TRANSFER NEWS: Arsenal star tempted by MLS! #AFC #Arsenal #MLS

 Czech Republic international Tomas Rosicky is open to a move Stateside according to the Daily Express. 

The 33 year old Arsenal man is out of contract this summer and if he is offered a new deal it would only come in the form of a one year extension, as is club policy for players over the age of 30, and as such a longer term offer from an MLS side could prove of interest.

 On the possible move to the United States Rosicky has stated;  “I would like to carry on at Arsenal but there are a few question marks.  “If I should leave, then I would be tempted to play in the USA.”

 Rosicky is still an important member of Arsene Wenger’s first team set-up but is clearly not a regular in the Arsenal starting eleven but has racked up 16 appearances in all competitions this term, his eighth at the North London club.

Reds wait on Rooney

 David Moyes will wait until New Year’s Day before deciding if Wayne Rooney is fit enough to play in United’s evening encounter with Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Rooney missed last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Norwich with a groin problem and will be assessed ahead of the match, which kicks off at 17:30 GMT. His fellow striker Robin van Persie looks less likely to feature against Spurs due to a thigh injury picked up in the win over Shakhtar Donetsk on 10 December.

“We need to wait and see,” said Moyes on Rooney at his New Year’s Eve press briefing at the Aon Training Complex. “He didn't train today so we'll assess him tomorrow and see how he is.

“Van Persie is not quite ready yet, but hopefully he's not too far away.”

The Reds’ first opponents of 2014 are under new management, with Tim Sherwood having succeeded Andre Villas-Boas. The Portuguese’s team played out a 2-2 draw with United at the start of December, but a 5-0 defeat at home to Liverpool two weeks later proved to be the former Chelsea boss’ last game in charge.  Moyes, however, is wary of his side’s next opponents regardless of whom their manager is.

“Tottenham have always been difficult opponents no matter who the manager has been,” he added. “They have a really good side, spend well and always try to reward the manager with the players required. Tottenham have either been in the Champions League or pushing for it and have always been a good, strong team.”

Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool - A big, big win for Chelsea!

During the build up to the game yesterday, I really felt that this was the biggest game of our season so far. The more I thought about it, the more important three points became and with our season being like it has been so far, you hoped that Chelsea could take an all important three points but being aware of the threat of Luis Suarez.

Gary Cahill was immense, Luis Suarez was limited to bleating to the Referee for the most part, Eden Hazard and Willian were fantastic and from one to eleven after going a goal down early on, Chelsea showed the fight and determination to overturn a good Liverpool team to win the game 2-1!

Both sides contributed to a really good game and as Jose Mourinho said afterwards, both sides were giving it their all right up to the final whistle.

Of course the injuries to Frank Lampard and Branislav Ivanovic were a negative from the game but there were numerous positives to take from it!

As I stated, Gary Cahill was different class yesterday. Every time the ball was played up to Suarez, Cahill was up his arse to win the ball back or to shut him down. JT organised things next to him and Cesar Azpilicueta played well at both left and right back. An additional mention for Ashley Cole to come on and play well after being left out for a game such as this one.

David Luiz pushed up into midfield did well. Whether or not the booking he picked up was "intentional" is another thing but at least he has a week off to go to Portugal as Jose stated in the post match interview!

Frank Lampard was doing OK also until his injury and once again, Mikel who replaced him came on and gave us some additional insurance in front of our back four.

Oscar was as busy as always. I think the jury is out with him being a better number 10 than Juan Mata but you have to hold your hands up to his defensive work without the ball.

Willian had his best game in a Chelsea shirt and was everywhere. Playing on the opposite side to Hazard, he got himself really involved in the game and if we can just add that end product to his game, we could finally see what we had been used to for Shakhtar.

As for Eden Hazard? What can you say about him that hasn't already been said? You watch these games and always have a look at how the opposition approach marking him or closing him down. Yesterday, he tormented Liverpool time and time again starting on the right and cutting inside. He has such close control and quick feet. It's his ability to read when his opponent will make a move to tackle him that puts him head and shoulders above others for me.

He took his goal wonderfully well and gave the keeper no chance. A well placed first time effort into the roof of the net from the edge of the box is something we hope we will see more and more from him.

Quite simply Eden Hazard can be as good as he wants to be!

Samuel Eto'o played OK as well didn't he. He was a lucky boy with his challenge early on but I do not think there was anything of real malice or intent in it. It was a forwards challenge and miss-timed.


He took his goal well. The fact he remained alive in the box to anticipate the cross from Oscar to get ahead of his marker was good and luckily, the keeper could do little with the ball to stop it.

I was pleased that Torres came on but disappointed he didn't get on earlier. The one chance he created for himself nearly led to a goal but if that had gone in, it would have been the icing on the cake!


As for the "contentious" decisions? I have already spoken of Eto'o's one. I believe after seeing the replay that we should have been given a penalty for the Lucas challenge on Hazard. If you look again, Hazard knocks the ball past him before the contact was made. Lucas could do nothing to avoid coming together with him and a penalty should have been given!

As for the Azpilicueta/Eto'o challenge on Suarez, I have seen them given and would not have been surprised but the fact that Howard Webb was standing right there and point blank refused to give it says it all.

I personally think that Webb's view was that he made a meal of it whereas if he had gone down naturally, it may have been different!

Who cares, they weren't given, Chelsea won 2-1 and we took an all important three points!

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart set to face Swansea after eye injury

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has revealed goalkeeper Joe Hart will be fit to face Swansea on New Year's Day, despite needing stitches in a gash to his face.

Hart was City's bloodied hero in Saturday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, playing on with a wound just below his left eye after a collision with Cameron Jerome.

But Pellegrini expects to name the England international in goal at the Liberty Stadium in Wednesday's fixture, which is live on Sky Sports 1HD.

"Joe Hart has a cut beneath his eye but it's not dangerous and he can play," the Chilean said at Monday's pre-match press conference.

Hart's string of key saves against Palace, following a standout display in the Boxing Day victory over Liverpool, was further evidence of his return to form after a troubled few months.

The 26-year-old was dropped for seven Premier League games after a series of mistakes that culminated with an error that allowed Chelsea's Fernando Torres to score the winner at Stamford Bridge in October.

"Everyone knows why Joe Hart is the first choice goalkeeper here," Pellegrini added.

"He's played for two or three years at a very high performance; he can do it so we hope that he will continue in the same way."

City travel to Swansea just a point behind leaders Arsenal and Pellegrini admitted his delight at a month that has seen them make up valuable ground.

"It was a fantastic month for us: we played 10 games and we won nine and drew one," Pellegrini said.

"In the Premier League we won six of the last seven so we have recovered points. Arsenal were six points ahead of us. It's very important to finish the year in this position. We would have liked to have been first but we have recovered points.

"In the first six months we have prepared for all the competitions we have been in and now, in the second half, we try to win."

