There Is Only One Sinnacle

Portsmouth are officially broke as they enter into administration and in other news.

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge quit England because of ex-Chelsea team-mate John Terry’s failure to apologise over his alleged affair with his former partner, Vanessa Perroncel.
Full story: Daily Mail

“Friends” of Terry claim Bridge has long been considered a “bottler” in the dressing room as the bad feeling between the pair shows no sign of abating. Full story: The Guardian

Another reason why I always liked Ricardo Carvalho over John Terry. Carvalho wouldn’t sleep with Paulo Ferreira’s ex.

Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is set to deputise for Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon on the right wing for England’s friendly against Egypt in five days time. Daily Mail

Will Theo Walcott end up only being know for his hat trick against Croatia? It’s been four years since he was tagged as the next big thing. You’d expect something more by now.

Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has returned from compassionate leave in Argentina following the premature birth of his second daughter, and is in contention to face Chelsea on Saturday. Daily Mail

Hope all the best for Carlos Tevez. Can’t imagine how stressful and tiring it is to fly from Manchester to Argentina and back while having the health of your daughter weighting on you.

Roberto Mancini’s tenure at Manchester City is coming under intense boardroom scrutiny for the first time after a run of two wins in eight matches. The Italian was only appointed to the City job in December last year. Daily Mail

Mancini didn’t help himself any with losing to Stoke in the FA Cup. With some of the big clubs out previously, Manchester City lost a great chance to finally pick up some silverware.

Wayne Bridge is considering ruling himself out of England’s World Cup plans because he cannot stand the prospect of sharing a dressing room with Chelsea defender John Terry, who is alleged to have had an affair with the Manchester City defender’s former girlfriend. The Guardian

I have all the respect in the world for Bridge’s decision but if your Fabio Capello aren’t you a tad bit relieved that he doesn’t have to deal with any Bridge-Terry drama this summer.

England manager Fabio Capello will be at Stamford Bridge on Saturday to watch Terry’s Chelsea take on Bridge’s Manchester City. The Guardian

This should be a heated match. I’ll be rooting for Team Bridge this weekend.

Guinea international Kamil Zayatte wants to quit Hull during the summer and is targeting a move to Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea. Daily Mail

This is funny. First the headline started off with Guinea international like ti holds the same weight as being a Brazilian internation. Next for crying out loud Kamil Zayatte isn’t very good. This is like Tyrone Mears saying he is going to quit Burnley for Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes defender Rio Ferdinand may have to re-evaluate his international career and limit his appearances amid growing concerns over his recurring back problems. The Guardian

With Ferdinand just being named England captain it’s unlikely he’ll give it up and retire after the World Cup.

Everton duo Joseph Yobo and Yakubu were kicked off the club’s flight to Lisbon on Wednesday because officials were unhappy with their documents. The Nigerian pair eventually took a late-night flight via Amsterdam with Toffees fans ahead of the Europa League clash with Sporting. Daily Mirror

Are they really no Liverpool to Lisbon direct flights?

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was quizzed about why he has put on weight since the Reds’ Champions League triumph in 2005 during a bizarre press conference in Bucharest, prior to the Europa League last-32 return leg with Unirea Urziceni. “It is the stress of having to answer so many questions from the press,” said the Spaniard. “Thank you and goodnight.” Daily Mail

That is a fact! Being a manager is quite stressful.

Thank you and goodnight.

Manchester United are ready to make a fresh move for Spain striker David Villa if his club Valencia put him up for sale this summer. Daily Mirror

Too bad this isn’t a fresh rumour.

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish is eyeing up giant striker Marc Janko, who has scored 67 goals in 92 games for Red Bull Salzburg. Daily Mail

Janko was rumoured for Blackburn this time last year. Maybe Alex McLeish will be the one who brings Janko to England.

England manager Fabio Capello will read the riot act to his squad because he is so furious at the recent off-field exploits of some of his players. Daily Mirror

Capello will most likely have to read it literally as his English still sucks but according to Joe Cole he can swear very well in English.

Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole flew to Spain on Monday for warm-weather recuperation on his broken ankle amid controversy surrounding his split from wife Cheryl. (Daily Telegraph)

Drama or no drama I’d get away from London too this time of year if I could.

Premier League clubs owe more money – £3.5bn – than all the others in Europe’s top divisions put together, according to a Uefa report. The Guardian

Quite the eye opener right there.

Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has turned down a new contract with the Eastlands club because he felt he was not being offered enough money. The Guardian

Shaun Wright-Phillips only signed last year, why is there talk of a new deal? It’s not like he is setting the world of fire.

Portsmouth will go into administration with a nine-point penalty – but earn an £11m lifeline when the Premier League gives them an advance of the parachute payment for relegated clubs. Daily Mirror

This is because clubs at the bottom of the table don’t want to lose the points they have earned off Portsmouth if they go bust mid season.

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has put the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona on alert over his future because he is unhappy at the way he has been treated at Stamford Bridge over the issue of his personal conduct. Daily Mirror

Cole’s act won’t fly at Barcelona. Cole with Real Madrid would be interesting but it’s always rare when an English player picks up and leaves England to play in another country.

Chelsea are set to pip Spanish duo Barcelona and Real Madrid to the 40m euro signing of Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. imscouting.com

Ask Joe Cole and Arjen Robben before him how Chelsea adapts to players who play out wide. Angel Di Maria would really have to adapt his game if he went to Chelsea.

West Ham are planning a summer swoop for Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. The Hammers hope to leapfrog Birmingham and take Hart on loan next season as a replacement for current number one Robert Green, who may leave Upton Park at the end of the season. The Sun

Can’t see West Ham being able to convince Joe Hart to play there.

Everton manager David Moyes has issued a hands-off warning to rival clubs interested in signing teenage midfielder Jack Rodwell. Daily Mirror

Has a hands off warning every convinced another team to not make a run at a player?

Portsmouth’s off-field troubles boiled over on to the training ground on Monday when Jamie O’Hara and Michael Brown were involved in a bust-up following an over-zealous challenge by the latter on the former.Daily Mail

Interesting to see Michael Brown’s dirty tackles extend to practice and not only games.
Former Football League chairman Keith Harris, the man behind a proposed £1billion buy-out of Manchester United has encouraged United fans not to turn up to matches or purchase club merchandise in a bid to force current owners the Glazer family into selling the club. Daily Mail

If your the Glazer’s couldn’t you sue somebody for saying this?

Winger Luis Boa Morte could make a shock return for West Ham before the end of the season. The 32-year-old was expected to miss the whole campaign after sustaining anterior cruciate ligament damage in a pre-season game with Tottenham. The Sun

Too little, too late to make the World Cup team. Shame as Boa Morte was playing well before being injured.

Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Anderson has admitted that he has considered whether he has a future at Old Trafford since falling out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team in the last month. Daily Mail

Anderson has no one to blame by himself if Ferguson decides to sell him.

Premier League trio Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are battling it out along with Spanish duo Real Madrid and Barcelona for Benfica winger Angel Di Maria. imscouting.com

I’d be shocked if Di Maria played for Benfica next season. Where it gets interesting is where would he end up? Manchester City did meet his 30 million plus buy out cluase but he turned them down. Chelsea hasn’t flashed massive amounts of transfer money in a while and Manchester United may or may not be willing to spend that kind of money depending on who you believe or what day it is.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is targeting £3.5m Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson. Daily Mail

Like picking whatever meat is left on the bone.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is facing a £400,000 fine from the Blues after recent headlines concerning the 29-year-old’s private life heaped further embarrassment on the club. The Times

Alternatively, Cole could be transfer listed by Chelsea following an investigation by the club. Owner Roman Abramovich is understood to be furious at the way Cole’s alleged behaviour has damaged the reputation of the club. Daily Mail

What Cole did was stupid and weird sending pics of himself to other guys but if I was Cole I’d be like where John Terry’s fine. You really can’t fine one without the other.

Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is distraught about the catastrophic floods that have killed 32 people in his native Madeira and has pledged to help the devastated island. Daily Mail

Nice touch after his goal yesterday.

Hull manager Phil Brown says he was so angry with his side’s 3-0 defeat at West Ham he cancelled a scheduled appearance on Sky’s Goals on Sunday programme so he could read the riot act to his players.
Full story: The Sun

West Ham has been on quite a roll since the ownership change. Still not out of the woods but 13th with a host of clubs behind you is a pretty good spot to be.

Arsenal have also been put on alert after the agent of Lazio striker Mauro Zarate claimed he could walk out of the Italian club. Daily Mail

When the new Lazio coach comes right out and calls Zarate selfish (which he is) you knew transfer rumours would start up again.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is keen on Fiorentina full-back Juan Manuel Vargas. (Daily Star)

Would be one of the better choices Manchester City can make. Vargas can either play at the back or as a midfielder. Fiorentina are a Champions League level club but they would sell anyone if a silly offer comes along. Manchester City are exactly the type of club to make an over the top bid.

West Ham defender Matthew Upson is refusing to commit his long-term future to the club. The Sun

You can’t blame Upson considering West Ham’s future is very much up in the air.

Meanwhile, Hammers midfielder Valon Behrami is an £8m summer target for Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart. (The Sun)

Sold

Portsmouth defender Nadir Belhadj said he would be “very interested” in joining Barcelona after the reigning European champions renewed their interest in the Algerian. The Sun

No kidding. Belhadj should be very interested in joining Espanyol never mind Barcelona given Portsmouth’s state.

Portsmouth could have a fifth owner this season after Hong Kong-based investment company Endeavor Plan viewed documents relating to the club’s financial position and informed Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie of its interest in buying out current owner Balram Chainrai. The Guardian

I love how someone finally asked the question, what can of background checks does the Premier League do when someone wishes to own a club? Some of these Portsmouth owners aren’t fit to run a hot dog stand never mind a football club.

Manchester United defender Jonny Evans should watch where he sits in the changing room after manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted giving him the hairdryer treatment in the match against AC Milan because “he was the nearest defender to me”. Sir Alex said: “Our whole back four were going to get it, but he’s unfortunate.”Daily Mail

Antonio Inoki slapped a kid in Japan once and it resulted in people all over Japan wanting to be slapped by the famous Japanese wrestler. Now admit it if Fergie gave you the air dryer treatment you’d kinda smile and enjoy it.

Manchester United are ready to make a summer move for England midfielder Joe Cole if he cannot resolve his contract dispute at Chelsea. Daily Express

Can’t picture Joe Cole in a Manchester United jersey but if it happens hopefully it causes a bigger impact than Michael Owen time in Manchester thus far.

Birmingham claim they have reached an agreement with Manchester City for goalkeeper Joe Hart to remain on loan at St Andrew’s next season. The Sun

Hart should be England’s number 1 this summer. Could see why Birmingham wants to keep him and why Manchester City don’t want to sell him.

Bayern Munich look set to beat Chelsea to the signature of CSKA Moscow’s Serbian winger Milos Krasic. Daily Mail

Let the Ribery rumours start flying now. Krasic on one wing and Robben on the other would be one of Europe’s best.

Spanish newspaper AS has reported that Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano – a target for both Chelsea and Manchester City – will cost 30m euros, in line with a release clause in his contract. imscouting.com

Considering Brazilians haven’t shown to tear up English football that is a lot of money to pay for someone close to 30.

Antonio Caliendo, the agent of Inter Milan’s Brazilian full-back Maicon has opened the door to a summer move to Manchester City, saying: “(City boss Roberto) Mancini has always expressed his desire to have Maicon.” Daily Mail

Some agent’s are awful human beings. This is the same agent who went on and on last summer about Maicon going to Real Madrid.

Manchester United defender John O’Shea is a summer target for Spanish champions Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Sport. imscouting.com

No he is not.

