There Is Only One Sinnacle

ESPNsoccernet has learned that Argentine star Claudio “El Piojo” Lopez will be returning to the Kansas City Wizards for the 2009 season, and he will do so at a fraction of the price.

According to team sources, the Wizards have signed Lopez to a new contract that will be considerably less than the $800,000 in guaranteed salary he earned as a Designated Player in 2008. Terms of the new deal were not available, but the new contract frees up the Wizards’ Designated Player slot.

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Lopez was brought in by Kansas City to replace Eddie Johnson who was sold to Fulham about a year ago with less than stellar results. This move works for both sides as Lopez still brings some class to the Wizards team and quite frankly on the open market it would be doubtful Lopez would earn anything more than 200-300k a season playing in South America.

City are expected to agree a deal to sign Craig Bellamy for about £12m this week after preparing an improved bid for the Wales striker. (The Times)

For those of you on the edge of your seat waiting for the latest Bellamy to Manchester City rumors. This would be another deal where I’d be shocked if it didn’t get done. Mind you I also believed Stewart Downing to Tottenham was a done deal and that appears to be in a holding pattern.

Redknapp is losing patience with left-back Gareth Bale and wants to sell him or use him as part of a deal to land Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing. (Daily Mirror)

Bale who is very talented is just weak defensively. Not being able to defend your position when you are a left back isn’t ideal for an EPL player.

Newcastle midfielder Geremi has emerged as a target for Turkish club Besiktas, while FC Porto midfielder Raul Meireles may be making a £4m switch to St James’ Park. (Daily Mail)

I’m sure Newcastle would have no problem offloading Geremi to anyteam who comes calling. Meireles was touched upon yesterday and the fee is also too low.

Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano is said to be attracting interest from Fulham, Middlesbrough, Blackburn and Newcastle. (Daily Telegraph)

Bresciano is a player who goes under the radar due to playing for Palermo but can be a useful player for most teams.

Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari’s job is on the line in the wake of an astonishing bust-up with Nicolas Anelka. The French striker is angry at being a substitute for the last three games. (The Sun)

Blues owner Roman Abramovich will decide on Scolari’s future over the next eight weeks. (Daily Express)

To be fair most coaches are only three weeks away from being fired. Scolari demands his players to buy into a family like mentality and it appears this philosophy is not going over so well for these Chelsea players.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho poured scorn on Scolari’s Chelsea when he claimed the team that lost 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday were unrecognisable from the side he built during his time there. “I didn’t see Chelsea,” said the Inter Milan manager. (The Independent)

To be honest I expected Mourinho to pull no punches after watching that Chelsea performance. I’ll assume he didn’t want to kick his former club when they are down.

Rafael Benitez’s contract talks are on the brink of collapse over the Liverpool manager’s demands for total control of Liverpool’s transfer policy. (Daily Star)

Rafa is no fool and he also doesn’t miss a step. I’d be shocked if he signed a contact before this summer as he keeps an eye towards Real Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo was named as FIFA World Player of the Year for 2008 on Monday and became the first Premier League player to get the award at a star-studded gala in Zurich.

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What is there to say that hasn’t been said at this point about Cristiano Ronaldo? When looking over the complete body of work for 2008 it was clear Ronaldo should of won the FIFA World Player of Year and to no one’s surprise Ronaldo completed his magical 2008 season with this award.

Results

1 Cristiano Ronaldo (935 points)
2 Lionel Messi (678)
3 Fernando Torres (203)
4 Kaka (183)
5 Xavi (155)

- The special one may of got a glimpse to the future watching current Cagliari striker and future Inter hitman Robert Acquafresca score against Inter Milan.

- David Beckham starting may of grabbed the early headlines but Mirko Vucinic and Alexandre Pato stole the show in an entertaining 2-2 draw between Italian heavyweights Roma and A.C Milan.

- While not a lost Barcelona got there own wake call being down 2-1 to Osasuna only to come back and earn a 3-2 victory.

- Paris St Germain may of still been on Christmas break after being smashed 4-0 against Bordeaux.