Liverpool 3-1 Cardiff – Rampant Reds go top with victory

 Christmas came early for Liverpool fans, as Luis Suarez and Jordan Henderson inspired the Reds to a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City to send them top of the Premier League.

Suarez - fresh from signing a new long-term deal with the club – was once again named captain of a side which was unchanged from last weekend’s thumping of Tottenham Hotspur and the Uruguayan certainly put on a captain’s display, helping himself to a brace to take his season tally to 19 goals in 12 games.

Prior to kick-off all talk surrounded Malky Mackay’s precarious position as Cardiff boss, and travelling Bluebirds’ fans voiced their support by lambasting the club’s controversial owner Vincent Tan.

That vocal backing seemed to inspire Cardiff, who started brightly, but Liverpool quickly assumed control of proceedings.

The home side slowly turned the screw and were soon deservedly ahead through none other than Suarez. After picking the ball up just outside the Cardiff area he danced his way past two defenders, before spreading the ball out to in-form Henderson, who returned a delightful chip for the striker to volley into the bottom corner.

The goal gave Liverpool added impetus, but they struggled to capitalise as Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Martin Skrtel missed opportunities to increase their lead.

Cardiff’s defence stood strong, but as half-time approached they couldn’t withstand the pressure and soon Liverpool doubled their lead. Another wonderful through-ball from Henderson put Suarez in on goal, but instead of slotting past David Marshall, he selflessly squared it to Sterling to stroke into an empty net for his third goal in four games.

On the stroke of half-time the contest was all-but over as Suarez doubled his own tally. A brilliant back-heel from Henderson gave Suarez enough space to bend his shot into the far corner.

The second-half was a comparatively quiet affair, and although Liverpool took their foot off the pedal, they remained in complete control of the game.

A slight lapse in defensive concentration from Brendan Rodgers’ side gifted Jordan Mutch a far-post header to pull one back for Cardiff, but it proved nothing more than a small blot on the copy-book for Liverpool.

As the clock ticked down, Suarez looked to cap off another tremendous performance with a hat-trick goal, but first the upright and then David Marshall denied him from close range.

It mattered little though, and while Mackay’s future as Cardiff boss looks ever-bleaker, Liverpool will be rejoicing their ascent to the summit once more.

Revealed! Why AVB's sacking should be no surprise to the stat-obsessed Portuguese

Spurs were looking to bury bad news when they relieved manager André Villas-Boas of his duties on Monday. Ultimately, the 5-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool proved to be the final straw for the young Portuguese and he was shown the exit door, 18 months after his appointment.

The north London outfit sit only five points off 4th place in the Premier League, but results such as the 3-0 loss to West Ham, the 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle and the 6-0 thumping from Manchester City didn’t aid his cause. These results, coupled with the aforementioned humbling on Sunday, conclusively contributed to his sacking.

While Spurs sit on 27 points, one better off than at the same stage last term, the quality of football on offer has left a lot to be desired, in spite of Spurs spending more than £100m on new players over the summer on the back of Gareth Bale’s sale to Real Madrid. Murmurs of discontent amongst supporters had been growing louder after Villas-Boas criticised the supporters on the back of a 1-0 win over Hull and it was little surprise to have seen his position at Spurs become untenable.

Naturally, the lack of goals this term has proven a problem for the club. Last campaign, when up against teams that were able to limit Spurs’ goalscoring opportunities, Premier League player of the season Bale was able to secure the three points single handedly with one of his 21 league strikes, but without the talismanic Welshman, the team has been feeble in front of goal.

It’s perhaps telling that in the second half of the season, Spurs managed to win just once in the league without Bale scoring. Moreover, the team currently boasts a conversion rate of only 5.0 per cent, with that return the poorest in the Premier League. Last season, that figure stood at 9.1 per cent. Regardless of the feeling that the side had ‘sold Elvis to sign the Beatles’, the sale of Bale hampered Spurs.

Nonetheless, little has changed with regards to the build up play in Spurs’ attacks. The club was averaging 17.9 shots per game last term, while that has only dropped marginally to 17.4 this season. In both campaigns, Spurs created an average of 1.3 clear-cut chances per game.

Unfortunately for Villas-Boas, the fact he failed to alter this approach arguably cost him his job. Without the goals from Bale to drag the team out of the mire and nobody able to replicate his performances, this inability to consistently break down the most steadfast of opposition hindered their pursuit to build on their fifth-placed finish last season.

Interestingly, this was also the first time in Villas-Boas' career that he has been in charge of a team for a second year after only spending a solitary term in charge of Académica and Porto, before his sacking as Chelsea boss less than 12 months after his appointment. This leads to the notion that the 36-year-old simply didn’t know how to change his approach having never previously needed to do so.

In unchartered waters and sinking rather than swimming, the young boss was reported to have lost the will to fight for his position at White Hart Lane and to the hardy Spurs fan looking in, the severing of ties on Monday between man and club came as little shock. The departure of Bale wouldn’t have aided his cause, but his lack of plan B in order to adjust the system in order to benefit the new signings meant performances were more negative than positive this term.

Bale: I am under less pressure at Real

Gareth Bale believes he is under less pressure to perform at Real Madrid than he was at previous club Tottenham.

Bale moved to the Liga giants for a club record fee in September after winning the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards in his final season at Spurs.

Following his departure, Tottenham signed a host of players to fill the gap left by Bale, but have stuttered this season and sit seventh, having sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas on Monday.

The Wales international claims he felt he was integral to Spurs' attacking play whereas, at Real, the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Isco can all assist in that regard.

"At Tottenham I was always trying to get onto the ball and make everything tick, whereas here everybody's doing that," he told The Telegraph.

"There are world-class players all around the pitch and you're able to concentrate just on your game rather than bringing the whole team forward, and I’m enjoying that."

After a slow start to life at the Santiago Bernabeu, Bale has found his feet, contributing nine goals in all competitions. with Real in third.

“It was difficult not having a pre-season, you miss a lot of ball sessions and running and everything," he explained.

"Once I felt I was able to do that physically and mentally, I felt I was able to show what I was able to do."

Conte would welcome Italy opportunity

 

Juventus coach Antonio Conte would relish the opportunity to manage Italy's national side in the future.

Former Italy international Conte has guided Juventus to back-to-back Scudettos and sees his side top Serie A by five points. 

While Conte refused to set a timescale for managing Italy, he was clear it is a job that excites him.

"It would be a great challenge, because as a coach you have to do everything in a very short space of time," he told official club magazine Hurra Juventus.

"You often have only 10 days to put your mark on the squad and express your idea of football.

"A modern coach has to be a fine psychologist. He has a daily rapport with 27-28 players, the medical staff, the directors, the fans and the media. Each time it requires a different strategy.

"Above all I am interested in adopting the right tactic with my players. They are each different, as some need to be woken up harshly to provoke the right reaction, while others just need a kind word to ensure they don’t collapse definitively."

Juve's final game before the winter break takes place on Sunday as Conte's men travel to Atalanta.

