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Harry Redknapp Reveals Frustrations With Tottenham's Pursuit Of David Beckham

LA Galaxy delay decision to release player, as Wilshere woos! Harry Redknapp has urged Los Angeles Galaxy not to scupper David Beckham’s potential loan move to Tottenham by dragging their heels over a decision.

Beckham is keen on a return to Europe to improve his fitness in the close season, with a view to proving to England coach Fabio Capello that he deserves a recall to the national side.

And the 35-year-old is not short of suitors, with more than a dozen clubs reportedly interested in taking the former England captain on a short-term loan.

“I haven’t heard anything for a few days,” Redknapp revealed to reporters. “I was looking at at least three months really.

“If it’s a very short-term thing it can be a problem, as much as I like him and I am a great fan of his.

“He would be great to have around the place. As a player, as a person and as a professional he is top class. He’d be a great role model for the younger players.

“If we are only talking eight or nine games by the time we get him ready, it is a difficult one. I would have to look at that carefully.

“I can’t be suddenly leaving people out and then after a few games David goes back and I have to mess about with the team again. It would be a difficult one if it is that short a period.

“We will have to wait until we get all those answers and look at it then.”

Blackburn and Newcastle have also expressed an interest in the former England captain, but Tottenham are believed to still be the frontrunners.

“I see Blackburn are in as well. Maybe they have more to offer him. They can offer him free chicken for life and we can’t compete with that,” Redknapp joked.

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere commented on social networking site Twitter that he would definitely support a move for Beckham from Arsenal.

He tweeted: “Bring Becks to Arsenal what a great example he would be for all of us!His professional attitude,ability, and experience!love 2 work with him!"

Milan Forward Ronaldinho In Paris Saint-Germain Link

French club PSG could move into negotiations for Ronaldinho as Brazilian sides balk at the €8 million fee...

Milan playmaker Ronaldinho could return to Paris Saint-Germain as they attempt to squeeze in between the Italians and a long line of Brazilian clubs keen on the 30-year-old.

Ronaldinho's brother and agent Roberto De Assis promulgated Milan's message they want €8million for the transfer, a move which saw Gremio and other clubs hold fire.

"If they want to sign Ronaldinho they must pay what Milan are asking," said the agent on Wednesday, before adding: "A European club is interested."

The Rossoneri won't allow their man to join another Italian club, leaving Sportmediaset.it to report PSG are moving forwards.

The move seems stuck on Milan's pull for financial gain, but an offer from the Ligue 1 club could change that.

Ronaldinho wants regular action and a stable deal to ensure he can play for Brazil in World Cup 2014 and PSG might be the answer if the Brazilian clubs pull out completely.

Lionel Messi: Xavi Or Iniesta For The Ballon d'Or

The Argentine offered a festive wish to his comrades... Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has arrived in Argentina, where he will celebrate Christmas with his family.

Local journalists flocked to meet the Barcelona ace upon his landing back home, and Leo offered his thoughts on the season so far as well as the upcoming Golden Ball award.

"2010 was a good year for me personally, but the World Cup didn't go the way I wanted," he said.

"Now I have the aim for Argentina to win the Copa America next year, as we'll contest it at home."

On the Ballon d'Or, of which Messi is the current holder, the forward backed two of his teammates.

"This year I think one of my teammates at Barcelona, Xavi or (Andres) Iniesta, will win," he said.

The midfield pair are two of three remaining nominees, the other being Messi himself.
 

Former Champions League ref says officials know Ronaldo is a diver

FIFA Top Class Referee Claus Bo Larsen worked his final Champions League match this week (Ajax's 2-0 win over AC Milan) and mere hours into his retirement, he's apparently already dishing dirt from the officials' dressing rooms.

When asked by Danish tabloid Ekstra Bladet to pick the "most annoying player" from a referee's perspective, he reportedly went with the name you're probably shouting at your screen right now -- a man well known for both his superior skill and tendency to tumble, Cristiano Ronaldo.

From Soccernet:

"He's always out to get a cheap free-kick, especially at home," he told Ekstra Bladet. "We tended to talk before games about how he'd go down easily.

"We know not to be biased, but we have to be prepared. He has a clean slate at the start of every game. When he would lie down after failing to win a free-kick, he smiled at me because he knew I didn't fall for his theatrics."

It's a reasonable point of view -- as a referee you have to be aware of which players have the reputation for looking to get one over on you. It sounds like Ronaldo is aware that the officials are increasingly suspicious of him, too. Probably best to stay on his feet at all costs, then.
 

