Cisse does it again for Sunderland

Djibril Cisse continues his career revival with another goal for Sunderland

Being a Liverpool fan I've always liked Djibril Cisse and am glad to see he's banging them in for Sunderland. He got the winner against Blackburn yesterday and that make it a respectable four goals in eleven games.

Djibril Cisse - leg break

Cisse has had a torrid time over the years, not least of which where two career threatening leg breaks, which severely disrupted his time at Liverpool. I've always thought all he needed was time and patience to get back to his best, and now he seems to be getting there. I think Cisse will prove to be a great player for Sunderland. He's got pace to burn, and is a great finisher!

Djibril Cisse will be one of the top scorers in the Premier League this season and will get back to his pre leg-break from. Mark my words!

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Daniel Agger: Liverpool Need more Goals

Daniel Agger: Liverpool need more goals

Speaking to the club’s official website ahead of the win against West Brom, Daniel Agger admitted he was at a loss to explain the result at White Hart Lane. He said: “I don't think I can explain the defeat at Tottenham, but the result certainly wasn't good enough.”

Daniel Agger

Daniel Agger admitted Liverpool had created more than enough chances and only had themselves to blame for the shock loss.

Agger is clearly happy just to be back in the Liverpool side, after missing nearly a year through injury, and see first Sami Hypia and Martin Srktel play exceptionally well in his place. He has looked a bit ring rusty at times, and will have to get back to his best soon, or Skrtel will be straight back in the team when fit.

Daniel Agger only has to look at the clean sheets pre and post Skrtel to be worried! Having said that he's a class player who only needs time to settle back in. We've every confidence in Daniel Agger to help Liverpool back to those shut-outs.

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David Villa Goals: Valencia will keep on attacking

David Villa insists goals will still be the main game for his offensive Valencia Team

David Villa

David Villa has defended Valencia's attacking mind-set despite them being taught a lesson in counter-attacking football last Saturday as they conceded four goals on the break against a cunning Racing outfit. Valencia striker David Villa openly admits their all out attacking play cost them the game at the Mestalla.

“The team showed great spirit and attitude and we went for the game right from the start, and perhaps that is why we lost,” he was quoted as saying by Marca. “Maybe if we were more balanced, they would not have caught us on the counter, but our philosophy is to always attack and take the game to our opponents,” he added.

David Villa remains certain his team will bounce back from this set-back to challenge for the Spanish title along with the big guns of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Foot Focus hopes they do! It would be great to see Valencia lift the title again, and break the big-guns monopoly. Lets hope David Villa and his goals shoots them to the title! Premier League News

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Liverpool FC News: Robbie Keane can fire Liverpool to glory

Liverpool FC News: Robbie Keane can steer Liverpool to Title, says Benitez

Robbie Keane

Robbie Keane goes to his old Tottenham Hotspur stamping ground on Saturday with a glowing vote of confidence from his Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez. In the latest Liverpool news Benitez believes players like Robbie Keane have made Liverpool, the leaders of the Premier League, superior even to his 2005 Champions League winners.

Keane took time to settle at Anfield following his £20million summer move from White Hart Lane but Benitez has no doubts Robbie the Irishman will prosper and add to his tally of two goals. "He has experience and he knows in a top side like Liverpool you have to win, to score goals, but he is working very hard,'' Benitez said.

"People talked about the work-rate of [Dirk] Kuyt and now he is scoring goals and Robbie Keane will be the same. Desire is the key word. He has passion. He's a Liverpool fan.''

Benitez, who reiterated his view that Spurs made a mistake in sacking Juande Ramos, will decide this morning whether to start Fernando Torres, who has recovered from his hamstring problem, or continue with Robbie Keane as his central striker.

Keane can play wide but Benitez argued that his best position was "clearly as a second striker or one of the strikers with some freedom because he has good movement''. The arrival of Keane and the Spanish winger, Albert Riera, has enhanced Benitez's belief in the team.

"We won the Champions League because it was a good team,'' the Liverpool manager said. "Now this team I feel is a little bit better. We knew technically Riera is good. Physically he is a good player for the Premier League. He is a winner. He takes responsibility.''

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Cristiano Ronaldo: Playing well is what matters

Cristiano Ronaldo: Focussing on playing well

Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo, after winning on Monday the FIFPro Player of the Year - an award judged by his fellow professionals - and scoring a double for Manchester Unit, insisted that talk regarding his body language is wide off the mark.

Cristiano Ronaldo said: "People are always writing things about me. It is up to them; for me it is not a problem. I will just try to play well and do my best. I am just focused on playing good football."

Still, since returning from an ankle operation lastmonth, Ronaldo admitted that he has not rediscovered the devastating form that saw him score 42 goals to help United to the Champions League and Premier League titles last term.

Ronaldo said, he was focussing on playing well: "I know last year was magnificent. It is still possible this season....my priority is not only to score goals. I don't have to do that. I just have to play well for the team. I just want to keep proving to myself that I am a good player" Cristiano Ronaldo proving he's a good player?? Whatever he says Ronaldo also has to prove he wants to stay at Manchester United.

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Football News: Owens a goner as Newcastle freefall

Football News: Newcastle in freefall as Liverpool & Everton wait for Owen

Football news circulating on the internet has it that Michael Owen is wanted by Liverpool and Everton. Meanwhile Newcastles season is going into freefall, as they lost 3-1 to West Ham, with what can only be described as a hapless performance.

Reports are that Everont and Liverpool will approach Owen during the winter with a view to convincing the England hitman to complete a free transfer at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old was in and out of contract negotiations all summer long. The Toon at one point attempted to ease their cash-flow crisis by slashing 20 per cent off his wages, while later reports suggested a bumper £140,000-per-week deal was on the horizon.

The Tynesiders have been mired in turmoil ever since Kevin Keegan's dramatic resignation as manager two weeks ago: a replacement has still to be found and owner Mike Ashley, shocked by the levels of vitriol from supporters, has put the club up for sale, albeit at a prohibitive asking price of 450 million pounds (823 million dollars).

Such strife occasionally triggers a doughty defiance, but not with Newcastle. They slumped to an embarrassing home defeat to newly-promoted Hull last weekend and this performance, which leaves them second from bottom of the table, bordered on the shambolic, despite a late flurry prompted by Michael Owen's well-taken goal.

West Ham, sensing Newcastle's nerves, were in no mood for sympathy. It took them just seven minutes to break through, although even this was overdue. Etherington and Di Michele had already seen shots blocked before the latter finally cracked the Newcastle rearguard. After that the inevitable defeat followed.

Football news of this kind is only more torture for the poor Geordie fans. Their club is being dragged into the gutter by a woeful management team. Ashley, Wise and co have simply not got a clue about what it takes to run such a big and well supported club. The sooner they leave and Newcastle get some stability the better!

Manchester City News: Robinho impresses

Manchester City News: Micah Richards impressed with Robinho

The latest Manchester City news lis that defender Micah Richards has heaped praise on new signing Robinho, saying he has impressed his teammates with the amount of work he gets through.

