Football Magazine News

Rafa: Tough Season Awaits Torres

2008-05-05T07:23:00.000-07:00

The Spain forward has bagged 32 goals in a remarkable first campaign in England, including the winner on Sunday in Liverpool's final home game of the season against Manchester City.

And Torres, runner-up in the PFA and Football Writers' Footballer of the Year polls last week, has now equalled the 23 goals record of Ruud van Nistelrooy - the highest number by a foreigner in his first season in the Premier League.

Fernando Torres might have had an outstanding debut season at Anfield, scoring 32 goals including the winner against Manchester City on Sunday.

Rafa Benitez, though, thinks that his countryman will have to work harder next season as he’s no longer an unknown quantity.

"Fernando has been amazing, and he has reached that total without any penalties," the Reds boss noted.

"Clearly it will be more difficult for Torres next season; defenders will have watched him and will work on stopping him.

"But he can improve even from this. He has a strong mentality and he can cope with what defenders do.

"It will not be easy to score this many goals again - obviously it will be more difficult for him.

"But if he scores a good number of goals and his team-mates - five of whom have scored 10 or more this season - also improve and increase their number of goals, it will be OK for us."

Anfield

Liverpool have only lost one game this term when Torres has scored, and that - sadly for Benitez and Reds supporters - was last week's Champions League semi-final exit at Chelsea.

The hitman has scored a staggering 21 goals at home this season and Rafa admits that the historic old Stadium helps get the best out of his troops.

"The winner against City was another good goal for Fernando, and he has produced an amazing number of goals without penalties," Benitez continued.

"It is fantastic for the club now and in the future; he will score many more.

"Fernando has scored a lot of his goals at Anfield, but all of our squad enjoy playing here. It is a fantastic atmosphere and he is enjoying his time here at Anfield and in England, and hopefully it will be the same next season."

Duncan Robertson, Goal.com

Cole: Title Dream Is Still Alive

2008-05-05T07:10:00.000-07:00

Chelsea take on Kevin Keegan's Magpies at St James' Park this afternoon knowing that if they lose o the resurgent Geordies they will effectively hand the Premier League trophy to rivals Manchester United.

"This year we will keep going and we want to take it to the last day," said the 26-year-old England midfielder.

"If we can win and take it to the last Sunday then it is squeaky bum time as the famous man once said."

That phrase was once used by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson to describe the nervousness of the title run-in, and Cole is confident he will be able to produce his best form, and thst Chelsea can push the Red Devils all the way.

"I have played a lot of football and my last few games I haven't been at my best - but I want to come back to my best in this game and get the points," said Cole.

Chelsea can point to a better away record this season than either United or third-placed Arsenal. And their hopes of overtaking United at the death are resting on their ability to take something away from Tyneside today. That won't be straightforward, as Newcastle are unbeaten in seven games. Yet Cole is confident Chelsea can come away with victory.

"We have good resilience and we find it easy to play when teams come out at us," he said. "Hopefully with the position Newcastle are in, they will come at us and it will be a high-scoring game and another three points for us.

"In front of their own fans they are going to want to play and there are a couple of old Man United players in there who are going to want to do their old mates some favours - but we just have to keep going and get the job done."

One of those former United players is Nicky Butt, who said he would love to see his old club pip Chelsea to the title.

Butt, 33, said: "I'm a great believer in playing football the right way. I'm not saying Chelsea don't, but it's more attractive to the eye watching United games.

"Football is about not losing and Chelsea have become masters at that. Obviously I'd love United to win it and it would be more of a highlight for the football purist if they did."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Carragher: Torres Will Make The Difference

2008-04-30T09:14:00.000-07:00

Liverpool have failed either to win or score a goal at Stamford Bridge in eight attempts since Rafael Benitez took over as manager, but defender Jamie Cattagher is convinced that El Nino is capable of breaking that dismal sequence.

"I'm sure the manager will set us up like he always does in Europe and will look to make us hard to beat," said Carragher on Liverpool's official website.

"We know we need to get a goal but we also need to get a goal because there's no point in doing well at one end of the pitch if we don't do well at the other.

"We won't be going gung-ho and we won't do anything daft or naive.

"The thing is, if Chelsea do get a goal it won't make that much difference because we will still need to score.

"A lot of people are talking about the fact that we haven't scored at Stamford Bridge for a few years but, as Stevie [Gerrard] said after the first leg, we've never been there with Fernando Torres.

"He has been the stand-out striker in world football this season and he is capable of scoring against anyone at any time."

Carragher and Gerrard - and Chelsea captain John Terry - will be hoping to avoid a yellow card at the Bridge tonight, because collecting one would rule them out of next month's Moscow final against Manchester United.

However Carragher insists it won;t affect his approach to the game.

"It's not something that really worries me," he said. "If it happens, it happens.

"It is all about not doing anything stupid because the worst thing would be if you picked up a needless yellow card for something daft like kicking the ball away or going through the back of someone.

"I was in a similar situation in 2005 when I picked up a couple of bookings in the group stages and had them hanging over me from that point onwards.

"So I know what it's all about and I'll be playing my normal game tonight. You can't do anything else."

Carragher told the club's website that he is determined to make it a hat-trick of Champions League semi-final triumphs against Chelsea- and to ensure he and his team-mates don't experience the double misery suffered by the Chelsea players at Anfield in 2005 and 2007.

"That is one of the big things for me," said the Liverpudlian.

"Whenever I think back to those nights, I remember the celebrations when we went through and how great we all felt because it is obviously really special to reach a European Cup final.

"But I also remember the Chelsea players being really gutted and I don't want to be feeling like that after tonight.

"It's the same for all of the lads, we don't want to have to go through what they have been through.

"They were devastated and I know it will be exactly the same thing for whichever side doesn't get through tonight – we just have to make sure it's not us."

Reflecting on he first leg and looking ahead to the challenge facing Liverpool in West London tonight, Carragher said: "I'm not going to try and pretend that the goal they got at Anfield wasn't a blow because it was.

"Until that happened it looked like we were going to get a 1-0 win at the very least and that would have been a really good result because it would have meant they hadn't managed to get an away goal.

"But they ended up getting one and that changes things slightly because it means we have to go to Stamford Bridge and score.

"We are confident of doing that though. We are playing well and winning games so confidence is high at the moment.

"Another big thing for us is the fact that we have done so well in Europe in the last three or four years.

"We won the Champions League in 2005, got to the final last year and now we are in the semi-finals again.

"When you have a record like that you are always going to be confident because you have shown that you can win the biggest games and the experience of having done that is a big help.

"But it's also a big help when you take into account Liverpool's record in Europe in the years gone by.

"This club has only ever lost one European Cup semi-final, and since then we have won seven, so that kind of record is only ever going to be good for everyone's confidence.

"It does give you belief, there's no question about that. But when it comes down to it, it is all about what we do on the pitch and that means going to Chelsea and getting a result that's good enough to take us to another final."

He continued: "If you look at Chelsea's home record over the last few years they have done fantastically well and no-one has beaten them at Stamford Bridge for ages.

"That means that if you go there and get a draw it's a good result.

"In the past we've been delighted with a 0-0 down there in the Champions League but we know that scoreline won't be good enough tonight. It's a totally different scenario but we know what we have got to do and we believe that we can do it.

"When people talk about teams being favourites it can sometimes give a false impression because it's not often that the players involved feel that way.

"In the last round we went to Arsenal and got exactly the same result that Chelsea got at Anfield last week but none of us were thinking the job was done or that we had done all the hard work.

"We knew that there would still be a lot of football to be played in the home leg and that's the way it turned out, especially after Arsenal took the lead with an away goal of their own, and I'm sure no one at Chelsea is thinking they're already in the final.

