Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I told the Big Boss (Roman Abramovich) and he said he understood my feelings and that I have blue blood and will be a Chelsea player for ever. Now it is a new era and Chelsea are in good hands with Fernando. He’ll do the job. He’s been through difficult moments, but it took me three years to properly settle – it’s not easy to play here. Who knows, I could come back as manager one day – I’d cut the grass if they asked me to.” – Didier Drogba.

Runner-up: “I always expect England to win a big tournament. England have some of the best players in the world and are always tough opponents for any team. I hope England do well in the Euros because I have a lot of friends there. It is a country I like a lot. I expect big things for England, the new coach and the country. Let’s see what England do in the Euros. Their chances of winning are still the same. England have fantastic players but now, with a new coach, it would be amazing. Italy have a good chance. And Portugal, too. Why not? But the three teams with the biggest chances are Spain, Germany and Holland.” – Cristiano Ronaldo.

Thanks for the memories Didier

Emotional Didier Drogba says now is the right time to leave Chelsea (Dom Fifield, Guardian) “In the end the timing just felt right. Didier Drogba had long since set himself the target of hoisting Chelsea’s first European Cup so, in the boisterous celebrations deep in the bowels of the Allianz Arena on Saturday night, his decision was made easy. It was the Bayern Munich coach, Jupp Heynckes, who had tempted fate on the eve of the final by suggesting the striker was ‘a good actor’, so no one should really have been surprised that events played out as if lifted from a Hollywood script. ‘It was like a movie,’ says the Ivorian. ‘Given what he said, maybe I should just play myself.’”

Drogba says goodbye and backs Torres to fill the void (Sam Wallace, Independent) “Didier Drogba announced his departure from Chelsea yesterday after eight years and 157 goals, and the Ivorian striker said he had faith that Fernando Torres would finally step up and fill the void he is leaving at the club. The 34-year-old said that he had not yet decided where he would play next season – he ruled out signing for another Premier League club – but said that a move to China’s Super League or Major League Soccer in America were options. Having scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final on Saturday, Drogba said he could only have left Chelsea having won the one trophy that had eluded the club over the last nine years, since they were bought by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.”

Five things that made Didier Drogba so deadly for Chelsea (Alan Smith, Daily Telegraph) 

Drogba is as strong as an ox with a fine brain (Martin Keown, Daily Mail)

Louis van Gaal for Liverpool

Louis van Gaal in line for a senior managerial position at Liverpool (Andy Hunter, Guardian) “Louis van Gaal is in line for a senior managerial role at Liverpool. The Dutchman was linked with a move to Anfield in the wake of Damien Comolli’s dismissal as director of football in April. However, while it has since been decided to change the management structure at Liverpool, Van Gaal has remained under consideration for a revised role and is the leading contender to become the club’s first sporting director. He is understood to be keen on a move to Merseyside and his appointment could herald the arrival of several new faces at Anfield, including the successor to Kenny Dalglish. The club are also set to name Billy Hogan, currently the managing director of Fenway Sports Group, as the their new commercial director. FSG are conducting an extensive search for a manager since sacking Dalglish last week and their ideal criteria of a young coach with title-winning experience would fit alongside a sporting director of Van Gaal’s experience and expertise.”

Van Gaal in line for Liverpool sporting director role as club aim for revamp (Dominic King, Daily Mail)

Reds race: Martinez battling Villas-Boas, Rodgers and Liverpool fans ahead of Boston job interview (David Maddock, Daily Mirror)

Solskjaer rejects Villa

Villa blow as Solskjaer rejects Lerner’s offer and stays with family in Norway (Neil Moxley, Daily Mail)

Mourinho signs on until 2016 at Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho signs two-year contract extension to rule himself out of return to Chelsea (Daily Telegraph)

Newcastle sign Romain Amalfitano

Amalfitano is latest French connection for Newcastle (Martin Hardy, Independent) “Newcastle United took the latest step in their successful French revolution yesterday when Romain Amalfitano arrived in the North-east to finalise a three-year contract. The Stade de Reims midfielder agreed in principle to move to Newcastle in February, and he returned to their Benton training ground to push through his transfer from the French side, who have just won promotion to Ligue 1. Amalfitano, 22, has seen out his contract at Reims, which has appealed to Newcastle officials as they push ahead with the astute transfer policy put in place by the owner Mike Ashley, and successfully incorporated through the chief scout, Graham Carr.”

United move for Baines

Bye bye Baines: Man United have opened talks with Everton over £12m move for England full-back (Alan Nixon, Daily Mirror) “Manchester United have opened talks with Everton to sign England left back Leighton Baines in a massive deal. United supremo David Gill has contacted Goodison chief Bill Kenwright to open the bidding and the Old Trafford club are prepared to pay £12 million for the classy defender. Kenwright does not want to lose Baines and will ask for more – with £15 million the least the Toffees will accept – but the negotiations are now on. Baines is waiting on word before heading off with England for Euro 2012 duty. He will not rock the boat and is waiting on the bid being accepted.”

Gareth won’t Bale out on Spurs but Luka is off

I won’t Bale out on Spurs (Pat Sheehan, Sun) “Gareth Bale  has told Tottenham he will NOT be pushing for a move away from White Hart Lane. Despite finishing fourth in the Prem, Spurs missed out on Champions League football after Chelsea lifted the European Cup on Saturday. But winger Bale, 22, has made it clear to manager Harry Redknapp he is not looking to get away. Tottenham are aware of the huge interest in the Wales international from all of Europe’s top clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United.”

Luka who’s leaving now: Spurs set to lose battles to keep both Modric and Adebayor (Darren Lewis, Daily Mirror) 

Eden Hazard

The race to sign a potential global superstar (Andy Brassell, Independent)

Trio wait on Hazard nod (Sun)

Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I have decided to leave, I wanted to tell them to their faces. They made me break down. I found it hard to admit that it was finished with me and the club. But I don’t envisage sitting on the bench watching others play at a time when the club is looking at putting together a new team. So there we go, I am readying myself for a great leap into the unknown. It will be another adventure.” – Didier Drogba.

Runner-up: ”Chelsea had some luck but all the teams that win it need that, and you can only congratulate them… As a fan of Arsenal, nothing would make me happier if [Robin van Persie] became the first captain to lift a trophy in eight or however many years it is for them… [Gareth Bale] is a very powerful and very attacking player with an incredible explosion of pace but I think he is more a winger than a full-back.” – Cesc Fabregas.

Chelsea: Goodbye Drogs, Torres Stays, But Who’ll Be The Boss?

Chelsea tell Fernando Torres he is going nowhere despite complaints (Guardian) Didier Drogba has confirmed he will leave Chelsea this summer but Fernando Torres will not be following his fellow striker out of the club.

Torres, stop shooting your mouth off and start hitting the target (James Lawton, Independent) The function of a goalscorer is to score goals, ideally enough of them to justify a record transfer fee.

To do: the problems awaiting the next Chelsea manager (whoever it is) (Dominic Fifield, Guardian) The brief for the new coach will still be to supply prizes with panache. Claiming a European Cup against all the odds will have whetted the appetite, not satisfied it. The owner will want more.

Rom not in a rush to appoint new boss (Sun) Chelsea insist they will not be rushed into naming Roberto Di Matteo as boss by a tidal wave of Champions League emotion.

Roman to boot out Roberto Di Matteo (Star) Despite caretaker boss Di Matteo leading Chelsea to Champions League glory, Starsport can reveal the Russian believes it was good fortune which earned the victory.A source close to Abramovich revealed last night: “Roman thinks Di Matteo has been very, very lucky and that he made a lot of mistakes in the games he’s been in charge, with his tactics and selections.The statistics in the two games against Barcelona and the final show just how lucky Di Matteo was. Roman has to decide this week and he will not care what the public thinks. Roman did not become a billionaire worrying about public opinion – he only cares about what is right for the club.”

Chelsea must find answer to £50m question: New boss must make Torres signing work (Mail)

Shevchenko lined up for shock Chelsea return… as a coach (Mail)

Abramovich green lights spending spree with Hazard, Falcao, Hulk and Modric all targets (Mirror) With his side finishing a staggering 25 points behind the runaway Manchester clubs in the Premier League, Abramovich is more determined than ever to put together a squad that can be champions of England as well as kings of Europe.

Rihanna sings the Blues (Sun) John Terry isn’t the only one to have crashed Chelsea’s Champions League celebrations – Rihanna did too.

Liverpool: De Boer Says No, Capello Emerges As A Candidiate

Liverpool suffer third rejection after Frank de Boer stays at Ajax (Andy Hunter, Guardian) The Ajax head coach has followed Brendan Rodgers of Swansea City and Jürgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund in declining an invitation to meet Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, about the managerial vacancy at Anfield. Didier Deschamps, who was approached under a previous regime in 2010 and has been linked again, has said he expects to remain in charge at Marseille next season.

Capello in mix to take charge at Liverpool (Independent) Fenway Sports Group have not yet contacted the 65-year-old, which suggests that both Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Martinez are higher up the group’s order of possible candidates… Nevertheless, the possibility of Capello receiving a call from the Liverpool managing director, Ian Ayre, should not be ruled out.

