There Is Only One Sinnacle

Real Madrid Expecting 25,000 Fans At The Bernabeu For Cristiano Ronaldo Presentation

There is still no update on whether or not Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid to complete his official move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but the Spanish and global media are already anticipating all the pomp and circumstance of his formal presentation.

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Ronaldo: I’ll need time to adapt to Spanish game

Cristiano Ronaldo says he will need time to adapt to the different style of the Spanish game, but is confident he can quickly match the Real Madrid fans’ high expectations as he closes in on a world record £80m move to the Bernabeu.

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You know is loving this Ronaldo to Real Madrid transfer? Kaka, that’s who? Compared to the hysteria the Ronaldo transfer is generating it’s like Kaka is coming in under the radar like a free transfer. Have little doubt Ronaldo will end up finding his form in Spain but Kaka should be the one coming out of the gate quickest next season.

Spain looking for place in history against U.S.

Spain will attempt to claim another spot in the record books and clinch their place in the final of the Confederations Cup when they take on surprise qualifiers the United States in Bloemfontein.

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The U.S is in a great spot going into this match up. They have already exceeded expectations making it this far plus the American press won’t be on their backs if they lose to Spain who are currently the best team in the world. With being able to play care free will allow the U.S to give Spain a game this afternoon.

Fiorentina Will Sell Felipe Melo – Alberto Gilardino

The Italian feels Fiorentina will be powerless to stop Felipe Melo from joining a major club…

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Fiorentina should sell Melo whose profile has never been higher with his fine form this year for club and currently with Brazil. 15 million euros or so is a lot to a club like Fiorentina who could use it to address a couple of different areas.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s £45m-rated striker Sergio Aguero after giving up on Valencia forward David Villa. Daily Star

Not exactly a hand in glove fit but Aguero would be an attractive proposition for United. The price is ready made, all United needs to do is fax over the 60 million Euro offer to speak with Aguero. The same issue with what happen to Chelsea would arise with Aguero who seems loyal to Atletico Madrid and with playing Champions League football next season may hold off on a move for another year.

Arsenal have offered Emmanuel Adebayor to AC Milan and Inter Milan as the Gunners are eager to offload the striker but will not sell him to Premier League rivals Chelsea. Daily Mirror

Last month Wenger said he didn’t have an issue with selling a player within England. Maybe this has changed? With the Zlatan Ibrahimovic rumours running wild Inter could do worse than replacing him with Adebayor. Still don’t see Arsenal and Inter Milan playing nice mind you.

City’s Brazilian forward Robinho has urged the club to buy Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o. The Sun

Manchester City will make a £15m bid for Everton centre-back Joleon Lescott in the next 48 hours. Daily Mirror

Despite what Robinho thinks Manchester City don’t need another forward so looking at Lescott makes sense. Can’t see Everton letting him go unless they can find a suitable replacement for him which would be hard to find.

Michael Essien’s agent claims the midfielder could leave Chelsea this summer if the likes of “Real Madrid, Barcelona or some other club” make an offer. The Sun

Til Essien says it himself this really isn’t news. Agents are always on the look out for more cash.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has put Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch top of his wish list as a replacement for striker Roque Santa Cruz. Daily Mirror

Crouch must not be loving life on the south coast right now but a move to Blackburn isn’t exactly a step up the ladder.

Celtic want to sign £5m-rated Fulham striker Diomansay Kamara. (Daily Mirror)

Celtic are not going to spend 5 million on Kamara who Fulham fans will always owe a great deal of gratitude too.

Bolton boss Gary Megson is set to pull out of a move for West Brom left-back Paul Robinson as the £1m asking price is twice the amount he wants to pay. (Various)

West Brom doesn’t exactly have a lot of pull in this consider Robinson is entering the final season of his contact.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says the £18.5m the club has paid to sign right-back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth is over the odds. The Sun

I’m fine with this transfer. While the fee is a tad on the rich side, Liverpool were due a 7 million dollar payment from Portsmouth over the Peter Crouch transfer which Portsmouth now takes back and leaves Liverpool on the hook for the 11.5 million difference. Johnson does need to step his game up however. It’s one thing being a good player for a team with no expectations, it’s another being a good player having to play for a team with lofty goals.

The Canadian men’s national soccer team announced its 23-player roster on Monday for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which runs through next month across the United States.

The team will field some new faces with forward Simeon Jackson, 22, defenceman Dejan Jakovic, 23, and goalkeeper Joshua Wagenaar, 24, named to the squad.