"I really hope it's us celebrating at the final whistle because I don't want to be on the receiving end," he added.

"There can't be many better feelings in football than winning a European Cup semi-final and I'm sure there can't be many worse ones than losing one."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Xavi: We Were Better Than United

2008-04-30T09:10:00.000-07:00

A memorable goal by Paul Scholes was all that separated the two European giants over the course of two legs, but the little Spaniard is adamant that Barcelona were the better team throughout.

“Manchester United never dominated the two games and we deserved to reach the final,” Xavi lamented.

“This was a major disappointment for us because we almost had it in our grasp.

“The key moment was their goal and this is hard for us to take. We were better than United and it is difficult to accept being out of the semi-final.

“People were talking about a battle between Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, but I thought I played better than the Portuguese player in the two games. It has come down to that solo goal.

“It did not come down to the pressure of the game because the Barcelona players are used to that.”

Frank Rijkaard's future a the club looks far from certain as a result of the loss, but Xavi insists that the team is not in need of radical changes.

“With the team we have got, to go two years without a trophy is incredible,” he added.

“The spirit in the dressing room is good, I can be very clear and strong about that.

“We know we have not achieved our objectives and if the directors want to make changes, that will happen because they are the ones in charge.”

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Rooney Set To Return Against Hammers

2008-04-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

Wayne Rooney missed Manchester United's 1-0 home win over Barcelona last night after aggravating a hip injury during Saturday's 2-1 Premier League defeat at Chelsea.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping close tabs on Rooney's fitness over the next few days, but he said today of his striker: "He may have a chance for Saturday.

"We just cancelled him out [of the Barca game] yesterday, he was in a lot of pain.

"It was his hip joint, he was never close to playing. It was out of the question.

"He will be a lot better in a few days and involved on Saturday somewhere along the line."

Patrice Evra is also expected to recover from a knock received against Barcelona, but fellow defender Nemanja Vidic is a doubt. He suffered a facial injury in a collision with Chelsea striker Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge, and Ferguson explained:

"Vidic is under the control of the doctor. He got a bit of concussion, so we have to be careful of that," said Ferguson. "He may have a chance for Saturday."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Madrid To Stick With Marcelo, Discard Vargas

2008-04-30T08:54:00.000-07:00

Madrid paid €7million to sign Marcelo from Fluminense in January 2007 and despite some erratic performances at times this season, the club have decided to give him another year to prove that he can live up to their initial investment before searching out a replacement.

Marcelo will be expected to rotate left-back duties with Gabriel Heinze into next season, with Madrid hoping that the nineteen year old can mature as a player and drill out the sort of mistakes that cost them the game away to Real Betis earlier this year.

The club hierarchy have no doubts as to the talent and potential quality of the young Brazilian and are just hopeful that he can improve enough over the course of next season to become a viable first-choice for years to come.

Their renewed faith in Marcelo will result in Madrid pulling out of the race to sign Catania left-back Juan Manuel Vargas, who had be touted as a potential target for the club in recent weeks.

The Peruvian international has impressed with his excellent performances in Serie A this season, but the potential list of suitors could be significantly reduced by the €15million price-tag that Catania have slapped on his head for any interested parties.

Nick Dorrington

Alonso: Tonight Will Be Like A Final

2008-04-30T08:48:00.000-07:00

he prize at stake is a Moscow final against arch-rivals Manchester United, but the Spaniard says that Liverpool will be playing as if it were the final already.

"Liverpool are preparing for this match against Chelsea like a final," said Alonso. "We have confidence of success because of our record in the past.

"We are able to progress past this round."

Alonso went on to admit that the team are still bitter over fact that Chelsea were gifted a late away goal, but insisted that there has been absolutely no ill-will towards own-goal culprit John Arne Riise.

"The team is still angry by the result at Anfield because Chelsea did not merit a 1-1 draw.

"Our objective is to win in London and demonstrate that Chelsea are not superior to us.

"The team is very focused and we have overcome the tremendous blow of the goal of Riise," he added.

"During those days we have shown the maximum support for our team-mate. It was an unfortunate action and it has been forgotten.

"The factor of being at home is not so decisive in these type of matches. Liverpool and Chelsea are two big clubs and any is able to win away from home.

"I expect a difficult and tough match. Chelsea play with the advantage of the away goal and perhaps they will not risk too much from the first moment.

"That would be to our advantage and to score early would change the whole tie.

"Perhaps Chelsea will practice a conservative style and that would be positive for us.

"I am optimistic and I insist this game is 50-50.

"Liverpool is a team that always generates many problems for Chelsea," said Alonso. "Since my arrival in England our matches with Chelsea have never been easy and mentally this could influence things on Wednesday.

"Our attack will be key at Stamford Bridge because we need to profit from the chances in the penalty area."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Sheva: I Have Always Been Close To Milan

2008-04-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

Shevchenko had a glorious seven years at Milan from 1999 to 2006, scoring 127 goals in just 208 games, before leaving to join Chelsea following the last World Cup in Germany. His time at Stamford Bridge has been nothing short of disastrous, and he is desperate to return to San Siro this summer.

Milan are also keen to arrange a deal to sign Shevchenko, however, according to the striker’s agent, they are not prepared to pay a fee for him.

“There’s so much talk about a return, but I’m not at liberty to say anything more than that I have always been close to Milan,” said the 31-year-old.

“Whether or not I return, this side has given me so much. I grew at Milan and I won the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League there.

“I have great memories and relationships with my ex-colleagues at San Siro,” he added.

Shevchenko also said that he is especially excited for this weekend's Milan derby, which he reckons has the makings of a classic.

“It’s a unique and great game,” enthused the Ukrainian.

“I think that this derby is worth more to Milan because they are fighting for fourth place and Champions League qualification and it is also their home fixture.

“I wish all the best to my former teammates. I know how important it is to win the derby, especially now.”

Inter will keep hold of the Scudetto if the result they obtain against their city rivals is better than what Roma achieve during their tricky trip to Sampdoria, while anything less than a victory for Milan will very likely mean that they will be a high profile absence from Europe's elite club competition next season.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Drogba: We Must Play Like Champions Against United

2008-04-25T07:32:00.001-07:00

Saturday lunchtime sees the potential Premier League title decider at Stamford Bridge as defending champions and current leaders Manchester United in London to take on Avram Grant's second-placed Chelsea side.

Chelsea know thast anything less than a win will effectively wreck their hopes of snatching the title from United's grasp and being crowned champions themselves for the third time in four seasons.

Ivory Coast hitman Didier Drogba has warned his Chelsea team-mates that they will have to on top form to beat arch-rivals United.

He told The Sun: "We need to play like champions.

"There is no more to say. I want tomorrow to come quickly and to be on the pitch.

"I enjoy these kind of games."

Drogba was absemt from Chelsea's damaging home draw with Wigan 11 days because of a knee injury, but typically believes that The Blues would now be closer to Sir Alex Ferguson's team on points if he had played against the Latics.

Drogba added: "I had to leave my friends when I wanted to help them against Wigan.

"Maybe the League would now be a different story but we're still on for it.

"My knee is improving. It was good for me to rest for a few days because it wasn't getting better."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Rio Only Cares About Silverware

2008-04-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

The 29-year-old, who has enjoyed perhaps his best season yet for the Red Devils, is determined to have a trophy for each hand once the final whistle is blown this campaign, and the next four days will do much to determine whether that dream will turn into reality.

United will be effectively looking to seal the Premiership title with a win at Chelsea on Saturday, before hosting Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final decider next Tuesday.

"It's obvious we want to win at Chelsea," said Ferdinand. "Success as a team is paramount.