Milan 0-2 Ajax: Godenzonen Seal Europa League Spot To Hand De Boer Dream Start!

Ajax secure victory in Giuseppe Meazza and ensure European football in New Year... Ajax caretaker manager Frank de Boer got his time in charge with the Eredivisie outfit off to an ideal start with a 2-0 Champions League victory over Milan this evening.

Superb second half strikes from Demy de Zeeuw and Toby Alderweireld were enough to secure third place in Group G and thereby ensure that Ajax and not Auxerre would drop into the Europa League.

The fact Ajax were in need of a result to ensure Europa League qualification was evident in the first half as their greater need drove them on against a more relaxed Milan.

Miralem Sulejmani was deployed on the right of a front three and looked in the mood in the early stages. Two minutes in, the Serbian wide-man picked out Luis Suarez’s darting run with a perfectly weighted slide-rule pass which allowed the Uruguayan to unleash a powerful angled drive, but Marco Amelia was alive to the danger and pushed the ball wide at his left-hand post.

Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Given Two-Game Touchline Suspension For 'Improper Conduct' Against Ajax

Mourinho, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek have been punished for their unsporting behaviour against Ajax in the Champions League...


Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been banned for two Champions League matches after being found guilty of improper conduct during his side's 4-0 victory over Ajax in the Champions League last week. Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Jerzy Dudek have all been slapped with fines.

UEFA opened an investigation into allegations that Alonso and Ramos had deliberately earned themselves red cards against Ajax so that they could serve their suspensions on matchday 6 and have a clean slate for the knockout stage. Madrid have already won Group G, rendering their final match in the group academic.

UEFA revealed on Tuesday that they found Mourinho, Alonso, Ramos, Casillas and Dudek guilty of unsporting behaviour.

A statement on UEFA's official website reads:

"The Spanish club's coach Jose Mourinho has been suspended from coaching activities for two UEFA club competition matches, of which the second is deferred for a probationary period of three years. He was also fined €40,000.

"Players Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos were fined €20,000, Iker Casillas was fined €10,000 and Jerzy Dudek was fined €5,000. The red cards given to Alonso and Ramos stand, and they have therefore been suspended for one UEFA club competition match.

"The Control and Disciplinary Body has decided to fine Real Madrid CF €120,000."

Madrid can lodge an appeal against the ruling inside three days.

Barcelona Are The Best Team I've Ever Seen - Villarreal's Borja Valero

Villarreal midfielder Borja Valero proclaims Barcelona to be the best team he has ever seen. Former Real Madrid midfielder Borja Valero has proclaimed Barcelona as the “best team I have ever seen” following their stunning 5-0 victory over Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Monday evening.

The Villarreal playmaker spoke to the media today ahead of his side’s Europa League match with Dinamo Zagreb, and waxed lyrical about the performance of the Spanish champions.

He claimed: “They are the best team I have ever seen, and the current squad they have is hard to beat because they have a great ability to press the opposition. They are inaccessible, it is never easy to record a 5-0 scoreline, and even more difficult against Real Madrid, who are not accustomed to losing.”

Valero then addressed the must-win match his side face against the Croatians, if they are to progress to the knockout stages of the tournament, and believes an early goal will be key if they are to get the result they need.

He added: “We need to win the game no matter what. Teams cut here to shut us out, but we are used to it and we must take our game to them in order to win. They are in good shape and it will be difficult, but if we score an early goal it could solve the game.

“We have two very fast forwards who can do them harm.”

Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho Promises 'Great' Clasico Against Barcelona

Mourinho wants an entertaining Clasico on Monday...

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has vowed he will do his best to make sure that the Clasico against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Monday lives up to its pre-game hype.

Madrid are unbeaten in all competitions this season and are currently nursing a one-point lead over the Spanish champions.

Mourinho is looking forward to some fireworks in the Catalan capital in his first clasico as coach of the Blancos.

"It is our responsibility to put on a great game - the coaches, the players and the referee," Mourinho told AS. "We have to give the world a super game."

Monday's match will also mark the debut of Madrid's summer signings Mesut Oezil, Sami Khedira and Angel Di Maria in the Clasico and Mourinho admits that he is unsure how the trio will react.

"You never know how the team will react," said the Portuguese. "Physically we are fine and know what to do, but we face a team that has had a lot of time working together and we have only had a few months. But, in any case, we must be prepared for any eventuality."

Clash With Atletico Madrid Is A Must-Win Match - Real Madrid Star Cristiano Ronaldo

Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that the weekend derby clash with Atletico Madrid is a must-win encounter.


