There Is Only One Sinnacle

Didier Deschamps must kick himself for leaving Juventus at the end of the 2006-2007 season after he got them promoted back to Serie A. The head coaching job at Juventus is one of the 10 best coaching jobs in world football and here we have Deschamps walking away from it. Two years later precious little is heard from Deschamps again. He publicly campaigned for the Chelsea job not once but twice and I’m sure he is hoping French national team coach Raymond Domenech gets fired so he could apply for that position. In coaching, out of sight, out of mind does occur and that very well could be the case here. If Deschamps who lead Monaco to the 2004 Champions League final wants to get back into coaching again he’ll most likely have to start again with a middle to upper table team in France.

My week just isn’t the same without the special one.

Lukas Podolski To Return To Cologne

1. FC Köln have wrapped up the signing of Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski. The move will be confirmed on Monday to take place at the end of the season…

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Despite world class performances at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 Podolski never seemed to fit in with Bayern Munich. Great move for Koln bringing back Podolski but it will be interesting to see how Podolski performs during these final months knowing he is on the move come July.

Spain-Portugal Make Bid For 2018 World Cup

The European duo are the latest to officially make a bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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Don’t screw up this bid is all that comes to mind. Would be a dream watching the World Cup kick off in Lisbon in 2018 or 2022.

Ranieri: Greedy Ibrahimovic Left Juventus For The Money, Not Calciopoli

Claudio Ranieri has blasted Zlatan Ibrahimovic for leaving Juventus due to his desire to earn more money at Inter Milan.

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Ranieri wasn’t even around at the time so why is he talking about what went on between Ibrahimovic and Juventus? I’m sure both reasons played a part in Zlatan. It’s doubtful that one of the world’s best strikers would play in Serie B. Sounds like sour grapes to me from a team who still wishes they could of kept Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Robinho has had a big bust-up with Manchester City and walked out of the team’s training camp in Tenerife. (Various)

The core of Manchester City’s core is Robinho. Here is a player who only joined Manchester City due to wanting to leave Real Madrid so badly and of course for money. Basically he joined City for all the wrong reasons. Despite all his talents Robinho has a lot of growing up to do.

And for all City fans feeling a little glum this morning, The Times reminds them they may have lost the Brazilian superstar, but at least they have claimed the signature of Craig Bellamy.

This still makes me laugh. It’s like expecting Nintendo for Christmas as a kid and waking up to a Turbo graphics 16. Nothing says your a big club than signing Craig Bellamy.

Hamburg boss Martin Jol is interested in signing Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone. (Daily Mail)

Unclear as to why since Jol didn’t play Huddlestone week in and week out when the two were together at Tottenham.

After losing Lassana Diarra, Portsmouth are chasing Juventus midfielder Christian Poulsen. (The Sun)

Despite being a bust for Juventus this year Poulsen is unlikely to pack up his bags and head to Portsmouth.

To help fund their move for Arshavin, Arsenal could offload Nicklas Bendtner to help find the extra few million pounds Zenit St Petersburg are after. (Daily Express)

Bendtner hasn’t hurt his value with his two goals off the bench recently.

Manchester United winger Nani could soon be fearing for his place with Sir Alex Ferguson lining up a bid for Wigan’s Antonio Valencia. (Daily Telegraph)

As Nani should be fearing for his place. His downfall if there is to be one occurred during the West Ham game late last year where United needed a victory to keep pace with Chelsea and get a red card for hitting out against Lucas Neil. Sure Manchester United were already ahead at the time but being force to spend an hour down an man thanks to Nani was foolish on his part.

After being on the sidelines by boss Luiz Felipe Scolari for the Southend and Stoke games, Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is in line for a recall against Ipswich. “He’s trained well”, Scolari said. (Daily Mirror)

Scolari should of said “maybe this time Drogba will get the message” after clearly sending him one.

Kaka: I Belong To Milan

The Brazilian superstar has declared that he was never going to leave the club, despite reports suggesting he was close to an exit.

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I am glad order has been restored in the football world with Kaka deciding to stay at A.C Milan. For a Manchester City fan I couldn’t image a bigger let down than excepting Kaka for an entire week and instead confirming the signing of Craig Bellamy.

- This isn’t exactly breaking news but it’s downright scary watching Barcelona play football right now. At no time last time was Manchester United ever as completed of a team that Barcelona is now. Last year Ronaldo made the show go for United but while Messi is the ring leader for this Barcelona team they have a starting 11 who are capable of hurting you. Totally dismantled a good Deportivo team on the weekend.

- Someone needs to tell the Inter players that winter break is over. Atalanta jumped out in front 3-0 against the Italian champions and the final score ended 3-1 on a final minute pity goal by Ibrahimovic.

- Wonder what David Beckham must think going from playing with the LA Galaxy to having team mates such as Paolo Maldini, Alexandre Pato, Andrea Pirlo, Ronaldinho and Kaka for however long he stays in Milan.

- Celtic learned last year that no lead is too big catching up to Rangers over the final month of the season. The reserve could start to happen if Celtic drop anymore games like they did on the weekend losing to Aberdeen 4-2.