"If we win, we'll get the plaudits we deserve. If we don't, we'll get the criticism we probably deserve.

"Winning the league and the Champions League is what I want to round off the season."

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

CL Preview: Barcelona - Manchester United

2008-04-22T23:21:00.000-07:00

Irresistible Forces & Unmovable Objects

The two remaining unbeaten sides in this season's Champions League tournament go head-to-head in the semi-final, with Barcelona - at home in the first leg - striving to prevent the first all-English final by defeating Manchester United and going on to face Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow.

United stand between Barca and a second final in three seasons, while the Red Devils are targeting an appearance in the European Champions final 50 years after the Munich air crash robbed Matt Busby's much-loved 1958 'Babes' side of the chance of glory in the tournament's fledgling phase.

Both Barca and United have previously won Europe's premier club competition on two occasions, the Catalans in 1992 (against Sampdoria) and 2006 (Arsenal) twice and United in 1968 (against Benfica) and 1999 (Bayern Munich).

That 1999 United triumph was at Camp Nou, but the Red Devils have never beaten Barca on their own turf - losing 2-0 in the 1983-84 Cup Winners' Cup quarter-finals and 4-0 in the 1994-95 Champions League group stage, and drawing 3-3 there in the 1998-99 in the Champions League.

Barcelona also boast a more impressive record in the last four of the Champions Cup/League. They have won four of the eight previous semi-finals they have contested – in 1960-61, 1985-86, 1993-94 and 2005-06 – as well as reaching the 1991-92 final as winners of their last-eight group.

In contrast, United's nine previous semi-final appearances have yielded only two victories, and in last year’s competition they were defeated by eventual winners AC Milan in the last four, leading 3-2 from the first-leg but crashing out with a 3-0 defeat t the San Siro.

Ahead of Wednesday's clash, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he hoped his side would show a "really positive" approach at Camp Nou, and certainly United go into the first leg as favourites based on current form. They will be looking to establish a platform of one or more away goals to take to Old Trafford for the second leg on 29th April.

Something will certainly have to give because Barcelona's home form has been flawless in this season's Champions League campaign - played five, won five, scored ten, conceded one - while the Premier League leaders are unbeaten away in Europe this season, with three victories and two draws.

Moreover, Barcelona's home record against English opponents is impressive, with 13 wins, eight draws and only two defeats in 23 previous meetings in European competition. Both those defeats came against this year's possible finalists, Liverpool - 0-1 in the 1975-76 Uefa Cup semi-final first leg (prior to a 2-1 aggregate defeat), and 1-2 in the 2006-07 first knockout round of the Champions League (which they exited to Rafa Benitez's side on away goals after the aggregate score finished 2-2).

That defeat by Liverpool last season means Barca have won seven and lost eight of 15 two-legged ties against English teams.

As for United, they have played 16 times in Spain against Spanish opposition, and won only once, drawing six and losing nine. Their one victory was in the quarter-finals of the 2001-02 Champions League at Coruna against Deportivo.

United's record in nine previous two-legged ties against Spanish opposition is five aggregate defeats and four draws.

Contrasting Domestic Fortunes

However, leaving history aside, it is the present that sees United travel to Catalonia this week as favourites not only to overcome Barca in the semis but also to win the overall competition in Moscow. Indeed, United are on course to capture a coveted Premier League-Champions League Double, although Ferguson will be coming down hard on any complacency within his squad, any tendency to think either of those two prizes are already in the bag. That is why in his pre-match press conference he insisted United and Barca are evenly matched, and that it is wrong to regard his side as favourites.

Nevertheless, United are meeting Frank Rijkaard's side when the Blaugrana are going through an indifferent spell of form at just the wrong stage in their season. Their fast-receding Primera Liga title hopes took another major knock at the weekend as city rivals Espanyol held them to a goalless draw that left them third behind Villarreal and arch-rivals Real Madrid, who now have 11 more points than the Blaugrana.

At least Rijkaard was able bring back Bojan Krkić, Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Deco from injury. Bojan started, and Iniesta and Messi came on as second-half substitutes.

Rijkaard said: "We had plenty of opportunities and didn't score so you have to say we were unlucky.

"We worked hard in order to get a good result but it wasn't to be. We're disappointed because we did everything we could. I'm happy with the players' attitude and mentality. The work that they are continuing to put in is something very positive. We're not giving up because we know there are still games left to win."

Barca have now taken seven points from their last eight Liga games, a run that includes one win (against Real Valladolid on 23rd March), four draws and three defeats, with Rijkaard's side scoring 13 goals and conceding 14 - a statistic that will give huge encouragement to United's prolific attack. In fact Barca have lost four of their last ten games in La Liga and the Copa del Rey, winning only one.

United's record is certainly more impressive: they have lost one of their last 15 matches in all competitions and are unbeaten in nine games. They are unbeaten away since going down to a shock 2-1 Premier League defeat at West Ham United on 29th December - ten games ago.

On Saturday, they came through a stern examination by Blackburn in a hard-fought battle that saw Rovers, managed by Ferguson protege Mark Hughes, take an early lead through Roque Santa Cruz and hang on to it through some Brad Friedel heroics until two minutes from time, when Carlos Tevez grabbed a close-range equaliser.

Despite the dropped points, United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League ahead of next weekend's trip to Stamford Bridge for the showdown against second-placed Chelsea, where Ferguson's side could clinch the title.

Ferguson said: "We'd rather have had the three points and deserved that but we've rescued the game late on so that's a positive thing.

"Our performance in the second half was brilliant, the tenacity we showed was fantastic and we played like champions. We dominated the second half and were very, very unlucky not to win. We know that if we win at Chelsea we'll win the league. We've given ourselves a chance, there's only three games left and we're approaching the finish line. The attitude the players showed in the second half was fantastic, I'm proud of them today."

The Road To The Semi-Final

Barcelona

19.09.2007 Barcelona - Lyon 3-0 (Clerc o.g., Messi, Henry)
02.10.2007 Stuttgart - Barcelona 0-2 (Puyol, Messi)
23.10.2007 Rangers - Barcelona 0-0
07.11.2007 Barcelona - Rangers 2-0 (Henry, Messi)
27.11.2007 Lyon - Barcelona 2-2 (Iniesta, Messi pen))
12.12.2007 Barcelona - Stuttgart 3-1 (Giovani, Eto'o, Ronaldinho)
20.02.2008 Celtic - Barcelona 2-3 (Messi 2, Henry)
04.03.08 Barcelona - Celtic 1-0 (Xavi)
01.04.08 Schalke - Barcelona 0-1 (Bojan)
09.04.08 Barcelona - Schalke 1-0 (Yaya Toure)

Manchester United

19.09.2007 Sporting - Man. United 0-1 (Ronaldo)
02.10.2007 Man. United - Roma 1-0 (Rooney)
23.10.2007 Dynamo Kiev - Man. United 2-4 (Ferdinand, Rooney, Ronaldo 2)
07.11.2007 Man. United - Dynamo Kyiv 4-0 (Piqué, Tévez, Rooney, Ronaldo)
27.11.2007 Man. United - Sporting 2-1 (Tévez, Ronaldo)
12.12.2007 Roma - Man. United 1-1 (Piqué)
20.02.08 Lyon - Man. United 1-1 (Tévez)
04.03.08 Man. United - Lyon 1-0 (Ronaldo)
01.04.08 Roma - Man. United 0-2 (Ronaldo, Rooney)
09.04.08 Man. United - Roma 1-0 (Tévez)