- Alessandro Del Piero still showing why he is one of the best free kick takers in the world as he stunner earned Juventus a tight 1-0 victory over Siena

- Part of me is curious to know what Jose Mourinho was thinking watching Chelsea roll over against Manchester United? Nemanja Vidić goal right before half was a body blow Chelsea never recovered from. A bunch of warning signs are going off with regards to Chelsea. Their offence is hit and miss lately with Drogba having a horrible game yesterday in particular. Defensively, once a Chelsea trademark, now they are conceding way too many goals. This group looks like 11 individuals doing their own thing out there instead of playing as a collective. The standings may show Chelsea still in a decent position but this team has a lot of wrongs that need to be corrected if they are to achieve anything this term.

- You never want to lose but Manchester United’s midweek loss against Derby in the League Cup just may of been the wake up call all teams need once in a while. United controlled of yesterday game from start to finish in what has to be their best performance of the season.

- Nani could learn a thing or two from watching Park Ji-Sung bust a gut out there. Another impressive performance in a big game for the Korean international.

- One day Aston Villa’s luck will run out but it wasn’t on Saturday as they held on, nervously at times but held on none the less in their 2-1 victory over local rivals West Brom.

- Arsene Wenger come out yesterday in not so many words said the Premier League is boring. While he isn’t wrong, this isn’t anything new. Bolton was never going to play with Arsenal especially when hit by the injury bug but it is still up to the Arsenal’s of the world to break them down. A 1-0 win against a Bolton team that have been known to take points off Arsenal in recent years is still more impressive than a 3-1 display of beautiful football.

- The good, watching Marouane Fellaini head the ball. The bad, watching the linemen give a goal that was clearly offside. Everton keeps on winning despite a lack of attacking options up front as they send Hull to there fourth sent defeat with a 2-0 victory.

- Middlesbrough is dropping too many points this year as they drop another two points to Sunderland as a late Kenwyne Jones goal split the points.

- I wonder what Joe Kinnear thinks when he sees Andy Carroll corn rolls? For this week however I’m sure Kinnear will bite his tongue after Carroll goal drew Newcastle level with West Ham.

- Craig Bellamy sure knows how to pick the right time to get hot.

- Wigan has now picked up 18 out of there last 21 points after Maynor Figueroa late winner against Tottenham sealed the points in a game if you missed it, you didn’t miss much.

- Safe to say the honeymoon period between Harry Redknapp and Tottenham is over after Spurs find themselves in the bottom three again. Redknapp must drive home the point that Spurs can still go down, having talent on paper can only take you so far.

- Stoke must be doing something right holding Liverpool scoreless for a second time this second.

- I don’t think Rafa Benitez rant on Sir Alex Ferguson this week caused Liverpool to lose focus against Stoke but as the foot steps from United grow louder it will be interesting to see how Benitez and the Liverpool players handle it come seasons end.

Milan Must Come First For Beckham – Carlo Ancelotti

Goldenballs has been told where his loyalties must lie, as he prepares for his first competitive showing as a Rossonero…

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While Beckham won’t be starting still going to be curious to see if he’ll get some playing against Roma this afternoon. If so wonder who take the free kicks? Beckham or Ronaldinho.

Yoann Gourcuff Drops Bordeaux Stay Hint

The signs currently point towards young midfield prodigy Yoann Gourcuff remaining in Bordeaux rather than moving back to parent club AC Milan in the summer.

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Gourcuff is a classic case of taking a step back to end up moving forward in one’s career. He could of stayed at A.C Milan and stayed a bench player but was wise enough to go back to France where he has flourished for Bordeaux.

Arsenal’s attempt to sign Andrei Arshavin could be hijacked by Manchester City, who have agreed an £18m deal with Zenit St Petersburg. (Sunday Mirror)

This wouldn’t be a huge loss for Arsenal. P.R wise it wouldn’t look good but Arshavin is a luxury not a pressing need for Arsenal.

Manchester City have also targeted Sporting Lisbon midfielder Miguel Veloso. (Sunday Mirror)

Finally a transfer target which makes sense. Veloso would be a great fit for a Manchester City midfield who don’t defend very well.