Mourinho: It's not me against Wenger

Jose Mourinho has dismissed the notion of a personal duel between him and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger when Chelsea visit the leaders.

Monday's Premier League fixture will see the Portuguese pit his wits against the French boss for the 10th time, and Mourinho is yet to taste defeat.

But the Chelsea manager insists the battle will be played out on the field at the Emirates, not on the touchline.

"It's not me against Wenger," Mourinho said.

"It's my Chelsea against his Arsenal. And that (the head-to-head record) doesn't play Monday. It has no influence. That stat, for the game of Monday, means nothing.

"I just feel that we played better, we deserved more and we won these matches.

"In my time I remember just one game where we were close to losing, which was a game at home where (Michael) Essien scored the equalising goal in the last part of the game (in the December 2006 Premier League draw).

"After that, even at the Emirates, playing with 10 men for 75 minutes we played a fantastic match and we drew 1-1 (in May 2007).

"My memories are that against them we played very good matches. As a consequence of that we got good results."

A victory would move Chelsea, who won 2-0 at Arsenal in the League Cup in October, above their London rivals.

Clint Dempsey undergoes medical with Fulham ahead of return to club

Clint Dempsey has undergone a medical with Fulham with a view to returning to the club on a two-month loan.

Dempsey spent five years with the Cottagers before joining Tottenham in 2012.

The USA midfielder moved back to America this year to join Seattle Sounders.

He is hoping to join Fulham for January and February as the club battle for Premier League survival

Manager Rene Meulensteen said: "He's having a medical over the last couple of days and the next couple of days, so hopefully that will all work out.

"Clint has spent so many years playing in the Premier League.

"We know where his strengths lie whether it is coming in from the left or playing as a deeper striker or a number nine depending on who you are playing against. The most important thing is that he will be a good boost for us."

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The move could go through when the transfer window opens on January 1, with Dempsey returning to the United States for the start of the new MLS season on 8 March.

Dempsey scored 50 goals in 184 league matches for Fulham before moving to Spurs, a decision that did not please many Cottagers fans.

Meulensteen, however, believes the fans will give him a warm welcome.

"I'm sure they will," he said. "It speaks volumes for him that in his loan opportunity he wants to come back here."

Michael Laudrup flattered by Spurs link

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup says he is flattered to be linked with Tottenham Hotspur, but has no intention of leaving his club mid-season.

Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Spurs on Monday, and 49-year-old Dane Laudrup is among the bookmakers' favourites.

"When your name is linked with another club, I assume it is because someone thinks you are doing well," he said.

"Tottenham is a big club... but I would never leave a club in the middle of the season."

He added: "I have never done that as a player, or as a manager. So I wouldn't do it in the future."
Laudrup's managerial career

On the links, he said: "It means you are doing a good job and that is always positive and flattering when others are talking about you. and your name is linked with other clubs."

Laudrup only signed a contract extension with Swansea in March and has stated his "intention" to stay in charge at the Liberty Stadium next season.

Doubts over Laudrup's future arose when Swansea severed ties with his agent Bayram Tutumlu, following a dispute over transfer policy.

But Laudrup told the South Wales Evening Post:  "I have repeated it so many times in the last three months. My intention is to stay.

"Bayram is my agent and that's not going to change."

Laudrup's future was already uncertain because of a dispute over transfer funds before the club confirmed they had cut ties with his agent.

The Dane has been linked with clubs all over Europe in recent weeks, with Roma and Fenerbahce the latest names mentioned, and he has also previously been linked with the jobs at Real Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Paris St-Germain and Monaco among others.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says the club must accept Jack Wilshere's ban

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has called on referees and the Football Association to be consistent in their punishment of players.

Wenger was speaking after Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere was given a two-match ban, having been handed a retrospective misconduct charge for raising his middle finger in the direction of Manchester City supporters during Saturday's 6-3 loss at the Etihad.

Arsenal accepted the charge but contested the mandatory two-match suspension, Luis Suarez having been given just a one-game ban for a similar act of indiscipline in December 2011.

However, the suspension was upheld by an independent regulatory commission and Wilshere will sit out next Monday's game against Chelsea and the Boxing Day clash with West Ham at Upton Park.

Wenger said: "We thought the ban was one game and that is why we appealed. It is two, we have to accept it and to swallow it.

"He was wrong in his reaction and we are now in a situation where we have to accept it, wait until he comes back, and focus on our next games without him.

"Do you want unfair behaviours to be punished? Yes.

"The players adapt, they are intelligent people. They always test the border, how far can I go? They look at others and see how the referee responds and they adapt.

"If the referees are consistent in doing that, they will stop it, but you want consistency."

Liverpool eyeing move for £20m Premier League star

Liverpool could be set to move for midfielder Yohan Cabaye when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to reports.

The Daily Star suggests that the Reds are monitoring the Newcastle star ahead of a potential January move, with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain also interested in a player who Toon boss Alan Pardew is evidently desperate to keep at St. James' Park.

It might not just be Laurent Blanc's PSG who provide the main source of competition for Cabaye - whose valuation reportedly stands at around the £20 million mark - in the new year, however.

Premier League leaders Arsenal, who have enjoyed a fabulous resurgence this season under the tutelage of experienced manager Arsene Wenger and will hope to bounce back from Saturday's 6-3 mauling at the hands of Manchester City, have also been linked once again with the midfielder in recent weeks.

Arsenal made a bid for Cabaye back in the summer, an offer that provoked a furious response from an agitated Pardew, who believed that the bid - which came on the eve of Newcastle's opening Premier League clash of the 2013/14 season away at the Etihad Stadium - had been 'disrespectful'.

Whether Arsenal truly need another midfielder, though, is a matter for considerable debate with so may talented players currently competing for places in North London.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, could perhaps use one or two more reinforcements in the middle of the park with the likes of Steven Gerrard being hampered by injury and Spanish summer signing Iago As

Man Utd vs West Ham - Premier League preview and team news

Two sides who could meet in the Capital One Cup final meet on Saturday in search of three very important Premier League points.

 Wins away to Aston Villa and Stoke City have helped Man Utd regain momentum after a tricky period which saw them slip 13 points off the pace in the Premier League. The team have definitely begun to display more creativity in open play, but another victory here will be huge for manager David Moyes, who has already presided over three defeats at Old Trafford.

West Ham would happily exchange their success in the Capital One Cup for more Premier League points. On Wednesday, they won at Tottenham to book their place in the semi-finals of that competition, while they sit just a point clear of the drop zone. Sam Allardyce succeeded in ensuring that all four games between the sides last season were tight affairs, and will no doubt attempt to do so again.

 Man Utd continue to be without injured duo Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie, and are also waiting on the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. Marouane Fellaini should return from a back problem.

Captain Kevin Nolan serves the final game of his suspension for his sending off in West Ham’s recent defeat at Liverpool. Andy Carroll, Winston Reid, Stewart Downing and Ricardo Vaz Te are also out, while there is a slight concern over the fitness of James Tomkins.