DOMESTIC FORM GUIDE

Barcelona

Cup 20/03/08 v Valencia (A) LOST 2-3 (Henry, Eto'o)
League 23/03/08 v Real Valladolid (H) WON 4-1 (Eto'o, Iniesta, Bojan 2)
League 29/03/08 v Real Betis (A) LOST 2-3 (Bojan, Eto'o)
League 06/04/08 v Getafe (H) DREW 0-0
League 12/04/08 v Recreativo de Huelva (A) DREW 2-2 (Eto'o 2)
League 19/04/08 v Espanyol (H) DREW 0-0

Manchester United

League 19/03/08 v Bolton (H) WON 2-0 (Ronaldo 2)
League 23/03/08 v Liverpool (H) WON 3-0 (Brown, Ronaldo, Nani)
League 29/03/08 v Aston Villa (H) WON 4-0 (Ronaldo, Tevez, Rooney 2)
League 06/04/08 v Middlesbrough (A) DREW 2-2 (Ronaldo, Rooney)
League 13/04/08 v Arsenal (H) WON 2-1 (Ronaldo pen, Hargreaves)
League 19/04/08 v Blackburn (A) DREW 1-1 (Tevez)

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Striker Thierry Henry was unable to take part in training on Monday morning because of a fever. He had been an unused substitute in Saturday's goalless Liga draw against Espanyol. Ronaldinho, Lilian Thuram, Jose Edmilson and deputy goalkeeper Albert Jorquera also missed training.

Mexican defender Rafael Marquez has been suffering from bruising and inflammation in his right foot but is expected to be able partner Gabriel Milito in the heart of the Barca defence.

Skipper Carles Puyol must sit out the first leg through suspension, having collected his third yellow card in this season's competition in the second leg with Schalke. Rafael Márquez, Gabriel Milito, Yaya Touré and Messi are all within a booking of a suspension.

Squad: Valdés, Jorquera, Milito, Márquez, Zambrotta, Edmílson, Sylvinho, Thuram, Abidal, Oleguer, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Yaya Touré, Gudjohnsen, Eto'o, Henry, Giovani, Messi, Bojan.

Last Starting XI (v Espanyol): Valdés, Milito, Sylvinho, Puyol (Márquez 66), Zambrotta, Yaya Touré, Xavi, Gudjohnsen (Iniesta 45), Eto'o, Giovani (Messi 45), Bojan.

Manchester United

Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is fit after a groin strain and is in line to play, while Wayne Rooney seems to have overcome the hip injury he sustained against Blackburn on Saturday.

Owen Hargreaves and Anderson have both recovered from minor injuries, and Gary Neville and Darren Fletcher have also been named in the squad.

Ferguson was in positive mood when he said of Rooney: "Sometimes you get these knocks right on the bone but I'm sure Wayne will be OK for Wednesday. Edwin van der Sar, Owen Hargreaves and Anderson should also be fit."

Squad: Van der Sar, Neville, Evra, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, Anderson, Rooney, Giggs, Park, Vidic, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Pique, O'Shea, Fletcher, Silvestre, Kuszczak, Tevez, Heaton, Welbeck.

Last Starting XI (v Blackburn): Kuszczak, Brown (O'Shea 81), Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs (Nani 6), Tévez, Rooney (Park 90).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Barcelona

Thierry Henry spent eight years with United's Premier League rivals Arsenal, and scored nine goals in 18 appearances against the Red Devils. The last of those was a 90th-minute winner when the Gunners came from behind to beat United 2-1 at the Emirates in London in January 2007. Henry was also in the AS Monaco team that beat United on away goals in the Champions League quarter-finals in 1997-98.

Henry said of Wednesday's opponents: "At the moment, they're flying, but you never know in football. Hopefully, they will have a bad day when we play them. You know how it is in the Champions League - one bad day and you're gone.''

Should Henry's recent illness restrict his involvement, there is always Samuel Eto'o - who scored both Barca's goals in the 2-2 draw against Recreativo on 12th April, his 13th and 14th League goals on only his 14th appearance this season.

Manchester United

Between them Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tévez and Wayne Rooney have scored 73 of United's 101 goals in all competitions this season, and 52 of their 73 in the Premier League.

Ronaldo's goal against Roma in the quarter-final first leg was his seventh in the Champions League this season, making him the competition's top scorer. Before the Blackburn game, Ronaldo had scored in his last seven United games in all competitions. And he is also the Premier League's leading scorer this season with 28 goals. His goal against Arsenal on 13th April was his 38th of the season in all competitions and keeps him in contention to break Denis Law's club record of 46
goals (1963-64).

Ronaldo has also been nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year award, along with Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, David James, Cesc Fabregas and Adebayor. And for good measure, the United winger has also been short-listed for the Young Player of the Year award - having collected both accolades last season.

PREDICTION

Barcelona really need victory - and a clean sheet - to take to Old Trafford. But although United have never won at Barcelona, and have the pressure of being the favorites to reach the final at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, they are widely expected to have the quality to get past Barca at the moment. However, Barcelona boast attacking riches that can upset he best defence if they click, and although Ronaldinho is injured, Messi, Henry and Eto'o represent a pretty formidable trio.

For United there is everything to play for, and they also have experience running through h team now, which has given them the capacity to grind out results when things are not quite going for them. And while Barca also have outstanding talent in their ranks, they are not impregnable defensively. United might just have the pace and panache to damage them at Camp Nou with a couple of away goals.

Barcelona 2-2 Manchester United

Graham Lister

Valdés: United Don't Scare Me

2008-04-22T23:13:00.000-07:00

The Catalan stopper admits that the clash against the English champions will be tough, but he feels that the blaugrana are capable of success.

He told skysports.com, "I do not fear playing against Manchester United in this semi-final. It is true that the English club is excellent at the moment but over 180 minutes anything can happen.

"Barcelona play better against better teams. We have demonstrated in the Champions League this season that we deserve our place in the semi-finals.

"Having the second match at Old Trafford is not ideal but this is what the draw has left us with and our objective now is not to concede at home."

Stars Versus Stars

With Cristiano Ronaldo looming, the 26-year-old countered that Barça have threats of their own.

"Nobody would to doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo is a star but Barca possess the likes of (Lionel) Messi, (Samuel) Eto'o and Bojan (Krkic)," he warned.

"In this respect I do not see so much difference. Today for any player to play against United is a challenge and not a problem. We will plan carefully and go in without fear."

"The draw? I had no preference about the rival. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are the same level of difficulty.

"I am a player who loves English football because of the sprit in the teams and the atmosphere in the stadiums."

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

Sir Alex: We're Much Better Now

2008-04-22T23:11:00.000-07:00

The Red Devils’ comeback win against Bayern Munich nine years ago capped a landmark season for Ferguson’s men, as they clinched a historic Treble comprising the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League titles – a feat that had never been done before and has never since been matched.

The scene of their European triumph – the second in their illustrious history – was Camp Nou, where they head tomorrow to face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final clash.

But Ferguson insists his team does not need reminding of their past glory, insisting that they have seen it all before and that it is more important they focus on creating history rather dwelling in it.

"It is almost 10 years since we won the final," he said. "The team of today do not need to worry about the past and be reminded of the past.

"They have seen the game many times on video and television, so I do not think it is lost on any of them. What is more important is that they can shape their own history. I think they are good enough to do that."

Memories

United have not visited Camp Nou since ‘99, but Ferguson vividly recalls the 4-0 thrashing they received from Barca in 1994, claiming it was an eye-opening experience.

"1994 was a good lesson to us about the importance of ball retention," said Ferguson. "At the time we couldn't play our best team because of the three foreign player rule, but Barcelona's quality and possession was far superior to us and it was a great lesson to us.

"We realised how important it is in Europe."

The Red Devils also visited Barcelona during their successful 1998-99 campaign, playing out a remarkable 3-3 draw – which Sir Alex admits could have been much more either way.