Richards said: "It is not just about his tricks. He has got a good work rate, he works for the team. He could have been a star who came here and cared about himself but he really cares about the team and wants us to do well."

Manchester City meet Portsmouth on Sunday in their latest Premier League game and Micah Richards sees a bright future at Man City. The completion of the £210million takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group is imminent and is expected to give the club Chelsea like power in the transfer market.

Richards, who graduated to the first team from the academy, said: "This is a great place to be at the moment. I've always said we are going to do something. Hopefully with the financial backing we are getting we can go out and win a trophy."

Well given the dross served up by various management teams at Manchester City in the last decade you can only wish for the supporters sake he is right! Manchester City are certainly in the news lately, and it can't be bad if they Premier League ends up with five teams battling for four places!

Arsenal Premiership: Blackburn given a lesson

Arsenal Premiership: Class gap a chasm as Blackburn given the run-around

Arsenal and their Premiership ambitions were given a huge boost after this performance. Star of the show, was England man Walcott.

Walcott’s pace and vision made the opening goal for Robin van Persie and his continual pacey runs constantly showed up the immobile Blackburn defence and midfield. Arsenal confirmed that more than ever the Premiership 'big four' and the rest have a massive gulf in class.

Walcott's substitution in the second half left it to Emmanuel Adebayor, who promptly helped himself to a hat-trick. You got the thought, that this game may even have prompted Ince to even consider the possibility of switching to the basket case that is St James’ Park.

However at Blackburn, he at least has his fate in his own hands here and you don't meet Arsenal storming the Premiership every week.

Walcott apart, Arsenal went coasted through the game and passed their way past Blackburn with a minimum of physical or mental effort.

Blackburn briefly sensed they were still in contention only for Adebayor to deliver a reality check after a glorious phase of possession by Arsenal just before half-time. That made it 2-0 and there was only one outcome after that.

Arsenal really will be a Premiership force again this season, despite the higher resources of rivals. You can't help thinking that the Premiership is lucky to have a club like Arsenal to act as a counterbalance to the unseemly way some clubs are run. Arsenal are a club truly built on the values of the beautiful game!

Liverpool vs Man U: Gerrard Back?

Liverpool vs Man U: Gerrard Back?

LIVERPOOL Vs MAN U: STEVEN GERRARD is set to hand Rafa Benitez a huge boost - by giving himself every chance of featuring against Manchester United on Saturday.

The Liverpool captain will return to full training in the next few days and should he come through that with no ill effects, his chances of facing Manchester United will increase dramatically.

His rehabilitation programme has gone much better than expected since then and he is now fit enough to join in with his team mates as they prepare for their biggest Premier League game of the season so far. Gerrard now stands a realistic chance of being involved in Saturday's lunchtime showdown with the reigning champions, although the final decision as to whether or not he plays will rest with manager Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool vs Man U is always a massive game and Liverpool will be praying Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres recover in time for this one! They're gonna need them!

Berbatov to Manchester United

Berbatov to Manchester United - a done deal at last!

Dimitar Berbatov is expected to finally move to Manchester United, they are reportedly expect ing to force through the purchase in the next 24 hours before the transfer window closes.

Berbatov to Manchester United has been one of the sagas of the summer, and it finally looks like coming to an end, with a 25 million pound deal, plus add-on's and interestingly Frazier Campbell, Manchester United's young forward who impressed at Hull, as part of the deal.

Tottenham have also signed the Russion forward Roman Pavlyuchenko from Spartak Moscow for a transfer fee believed to be £14 million so are quickly reinforcing in anticipation of the move.

Berbatov to Man U was always a certainty, and it's a wonder there was so much column space devoted to it! Berbatov at Man U will only make the rest of the Premier League wonder who is going to stop Man U this season?

Wayne Rooney: goals will come with a partner

Wayne Rooney's goals will come if he gets some forward help

Wayne Rooney goals will flow if Sir Alex fixes the errors of his ways, by buying Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson has been remarkably confessional in the build-up to this season. Maybe his age is showing, but he admitted to Sir David Frost that it had been a mistake to sell Jaap Stam to Lazio in 2001 and then later, during the club's tour of South Africa, he conceded that errors had been made in his deployment of Wayne Rooney.

Pity no one asked him about his decision, two summers ago, to sell Ruud van Nistelrooy to Real Madrid. Was that a mistake too?

Ferguson may never say it was but he appears to regret letting the prolific Dutchman go. Why else would he be pursuing Dimitar Berbatov with such vigour? Upon signing him - and United are confident they can do so this week for about £25m - the Bulgarian will be expected to provide everything Van Nistelrooy once did - an outlet for the side's dynamic and willing runners, a target for those able to play a raking pass from deep, and of course goals. Despite his current lack of "focus", a record of 46 goals in two seasons proves the 27-year-old Bulgarian is more than capable of supplying those.

Oh how Wayne Rooney will be glad of a good old fashioned strike partner. He must have been willing Manchester United to buy anybody to play off this summer, rather than plough the lone furrow up-front again. Peter Crouch, Dean Ashton, Emile Heskey............alright, Emile is stretching it a bit, but I'll bet he'd have been happy with Peter Crouch!

Wayne Rooney should enjoy his football and his goals, much more this season, now it appears certain Berbatov is on his way. Footy Focus online has never been convinced that Wayne Rooney will get goals while playing upfront alone, and Man U's rivals will be sorry its about to end!

Football Transfer News

Football Transfer News - Saha to Everton, and the fight for Milner begins
First up in football transfer news is that Louis Saha is on his way to Everton. The striker will join Everton for an undisclosed fee, subject to passing a medical. The 30-year-old France international will become Everton's third signing of the summer after Lars Jacobsen and Segundo Castillo. Saha, who joined United from Fulham for £12.8m in January 2004, will sign a two-year deal with an option to extend his contract by a further 12 months.

Other football transfer news also concerns Everton, whose manager David Moyes is attempting to hijack Aston Villa's bid to land James Milner after making a £10m offer to Newcastle United for the England under-21 winger last night. Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan wants to keep Milner and has demanded the midfielder be given a pay rise. The winger handed in a transfer request but he wants to stay at Newcastle if they offer him a improved contract.

Aston Villa have reportedly met Newcastle's £10m asking price and it could, therefore, be left to the player to decide which team he wants to join, subject to agreeing personal terms.

Liverpool are making football transfer news of their own and are poised to complete the £8million signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol. Terms of the deal have been agreed between the clubs and 26-year-old Riera must only prove his fitness to seal his move to Anfield. The fee involved is thought to be around £8million, with Riera set to return to the Premier League having previously had a loan spell with Manchester City in the 2005-06 season.

There is more football transfer news here and here . Two days to go until the window closes!!

David Beckham - all over for England?

David Beckham will do well to hold onto his England place

David Beckham and his glorious England career should surely now be coming to an end. Beckham's latest display surely shows why Fabio Capello must call time on Beckham.

Paul McGrath has now joined ex England manager, Bobby Robson in insisting it's time Beckham was put out to grass.

Seeing parallels with his own situation when with the Republic of Ireland, McGrath says its time Beckham gave it up. Robson sees England as needing fast, vibrant wingers, and its hard to disagree.