Solskjaer poised for Prem return

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready to open talks with West Brom about becoming their new boss - after snubbing a rival job.

The former Manchester United striker is expected to discuss the Baggies vacancy today as Norwegian side Molde clear his exit.

And Solskjaer is swaying towards a Premier League return after saying ‘no’ the post at Legia Warsaw in Poland.

Legia approached Solskjaer but he turned them down, paving the way for his pal Henning Berg to get the call.

Now Solskjaer is poised to sort out a deal with Albion who are looking for a young coach to replace Steve Clarke.

Solskjaer, who led Molde to the Norwegian Cup for the third time in their history this year, would fit comfortably into West Brom’s management style and is unlikely to rock the boat for a big transfer fund.

The Norwegian has been linked with jobs in the past year but has not found the right club. He has property in England and knows the domestic scene.

Molde chief executive Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen admitted earlier this week he had received a number of enquiries about Solskjaer.

He said: “I can confirm that we have received formal requests, but will not say when they arrived or where they came from.

“Ole has a name that will always make him attractive. And he has a standing in England that makes him often a candidate there.”

Asked if he was prepared for Solskjaer to leave Molde soon, Nordstrand Jacobsen said: “Yes. We are aware that is a possible scenario.

“Ole has won three titles (including a cup) in three years with Molde.

“It is obvious that this can be good timing for him if he wants to further his career.”

Numerous names have been linked with the vacant Baggies job including the freshly sacked Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Allardyce: Moyes needs time

 

Moyes replaced Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in the summer and the reigning Barclays Premier League champions are currently eighth after losing their last two home league games.

West Ham, themselves struggling down in 17th place, visit Old Trafford on Saturday with Allardyce acknowledging the size of the job Moyes has after replacing an icon such as Ferguson.

"For him, at the moment I don't think it's quite as bad as everyone makes out," the Hammers boss said.

"(United are in the) semi-finals of the Capital One Cup, qualified (as) winners of their European group and unfortunately for him, (they are in) a league position that he wouldn't have wanted but obviously he'll face the task as he knew it was going to be a difficult takeover period from Sir Alex.

"Old Trafford particularly is where he wants it to be the fortress that Sir Alex always seemed to make it and on occasion that hasn't seemed to happen for him.

"David will be planning as always to get the right team out to beat us and go on from there. Like everybody says, the transition cannot happen overnight and it's like every manager, there's a transitional period that you've got to try and get through before you make your own mark on it."

West Ham joined United in the final four of the Capital One Cup after coming from behind to beat rivals Tottenham on Wednesday night.

A two-legged semi-final against Manchester City awaits Allardyce's side in the new year but for now the 59-year-old is keen to use the Spurs win as momentum to kick-start the Hammers' stuttering league campaign.

He said: "When you win such a game as at your local rivals, who are such a big club these days, then it does lift everybody but you must use and take that into the next game and make sure you deliver the same performance again.

"We've not won as many games as we should have done in the Premier League and that's left everybody a little down.

"Manchester United we all know, if they're on song, on top of their form on that particular day it could be very difficult for us.

"We have to go and deliver that type of performance and resilience again and be as clinical in front of goal as we were on Wednesday night, even though the opposition territorially and possession-wise were far better than we were."

Allardyce will be without skipper Kevin Nolan as he serves the final match of his three-game ban for his red card at Liverpool but former United youngster Ravel Morrison is in line for a recall to the starting line-up.

The 20-year-old left United to join West Ham in the summer of 2012 and has started making a name for himself at Upton Park, although Allardyce is keen for Saturday's game to be about more than Morrison.

When asked if the England Under-21 international may be looking to prove a point in the game, Allardyce replied: "If he is selected he probably will. My concern would be to say that if he does play and I do select him that he doesn't try and win the game by himself. This is a team game and you can't play as an individual because you're back at Old Trafford."

Arsenal lineup a move for in-form, ex Manchester United striker!

Arsenal are said to be lining up a move for Fiorentina’s Italian international striker Giuseppe Rossi when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to Sports Direct News.

The in-form former Manchester United youth product has endured an injury hit few seasons at Villarreal in Spain and at Fiorentina, but he has began to display the kind of form that he showed at El Madrigal during the 2010-11 season that saw him attract attention from the likes of Barcelona.

With 14 goals in 18 appearances so far, he is now being tipped to make a return to the Premier League with Arsenal emerging as favourites to land his signature.

Rossi came through the youth academy at United but also spent some time at Newcastle before making the move over to Spain back in 2007.

With the Gunners looking to add to their striking options to relieve the burden from Olivier Giroud, they will be looking to bring a top quality striker on board such as Rossi so as to not lose the good momentum they have built up already this term.

The only stumbling block may be the player’s injury record, but he would be a worthy gamble if he continues to score.

Luis Suarez signs new long-term contract with Liverpool

Luis Suarez has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.

Suarez joined the club from Ajax in January 2011 and has been a controversial figure at Anfield.

Last summer Suarez suggested the club had reneged on an agreement to let him leave if they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

He missed the first six games of this season as he served a suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic.

He has been in sensational form since, and the striker says the support he has received from Liverpool fans was one of the main reasons for extending his contract.

"I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Liverpool and have my future secured for the long term," Suarez told the club's website.

"We have some great players and the team is growing and improving all the time. I believe I can achieve the ambitions of winning trophies and playing at the very highest level with Liverpool. My aim is to help get us there as quickly as possible.

"Without doubt the backing I have received from the Liverpool fans has influenced my decision. I am so proud to represent them and go out to do my best for them every time I pull on the shirt.

"We have a special relationship; they have love for me and in return I love them back. I will always do my best for them and hopefully we can achieve success together."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said the new deal was a huge boost for the club.

"This is fantastic news for everyone associated with the club; the team, the owners and most importantly the supporters.

"Luis is a world-class talent and securing his services is crucial for what we are trying to achieve here.

"What's most important and most exciting is that, at just 26 years old, his best years are still ahead of him and we now know we'll be seeing him reach that potential in a Liverpool shirt."

Principal owner John W Henry said the new deal proves Liverpool are progressing on and off the pitch.
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"We are committed to working hard to keep our best players and this is an indication that we are moving in the right direction and moving at a pace that impresses one of the best players in world football," he said.

"The club has made major strides forward in recent years and we are all committed to delivering the success our supporters want and deserve."

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner said: "This demonstrates our commitment, as an ownership group, to building a team that competes at the highest level both in the Barclays Premier League and in Europe.

"Our primary motive is to do what is best for Liverpool Football Club and today's news is another significant step forward on this journey."

Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen

Bayern Munich are not playing this weekend as they are competing in the FIFA Club World as reward for winning the Champions League last season and Bayer Leverkusen are keen to take full advantage.