Real Madrid winger Cristiano Ronaldo is looking forward to Sunday’s derby encounter with Atletico Madrid, and believes given the nature of the match, it has become a must-win meeting for his team.

The Portuguese star was in sparkling form during October, finding the net 13 times and aiding Jose Mourinho’s side to the top of the table.

Speaking to Marca TV, the former Manchester United player commented on the match: “A derby is more than one game. We know that a derby is played by two teams from the same city, but we should not prepare for the clash any differently than others.

“We know that it is a difficult match, against a good team, but we are at home and it is a must-win match.”

Ronaldo also spoke of his own personal performances this season, stating that although he has scored more goals this season, he feels the same player that he has always been.

He added: “I am continuing as usual. Goals make the difference between playing good or bad. I am the same player as last year. I think that I have scored more goals that have helped the team, but I’m the same player. I feel good. I’m helping the team, and the team is helping me.”

Finally CR7 added that he always felt the team could find the elusive equaliser against Milan in the Champions League, concluding: “We always believed we could score. We were able to score because we had many opportunities. We are very happy to get what we wanted.”

Jose Mourinho red card!

Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid will have to make do without the services of head coach Jose Mourinho for the next two games after the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) handed the Portuguese coach a two-match ban.

The former Inter tactician received his marching orders in Wednesday's 5-1 Copa del Rey win over Murcia after hitting out at referee Jose Luis Paradas Romero during the match.

The RFEF wasn't too happy with Mourinho's outburst and have decided to suspend the Real Madrid coach for the next two matches.

"Mourinho was booked for formulating observations about the referee and he has been suspended for the Sporting and Athletic matches for addressing the referee with disrespectful vocabulary - Article 117-," reads a statement on the club's official website.

Mourinho will miss this weekend's match against Sporting Gijon and the home game against Athletic Bilbao on November 23 due to the suspension.

FIFA Ballon D'Or Shortlist Announced

Spain and Germany's national teams dominate the player list for 2010.

FIFA have announced their shortlists for this year's illustrious Ballon d'Or, World Coach of the Year and other annual awards to be handed to the year's inspirational sporting heroes.

The winners of which will be announced on January 10, 2011 in Zurich. The gala will include for the second time the FIFA Puskas award for the most beautiful goal and the FIFA Fair Play award among a host of other team and individual accolades.

The eagerly anticipated World Player of the Year list has been dominated by those who shone in South Africa over the summer, enlightening the world during the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Holders Spain and semi-finalists Germany make up most of the 23-man list.

The contenders are:
Xabi Alonso
(Spain) Dani Alves
(Brazil)
Iker Casillas
(Spain) Cristiano Ronaldo
(Portugal)
Didier Drogba
(Ivory Coast) Samuel Eto'o
(Cameroon)
Cesc Fabregas
(Spain) Asamoah Gyan
(Ghana)
Julio Cesar
(Brazil) Miroslav Klose
(Germany)
Philipp Lahm
(Germany) Maicon
(Brazil)
Thomas Mueller
(Germany) Arjen Robben
(Netherlands)
Bastian Schweinsteiger
(Germany) David Villa
(Spain)
Xavi
(Spain) Carles Puyol
(Spain)
Andres Iniesta
(Spain) Diego Forlan
(Uruguay)
Lionel Messi
(Argentina) Mesut Oezil
(Germany)
Wesley Sneijder
(Netherlands)

In addition, a total of ten coaches have been selected.

Carlo Ancelotti
(Chelsea) Vicente del Bosque
(Spain)
Alex Ferguson
(Manchester United) Pep Guardiola
(Barcelona)
Joachim Loew
(Germany) Jose Mourinho
(Inter & Real Madrid)
Oscar Tabarez
(Uruguay) Louis van Gaal
(Bayern Munich)
Bert van Marwijk
(Netherlands) Arsene Wenger
(Arsenal)


The same awards will be handed to those who have been pushing the best of women's football over the past year.
 

Lionel Messi Enjoying Life At Barcelona 

Messi has played down speculation he could leave Barcelona for Inter but admits he doesn't know what the future holds...

Barcelona ace Lionel Messi has conceded that although he has no desire to leave the Blaugrana, nothing can be taken for granted as far as the future is concerned.

The 23-year-old Argentina international has been heavily linked with a move to Italian champions Inter in recent days with Nerazzurri supremo Massimo Moratti making no secret of his admiration for the 2009 Ballon d’Or winner.

However, Messi has reiterated that he has no desire to leave Camp Nou, but adds that he is not 100% sure of what will happen in the future.

