At the end of September the Barclays Premier League table is already starting to take a predictable shape with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all occupying top four spots. But, with Manchester United languishing in 11th after a stuttering start, Aston Villa complete the Champions league places. And it is the Villans who provide the firepower for the Actim Team of the Season with a trio of faces  in there in the shape of Gabriel Agbonlahor, John Carew and Martin Laursen.

Fernando was once again the toast of Merseyside as Torres rediscovered his goalscoring touch by bagging both goals in the 208th Merseyside derby to give the Red half of the city the early season bragging rites. Torres was at the heart of Spain's Euro 2008 triumph this summer and excessive celebratory sangria may be one reason why he endured a sluggish start to the season but his double against the Toffees earned him 47 points to catapult him 180 places to 98th as the highest points scorer in this week's Actim Index.

The story of the weekend came at the Emirates Stadium where lowly Hull toppled Arsenal in their own backyard. Arsene Wenger's Gunners were uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal with Robin Van Persie blasting four shots off target in a performance that earned him -18 points and a 93-place tumble down the Index. Tigers goalscorers Geovanni and Daniel Cousin claimed 20 and 25 points respectively but perhaps the Premier League newboys' most heroic performer was Kamil Zayatte who put his body on the line to block four shots and make two clearances to register 29 points and claim his place in the Actim team of the week.

The aforementioned Villa continue to stake their claim as firm Champions League contenders this season after another impressive team performance in the 2-1 victory over Roy Keane's Sunderland. Despite going 1-0 down to a Djibril Cisse strike, Villa responded with an exquisite Ashley Young free-kick before influential targetman John Carew sealed all three points. The Villans now have top-rated trio Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carew and Young healthily placed in first, third and ninth position respectively in this week's Actim Index and make Villa the only team with more than two players ranked in the top 10.

Premier League leaders Chelsea have a busy treatment room at Stamford Bridge at the moment. Star quartet Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Michael Essien and Joe Cole were all ruled out at the weekend but such is the strength in depth available to boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, the Blues still strolled to a 2-0 win at Stoke. However, the injured foursome all tumbled down the rankings as their team-mates picked up points with Essien and Carvalho falling 17 places, Joe Cole dropping 20 and Deco four.

Newcastle interim manager Joe Kinnear watched his new side from the stands but will wish he had taken a blindfold along with him to St James' Park as they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Blackburn. It seems to go from bad to worse for the Magpies as their wretched season continued on and off the pitch and the turmoil in the North East is reflected in this week's Actim Index. The 47th-placed Steven Taylor is the only Magpie in the top 50 and Michael Owen is the only other Newcastle player in the top 100.

With the FA’s Respect campaign coming under much scrutiny after yet another weekend of controversial refereeing decisions and match-changing dismissals, we take a look at the Actim Index’s bad boys. Bolton’s Kevin Davies escaped un-punished for his reckless challenge on Arsenal’s Gael Clichy last week but he tops the foul count with 19. However, his brutality is eclipsed by tenacious Portsmouth midfield enforcer Lassana Diarra who has amassed one red card and two yellows from his 16 fouls so far this season.

A game that was more frantic than metered, this was a game that took a long time for anything to build. Yes both sides had plenty of chances (per Soccernet, 21 for Sunderland, 18 for Middlesbrough), but not many tested either Craig Gordon or Ross Turnbull. Both midfields did well to spring the attack, but nothing really seemed to matter up front as both sides rushed and wasted countless opportunities.

Craig Gordon was the busier keeper in the first half and pulled off two very good saves. The first coming on nineteen minutes when Alves's free kick hit the wall and bounced perfectly to Stewart Downing. His near post volley was just parried out by Gordon for a corner to which it was promptly wasted. The second came eighteen minutes later when Afonso Alves got into space, but was unable to pick out a post. Gordon though didn't see that shot until late and did well to collect.

I think this game turned in Sunderland's favor in two places. The first coming at the end of the first half when Teemu Tainio had to be replaced by Michael Chopra. Sunderland were lacking imagination and any real bite up front and the forced sub when Tainio injured his shoulder was a much needed shot in the arm. The second came in the sixty-second when Ross Turnbull was unable to collect what seemed to be an easy ball to hold. Cisse was wise to poke it out to Malbranque but it was Malbranque who took too long in shooting. It was these two moments where Sunderland had turned the screws the most.

Turnbull came up trumps in the seventy-first denying Richardson well on a far post effort and just three minutes later Nyron Nosworthy conceded a bad penalty to Middlesbrough. With Sunderland losing the ball in the defensive third, Jeremie Aliadiere was already out of control on the run. Nosworthy should have never given a tug to the shirt because I think either way Aliadiere was going to go down. In my eyes it was a penalty, but was never capitalized on. Stewart Downing has already missed one earlier in the season, but this penalty miss could be candidate for penalty miss of the season. It was never close and gave Sunderland the lifeline they needed.

Getting back to Michael Chopra, he looked a new man today. After taking care of some personal demons, he meant business today. The first goal was great team play by Sunderland to keep possession and the build to the goal came when Chopra fought on the edge of the penalty area to gain possession. He find Richardson to start the 1-2 sequence and that close to goal 1 v 1, Chopra put Sunderland ahead. The second in stoppage time was great vision from Steed Malbranque. Instead of playing hero after the blocked shot of Daryl Murphy, Malbranque got Turnbull to commit before giving Chopra the empty net. The second was a bit harsh, but that is the consequence of a back line giving up on a play.

I was surprised by one thing, how lifeless the crowd seemed to be. There were plenty of empty seats as the announced attendance was just over 38 thousand. They pretty much sat on their hands until about 15 minutes to go when Downing missed from the spot. It was only then that the crowd woke up and the atmosphere lived up to that of a derby. Granted there wasn't much to cheer for as a Sunderland supporter until then, but not willing the team on was a little surprising to me.

A few other observations:
1) Is it time for Brad Jones to go back between the sticks? If he's fully fit, shouldn't he get his spot back?
2) For the debut Djibril Cisse had, he hasn't looked good since.
3) Credit has to be given to Roy Keane for making two positive substitutions in the sixty-ninth minute bringing on Andy Reid and Daryl Murphy. Speaking of subs in the sixty-ninth, Justin Hoyte has not looked at all effective for Middlesbrough.

Picture thanks to the PA via the BBC.

I'll be back later with a review of Chelsea against Manchester United.

Einige Jahre sind nach "Taxi 3" verstrichen und die Kinder von Daniel (Samy Nacery) und Émilien (Frédéric Diefenthal) sind herangewachsen und ins Alter von Fußball und Computerspielen gekommen.