Leverkusen's South Korean striker Heung Min Son and Frankfurt's Swiss midfielder Pirmin Schwegler vie for the ball. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Leverkusen are currently in second place with 37 points and are seven behind Munich, who are the defending champions, so they know a win would close the gap.

They have managed to win 12 of their opening 16 matches with three defeats and one draw and if they fail to take all three points this weekend their title hopes will more than likely go up in smoke because they will still be seven points adrift but Munich will have a game in hand.

They come into this game on the back of a very disappointing performance as they crashed to a 1-0 home defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt. They cannot afford to drop points at home if they want to be true title contenders.

Werder Bremen are the home team this Saturday and they will be looking to secure their fifth win of the season and try and move away from the relegation zone.


They are currently in 14th position and are only five points clear of the drop zone and they come into this game on the back of a narrow 3-2 defeat against Hertha Berlin.

Ronaldo's GF Irina Totally Nude !! NEW NAKED PHOTO

Here are some of the latest The Epic Football photos

Irina Shaky's best pic ever! She just uploaded to her account! AWESOME!

 

City Star, Aguero with his cute wife and even more cuter son! They look so perfect!  

Female Power! What a passion she has for football! And yeah, nice booty too!

TOP 15 Hottest Footballer WAGs... JUST WOW! Now how am I supposed not to fap! My GOD, so damn HAWWT!

15- Imogen thomas
14- Alex Curran
13- Eva Gonzalez
12- Lindsey Strutt
11- Eliabetta Canalis
10- Luli Fernandez
9- Michela Quattrociocche
8- Abigail Clancy
7- Melissa Satta
6- Soledad Fandino
5- Shakira
4- Irina Shayk
3- Emily O’Hara
2- Aida Yespica
1- Katsia Zingarevich

Roberto Martinez combines flair and resolve at Everton

 

've been very impressed with Everton this season.

In the summer, when Roberto Martinez was appointed as David Moyes' successor, I know some Evertonians were unhappy about getting a manager who had just been relegated with Wigan, despite winning the FA Cup.

But Martinez has got them playing a great brand of football and, as a player, Everton must be a great place to ply your trade at the moment.

They've surprised many people this season; we saw them go to Manchester United and produce a brilliant performance and then go to the Emirates and out-pass an Arsenal team we think of as the possession masters.

Romelu Lukaku, who has bagged eight goals in the Premier League so far, has given them a real threat up top, while I've run out of superlatives to describe Ross Barkley. Now and then a player comes along who's different and that's Barkley; he's a fantastic footballer.

Former Swansea boss Martinez has demanded good football from his side and they've delivered - but they also have a very strong defensive resolve, too.

Going into this weekend's fixtures, Everton have conceded the joint-fewest number of goals in the top flight, with Tim Howard being beaten on just 15 occasions this term (the same number as Southampton have let in).

The American is a sound keeper and in front of him he's got two good full-backs in Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines, who Bryan Oviedo has done a good job to deputise for since the England man's injury.

Then at centre-half they have a very good pairing in Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka - who is probably the best defender in the Premier League at the moment.
Protection

Crucially, in front of them, Gareth Barry offers plenty of protection in that holding role - and what a great loan signing he's been this season.

If you were compiling a team of the season so far, he would certainly be one of the top choices for that position. He's been immense since arriving from Man City and also helps out the younger players around him, such as Barkley and Lukaku, with his experience.

Martinez is really getting the best out of his squad at the moment and, with a favourable run of fixtures over the Christmas and New Year period, they should be in a very strong position come the start of 2014.

The big question mark, though, is over their strength in depth and whether they can keep this form going.

They haven't spent the vast sums some of their top four rivals have and, usually, money equals success.

They've got it all to do and it's harder than ever to get into those Champions League spots with so many strong sides competing for those places this year, but with Martinez's methods chiming with the players, they've got a chance.
Disappointment

Their opponents on Sunday, meanwhile, will be far less happy with their first half of the season.

Before this campaign started Swansea were one of my tips for a top six finish but they've not done as well as I thought they would.

There's no question, the Europa League games have hindered them, with the extra matches disrupting their preparation for their Premier League games, but their home form has been poor, too, with them winning just two of their eight games at the Liberty Stadium so far.

It seems that, despite the club spending quite a bit of money in the summer, the drop-off in performance they experienced after winning last season's Capital One Cup has continued into this season as well.

They've got a break in their Europa League schedule now which gives them a chance to try and turn what has been a disappointing season around and I reckon they could kick that off this weekend by holding a very good Everton side to a 1-1 draw.

Although Swansea have been far from their best this season they rarely look like they are going to get beaten by a significant margin and, with their old boss in town, they'll be determined to put on a performance

Giggs

He had FUN, he cheated on wife with this wet t-shirt competition contestant! All I can say is, NOT HIS FAULT!

Inter and Man Utd plan on swapping players!

Inter Milan are planning to exploit Manchester United’s interest in midfielder Fredy Guarin by pursuing a January move for Javier Hernandez.

Inter have been made aware of United’s interest in Guarin, however, and the Italian club are hopeful of using the 27-year-old as a bargaining tool to persuade Moyes to sell Hernandez.

The Mexican forward has started just three Premier League games for United this season and, in total, made just 13 appearances in all competitions, scoring four times.

Speculation that Chicharito is set to bail on Old Trafford has been rife for several months now, and the Mexican international fanned the flames of his transfer speculation when he retweeted a Sky Sports story about him potentially leaving Manchester United back in November.

27-year-old Fredy Guarin, who joined Inter from Porto in May 2012 when his loan spell became permanent at a cost of £9m, is a box-to-box midfielder who is now valued at £10-15 million, and the Colombian is also rumoured to be attracting interest from Tottenham.

According to Calcionews24, Inter directors Marco Branca, Piero Ausilio and Guarin’s agent Marcelo Ferreyra were in London on Thursday for meeting with representatives from Manchester United and Tottenham.

Inter are said to be willing to Guarin head to the Premier League in order to boost the Nerazzurri’s transfer kitty so that Inter can buy new players in January.

Crucially, Guarin is available to play in European competitions as Inter did not take part in the Champions or Europa League this season.

Who has the Hottest Looking Girlfriend in Man Utd ?

Who has the Hottest Looking Girlfriend in Man Utd ?

1. Edurne Garcia (David De Gea)
2. Georgina Dorsett (Tom Cleverley)
3. Sam Cooke (Chris Smalling)

Comment 1, 2 or 3

Why winning a trophy could be bad news for Man United and Man City

Manchester United and Manchester City are favourites to meet at Wembley in a derby Capital One Cup final, but should they be running scared of lifting the cup?

With both David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini in charge of their first campaigns in Manchester, the prospect of winning silverware is touted as a way to kickstart more success further down the line.

Indeed, Chelsea's surprise exit in the quarter-finals as Jose Mourinho's second spell in charge stutters along has been contrasted with his 2005 League Cup win, which is widely reported as providing the impetus to land a first Premier League title soon after.

