There Is Only One Sinnacle

Tottenham Complete Modric Signing

Tottenham Hotspur have completed the surprise ₤15.8 million signing of Croatian midfielder Luka Modric.

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Guess it is a done deal. While he surely didn’t come cheap Modric would be an upgrade over Steed Malbranque in the Tottenham midfield.

Ex-Italy boss Sacchi slams boring Premiership clubs

Former Italy and AC Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has slammed the four Champions League semifinalists, insisting Premiership clubs will bore their way to the trophy this season.

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I find that funny considering this is coming from the same country that gave the world the epic 0-0 Champions League final between A.C Milan and Juventus in 2003.

Galliani Hints At £55m Kaka Sale

Adriano Galliani revealed in a meeting with shareholders that AC Milan are ₤24 million in debt, and hinted that it could be necessary to offload Brazilian superstar Kaka in order to balance the books.

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In a season where everything has gone wrong it would be shooting yourself in the foot going into next year by selling your best player.

Barcelona concede title campaign

Barcelona have conceded the Spanish Liga after choosing to rest their stars for tonight’s match against Deportivo La Coruna.

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Barcelona conceded the title with their play way before this. Smart move with placing their focus on the one title they have a legit chance of winning.

Having captured Croatia star Luka Modric, Tottenham are targeting Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o, Espanyol keeper Carlos Kamen and Celtic midfielder Aiden McGeady. (Daily Mirror)

The wonderful world of newspapers. Yesterday Luka Modric was going to Newcastle now he is a lock to join Tottenham. The Spurs will say Kamen since his release clause is so low but the other three players listed won’t be so easy.

Arsenal midfielder Gilberto Silva is being chased by Roma after deciding to end his six-year stay at the Gunners. (Daily Mail)

Gilberto must see the signs that his days at Arsenal are coming to an end. His game is ideally suited to Serie A.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is refusing to rule out bringing Thierry Henry back to the club from Barcelona. (Various)

If Herny can be signed on the cheap of course Wenger cant rule it out. I highly doubt Barcelona will admit such a mistake by selling Herny back to Arsenal after only a year.

Portsmouth’s Pedro Mendes looks set to move back to Portugal after putting his house up for sale in Poole. (Daily Express)

Would be nice to see him playing in Portugal again. Mendes was an important member of Porto’s Champions League winners side. He’ll have to accept playing for less money mind you.

Former Tottenham coach Martin Jol believes he is in the frame to replace Alan Curbishley as West Ham boss. (Daily Mirror)

Shows a lack of class talking about replacing a coach who isn’t even fired.

The eyes of the football world will be locked on Stamford Bridge as Chelsea will look to draw even in the race for the EPL title against leaders Manchester United. Arsenal had their 49 game undefeated steak snapped at the hands of Manchester United who will look to break a similar impressive steak by beating Chelsea at home for the first time in well over 100 games.

The rest of the EPL games are listed below

Birmingham City vs Liverpool – In what had to be considered the most important game of the season, Birmingham facing bitter rivals Aston Villa laid an egg losing 5-1. That loss now sees them in the dreaded 18th spot in the standings and now every game until the end of the season will end up being the most important. While all the pressure in on Birmingham to get at least a point Liverpool comes into this game without a care in the world. That is until Wednesday in the Champions League.

Tottenham vs Bolton – After being left for dead Bolton has proven the nay sayers wrong by picking up a couple of really important wins to see themselves out of the drop zone. They still cant breath easy. A loss in this game against Tottenham can find Bolton back in 18th spot.

Manchester City vs Fulham – Fulham had they chance to make some noise at the bottom of the table against Liverpool’s B team last week and responded with a 2-0 defeat. This is a team now resigned to life at the Championship next season.

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough – Sunderland will look to take the sting away from their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle last week but gaining at least a point versus Middlesbrough. Another point or two before the end of the season would be all that is needed for Sunderland to stay in the top division next year.

West Ham vs Newcastle – Kevin Keegan is smiling like its 1994-1995 again with Michael Owen enjoying his new role playing just behind the two strikers up front. West Ham are just looking for this season to be over and done it considering all the injuries they have had to endure.

Wigan vs Reading – These usually turn into a wild affair with both teams needing a result. Reading more so since their goal for/away record is dreadful. Both teams would walk away from this game with a point happily.

Over in Germany its just a matter of time before Bayern Munich are crowned champions. While the league leaders play tomorrow, a lost by Werder Bremen against Karlsruher and third place Schalke under new coach Fred Rutten losing to fourth place Hamburg would clinch the title for Bayern.

With Serie A not playing until Sunday looking at Spain, Real Madrid also have the title within reach. Barcelona play today against Deportivo La Coruna who has vaulted themselves out of the bottom half of the league and are one of the better teams over the last half of the year. The only other game in La Liga sees Sevilla trying to jump back into a Champions League place at least for a day on the road against Real Murcia.

