There Is Only One Sinnacle

Jokingly on Twitter I was like if Portugal were to beat Spain yesterday we’d be the new World Champions. The more I kept thinking about the more I convinced myself my silly logic made sense. Then I remembered Argentina also defeated Spain in a friendly a couple of months ago to ruin that logic.

While this will be forgotten by the rest of the world in the coming days I’m kept happy Portugal put the boots to Spain 4-0 yesterday. This wasn’t the B team either like England threw out there yesterday (talk about a country with problems, it goes much deeper than Cappelo when players have little idea how to string a few passes together.) Portugal got revenge on the defending World Cup Champions and while it was clear Portugal wanted it more it still makes the win impressive.

Just to end this off, Damn you Messi. Stop scoring for club and country.

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Inter Milan are weighing up a move for Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar. The 28-year-old South African is out of contract at the end of the season and the Toffees may be forced to cash in during the January transfer window. Daily Mirror

If Inter keep up their current form it won’t be Rafa Benitez making the decision as to bring Steven Pienaar in or not.

Barcelona defender Gerard Pique is convinced that his Spain team-mate Cesc Fabregas still wants to move to the Nou Camp, although it is believed the Catalan giants will not be able to afford the Arsenal midfielder. Daily Mail

Wonder if Arsenal fans are happy about the news that Barcelona had been cooking the books.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on bringing Olympique Lyon midfielder Yoann Gourcuff to White Hart Lane. The 2008 France Football Young Player of the Year impressed on Wednesday in France’s 2-1 win against England. imscouting.com

Gourcuff hasn’t given Lyon the excepted return but it’s still way to early for Lyon to cut bait on him.

Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Anderlecht’s 17-year-old striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored 19 goals in his first full season with the Belgian club. caughtoffside.com

Huge fan of Lukaku but Roy Hodgson doesn’t strike me as the type to develop a young striker.

Arsenal are ready to spend £18m for the services of Aston Villa and England winger Ashley Young. The 25-year-old has one year remaining on his contract at Villa Park. caughtoffside.com

Have a feeling the Aston Villa management team have been ringing Ashley Young agent hoping to hammer out a deal.

Clarence House insist princess-to-be Kate Middleton will not be joining her new fiance Prince William in lobbying for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. the Guardian

Enjoy life in a fish bowl. I’m already tired of the coverage.

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Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar has told Croatian agency Mediaservis he could leave if he continues to be left on the sidelines, but insists he would prefer to stay at White Hart Lane.

“I have to wait to see what Tottenham have to say, but as things stand, a transfer somewhere else is not that far away,” he said. “I am not angry or too disappointed. I believe that things will improve at Spurs. But if not then I will look for a club where I can play week in and week out.”

Can’t blame Kranjcar for wanting to hook up again with former coach Harry Redknapp and now you can’t blame Kranjcar for wanting to leave.

Turkish club Fenerbahce are lining up an £18m move for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. (0730 GMT) imscouting.com

Unless it’s to grab headlines I don’t get way Fenerbahce goes after these big name players. First Robinho turned them down, even if Manchester United would bite at the offer no way Berbatov would go. Then look at the case of Nicolas Anelka who quickly wanted out during his time there.

Chelsea are considering a January swoop for Benfica’s £25m-rated defender David Luiz with Alex and John Terry both facing spells on the sidelines with injuries. Daily Mirror

Chelsea would really have to over paid if they wish to sign David Luiz mid season. Portuguese clubs know the deal but very rarely do they sell their best players mid season.

Liverpool are lining up a player-plus-cash offer for Borussia Dortmund hitman Lucas Barrios.
Full story: talkSport

Wonder if that player is Ryan Babel?

Bayern Munich legend Franz Beckenbauer says Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner would be a perfect fit for the German club. Daily Mirror

Touched upon it yesterday and Beckenbauer is right. Bendtner would be a great fit with Bayern Munich when fit.

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier has talked about the possibility of taking Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema on loan. Daily Mail

Smart move by Houllier trying to raise the profile of Aston Villa by linking himself with star players but we all know this isn’t going to happen.

Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart thinks life under manager Harry Redknapp is much more exciting than the time he spent under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid. “There are no long and boring speeches about tactics,” said the Dutchman. the Sun

Which is why van der Vaart is playing for Tottenham who are in 7th in the EPL and Real Madrid are unbeaten this year.