Die Einheit Émiliens beschäftigt sich jetzt mit "Sicherheitstransporten" von V.I.P.s und Kriminellen. Nachdem das Team um Commissaire Gibert (Bernard Farcy) Djibril Cissé sicher ins Stadion von Marseille verfrachtet hat, ereilt auch schon der nächste Auftrag die Ansammlung von mehr oder weniger unfähigen Polizeibeamten: sie sollen fünf Stunden lang den Staatsfeind Nr. 1 Frankreichs, einen Belgier (Jean-Luc Couchard), verwahren.

Während Petra (Emma Sjöberg-Wiklund) einen geheimen Undercover-Auftrag ausführt, setzen Daniel und Émilien alles daran den Belgier wieder einzufangen, nachdem Alain (Edouard Montoute) und Émilien ihn haben laufen lassen.

Aufgrund der Dummheit Giberts und falschen Haaren und Bärten gestaltet sich dieses Unterfangen in Algerien allerdings als eher tückische Angelegenheit...
...

Laut DVD-Cover handelt es sich bei T4Xi um den besten Teil der Reihe. Dem kann ich mich nicht anschließen. Der Film ist zweifellos sehr lustig - ich habe ordentlich lachen müssen -, aber den dritten und den ersten Teil kann der Film dennoch nicht toppen.

Die Kinder der beiden Hauptpersonen sorgen in ihrer On-Screen-Time für Lacher und ernten dafür Sympathie.

Daniels neues Taxi wird nur am Anfang ein Mal präsentiert (beim Chauffieren Cissés) und im Rest des Films liegt des Fous nicht mehr auf dm AUto wie bei seinen Vorgängern.

Mit seinen 90 Minuten ist der Film ein kurzes Spektakel, das sich aber trotzdem sehen lassen kann - und sollte!

Genau wie bei allen anderen Taxi-Filmen gilt auch hier: auf Französisch gucken wenn möglich!

Vor allem im ersten Teil des Films gibt es ein paar gelungene Bild- und Scenenübergänge. DIe Fußball-regiert-Marseille-Eineitung ist auch sehr gut. Das Mitwirken Cissés hat den Film entscheident beeinflusst: schon alleine die Gestaltung des Covers lässt nicht an Terroristen oder Belgier denken.

Eben diese sorgen hier - vor allen Dingen im Endspurt - für Action und Schusswechsel, die es in sich haben. Getoppt werden sie nur vom unter Kokaineinfluss stehenden Gibert. Petra darf kurz vor Schluss noch ein paar ihrer Kampfkenntnisse und -fähigkeiten anwenden, was Émilien ausabden muss.

Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose) konnten die Macher im vierten Teil nicht nochmals für die Rolle der Lilly gewinnen. Ihr Charakter wird deshalb nur von Daniel erwähnt, kommt aber sonst nicht vor. Ihr Vater, Général Bertineau (Jean-Christophe Bouvet), dagegen schon. In seiner üblichen Carmouflage-Kampfmontur sorgt auch er für Spaß beim Zuschauer.

Jen-Luc Couchard spielt den belgischen Terroristen gut und durchgeknallt genug, um witzig rüberzukommen und Petra in die Zwickmühle zu zwängen, in der sich hr Mann in Teil 3 befand.

Émilien ist so schwer von Begriff wie vorher und noch erklärungswütiger was eindeutige Ungereimtheiten angeht.

Insgesamt weiß T4Xi ncht zu enttäuschen und erweist sich als würdiger Teil der Reihe. Dafür bekommt er
8/10 Punkten.

Picture from the BBC via Getty Images.

Continuing on with what I started last week.

Blackburn Rovers v Hull City: Richard Garcia's equalizer five minutes from halftime makes sure the game ends honors even at Ewood Park 1-1.

The offsides trap can be a tricky thing and it was the root cause of both goals. Michael Turner keeping Jason Roberts on for the opener and Andre Ooijer keeping Richard Garcia on for the equalizer.

Blackburn controlled possession, but Hull City was resolute at the back. With the exception of Roque Santa Cruz's effort in the seventy-fifth minute, Blackburn didn't get a real clear cut chance on goal. The only thing about Hull City though was they were unable to do anything on their counter attack.

Stuart Atwell has to be commended for a great day as man in the middle. From my vantage point, there was only one call he had a tough decision on and I think he got that one right. It would have been very harsh to have awarded Blackburn a penalty for Michael Turner's accidental handball. However, it was a decision that could have gone either way and I wouldn't have faulted him for it.

Hull City have been entertaining to watch in the first couple of games. Let's all hope it stays that way. Blackburn though, needs to take advantage of the possession they are given.

Liverpool v Middlesbrough: Steven Gerrard's strike at the end of the fourth minute of injury time provided the difference as Liverpool narrowly defeat Middlesbrough 2-1 at Anfield.

You can look at this game two ways. The first being it was unfortunate for Middlesbrough to lose after taking the lead and having an own goal being the equalizer. The second being Liverpool ground out three points that should have been one. I subscribe to the second point of view because in all honesty, this was an evenly balanced game. The lone exception is Middlesbrough did not create nearly enough chances to put this game away and their best chance went right to Pepe Reina.

Robbie Keane is starting to find Fernando Torres better with his passes and from the looks of things it's just a matter of time before that becomes a lethal partnership. Liverpool are still not at their strongest eleven and once Babel and Mascherano are able to play the full ninety, Liverpool will be just fine. It's a bit premature to write their title chances off after two games. Hell they are one of only two teams with six points from a possible six.

At the end when the ping pong action at the top of the penalty area settled for Steven Gerrard to strike towards goal, it was one of those instinctive things where I knew it was a goal.

Mido is proving to be a great super sub, but is it worrying that Alfonso Alves hasn't lasted ninety minutes in both games? However Mido unnecessarily started time wasting eleven minutes from the ninety. It was almost a bad omen for Boro.

Middlesbrough are showing they will be no pushover this season. Though one thing that is worrisome is two of the three goals allowed have been own goals. That is borderline on reckless and needs to stop pronto.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland: On his Premier League return, Djibril Cisse heads Sunderland to all three points and a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.

This Sunderland did just enough on the day, and depending on your perspective that's a good or a bad thing. Good in the sense that it's three points in the bag, bad in a sense that this Tottenham side at present isn't all that good and they struggled to beat them. The one thing that surprised me was Sunderland didn't go for the killer blow after going a goal up. They shouldn't have held back and doing so gave Tottenham the impetus to attack...and that they did.

Tottenham right now have the players to get the ball forward, but no one to score them. With no natural striker coming off the bench, teams have an easy blueprint to beat them...get a quick couple of goals and defend in numbers.

That said about Spurs, they had chances to score, in fact enough chances they could have gotten a point. Two chances stick out in my mind in particular. Bent's miss in the seventeenth minute off a Spurs corner and then the fact Jonathan Woodgate or Gareth Bale couldn't finish up a Craig Gordon miss in the sixty-first.