Mancini: We Want Hleb

Inter coach Roberto Mancini has admitted that the club wants to sign Arsenal’s Alexander Hleb, as well as Udinese’s Gokhan Inler and Genoa’s Abdoulay Konko.

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If Inter want to sign Inler and Konko they can get that deal done. Hleb won’t be as easy however he would make an ideal replacement for Luis Figo.

Valencia’s Joaquin: Koeman wasn’t the best

Joaquin has hit out at Valencia’s sacked coach Ronald Koeman.

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Joaquin was being nice. He is one of the players that has had an horrible year with Koeman in charge.

Kuranyi Available For €25 Million

German international striker Kevin Kuranyi is available for a move away from Schalke this summer if a club can come up with €25 million.

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Kuranyi is not worth that kind of money but if Schalke do decide to sell him they would make a nice little profit on the player they signed from Stuttgart.

Bayern Munich’s Lahm agrees terms with Barcelona

Bayern Munich fullback Philipp Lahm is on his way to Barcelona.

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At 24 and his best years in front of him Lahm would make a great signing for Barcelona. While Munich are resigned to losing him sooner than later, they will try to draw every last dime out of any team that wishes to sign him.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan is set to pay £15m to sign Barcelona striker Thierry Henry. (The Sun)

Henry is not going back to England and even by the off chance he does it won’t be to a team outside of London. Seeing Henry play for Newcastle would be like seeing Michael Jordan playing for Washington.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez summer shopping list includes Wigan winger Antonio Valencia. (Daily Mirror)

I think Valencia is a good player but I wouldn’t see it as much of an upgrade over Jermaine Pennant.

Chelsea have told Real Madrid that they must pay £18m to sign striker Didier Drogba. (Daily Star)

At least Chelsea is smart enough to put a price tag on Drogba. He is at the age where strikers start to go downhill.

Manchester City hope to sign Liverpool’s Peter Crouch, Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon and CSKA Moscow duo Jo and Daniel Carvalho this summer. (Various)

That is a good wish list right there. All four players would be willingly to sign and all four would add to the team.

Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell is set to snub Newcastle to stay at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mirror)

Sidwell must really like not playing then.

Aston Villa are the latest side to target Sidwell and they are also keen to bring in Liverpool’s Peter Crouch and Benfica defender Nelson. (Star)

Crouch is not going to Aston Villa. Marlon Harewood can’t get a game in. While he is better then Harewood the likes of Carew and Gabriel Agbonlahor are debatable. It would only work if Villa move Agbonlahor to the wing like they did previously with Ashley Young

Inter Milan have confirmed they want to sign Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb. (Daily Star)

Already made my feelings clear on this but let him go. Great player but when it was make or break time in Arsenal season Hleb and his agent were looking for other teams. Arsenal deserve better, cash in on him and spend the money on the likes of Jonathan de Guzmán.

Arsenal have improved their latest contract offer to midfielder Mathieu Flamini in a bid to stop him from joining Juventus. (Daily Mirror)

Seems to be too little too late.

West Ham goalkeeper Robert Green is ready to pledge his long-term future to the club. (Daily Star)

I think Green is a good goalie. Never understood why he doesn’t get a closer look for the English National team. The fact he is great at saving penalties should alone give him some more consideration.

Ribéry gets a taste for glory

FC Bayern München’s schemer-in-chief Franck Ribéry will happily put his growing cup pedigree to the test against old foes FC Zenit St. Petersburg.

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The main question that will be asked in the lead up to this game is how will the Bayern Munich attack cope without key striker Lua Toni who is suspended for this contest. While Bayern don’t exactly lack firepower but when key goals have needed to be scored this year usually Toni is the one that supplies that.

Zenit St. Petersburg are no strangers to Germany after trashing Bayer Leverkusen in the quarters finals. While their European form has been impressive their domestic form has not with Zenit sitting in 10th place in Russia, 11 points back of the leaders.

Sinnacle Prediction Bayern Munich 1-0

Weir not going to make excuses

Veteran defender David Weir will be handed the captain’s armband as he attempts to lead injury and suspension-stricken Rangers FC to the final of a European competition for the first time in 36 years.

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The home support at the Ibrox should make up for all the players that will be missing due to suspension. I will go on record and predict a Fiorentina – Bayern Munich which isn’t shocking but I will stick my neck out and say Fiorentina will win the Cup.

Sinnacle Prediction 1-1

Zamparini Hints At Amauri-Gattuso Swap

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has invited AC Milan to sign star striker Amauri, prompting reports of an exchange deal that could bring Gennaro Gattuso to Sicily.

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Any team would love to have Gattuso but Palermo don’t have what it takes to lure him to Sicily.