Liverpool keen on move for former England manager Fabio Capello as replacement for Kenny Dalglish (Telegraph) The 65 year-old Italian is not, at present, a serious candidate for Chelsea and also has two extremely lucrative offers on the table to coach in the Middle East — one to become the head coach of the United Arab Emirates national team and another to work in Qatar – but has also stated he would like to work in England.

Boston Red Shocks: Latics boss Roberto Martinez set to fly to the US for second Liverpool interview (Mirror) The Wigan boss is principal owner Henry’s preferred choice to succeed Kenny Dalglish and will jet to the US later this week for a meeting with the Fenway Sports Group chief.

Joe for it! (Cole: Liverpool should play me in the middle) (Sun) Cole admits his future is up in the air following Kenny Dalglish’s sacking and the end of his season-long loan at Lille. But he refuses to give up on his dream of making it at Anfield and insists he is a more mature player and person after 10 months in France.

West Ham

How can West Ham fans be so deluded? (Ian Wright, Sun) At the end of the day, anyone kicking off about the style of play will do little to help West Ham — or Big Sam’s — cause. You have to ask where “the West Ham way” got them in the first place. I’ll tell you where — the Championship.

Oh Yeh, The Olympics…

Ryan Giggs reiterates Olympic desire despite Welsh FA concerns (Guardian) As well as Giggs and Beckham, those in contention for an overage player slot include Joe Cole, Craig Bellamy and Steven Fletcher.

England: Euro 2012

Gary Neville as football coach and commentator is a mixture which just cannot work (Steve James, Telegraph) I don’t understand how, in football, Gary Neville can be part of the England coaching team and work as a pundit for Sky Sports too. Just imagine that happening in cricket.It is not so much a conflict of interest. It is a full-blown riot. No coach worth his salt criticises one of his players in public. No pundit worth his salt holds back for fear of upsetting a close associate on the field.

Eye On Eden Hazard

Europe’s most wanted: Hazard is 21, plays like Ronaldo and is a target for the big three (Mail) He has won 26 caps since making his debut against Luxembourg in 2008, only scoring once against Kazakhstan. The most memorable thing he has done for Belgium was storm out of the ground after being substituted against Turkey 12 months ago and being caught eating a hamburger. He was banned for three games over that incident but served only one match. Some Belgians feel that he lacks discipline, others feel that he has not been used properly but, as yet, he has not shown the blistering levels of form that have been so common for Lille.

Manchester City prepared to risk losing Eden Hazard to Chelsea over his £200,000 a week wage demands (Telegraph) City have made it clear to Hazard and his advisers that they will not meet his salary demands, which are understood to be around £200,000 a week. Instead they are prepared to offer around £110,000 a week.

Tottenham’s Transfer Lies

Levy flies in for Vertonghen talks as Spurs close in on Ajax defender (Mail) With Tottenham set to miss out on Lille’s Eden Hazard, they have Fulham forward Moussa Dembele and Blackburn winger Junior Hoilett in their sights. More talks are planned with Marseille striker Loic Remy to gauge whether he is still keen on a move to White Hart Lane. Levy will also try to thrash out a permanent deal for on-loan star Emmanuel Adebayor, though the Togolese’s £170,000-a-week wages are a stumbling block.

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric close to transfer request but Harry Redknapp will demand £50m (Telegraph) Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Manchester City are all interested in signing the 26-year-old Croatian midfielder.

Real deal: Madrid eye Modric-Diarra swap as Spurs get Vertonghen boost – and chase £22m France striker (Mirror) Real Madrid are to offer Lassana Diarra to Spurs in part-exchange for Luka Modric… Meanwhile Tottenham have been handed a huge boost after top target Jan Vertonghen last night insisted he still wants to join them… Tottenham are now hoping Marseille striker Loic Remy shows a similar willingness to accept the challenge of firing the club back into the Champions League.

The Rest Of The Transfer Lies

Chelsea line-up £50m Falcao to replace outgoing star Drogba (Mail) As it stands the Atletico Madrid striker Falcao, Napoli centre-forward Edinson Cavani and Real Madrid goalscorer Gonzalo Higuain feature on the list of potential replacements for the Ivorian.

Juve set to pull out of race for Van Persie and switch attention to Dzeko (Mail) The Italian club will now explore swoops for Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain and Napoli’s Edinson Cavani.

Juve abandon chase for Arsenal star and switch sights to Suarez and Dzeko (Mirror) Italian giants Juventus are ready to switch targets to Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain because they fear they will miss out on van Persie.

Wolfsburg hope to lure Taarabt from QPR in cut-price £4.5m deal (Mail) Taarabt has just a year left on his contract and they hope to sign him for £4.5m.

Everton and Wolves want £4m-rated Iceland striker Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson, 21, from Norwegian club Lillestrom (Star)

Barcelona eye City defender Zabaleta as potential replacement for Alves (Mail)

You must be Hooping mad! QPR renew Dyer deal despite only playing SEVEN minutes (Mail)

Aston Villa and Fulham look set to battle it out for free transfer Danny Guthrie (Star)

Monday, May 21st, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “It was a huge disappointment when I saw the starting line-up, maybe the biggest disappointment of my life. If it wasn’t for the fans many times this season I would have thrown in the towel. There have been many ups and downs and many moments where I felt lost and I didn’t know what to do and where to be… Now the season is finished we will have more talks to see what happens in the future because this is not the role for which I came and I’m not happy. Winning the Champions League makes up for it of course but as far as the future is concerned… well. Right now I do feel it’s all worth it but the truth is I’ve gone through some very bad moments – the worst moments of my career – during the season and I am not willing to relive those moments… I wanted to take a penalty but they didn’t let me… The ideal for me for next season is if someone tells me what is going to happen. What role will I have in the team? What function will I have and what is expected of me? Then I can evaluate if it is worth it.” – Fernando Torres.

Runner-up: ”As long as I’ve not put pen to paper, I won’t say where I’m going. Chelsea makes you hesitate. They’ve won the Champions League and they’ll be in it next season… My agent has met with Manchester and with Chelsea. They both give good offers and are both great clubs. I don’t know. It’s not been finalised yet.” – Eden Hazard.

Chelsea: Champions League Champs

Chelsea players plead for Roberto Di Matteo to be given permanent post (Dominic Fifield, Guardian) Roman Abramovich will decide this week whether Roberto Di Matteo will remain as Chelsea’s manager with the players’ chants of “we want him to stay” still ringing in his ears after the club’s first European Cup victory.

No sentiment in next chapter of Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea story (Richard Williams, Guardian) In the cold light of a Chelsea morning he may feel that one season and promotion from the third to the second tier of English football with MK Dons, followed by a spell with West Bromwich Albion that came to an unhappy conclusion halfway through the second year, do not represent a managerial curriculum vitae substantial enough to entitle its owner to be entrusted with the work that must follow Saturday night’s outpouring of joy and relief.

Roberto Di Matteo’s negative strategy can be forgiven when it brings Chelsea the ultimate reward (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) Finals are about one thing only. Winning. If you want to talk about boring finals, I’d advise you never to watch a tape of Liverpool’s 1984 European Cup win in Rome, a game so poor it made Saturday’s game look a thriller.

How Chelsea’s defensive blanket wrapped up Bayern Munich’s star duo (David Pleat, Guardian) Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben were discouraged to go on the outside and instead induced to work the ball back inside or take one touch too many. Both were disappointing; Robben, in particular, was a disaster.

Chelsea’s Ryan Bertrand reveals how secret videos inspired players (Guardian) Where the squad had anticipated ProZone graphics flitting across the big screen clamped to the far wall, instead the messages delivered were of a far more personal nature. Two weeks previously, Di Matteo had commissioned the club’s video analysis team to compile video messages from members of each player’s family, their words of encouragement inter-cut with YouTube clips from games and even footage of them growing up as children, which were duly delivered in Big Brother style in front of an increasingly emotional audience. The presentation lasted around half an hour, the playing staff veering from fits of laughter to the brink of tears.

Has rouble dropped for Roman that Di Matteo is the way forward? (James Lawton, Independent) We are led to believe that the brilliant holding operation of Di Matteo, the one that finally delivered on the £1bn investment, has merely placed him in the field somewhere behind the likes of Fabio Capello and Pep Guardiola.

Heroes return: Tens of thousands of fans line the streets to welcome home Chelsea’s Euro stars (Mail)

Roman: Gimme 4 (Sun) Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants FOUR Champions League titles.

Europa League Spurs

Crazy…but fourth was never with Tottenham on this one (Martin Samuel, Mail) It may seem harsh on Tottenham that they should finish so near yet so far, but they are not victims. They knew the rules from the start… If Tottenham feel any emotion this morning, it should be bitter regret. Every other team in the top four won at Aston Villa this season, as did Bolton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, Liverpool, Swansea City and Chelsea.

This killed off Spurs’ chance of ever dining at England’s top table (Paul Eddison, Independent) Spurs, despite their attractive football, don’t yet have the pedigree to attract the top players without the lure of Champions League football. The Spurs team which looked like challenging for the title when they went to the Etihad in February will now be dismantled. Much as I want to believe otherwise, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale will both be on their way in the summer, and Eden Hazard and Loïc Rémy won’t be coming in to replace them. Instead, Harry will again have to scout around for a bargain.