"Looking back it could have been more than 3-3, especially at the Nou Camp," he said. "There were periods where I thought we could lose by ten, then other periods I thought we could win by ten.

"It was a marvellous open game and demonstration of how both clubs believe the game should be played. United and Barcelona remain well balanced teams in terms of history and the way they play."

Stronger

Despite their triumph in ’99, Manchester United’s record in the latter stages of Europe is decidedly underwhelming for a club that has dominated its domestic league so thoroughly over the last 15 years.

United have reached the semi-finals of Europe’s premier club competition three times since their last triumph, but have not progressed to the final once in that period. In fact, they have only reached two finals in their history, resulting in both their European Cup victories.

Last year they were downed by eventual champions AC Milan, losing 3-0 at San Siro after securing a 3-2 win in their home leg.

But Ferguson believes his side is stronger this time around, insisting he has not only more numbers and better fitness levels, but also more quality.

"We are in a much stronger position this year in terms of the energy of the team, not to mention the ability in it," he said. "Last season we played much the same team every week because of injuries.

"Now we have bigger squad, you can see the difference and how it has helped us."

Balanced

United have been heavily backed as the favourites to proceed to a final clash with either Chelsea or Liverpool in Moscow, due to the vast difference between their league form and Barca’s.

While the Red Devils lead the Premier League race, the Blaugrana sit third in La Liga, some 11 points adrift of leaders Real Madrid.

But Ferguson does not believe his side should have any advantage heading into tomorrow’s clash, insisting both teams possess immense quality and would be worthy champions.

"I do not see that we should be favourites," he said. "It is a very balanced game if you look at the number of quality players on both sides.

"Manchester United and Barcelona must be among the strongest sides in Europe as they have come to this stage of the competition. Both clubs deserve to be there and this match would be an attractive final, a fantastic occasion.

"I believe the winners of this game have a great chance in the final."

Not Just Messi

One of the most tantalising aspects of this match-up is the prospect of seeing United’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca’s Lionel Messi turn it on at opposite ends of the pitch.

Both were runners-up to AC Milan star Kaka in last year’s FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or awards, and while Messi has been plagued by injury this term, Ronaldo is the red-hot favourite to take out both titles this time around.

And while Ferguson admits that stopping Messi is a priority, he is wary of the overall creative quality that the opposition possess.

"He is one of the best players in the world, everyone knows that," he said. "But the game is not all about Messi.

"Like many good teams, Barcelona have many good players. We have a tough job tomorrow but we will do our best to try and contain them and get a good result."

Mike Maguire

Late Drama As Riise Gifts Chelsea An Equaliser

2008-04-22T23:08:00.000-07:00

Chelsea, who at times looked ragged, thus have a priceless away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge. They had had some earlier chances to equalise, but Liverpool might also have scored again. The dramatic way in which it ended leaves the tie intriguingly balanced - but just in Chelsea's favour now.

A scrambled goal by Dirk Kuyt towards he end of a tense, tight first half at Anfield put Liverpool in the driving seat in a Champions League semi-final first leg that Chelsea started the stronger. But the Blues allowed the Reds to come more and more into it and Rafa Benitez's side deserved their first half lead.

Chelsea looked tentative with Frank Lampard's set-pieces unproductive and Petr Cech unusually hesitant between the sticks. In contrast, Xabi Alonso was superb for Liverpool, bringing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres into the game.

Benitez had recalled eight players for the game, Gerrard and the in-form Torres being joined in the starting line-up by Fabio Aurelio, Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant picked Paulo Ferreira at right-back ahead of Juliano Belletti but made five changes from the side that beat Everton last week, with Lampard, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Claude Makelele and Florent Malouda are given starts.

Chelsea started brightly, but Gerrard had the first attempt on goal, trying a snapshot from the edge of the area that Cech saved comfortably low down, before Alonso put Kuyt through on goal, only for the Dutchman's first touch on his chest to let him down, Cech blocking the ball which was then scrambled clear.

Torres stabbed a half-chance past the post before a promising move by Chelsea saw Ballack find Drogba, whose cross just eluded Joe Cole, who soon afterwards had a great chance when Lampard played him in with a deft chip that he made a mess of by miskicking.

With the game tight and cagey, few clear chances were being created. Drogba went down under Carragher's challenge as he ran through on goal, but the referee waved play on much to Drogba's indignation.

Then Gerrard found Torres with an excellent pass but the Spaniard shot straight at Cech when clean through on goal. Gerrard had a go himself with an ambitious volley from 25 yards out, but Cech saved it easily.

However, the breakthrough came ten minutes later - with 43 minutes on the clock. Alonso took a quick free-kick which caught Chelsea napping, and untypically, Lampard gave the ball away on the edge of the area. Javier Mascherano's miskick found its way through to Kuyt, who slid the ball through the legs of Cech as Makelele completely missed the ball. It was a scruffy sort of goal but a potentially crucial one, and Chelsea only had themselves to blame for conceding it.

Liverpool began the second half in dominant mood, buoyed by the goal, with Chelsea guilty of wasting possession too often, seemingly unable to keep the ball. Their big-name midfield players Ballack, Makelele and Lampard were not getting hold of the game as Gerrard and Alonso dictated play.

Chelsea looked to go long for Drogba, but the Ivorian striker was getting little joy from the Liverpool defenders.

On the hour mark, Babel nearly doubled Liverpool's lead with a sensational volley from 30 yards, Cech scrambling across his line as the ball went just inches wide.

Drogba found Lampard in space inside the area but the England man took a heavy touch and the ball went out for a goal-kick, summing up Lampard's night.

But Chelsea began to string a few more passes together, and they created a great chance when Malouda, free on the left, decided to cut inside and Mascherano had to get back to deflect his shot wide.

Drogba chested the ball back to Ballack whose volley was blocked by Carragher.

As the game moved into its last ten minutes, Chelsea wasted another chance to secure a possibly crucial away goal. They had men to spare as substitute Kalou raced towards the box, but his pass to Lampard was poor and Carragher was able to block. Then Ballack spun and went for goal from 25 yards out but Reina held his shot well.

At the other end, Gerrrard forced Cech to tip a volley over the bar. Torres was played in behind the Chelsea defence by Gerrard but his touch let him down and he lost the opportunity to run at Cech.

Then came the sensational finale - a dramatic twist to the tale as Kalou's cross, difficult for Riise to deal with facing his own goal, was headed past Reina as the Norwegian substitute chose not to trust his right foot but instead stooped low in a disastrous attempt to clear. His intervention has swung the tie in Chelsea's favour.

Teams:

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Gerrard, Torres.Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Crouch, Pennant, Lucas.

Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack, Joe Cole, Drogba, Malouda.Subs: Hilario, Shevchenko, Obi, Kalou, Alex, Belletti, Anelka.

Referee: Konrad Plautz (Austria)

Graham Lister

Kaka Wants Double Present

2008-04-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

AC Milan will face local rivals Internazionale on May 4 in a crucial clash that could either boost or dash Milan’s hopes of earning Champions League qualification, and could either solidify or upset Inter’s hopes of retaining the Scudetto.

The Rossoneri have lost their last three derby encounters, including a 2-1 Serie A defeat back in December.

And Kaka, who turned 26 today, hopes his side can rediscover their winning ways against the Nerazzurri, recalling the satisfaction he has felt when on the victorious end of such clashes.

“Winning the derby has a very special taste to it,” said the Brazilian. “When I first arrived we used to win it all the time, but now for the past two or three years things have changed.

“We’ve got to turn that trend around, as a great deal of our future is tied up in beating Inter.”

