gary Megson will have a fight on his hands to keep one of his side’s most effective players.

Apparently though Anelka has told Chelsea manager Avram Grant that should they come in with a £10m bid for him he would be joining them at Stamford Bridge. Several reports have claimed that Stelios Giannakopoulos could be heading out of the Reebok stadium too as he’s getting more frustrated at the lack of first-team football this season. Heading back to London with Chelsea’s update though and I’ve heard that they’ve offered Saudi Arabian captain Yasser Al Qahtani the chance to train with them. Depending on how he does there could be move for him in the transfer window.

Wigan and Bolton are both planning a swoop for Championship side Barnsley’s goalkeeper — Heinz Muller. Barnsley will be looking to keep hold of the German but may find it hard to keep him if Premiership teams come snooping. Bolton will be planning cover for their goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen who has been linked with a move away from the club whilst new Wigan boss Steve Bruce wants to strengthen the team at the back, starting with the keeper. Bruce has also hinted that a new left-back is another priority. Fulham are also in the frame for the player.

Everton have also been linked with a goalkeeper today as they have their eye on another Championship side’s shot-stopper, Wolves and Wales’ Wayne Henessey (try saying that quickly!). Apparently the Toffees want to bring him in as cover for Tim Howard but with Stefan Wessels providing backup already do they really need another goalkeeper? Meanwhile the club have taken Swindon’s defender Ben Tozer on a four day trial.

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson has been given the green light by owner Thaksin Shinawatra to continue the spending in January as part of his “Christmas wish”. With a move for Udinese striker Asamoah Gyan being apparently blocked by the Italians next up on Sven’s Christmas list is Russian midfielder Marat Izmailov. The Lokomotiv Moscow player is valued at around £3.5m.

In other news, Middlesbrough‘s Dong-Gook Lee will apparently be leaving in January on the grounds of feeling unsettled at the club whilst Juventus seem to be leading the race for the signature of Aston Villa’s Olof Mellberg. AC Milan and Roma are also chasing the Swedish centre-back.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News