"Inter? Today I feel so fine at Barcelona,” Messi told France Football. "I have no desire to leave. But you never know what can happen. When everything is beautiful, you don't think about it.

"But when everything becomes more difficult, who knows? Anyway, I have so much fun at Barcelona. You can write I hope it will remain like that for ever!"

Man United Convinced Me! 

Wayne Rooney has spoken to MUTV in the aftermath of Friday lunchtime's sensational revelation that he has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United.

Speaking exclusively to United's own television channel, Rooney admitted that the past few days have been particularly difficult for him and stated his delight at committing his future to the Red Devils until at least 2015.

"It’s been difficult for me and for the club as well, " Rooney told MUTV.

"For me, I felt I had to get my point across and we finally came to an agreement, which I think is best for the two of us...for me and the club.

"There’s a lot of media coverage that you have to deal with. I’m sure with other players these discussions happen as well, but they just never become public knowledge. Obviously my situation did, and it made it more difficult.

"But I spoke with the club about it and we felt it was best to move things on quickly. I’m really delighted I’ve managed to agree the deal today."
Wayne Rooney - The Glazers, Gill And Sir Alex Ferguson Convinced Me That Manchester United Will Be Successful And That's Why I'm Staying
Striker pleas for forgiveness from fans



Whilst it was well documented that Rooney had spoken to United chief executive David Gill and manager Sir Alex Ferguson, it is perhaps surprising that the striker has revealed that he also spoke with the Glazers before making his decision.

"I’ve spoken with the manager, David Gill and the owners and all of them have confirmed to me that this is the right club for me to be at, and that the club is going to continue to be successful and win things.

"I had other things I wanted to air as well, but I was happy to move forward and sign the deal."

Rooney was keen to heap praise on Sir Alex in particular and it appears clear that the striker's respect for his manager was a key reason in his decision to stay at Old Trafford.

"He’s a great manager and I’ve said that many times. He’s one of the big reasons why I joined the club – to work under him and be successful.

"The manager’s experience, passion and will to win are one of the main reasons why I’m playing here."

The speed of Rooney's apparent U-turn has surprised many pundits who believed he was a certain to leave United in January or next summer. However, Rooney said that decisions had to be made quickly once the situation became public knowledge.

"The manager quite openly made it clear that the door was still open for me to sign and that he still wanted me to sign. That’s when I spoke to my agent and said, ‘let’s go in and sit down with them and try to resolve it and try and get the deal done’."

Despite pledging his future to the club, it remains to be seen whether United fans will be quick to forgive Rooney for things that have been said in this incredible week. With this in mind, Rooney finished his interview with a heartfelt plea to those supporters.

"My message is that I care for this club and I want to be here. I want to continue being successful at this club. Some fans might not take to it too quickly. It might take time. But I will give 100 per cent on the pitch.

"I want to try and build that relationship back up. I hope that we can work together on this and try to do the best thing for Manchester United and win trophies here."

I Have Great Admiration For Real Madrid Coach Jose Mourinho - Milan's Ronaldinho

Milan star Ronaldinho praises Real Madrid and also labels their coach, Jose Mourinho, as among the best in the world.


Milan playmaker Ronaldinho is looking forward to returning to Spain for next week's Champions League encounter versus Real Madrid, and believes that in Jose Mourinho they have one of the best coaches in the world.

The Brazilian spent five seasons with los Blancos’ rivals Barcelona before moving to the Rossoneri, and in an interview with AS, he discussed both of Spain’s big two, how he enjoyed his time at the Camp Nou, and his respect for the Special One.

He remarked, firstly on Real Madrid: “They are always one of the strongest teams in the world, and every year they bring in more great players. Now, with Mourinho, they have one of the best coaches in the world. I have great admiration for him. I like his style, and he is certainly going to do something very large with Madrid.”

On Barcelona, he compared the team of Frank Rijkaard, in which he enjoyed success, to Guardiola’s current team, continuing: “There are some things that are very similar. Barcelona, a long time ago, assumed the characteristic of having the ball a lot, almost 70% possession, and that is something of the club’s history. What has changed from my era is the characteristics of the players.

“I actually have a good relationship with Guardiola, because his family and his brother are very good friends of mine. I had a good relationship with him also when he trained the B team.”

Finally, he considered the challenge of taking on los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu with the Italian giants, and hopes to produce a vintage performance similar to the occasion where he was applauded from the pitch by the Madridstas, after scoring twice in a 3-0 win for Barcelona.

He concluded: “I only want to produce a great game. What happened to me in Madrid before happens once in a lifetime, if it occurs at all. I have it in my head not to just produce a great game, but my best game.”