Manchester City

City reward Mancini with offer of three-year £15m contract deal (Mail) A £5m-a-year deal would see Mancini leapfrog Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of salary but would still leave him behind Arsene Wenger, who earns £6m a year at Arsenal.

Euro 2012: England Expects

Now anything is possible (Alan Shearer, Sun) What an incredible end to the Premier League and Champions League — now what price a fairytale at the European Championships? I believe what Manchester City and Chelsea have achieved this season could have a real knock-on effect for England… Hart, Cole, Cahill and Terry will make up most of England’s the back four. Lampard will be at the centre of midfield and I’m convinced Barry and Milner will also play a big part. They will all go into the tournament believing that with belief and determination anything is possible.

Rudderless Reds

Reds move for De Boer (Sun) Liverpool have made Ajax boss Frank de Boer their No 1 target. De Boer has shot to the top of their wanted list after winning successive Dutch titles…. De Boer is considered the Dutch Pep Guardiola and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most talented coaches.

Villas-Boas in no rush to accept Liverpool role… former Chelsea boss to hold talks this week (Mail) The Portuguese, who is a target for Italian side Roma, is set to hold talks with Liverpool this week over becoming Kenny Dalglish’s successor.

Villas-Boas refuses to be rushed over Liverpool job (Ian Herbert, Independent) After his traumatic nine-month experience at Chelsea, he will seek assurances about the new structure FSG are putting in place and the resources available for what the Americans view as an entire restructuring after 18 months of ownership at Anfield.

The Transfer Lies

Hazard tempted by Chelsea (Sun) Eden Hazard last night revealed he is leaning towards a £32million move to Chelsea. Lille’s attacking midfielder has been offered £250,000-a-week by the Blues but is also wanted by Manchester City and Manchester United.

Drog’s out! Didier China-bound after his Champions League win (Mail) Didier Drogba has almost certainly kicked his last ball for Chelsea, with the club expecting him to confirm his free transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

Get tough with Modric (Sun) Spurs chief Daniel Levy has been urged to get tough with Luka Modric again over the summer.

Boy from Brazil: Will Spurs sign Damiao instead of Adebayor or Remy? (Mirror) Redknapp sent top spy Ian Broomfield to watch the £15 million-rated hit man in action for his club Internacional in South America last night.

Former favourite Cole tops Allardyce wish list as Hammers look for staying power (Mail) West Ham will explore the possibility of bringing Joe Cole back to Upton Park after securing their top-flight return. And Cole is not the only former Hammer who could be on his way back to east London as the club target Nigel Reo-Coker and Kieran Richardson.

Berbatov: Why I must go (Sun)

Royals eye £2.5m Matt (Sun) Reading will make a £2.5million bid for Blackpool winger Matt Phillips, 21.

Cahill emerges as target for super-rich Saudi club (Mirror) Everton star Tim Cahill is a shock target for super-rich Saudi club Al Nassr who want to take him away from the Toffees.

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Didier Drogba: I believe in destiny and this was written a long time ago but we just didn’t know it. You have to pray and believe. I want to dedicate this to all the managers we had before and the players we have played with. My goal changed the game, mentally. I’m very happy. This is the Chelsea spirit. This is what we have been doing for years and years. We never give up.”.

John Terry: “Tonight we’ve done that and Robbie deserves a lot of credit for that. We hope he gets the job permanently.”

Jupp Heynckes: ’I congratulate Chelsea on their victory. If you wish me to say something about Roberto di Matteo it is that Chelsea should give him a three-year contract.”

Chelsea Win The Champions League: The Reports

Chelsea win Champions League on penalties over Bayern Munich (Observer) These are the moments Chelsea will always cherish and never forget. They gave everything and finally, when it was all done, they had the European Cup in their possession.

Roberto Di Matteo finds way to give Roman Abramovich richest payback (Richard Williams, Observer) Two and a half months ago, remember, this was a team heading for the knackers’ yard. Then Di Matteo replaced André Villas-Boas, and everything changed.

Drogba and Cech deliver holy Grail for Abramovich (Rob Draper, Mail) And so ended the nine-year odyssey that began when Roman Abramovich took over this club and transformed European football. Perhaps it wasn’t the swaggering team he might have imagined. No matter. The mental strength, resilience and defiance of these players produced something extraordinary this season.

Drogba: This was our destiny (Sun) Drogba’s winning spot-kick is worth £72million to Chelsea — £47m for winning the trophy plus another £25m for qualifying for next year’s Champions League.

Wasteful Bayern prove the most generous of hosts (Independent) Bayern Munich lost the European Cup in their own stadium and there would be no consolation. They were at home, they dominated every aspect of the match, they hit the post, they had a goal disallowed – they even, entirely against national stereotype, missed a penalty. In the end it came down to a shoot-out at the end where their own fans sat. This, too, they squandered – they had every possible advantage.

Sky Sports make early impact but ITV hit back with Roy Keane’s steel (Observer)

Analysis: How Chelsea Lifted Big Ears

I know it’s a cliche, but Chelsea’s name was always on the cup (Gary Neville, Mail) Chelsea have been beaten in pure football terms by Napoli, Barcelona and Bayern Munich this season but still emerged triumphant through spirit, determination and luck. Sometimes in this sport, you just sense that whatever happens on the pitch, one team are going to come through victorious, no matter how they play or what adversity hits them.

Five things that helped Chelsea to the Champions League trophy (Sachin Nakrani, Observer) Chelsea survived missed penalties and missed chances on the way to glory while the interim manager proved inspired.

Di Matteo’s tactical boldness works for Chelsea as Bayern blink first (Michael Cox, Observer) Di Matteo went for broke, bringing on Fernando Torres for Salomon Kalou… Whereas Heynckes removed one of his two forwards immediately after Bayern’s goal, Di Matteo persisted with two strikers. At the end of a run where Chelsea combined intelligent tactics with a decent slice of luck, fortune favoured the brave.

Chelsea’s Individual Stars

Ryan Bertrand has glorious debut for Chelsea in Champions League final (Dominic Fifield, Observer) He was industrious and efficient here, a nuisance helping to thwart Bayern at one end and offering flickers of threat at the other. It is remarkable to consider he had not even made Chelsea’s European squad list for the first half of the season.

Bayern Munich v Chelsea: the key battles that turned the Champions League final (Alan Smith, Telegraph) This was another of those nights when [Ashley] Cole refused to lie down. His blocks and interceptions were immaculate to frustrate Bayern when they surged down his side.

Frank Lampard emerges on top against old adversary Bastian Schweinsteiger (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Lampard had been largely eclipsed by the outstanding Schweinsteiger during the two hours of open play. The German was exceptional but Lampard never stopped believing. He kept bringing calm and organisation to Chelsea, and took responsibility in that amazing shoot-out.

Di Matteo For The Blues Job

It is unthinkable that Di Matteo will not be offered the job now (Patrick Barclay, Independent) He has not only shown an understanding of how to revive Chelsea’s spirit. Tactically as well, Di Matteo could hardly have put a more distinctive stamp on the crucial months over which he has had control.

Chelsea considering shock approach for Redknapp after drawing Guardiola blank (Mail) The 65-year-old Tottenham manager is one of the names being considered by Roman Abramovich as he seeks the likeliest candidate to put Chelsea back at the top of English football.

West Ham Return To The Big Time

Big relief for Big Sam Allardyce after fortune smiles on West Ham (David Hytner, Observer) There was not much for Allardyce to enjoy during the match, apart from his team’s goals. The tension was almost unbearable as the action ebbed and flowed.

Limbo At Liverpool

Stevie G & Co have let down Kop bosses (Roy Keane, Sun) Senior players such as Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson need to look at themselves and ask ‘Have I done enough?’ Maybe I’m stuck in the past but, as a player, your pride should be hurt when a manager loses his job because it means you haven’t done yours.

Shankly spirit is reduced to a mere ghost (Michael Calvin, Independent) Great clubs, important institutions, look after the little people, the small details. Liverpool’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, are behaving with a stunning lack of class and professionalism.

Liverpool must act quickly if they are to compete in the summer transfer market and return to Anfield’s glory days (Duncan White, Telegraph) According to newspaper reports at the time, the Pope officially closed limbo in 2007. Someone forgot to tell Liverpool.

Kop in Suarez cash tempter (Sun) Liverpool are ready to hand Luis Suarez a whopping 25 per cent pay rise to prevent him leading an exodus of star players.

Capello closes door on Chelsea: I’m not going there, says Fabio, but Liverpool still interest him (Mail)

Fans’ fury as Martinez emerges as front runner for vacant Liverpool job (Mail)

Eye On Euro 2012

I couldn’t say no to England, so the hard work starts now (Gary Neville, Mail) I love football and I love England. I know people may think otherwise, largely because I said in my autobiography that my England career had been a massive waste of time. But that was a phrase born out of professional frustration. It was a waste of time because I never got past a semi-final and, after 1996, didn’t even get past a quarter-final. I have 85 caps for England but I’d rather have Nobby Stiles’s 28 caps. His mean so much more because he is a World Cup winner.