Yet while the League Cup would allow Moyes and Pellegrini to ensure they add a trophy to their CV, in recent years winning the Football League's flagship knockout tournament has been something of a mixed blessing.

Take a look at how the winners have fared in the immediate aftermath, since Chelsea's 2005 triumph under Mourinho…

2006
Winners: Manchester United
What happened next: United finished the season strongly in the league, but still finished eight points adrift of title winners Chelsea, who won the title with a 3-0 drubbing of the Red Devils.

2007
Winners: Chelsea
What happened next: The Blues were chasing an unprecedented quadruple, but having won the league in 2005 and 2006, they lost the title to Man United and lost again to Liverpool in the Champions League last four, before claiming the FA Cup. For most clubs a cup double would be an incredible season, but for the Blues in 2007 it was a consolation prize.

2008
Winners: Tottenham Hotspur
What happened next: League Cup success was supposed to boost manager Juande Ramos, but Spurs won just three of their remaining 12 Premier League games and exited the UEFA Cup at the last 16 stage. After losing six and drawing two of their first eight games the following season, Ramos was sacked with Tottenham bottom of the league.

2009
Winners: Manchester United
What happened next: Incredibly, United were chasing a quintuple of trophies in 2009, having bagged the Club World Cup and League Cup. They duly added the Premier League title, but lost the FA Cup semi to Everton and were taken to school by Barcelona in the Champions League. Like Chelsea in 2007, a campaign that yielded silverware somehow felt like an opportunity missed.

2010
Winners: Manchester United
What happened next: Chelsea pipped United to the league title and Bayern knocked them out of the Champions League at the last eight stage, in agonising fashion.

2011
Winners: Birmingham City
What happened next: They were relegated from the Premier League.

2012
Winners: Liverpool
What happened next: The Reds won four of their final 13 league games to limp home in eighth place, while also losing the FA Cup final. Kenny Dalglish was duly sacked.

2013
Winners: Swansea City
What happened next: The Swans won just two of their final 11 league games.

Manchester United consider move for Serie A star

Premier League champions Manchester United could make a move for AS Roma centre-back Mehdi Benatia, according to Calcio Mercato.

The Red Devils are keen to sign another central defender as Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic enter the final years of their careers.

And it's believed that 26-year-old Benatia, who has cemented his reputation as one of the best defenders in Serie A after joining AS Roma from Udinese in the summer, is on David Moyes' shortlist.

Italian media organisation Calcio Mercato report that United have initiated discussions to find out whether a deal is possible, but negotiations have not yet started between the two parties.

Benatia is a Morocco international who began his professional career with Marseille before moving to Udinese via a two-year stint at Clermont.

However, as well as Benatia, Manchester United have also been linked with the likes of Cristian Zapata, Andrea Ranocchia and Ezequiel Garay.

Michu wants Aspas to join Swansea on loan

Michu wants to see Spanish compatriot Iago Aspas at Swansea City after enduring a tough start to his career at Liverpool.

Aspas arrived at Anfield in the close-season from Celta Vigo, but has found first-team opportunities limited due to injuries and the form of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

The striker has yet to score in his seven appearances for Liverpool and Michu believes a loan move to Swansea would be beneficial for both parties.

The 26-year-old netted 35 goals in the last two seasons in La Liga and Michu expects Aspas to show his quality in England if given the opportunity.

"We (Swansea's Spanish players) are hoping he can come here on loan," he said.

"It would be a pleasure to play with him. Iago has had injuries, but he has quality. He deserves to play in the Premier League.

"He has been unlucky. At Liverpool, they have Luis Suarez and Sturridge, who have scored a lot of goals. Suarez is, along with Diego Costa and others, one of the best strikers in Europe."

Sunderland boss Gus Poyet hoping to move quickly in January

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet will look to strike early when the January transfer window opens and bolster his ranks.

Having inherited a squad from predecessor Paolo Di Canio in October, Poyet has been unable to put his own stamp on the Black Cats.

He will get that opportunity in the New Year, and he has been working hard to piece together a plan of attack.

The intention is to move quickly, giving new recruits as long as possible to settle and play as big a role as possible over the remainder of the campaign - as Sunderland scrap to preserve their Premier League status.


Poyet told The Echo: "My aim all the time is to do things quickly in January.

"We're having meetings practically every day and we're getting close to January now.

"January 1st is a Wednesday, it's not on the weekend, so if there are not any problems with bringing them in from abroad, they could be signed that day.

"Those are the things you need to manage. But it's not only in my hands. It's in the hands of the other people as well - the player, the other club, the transfer, the agreement and if there are other options. There are so many things involved.

"Now, as the manager, I want them in tomorrow so they could train with us for a week before the first. That would be perfection."

Poyet acknowledges that time is not on his side, with Sunderland five points from safety, but claims to have plenty of options to explore in January.

He added: "There are some deals that I would prefer not to do immediately because you need to wait. But, with waiting, you don't know if it's going to happen.

"If I have got another option, which I like and is similar, I'll do it and the other one loses his chance. If you wait and wait, you can lose six or seven games by then."

Raja Casablanca scored twice in the last 10 minutes to stun Brazil's Atletico Mineiro in their Club World Cup semi-final and earn a place in the final against Bayern Munich.

 Moroccan champions Raja led when Mouhssine Iajour hit a low shot past Victor.
Former Barcelona star Ronaldinho curled a free-kick in to level for Mineiro.
But Mohaine Moutaouali's penalty put Raja ahead and Vivien Mabide wrapped up the win with a breakaway goal.

At the end of the match Raja players surrounded the 33-year-old Ronaldinho, who has previously played for Paris St-Germain and AC Milan as well as Barcelona, to ask for his shirt and took off his boots.

The former World Player of the Year has made over 90 appearances for Brazil and is hoping to be included in the squad for next year's World Cup.

Kouko Guehi and Vivien Mabide of Casablanca celebrate with the boots of Ronaldinho after winning the Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Atletico Mineiro

Raja will now face European champions Bayern in Saturday's final in Marrakesh.
It will be only the second time since the tournament has been played in its current format in 2005 that the final has not been between a South American and European team.

In Wednesday's earlier game, Egyptian champions Al Ahly were thrashed 5-1 by Mexico's Monterrey , who sealed fifth place with the victory.

Al Ahly were out for revenge against the Concacaf champions, having lost to them in last year's third-place play-off, but were swept aside in Marrakesh.

Cesar Delgado scored twice for Monterrey to become the competition's all-time leading scorer with five goals, surpassing Argentine Lionel Messi, Brazilian Denilson an
d Egyptian Mohamed Aboutrika, who missed the match because of a hamstring injury.

The legendary Ahly midfielder suffered the injury in his side's quarter-final defeat by Guangzhou Evergrande, a match which could be his last if he does not reconsider his decision to retire from football.