Beckham was never the fastest of players, but now he simply doesn't get forward any near as much as he used to. He can still do it at dead ball situations, but he was never the fastest, and now he's clearly slowing with age.

Football Focus Online has joined the chorus - David Beckham, it's time to call it a day!! More football gossip here

Cristiano Ronaldo: Buys 150,000 number plate

Cristiano Ronaldo: 150,000 on CR7 number plate

Cristiano Ronaldo

Demonstrating that age old adage of footballers having more money than sense, Cristiano Ronaldo has spent a massive 150,000 on a number plate!

Ronaldo coughed up the huge sum for the registration CR7 - his initials and shirt number at Old Trafford, says The Sun.

The new number plate takes his spending with luxury car firm Liquid 45 to a whopping £490,000 in the past month. A couple of weeks ago he placed an order for a black Rolls Royce Phantom - which costs a jaw-dropping £340,000.

But the number plate won't go on the new car - it is destined for Ronaldo's runaround, a silver £140,000 Bentley convertible!

Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly one for splashing his cash about. It's an obscene amount of money, but if you've got it flaunt it and Ronaldo certainly has!

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Football Gossip

Football Gossip: Pennant winging his way to Blackburn?
Football gossip has it that Blackburn have been told by Liverpool to bid six million pounds for Jermaine Pennant, or forget it.

Paul Ince obviously is looking for a replacement for David Bentley and Pennant obviously fits the bill. Footy Focus can't for the life of us understand why Pennant is not getting a game in a Liverpool team that has as much width as a credit card standing on its edge, and as much pace as Joe Royle in his TV chair.

The game against Middlesbrough was crying out for a bit of pace and invention down the flanks, yet he was nowhere to be seen. The football gossip has it that Rafa Benitez is reluctant to sell him, as it's too late to replace him. Nonsense! He's not anywhere near getting a game!

If this football gossip is right, we think Liverpool will regret selling Pennant to Blackburn. The lad is very talented, only 25 and could well at last be maturing into one hell of a player!

Sunderland Football: Tottenham floored by Sunderland

Sunderland Football: Keano's proving a slippery Black Cat as Tottenham are stunned

So Sunderland football and the FA Premier League do mix! Roy Keano is beginning to show signs of not only being a fierce man motivator, but a real canny mover in the transfer market as well.

His Sunderland football side has been beefed up with proven Premiership players this year, and boy does it show, and with Anton Ferdinand another likely arrival you really can't see Sunderland and Keano boys struggling in the Premiership this year.

His signings of Malbranque, Chimbonda, El Hadj-Diouf and Cisse are already looking like masterstrokes. Footy Focus can't help thinking there's one manager with a paper thin squad, no signings in and a very red face wishing he'd have thought of moving for those four. David Moyes of Everton if you can't guess - how much better would Everton be with those on board. Cisse has always got goals, even in two injury hit seasons at Liverpool. and is lightening quick El Hadj-Diouf is a tremendous talent and one hell of a worker, while Malbranque is proven quality.

Sunderland's football was tremendous yesterday, and to win 2-1 after conceding an equaliser was superb. That Sunderland could have someone of the quality of Cisse on the bench shows the strides they are making.

Footy Focus sees Sunderland football as going to be a vast improvement on last years struggles. With Keano's motivation and the new signings, watch the Black Cats go!

Everton News

Everton News: Tiago turns down Everton to leave the Toffees stuck

Everton will be left reeling from the latest news that Tiago Mendes has turned down a move to Goodison Park on a season long loan. Mendes has been a flop for Juventus and Claudio Ranieri was keen to offload the midfielder.

It's the latest unwanted Everton news, as their summer in the transfer market turns into a disaster. Their slim squad has already opened the Premier League with a defeat, and unless they can reinforce soon, last seasons fifth placed finish will become a dream.

Everton manager Moyes is now reportedly lowering his sights in the transfer market to avoid becoming the bad news story of the summer. Everton are finding a problem to other similar Premier League clubs. That is, for all the wealth of the Premier League, if your not one of the top four, and your not in the Champions League, it is difficult to attract the top players from Europe.

"It doesn't look like the quality players I wanted are going to be the ones I'll be chasing. We just need to get numbers in. It's probably out of reach to bring in the six or seven we need now. There's a possibility we might end up bringing no one in." said Moyes.

Last season Moyes targeted three stellar signings to improve on his Uefa Cup qualifiers for the past two years. The Everton manager did not discover his transfer budget until mid-summer but has had £15m, plus money from the sale of Andrew Johnson, to spend since July.

Everton news is all gloomy and Footy Focus can't help wondering if Moyes has made a massive blunder by putting all on attracting real top quality talent, without a plan B if they didn't appear. I'll bet he wishes he was in for Steed Malbranque or El-Hadij Diouf now! They are looking like masterstrokes in comparison to Moyes' efforts! Everton's news surely can't get any worse - can it...

Berbatov to Man U

Berbatov to Man U: Berbatov forcing his way north

Tottenhams Berbatov is now clearly forcing his way to Man U. Reports are filtering out that he has handed in a transfer request, hence his weekend appearance on the bench.

Berbatov has been quoted as saying: "I'm now in Tottenham but no-one can disagree with me wanting to follow my dream,"

Berbatov's agent Emil Dantchev was even more direct in his comments on the player's future. "We have two more weeks until the end of the transfer window and I think this will be the most important week," he said. "I read Alex Ferguson's statement that he wants another striker and I hope that this striker is Dimitar Berbatov."

It's all coming to the inevitable conclusion and Berbatov should get his move to Man U very shortly! It's an awful lot for a 28 year old, but hey if the Premiership lands back at Man U it will be worth it! Hicks and Gillett should take note!

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough: Rafa seeking to maintain a good start

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough is a tricky one for Rafa, particularly in the white hot pressure of the Premier League. The expectations on Liverpool are such that Rafa Benitez is one bad result from a wave of pressure, particularly at the start of the season. Middlebrough have started well with a great win at home to Tottenham Hotspur, though many will be expecting them to shortly flop in time-honoured fashion.

Liverpool have some interesting selection posers, especially regarding Xabi Alonso. Benitez was clearly ready to sell him, and the rumours are now that he consequently wants away. All in all, the Barry, Benitez and Alonso saga has led to a miserable transfer season for all concerned at Liverpool. Alonso surely has to figure, in the continued absence of Mascherano. Benitez could even play his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation given the excellent promise of Damien Plessis. Footy focus would go for a line-up of Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Dosenna, Plessis, Alonso, Gerrard, Keane, Babel (if back), Torres.

Liverpool are still lacking natural width, so this formation gives them a bit more fluidity and invention than 4-4-2. Playing Benayoun and Kuyt as your wide midfielders won't land a Premier League title.

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough is in the view of Footy Focus online a banker home win. Liverpool may not be playing very well, but they should have far too much for Middlesbrough. Any side containing Gerrard, Torres, Keane, Carragher, Agger, Reina, and Alonso won't struggle for too long!