Hodgson: ‘One strike and you’re out!’ (Independent) England manager will issue stark warning to Euro 2012 squad that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

Transfer Lies

‘Unsackable’ Kean loses his job but stays at Blackburn after Venkys showdown talks (Mail)

Great expectations! Fergie puts his faith in youth with £4m move for Crewe’s Powell (Mail) The manager struck a deal with League Two Crewe for the forward, who has scored 15 goals this season and will feature in next week’s League Two play-off at Wembley.

Chelsea ready to break the bank for Hazard and beat off interest from Man City and United (Mail) Roman Abramovich is offering to pay Belgium star Eden Hazard a staggering £250,000 a week.

Real Luk at Modric (Sun) Real Madrid will move for Luka Modric after they offload Kaka to Paris St Germain. The Spanish champions want to land the Tottenham midfield star for £25million.

Red Robin? Russians prepared to offer Van Persie £300,000-a-week (Mirror) Guus Hiddink’s Anzhi Makhachkala are ready to tempt the Arsenal striker with a three-year contract worth £45million.

Chinese takeaway? Lippi wants to bring Drogba to Guangzhou (Mirror)

Keepin’ it Real: Aguero emerges as a £50m target for Mourinho (Mirror)

Friday, May 18th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Overwhelmed by the support of the fans. Always been special but even more so now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone) and I never have.” – Kenny Dalglish.

Runner-up: “It is one of the things they should have closed a long time ago. It is difficult to understand. It’s really difficult to find players of the quality of Van Persie with one year left all around the world. It is a big risk because they lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last year. If they lose Van Persie, it will be a drama. With Samir and Cesc, you can say, ‘OK, those two are gone but you know Jack Wilshere and Van Persie are still at the club’. But if Robin leaves that means next year it may be Theo Walcott, next year’s going to be Wilshere. What is important for Robin is he wants to win trophies. Arsenal have to show him he can do it with Arsenal. The best way for them to get him to sign a contract is to bring players to the club who can show him the club are in the same line as him.” – Patrick Vieira.

Pep Guardiola for Liverpool

Pep talk: Guardiola gave up Barcelona… but Liverpool think they can tempt him to Anfield! (Dominic King & Matt Lawton, Daily Mail) Liverpool’s search for a new manager took an unlikely and spectacular twist after it emerged the Anfield club had approached at least four high-profile names, including former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola. Anfield officials cast their net as wide as possible in their search to replace Kenny Dalglish by sounding out Guardiola and former England boss Fabio Capello. They have also made formal moves to speak to Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers — managers of Wigan and Swansea respectively. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan confirmed he had given permission for Martinez, the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Dalglish, to speak to Liverpool’s American owners Fenway Sports Group.”

It’s Kop Idol! Liverpool set to speak to Martinez… and Guardiola. And Pardew, Rodgers, Klopp, Lambert and Deschamps (David Maddock, Daily Mirror)

Roberto Martínez could be a success as Liverpool manager if given time (Paul Wilson, Guardian)

Fenway have identified their Billy Beane (Ian Herbert, Independent)

Anfield fans are making job a poisoned chalice (Steven Howard, Sun)

Andre Villas-Boas awaiting call from Liverpool which could bring chance to prove Chelsea wrong (Jason Burt, Daily Telegraph)

Fabio Capello for Chelsea

Cap fits? Former England boss Capello in talks with Chelsea (Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror) “Fabio Capello has held talks with Chelsea over becoming their next manager. The former England boss has been sounded out by representatives of owner Roman Abramovich, led by Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, and has made it clear he wants the job. Capello, 66, is looking for a three-year deal worth around £6million per season to become Abramovich’s ninth manager since 2004. And while Guus Hiddink is also understood to be in the frame if he quits Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, it means the shadow of Capello will be looming over Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea board their flight to Munich this morning.”

The Champions League final

Frank Lampard eager to lead Chelsea over Champions League final hurdle (Barney Ronay, Guardian)

Lampard can show he is the king of Chelsea (Sam Wallace, Independent) “It is one of the signings of the Premier League era, one that ranks up there with the acquisition of Thierry Henry by Arsenal or Roy Keane by Manchester United. For all the money that has been thrown around by Roman Abramovich in the last nine years, Chelsea have probably never spent a better £11m than that which they paid for Frank Lampard almost exactly 11 years ago. To put it in perspective, that same summer of 2001, Sir Alex Ferguson spent around £29m on Juan Sebastian Veron, long since gone and little more than a peripheral figure in the history of English football’s last two decades. If Ferguson had decided to buy Lampard from West Ham, how differently might the history of the league – and the history of Chelsea – have panned out since then?”

Robben revenge (Paul Smith, Sun) 

Champions League final 2012: What drives Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo? His family (Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph)

RVP waits on new Arsenal deal

Manchester City on alert as Van Persie stalls on new Arsenal deal (Sami Mokbel, Daily Mail)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for Aston Villa

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is surprise contender to be Aston Villa manager (Stuart James, Guardian) “Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the shortlist for the managerial vacancy at Aston Villa. The former Manchester United striker, who is in charge of the Norwegian club Molde, has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Alex McLeish. Solskjaer’s odds tumbled on the betting markets on Thursday and although no talks are yet planned to take place between Randy Lerner, the Villa owner, and the 39-year-old, he is known to be one of the names under consideration, along with Wigan’s Roberto Martínez, Norwich’s Paul Lambert and the Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers.”

United legend Solskjaer joins race to become next Aston Villa manager (Neil Moxley, Daily Mail)

England

Hodgson on his own on rest cure: England players holiday as rivals ready for Euro 2012 (Matt Lawton, Daily Mail)

Gossip

Italian job: City make £16million bid for Juventus defender Chiellini (Neil McLeman, Daily Mirror)

Chelsea and Manchester City will battle Inter and Paris St Germain for £20million Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi (Sun)

Thursday, May 17th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “It seems like Ferguson is the president of England. He’s always spoken nonsense about me and I’ve never asked him to say sorry. When someone plays a joke on somebody else, you might apologise. But I won’t say sorry.” – Carlos Tevez.

Runner-up: “I am disappointed with results in the league, but I would not have swapped the Carling Cup win for anything as I know how much it meant to our fans and the club to be back winning trophies. It has been an honour and a privilege to have had the chance to come back to Liverpool as manager. Whilst I am obviously disappointed to be leaving, the matter has been handled by the owners and all concerned in an honourable, respectful and dignified way and reflects on the quality of the people involved and their continued desire to move the football club forward.” – Kenny Dalglish.

The England 23

Roy Hodgson uneasy in England chair with limited stock of talent (Daniel Taylor, Guardian) These are the moments when you are reminded that Hodgson has a tremendously difficult job on his hands. He is not so much selecting from a shallow pool but something more resembling a puddle.

An officer and a gentleman (Steven Howard, Sun) For Hodgson, so far so good. But the Downing thing still gnawed away at you. At one point he talked about selecting players for footballing reasons and the next he includes one with no goals and no assists all season. Well, apart from the two assists that have seen the end of Damien Comolli and Dalglish at Liverpool. Like all England managers, Hodgson will be judged on results. But, unlike his predecessors, we won’t be too surprised if he doesn’t get them.

A football man who arrived at the right decision on Terry (Martin Samuel, Mail) Roy Hodgson is all about the 4-4-2. So when required to choose one senior presence in the heart of his defence at the European Championship, he simply asked: who do I want in my back four against France, who is the best centre half in the country? And the answer came back: John Terry.

Euro 2012: Five talking points about Roy Hodgson’s England squad (Guardian) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain can provide the x-factor; the inclusion of John Terry represents a risk; Andy Carroll’s raw promise deserves recognition; and Phil Jones is a vital utility man.

England have same old faces apart from the new assertive Roy Hodgson (Barney Ronay, Guardian) So, here they come again. You know: them. In the end Roy Hodgson’s squad for Euro 2012 contained no great surprises.

Weakest England squad since 1980s but rock bottom is good place to start (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) Hodgson has had to dip his bucket in the smallest well of international quality since the 1980s. Seven of his 23 are not guaranteed or regular starters for their clubs and two of his four strikers — Andy Carroll and Danny Welbeck — have seven caps and one international goal between them.

Not Going To Euro 2012

Without Rio this squad is naked (Terry Venables, Sun) [Ferdinand's] inclusion would have evened out an imbalanced squad that I feel is too heavy in the middle. Hodgson, who it should be remembered has been thrust into the job at the 11th hour, has named NINE midfielders — while Phil Jones, who has also played in midfield, is listed among the defenders, of which there are just seven.

Ferdinand: I’m gutted (Sun)

London 2012: David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Joe Cole set for Team GB (Guardian) Stuart Pearce can now concentrate on selecting his squad for the London Olympics – and it may be wise to wait so he can use Roy Hodgson’s England standby players.

King Kenny Is Gone

Brutal price of failure… Dalglish sacked to stop rot at Liverpool (Martin Samuel, Mail) Either Dalglish was the victim of a poisonous equation (Suarez debacle + lowest league wins in Premier League history x surly manner projecting poor image = P45), or something went down at this week’s meeting that altered his status quite dramatically… Dalglish, who has not been given sufficient time to realise his plans despite a dismal League campaign, is the victim of a grand design that is increasingly floundering.