With Cisse at Sunderland, you could say they have two forwards that can get the job done. Roy Keane has to be complimented for building this squad that isn't going to give up and will every team they play this season a fight. Tottenham need strikers stat and an ending to the Dimitar Berbatov saga. It seem those two going hand in hand are the only way for Tottenham to have any chance this season. Berbatov will more than likely be gone this week (okay it's red top fodder but it makes sense...hell he wasn't even in the 18 on Saturday), but time's ticking away to bringing in forwards that can get the job done.

Newcastle United v Bolton Wanderers: Michael Owen's header 13 minutes after Shay Given denied Kevin Nolan's penalty was the difference as Newcastle build on their opening weekend performance and defeat Bolton 1-0.

Tense battle for sure, as both sides held their lines relatively well and did a decent job closing down. Quality chances were few and far between and simply put, Newcastle took advantage of theirs, Bolton didn't.

I thought the penalty was the right call. Steven Taylor's arm played the ball not once, but ended up twice. I wonder if Steve Bennett called the first one because the second one looked red card bad to me. Nolan's penalty though was point blank bad and there's no other way to put it.

I'm still trying to figure out what Bolton was doing on Michael Owen's goal. How Geremi was given that much space to cross in was shocking, but even more shocking was how Owen ran unopposed on goal. Jussi Jaaskelainen simply was frozen in his tracks as he could do nothing about it.

Newcastle United have to hope Obafemi Martins groin injury isn't serious. With Michael Owen not yet completely match fit, forwards are at a premium. I thought Jonas Gutierrez played well in the midfield. Shay Given is looking more and more likely by the game to keep that number one spot as his performance was very good.

Hopefully Elmander's injury isn't too serious as without him, I don't see where they get goals from. However their resolute defense and the keeping of Jaaskelainen will make it difficult for any opponent to break down. Two mental lapses did them in today. You can maybe get away with one, you don't get away with two.

These are my thoughts, what are yours?

Let's have a look at Saturday's matches in slightly less detail:

Stoke City 3-2 Aston Villa

Villa came crashing back to earth after demolishing Man Shitty last week, conceding an injury time goal to lose to their first away game of the season. In contrast, this game saw two milestones for Stoke as they won their first ever game in the Big League, and apparently fielded eleven players all called Faye.  Rory Delap Faye was in the middle of things, being fouled by Martin Laursen at the thirty-fourth attempt to win a penalty which was converted by Liam Lawrence Faye. John Carew scored a fine equalizer after good work from internet onanist Ashley Young, before Ricardo Fuller Faye surprised everyone by showing a touch of the Denis Bergkamps in flicking the ball round a stationary Villa defender to collect it on the other side and fire a low shot past Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel - after Tugay, possibly the world's second oldest man. Martin Laursen continued his fine goalscoring record, walking past a Stoke City defence that were wandering about like a collection of zombie extras in a George A. Romero film to tap the ball in from about three inches out. Rory Delap Faye's long throws continually troubled a Villa defence that always seemed to be worried about when Gareth Barry would next give the ball away, and it was no surprise when Mamady Sidibe Faye couldn't get his back out of the way of another long throw and it bounced off him and past Freidel's mobility scooter to score the winner.

Fulham 1-0 Arsenal

Little Britain star Matt Lucas was in the crowd for this one, and just like his TV shows there was nothing funny about Arsenal's poor performance. Surprise new signing Mikael Silvestre was not playing but his influence certainly extended to the pitch, as the Gooners looked as sloppy and uncoordinated as a walrus wearing boxing gloves trying to drink a milkshake on a rollercoaster -  Man Utd fans know exactly what I mean. Hair Bear Bullard notched his second assist in as many games, whilst Silky Oon gave such a terrific performance that he even inspired Bobby Zamora to play like an actual footballer. Unfeasibly named centre-back Brede Paulsen Hangeland crept in at a set-piece to stab home the only goal, which took a colossal effort on Arsenal's part not to notice him as Hangeland is about thirteen feet tall. Adebayor continued the season as he started it, playing like he had bovine spongiform encephalopathy and being unable to hit a grain silo with sitar.

Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough

Rafa Benitez surprised the Anfield crowd by selecting Dirk Kuyt instead of a footballer, whilst Boro surprised the Anfield crowd by looking much more like the home team for long periods. The Teeside club has handed a massive vote of confidence to Egyptian burger-lover Ahmed Mido by changing their away strip to Inter Milan-like stripes in an attempt to make him look thinner, and this seemed to inspire him enough to score a goal he actually meant this week with a terrific turn and shot. You'd think that the Liverpool defence would actually look less sluggish with Sami Hoopya not playing, but that certainly wasn't the case as Boro looked dangerous up front the whole game. Jamie Carragher sent the unemployed masses in the stands into raptures with a deflected shot in the 86th minute, his fifth goal in five hundred games for the club and a strike rate that both Kuyt and Andriy Voronin would be proud of.  Minutes later the crowd all had to calm down when hubcap-stealer-in-chief Steven Gerrard lashed home a satisfyingly route-one winner deep into stoppage time. Gerrard looked slightly more effective than he did on Wednesday against the Czechs, but frankly that's only the same as saying you'd sooner sleep wth Michelle McManus than Rik Waller.

Spurs 1-2 Sunderland

Whilst it might have worked for Mido, no amount of stripes is going to make Sunderland midfield wildebeest Andy Reid look any less gigantic. That didn't seem to trouble the Wearsiders as they brushed aside a sloppy and unfocused Spurs team. Kieran Richardson scored a terrific opener, smashing a shot past that rarest of objects - a Brazillian international footballer that no-one's ever heard of - with his weaker foot. Gareth Bale showed what an astute judge of players Sir Alex is by missing a host of sitters - thank the Lord United didn't sign him - whilst upfront Darren "broken, not just" Bent toiled unsuccessfully like - well, like Darren Bent. Aaron Lennon wafted a succession of trademark "pinpoint" crosses thirty feet over the heads of his team-mates whilst the poor man's Steven Gerrard, Jermaine Jenas, did whatever it is he does on a Saturday afternoon and still manages to get paid for in scoring the equalizer. Sunderland knew that as long as the Spurs team remained on the pitch a winner wouldn't be long in coming, and sure enough debutant substitute Lord Frodsham couldn't get out of the way of a Darryl Murphy cross and the ball hit his head to register the winner. It was notable that Dimitar Berbatov wasn't even on the bench for this game, leaving Spurs with no recognised strikers and only Darren Bent to pretend he's one. One has to go back the heady days of Bontcho Guentchev for a Bulgarian striker to go missing like this - he regularly did it on the pitch whilst playing for Ipswich. The other noteworthy news is that Diouf now hasn't been booked in two games.