Wonderful

It has now been five seasons since Kaka moved to Italy from Sao Paulo as a promising 21-year-old. In that time he has established himself as arguably the best player in the world, having been awarded both the FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or titles last year.

And with Milan legend Paolo Maldini likely to retire at the end of the season, and strong rumours that Gennaro Gattuso will leave Italy following an indifferent campaign, Kaka is among the favourites to be named the new Rossoneri captain – an honour he would be delighted to accept.

“One day I would love to wear it,” Kaka told Milan Channel. “I am currently learning from Maldini and if one day it does happen, it would be wonderful for me.

“The team is very close to Milan and when you have played together a long time you know everything about each other. That is the secret of a winning side – we all learn from one another.

“For example, I try to treat Alexandre Pato the same way the others treated me when I arrived, I try to protect and coddle him a little bit. He will learn too.”

Tired

Kaka is one of several Milan players this term to have suffered injury problems, an issue which has decimated the ageing squad at times throughout the season.

And the Brazilian insists that the problem lies in the hectic schedules the top clubs must endure.

“There are too many games,” he said. “Players get tired physically and in terms of motivation, as isn’t easy to be constantly focused.

“The injuries reflect this schedule.”

Mike Maguire

English Debate: 10 Worst Transfers Of The Season

2008-04-19T02:45:00.000-07:00

Money: the gift and the curse. The Premier League has unquestionably benefitted from it, evidenced by several top signing being made this season as Sky television's financial clout continues to elevate the English game.The candidates for the 'best' list were innumerous, but it was equally troublesome picking just 10 when deciding on the worst transfers of the season, as clubs continue to pay extortionate fees, acquire useless or troublesome players, and occasionally just flat-out baffle us with levels of stupidity previously reserved for American Presidents.As such, the assessment of this season's spending is suitably light-hearted and not to be taken too seriously, and as always, Goal.com welcomes the opinions of one and all on who should and shouldn't be in the list. Without further ado...

10) Claudio Pizarro, Steve Sidwell and Tal Ben-Haim (Bayern Munich, Reading and Bolton Wanderers to Chelsea)

It's never the best of ideas to include free signings in a list of this nature, but when three utterly abysmal ones are made in unison by the most cash-happy club in the world, questions must be asked.It is understood that 'The Free Musketeers' were brought in to enhance squad depth, but to treat players in and around their prime so frivolously is laughable. Claudio Pizarro was a top striker in Bavaria with Bayern Munich, but as his performances dropped and the club failed to even make the top three of the Bundesliga, he was one of several casualties. While fellow South American Roque Santa-Cruz has faired so well at Blackburn Rovers after his summer move, Pizarro has followed in team-mate Shevchenko's footsteps: another highly rated forward playing in Europe who has come to Chelsea and only succeeding in embarrassing himself.Steve Sidwell is average. Honestly, not a lot more need be said. With Roman Abramovich calling for flair football, the only way Sidwell will light up Chelsea performances is by virtue of his ginger hair, and he can't even take credit for that.Tal Ben-Haim has been the least tragic of the trio. But even he was skinned by Fernando Torres early on in the season and looked off the pace against far less illustrious opposition as well. He failed to play with the same confidence he had at Bolton Wanderers. Before he knew it, fellow new signing Alex was settled, match-fit and had usurped him. On top of that, there was the small matter of arguably the player of the season Ricardo Carvalho along with club captain John Terry to contend with. Even when fellow Israeli Avram Grant took charge of the club, Tal's first team prospects did not change - if anything, they decreased - which has culminated in a hilarious outburst from the stopper aimed at his already under-fire boss, who almost laughed it off when questioned at a press conference, which says it all.

9) Robert Earnshaw (Norwich City to Derby County)

Derby have become so pathetic that after their latest league loss, boss Paul Jewell quite admirably accepted that his side were nowhere near the standard required to compete in this league. What magnificent mind, then, thought to spend a club-record fee of £3.5 million on a striker who had only ever proven anything in the lower leagues?Even more hilarious is the fact that both Billy Davies - who signed the 27-year-old - and his replacement Paul Jewell have decided against playing the Zambian-born Welshman (yes, apparently Wales has a Zambian population of approximately two: Earnshaw and his mother). Adding to the embarrassment, the Rams went on to spend £3 million on Kenny Miller, the man who has more or less kept Earnie out of the team. The identity of the transfer guru that thought to spend what precious little money the midlands minnows had on a player they didn't need unfortunately remains a secret, but Earnshaw's failure does not.The Rams have long been resigned to relegation and have been looking toward rebuilding a side fit to contest in the Premier League if and when they return. Accordingly, Earnie may be out this summer as Derby's ugly season draws to a close. Let's face it: if ugliness is the problem, Earnshaw is not the solution.

8) Younes Kaboul (Auxerre to Tottenham Hotspur)

While bitter city rivals were off spending £1 million less buying from the same club what turned out to be one of the signings of the season in Bacary Sagna, Tottenham got Kaboul.He is young, he has scored goals, he's named after a terror-zone - what's not to love? He can't defend. £7 million for the Moroccan-born French national was beyond excessive, and Spurs will never be a big club if they spend so frivolously - as cruel fate would have it, you can only afford such blunders once you're already on top. With Michael Dawson already making up the full quota of young, physically imposing blithering idiots in the Spurs backline and Jonathan Woodgate joining club captain Ledley King in the damaged goods section, Kaboul is looking to be very much surplus to requirements at the Lane and could well be headed for the exit door as Juande Ramos plans his summer overhaul.

7) Rolando Bianchi (Reggina to Manchester City)

Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City revolution has been admirable. Yes, he has Thaksin Shinawatra's big black sack of quite-possibly-laundered money to back him up, but he has spent fairly well and has a good eye for talent. Bianchi, though, just did not work out.An emerging Italian striker with a suitably physical presence about him that would have you believe he might be able to cut it against the hard-men otherwise known as Premier League defenders, Sven took a chance with Bianchi. Splashing out a sizeable £8.8 million to land the 25-year-old from Serie A relegation strugglers Reggina, with whom Bianchi had previously enjoyed two successful seasons, the City fans were expectant.He hated England. He's not the first and certainly will not be the last Italian to come to this country and despise it from top to bottom. He has been spared the embarrassment of a higher place on the list purely because Sven made the smart move of offloading him at the first possible opportunity. He has gone back to Italy on loan to an under-performing Lazio side, with whom he has made a good start. Assuming Sven does well enough to recover a significant amount of the original transfer fee come this summer, it will be business not-so-badly done on part of the Swede.

6) Diomansy Kamara (West Bromwich Albion to Fulham)

Has Lawrie Sanchez cost Fulham their place in the Premier League? The coach did a fantastic job in charge of Northern Ireland and was head-hunted by Mohamed Al-Fayed to take over from Chris Coleman at Craven Cottage. Cookie was constantly forced to sell while in charge of the club, while Sanchez was allowed to reap the benefits of his work by spending over £25 million in one summer. Most of it was spent on trying to re-unite all of Northern Ireland at the Cottage; a disastrous experiment that went horribly wrong. Chris Baird in particular stood out as the white equivalent of Titus Bramble for his consistent ability to make the worst of each and every situation.However, the biggest money was splashed out on Diomansy Kamara - a man little more proven than Earnshaw, who cost almost twice as much - and he has failed to live up to his price tag. He has not been 'bad' - the team has struggled in general - but besides his spectacular last-minute overhead-kick to equalise against Tottenham, he has struggled to exhibit anything close to £6.5 million's worth of quality. He belongs in the Championship, and due to Fulham's pathetic season, it looks like he will end up being back there very soon.

