Comparing Butt to Beckham is a little different...

Yes.. David Beckham, debatably the most marketable and recognisable footballer in the world and.. Nicky Butt. Eh?

Age does have a lot to do with it. I don't understand what David Beckham, a very isolated case in the world of football, has to do with what we're talking about here.

Your last paragraph is about right, Owen coming from Real Madrid at a decent age was always going to come at a price and Newcastle really had to pay a premium to get a player of Owen's pedigree to play for Newcastle. It's not like they knew he'd be injury so much of the time. Unfortunate for them really

I won't say I told you so.

They wouldn't have been on anything near that when they were at United, bearing in mind Rooney was supposed to be on around 75k when he signed in 2004, I'd say around 90k combined.

I wonder who is next in line for the Chelsea job, I would reckon Hiddink, Rijkaard, Erickson or Mancini.

Either way they will all need money from Roman if they are to succeed, Chelsea need a clear out and could do with some slightly younger players at the club. The question is will Roman be willing to spend?

That is the question. His future intentions will be revealed on a) who they appoint and b) how much money he gets in the summer.

In any event, they need a clear out, stating with Kalou and Malouda.

Also Drogba, Deco and Ballack for me. They need to promote some of the young lads they have and bring in a central midfielder, a wide player and a couple of strikers.

I don't know what you said about Scolari. I remember you alluding to me bragging over Scolari's appointment, which didn't happen, so I'm not exactly trusting of your version of events.

What I will say is that the vast majority of Man Utd fans on here were vehement that Mourinho was nothing special and anyone could be successful at Chelsea with the money spent. Ranieri, Grant and Scolari have shown what nonsense that was.

Well done to the SSN presenter this morning when speaking to Guus Hiddink's agent. He must have asked the same questions about 5 different times, im suprised his agent didnt get slightly p*ssed off with him.

So, how influential is Abramovich? ? ?

Ok...

So, how influential is Abramovich? ? ?

Ok...

So, how influential is Abramovich? ? ?

Now he can go and make The French Connection 3 and bring Popeye Doyle back.

One day, I wish someone would kick one of their interviewers straight in the nuts and ask, "Did that hurt"?

Wow, when we won the PL people was saying they bought it, now people saying you cant buy class



Strong rumours that Abramovich is ready to sell up to 5 businessmen in Germany. I think Wilkins will be in charge for a couple of months before this is sorted tbh.

time after time after....

hope so!

Supposedly they want someone in on a short term basis, maybe Venables?

Very sick rumour flying around:

[urlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/liverpool/4577332/Liverpools-Andriy-Voronin-linked-with-Anfield-return-to-replace-Robbie-Keane.html[/url

For me, that might just tilt the title race back into Liverpools favour.

how?

Jermaine Beckford...

Nothing happened.





Daft keeper for chinning your elbow.

Robihno is quality at international and club level. Even in his first few months in England his goalscoring record is excellent (a goal every two games - pretty good for a wide player wouldn't you say?) and not to mention his assists and the fact that he has become Brazil's talisman over the last two years. He will never be one of the top 3 or so in the world as he cannot grab the game by the scruff of the neck. I am interested in hearing all of these wingers who are better than him though.

Mascherano? How can someone be world class and not be able to pass the ball? I can think of several midfielders I would have ahead of Mascherano.
Macherano couldn't even get a game for a West Ham team facing relegation. he can tackle and he battles hard. He's not a footballer.

Crespo? Very good player but overrated. How has he played in the last two years?

Hiddink in talks with Chelsea.

Just been reading The Mirror ( no i dont believe everything i read Keith) but there was a caption about Vorinon stating that he might go back to Liverpool because of their striker shortages. He states that his agent has spoken to Liverpool about his "return"

But when the Mirror asked Liverpool, they said they only talked to Veronicas agent about the easiest way to get rid of him.

But you never know with Rafa....

You said Crespo wasn't world class, which is completely wrong, as in his day, he was one of the best around.

Wide players I'd take over Robinho:

1) Ronaldo
2) Messi
3) Ribery
4) Robben


As for Mascherano, we're not talking midfielders as a whole, we're talking [iholding[/i midfielders, he isn't that bad of a passer, he keeps it simple and gives it off to the better players, like Alonso and Gerrard. At holding the midfield, only Cambiasso and possibly De Rossi are up there with Mascherano. If you want to use Robinho being Brazil's 'talisman' as an excuse for him being so good, what about Masch? He's just become his countries captain, their leader!