West Brom 1-2 Everton

At the Hawthorns the Boing Boing Baggies Baggies were unlucky to go down to a second straight defeat to an Everton side who weren't particularly good. Worringly for Boing Boing boss Tony Mowbray observers keep saying how unlucky they are to be beaten when they've played so well - if their confidence and form goes, they could be on the wrong end of some proper tonkings. Even more worrying is the current premier league trend for away strips that look like highlighter pens - Wigan last week, Everton this week, Chelsea have one too - but then it's not like anyone expects Chelsea to have any style. By contrast West Brom's strip is very retro - they haven't whored out the space covering their man-boobs to an evil giant corporation like everyone else, so kudos to them. By the way, they're having a car boot sale next week to raise funds for three new players, and all are welcome (it'll be in the church hall if it's raining). Yakubu had a hand in both goals, allowing a defender to disposess him easily only for the defender to give the ball away to Mikel Arteta who crossed for Leon Osman to score. Yakubu then scored his hundredth goal in English football by running in a straight line and bouncing the ball off his head. Roman Bednar scored a penalty consolation after Everton skipper Phil Neville matched his twin sister's skills with the ball in hand - unfortunately he was in his own penalty area at the time, and not playing goal attack like Tracey has for the England netball team at two commonwealth games. By the way, did you know that Gary, Phil and Tracey's dad is called Neville Neville?

Newcastle 1-0 Bolton

Empty seats galore at St. James' Park as 4767 fans came to their senses and didn't bother turning up for this borefest between long-ball merchants Bolton and "big club" Newcastle - that's despite Mike Ashley giving away pre-game free drinks and tickets being available on the day for cash. Seriously, it's bad enough having to watch Newcastle at any time, but if the oppostition is the Ginger Mourinho's route-one specialists, even that grouting starts to look attractive. The game was notable only for the aforementioned Nolan's ineptitude, and little Michael Owen showing Gareth Bale how to score a headed goal from three feet out. Owen came on as substitute for his first appearance ofthe season, replacing Ola Bambi Martins who entered the record books for being the first player in premier league history to be substituted because of boredom.

Blackburn 1-0 Hull City

Hull City continued their impressive pig-headedness by refusing to change their hideous strip. Moreover, they refused to change their unbeaten start by coming from behind to gain a point at Ewood Park and are now a point above Arsenal in the table - oh that we could say that come next May! Jason Roberts scored the opener, being unable to miss despite being Jason Roberts, whilst some Australian called Garcia scored for comeback kings Hull just 90 seconds later. What's up, not good enough to play cricket?

Transfervinduet er så småt ved at være en saga blot, og det virker ikke til, at Fulham bliver sat i forbindelse med det helt store efter Hodgsons Spendabalooza.

Dog skulle Sunderlands Dickson Etuhu være et mål for Hogdson, og eftersigende skulle en byttehandel med nordirske David Healy være i støbeskeen.

En lidt uforståelig handel, da Etuhu er udpræget central midtbanespiller, og det er ikke ligefrem mangel på disse, som er The Cottagers store problem med Murphy, Bullard, Andreasen, Andranik, Davis og Smertin som alternativer til kampen om to pladser (Dempsey, Gera og såmænd også store Hangeland kan desuden rykkes ind centralt)!

Selvfølgelig fint nok at komme af med Healy, men en reservespiller fra Sunderland lyder ikke just som en mand, der kan slå de eksisterende spillere af holdet..! Hvor er den centrale forsvarsspiller, som Hodgson gik på jagt efter i starten af juli???

Simunic, Madlung, Scharner, Onyewu og Shittu blev alle nævnt, men intet skete på denne front, selvom både kroatiske Simunic og tyske Madlung skulle have været tæt på et skifte. Transfervinduet er ikke lukket endnu, men det ser mere end tvivlsomt ud, om vi får den forsvarsspiller, som vi så desperat har brug for!

Udover Etuhu skulle Hodgson også have været interesseret i Vincenzo Grella, men den australske midtbanemand skulle eftersigende være tæt på et skifte til Paul Ince's Blackburn..

Udover "Central-Defender Sagaen" skulle Davis-sagaen også have været afsluttet, men uenighed i nogle personlige forhandlinger (Med Fulham åbenbart....!) har sat Davis-skiftet i bero. Dog fortsætter forhandlingerne, og medierne rapporterer stadigvæk, at lille Davis med 100 procents sikkerhed skifter London ud med Glasgow.

En anden Cottager, der skulle være på vej væk er hollandske Collins John, som Crystal Palace skulle have lapperne ude efter. John, som var udråbt som et kæmpetalent inden skiftet til London, har haft lidt af en svingende periode hos Fulham, og har bl.a. landsholdsdebut for Holland som højdepunktet, mens udlån til Watford og Leicester i sidste sæson viser, hvilken nedtur han har været igennem.

Derudover har jeg ikke hørt meget til Volz-skiftet på det seneste, men der ligger helt sikkert også en masse overvejelse bag sådan en beslutning efter næsten et årti i London for den lille tysker.

Af andre interessante nyheder, er det bemærkelsesværdigt, at Djibril Cisse er tæt på et skifte til Sunderland på en lejekontrakt! (Måske vi skulle have prøvet at shanghaie det bud!!)...

For lige at skifte over til Arsenal-kampen på lørdag (Som bliver sendt live på Kanal 5, kl. 18.25) skulle der desværre stadig være tvivl om AJ, mens man hos Arsenal (bl.a.) har problemer med en mindre skade til den imponerende Samir Nasri, som var her, der og alle vegne i lørdags mod West Brom.

Jeg følger op på alle nyheder, så snart der forekommer flere oplysninger.

At 11:58 P.M. on August 31, Liverpool will sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa for about £17m.  At 11:59 P.M., Rafa will, with Football Manager haste, ship Basque ball-winner Xabi Alonso to Arsenal for a sum slightly smaller, with clauses that carry it to £15m.  At 12:01 A.M. on Sept. 1, having outfoxed everyone, Arsene, alone with the midnight oil, will pop in some Jamiroquai and erupt into a super-fly spasm of dance.  At 12:02 A.M., Wenger will straighten his hair, regain his Gallic composure and exit the office calmly.

Fulham have 48 hours to complete a £13m deal for Everton striker Andrew Johnson.  At some point during that process, they may ponder why a striker who scored six goals in the Premier League last season (none against top 11 opposition) is worth more than Arsenal paid for Samir Nasri.

Tottenham will continue bidding against themselves for Andrei Arshavin.  Zenit rejected the £16m bid for the Russian striker, hoping to nudge the astute Spurs board closer to £20m.