Monterrey's other scorers were Neri Cardozo, Leobardo Lopez and Humberto Suazo, while Ahly's lone strike came from Emad Meteab.

Evans welcomes Sunderland tie

 Jonny Evans is excited to face his former club Sunderland during next month’s two-legged Capital One Cup semi-final, having spent two spells on loan with the North East club.

The Northern Irishman moved to the Stadium of Light as a youngster in January 2007, helping Roy Keane’s Black Cats secure promotion to the Premier League before returning the following January to aid their successful fight to retain top-flight status.

Evans has plenty of fond memories from his time on Wearside. When speaking to the media after Wednesday’s quarter-final win over Stoke City, the 25-year-old explained why he's delighted with the semi-final draw.

“I had two loans spells there and I loved my time at Sunderland," Jonny outlined. "In my first season there we won the Championship with Roy Keane as manager and then the next season I went back there and we managed to stay in the Premier League which was a good achievement at the time.

“It gave me a good platform to return to United and fight for a first-team spot. I was very fortunate with my loan moves. I went to Royal Antwerp which was a good experience and then had two spells at Sunderland and each of my loan spells were about progression in terms of the quality of the opposition. And it has definitely benefitted me."

United are favourites to seal a place to the final against either Manchester City or West Ham. However, having studied Sunderland under new manager Gus Poyet, Evans is wary of the challenge ahead.

“I watched Sunderland beat Chelsea and not only are they fighting for Gus Poyet but he has also got them playing some good football," said Evans. "They controlled large parts of the game against Chelsea. They had some good possession. So it will be a more difficult game than people will imagine.”

The Reds sealed progress to the last four thanks to Wednesday’s relatively comfortable 2-0 win over Stoke, a match that was temporarily postponed because of the poor visibility conditions caused by a torrential hailstorm at the Britannia Stadium.

Although the decision to return to the sanctuary of the changing room was welcomed by the players, Evans revealed that his mind was split with regards to bad weather.

“We couldn’t see; the wind was blowing the hailstones into our eyes. They were the hardest hail stones I’ve ever felt. They were actually coming into your eyes so you couldn’t keep your eyes open. You’re torn about whether to stay on and give it the 'hard man' look or just get to the shelter of the dugout – I made sure I made a bee line for the dugout!”

Messi Vs Ronaldo - Awards Comparison

Aubameyang denies saying he is faster than Usain Bolt

 Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang denies saying he is faster than 100m word record holder and six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt.

Aubameyang, 24, was reported to have made the claim on a German TV show.

And his comment provoked Germany's number one sprinter Julian Reus to challenge him to a race.

On Wednesday, Aubameyang wrote on his Twitter page:   "I never said I'm faster than Bolt, I just said I can run 30m in 3.7 seconds."

Aubameyang has reportedly clocked 3.7 seconds over 30 metres in training - 0.08 seconds faster than Jamaican Bolt ran when he set the 100m world record of 9.58secs in 2009.

But Reus said: "It is a blatant myth that Aubameyang is faster than Usain Bolt.

"What Aubameyang claimed on television really annoyed me. I want to restore athletics' honour."

And on his Twitter page  on Wednesday, the 25-year-old Reus, who has a personal best over 100m of 10.08secs, repeated his challenge to Aubameyang for the pair to race.

Gabon international Aubameyang, who has scored nine goals in the Bundesliga this season, has not responded to the challenge.

'European Super League' table: shocker for Chelsea, Arsenal nine points behind Bayern

Chelsea supporters are well aware that the Blues aren't scoring enough goals these days, but did they know they are one of the worst sides in front of goal when compared to the best of the best?

Twitter user Karl Buckton took the initiative to come up with a combined league table comprising the records of the top four teams in each of UEFA's biggest leagues, and along with showing Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid's dominance of their respective leagues, it also reflects pretty poorly on Chelsea's attack.

Among the Champions League sides in the table, Chelsea have the joint worst attack with Bayer Leverkusen, scoring only 31 goals, and if the non-Champions League teams are added to the fold, only Villarreal and Roma come off worse than the Blues. Time to sign a striker?

Sunderland 2-1 Chelsea AET: A number of factors contribute to our downfall

How do you explain what happened last night other than we all saw it coming! At 1-0 up, we all knew we needed that second goal to kill the game off and we all hoped we would get it but it never came. Credit to Sunderland for punishing Chelsea and for their never say die attitude.

I have to agree with Jose Mourinho about our play up to the final third. We are playing some lovely football and moving the ball well. At lengthy stages in the game, we had Sunderland pinned back as we dominated possession of he ball. The problem comes when you can do little with it.

Let's be honest here, Chelsea were a goal up early in the second half and cruising. It looked like they were there for the taking (despite heroics from Wes Brown) and all we needed was that second goal. As soon as Samuel Eto'o picked up that loose pass in on goal and the missed, you had an idea that the game was far from over!

For me it's still the same problem and that's our tempo in the final third. We we moved the ball quickly, we put Sunderland on the back foot, just look at the Chelsea goal for example! How many times after that did we slow the ball down and not attack them at pace?

Chelsea in possession in and around the box were too slow and lacked a killer ball. We would hold onto it instead and delay a pass meaning that the door was closed and we would pass it backwards!

At 1-0 up, we had the ball down the flanks in the final third but again, passed the ball backwards or left a pass too late, letting Sunderland get back and defend in numbers and the moment to play that final ball was gone!

It's another one of those games that has gotten away, another goal shy performance from Chelsea in a game that was more than winnable last night!

However, for Sunderland you have to be proud of how your boys fought for the shirt. Inspired substitutions from Poyet and players that simply never gave up!

Poyet has got his players playing to their strengths and last night, each one of them did exactly that. We can sit and moan about the goals we conceded but we could see it coming.

Michael Essien isn't to blame as he isn't a natural right back. He was caught out of position and allowed too much space between him and Gary Cahill twice and we were punished for it once with the Borini goal and got lucky the second time.

Their winning goal was a shambles at the back again. I can go on about it all day long but, it's the least of our priorities this season. We move on!

Liverpool legend issues warning over Suarez contract talks

Dietmar Hamann has warned there is little point in Liverpool handing Luis Suarez a new contract unless he wholeheartedly commits his future to the club.

The striker’s representatives are reportedly in talks with the Merseyside club's managing director Ian Ayre over a lucrative new deal, just six months after he pleaded for a move away from Anfield.

Suarez has been in blistering from this season and Hamann would love to see him stay, but he insists it's pointless to tie the 26-year-old to a new deal if he is not in it for the long haul.

The Uruguayan has no made secret of his desire to play Champions League football and the ex-Anfield favourite fears a new deal will not stop him pushing for a move away again if the Reds fail to finish in the top four.

The former German international, speaking on the Colin Murray show, said: “The way he is playing at the moment you have got think he is very happy, but you have got to be careful because the team is on a good run.

“It was probably the most impressive performance from any team this season on Sunday [in beating Tottenham 5-0]. They have been absolutely fantastic and in this form you have to think they will finish in the top four, but things can change.