Kenny Dalglish will be torn apart by the way his love-affair with Liverpool has ended (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) Kenny knew how critical it was to get Liverpool back in the Champions League again, but he also believed that winning a trophy would be significant in terms of moving the club forward. When you win silverware, it can be a springboard to greater success and I cannot believe that the owners would have parted company with Kenny had he also guided the team to the FA Cup.

Sacked Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will never walk alone (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Kenny Dalglish walked away from Anfield yesterday but he knows he will never walk alone. For all the mistakes he made, for all the poor PR, misguided handling of the Luis Suárez saga and the meagre league form, Dalglish’s love affair with Liverpool will never end. He may have gone but the fans will still sing his name.

Kenny Dalglish farewell: no more excuses for John W Henry at Liverpool (Andy Hunter, Guardian) FSG is now free to implement the plans it always envisaged for Anfield. It has no more excuses. Liverpool’s support, meanwhile, awaits evidence the owners’ decisiveness is not merely restricted to firing employees.

Kenny Dalglish is gone but has Fenway taken on too much at Liverpool? (David Conn, Guardian) Liverpool supporters will demand a coherent plan from FSG, for a new manager, coaching structure, and some action on the stadium.

Dalglish didn’t fail to recreate the past, he failed to face the future (Jame Lawton, Independent) The bitter truth was that the job lot of players brought in by Dalglish at a cost of more than £100m simply wasn’t good enough.

Missing the Champions League far outweighed winning cup the Yanks had never heard of (Phil Thomas, Sun) At the moment Liverpool are in danger of becoming a rudderless ship, with the dismissal of Dalglish leaving them short in a host of crucial positions. While the hunt for a new manager has started, they have yet to replace axed director of football Damien Comolli, are still without a CEO and have no official head of communications. It all means the next few months could have massive repercussions in terms of where the Reds go for the foreseeable future.

King no more! Dalglish exits Liverpool as owners forced to accept he’s out of his depth (Dominic King, Mail) Just 34 days after Liverpool chairman Tom Werner had said the Scot retained the ‘full support’ of Fenway Sports Group, Dalglish became the highest-profile victim of their ruthless cull.

Moneyball fans at Liverpool admire Newcastle boss Pardew’s midas touch (Mail) [FSG] will look to appoint a young manager, who can work with a director of football and make their ‘Moneyball’ approach to football work in the way it has been successful for their baseball club, the Boston Red Sox.

Sacking Kenny? John W Henry must have balls the size of Spacehoppers! (Mirror)

Who Is Next For Liverpool?

We’ll Kop Bren (Kenny Dalglish gone – Brendan tops Kop list with AVB & Pards) (Sun) John W Henry will now fly into Britain to interview candidates with inspirational Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers understood to be top of his shortlist. Wigan’s Roberto Martinez, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew and former Chelsea chief Andre Villas-Boas are also in the frame. There was even a betting stampede last night for ex-Kop boss Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool sack Dalglish and approach Villas-Boas (Independent) The Independent understands that Villas-Boas is interested and considers Liverpool to be the kind of high-profile, marquee job which would be the appropriate next step for him.

Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool sacking could be André Villas-Boas’s chance (Guardian) André Villas-Boas, the former Chelsea manager, Jürgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund and Marseille’s Didier Deschamps are among the candidates to succeed Dalglish.

Kenny Dalglish’s Liverpool sacking: the contenders to succeed him (Guardian) Roberto Martínez, Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert all fancied to fill vacancy at Liverpool.

The Champions League Final: Chelsea vs Bayern

Nazi thugs plot Chelsea ambush (Skinheads gearing up for brutal battle at Champs League final) (Sun) A hard core of skinhead thugs in Bayern’s “Schickeria” — “Smart Set” — want to test themselves against Chelsea’s notorious “Headhunters”.

Gomez? I’ve faced him on PlayStation! Smiling Luiz can have last laugh over that Neville jibe (Mail)

Hanging Onto Van Parsie

RVP talks crisis (Sun) The Gunners had hoped to persuade their captain to agree a lucrative new three-year deal worth £130,000 a week that would see off interest from champions Manchester City and keep him at the Emirates. But yesterday’s talks, which have been described as tense and tetchy, broke down with no agreement.

Outgunned? City lurk as Van Persie tells Arsenal he’s sick of being potless (Mirror) The Dutch striker wants assurances on whether Arsenal will be able to compete next season, and has major doubts whether they can.

Transfer Lies

City target £25m Ibrahimovic (Sun) Roberto Mancini will pay the Swedish superstar £300,000 a week.

Just take it or leave it Nani (Sun) Manchester United will listen to offers for Nani if contract talks break down.

Sunderland considering swoop for £5m Spurs midfielder Pienaar (Mail) Tottenham want £5million for the 29-year-old and Everton may struggle to raise the funds immediately, with Sunderland believing they can step in.

Arsenal, Spurs and QPR on alert as Italian legend Del Piero eyes Premier League move (Mail) Del Piero is considering three options and Arsenal, Tottenham and QPR have all been linked in recent weeks. He told Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport: ‘England is a place where the football is so good, but I have still not agreed anything with a club.’

Lazio lining up Di Matteo if Abramovich snubs Italian for full-time Chelsea job (Mail)

Michael Owen’s tenure at Manchester United set to come to an end today (Telegraph)

Fiorentina insist Chelsea ‘target’ Stevan Jovetic will not be sold (Independent)

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “Barcelona and Real Madrid every year buy two or three players and spend a lot of money. I think for Manchester City it will be the same. We need to improve. We need to have the strength to play Champions League and Premier League. For this we need to have a good team, a strong team with a good mentality, but I’m sure we will do it. We have started a new cycle, but in order to win the Champions League you need more. The Champions League is the next step. The first year was the FA Cup, the second the Premier League and I hope the third will be the Champions League. But we have to improve a lot.” – Roberto Mancini.

Runner-up: ”I will decide about my future after the Euros. I will make the decision where to continue my career. I’m ready for the big tests.” – Luka Modric.

The England Axe: Rio, Richards, Crouch All Out 

Rio Ferdinand out of England Euro 2012 squad (Sun) Rio Ferdinand is out of Euro 2012 — but John Terry has a good chance of surviving. New boss Roy Hodgson will stamp his authority on England’s 23-man squad with some high-profile casualties. Peter Crouch, Micah Richards, Phil Jagielka and Kyle Walker will also miss out when the list is revealed today.

End of an era – and Rio will have a few regrets (Sam Wallace) A top player for England but he missed too many matches, tournaments and that drugs test.

Roy Hodgson facing test of his resolve over possible selection of John Terry for England at Euro 2012 (Henry Winter, Telegraph) The ebullient, popular Ferdinand will be missed. John Terry’s presence is hugely controversial. Storm-clouds gather over Wembley at 1pm on Wednesday.

Roy shows who’s boss (Steven Howard, Sun) In one of the biggest decisions ever taken by an England manager, Hodgson has effectively ended the 15-year international career of former skipper Rio Ferdinand… It is believed Hodgson has also showed his bullish nature by including Liverpool striker Andy Carroll at the expense of Peter Crouch.

Ferdinand misses out on Euro 2012 over fitness doubts… but Terry set for call (Mail) The omission of Ferdinand and Phil Jagielka (understood to have been put on standby) as well as injury to Chris Smalling would suggest Terry has made the cut. But Hodgson could still take only seven defenders, with Phil Jones covering as one of four centre halves and as a second right back alongside Glen Johnson.

Ruthless Roy makes his mark! England look thin at the back after Rio axe (Mail) Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill have had fine seasons for their clubs but this will be some test for them this summer. For Phil Jagielka, too, if he earns selection. On Tuesday night it was thought he might only be named among the five or six players on standby. Defensively, England look rather fragile as a result.

Roy Hodgson must be bold and pick Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Brian Woolnough, Star) Be bold, Roy. For the sake of English football, please be bold.

Gary Neville: England Coach

Roy Hodgson’s calls give form to his and Gary Neville’s England (Daniel Taylor, Guardian) New manager’s assistant had urged a clean-out so a young generation could offer the nation a fresh approach at Euro 2012.

With Neville in the camp, England’s players should not fall prey to indifference (James Lawton, Independent) It will be some time before we know the value of Neville’s appointment and any serious clue about where it might lead, but the instinct is strong that it should be welcomed.

Gary should be focusing on England (Martin Samuel, Mail) For his media employers, however, his appointment is a disaster. Neville may think he can continue writing and talking without pulling his punches, but he can’t. He will soon find there are too many fragile egos around the England squad to have a senior coach out there, telling the truth.

Van Persie: Can Arsenal Keep Him

Robin wrangle (Sun) Robin van Persie could be forced to see out his contract at Arsenal. The Premier League’s top scorer will meet with boss Arsene Wenger and club chief executive Ivan Gazidis for crunch contract talks today.

You are going nowhere, Arsenal to tell Van Persie as crunch talks loom over Dutchman’s future (Mail) Arsenal are ready to offer a three-year deal worth £130,000 a week, plus a £5million signing-on fee.