North England tailors are twittering, as Djibril Cisse could be heading back to England.  Manchester City will bring the Lord of the Manor of Frodsham on loan next season.  Unfortunately for the tailors, he should already have a powder blue tux from his time at Marseille.

Lần thứ 2 xuất ngoại, liệu Cisse có thành công?

Đây có thể xem là bất ngờ lớn bởi Djibril Cisse chưa bao giờ được nhắc đến như là một trong những mục tiêu theo đuổi của AS Roma. Tuy nhiên, do thất bại trong việc thuyết phục Fiorentina nhả chân sút người Romania Adrian Mutu nên đội bóng thành Rome đã quay sang Djibril Cisse - một trong những chân sút hàng đầu của CLB Marseille ở mùa giải vừa qua.

Cisse, 26 tuổi, từng được đánh giá là chân sút tài năng của bóng đá Pháp khi thi đấu cho Auxerre (70 bàn/128 trận). Tuy nhiên kể từ khi chuyển sang đầu quân cho Liverpool (năm 2004), Cisse liên tục gặp chấn thương và từ đó tên tuổi của anh cũng trôi dần vào quên lãng.

Không được Liverpool trọng dụng, Cisse quay lại quê nhà khoác áo CLB Olympique Marseille (từ năm 2006 dưới hình thức cho mượn) và từ đó phong độ của anh cũng bắt đầu hồi phục. Ở mùa giải vừa qua, dù không thi đấu thường xuyên cho Marseille nhưng Cisse cũng để lại đấu ấn của mình với 16 lần lập công, giúp Marseille giành vị trí thứ 3 chung cuộc (sau Lyon và Bordeaux) và giành quyền dự Champions League mùa bóng năm nay.

(Theo Tuổi Trẻ)

Player of the season

Gael Clichy

This may or may not surprise many as I'm sure The Cesc™ would be many a punters number one choice. However the little turbo charged mighty atom gets the nod. Clichy played 49 games and started all but one Premier League games and I can only count twice where he lost concentration (you know the games). People may point the finger at Clichy for 'that' penalty against Birmingham City, however rewind the tape and you will see cap'n William Gallas putting Clichy in trouble when he least expected it. I think Clichy is more than deserving of the award and he was run very close by The Cesc and newbie Bacari Sagna. Clichy has shown over the course of the season he definitely has what it takes and we don't seem to be missing old what's his name. The one area that needs work is when he gets himself in the final third is to put a killer ball in. Some might say he still hasn't scored for The Arsenal and judging by his shooting that isn't going to change any time soon but I'm not too fussed if he doesn't get amongst the goals, he's a bloody defender. If he can help keep clean sheets that's alright by me, that's what he is paid to do after all. So well done Gael - you are our Player of the Season.

Worst player of the season 

Emmanuel Eboué

To have the rough you have to have the smooth, to have your yin, you have to have your yan. What the hell am I on about? Well I don't want to rinse out any Arsenal players without any good reason, simply because they are Arsenal and we stand behind our team, we support them, we back them to the hilt. That said, anyway the 'award' goes to none other than Emmanuel Eboué. The Ivorian gets the gong for his constant cheating, diving histrionics. Other than gamesmanship what does he offer? Oh he we go, no goals and one Premier League assist, not really what you want from a winger is it? Wenger may of had his reasons for saying Eboué gets too much criticism from fans but I'm not buying into it. I'm not having one bit of that at all. However if I'm going to say something positive about Eboué, it's that he needs to be a back up for Bacari Sagna, because as a right back he wasn't too shabby, he is not a winger by any stretch of the imagination. He has no place out there. If Eboué who isn't the most skillful played like an 'agricultural' type player a la Giles Grimandi all would be forgiven as you could tell the boy was trying and you could forgive that. But what with his antics - boy is he trying!

Most improved player of the season

Mathieu Flamini

Sadly he is the most recently gone player too (Hleb was still at the club at the time of writing). With one year left on his contract Flamini was given the task to prove himself worthy of being classed as 'Arsenal material'. Well he took up the the task with such gusto AC Milano promptly snapped him up on a freebie. It still beggars belief that the board didn't offer Flamini a contract earlier than they did when you could see he had much improved and was vital to the way the midfield went about destroying other teams especially in the first half of the season. 

Newcomer of the season (new signing)

Bacari Sagna

This award has to go to The Blonde Bombshell Bacari Sagna. He came, he saw, he conquered. Sagna took to The Arsenal playing style like a fatman to a pile of bacon sandwiches, with great gusto. When Sagna signed there was a collective 'who' or 'qui'. But a few games in everyone realised what a gem this player was. He stormed the right back role with such aplomb it was recognised beyond The Arsenal fans and he was even named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year and all this in his first year of English football. Sagna's importance to the team hasn't gone unnoticed either as he has recently signed a contract extension. The board probably learning from the Flamini debacle. Well Sagna had to win an award, he wasn't going to win one for that barnet. Crozilian Eduardo would of been a major contender for this award as he was just starting to show signs of what he was made of before that hatchet man and big lump of a player Martin Taylor cut short his season with that horrendous injury. But Sagna gets the nod and lets not forget he lost his brother during this time as well and still played like a trooper. Sagna we salute you. 

Goal of the season

Emmanuel Adebayor vs Spurs (the second one)

The Togonator got a rack of goals this season, 30 in total for you lot still dissing him. But this goal is the stand out one. The chip and volley smash was a complete blinder and any goal against the scum of this calibre is great by me. This goal also voted top notch by Sky TV, BBC and the Premier League seems to be the neutrals pick as well, putting Adebayor amongst the rank of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry who made 'goal of the season' almost a personal crusade. 

Biggest disappointment of the season

Champions League / player departures

On the pitch it has to be the Champions League game against Liverpool. I was still jumping up and down like a mentalist Jens Lehmann who hadn't taken his pills when 'that' penalty decision was given, my mates ripped shirt and bashed head is testament to that. Anyway gutted is too light a word to put on the emotion that night. That's it, I don't want to relive that moment one second longer. I think every Gooner worth their salt was proper gutted. 

Off the pitch it was not being able to keep hold of Mathieu Flamini. Not being able to retain Flamini comes close but letting him go on a freebie is a kick in the balls especially when the manager and club bleats on about not having any filthy lucre to throw around. So the perennial not being able to keep hold of our 'important' players gets this joint award. It gets annoying trying to build on what you have and then seeing players go! FFS.