Funny Football

Funny Football: Great funny football video we spotted on Youtube.
Theres loads of Funny Football videos on Youttube but this is one of the best, set to Monty Pythons 'Always look on the bright side of life"!



Theres loads of funny football videos on the internet but this is one of our favourites!

Transfer Rumours

Transfer Rumours: Latest Premiership Transfer Rumours

Here's the latest from the Premier League transfer rumours:

First up is Portuguese midfielder Tiago who faces a tough decision as to whether he be at Goodison Park or St. James's Park or even in sunny Madrid. It was looking like it might be Newcastle, but it seems as though Everton have come in at the eleventh hour.

Major transfer rumour of the day is that Dimitar Berbatov is putting the finishing touches to his £28 million move to Manchester United. The Bulgarian international is having a medical in Manchester after weeks of speculation over his future.

Also Zenit St Petersburg claim they have lowered their asking price for Andrei Arshavin to clear the path for the Russia forward to move to Tottenham. Spurs were originally told the 27-year-old, who starred at Euro 2008 for his country, would cost upwards of £20million and no fee was agreed between the clubs.

Still on Tottenham other transfer rumours have it that they have not yet given up their pursuit of Croatian defender Vedran Corluka - and are even prepared to take over Manchester City’s debt to Dinamo Zagreb in order to push the deal through.

Newcastle United who have been not subject to much in the way of transfer rumours, have manager Kevin Keegan stresseng that James Milner will not be sold, after it was speculated that Aston Villa could get the talented winger as the Magpies look to balance the books. However, the 22-year-old England U-21 international is apparently a key player in Keegan’s plans and the Toon boss also revealed that club owner Mike Ashley has no plans to cash in on Milner in the transfer market.

There you have it, the latest tittle tattle from the world of the Premier League transfer rumours. As they say in the movies it's a wrap!

Football Liverpool: Alonso asks to leave

Football Liverpool: Alonso asks to leave as Anfield's dirty washing goes public

In the latest development in the ongoing transfer sagas at Anfield, Xabi Alonso has asked to leave Liverpool, reportedly requesting to be sold to AC Milan or Arsenal, fearing his football will be limited if he stays at Liverpool.

The continual wrangling amongst the Liverpool management team is set to plunge their football season into turmoil before it has even begun. The Parry Benitez relationship is clearly becoming untenable, with something going to have to give sooner or later, and from the demeanour of Benitez, he clearly doesn't believe it will be him.

Xabi Alonso asking to leave Liverpool is only the latest twist to a sorry football saga that has gone on since April, and one that has left two top quality footballers at clubs they'd rather leave. Throughout it all Benitez appears a remarkably calm football manager, and ever confident he will get his man in Gareth Barry.

It has to be said though, 18 & 16 million for either footballer is too expensive. A good 3 million of the price for each would be a much more reasonable deal, and you can see how Benitez is getting exasperated with Rick Parry - refusing to pay 18 million for the player above Carrick and Hargreaves in the England midfield, and demanding a similar fee for the player the club wants Barry to replace!

Liverpool's fans will be concerned that all the boardroom wrangling that seemed to have settled, has again burst to the surface threatening to derail not just the football season, but Liverpool Football club itself.

Benitez set to leave

Benitez set to leave as Rafa reopens old wounds?

Rafa Benitez could well again be on the brink of leaving Liverpool after laying the blame for the Gareth Barry/ Xabi Alonso fiasco squarely at the door of Rick Parry.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the Sunderland game, a clearly Benitez exasperated Benitez stated he has had no involvement with any talks on either player since April. It was noted however that he softened his tone, saying the talks between the clubs had been 'good'.

Benitez is clearly not happy again with Rick Parry, who he has blamed in the past for scuppering a number of deals at the last minute. Whether this incurs the wrath of the American owners, after last seasons near fatal outburst remains to be seen, with the difference this time being that his target is clearly Rick Parry.

We can only hope (being Liverpool fans!), that Rafa Benitez is not set to leave Liverpool and that it all somehow settles down. It must be said however that Liverpool's season again seems set to be one of boardroom turmoil!

Berbatov to Man United

Berbatov to Man United in 48 hours reports

Latest reports doing the rounds, is that Dimitar Berbatov is to move to Manchester United for 28m within 48 hours. If so its' a scary thought - Ronaldo staying and Berbatov added into the mix. Makes John Terry's recent words about Manchester United not finding another level, look more like a hope than a shrewd prediction.

Also it won't have gone unnoticed by Rafa Benitez, that Manchester United's board where willing to sanction 28m for a 28 year old Berbatov, and he's been refused 18m for 27 year old Gareth Barry.

If Ronaldo have gone, we'd have seen Berbatov as a poor mans replacement, but adding him to a squad with Ronaldo staying only make Manchester United look ever the stronger. Berbatov to Man United may be one of the most expensive transfers of the summer, but it will more than likely also prove one of the shrewdest!

Football Transfer News

Football Transfer News: Arsenal to sign Johnson to replace Flamini

The latest football transfer news has it that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger may make a surprise move for Man City's Michael Johnson.

This would be a surprise transfer, as Wenger clearly needs experience, not another talented but young star. He only has 33 Premiership games to his name, so though accustomed to the Premier League, he can hardly be called experienced at that level of football. The thing that may also be attracting Arsenal, if there is substance to this, is the fact that he's English. The row between UEFA, FIFA and the EU etc is making football clubs consider English players for transfer more and more. It certainly played a part in Benitez and his thinking over Gareth Barry.

The transfer out of Flamini and Hleb will be a huge burden for Arsenal, but if anyone can get round this it's Wenger. Johnson is an undoubted talent, and will surely play for a big four club one day, but this transfer would be one of the surprise moves of the summer.

The Footy Focus team reckons this football transfer news is more speculation than anything of substance. Arsenal certainly need reinforcing, but is Johnson really what they are after. We think not!

Football Rumours

Football Rumours: Alonso to AC Milan

Latest football rumours to hit the streets are that Xabi Alonso is a target for AC Milan, who are poised to offer 15 million for his services. Having said that we are not actually sure this rumour is worth repeating - we picked it up on FansFC which has a decidedly dodgy reputation on mywot.com.

Anyway we think it's a long shot to say the least. Alonso's immediate value has gone down, now he's played in the Champions League. Seems to us Benitez is resigned to biding his time until January. Barry will be 30+ by the time he arrives!

Also we note the rumour of Joe Cole to Liverpool has disappeared as quick as it arrived. The clubs mouthpiece the Liverpool Echo has neither denied or confirmed the transfer rumour, so there maybe something in it yet, but we think not.

Football rumours are swirling bigtime at this time of year, but these two latest football rumours we would bet our house on as not going to happen.

Football Rumours: Robinho not going to Chelsea

Football Rumours: Robinho not going to Chelsea

In a blow to the ego of Chelsea fans, Robinho is according to the latest football rumours going to snub Chelsea and stay at Real Madrid, providing they double his annual salary! Well, Well, money talks doesn't it, and not Chelsea's way all the time.

Given, this latest of football rumours may be one for the silly season, but it could also have a grain of truth in the crazy world of football, and it's sky-high salaries.