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As per the norm, not exactly expecting a lot out of this Canadian squad heading into the Gold Cup. Two things I do agree with is installing Stephen Hart back as head coach who did a fine job leading Canada to the Semi Finals during the last Gold Cup. The other with Canada long gone from World Cup qualifying this roster should be used as a gauge into the future.

Canada’s roster:

(1) Greg Sutton, goalkeeper (Unattached).
(2) Adrian Cann, defence (Esbjerg fB/Denmark).
(3) Mike Klukowski, defence/midfielder (Club Brugge KV/Belgium).
(4) André Hainault, defence (Houston Dynamo/MLS).
(5) Kevin McKenna, defence/midfielder (FC Köln/Germany).
(6) Julian de Guzman, midfielder (Deportivo La Coruna/Spain).
(7) Paul Stalteri, defence, midfielder (Borussia Mönchengladbach/Germany).
(8) Marcel de Jong, midfielder (Roda JC/Netherlands).
(9) Ali Gerba, forward (Toronto FC).
(10) Willi Johnson, midfielder/forward (Real Salt Lake, MLS).
(11) Richard Hastings, defence (Inverness CT/Scotland).
(12) Issey Nakjima-Farran, midfielder (FC Nordsjælland/Denmark).
(13) Atiba Hutchinson, midfielder (FC København).
(14) Dejan Jakovic, defence (DC United/MLS).
(15) Josh Simpson, midfielder/forward (FC Kaiserslautern/Germany).
(16) Simeon Jackson, forward (Gillingham FC/England).
(17) Jaime Peters, defence/midfielder (Ipswich Town FC/England).
(18) Joshua Wagenaar, goalkeeper (Yeovil Town FC/England).
(19) Kevin Harmse, defence/midfielder (Toronto FC/MLS).
(20) Patrice Bernier midfielder (FC Nordsjaelland/Denmark).
(21) Chris Pozniak, midfielder (Dundee FC/Scotland).
(22) Kenny Stamatopoulos, goalkeeper (FC Lyn Oslo/Norway).
(23) Charles Gbeke, forward (Vancouver Whitecaps FC/USL).

Moratti: Ibrahimovic, Maicon could leave Inter

Inter Milan’s Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brazil full-back Maicon are on the market if the right offer comes and there is a 50% chance they will depart, president Massimo Moratti has said.

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Deco: I’m Not Happy At Chelsea, I Want Inter

The Portuguese has reiterated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge and is desperate to reunite with his compatriot Mourinho.

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May be in the minority but I don’t think it would be the end of the world if Ibrahimovic leaves Inter and if he isn’t happy at Inter he should go. Strikers are a fickle thing, one minute you are Michael Owen circa 2001 winning the Ballon d’Or, the next you are looking for a team. A lot of outside things need to go right for a striker to succeed. This won’t happen but let’s play fantasy GM here, if Inter sold Ibrahimovic to Chelsea and got back a package of Deco, Carvalho, Drogba and cash (10-15 million) are you telling me neither team would pull the trigger? Chelsea gets one of the best strikers in the world and sends away another moody striker. Inter in return gets Deco and Carvalho, while on the Chelsea scape heap at the moment both have excelled at the highest levels. A reunion with Mourinho would also make Drogba happy. While older than Zlatan, Drogba still has two years of top level football left in him and after that time Mario Balotelli should be able to take over going forward.

Bruno Alves’ Father Says His Son Will Leave Porto This Summer

The father of Porto’s Bruno Alves has claimed that his 27-year-old son will be leaving the Estadio do Dragao during the close-season.

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The time is right for Alves to move on and for Porto to cash in on him. At 27 there aren’t many years left for Porto to sell him and receive maximum value. Many fans will remember Alves for his brutal back pass to Wayne Rooney in the Champions League but that mistake aside Alves fills the check list of everything you want in a defender.

Top 10 Wrong Pele Predictions

Pele’s prediction that Italy would beat Brazil on Sunday night went spectacularly wrong as the Selecao won 3-0. Every Tuesday, Goal.com publishes a new Top 10 – this week it is the Top 10 Wrong Pele Predictions…

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This article amused me to no end. Also loved the two quotes listed in the article.

Romario once declared that “Pele is a poet when he keeps his mouth shut”, while coach Luiz Felipe Scolari delivered the legendary line, “I believe Pele knows nothing about football. His analysis always turns out to be wrong. If you want to win a title, you have to listen to Pele and then do the opposite.”

Now that the Roque Santa Cruz-Manchester City deal is completed. Below are the current batch of EPL gossip.

Atletico Madrid, Sunderland and Sevilla are all chasing Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora. The Sun

Bracing myself for a slow news day when the first item I read is regarding Didier Zokora who should really be called a poor man’s Michael Essien.