Best performance of the season

Bolton Wanderers - Premier League (Away 2-3)

Many will say the AC Milan at the San Siro game is the winner, it's most definitely up there but it isn't the one. It's just a massive shame that we couldn't go further and build on this. One thing I must admit about this game is that when we beat the Rosseneri everyone kept one banging on about it, which is fair play, as it was a historical and an amazing win. But after, it seemed it wasn't just the fans that believed the hype it was the players as well, when we had to go through the whole 'all the players think they need to do is turn up and we will win' shenanigans. However the best match this season and this will surprise some was the 'must win' game against relegation fodder Bolton Wanderers to keep our season on track after two draws against teams we should of spanked (Wigan and Middlesboro) and the loss against CSKA Chelsea. In this 'must win game' and admittedly one everyone expected us to win, low and behold in typical Arsenal style we get a player sent off after half an hour and by half time we are 2-0 down. Great. Cue the season ending early for us, again. Well The Arsenal dug deep, miraculously manage to pull it level and with just seconds on the clock JLloyd Samuel scores an own goal, 2-3 to The Arsenal! Cue Championship hopes still on track, drinking, dancing like your dad and your other half not having to look at your sour moosh when you eventually drag your arse home! This to me showed me The Arsenal fighting spirit, the never say die attitude, which gives me as much pleasure to see as well as our fancy dan passing game. 

Best fight scene of the season

Emmanuel Adebayor vs Nicklas Bendtner 

Well not much of a fight more of a tickle. Best mates Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner fell out when The Arsenal was losing in 'that' Mickey Mouse semi final. Adebayor comes on and tells Bendtner 'allegedly' the only reason he is on is because Bendtner 'is shit'. Cue handbags at 10 paces and all the media jumping on the bandwagon in a frenzy for a story about The Arsenal imploding, being a disgrace and all that nonsense. 

Best dance sequence of the season

Emmanuel Adebayor and Emmanuel Eboué

Absolutely no debate on this one. The taker of this award has to be Adebayor joined by Eboué after The Togonator scored against Derby County at the tail end of the season. If there is ever a better goal / dance celebration I want to see it. Also word has it Michael Jackson wants to buy the rights to the dance and use it in his next video featuring Justin Timberlake. 

Best comedy performance of the season

Jens Lehmann - most of the season

'Ze mentalist' wins this award for his mental rantings at Manuel Almunia despite dropping one through his legs at Fulham in the first game of the season after trying to take on a player like the old Colombian keeper Rene Higuita who's not a stranger to straight jackets either. Well Jens went on to mess up against Blackburn Rovers, was promptly dropped and the Mr. Angry fella just could not stop having a pop at Almunia., funny stuff. An honorary mention goes to Emmanuel Eboué who's clearly bonkers himself for doing his praying mantis, down on one knee, protesting to the ref not to book him. John Terry would be up there as well for his Champions League final miss

Best villain of the season

William Gallas 

Billy 'wins' this for his performance against Birmingham City when he carelessly gave the ball to Gael Clichy in the penalty area in the last minute instead of hoofing it (I know it isn't The Arsenal way but fuck me, it's the last seconds of the game and if it is good enough for Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Steve Bould, then it's good enough for me). Well you know the rest, the penalty decision was given (which was incorrect), Gallas marches up the pitch, blows his lid, kicks an advertising board, burns a witch, slaps a steward, roasts a fan in the stands, then sits in the centre circle blubbing like a bitch - truly bonkers. 

Best song of the season

Adebayor, Adebayor - Give him the ball and he will score!!

This is definitely the out right winner. This song is the kind of song to give you goose bumps. It's almost sung as if you should be in church. This chant isn't your 'normal' football chant and would probably win the Euro vision Song Contest. Well it couldn't be any worst than the last UK entry.

Hear it and see it here: Adebayor chant

And here's a round up of the other winners..

The Greg Louganis Olympic diving award

Didier Drogba

Well of course it is. The greasy haired 1980's soul glow wearing drunk Bambi on ice wins the drunk hands down. Well old River dance Cristiano Ronaldo gave him a run for his money, saw a player coming and went down quicker than an Essex girl on a first date!

Tool of the season - sponsored by Kleenex hand tissues (think about it)

Martin Taylor 

This award could be doubled up as 'The Hannibal Lector award for body mutilation' but the biggest wanker this season is Martin Taylor and you could possibly throw in a few of the Birmingham City players as well. Not content with mashing up Crozilian Eduardo Taylor didn't show much remorse, in fact if you do manage to find footage of the incident he even had a smile on his face when he clattered Eduardo. However it was the aftermath that done it for me. Some Birmingham players were sticking up for 'Tiny' saying 'he wasn't that sort of player', 'he didn't mean it' and other such gems. You even had ex-Arsenal player Seb Larsson claiming The Arsenal and Wenger were 'idiotic, childish, sore losers and unsportsmanlike'. Well hope you fooks enjoy playing that Championship football, it couldn't happen to a nicer team or a nicer player. 

Worst barnet of the season

Bacari Sagna

What is it with these French boys who go for the blonde topped look? First there was Djibril Cisse who looked like one of the Thundercats leading the way, now we have our very own version in Bacari Sagna. Great player, awesome, wicked, shite hair cut though. What happened to the good old fade, or bald even, cornrows anyone?

Worst performance of the season

Spurs - Carling Cup (Away - well we lost)

Enough said about that the better, let's hope that's never repeated and is a one off. The highlight of the game (if there is such a thing when you get a tonking) was the fisticuffs between our strikers. Apart from Adebayor's goal hitting the back of the net that was the only thing The Arsenal could hit - well apart from each other. 

Thank you for joining us for the awards this year, you have been a lovely audience, please enjoy the free bar ands when you leave please do so quietly and don't piss off the neighbours blah blah blah... 

Let us know any comments you have on the awards. Do you agree, do you think it's a bunch of arse? Let us know.

Other stuff: Cesc Fabregas who bagged himself a goal after coming off the bench in Spain's 4-1 spanking of the Russian's wants hat-trick hero David Villa to come to the club. Couldn't agree with you more hombré, but that is about as likely as Gary Neville winning a Mr. Personality Contest. I don't believe The Arsenal will sign a new striker and must admit I don't even raise an eyebrow or get remotely excited about strikers being linked to us as I don't believe that is part of Wenger's thinking. Not saying I don't a fancy a new striker or David Villain particular, I would love him at the club but it's not going to happen people. Also what with David Villa cracking a hat-trick his price tag has just moved into CSKA Chelsea territory. Would be nice to bag him though wouldn't it? 

Alex Hleb, don't groan good people stay with me, is at it again. His 'should I stay or should I go' shenanigans has taken another twist. Now apparently Bayern Munich are in for the player and Hleb has reacted to reports saying he has signed for them saying:

"These reports anger me. I have not signed for Bayern, Barcelona or any other club for that matter".