5) Craig Bellamy (Liverpool to West Ham United)

If your budget can't quite buy consistency, that's one thing, but why anyone would willingly sign Craig 'nine iron' Bellamy given his track-record off the pitch quite frankly beggards belief. He is reported to have earned Liverpool an unbelievable £7.5 million - yes, they made a profit - despite enduring a hit-and-miss time at the top and having always been erratic and inconsistent everywhere else.This is a player capable of occasional moments of brilliance - even if he is Welsh - but for every one of those there are 10 or 15 wasted chances and, due to injuries and what can kindly be referred to as a lack of quality, Bellamy has failed to pay back even a quarter of his transfer fee during his stay so far at Upton Park.He is the sole representative from the Hammers' summer signings, of which several were absolutely woeful. Whether this can be put down to the world's most convenient excuse of 'bad luck' or whether the east London outfit are quite simply negligent and have a medical that a chain-smoking sumo wrestler could pass with flying colours isn't quite clear. At the end of the day, Julien Faubert, Kieron Dyer, Scott Parker and others promised a lot - and accumatively, made West Ham one of the top summer spenders - but have ultimately only succeeded in staving off relegation and very little more. Embarrassing.

4) Florent Malouda (Olympique Lyonnais to Chelsea)

On paper, it made the world of sense. Chelsea offloaded the perma-crocked Arjen Robben to a fairly foolish Real Madrid chaired by the eccentric Ramon Calderon, who had developed a fondness for the part-time Flying Dutchman. They then brought in France international Malouda, who had starred at the 2006 World Cup and become an integral part of the Lyon side that dominated Ligue 1.Though he is still a quality player in his own right, injuries, poor form and a rumoured distaste for the English appetite and general way of life have seen the 27-year-old widely labeled a flop and ultimately, a player who will most likely require replacing if and when Chelsea choose to undergo yet another overhaul.

3) David Nugent (Preston North End to Portsmouth)

Why Harry, why?! Frivolous doesn't even begin to describe it. No doubt the 22-year-old was extremely prolific with lowly Bury and the Championship's Preston but ultimately, commanding a fee of £6 million when all he was ever seemingly going to do was warm the bench is an astounding decision. Fellow over-priced Pompey recruit John Utaka cost a million more, but at least has made enough appearances to keep him off this list, even if he hasn't exactly shown £7 million quality on the pitch.The Huyton-born striker's career highlight is being handed his first and only England cap by the staggeringly clueless Steve McClaren, and in that solitary England appearance as a substitute against the mighty Andorra, he achieved the incredible feat of stealing a goal from his new team-mate Jermain Defoe. Bravo.The agricultural inadequancy of Nugent is best illustrated by the fact that just weeks after signing for the side this summer, Harry Redknapp was willing to offload him to lowly Derby, though the striker's own want to prove himself kept him at Fratton Park in the end.Well, that worked out magnificently for all concerned, didn't it?

2) Darren Bent (Charlton Athletic to Tottenham Hotspur)

It must be said, it's not all his fault - but ultimately, he should have known better. Perhaps he anticipated that Dimitar Berbatov would be on his way out at White Hart Lane, but ultimately, he has spent most of his time on the bench, this after commanding a transfer fee in excess of £16 million. It's laughable - that goes without saying - though to his credit, he was the highest English scorer in the Premier League last season. Ultimately, it has been a waste of a year for the 24-year-old, and if he has any sense, he will follow Jermain Defoe out of White Hart Lane elsewhere, so he can play regularly and reap the same rewards as Defoe is now.Having said that, if Berbatov is indeed coaxed away this summer to a European heavyweight, could Bent take his place and go some way toward proving his worth in seasons to come? He has scored eight goals in 14 starts which, all things considered, is not a bad return. Bent's transfer stands as the most humiliating of the summer, but unlike many of the others, it could yet bear fruit in one form or another...

1) Joey Barton (Manchester City to Newcastle United)

What a waste of space. Manchester City will have laughed all the way to the bank when they cashed in £5.8 million for this glorified thug - in fact, I take that back - there's nothing glorious about him. He has made just 20 appearances this season; the only midfielders who have played less are the injury-riddled Damien Duff and a fading Emre. He has scored just one goal - a last-minute penalty against Fulham - and has been lucky to escape suspensions for some of petulant acts on the field. He has also of course been a complete embarrassment off it - as he is so often known to be - and has spent about as much time in custody as he has in training.From assault, affray, anger management and terrible tackles to a big mouth he simply cannot even begin to back up on the pitch, Barton will be remembered for almost decapitating Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu and smashing in Ousmane Dabo's face until he started to look a little like Robert Earnshaw. As a player, his talent will ultimately be wasted, as was Newcastle's money. They should have known better

.Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

Hughes: Nobody Can Stop United

2008-04-19T02:35:00.000-07:00

United travel to Ewood Park holding a two-point lead, and a game in hand, over nearest rivals Chelsea as the Premier League season approaches its final four weeks.And Hughes is adamant that the Red Devils deserve their status atop the table, insisting they have been the most entertaining and efficient team throughout the term so far."I think over the length of the season they have been the most consistent side and the most attractive to watch," Hughes said. "The combination of those two things has enabled them to have the points they have at this stage."

Experience

Blackburn host the league leaders this Saturday with only a top-ten finish to play for this season, as they sit some 10 points behind fifth-placed Everton and the sole remaining UEFA Cup spot.And Hughes, who won two Premier League titles and three FA Cups at Old Trafford as a player, insists that his former club simply knows how to win trophies, and has hailed the mix of attacking flair and defensive solidarity Sir Alex Ferguson has created.“I think they won't lose it because they have the knowledge of being in this position before and they get the job done,” he said. “Nobody in managerial terms has more experience than Sir Alex and he has been in this situation time and time again and he will just get the job done, I am sure."The basis of their season this year has been the fantastic ability they have and the standout season of a certain guy from Portugal, but I think the real platform they have had is defensively, where they have been absolutely rock-solid."When you know you have that defensive platform then the guys in front can just be a lot freer in their play, safe in the knowledge that they are not going to be exposed at the back."

Best

Furthermore, Hughes claims Ferguson’s current squad is the best he has ever assembled in his 21-year managerial career at Old Trafford, suggesting it even eclipses the legendary Treble-winning team of 1999."I think he [Ferguson] possibly said it was his best squad, which means they have strength in depth,” said Hughes. “That is definitely correct. "When he makes changes, when he tries to freshen up the team, invariably he brings in players of a very similar stature and ability and the whole squad is of a high quality. It is very difficult when you go up against top teams because collectively they are always very strong, but even when they are on a day when they are not firing on all cylinders you always have individuals that are able to produce things that no-one else can. "That spark and inspiration that the top players have makes them stand out and United have five, six, seven of those players, so it makes it very difficult to be able to legislate for every single one of them."

Mike Maguire

Moratti Vague On Deco Rumours

2008-04-14T20:56:00.000-07:00

The Brazilian-born playmaker has fallen somewhat out of favour at Camp Nou this season, having struggled to displace the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in the Barca midfield.

Reports from Spain suggest that the unsettled 30-year-old will look to leave Catalonia in the summer, and Inter, along with Premier League giants Chelsea, have registered their interest.

But Moratti was coy on the subject of a possible swoop for the Portugal international, insisting that the Nerazzurri are currently focused on securing the Scudetto above anything else.

"For the moment, we only aim to win the championship,” he said. Everything else is part of the usual round of rumours for the future.

"I have not received special requirements from (coach) Roberto Mancini, we know that there are players in the normal turn of the market that may be helpful depending on the value and the money you have - and depending on what can fit in the team."

Ronnie Revelation?