West Ham, Aston Villa, Everton and Fulham are all in the running to sign former Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen after Barcelona confirmed he can leave for the right price (Daily Mirror).

I love how Barcelona have always held the exit door open to Gudjohnsen yet he contiunes to stay put. Some players look to leave at the first hint of outside interest. Gudjohnsen on the other hand appears ready to continue being a Barcelona player until the very last day of his contact. Also have a soft spot for Gudjohnsen because he scored the only goal in Chelsea 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Mourinho first game in charge. Had more money than I should of on Chelsea that day.

Wolves are ready to break their club’s transfer record with a £6.5m move for Reading forward Kevin Doyle. Daily Mail

I know it’s hard to attract players to a club just promoted but that fee is a little rich for a player who only scored 6 goals during his final season in the Premiership back in 2007-2008.

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez’s next transfer after he leaves Manchester United will be heavily scrutinised by the Premier League to ensure there is no third-party ownership involved. The Guardian

MSI is looking to get paid just like Liverpool anted up for Mascherano last season. MSI/Tevez didn’t turn down 25 million from United only to loan him out to another club.

Liverpool may need to treble Javier Mascherano’s wages to keep the midfielder at the club after signing defender Glen Johnson from Portsmouth. Mascherano is believed to be unhappy because he is paid less than most of his team-mates. Daily Mirror

Speaking of Mascherano if he is on a rumor 30k a week deal that is almost a crime considering what players get paid in England’s top flight. With Fernando Torres deservedly getting a new contact every season Liverpool should cough up the cash to keep one of their better players happy.

Manchester United are talking to Brazilian club Gremio about a deal for their 18-year-old midfielder Douglas Costa. Daily Telegraph

Costa to United won’t come cheap but considering the pressure won’t be placed on the kid to replace Ronaldo right away he’ll have every shot possible to succeed if a move to Manchester materializes

Chelsea are having talks with CSKA Moscow about £15m-rated left-back Yuri Zhirkov. The Times

Zhirkov to Chelsea makes too much sense not to get done. Chelsea needs some younger blood and Zhirkov needs the increase in competition which the EPL will provide.

Brilliant Brazil Dump Italy Out Of The Confederations Cup

Italy 0-3 Brazil

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The good news for Italy is at least this happen in 2009 instead of the World Cup next year. I’m sure Italy will regroup and learn from this footballing lesson Brazil gave to them. The bad news? Everything else. Italy was simply outclassed and a lot of players who excelled back in 2006 looked a step too slow the entire game.

To try and cheer you up Italian fans below is a clip of Italy’s Epic victory against Brazil back in the 1982 World Cup.

USA Stun World With Confederations Cup Qualification Past Egypt

A stunning 3-0 win for the USMNT saw the North Americans defy the odds to progress past the Pharoahs…

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The only thing missing from this match was Al Michaels screaming “Do you believe in miracles?” at the end. Just a great victory for the U.S soccer program. The reward for all of this? Only to play the best team in the world, that being Spain. Mind you anything from this point going forward is gravy. I’m sure Bob Bradley is going to love not having to deal with questions regarding his management style after defying the odds yesterday against Egypt.

Manchester United have been urged by former Chelsea and France defender Marcel Desailly to pay whatever it takes to sign Bayern Munich playmaker Franck Ribery – even if it costs £150m. Daily Star

Bayern Munich will do no favours price wise when it comes to Ribery. It appears with the way this summer’s transfer market is going that United should just bite the bullet and do whatever it takes to sign Ribery.

Argentine striker Carlos Tevez agreed to join Manchester City from bitter rivals Manchester United two weeks ago – and he will complete a £25.5m move in the next few days. Daily Mirror

However, Chelsea could scupper the deal if the Stamford Bridge outfit match the £130,000-a-week salary that City are offering Tevez. Daily Mail

With Chelsea being a long shot at best to sign David Villa they would be wise to close the gap on Manchester United by signing Carlos Tevez.

AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi has said the Serie A club is open to offers for Andrea Pirlo, amid speculation the Italy midfielder could join former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.

Berlusconi saw Pirlo play against Brazil yesterday it seems.

However, Brown could miss out on Manchester United striker Frazier Campbell, who is stalling on a £6m move, despite the fee being agreed two weeks ago. Daily Mirror

With Campbell stalling on a Hull transfer it does appear he is hoping for another club to step up for his services.

Manchester City are ready to sell Swiss midfielder Gelson Fernandes to Lens – and are hoping to claw back £2.5m from the deal. Daily Mirror

Fernandes had a good first season playing under Sven Goran Erickson. Quickly became an afterthought last season under current manager Mark Hughes.