Kenny In The Crapper

Kenny Dalglish in limbo as Liverpool owners fail to offer assurances (Guardian)

They grilled Kenny (Sun) Kenny Dalglish flew back to England yesterday still sweating over his future at Liverpool. The ominous silence from the Reds’ American owners — and a refusal to issue a public backing — has left the Kop boss fearing the worst.

Outcome unclear as Dalglish returns from America following meeting with Liverpool owners (Mail) There has been no indication of how the meeting went and the fact there has been a deafening silence from FSG in the last 24 hours has increased speculation that Dalglish’s role is in jeopardy.

Dalglish latest: Decision on manager’s future expected within 48 hours (Mirror) Liverpool owners’ end-of-season review continues as Martinez and Villas-Boas are linked with the job on day of claim and counter-claim.

No way to treat a King: Liverpool owners face fan fury over treatment of Dalglish (Mirror) The blaze of rumour over Kenny Dalglish’s future has already been replaced by a furious inferno from his fans.

Dalglish left dangling at Liverpool by Fenway’s lack of backing (Independent)

Tevez Versus Fergie

Tevez begged me to pass him RIP Fergie sign (Sun) A teacher told last night how Carlos Tevez BEGGED her to hand him the “RIP Fergie” sign he waved during Man City’s victory parade. Sue Bradsell, 52, passed the cardboard tombstone to the Argentinian striker as he toured streets by bus to mark City’s Premier League title win.

Tevez Flees Threats (Star) Carlos Tevez was under 24-hour armed guard last night after getting death threats from hardcore Manchester United fans over his “RIP Fergie” prank.

Transfer Lies

Barca line up Drogba (Sun) The Spanish giants want to offer Drogba, 34, a two-year deal worth up to £5million a season to quit Chelsea and snub a move to China, Milan or the USA.

Yaya heading for City exit (Sun) Yaya Toure is ready to leave Manchester City. His agent Dimitri Seluk confirmed he is now inviting bids for the midfielder from his former club Barcelona and Real Madrid.

City shocker as Yaya’s agents invites offers from Barcelona, Chelsea and Bayern (Mail)

O’Neill begins Sunderland shake-up with moves for Fletcher and Bertrand (Mail) Martin O’Neill is ready to test Wolves with a bid for record-signing Steven Fletcher, who is valued at £10m. The Sunderland boss wants to sign three forwards, with Bolton captain Kevin Davies also on his list. O’Neill also likes Chelsea full back Ryan Bertrand, but he reject a move.

Liverpool and Spurs lead chase for Diame with midfielder set to leave Wigan for free (Mail)

Newcastle’s latest French target is Lille right back Mathieu Debuchy, with Danny Simpson set to leave the club (Mail)

Martinez, Lambert and Rodgers top Lerner’s list as Aston Villa owner jets in (Mail)

Tuesday, May 15th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “The creation of the tasteless material is in itself reprehensible and, in accepting and brandishing it, Carlos has made a significant error of judgment. The club wish to express their sincerest apologies to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United Football Club for any offence or distress caused.” – an unnamed Manchester City spokesperson.

Runner-up: “Under this manager I don’t have the feeling any more that he will put me in the side every week. I’m under no illusion about playing every week. But I believe I am still good enough to play for Liverpool every week. My physical stats are better than ever before. Last season I was scoring goals all over the place. But this season the manager bought three players who all played in my position. In the rotation system he used, I never found my rhythm again and never felt my old self. Deep in my heart I’d love to stay at Liverpool so I could have full revenge on everyone in my final season at the club.” – Dirk Kuyt.

What’s Next For Manchester City?

Manchester City’s next task is to strike Champions League gold (David Conn, Guardian)

City can sign anyone they want to now (Ian Wright, Sun) I genuinely believe the Etihad Stadium will now turn into one of THE places where any footballer on the planet would want to ply his trade. And yes, you can include the likes of Lionel Messi and even Cristiano Ronaldo in that as well.

Ferguson critical of triumphant City for paying ‘stupid money and silly salaries’ (Ian Herbert, Independent) Mancini retains a keen interest in Edinson Cavani… [while] Cavani’s Argentine team-mate Ezequiel Levezzi, whom Mancini also admires, has a €28m buyout, though he looks more destined for Internazionale. Mancini’s staff have also recently watched Athletic Bilbao’s exciting defensive midfielder Javi Martinez – not a top target but a contender. The £7m-rated Montpellier midfielder, Younes Belhanda, is being monitored, as a Hazard back-up.\

Moneybags Mancini: Roberto rewarded for title win with new £20million contract at City (Mirror)

Tevez & The “RIP Fergie” Sign

Just like Carlos Tevez to rain on Manchester City’s parade of togetherness with tasteless banner (Jim White, Telegraph)

City paint the town blue… but see red over Tevez gaffe as striker aims ill-advised barb at Sir Alex (Ian Ladyman, Mail) Tevez has a rudimentary grasp of English and there were doubts on Tuesday night as to whether the 28-year-old even understands what ‘RIP’ means. It is thought he may have just been caught up in the carnival atmosphere.

Manchester City apologise for Carlos Tevez’s ‘R.I.P Fergie’ banner (Guardian) Tevez was smiling as he lifted the banner above his head on the top of City’s open-top bus parade but later said: “I got carried away in the excitement of the moment and I certainly didn’t mean any disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson, who I admire as a man and a manager.”

The Red Runners-Up

United’s financial reality? Trying to play catch-up (Independent) One-by-one, the competitive certainties which United once possessed in the transfer market are being whittled away. They can no longer say they pay the most, or that they win most and, looming on the horizon albeit possibly three years away, is the crater which Ferguson’s departure will form. From a United perspective, Manchester felt like a cold, unsparing place to be when the sky blue flags flew yesterday.

Reviews Of The 2011/12 EPL Season

A season of SHOCK and AWE! The craziest year football has ever seen (Matt Lawton, Mail) We have never seen more goals – 1,066 in all – and for the 12 million spectators who passed through the turnstiles, and the billions more who have watched around the world on television, there have been some belters… Today there should be a new toast. ‘Vive le Premier League.’ Absolutely bloody amazing.

A Premier League of ups, downs and outs leaves a legacy of flaws (Kevin McCarra, Guardian) The Champions League finalists finish sixth in the league, Manchester United lose an eight-point lead and Manchester City lose five away games but end up winners.

An exciting league season? Without a doubt. But the best ever? No chance (James Lawton, Independent)

Hodgson’s 1st Euro Pick: Gary Neville

Roy Hodgson’s decision to take Gary Neville to Euro 2012 with England makes sense in so many ways (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Gary Neville is England’s new ghost-buster, the new Bryan Robson of the England coaching set-up, brought in to fight the fears. Like Robson at Euro 96, Neville will get into the players’ hearts, easing doubts and inspiring them, while Roy Hodgson gets into their minds, organising them for the tactical tests ahead.

Well I Never! (Shaun Custis, Sun) The man who blasted the FA, backed Harry for England and tried to lead a players’ strike is appointed in England’s backroom team.

New coach Neville seen as ‘future England manager’ (Sam Wallace, Independent) It demonstrates Hodgson’s open-mindedness that he approached Neville over the job two days after the player admitted in his Mail on Sunday column of 6 May that he would have chosen Harry Redknapp as England manager. In the same column, Neville urged Hodgson to pick his backroom staff carefully. He wrote at the time: “I’ve seen England managers who have been surrounded only by mates, people who weren’t experienced at international level, and it didn’t work because they weren’t challenged.”

Get The Eck Out

Roberto Martínez tops Aston Villa shortlist after Alex McLeish is axed (Guardian) Wigan Athletic’s Roberto Martínez and Paul Lambert at Norwich City are the early frontrunners, with Swansea City’s Brendan Rodgers also likely to come under consideration as Villa step up their search for a young and hungry manager capable of reinvigorating the club.

Villa eye Lambert (Sun) Despite Norwich chief executive David McNally issuing a hands-off warning to Villa, it has become clear they are fighting a losing battle to hold on to the 42-year-old Scot, who defied the odds to guide the Canaries to 12th in the Premier League… Sources close to Lambert claim he would jump at the chance to follow in O’Neill’s footsteps and take charge of the ailing Midlands giants.

Villa make Lambert their top target (Independent)

Alex McLeish’s sacking is at least one decision Aston Villa got right (Stuart James, Guardian) Aston Villa’s owner, Randy Lerner, has made two disastrous management appointments. He cannot afford another.

Deja Vu: Can Arsenal Keep Their Captain

City in for RVP (Sun) The Arsenal skipper, will tomorrow hold showdown talks with Gunners manager Arsene Wenger over his future. The Dutch striker, 28, is entering the final year of his £80,000-a-week contract and new champs City are preparing an opening offer of £20million. His agent Kees Vos has been spotted at the Etihad Stadium.

Exclusive: Arsenal to offer £130,000 per week and £5m signing-on fee to keep Van Persie (Mail) Arsenal are putting the finishing touches on a club record £7million-per-season deal to keep Robin van Persie… Van Persie could earn as much as £220,000-per-week at Manchester City and the player’s agent Kees Vos was a guest of executive Brian Marwood at a recent Etihad Stadium match.