Schuster: I’d love Ibrahimovic at Real Madrid

Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster admits he’d welcome the signing of Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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If it were up to Schuster he’d have a squad of 50 players. Ronaldo, Kaka, Huntelaar, Ibrahimovic etc.

Atlético And Valencia Back In For Lucho

Atlético de Madrid are preparing to launch a bid to try and prise Lucho González away from Porto and will be joined by Valencia who are also interested in the midfielder.

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One day Porto will sell him since it makes economic sense but it will be on their terms and their price. Gonzalez and Atletico Madrid would be a perfect match but only if Atletico can make it to the Champions League.

Real Madrid seeking buyers for Diarra, Baptista

Real Madrid are seeking buyers for midfield pair Mahamadou Diarra and Julio Baptista.

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Baptista should see all signs pointing to him leaving this summer. Going back to Sevilla would be a good option or a move to England would also be a good career move.

Newcastle are close to buying highly-rated Croatia midfielder Luka Modric from Dinamo Zagreb for about £12m. (Daily Telegraph)

Turned down a move to the EPL in the January transfer window. Only a matter of time before he decides to make the jump.

Manchester City want Bolton forward El-Hadji Diouf. (Daily Telegraph)

Why would of team what Diouf and his moody attitude. Sure he is a good player but when things don’t go his way he acts like a kid.

Real Madrid have added Chelsea centre-back Ricardo Carvalho to their wanted list, along with his Blues team-mate Didier Drogba.

Carvalho is world class, nothing flashy but rarely do you see him make a mistake back there.

The Spanish giants are also still keen on prising Cristiano Ronaldo away from Manchester United. (Daily Star)

I’m keen on prising Jessica Alba away from boyfriend Cash Warren. Neither are likely to happen.

Arsenal are interested in PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Valencia striker David Villa. (Daily Star)

Will Arsenal be interested in paying the 80-100 million roughly it will take to get all three?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has his back at fans who have turned on him after the club’s third season without a trophy. “When people say you don’t know what you are doing, that is disrespectful,” he said. (Daily Star)

He knows what he is doing, he is just not doing it right. Wenger is a great coach, check that an amazing coach but the lack of a European title to go along with no titles in the last three years does say something. Like most managers Wenger is stubborn sometimes that is a good thing. A coach should rarely listen to fans/critics but it can also be a bad thing. I believe Wenger either wants to prove people wrong or not admit to mistakes. Look Emmanuel Eboué, fans were pleading with Wenger to drop him from that right midfielders role and start Walcott more. Wenger in turned continued to play Eboue and only after the season was lost relented and started Walcott.

- Game was pretty much decided once Ronaldo missed that Penalty Kick.

- Somewhere Paul Robinson is saying why didn’t he kick it like that two years ago.

- That miss may haunt Ronaldo. At least until the weekend but maybe into next year if they don’t advance to the finals.

- Is a lot of ways United were humbled by Barcelona’s movement. Sure some of it was by design but I’m sure they didn’t draw up a gameplan with only 35% possession.

- Welcome back Deco, some people have missed you

- That Wayne Rooney experiment didn’t work out so well.

- Owen Hargreaves played well at right back. The main reason United paid that transfer fee was for his European experience in nights like these.

- Sorry that I had no Champions League thoughts yesterday. I was still in shock that I’m about to live in a world where Eli Manning is a Super Bowl winner and Avram Grant is about to coach in a Champions League final.

Manchester United vs Barcelona

Usually in these spots I would love Barcelona but something is off with that team. Yes there undefeated in Champions League play but have been unconvincing in the knockout stages. The last three games they’ve won 1-0 (granted the first game against Celtic they didn’t need to do much since they wrapped it up with a 3-2 win on the road in the first leg) the last two 1-0 wins vs Schalke. While professional wins neither victory inspire anyone to believe Barcelona is on the right track.

In the last two months whenever Barcelona needed a big win to stay close to Real Madrid in the Spanish league they have pretty much failed. They drew 0-0 on the weekend to cross town rivals Espanyol, drew 2-2 the week before and 0-0 the week before that and are now 10 points back of Real Madrid.

Basically what I’m saying is that when the chips are down teams do one of two things dust themselves off and fight harder or fold and Barcelona has folded all season long. They lost to Real Madrid at home and that never should happen plus their captain and best defender Carlos Puyol is suspended for the match due to Yellow Cards. Yes Messi will most likely play but great as he is Messi won’t be at full fitness.

Manchester United on the other hand have played with grit all year long when they are down they find a way to get it done. Even last week drawing against Blackburn since a draw leaves them 3 points up with the tiebacker going into their match vs Chelsea this weekend in the EPL. I can go back in the Champions League to coming back on the road to tie Lyon 1-1 or going into Rome and beating Roma 2-0 which is never easy. Players like Tevez just will a way to get a result which is key when going into a place as tough to win as the Camp Nou.

Sinnacle Prediction – Manchester United 3-1