Crisis club Portsmouth will ask the Premier League to let them sell some of their players now – despite the transfer window having closed – in a bid to pay their bills. Pompey are understood to have debts of around £60m and last week survived a winding-up order by providing the High Court with a detailed statement of their finances. Daily Mirror

What a pathetic mess this football club is in.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko has launched a stunning verbal attack on Harry Redknapp and accused the Spurs boss of “making fun of me”. The Russian has struggled to nail down first-team football under Redknapp and added that he does not think he has a future at White Hart Lane. The Sun

Pavlyuchenko should of said all this in the transfer window when he had a chance to leave.

Arsenal midfielder Andrey Arshavin says he would understand if team-mate Cesc Fabregas leaves the Gunners for Barcelona in the summer, but hopes the midfielder will stay at the Emirates. Daily Mail

Of course Arshavin would understand. When he was with CSKA Moscow Arshavin wanted to play for Barcelona badly. He still would ship jump if Barcelona ever came calling.

Nadir Belhadj is an unlikely target for Barcelona after the Portsmouth defender was singled out for praise from Barca midfielder Xavi Fernandes. Daily Mirror

Unlikely is right but hey Lass Diarra made the jump from Portsmouth to Real Madrid so you never know.

Manchester City and Chelsea are on alert after Sevilla’s Brazilian striker Luis Fabiano refused to rule out a move to the Premier League. The Sun

Fabiano is another one of those players who are often linked with a move away but never leaves. Unless he fills up the net in the World Cup just don’t see a big money move for Fabiano despite being a big money talent.

Chelsea are plotting a £70m spending spree this summer to rejuvenate their squad with Borussia Dortmund’s Serbia centre-back Neven Subotic, winger Angel Di Maria, of Benfica, Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik and Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger their main targets. Daily Express

Not a bad list of targets I must say. Di Maria would make a great replacement if Joe Cole leaves.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who is now managing Inter Milan, says the Blues would have won more trophies under him had he not left the club in 2007. Daily Mail

Chelsea has only won the FA Cup since he left. It’s not the most outlandish thing Mourinho has ever said.

I’m not feeling them. Don’t get me wrong I’ll still buy them but something is missing. Then again I’m no fashion critic.

The Portugal Euro 2000 jersey was a personal favorite of mine.

Credit to football-shirts.co.uk

Portsmouth are to sign Serbian defender Dusko Tosic on a free transfer after he was released by Wolfsburg. Full story: The Daily Mail

Pompey could be in the running for former Blackburn striker Shabani Nonda, who has been released by Galatasaray on a free. The Daily Mirror

If a player can be signed to a free transfer he’ll surely be linked to Portsmouth in the coming weeks.

Portsmouth could lose on-loan Algerian midfielder Hassan Yebda because they cannot afford the £4m it would take to buy him from Benfica. The Daily Mirror

Good player but Benfica would have little use for him this late in the season. Portsmouth may not be able to sign Yebda but someone will over the summer.

Sunderland have not given up their interest in Paraguay striker Salvador Cabanas in the summer – despite the player being in hospital at the moment after being shot in the head last month. Full story: Daily Star

I realize crime can happen anywhere but if I’m Cabanas I wouldn’t mind an exit from Mexico.

Manchester United are interested in bringing Benfica’s Brazilian Under-20 international defender David Luiz to Old Trafford. The Daily Mail

This won’t come as a shock but I’m becoming a big David Luiz fan. One of my favorite things is watching young player develop. With his play this season it’s not a surprise the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid are watching.

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland, 23, feels liberated under new manager Roberto Mancini because he feels he was played out of position by previous boss Mark Hughes. The Daily Mirror

A couple of days ago Ireland was heading out of town, now him and Mancini are tied at the hip.

Former Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson could be on his way to the World Cup as Nigeria and North Korea both want the Swede to take over as manager. The Daily Mirror

Poor Sven who got himself caught up in the whole Notts County. Hope he doesn’t take the North Korea job mind you.