- Great goal by a personal favorite Julio Baptista so late in the game to steal the points for Roma against Torino (goal is at the 2:15 mark of the clip)

- Part of me does feel sorry for Bolton losing on late goals last week against Arsenal and again this week versus Manchester United but these things are to be expected when a team plays negative football. It was almost mission accomplish for Bolton but a late Berbatov header on a pin point Carlos Tevez cross took United to the top of the table.

- One will never know how close Scolari would of been to being sacked if Stoke held on for even a point. Frank Lampard comes up big again for Chelsea in what just might of saved their season.

- Sam Allardyce must of loved watching his Blackburn side stick it to former club Newcastle beating them 3-0. Sure, Blackburn’s penalty against David Edgar was weak at best but with Benni McCarthy and Jason Robert clicking there was only going to be one result.

- During the game I saw some old Newcastle fan giving Joe Kinnear some grief. Never in my life have I seen a fanbase as clueless than Newcastle fans. They could have Sir Alex Ferguson as there number 1 and Arsene Wenger his number 2 and still they wouldn’t be happy. Newcaslte fans should be thrilled with the job Joe Kinnear has done saving the sinking ship that is Newcastle United. This was a job no one wanted three months ago and sure Newcastle found Kinnear off the scrap heap but considering all he has had to deal with, an owner wanting out, his best player wanting out, Joey Barton always acting like Joey Barton plus a rash of injuries, Kinnear has done a commendable job.

- Despite the win against Wigan, Kaka couldn’t come quick enough to a Manchester City team that plays like a bunch of individuals out there.

- At some point I figured Aston Villa run of luck will come to an end but after a straight red on a silly Ashley Young tackle, Villa is awarded a generous penalty to secure the three points against a Sunderland side that has slide down the table since Ricky Sbragia officially took over.

- I’ve given Arsenal slack for not rising up to the occasion this year but after last week’s late winner against Bolton and this weeks fight back against Hull credit should be given where it’s due. Samir Nasri’s goal to break the deadlock was clinical. Many a striker wouldn’t put it away as Nasri did picking the far corner.

- Still think Carlton Cole looks the part but doesn’t act the part of a striker but five goals in five games is impressive none the less.

- Wonder what David Nugent felt yesterday after scoring against Tottenham and former boss Harry Redknapp who soured on him soon after spending 5 million to sign Nugent from Preston North End back in 2007?

Milan To Swoop For Bayern Munich Ace Ribery – Report

The Rossoneri are reportedly lining up a sensational €35m bid for the French fantasista to make up for the loss of Kakà.

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Ribery would be a perfect replacement plus A.C Milan would still have 60 million to spare. This Kaka transfer will turn A.C Milan isn’t a power house a lot quicker than it would Manchester City.

Report: Atlético Madrid Chase Guilherme and Keirrison

Two young Brazilian strikers could be on their way to the red and white half of Madrid…

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Guilherme and Keirrison are two young players to keep an eye out move. Both are bound to make a move to Europe within the next twelve months and will be interesting to see what can of impact each can make.

Manchester City’s £107m move for AC Milan’s Kaka could be hijacked by Real Madrid, who are desperate to sign the Brazilian. (News of the World)

David Beckham, on loan at AC Milan from LA Galaxy, has urged Kaka to stay with the Italians. (Mail on Sunday)

I can’t blame A.C Milan for cashing in on Kaka. It’s not like there in the Champions League this season so losing him midway isn’t a death blow for the rest of the season. A team can buy some really good players with 100 million.

Manchester City are set to hijack Tottenham’s bid to sign Wigan’s £13m-rated midfielder Wilson Palacios. (News of the World)

Didn’t really see United making a move for another midfielder after signing Zoran Tošić last week.

And City will also beat Spurs to the signature of West Ham striker Craig Bellamy, who will cost £13m. (Sunday Express)

Tottenham fans shouldn’t really be upset by this news if proven true.

One player who could be on his way out of City is 20-year-old striker Ched Evans, who looks set to join Celtic. (News of the World)

Celtic had good success in signing Georgios Samaras from Manchester City last season so hopefully lightning strikes twice with Ched Evans.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has opened the door for Didier Drogba to leave Stamford Bridge – as long as he gets a transfer fee for the striker. (Sunday Express)

One thing is clear and that is Scolari and Drogba are not on each others facebook friends list.

Arsenal are on the verge of completing a £17m deal for Russia star Andrei Arshavin. (News of the World)

The Gunners board have authorized a £15m bid for Arshavin. (Mail on Sunday)

It wouldn’t be the typical Arsenal signing but watching Arshavin play for the Gunners will be fun to watch.

Manchester United players have had a whip-round for Cristiano Ronaldo after he wrote off his new Ferrari – and have bought the world player of the year a £40 kid’s pedal car. (News of the World)

Big wheels still rule.

Mourinho To Manchester City After Kaka – Reports

City are eyeing Mourinho and could pounce as soon as Kaka is in the bag…

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I’m not naive enough to think money isn’t important but I don’t think it’s the main motivation for Mourinho. Things are going well at Inter and I’ll believe he’ll want to see the job out. Besides Mourinho does want to coach for Manchester but it’s United who appears to be his dream job.

Buffon’s Agent Opens Door To Manchester City

Buffon could be the next to follow Kaka to Manchester City, as his agent is prepared to listen to offers…

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After seeing Kaka’s offer, agents from across Europe are going to line up hoping Manchester City spreads that money on their clients.