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Former Arsenal winger Robert Pires is in line for a shock return to English football at the age of 37, playing for Aston Villa. L’Equipe – in French

Don’t see why this is a shock. Robert Pires is French, so is Gerard Houllier. Pires knows how to win and Houllier needs someone to show his current players what it takes to win.

AC Milan are ready to rescue self-confessed fan Mario Balotelli from a difficult start to his Manchester City career and are working on a deal to sign the striker at the end of the season. Daily Mail

AC Milan has done well so far grabbing former Inter hit man Zlatan Ibrahimović maybe they want to repeat that success with Balotelli? Despite rumours of Balotelli having dinner with AC Milan higher ups can’t see a move happening.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is ready to move for French right-back Rod Fanni from Rennes as he looks to replace Glen Johnson. Daily Mirror

Good luck getting close to the 18 million Liverpool dished out for Glen Johnson if they did decide to replace him.

Arsenal’s unsettled striker Nicklas Bendtner has become a big-money target for Bayern Munich after the Dane admitted he is fed-up of not getting regular first-team football. Daily Mirror

If I’m Bayern Munich I’d make this deal and if I’m Arsenal I’d cash in on this deal.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis wants to take Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland on loan in January – and save him from his Villa Park nightmare. Daily Mirror

Maybe Tony Pulis can get Stephen Ireland to put some effort into his game.

Chelsea captain John Terry faces an indefinite spell on the sidelines as he looks for a cure to a long-term nerve problem in his right leg. Daily Mail

John Terry and not Ricardo Carvalho should of been the player Chelsea sold. Sadly if this were true I can’t make fun of John Terry for always missing England games and coming right back when Chelsea plays.

Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez is already under pressure, five months into his tenure, after club president Massimo Moratti slammed the team following their home defeat by AC Milan.
Full story: Soccerway

As he should be. Everytime Inter has played a big game this season they have flopped.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson flew to France on Sunday to watch Rennes’s £15m-rated midfielder Yann M’Vila as the Anfield club consider making a bid to sign the 20-year-old. Daily Mail

Personally I think Roy Hodgson just wanted to get out of Liverpool.

Barcelona full-back Dani Alves would pursue a move to Chelsea over Manchester City if he fails to agree terms on a new contract at the Catalan giants. IM Scouting

I’d be shocked if Barcelona decides to rock the boat by selling Dani Alves. There are not many players who could replace Alves in the Barcelona set up.

Chelsea are lining up a move for Palermo’s Argentine attacking midfielder Javier Pastore as a long-term replacement for Frank Lampard. Caughtoffside.com

Pastore hat trick on the weekend for Palermo didn’t hurt his stock any.

Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker is set to play hardball with the club until the summer to get a bumper new deal at Villa Park with his current deal due to run out in July. Daily Mirror

Martin O’Neill had little use for Nigel Reo-Coker and let his contract run into it’s final year. Now that he is a key player under the new Villa set up Reo-Coker holds all the cards.

Liverpool boss Hodgson admits that his future at the club is out of his hands after a section of supporters responded to Saturday’s defeat at Stoke by again calling for former great Kenny Dalglish to return. Daily Mail

Kenny Dalglish wouldn’t be the answer either. At least not for the long term.

Very happy that the Special One will now be weekly.

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Manchester City chief executive Garry Cook has flown to Abu Dhabi to discuss transfer targets with club owner Sheikh Mansour. Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko is top of the list. the Guardian

Why? So Roberto Mancini could sub Edin Dzeko into a game with 30 seconds left?

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is keen to leave the club and could force a move away from Anfield in January. Daily Mirror

Roy Hodgson goes before Reina does.

Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland could be the subject of a £6m bid from Juventus despite the Norwegian signing an extended contract at Craven Cottage in November 2009. talkSPORT

I’m sure Roy Hodgson wouldn’t mind having Hangeland back. I’m also sure Fulham won’t be selling Hangeland for 6 million.

Tottenham are considering a bid for Bolton defender Gary Cahill and may be interested in his striker team-mate Johan Elmander after the Trotters’ chairman Phil Gartside admitted he may be forced to sell players in January. Daily Mirror

Arsenal may be readying an offer for Cahill, who Bolton value at £15m. the Guardian

When you announce a 50 million (Canadian dollars) loss last year you know there will be teams looking to pick some meat off the bone.