Inter have also been strongly linked with a move for Deco’s troubled team-mate Ronaldinho, who has reportedly agreed terms with archrivals AC Milan.

And Moratti hinted that Inter’s bid to lure the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year to their half of San Siro could see progress sooner rather than later.

He said: "We'll see if something happens this week."

Mike Maguire

Moratti: We Will Fight Milan For Ronaldinho

2008-04-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani claimed that a deal had all been completed for Ronaldinho to come to San Siro.

Last night Milan’s grip on the Barcelona star seemed to be strengthened further when super agent, and middleman in the transfer, Ernesto Bronzetti stated that “there is a deal with the player.”

However Inter President Massimo Moratti is refusing to concede defeat in his attempts to buy the 28-year-old playmaker.

“I would like to say something about Ronaldinho,” said Moratti in the Corriere dello Sport.

“The player and Barcelona will not move a muscle before hearing our proposal. By ‘ours’, I mean that of Inter.

“What will we do? We have taken some time out to evaluate various situations. In the meantime, though, we are receiving unequivocal signs of interest.”

If Inter did manage to buy Ronaldinho it would not be the first time that they had wrestled a player out of Milan’s grasp. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Patrick Vieira and David Suazo were all Rossoneri targets before they joined the Nerazzurri.

Roberto Rossi

Mourinho Heads Mexico Shortlist

2008-04-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Mexico Football Federation president Justino Compean is set to launch an ambitious bid to name a top-class manager as Hugo Sanchez’s successor.

Flamboyant Portuguese gaffer Jose Mourinho is in the reckoning, despite being linked with a host of top European clubs since his departure from Chelsea earlier this season.

Hugo Sanchez's dismissal last month was prompted by the Mexican U23 side’s failure to qualify for the upcoming Olympics. Jesus Ramirez is interim manager whilst Compean seeks to appoint an elite trainer to take the CONCACAF nation – ranked 16 in the FIFA rankings – to new heights.

Other names on the glittering shortlist include Atletico Madrid boss Javier Aguirre, Portugal head coach Felipe Luiz Scolari and Marcello Lippi, with general secretary Decio de Maria set to hold talks with Scolari and Lippi – both linked with England in recent years – next week.

"De Maria will fly out next weekend to interview them," said Compean.

"We have appointments with Scolari and Lippi and we are also looking to meet Mourinho. We want to know firstly if they are interested in working here.

"We know that none of them will be cheap, but money it is not an obstacle. No matter how much it will cost, we want a winner."

Duncan Robertson, Goal.com

Ronaldinho Agrees Terms With Milan

2008-04-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

On Thursday night Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani revealed that Ronaldinho was “180 per cent” a Rossoneri player.

In the hours since this declaration, the jigsaws in his proposed summer move have continued to fall into place, and de Assis has now confirmed that there is a preliminary agreement between Ronaldinho and Milan.

"In general, Ronaldinho and Milan are in agreement," de Assis told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Italian newspaper goes on to say that the contract will be until 2012, and will net the Brazilian €8million-a-year.

Milan will pay Barcelona between €20-30million, with Ronaldinho buying out the rest of his Barcelona contract.

Milan transfer guru Galliani has also confirmed that a deal has been reached with the 28-year-old, but said that there is still much to discuss with Barca.

"There is a general agreement with the player,” he stated. “Now a deal has to be reached with Barcelona. Give us time.”

Inter Milan President Massimo Moratti earlier stated today that his club would fight Milan for Ronaldinho’s signature, however the chances of this now look very slim.

His only chance is to outbid Milan if the Rossoneri are unable to strike an agreement with the Blaugrana bosses.

Roberto Rossi

Milan Hold Escudé Interest

2008-04-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Milan are ready to splash the cash in order to rebuild their side in time for next season, with the defence a key part of their renovation, due to the likes of Cafú (37), Maldini (39), Simic (32) and Favalli (35) coming towards the end of their respective careers.

While the Italian giants are interested in signing up younger players, they also want to maintain a core of players experienced in European competition, a bill that Escudé certainly fits, having played in the Champions League for both Ajax and Sevilla, as well as making a number of appearances at international level for France.

The Rossoneri have been tracking the defender since December, but are thought to be anxious to see how he performs when he makes a return from injury in the closing weeks of the season before firming up their interest.

Escudé is contracted to Sevilla until 2011, and the club's president Jose Maria Del Nido is known for driving a hard bargin, so Silvio Berlusconi and his cohorts may have a tough time convincing Del Nido to part with the Frenchman, especially considering Sevilla's general lack of experienced players in that area of the pitch.

Milan first noticed Escudé while scouting his team-mate Adriano, with the Brazilian full-back another potential target for Berlusconi come the summer.

Nick Dorrington

Puyol: Barca-Man Utd Semi Could Be Greatest Ever

2008-04-11T07:55:00.000-07:00

Carles Puyol, Barcelona's skipper, will be suspended for the first leg of his side's Champions League semi-final with Premier League leaders Manchester United, but reckons, "This could be the greatest semi-final in the history of the Champions League."

Puyol enthused: "Two sets of fantastic players will be set against each other.

"We have a lot of respect for United because they are such a great side and a massive club.

"They have very good players and really I expect it to be a beautiful semi-final. I am confident we will go through."

Puyol lifted the trophy for Barca two years ago in Paris when they beat Arsenal 2-1.

And he revealed that he is a fan of United's Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in scintillating form this season.

However, he insists that Barca have their own young genius in Argentine star Lionel Messi, who will be back to face United after a lengthy spell on the sidelines recovering from a thigh injury.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is a spectacular player," said Puyol. "Not only with his game but he's also scoring a lot of goals.

"He's a player who can win a game on his own. But, as I said, we also have excellent players and now we are going to have Messi back who is a fundamental player for us."

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

Ronaldo Equipped To Deal With Success - Ferguson

2008-04-11T07:41:00.000-07:00

The Portuguese phenomenon has enjoyed another storybook season, with confirmation that he favourite to retain his Professional Footballers' Association players' player of the year award just being the latest instance of praise and accolade being thrown his way.

"It doesn't affect him to be honest," said Sir Alex. "I don't see any signs that it does. I think the boy is intelligent enough and sensible enough to realise what football is about.

"Success can affect people. You see it time and time again but the great quality is to keep your humility and your feet on the ground.

"Yes he will go and express himself in a way that is extravagant at times but that's a measure of his courage and ability which we never attempt to stop him doing because we want players to go on the stage at Old Trafford and express themselves in a big, big way."

Ronaldo has scored an astonishing 37 goals in all competitions this season, which is made all the more remarkable by the fact that he is technically a winger.

Derek Wanner, Goal.com

Madrid Eyeing Lyon Wonderkid

2008-04-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Madrid are on the lookout for young talent worldwide, and although most of their current attention is focused on South America, the club are still keeping track of players in Europe and identified Grenier as a potential star of the future.

Grenier, 17, is the latest player to come off the Lyon assembly line, following players such as Karim Benzema and Hatem Ben Arfa, and is already an established international for the French U-17 side.

Arsenal were the first club to be linked with the attacking midfielder - somewhat sensationally dubbed 'the new Kaka' by 'The Sun' - but many other clubs are also though to be keeping tabs on his progress, including Chelsea and Inter Milan.

He is yet to sign a professional contract with the French giants, but it is thought that they are very keen to keep hold of Grenier until he has developed further, as they believe that he could command a massive transfer fee if he continues to improve over the next few years.

Lyon have traditionally faired well in beating off approaches for their players until they feel the time is right to sell, with president Jean-Michel Aulas notoriously tough in negotiations, and all signs point to them keeping Grenier on their books until they are able to sell him for a heavy profit.

Nick Dorrington