Madrid daily AS claims Robinho feels undervalued at the Bernabeu, where his contract does not compare with top earners like Raul, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Fabio Cannavaro.

Robinho would certainly earn more at Stamford Bridge, where he could expect wages of up to £100,000 a week. But the AS report also claims the Brazilian’s overwhelming preference is to remain at Madrid - with an improved contract.

The paper says Robinho has no enthusiasm for English football and has admitted his dislike for the British climate. And, if true, that would seem to fuel suspicions Robinho is simply using Chelsea’s interest to engineer a bigger contract from Madrid.

Well it's certainly the time of year for football rumours, though this one does seem to have a grain of truth about it, and Chelsea seem set to be foiled in their attempt to get their man. Seems Chelsea and Peter Kenyon have abandoned the break even in three years plan!

Latest Football: Terry sees Man U Downturn

Latest Football: Terry sees a Man U downturn coming

In the latest football pre-Premier League mind games, John Terry of Chelsea has in an unoriginal reply predicted the downfall of Man U, repeating essentially what Sir Alex said of Chelsea a few days ago.

Echoing Sir Alex Ferguson in the latest football mind-game attempt, he says Manchester United don't have another level to go to, forgetting the fact that they don't have to, Chelsea and all the others do. Harsh fact of life Mr Terry is that if Manchester United repeat last years form and results, it ain't gonna be Chelsea who are Champions.

"Rio Ferdinand has been awesome for the last two years and Cristiano Ronaldo was unbelievable - I don't think you'll see that again," Terry said.

Personally, we at Footy Focus think we will and we are Liverpool fans! Ferdinand is at last maturing on and off the pitch, and it has to be said he is a truly outstanding defender. As for Ronaldo, maybe he won't get 40 goals again, but if United get another striker as they are trying for, he won't have to. Wayne Rooney is also likely to chip in with more goals, as Ferguson has recognised they sacrificed him for the team last year. Also Nani and Anderson et al now have a years experience in the Premier League. Latest Football wisdom to us Mr Terry is that you'll be more than likely trailing in their wake again!

Football Liverpool: Cole to Liverpool

Football Liverpool: Cole to Liverpool - fact or fiction??

Rumours are circulating in the football press that Liverpool are to mount a swoop for Chelsea's Joe Cole. We can't work this one out - is it the football press putting two & two together to come up with the latest headline or is there more to it??

Given Rafa Benitez's latest remarks about an Englishman who can play on the left he certainly fits the bill, though the long pursued Gareth Barry does also. It would be a remarkable first move in English Football by big Felipe Scholari if he is sold to Liverpool. Selling someone of Cole's quality to one of your biggest football rivals certainly takes some nerve.

It's interesting that the local Liverpool press and reknowned mouthpiece of the football club, the Liverpool Echo, is yet to run with this one. Given that, we at Footy Focus tend to think it's not a goer. Though as soon as we see it there, we're down the bookies to get a bet on!

Football News: Benayoun going nowhere

Football News: The Yossi's not for turning

Latest FOOTBALL NEWS has it that Yossi Benayoun has been told he will not be sold - despite constant speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield.

In todays football news from the tabloids the Israeli midfielder was again linked with a move to Roma, the Italian club seeing him as one of their main transfer targets for this summer. However Benayoun has been assured by Rafa Benitez he will not be sold and the player himself is not looking to leave anyway so any such move would be highly unlikely.

The 28-year-old has impressed during pre-season, scoring three goals in seven games and playing a key role in Liverpool’s unbeaten run. Benayoun’s ability to play in a number of positions makes him a key member of Benitez’s first team squad and the Reds boss has made it clear to him that his future lies with Liverpool.

Furthermore, other news has it that contrary to previous news stories, there is no need whatsoever for Benayoun to be sold to finance the proposed signing of Gareth Barry as the funding for that possible deal is entirely separate. So the football news rumbles on, but this particular piece of news is likely not to happen!

Football Rumours

Football Rumours: Aston Villa after Arsenal's Hoyte & Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira

Football rumours continue to abound in the transfer window silly season. Latest ones are that Villa boss Martin O'Neill is reported to be after Justin Hoyte & Chelsea's Paulo Ferreira. Given that Ferreira cost Chelsea 17.5m and he has just signed a new five year deal the report he is wanted as back-up can be taken with a very large pinch of salt.

Gunners star Justin Hoyte has been the subject of football rumours in the past linking him to Villa but has been quoted as saying that he wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium and fight for his first-team place.

Seems to us that these football rumours are exactly that, with Martin O'Neill about to be the subject of a lot of rumour and transfer speculation as he tries desperately to reinforce his small squad, which is about to get a bit smaller still. The longest and most boring football rumour of the season appears to be ending, with Gareth Barry moving to Liverpool at long last.

Football Transfers Latest News

Football Transfers: The Toffee's sticky time in the transfer market continues

Football Transfers are becoming ten a penny as the transfer window closure starts to rush towards us. It's the 4th of August tomorrow and the 31st will be upon us before we know it and all football transfers have to be done by then, or be consigned to the chip wrapper.

Latest one to catch the eye is Everton's cashing in on Andy Johnson. Fulham have agreed a fee with Everton for Johnson, although they are renegotiating the terms of payment due to an old knee injury.

Fulham Manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed talks remain ongoing, but he has not spoken with Fulham officials to ascertain the latest situation.

"I think the situation is still ongoing. The transfer negotiations are still going on as far as I know," Hodgson told Sky Sports News. I haven't spoken to the chief executive today (Saturday) so I can't tell you more than that. He's the one negotiating with Everton."

Johnson has won eight caps for England and Hodgson believes the striker will bring undoubted quality to Craven Cottage. "Andy Johnson is a player with great quality. Wherever he's been he's done very, very well," Hodgson added.

Well at least some Football transfers are coming to fruition. Andy Johnson is a good player, and we are slightly surprised Everton are cashing in on him now. Everton have been totally inactive in the transfer market to date, and two weeks out their small squad is about to get smaller still. Seems they have cash to spend but can't attract the players they want. Could be all the rumours of Moutino becoming one of their biggest football transfers turn to dust!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool

Reports coming in of a deal done for Gareth Barry to move to Liverpool

At long, long, last it appears the Gareth Barry move to Liverpool has happened. Reports are surfacing of Villa recieving 17.5 million plus Steve Finnan for Barry.

Rafael Benitez and all Liverpool fans will be pleased the longest running transfer saga of the summer will now be over. It certainly looks like a combination of Alonso, Pennant, and Voronin have played their last game in the red shirt of Liverpool. Personally I am disappointed in Pennant and that he must go. The guy has simply never fulfilled his promise, though he is still only 24.

Benitez I think is looking at Barry for his versatility and intelligence, plus he is better as a holding midfielder than Alonso, given the absence of Mascherano for a month. Given the price of Barry, Keane and Doessena, Liverpool's indispensables each week are starting to look like: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Doessena, Barry, Mascherano, Gerrard, Keane, and Torres. That leaves the likes of Skrtel, Babel, Benayoun, and Kuyt all fighting over one spot. Liverpool are certainly going to be very strong this year, but maybe just not quite!