Former Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has been left “hurt and betrayed” after receiving news that his contract was not going to be renewed during half-time of a reserve match against Bayern Munich. talkSPORT

Once Carlo Ancelotti knew enough English did they then let go of Wilkins? Don’t think that it is but something must of been up to let go of Wilkins.

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In-demand Barcelona striker Bojan Krkic has alerted Arsenal and Manchester United by suggesting he might leave Spain in the summer. Daily Mirror

I know Bojan scored in the Copa del Ray yesterday but giving his slide voer the last 18 months it may not be too long before Arsenal could afford to sign him.

Arsenal are considering a £15m-move for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll. caughtoffside

Carroll may not be wroth 15 million but Newcastle won’t be selling a local player for that amount.

Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong is a target for Turkish side Fenerbahce. Daily Mail

Don’t see Fenerbahce playing the 16 million Manchester paid for de Jong.

Spartak Moscow and Fenerbahce are said to be are vying for the signature of Bolton Wanderers striker Johan Elmander. imscouting

Bolton should be hard at work trying to sign Elmander to a new contract. When you are so close to being a free agent it’s hard to give up the right to shop your services to other clubs.

The Reds are also reportedly interested in making a move for Bayern Munich striker Ivica Olic.
Full story: caughtoffside

The same Olic who is out six months due to a knee injury?

Roma’s French striker Jeremy Menez is pushing for a move to Manchester United.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Don’t think Manchester United are pushing as strongly for Menez.

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Ajax’s Uruguayan striker Luiz Suarez has told club officials he is interested in a move to Tottenham. (0930 GMT) goal.com

Ajax will then tell Tottenham they are interested in 25 million for Luis Suarez.

Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan has been offered to city rivals Real for £20m. The offer came from an intermediary, not his current club. The news is likely to place Tottenham and Italian giants Juventus on alert. (0810 GMT) insidefutbol.com

Everyone knows Real Madrid are thin up front but unless someone gets hurt can’t see Real Madrid messing with the current roster.

Chelsea and Bayern Munich are interested in AS Roma striker Mirko Vucinic. The 27-year-old Montenegro striker joined the club in 2007 from Lecce for more than £20m. (0800 GMT) imscouting.com

In other words Vucinic won’t be sold on the cheap. Always like a player who scores in big games. Vucinic scored the winner against Inter earlier this year and scored from the spot against Lazio last weekend.

Chelsea are looking at Bayern Munich centre-back Vinicius Borges Breno as he returns from a cruciate ligament injury. The German club signed him for £11m from Sao Paulo in 2008. Daily Mail

Breno hasn’t done anything for Byaern Munich since moving over as a highly rated 18 year old. Considering his age and talent there would be a line up of other clubs willing to give Breno a second chance.

Roque Santa Cruz is a £3m Wolfsburg target, while Fulham also want the striker who cost Manchester City £14m from Blackburn. The Sun

I’m sure Roque Santa Cruz can’t wait for the new year to start in order to find another club.

Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez is planning to raid former club Liverpool for Danish centre-back Daniel Agger as a replacement for Walter Samuel, who is out for the season with knee ligament damage.
Full story: Daily Mirror

Sad seeing Samiel just laying on the pitch. The press will always linke Rafa with Liverpool players but considering Agger sits next to Ryan Babel on the bench this move would make sense.

Liverpool are ready to take on AC Milan in the race to sign £9m-rated Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda from CSKA Moscow. Talksport

Honda can do more than score free kicks but it doesn’t make sense to sign Honda and not let him do what he is best at. Could be wrong but don’t see Gerrard letting Honda take many free kicks near the box.

Manchester City have sent scouts to watch Porto’s Brazilian striker Hulk, who has scored nine goals this season. Daily Mirror

I love Hulk and hope Porto can hold on to him but it’s only a matter of time. I know many top clubs don’t play 4-4-2 anymore but Hulk and Falcao make one of the best duo’s in football right now. They tore apart Benfica 5-0 on the weekend.

Newcastle right-back Danny Simpson is in line for a surprise England call-up as cover for Glen Johnson, who has had injury problems this season. Talksport

Johnson has also had denfeisve problems all season but it’s a friendly so it’s smart to see some new faces.