Hleb reckons he needs time to figure out his Arsenal or none-Arsenal future, not sure about you lot but I thought we had more or less heard the last of it. It seems Hleb has taken a leaf out of the Patrick Vieira / Thierry Henry book on how much you can milk a transfer story. However as there definitely seems to be some more air miles in this story I'm not mentioning the Bell-end-Russian again on this site, unless he says he's staying or whether he eventually signs on Barca, Bayern or however the fark is after him. 

Keep your All Time Eleven's coming in. As well as your 'proper' All Time Eleven's I'm asking you Gooners to come up with your own 'alternative' All Time Elevens before I reveal who your 'proper' All Time Elevens are sometime next week, so get involved - you too can play this at home! Send your emails to alltimeeleven[@]allgoonerdup.com (remove the things around the 'at' sign) and mark them either 'alternative' or 'proper' although I'm sure it should be blatantly obvious which pile they should be in. Your alternatives could include, all time crims (David Hillier, Tony Adams anyone?), worst signings, one season wonders - you name it or shame it and send them in.

Lastly off pitch news, Gary Lewin is getting tearful as he says he has loads of memories being with The Arsenal. I must admit it will seem really odd watching The Arsenal next season and van Persie or Tomas Sicky predictably getting injured and some 'newbie' running onto the pitch. We wish you well Gary! Also lastly, on the off pitch shenanigans as it's Euro2008 have a butchers at the Girls of Euro2008.

That's my lot it's been a pleasure and emotional - see you in the comments bit!

Jump on the comments section and have your shout - see you in there! 

Road trip to Barcelona

If you log onto the site in the next few days and it hasn't changed, that's because the site wont be updated for the next few days as I'm off to Barcelona to tap up some of their players! So enjoy good people and do yourself a favour and hop onto The 2007/08 Allgoonerdup Awards and let me know your thoughts on the whole thing. Until next time!

Steve Sidwell, Chelsea - Den engelske midtbaneslider har ikke fået meget spilletid hos naboerne fra Chelski, og har nu fået lov til at søge nye græsgange. En udmærket midtbaneslider, der dog ikke nyder stor popularitet i England pga. en eftersigende dårlig attitude. Men ikke desto mindre kunne det være bølgebryderen vi leder efter på en defensiv midtbane, der mangler lidt saft og kraft! Det er klart til vores fordel, at Sidwell bor i London, og at han derfor måske er mere tilbøjelig til at skifte til et andet Londonhold, hvis han har fundet sig til rette i hovedstaden. Desværre er naboerne fra Hammers dog også interesserede, hvilket kan gøre det lidt mere kompliceret...

Kevin Doyle, Reading - En af Sidwells tidligere kollegaer i Reading bliver også kædet sammen med The Cottagers. En målfarlig venstrewing, som vi har søgt efter på det seneste, og en klar forstærkning til den skrantende venstrekant, hvor bl.a. Clint Dempsey er blevet afprøvet uden den store succes. Villa og Wigan skulle også være interesseret, men Fulham skulle eftersigende være blandt favoritterne til at skaffe irerens underskrift.

Djibril Cissé, Marseille - Efter et noget mislykkedes ophold i Liverpool i årene 2004-2007, kan Cissé være på vej til et comeback i Premier League. Valencia skulle også være interesseret, men med en walisisk kone foretrækker Cissé det engelske som sin næste destination. Dog er konkurrencen her hårdere end ved noget andet transfermål indtil videre. Manchester City, Blackburn, West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth og Wigan skulle alle have fingrene ude efter den afblegede franskmand. Skulle eftersigende være en doven satan og lidt af en primadonna, men jeg har da set ham i aktion nogle gange, og han kunne være lidt af et scoop i Fulhams frontkæde..

Michael Kightly, Wolverhampton - Indtil for en sæson siden løb Michael Kightly rundt I Grays United, men skiftede før denne sæson til Wolverhampton, hvor han har været et kæmpehit og bl.a. har fået debut på det engelske U21-landshold. Den unge wing, blev i sin tid kaldt "Non-leagues Ryan Giggs", og skulle være på ønskesedlen hos en del klubber. Helt sikkert en mand at holde øje med, og lad os håbe på, at han tager turen til det sydvestlige London.

In neighbouring France , coach Raymond Domenech dropped Marseille's Djibrill Cisse in favour of Bafetimbi Gomis. David Trezeguet was also excluded despite scoring 20 goals for Juventus in Serie A this season. Trezeguet, France's third all time scorer with 34 goals in 71 games, scored the winning goal in the Euro2000 final against Italy . The goal scoring experience did not prevent Filippo Inzaghi from missing Italy's party. The 34 year old Inzaghi scored 11 goals in Serie A for AC Milan this season has been missing his name in the squad as the Italy coach Roberto Donadoni said it was exclusively a technical choice for his name missing .

Netherlands midfielders Clarence Seedorf and Mark Van Bommel, Portugal midfielder Maniche and Turkey forward Hakan Sukur are also among the top players who will be missing this Euro2008 squad.

Et klassekøb, hvis det lykkes gamle Roy at hente den hurtige franskmand til Fulham, men igen har vi fået hård konkurrence fra Newcastle og Manchester City!

Vi krydser fingre og følger sagen!

Barring unexpected incident, the 26-year-old will claim his 100th international cap at the sport’s most famous venue, the modern incarnation of the hallowed site that is Wembley Stadium. It will be a fitting reward for a player who has served his country with pride and productivity since 2000 and who tops the all-time national goal-scoring charts with 35.

Yet there are many who are unprepared to give Donovan any credit, preferring to pillory him with accusations that he fails to deliver on the big occasion.

The main sticking point for many U.S. fans is his performance in the 2006 World Cup, which ended in shattered hopes and a winless record for a United States team of which much was anticipated. Donovan carried the burden of responsibility in the eyes of many, who expected a repeat of his outstanding efforts in Japan and South Korea four years earlier when the Americans qualified for the quarterfinals.

A worse crime in the eyes of Donovan’s critics was his failure to become a major star in Europe after joining German Bundesliga team Bayer Leverkusen at the age of 17. He returned to California on loan after two years and failed to hold down a starting role in a final attempt to succeed in Germany during the 2004-05 season.

So is he arguably the finest player in the history of the U.S. national team, or North American soccer’s greatest underachiever?

That can’t properly be answered until much nearer the end of his career. Donovan has at least two World Cups left in him, and given how his reputation was sullied in 2006, it is not unreasonable to suggest his legacy could be revived or destroyed depending on his efforts in South Africa in 2010 and Brazil in 2014.

At the club level, personal factors – his actress wife Bianca’s work commitments are in California – mean a move back to Europe is unlikely in the short term. However, if he and David Beckham can revive the fortunes of the Los Angeles Galaxy and turn that team into the dominant force in Major League Soccer, then it will be hard to question his career choices.