Gareth Barry to Liverpool has proved to be the long yawn of the summer, and it's instructive how Liverpool have struggled to raise the fee. A sign of the credit crunch and Liverpool's parlous finances perhaps? Martin O'Neill will be glad Barry has finally moved to Liverpool, and he can get on with Villa's season!

Pennant to Blackburn

Jermaine Pennant is wanted by Blackburn & Paul Ince

Paul Ince is set to target the Anfield winger Jermaine Pennant as a replacement for the about to depart David Bentley, who is on the verge of joining Tottenham.

Blackburn officials have sounded out their Premier League rivals with a view to making a £6million offer for Pennant, although reports are saying Liverpool want a similar fee to the £6.7million they paid Birmingham for Pennant two years ago.

Pennant has struggled for first-team football on Merseyside, so may find the prospect of regular action at Ewood more appealing and his sale would free up more cash for Rafa Benitez to spend on his own targets.

Paul Ince will fancy his chances of getting the best out of Pennant at Blackburn and who can blame him. Pennant is reaching the age where it's make or break, as at 24 he has to start delivering on his potential.

Pennant to Blackburn would be a good move for the player given his lack of action at Anfield, though personally I think he's an excellent player who could thrive given one more chance by Liverpool. Also the present Liverpool system suits him down to the ground, as he's a lot more than just an out and out winger.

Football News: Robbie Keane to Liverpool the Priority

Football News: Benitez now making Robbie Keane to Liverpool his main game

Rafa Benitez is, almost unbelievably, after the yet to be resolved Gareth Barry saga, making Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool his top transfer priority.

Given Liverpool's limited funds, the wealth of midfield options he has, he is now concentrating on bringing Irish striker Keane to Liverpool. All this begs the question on the Barry saga, what was all that about? If Keane has always been the priority, why wait until now to make him as such. Poor old Gareth Barry must be getting a bit worried if he will be playing any football this season, or will he be left to rot in the stands by Aston Villa, with Liverpool unwilling to meet the asking price.

We reckon Robbie Keane to Liverpool is a done deal and we can see why. Keane just behind Torres is a quality partnership, and a great improvement on Crouch, Kuyt and Voronin et al. Liverpool will look a whole lot better if Keane does move from Tottenham. As for the Barry to Liverpool saga - well we reckon Rafa Benitez is playing a game of brinkmanship, and trying to slowly, slowly grind Aston Villa down to a price he can afford to pay. The brinkmanship is if Barry gets nervous, and tells his agent he would go to Highbury as well as Anfield. Villa know the longer it goes on, the lower his value becomes as he has clearly played his last game for the club.

Overall we reckon they are two done deals, eventually! A suitor for Alonso will emerge from Spain, Villa will cave in, and Robbie Keane will be hightailing it north in a move to Liverpool. Boy do these transfers drag on!!

Football News: Keane to Liverpool delay

Football News: Robbie Keane's move to Liverpool maybe delayed as Levy postures

Latest football news has it that Robbie Keanes move to Liverpool maybe delayed as an 'outraged' Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, has complained to the FA about Liverpool and Manchester United's conduct in their pursuit of Robbie Keane and Berbatov.

Liverpool suspect Robbie Keanes club are trying to soften up Spurs fans to the impending departure of both players. Also they further suspect Levy is more angry with Sir Alex Ferguson for his public comment that 'its only a matter of time' before Berbatov moves.

As for Liverpool tapping up Keane - well Mr Levy thats part and parcel of football I'm afraid. It's why Owen and McManaman left Liverpool and why Ronaldo is on his way too. Also Mr Levy seems to have forgotten his part in the tapping up of their present coach Ramos, while Martin Jol was still the manager!

Its well known Robbie Keane is a boyhood Liverpool fan - one of the few who can genuinely say it, even as Jamie Carragher famously said 'they all say that don't they'! Football Focus thinks there was zero tapping up required for Robbie Keane to want to move to Liverpool, and they wouldn't have needed to make the interest known via the media. It's not like they couldn't let him know via a discreet third party is it? Football Focus thinks Levy's words over Keanes move to Liverpool is pure posturing.

Robbie Keane to Liverpool should be a great move for all parties. Spurs get a fat amount of cash to balance the books, Liverpool get a great partner for Torres and Keane gets that move to Livepool he never thought was coming!

UEFA 2008: Torres and Spain sink Germany

Fernando Torres sinks Germany as Spain take UEFA 2008

Fernando Torres struck his second goal of the tournament to down Germany and take Spain to the 2008 UEFA Championship.

Spain have at last fulfilled their potential at a major tournament, and with the squad they have at present, it's about time too! With players like Alonso, Reina and Fabgregas in reserve, and Silva, Torres, Xavi, and Villa as first choice they simply proved too much for their rivals.

There's times when countries come of age in a footballing sense, and you can see it's Spain's time now. They really have some of the worlds best players throughout their squad. From Villa, Torres, Inesta, Xavi, Castillas, and Fabgregas etc they possess players of superb ability. And we must be thankful that a team that plays such fluid, nimble football, and is not packed with brawn won the trophy. Spain have one of the smallest midfields in the tournament, but brain won out over brawn!

Torres and Spain came to the fore this tournament, with superb displays of passing, fluid, and great to watch football. Germany and the others never had a chance!

Football News: Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Ronaldo to Real Madrid: Unstoppable momentum grows

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid is gathering inevitable momentum with increasing reports in the media fuelling the circus around his move.

Latest reports have Scolari and Calderon urging him to 'be strong' and that Manchester United 'can't hurt him'! All silly season stuff really, and what's all been seen before as countless others have done what Ronaldo is now doing ie dig his heels in and force Manchester United to sell him to Real Madrid.

It's the sad but inevitable route many transfers take in modern football, and the Ronaldo to Real Madrid saga is no different. Just the money involved is bigger than ever before! Eighty million really is nuts!

Bernd Schuster has come out and said Real Madrid will do 'whatever it takes' to get Ronaldo from United. That appears to be an eight million transfer fee, and 182 grand a week! The interesting part will be if the Glasers become as relentless as Real Madrid and leave him in the stands. There was an interesting article in the Times the other day, where an employment lawyer basically said that a deal will get done as Real Madrid, Ronaldo and Manchester United will all realise that lawyers will be the only winners if it goes to court.

We at Footy Focus reckon it's a done deal. Ronaldo will move to Real Madrid, and Manchester United will get a stash of cash to replace the forty goals a season! It's a well worn path and Manchester United have time and again been in Real Madrids place. Thats life Fergie!

Football News: Ronaldo to force his way to Madrid?

Ronaldo to do 'all in his power' to move to Madrid

In a depressingly familiar tale of player power, reports are emerging that Cristiano Ronaldo is to do 'all in his power' to get his move from Manchester United to Real Madrid.

'Sources' also briefed in the media that Ronaldo considers Real Madrid a bigger club than Manchester United, and that he has never been enthused with life in Manchester.

Given Ronaldo signed a new, improved deal a little over 12 months ago, it all has the familiar depressing ring of contracts not being worth a carrot, as player power rules.