Bolton will strongly resist any offers for striker Kevin Davies, who is thought to be wanted by Blackburn. (Guardian)

Davies is 32 years old, I’m sorry but at that age if Blackburn come up with the 5 million rumored bid Bolton would be foolish to not sell him.

Reading fan Charles McLeod could be the world’s most devoted supporter after racking up an incredible 120,000 miles last season to watch his side 17 times – travelling from his hometown of Toronto, Canada. (Daily Mirror)

This gets a mention since we share the same city. Not often you see a Reading fan around here so tip of my cap to Mr McLeod.

Report: Inter To Wrap Up Deco, Carvalho & Arnautovic Deals Next Week

After weeks of negotiations, Twente hitman Marko Arnautovic and Chelsea pair Deco and Ricardo Carvalho are poised to join Serie A champions Inter.

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Things are rarely as good the second time around as they were the first time but it will be interesting to see if Carvalho and Deco could recreate that Champions League magic linking up with Mourinho again at Inter.

Manchester United Ready To Stun Real Madrid With Iker Casillas Offer – Report

The Red Devils are reportedly set to make another shock attempt to sign a world class superstar…

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Interesting headline but that’s the end of it. Real Madrid have an equal chance of signing United mainstay Ryan Giggs as Manchester United has of signing Casillas.

Patrick Vieira: Eto’o or Drogba Would Have Won Ballon d’Or If They Weren’t African

The Inter defensive midfielder believes that the two African hot-shots deserve to be crowned with the Ballon d’Or.

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Did someone forget to mention the name of George Weah to Vieira? Over the last five years you would be hard pressed to pick Eto’o or Drogba over Ronaldo, Kaka, World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko* (Deco should of won in 2004 but he isn’t African.)

Milan star Pato keen to link up with Ancelotti again

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has urged Carlo Ancelotti to take him to Chelsea, admitting that he would love to link up with his former boss at Stamford Bridge.

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Somebody from A.C Milan should call Pato and tell him to shut up. He should actually do something first for A.C Milan before bating eye lashes towards another team.

To close this off, Just wanted to tip my cap to Egypt over their 1-0 victory against Italy. They could of easily rolled over after their last minute defeat against Brazil. To come through with that performance says a lot about their coaching staff and players.

Chelsea could be set to wreck Liverpool’s hopes of signing Glen Johnson with Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie saying: “Glen has got permission to speak to two clubs”. The Sun

Johnson would be better off long term at Liverpool however if he did sign for Chelsea it may just be a blessing in disguised for Liverpool. Players who cost 15 million plus should have a direct result in the standings or provided cover for a glaring weakness. I wouldn’t proclaim that Liverpool are now the favorites heading into the season with Johnson on board.

The future of striker Carlos Tevez still hangs in the balance with just two weeks remaining on his loan deal at Manchester United, but he could still stay at Old Trafford – if the club make him the highest paid player. The Sun

Carlos Tevez should send Ronaldo a thank you card since his departure now makes signing Tevez an even higher priority.

Manchester City have agreed an £18m deal to sign Blackburn forward Roque Santa Cruz. Daily Mail

Santa Cruz circa 2007 season worth £18m. Santa Cruz circa 2008 season, not quite worth it.

Manchester City still wait anxiously to see if striker Samuel Eto’o will be heading their way from Barcelona, but Inter Milan are keen on ruining Mark Hughes’ party. The Sun

Another failing on Manchester City despite their riches. Top players will only play for Manchester City if it’s their only alternative.

Bayern Munich are closing in on Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa. The Times

Couldn’t begin to see why Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t rate Bosingwa if he ends up being sold. Bosingwa had a fine first season in England.

Sunderland are close to securing Manchester City defender Richard Dunne for £5m. Daily Mirror

Despite a slip in form last season, Manchester City got a lot of good service from Richard Dunne since signing him from Everton in 2000.

Former Manchester United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy has told his team-mates Arjen Robben and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar to leave Real Madrid and head for Spurs. Daily Star

No, he told them should they receive a massive offer and Real Madrid makes it clear they are not part of their plans going forward to then move.

Newcastle United are committed to paying their players a £10m bonus less than six weeks after relegation from the top flight. Daily Mail

Almost as bad as paying Joey Barton 750k a year in image rights. Basically what it means is that Newcastle is paying Barton three quarters of a million for the right to use Barton in promational/marketing material. As if Barton is going to drive fans/sponsors to flood money into Newcastle United football club.