“What must not happen is we have a situation next summer as we had last summer. He could sign a new contract now, take the £200,000 a week, the team finishes outside the top four and you have the same shenanigans.

“I want him to stay, but there needs to be clarity. He has got to understand what it means to commit.

“If there is a clause that he can go for £60million, £80million and someone pays it, that is obviously fair enough, but you can’t have a situation again like you had last summer.”

AC Milan star Gennaro Gattuso investigated for match fixing

Former AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is being investigated for match-fixing, Associated Press reports.

Four other people have been detained in connection with the alleged fixing of matches in Serie A three seasons ago.

Ex-Rangers star Gattuso, 35, is retired and was sacked by Serie B side Palermo after just six league games as manager.

He won two Serie A titles and two Champions League crowns during his 13-year spell with Milan and also the 2006 World Cup with Italy in Germany.

Gattuso took charge of Palermo in the summer after being sacked by Swiss side Sion but won just two games and has been replaced by Giuseppe Iachini.

Cremona prosecutor Roberto Di Martino told AP that Gattuso and retired Milan and Lazio player Cristian Brocchi were allegedly part of a group that fixed Serie A and other matches at the end of the 2010-11 season.

A wide-ranging criminal and sporting probe into illegal betting and match fixing in Italy has already led to several arrests and bans.

Juventus manager Antonio Conte was suspended for 10 months for not reporting match fixing when he was in charge of Siena, then in Serie B, in the 2010-11 season.

Former Lazio captains Giuseppe Signori and Stefano Mauri, as well as ex-Atalanta captain Cristiano Doni also served bans with several clubs having points deducted.

Sunderland v Chelsea – Blues hero to return for Capital One Cup clash

After meeting less than a fortnight ago in a seven-goal thriller, Sunderland and Chelsea go head-to-head again as the two look to progress to the Capital One Cup semi-final.

Rooted firmly at the bottom of the Premier League, Sunderland will be hoping to pull off an upset at home against favourites Chelsea, an upset that could possibly kick-start their season.

The return of Lee Cattermole from suspension last week helped Sunderland record their third clean sheet of the season away to West Ham. If the Black Cats are to proceed to the semi-finals, the combative midfielder will have to do a fantastic job of protecting the back four.

Jose Mourinho will be looking for a better defensive performance from his players, as his Chelsea team conceded three goals the last time the two sides met. However, the Blues have won their last nine at the Stadium of Light.

Having twice won the competition in his previous spell as Chelsea boss, Mourinho will be looking to get his hands on his first trophy of the season following a defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Super Cup.

Ahead of tonight’s Capital One Cup tie, Mourinho advised Gus Poyet to “play the kids” and rest the first team for the battle against relegation.

“If Gus asks me for advice, I’ll give him some advice,” Mourinho said.

“He’s playing to avoid relegation. He has to play the kids from the academy in our game and keep the guys fresh for the next weekend.”

However, Poyet is hoping that a win against Chelsea will give them a confidence boost to help lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

"I don't try to look too far ahead," the Black Cats boss said.

"If I start thinking about Norwich, already it gets difficult to make decisions. But if we want to get out of the relegation zone, then we have to win matches, become winners."

Poyet will be without midfielder Jack Colback, who misses the tie because of a virus, with Carlos Cuellar and Keiren Westwood the only other injured senior players.

Picking up his fifth yellow card of the season against Palace, Branislav Ivanovic will be unavailable for Chelsea, whilst Ashley Cole could make a return at left-back with Azpilicueta moving to right-back.

How does she look for a fan

hmmmmm she look great

Robin van Persie considering leaving Manchester United as Moyes' man management cause upset

Manchester United face the prospect of losing the Premier League's leading goalscorer for the last two seasons as Robin van Persie examines his options away from Old Trafford. As the champions struggle under David Moyes' new managerial regime, the Netherlands striker's advisers have contacted leading European clubs to assess what avenues are open to him elsewhere.

Though Moyes is a great admirer of Van Persie's abilities, the Scot has effectively ended Van Persie's status as United's most important player in his efforts to rehabilitate Wayne Rooney's career. The decision to award what is regarded as “special treatment” to Rooney has returned 10 goals in 21 games from the England international, yet come with dangerous repercussions.

Rooney's focus on training, his struggles to keep his weight down, and his commitment to United were all questioned during Sir Alex Ferguson's final season at the club -- a campaign that was followed by the England international's very public attempt to secure a lucrative contract elsewhere. It is thought that Moyes has made an error of man management in allowing Rooney to feel that he is the team's key figure again now that Ferguson has retired.

While Rooney has responded positively to this change, with a direct involvement in 14 of United's 25 Premier League goals so far, the team as a whole has not. Despite Sunday's 3-0 win at Aston Villa, United languish in eighth place, 10 points behind first-place Arsenal, with as many defeats in 16 League outings as in the whole of Ferguson's final campaign.

Part of Moyes' response has been to question the quality of squad he inherited from the most successful manager in United's history. He wants to move on several of that group in the January window if possible, believing that the club made a mistake in retaining them this summer.

"Maybe we would have looked to have moved a few players out but you can only do that if you get clubs that come in and are interested,” Moyes said. His position on transfer-market activity, however, is undermined by Marouane Fellaini's subpar performance since Moyes requested the Belgian be signed from Everton for a fee of £27.5m.

Van Persie will not play for United again in 2013 having suffered a thigh injury following the toe and groin problems earlier in the season.

The player's options are limited by both his age and the scale of his current contract. Van Persie has two-and-a-half seasons remaining on the four-year contract he agreed with United upon leaving Arsenal in 2012, and as the club's best-paid player earns over £200,000 a week. Barcelona are interested in the 30-year-old's services, but consider him too expensive when United's expected asking price of €40m is factored in.

A strong-minded individual who is determined to conclude his career with as much silverware as possible, Van Persie forced an exit from the final year of his Arsenal contract because he was unconvinced by the team's immediate prospects. He provisionally agreed to terms with Manchester City several months before leaving Arsenal, ultimately choosing United when Ferguson approached him.

Wilshere charged by the FA for Manchester City gesture

Jack Wilshere has been charged by the FA for allegedly making a one fingered gesture towards Manchester City fans during Arsenal's weekend defeat at the Etihad Stadium.

The England star will answer charges of making an offensive and/or insulting and/or abusive gesture.

The incident was not seen by match officials, but was caught on video.

Wilshere has been charged retrospectively by the FA under a new pilot project for potential ‘not seen’ incidents in Premier League matches.

Under the new process, if an incident has not been seen by the match officials, a three-man panel will be asked by the FA to review it and advise what, if any action, they believe the match referee should have taken had it been witnessed at the time.

For an FA charge to follow, all three panel members must agree it is a sending-off offence. In this instance, the panel were unanimous.

Wilshere has until 6pm on 18 December to respond to the charge.