Either way, Donovan is in no mood to question himself just now and can barely wait to reach three figures for Bob Bradley’s team.

“I am able to enjoy this one a little bit more because it is a friendly,” Donovan said. “If it was a competitive game, my mind would be on other things. Even so, I am not coming here to celebrate and we want to come and win the game and show we can do well against a team like England.

“It will be exciting to reach 100 caps. I still can’t quite believe it. It is something to be proud of, but there is still a lot I want to achieve in my international career and I have high hopes for this team.”

Whatever is said on the outside, Bradley is one man who you will never hear utter a bad word about Donovan. He values the influence Donovan has on the squad, especially on teams where the roster is primarily made up of younger, U.S.-based players.

“It is amazing that Landon has so many caps at this stage of his career,” Bradley said. “He means a lot to our group and I very much hope that he has many more internationals to come.

“He is a high-quality player who continues to be important for us. It promises to be a big night for him and we hope to mark it with a victory.”

France Football a sorti ce mardi son traditionnel numéro annuel sur les salaires des stars du foot. Au classement mondial, malgré son départ du Real Madrid pour la "modeste" équipe des Los Angeles Galaxy, David Beckham se classe très largement en tête avec des revenus évalués à 31 millions d'euros annuels (salaires et revenus annexes), devant les joueurs du FC Barcelone Ronaldinho (24.1 millions) et Lionel Messi (23 millions).

En France, c'est toujours Djibril Cissé qui est le joueur le mieux payé. L'avant-centre de l'OM touche 4.8 millions d'euros annuel et devance l'attaquant parisien Pauleta (4.6 millions) et le milieu brésilien de l'OL Juninho (4.5 millions).

Ca paye toujours aussi bien, footballeur...

Le top 10 mondial - Le top 10 français (France Football)

This year's chorus of "the song that never ends" may finally reach a finale, with Nicolas Anelka finally leaving Bolton Wanderers to join Avram's merry lads at Chelsea F.C.  Megson threw some chum to the circling English media by leaving Anelka out of the squad for the FA Cup Match (keeping him from becoming cup tied).  Bolton denied Chelsea's initial 11 m GBP bid for the striker, though a compromise between that and Bolton's 15 m GBP valuation of the player appears quite likely.

Arsenal's summer signing Lassana Diarra appears to have made his stay at the Emirates a brief one.  Arsene Wenger surprisingly left the young midfielder out of his squad set to face Tottenham in the Carling Cup (Diarra had played in all three previous matches of the competition).  He has aroused interest from many Premier League clubs including Newcastle, Manchester City, Tottenham, and Portsmouth.

Paul Jewell means business, in the only sense that a popped dress-shirt collar can.  Jewell emboldened by a curious optimism, appears to believe that the club can stay in the Premier League.  He has already spent 1.5 m GBP to bring in crazy and crocked midfielder Robbie Savage.  He also may bring out the big bucks to sign United States and Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson, who scored 16 goals in 24 MLS appearances last season.

Sven is looking for a flashy car to increase his scoring probability.  There is always the Jaguar option with Michael Owen, though he would need to buy another one to use while that one was in the shop.  He appears to fancy a cheaper and slightly eccentric French model with Djibril Cisse though Marseilles seem hellbent on keeping it.

FRED CHAVES: The still-young 24 year old Brazilian striker has seen better days at Lyon. Once put on the transfer list, plenty of interest has already been shown - predominantly from Brazil, but some English clubs have thrown their wallets into the mix. Tottenham and West Ham are the latest to have shown some interest, but the likely destination seems to be Ligue One rivals Paris St-Germain. The asking price is a cool $20 million. Fred's descent at Stade Gerland has been countered by the rise of starlets Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema as well as the formation which puts the young Benzema at the lone striker positon. Worst of it is, it's been working...(Benzema has 12 goals, Lyon is in 1st). Regardless, over three years and 55 appearances, Fred still managed 25 goals. It'd be a hell of capture for either West Ham and Tottenham, if they're willing to part with the cash (which has never been a problem).

LIVERPOOL: Ready to go Eastern European in the back. Hard not to after watching the success of Serbian Nemanja Vidic in the center of defense for champions Manchester United. The cat is out of the bag on Eastern European defenders in general as there will be no more lenient price tags. Rafa's target is Martin Skrtel - a 23-year old Slovakian centreback, capable of playing on the left as well. As he has passed his medical, all that's left is formalities and Skrtel will become Liverpool's most expensive defender at $13 million. Defense has become somewhat of urgency at Liverpool as Sami Hyppia has been hit with injury to add to the already injured Daniel Agger. Skrtel, playing for Zenit St. Petersburg now and used to European competition, will fit the bill. Read up on Skrtel here.

FRENCH STRIKERS: Nicolas Anelka wants to be at Stamford Bridge. Bolton says no, but Chelsea is still hopeful they can get a deal done. The bid was apparently laughable to Bolton at $24 million and with Manchester United also actively searching for a striker, should Chelsea be biding their time with a bid like that? Djibril Cisse, the former Liverpool strikeman, is ready for a Premiership return but his stock has taken a hit following two major injuries over the past several years. Marseille's President Pape Diouf has already followed an apparent bid for Cisse from Manchester City with a resounding no.

OTHER RUMORS: Lassana Diarra to Newcastle; Jermain Defoe open for the bidding even after scoring 5 in his last 7 appearances - destination: Manchester United?;  

CARLING CUP: 1st Leg of the Semifinals today and tomorrow - Chelsea vs. Everton (Tues.) and Arsenal vs. Tottenham (Wed.). Here's a quick preview of this week's games from the Carling Cup site. Predictions - Everton comes out of Stamford Bridge even, while Arsenal outclasses Tottenham at home. Especially if the in-form Eduardo is on the field.

(Pictures from Gamespot)

I am excited about this game. It looks cool, i think they got inspired by Team Fortress 2. The game comes out for the PS3, XBOX 360 and Nintendo DS in February 2008. Probably the PSP later.

(posted by Marty McFly)

Ricardinho was taken off in the 44th minute in last week's Champions League opening group tie at the Velodrome after Cisse's 25th minute tackle which resulted in a freekick for the Turkish side.

And in Friday's edition of France Football magazine the Brazilian claims the France international wilfully set about to injure him.

"Because of my injury I can't play for two months and so I won't be paid. Cisse wanted to injure me and he succeeded. But I'm going to take legal action against him."

The 31-year-old added: "The Marseille players played like butchers. They noticed that I was the playmaker and they did everything to take me out and Cisse succeeded."

Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam also maintained Marseille, who won the game 2-0, had overstepped the mark.

"There was a World Cup rugby match a few days before in Marseille, they must have confused the rules," he said.

(Courtesy: www.soccerway.com)