Manchester United will be further enraged that FIFA have cleared Real Madrid of any wrongdoing in their conduct and relentless pursuit of Ronaldo.

It seems the saga is beginning to play out to its inevitable end, and that Ronaldo will move to Madrid after the European Championships, much to the dismay of Manchester United and it's supporters. There is a slim chance the Glazers might do what they say, and stop Ronaldo's Madrid move, and let him 'rot in the stands'. Now that would be fascinating to see!!

Football News: Fernando Torres to Chelsea a dream

Fernando Torres to Chelsea officially a dream as he commits to Liverpool

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres moved again to quash any speculation of a move to Chelsea. Speaking after Spain's game against Sweden he said;

“I want to say very clearly that I’m not on the market and that it’s my desire to continue at Liverpool, I’m very happy there and I want to carry on. I came to the club to win trophies. I have many years left on my contract and I expect to win some silverware there. I have gone through things I have never experienced before, like playing in a Champions League semi-final.And now that I have come within touching distance of glory I want it all.”

Well speaking as a Liverpool fan, you really can't get much clearer than that. I get the feeling with Fernando Torres that he is going to be at Liverpool for a while. Call it gut instinct, whatever, but you just can't see Torres moving on. It's destiny!

Speculation had increased after the appointment of Scolari, with fantastic rumours of a 65 million pound double bid for Fernando Torres and David Villa. Such talk has quickly proved to be newspaper drivel, with Torres quickly moving to ridicule the speculation and Villa stating he's rather move anywhere but Chelsea, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid his preferred destinations.

I'm just glad these Fernando Torres to Chelsea rumours are now likely to go away and I can watch Liverpool's dealings to bring players in not out!

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Football News: Real want Ronaldo to strike

End-game becomes a farce as Real Madrid urge Ronaldo to go on strike

The Sun and Tribal Football are reporting that Real Madrid are urging Ronaldo to go on strike, to force Manchester United's hand over Ronaldo's proposed transfer.

Real Madrid president, Calderon is being quoted via second hand 'sources' that they want Ronaldo to go on strike at Manchester United until the transfer window closes on 31st August.

It's all becoming very nasty, sad and disappointing really. A lot is just newspapers filling the column inches, but there can be little doubt Real Madrid have turned Ronaldo's head, and both are now trying to engineer a move.

As we've said before, wouldn't it be great if just for once a club stood up to a player and let him either stick to his contract or as Ferguson put it, 'rot in the stands'. It would be fascinating if the Glazers and Manchester United really did refuse to buckle to Real Madrid and Ronaldo.

Whether Ronaldo moves to Real Madrid or not, its once again showing the money driven, dark side of football. We can only hope Manchester United back up their words with action. More power to their elbow we say!!

Football News: Liverpool turn to Bentley

Liverpool turning to Bentley as Dosenna signs in
Rafa Benitez is reportedly turning to David Bentley as the solution to Liverpool's right wing problems. His chances of securing Bentley have increased due to Mark Hughes leaving, and Blackburns inability to secure European football next season.

Bentley reportedly sees Champions League football or UEFA Cup football at least, as vital to his ambition to cement his place on the right wing for England, as David Beckhams long term replacement.

Liverpool are involved in a major reshuffle, with Riise, Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Finnan, Pennant, Carson, and Itandje all going or gone. Benitez is reportedly keen to up his quota of English players given the possibility of the 6+5 foreigners rule.

Bentley to Liverpool would be a great signing for Benitez, and give Liverpool some real balance to the side. He'll be expensive but worth it. Kuyt or Bentley on the right - duh!

Ronaldo: Ferguson not welcome here

Ronaldo's position becoming untenable as he tells Ferguson to stay away

Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Real Madrid seemingly took a step closer yesterday, as he made it known he did not wish to see Alex Ferguson at the Portuguese training camp, to discuss the matter.

Given Ronaldo has now also come out and said he would like to move to Madrid, via a Brazilian website, it all stacks up to the player slowly building pressure on Manchester United, in a bid to engineer his move.

What would be really interesting is if the Glazers and Manchester United stick to their guns and let Ronaldo 'rot in the stands' as Ferguson said this week. Personally I would be ecstatic if they did. How good would it be if just for once, a player was made to stick to their contract. Given Ronaldo only signed his latest four year deal last year, United have every right to feel aggrieved.

However I think its a bit rich for them to complain about Real Madrids tactics. I suspect Sir Alex Ferguson is a past master at such tactics and has been using them for years, in order to get his transfer targets from other clubs!

Depressingly for Manchester United fans, it seems that Cristiano Ronaldo is determined to move to Real Madrid, and it is now turning into the story of the summer. The really fascinating part will be how far the Glazers and Manchester United are prepared to go in standing up to Real Madrid and the modern player power being displayed by Cristiano Ronaldo. Let battle commence!

Ronaldo to Madrid: Looking a shoe-in

The mother of all moves edging closer as Ronaldo admits to wanting move to Madrid

Cristiano Ronaldo admitted yesterday (albeit on a Brazilian website), that he would like to move to Real Madrid. There was no word from Sir Alex Ferguson, though Manchester United's Chief Executive David Gill stated that "Our position on Ronaldo remains as set out last week," referring to Ferguson's insistence that the club would rather let the player rot in the reserves than do business with a club who, in their eyes, have brazenly flouted transfer rules and etiquette.

It all seems like its building up to be the mother of all transfer stoushes, probably ending in the mother of all transfers, with a world record fee of 78 million pounds securing Ronaldo's move to Madrid.

Manchester United and it's supporters will be hugely disappointed with Ronaldo, who it appears is determined to engineer the move to Madrid after only two outstanding seasons. However given his recent comments it can come as no surprise.

Overall the Premier League will be very interesting next season, and potentially there will not be a better time for a club to break into the top three or four. Arsenal have lost Flamini and Hleb, Chelsea look likely to lose Drogba and possibly Lampard, while Manchester United certainly look like losing 40 goals a season in Ronaldo.

Football News: Torres to Chelsea

Torres to Chelsea reports of a 50 million pound bid

Fernando Torres

According to reports Chelsea are set to launch an astonishing 50 million pound bid for Fernando Torres. Torres is allegedly one of the players identified by Avram Grant before his departure, and Chelsea are set to pursue Torres despite being managerless.

Giving it the 'insiders' line, the papers are saying Liverpool may sell to fund the squad rebuilding, and to allow Hicks to take complete control. Safe to say there would be one hell of a public order problem on Merseyside if the club agreed to this. There'd be meeeerrrrddder!

Footy Focus really can't see this as anything other than fantasy. No one in their right mind would sell Fernando Torres to Chelsea. Even Hicks whose financial model depends on success on the pitch, wouldn't countenance such a deal. Would he....?

Fernando Torres to Chelsea, not a chance!

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Football News: Liverpool given Bentley Hope

Bentley to Liverpool hint, transfer may just be on

David Bentley has given his strongest hint yet he may be prepared to leave Blackburn to further his career.