Tottenham will offer winger David Bentley to Middlesbrough in an attempt to seal the signing of Stewart Downing. (Sunday Mirror)

Makes sense but can’t see Middlesbrough wanting Bentley knowing he wouldn’t be too thrill living in Northern England.

Everton are pondering a loan bid for Real Madrid’s Javier Saviola – but the Argentine’s wages could prevent any deal from happening. (News of the World)

And Everton could face competition from Portsmouth for Saviola, as boss Tony Adams looks to replace Jermain Defoe. (Sunday Telegraph)

Saviola has been linked with loan moves for the last three years. Even with Saviola being low on the Real Madrid depth chart it’s doubtful he’d want to leave.

Newcastle are closing in on Rangers midfielder Pedro Mendes (Sunday Express) and Porto midfielder Raul Meireles. (News of the World)

Mendes is the type of player fans always come to respect due to his mix of work rate and talent. Meireles is in that same mold but there is no way he is leaving a Porto Champions League run for Newcastle.

The Magpies also want Aston Villa left-back Nicky Shorey, and are willing to offer Charles N’Zogbia as part of a swap deal. (The People)

The quicker Newcastle can get rid of N’Zogbia the better they will be long term.

Tottenham have offered £4m to Sunderland for former full-back Pascal Chimbonda. (Sunday Express)

Not that I think this is true but if it was Sunderland wouldn’t waste a moment in accepting the offer.

This would suck if this is the end.

Shevchenko Set For Loan Move To Sampdoria?

Milan’s Andrei Shevchenko could be set for a loan move to Sampdoria this month, according to the latest reports.

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It’s been a free fall downwards for Shevchenko since joining Chelsea. Amazing to see such a great player fall so quick in such a short period of time.

Bayern Prankster Ribery Crashes Team Bus!

Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery was left slightly embarrassed after he crashed his team bus into a pair of signs in Dubai…

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Hasn’t exactly been a banner weeks for football stars and cars/buses.

Newcastle striker Michael Owen has agreed in principle to join Manchester City in the summer for around £90,000-a-week, if he stays fit between now and the end of the season. (Daily Express)

Always a big if with Michael Owen but finally a move on Manchester City’s part which won’t leave me shaking my head.

And West Ham are now expecting an offer of more than £14m from City for Bellamy. (The Times)

Which makes this even more curious. With Michael Owen possibly coming in on a free why does City want to pay 14 million for Bellamy who isn’t one tenth of the player Owen is.

Manchester City have failed in their £14m bid to sign Marseille’s left-sided player Taye Taiwo. (The Sun)

One of the few draw backs of having a rich owner. Taye Taiwo is in that price range but since Manchester City are rich Marseille will try to squeeze every last cent out of them.

Glen Johnson may have signed a four-year contract with Portsmouth this week but a £10m minimum-release clause could see him depart for Liverpool in the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

Good piece of business by Johnson’s agent getting that minimum release clause in Jonhson’s contact just in case Portsmouth go down or a big club comes calling.

City will have to offer £18m, or Daniel Sturridge, if they wish to sign Santa Cruz this month. (The Guardian)

Interesting twist to this often repeated rumor. Sturridge hasn’t been given an extend run of games for Manchester City but the talent is there. Sturridge plus 7.5 million for Santa Cruz should work for both sides.

Portsmouth have made a £6m bid for former Everton midfielder Manuel Fernandes, who is now at Valencia. (The Sun)

Don’t think Fernandes has many fond memories of Portsmouth after spending half a season there on loan in 2006.

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has been linked with the vacant Norway job, although he insists he is staying with the London club. (Various)

Why would he leave to take over Norway? Been there, done that with the likes of Finland.

Aston Villa midfielder Steve Sidwell has revealed that he is a huge fan of the Rocky films, starring Sylvester Stallone. Apparently he has watched the movies over 100 times, plays the theme tune on his personal stereo and has named his new baby son Rocco in honour of the ‘Italian Stallion’. (Various)

Must admit I still have Living In America by James Brown on my IPOD.