Robin van Persie’s curtain call: a platitude or a goodbye to Arsenal? (Amy Lawrence, Guardian0 Arsenal’s directors will look to ensure this week that the Gunners talisman does not bid a farewell to arms.

Is Robin Gunner leave? Manchester City are closing in on sensational £25m deal for van Persie (Mirror) Big-spending City are prepared to more than TREBLE his wages to £250,000-a-week.

Bad Boy Barton

While Joey Barton plays up to middle-class prejudices he remains a prisoner of his own violent nature (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) It was the malice in Joey Barton’s face as he kneed Sergio Agüero from behind that told you what really goes on inside him: not clever Nietzschean discourse or Chomsky-esque rumination, but a need to hurt, a faith in violence that is swiftly followed by a victim stance.

Sacking Barton may prove too costly for QPR (Independent) Queen’s Park Rangers want to dismiss Joey Barton, whom they expect to be banned for up to 11 games following his conduct at Manchester City on Sunday, though the lucrative terms of his long-term contract will make the cost of doing so a staggering £12.5m.

Barton to be shown QPR door as players back Hughes in axing star after rage (Mail)

Transfer Lies

£13m Jan has VIP Spurs visit (Sun) Jan Vertonghen has been given a VIP tour of admirers Tottenham. Spurs are set to pip Arsenal for the Ajax skipper, who was snuck into White Hart Lane to watch the season finale against Fulham, before being shown around their new training ground.

Atletico slap £50m price tag on Falcao as Chelsea plan £15m plus Torres bid (Mail)

Lazio struggling to match Berbatov demands as United striker heads for exit (Mail)

Going nowhere: Cisse rubbishes reports he’s leaving Toon for Real (Mirror)

Monday, May 14th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “After this I feel 90 years old. I think we have changed the history of this club, and for this we should be proud. I think it was a crazy finish for a crazy season. I have never seen a final day like this. The best team won the title. I think we played the best football, conceded less goals, scored more goals, beat United two times.” - Roberto Mancini.

Runner-up: “They can go on as much as they like. That’s what you would expect. But the history of our club stands us aside. We don’t need to worry about that. I think we have a rich history, better than anyone, and it’ll take them a century to get to our level. For us, it’s a challenge — and we’re good at challenges. We’ll kick on from here.” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Man City’s Epic EPL Title Win (Is It The Greatest Ever?)

Craziest day ever! At 90 minutes, Man City’s title dreams looked dead… but TWO goals in injury time snatch title from United (Martin Samuel, Mail) There were people on the pitch and it was all over. The 44 years, over. The punchlines, over. The mockery, over. Laughing on the outside, crying on the inside, that horrid little ticker at Old Trafford, those long Monday mornings at work having to pretend you didn’t really care. Over, over, over.

Miracle in Manchester as Aguero changes lives forever (Sam Wallace, Independent) With less than four minutes of injury-time remaining, City put their reputation for calamity behind them forever while the unbelievers were already on their way home. They did so in circumstances as dramatic as Arsenal’s title win at Anfield 23 years ago. Their two goals in injury-time were the club’s 1999 Nou Camp moment. The moment they can play on a loop in the club museum. As Sergio Aguero’s 94th-minute winner went in, you could not ignore that feeling football retains to confound and amaze.

Goodbye to the ghosts of 44 years of misery…hello to the greatest title victory of them all (Ollie Holt, Mirror)

Aguero delivers on his promise with golden shot to transform City (James Lawton, Independent) Sergio Aguero not only saved Manchester City’s title in circumstances that had become surreal. He also made his entry in City’s billion-pound title inventory shine with a new brilliance.

Iceman Aguero’s the late, great arrival at the crazy season ball (Jamie Redknapp, Mail) How ironic that Manchester City scored twice, so late in the game. In the period of play that used to be called Fergie Time. Now it’s City’s time.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany proves his worth as greatest buy of all – and he will only get better (Alan Hansen, Telegraph) Make no mistake, at £6 million, Vincent Kompany is arguably the best transfer market buy of all time. By leading Manchester City to the title this season, he has shown why he is on course to become the best defender of the Premier League era.

Miracle Manc (Sun) Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini celebrates his team’s last-gasp title miracle yesterday — hours after he and some of his stars paid a visit to CHURCH.

We won it in Fergie time! (Sun) Manchester City won the greatest Premier League title race in history — and they did it in Fergie time. City scored twice in the final two minutes of ADDED TIME to beat QPR and lift their first title since 1968.

Manchester City triumph repays some of sheikh’s millions and patience (Jamie Jackson, Guardian) Club could be set for period of dominance in England and Europe with Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s backing.

Manchester City’s dramatic Premier League title win the first step on a quest for world domination (Paul Hayward, Telegraph) The call will be for City to invade Europe now and place the Champions League alongside the spoils of the last two years. Hold those horses. Progress is obligatory. But holding off domestic predators will be hard enough. United, Chelsea and Arsenal will lead those anxious to stop a frantic win over QPR laying the ground for a dynasty.

Man City: Remembering Gillingham

City never do things the easy way (Steven Howard, Sun) It was back in 1999 that City fans congregated at Wembley a week after United had completed the Treble in Barcelona with another of the greatest comebacks of all time.At stake was promotion from the old Third Division via the play-off final against Gillingham. But it was more than that.Had City stayed down that year they would have struggled to hold on to the few half-decent players they had — and probably lost their main sponsors. With the game into added time, City trailed 2-0. Then, incredibly, they scored twice, finally levelling the game through Paul Dickov with a goal which until yesterday was always hailed as the most important in the history of the club.

Roberto Mancini: Waxing Lyrical

Roberto Mancini cures Manchester City’s old problems with new glory (Daniel taylor, Guardian) The credit has to go to Mancini, a serial champion who can be bruising with his man-management but operates by one clear philosophy: he is always right. Mancini has taken on a talented yet often problematic group of players, epitomised by the Carlos Tevez affair but has almost always given the sense that he is in utter control.

Amid the lavish spending, Mancini’s judgement should not be overlooked (Independent)

Manchester United: Runners Up But Still On Top?

It’ll take City 100 years to catch us up (Sun) Alex Ferguson tried bitterly to spoil Manchester City’s title party, sniping: It will take you 100 years to match our history.

City will get stronger now and Sir Alex knows it (Alan Shearer, Sun) City are now on an upward climb and this title will provide the springboard for greater things. United, meanwhile, are stalling. I think Ferguson has done a remarkable job to have even competed with City for the title this season given the team he has had. It is nowhere near as strong as it was five or 10 years ago. In fact, if I was naming my team of the season I would have just one Manchester United player in it — Wayne Rooney — while I’d have five from City.

Ferguson puts on brave face as title is ripped from his hands (Independent) Phil Jones’ face followed Ferguson’s in the dawning realisation of what horror had just happened. Unlike a man of steel like Ferguson, Jones is young. He has no titles and he was crushed. You understood. Everyone in the Stadium of Light understood. People greeted each other with two words, and they began with F and H and it was justified as there was nothing else you could say. After such gut-wrenching drama, the subtlety of language had been stripped down to its most base level.

Manchester United could almost taste the sponsors’ champagne but in the end cruel fate was against them (Jim White, Telegraph) The Glazers’ cheque book will need a serious airing.

Nemanja Vidic ruled out of Manchester United pre-season tour (Guardian)

Joey Barton: Public Enemy No. 1

Barton at risk of nine-match ban (Independent) At the very least Barton will be banned for four games at the start of next season, three for violent conduct and an extra game for it being his second dismissal of the season. His first red card was against Norwich City on 2 January when he tried to butt Bradley Johnson. Should the FA disciplinary department consider his kick at Aguero violent conduct, he will get another three games banned and a supplementary two for it being effectively his third red card of the season.

Enough is enough! Why time has now run out for Barton the bully after Etihad assault (Mail) This is a team sport and Barton has never understood this. In his mind the spotlight shines only on him and one would imagine it will shine brightly when Mark Hughes kicks him out of the club this summer.

How Joey Barton handed Manchester City the Premier League title (Guardian) The QPR captain’s red card in the second half gave City the man advantage and the vital extra minutes they needed.’

Barton goes berserk: QPR bad boy faces huge ban over triple attack on City players (Mail)

Head case Joey to miss nine games (Sun)

Barton’s behaviour didn’t cost us! Hughes refuses to condemn red card madness as QPR are saved (Mail)

How Did TV Do?

Stelling and Co provide perfect backdrop to ‘Squeaky Bum Sunday’ (Mail) Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday coverage  – on this Sunday,  Gillette Soccer Special – is now a genuine telly phenomenon, led by the imperious plate-spinner of pundits, games and facts that is Jeff Stelling.  It has become compelling viewing for fans who want, yes, goal updates, but also a real sense of occasion to go with it.

England: Euro 2012

Foster rejects Hodgson plea for Euro 2012 (Independent) Ben Foster announced yesterday that he had no plans to end his self-imposed England sabbatical despite Roy Hodgson’s best attempts to change his mind, during his last few days as West Bromwich Albion manager.

Scholes’ Euros chance (Sun) Paul Scholes has not ruled out playing for England at the Euros.