Speaking in the News of the World he stated that while he may have had a good season at Blackburn, he considers himself to have achieved nothing yet. Displaying fierce ambition, he openly stated his desire to replace David Beckham in England's midfield, and to play at the very top in Champions League games.

Given that the Champions League qualifiers are known before the start of each season ie Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U and Chelsea, it all points to one thing. Also given that the club linked most heavily with him is Liverpool, it seems the path towards Anfield has started.

Expect to now see more 'sources' stories linking the player with Anfield. From Blackburns point of view, a wad of cash plus Jermaine Pennant wouldn't be a bad deal at all.

Personally I'd love to see him at Anfield. Pennant has the talent, but not the mental toughness or maybe iron-willed desire to succeed at the top. Bentley to Liverpool would do very nicely!

Football News: Chelsea's Lampard to Inter Milan mystery

Chelsea's Frank Lampard is linked with Inter Milan on Champions League eve
Chelsea's Frank Lampard was at the centre of an astonishing row with Chelsea last night, as Inter Milan claimed they had lined up a transfer for after the UEFA Champions League final. Inter Milan even went to the effort of quoting the contract they have lined up for the Chelsea midfield star.

Reports from Italy now cite Lampard's move from Chelsea to Inter Milan as a 'when' not 'if', and it all adds to the weight of Jose Mourinho being the next Inter Milan manager.

Peter Kenyon was incensed when he heard, and rang Abramovich to ensure no deal had been going ahead without his knowledge.

Seems to Footy focus there is no smoke without fire. Chelsea had better prepare themselves for the inevitable, Lampard is transferring to Inter Milan!

Football News: Liverpool Malouda link

Football News: Liverpool linked with 10 million move for Malouda
Liverpool have today been linked with a 10 million pound move for Chelsea's out of sorts Florent Malouda. Some sites even report that talks have begun with his agent, which seems to be jumping the gun a bit to us.

Interesting this one. Malouda is quality, but clearly struggled in the Premier League.... a bit like Ryan Babel but without the excuse of youth. If it meant Liverpool could play Babel somewhere he looks a bit more comfortable, then great he'd be worth getting, especially if it doesn't get too expensive.

Whether he's the missing link in Liverpool's title bid I don't know, but one things for sure, Malouda surely can only be more creative than what Liverpool have got now. Pennant, Babel and Benayoun are better than before but still collectively not good enough.

Florent Malouda to Liverpool will be big news in football if it comes off and may well turn out to be a really smart move!

Liverpool: Fernando Torres to get better?

Liverpool's Fernando Torres could be even better in his second season

Been a keen watcher of Fernando Torres this season. He is truly the best centre forward Liverpool have had since Ian Rush. As faster as Owen, as good a finisher as Fowler, and as strong as Collymore he's the nearest thing to a complete centre forward Liverpool have had in decades.

Question is though, will Torres be as good next year? Defenders will have worked him out a bit (though you can't work out sheer pace!), teams will plan tactics on stopping him, and he's yet to get a bad injury.

We at Footy Focus think Fernando Torres will be better than ever. He'll have a year under his belt and will feel a lot more settled and confident. He's proved he can handle the physical aspect of the league, and if Rafa gets it right in the transfer market, Torres will be playing in a more balanced team, with one or two better players.

The key for Liverpool is to buy at least one player of the same class as Fernando Torres and Stephen Gerrard, and hope that Ryan Babel comes through after his debut season. Too often Liverpool's attacking threat consisted of Torres and Gerrard only, with poor support from the likes of Babel, Pennant, Kuyt, Voronin and Kewell.

Footy focus is a huge fan of Fernando Torres and can't wait for his second season, but Liverpool oh so desperately need another of his calibre!

Football Transfer Time!: Liverpool News

Football Transfer time as Liverpool aim for early news

Rafael Benitez is aiming to get off to a flyer now its football transfer time. The early movers have long been touted in the papers, but where it really gets interesting is beyond that.

Kewell, Crouch, Riise, Pennant, Alonso and Carson are all gone or very likely to be going. Football's worst kept secret of the much touted transfer to Liverpool of Gareth Barry is likely soon to come to it's inevitable conclusion. The transfer of Swiss right-back Phillip Sendgren is also a done deal.

After that it becomes a bit murky on who Benitez is after. David Bentley seems a certain transfer target, though as he's English he won't come cheap. Another mentioned in dispatches, that won't be the glamour winger the Liverpool fans are seeking, is Wigans Ecuadorian Valencia.

Other football big names for transfer that have been mentioned are Joaquin, from Spain, Daniel Alves (again!), and David Villa. Also now Newcastle's James Milner, and as usual Michael Owen are being mentioned as potention transfer targets.

Seems to us it all depends on how the Board room battle goes. Benitez has obviously been given a big enough kitty to his liking, despite the Board room wars. Also he's got some decent football players to sell, with the above mentioned likely to raise in the region of 35 million plus in transfer fees. That plus a 20 mill kitty gives him a cool 55 million to spend! That should easy get him Barry (10 mill), David Villa (25 mill), and Bentley (15 mill)!

Football transfer time is always an interesting time of year. Lets hope Rafa pulls another Torres out of the hat this year!

Liverpool vs Chelsea Champions League

Liverpool deal themselves a Champions League hammer blow
Liverpool gave themselves a bit of a mountain to climb against Chelsea in this Champions League tie. Leading 1-0 and looking relatively comfortable, John Arne Riise headed into his own net with the last touch of the game.

After an absorbing game, particularly the second half, Liverpool had just about done enough to deserve the lead going into the second leg, but Chelsea got a Champions League get out of jail card.

Chelsea started this Champions League semi-final the better of the two teams, but as against Arsenal, Liverpool eventually got into the game and began to stretch their opponents. For 30 minutes either side of half time Chelsea were on the rack a bit, as Liverpool started to create chances.

Dirk Kuyt got a deserved opener, after dispossessing Lampard and running onto Mascherano's speculative chip over Terry and Carvalho, to calmly slot the ball past Cech. For large parts of the second half Liverpool were dominant, but it must be said Chelsea also had some great chances, with Cole in the first half, and Malouda in the second, wasting when well placed.

That Chelsea are still in the tie is due in no small part to Petr Cech. He made three outstanding saves, two at close range from Torres, and one from a Gerrard volley that he tipped over the bar.

Chelsea were also fortunate to have a lenient referee, with some brutal treatment handed out to Liverpool's Fernando Torres. Their back line constantly led with the elbow when jumping for the ball, or simply went through the back of him. Not until the 90th minute did a Chelsea player get booked, much to the sarcastic cheers of disgruntled Liverpool fans.

So it's to Stamford Bridge, with a fortunate advantage to Chelsea in this Champions League duel with Liverpool. Liverpool must now score at Chelsea or they are out. Simple as that!

Arsenal News

Arsenal News: Wenger and the boys getting lampooned big time!


Quality bit of Arsenal lampoonery. Seen this on a Liverpool forum - its absolutely quality!! No idea what it is but I think its great! Seen it here Hopefully Arsenal fans will laugh at it too in amongst all the bad news surrounding their team!

Not quite Arsenal news in the true sense but a good laugh all the same