Belgium test just adds to Hodgson’s tough start (Sam Wallace, Independent) It is easy to overlook the fact that Hodgson’s nascent England regime faces an extremely robust test in his first home game at Wembley against Belgium on 2 June, one week after the Norway friendly in Oslo. In any circumstances, facing the great up-and-coming young side of Europe would be a tough assignment. To do so in your home debut and just a week from a major international tournament is one of those many issues Hodgson will wish he had not inherited from Fabio Capello.

Crock stars: Parker and Walker remain doubtful for Euro 2012 (Mirror)

Transfer Lies

United chasing £50m Dortmund trio: Sir Alex eyes Kagawa, Lewandowski and Hummels (Mail) United would have to pay close on £50million for all three, but Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke struck a defiant note by saying: ‘We expect Kagawa to go, but no amount of money will persuade us to sell the others.’

Bale and Modric are staying, insists Spurs chairman Levy ahead of summer interest (Mail)

Feeling peckish? Everton line up £800,000 move for Hungary keeper (Mirror) Olympiacos keeper Balazs Megyeri could be brought in to provide competition for Tim Howard at Goodison.

Sunday, May 13th, 2012

Comment & analysis round-up

Quote of the day: “I’m up for a challenge. We’re not going away and I’m not either. You better let them know across the road. The odds are stacked against us, but if City win the title, I’d hope that our players would realise things aren’t so black.  We will analyse where we’ve messed up this year and accept the challenge next season. It keeps me going, absolutely. It [City’s rise] has taken three years off me and I’m feeling younger already!” – Sir Alex Ferguson.

Runner-up: “I’ll go to Tenerife for six months to hide if Manchester City lose title… This is the most important day of my life as a Manchester City fan. It is as big as that. I went to see Manchester City play for the first time with my Uncle Jed when I was a little boy. We beat Manchester United that day – 5-0.” – Ricky Hatton.

Manchester City: Champs Today, Champs Tomorrow?

Is this now Rooney’s worst nightmare? City set to clean up trophies… and talent (Mail) Make no mistake, the final league table could represent a significant shift in power across Manchester and the whole of English football, even though the two clubs start this morning level on points after 37 games, albeit with City holding a greatly superior goal difference.

Manchester City’s biggest challenge will be how to keep on winning (Gary Neville, Mail) Can they sustain their superiority without unlimited investment with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules coming into force? Can they bring players through their academy? And how do they deal with the disruptive influences of Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli, players on massive wages who will be difficult to offload?

Roberto Mancini has kept the show on the road for Manchester City (Henry Winter, Telegraph) Manchester City fans remember York City away. Many of those worshippers flocking nervously, excitedly, hopefully to the Etihad today remember Dec 19, 1998, recall losing at Bootham Crescent, slipping to 12th in Division Two, closer to non-League than Premier League.

I followed Manchester City through thick and thin in the bad old days (Will Greenwood, Telegraph) I was there for the incredible Second Division play-off final in 1999, I was there at the last game at Maine Road when we lost 1-0 to Southampton. The comedy of it all!

The Last Word: Why City no longer belong to me (Colin Shindler, Independent) When Carlos Tevez refused to play against Bayern Munich, for whatever trivial reason, something died for me. The juggernaut of a team that was being assembled at huge cost finally slipped its moorings from my increasingly desperate attempts to reconcile it to the club whose fortunes have dominated my waking hours for so long… The team stand proudly at the summit of the Premier League and fully deserve to be there. Yaya Touré, Aguero, Silva, Kompany have all had a wonderful season and I admire them enormously. I admire them but I don’t love them. Not the way I loved Glyn Pardoe, Alan Oakes and Neil Young. That’s my problem.

Ecstasy or not, the exodus will follow at Manchester City (Guardian) In a fire sale unprecedented in this and any other league around £200m worth of City talent will be up for grabs this summer. Add the salaries of the 11 players in question and more than a quarter of a billion pounds of Sheikh Mansour’s investment could walk out of the door.

Mancini wants Mancnificent 7 (Sun) Roberto Mancini cranked up the heat on Alex Ferguson by vowing to win SEVEN trophies in four years.

Take tat and party: Mancini challenged to honour his tattoo promise (Mirror) The Manchester City boss vowed to get inked with the club’s crest if they win the Premier League title.

Manchester City hero Ken Mulhearn recalls edging out rivals Manchester United to win the title in 1968 (Telegraph)

Manchester United: Runners-up

Losing the title today will haunt United for ever (Roy Keane, Sun) When Alex Ferguson reviews the season, he’ll know when the league was lost — the final 10 minutes against Everton when they conceded twice to draw 4-4… What you’ve got to remember as well is that United will have Nemanja Vidic, Tom Cleverley and, please God, Darren Fletcher back fit for next season. You don’t want to make excuses but their absence has been a factor.

Wayne Rooney’s contract stand-off was an early warning sign for Manchester United (Mark Ogden, Telegraph) For all of Sir Alex Ferguson’s defiant talk of a response to the challenge laid down by their supremely-wealthy neighbours, the reality is that United have been losing ground to City ever since Wayne Rooney’s contract stand-off forced the club into a fight they simply cannot win.

The Champions League Race

I’d happily trade in all my goals and awards for Champs League spot (Robin van Persie, Sun) You know what? All the goals I have scored this season, all the awards I have won — I would trade them all in an instant for us to win today.

The Drop Zone

Could QPR have a chance of survival despite themselves? (Guardian) Everyone expects QPR to lose on Sunday afternoon. But would it not be typical QPR if they were somehow to steal a draw – only for Bolton to belt nine past Stoke and send the Hoops down on goals scored – unlikely of course, all but impossible but somehow very Rangers.

Bolton rely on swing and a prayer (Independent) Coyle believes his team have the momentum and urges his players to prove they are worth a new contract and a place in the Premier League.

£100m-in-debt Bolton reach crisis point as Coyle faces up to relegation disaster (Mail)

EPL 2011/12: The Reviews

Said & Done: The 2011-12 awards (David Hills, Guardian) Roughest justice Ghana: Accra Hearts of Oak, given a “strange and contentious” £1,000 fine in November for delaying kick-off against Ebusua Dwarfs. The delay happened after two of their players “were forced out of the stadium by Dwarfs fans and made to buy tickets to get back in again”. Both players were also fined. Hearts: “They got a raw deal.

Enjoy the big finish, this could be as good as it gets… (Des Kelly, Mail) This has undoubtedly been a campaign of continual upsets and excitement. And if it delivers one more drama when Manchester City look to claim their first title in 44 years, separated from their rivals Manchester United only by goal difference, then there is no argument. It is the best.

Ten small moments with a big impact on the Premier League title race (Guardian)

England Ahead Of The Euros

Roy Hodgson gets no second chances with England’s Euro 2012 squad (Guradian) On Wednesday the new England manager will name his 23-man squad for Euro 2012. He has to get it right first time.

Hodgson’s choice: Roy told rift between Rio and Terry is too big to send both to Euro 2012 (Mail) The rift between Rio Ferdinand and John Terry will force Roy Hodgson to choose one or the other when he names his Euro 2012 squad on Wednesday — and it looks increasingly likely that former England captain Terry will miss out.

England’s John Terry is too tired for Euro 2012 – yet so are the alternatives (Jim White, Telegraph)  Terry may be self-evidently dead on his feet, his performance on Tuesday may be a thin parody of his best, all logic may well insists he is given the summer off. But what real alternative does the manager have? Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are just as drained, Gary Cahill, Michael Dawson and Phil Jagielka all compromised by injury. The truth is, anyone who is any good will be as tired as Terry. And anyone who is not tired will not be any good.

Fergie has Rio fear (Sun) Sir Alex Fergsuon fears Rio Ferdinand will not be fit enough for Euro 2012.

Transfer Gossip

United line up £10m Dembele bid as major rebuilding begins in earnest (Mail) Manchester United are considering a £10million bid for Fulham’s attacking midfielder Mousa Dembele with Paul Scholes still to make a decision over whether he will play on next season.

Mourinho’s £15m Ivanovic raid (Sun) Real Madrid are ready to pay £15million for the 27-year-old and Chelsea have not ruled out doing a deal as long as the Spanish giants are prepared to meet their own £20m valuation.

Eden Hazard poised for £35m City bid (Sun) Hazard, who was named France’s Player of the Year yesterday, said on Twitter: “Two games more to play in the colours of Lille.”

Kop out! Dalglish on the brink of leaving Anfield (Mirror) Liverpool are preparing for life after Kenny Dalglish. As the list of senior executives axed by the club’s American owners reaches six, with the imminent ­removal of legal adviser Nathalie Wignall, there is a growing belief inside Anfield that King Kenny’s days as manager are numbered.

Liverpool Eye Roberto Martinez (Star) If Fenway Sports do decide to part company with Kenny Dalglish then Spaniard Martinez, 38, will be their top target.

Spurs like £16m Loic (Sun)

Fergie takes time out from title shootout to watch Kagawa shine in German Cup final (Mail)

Reading eye ambitious move for out of favour Spurs striker Defoe (Mail)

Real Madrid legend Raul opts to join Qatari outfit Al Sadd after ending Schalke stint (Mail)