Imagine if MIkel?

Sir Alex Ferguson has taken a swipe at Chelsea over the development of midfielder John Obi Mikel. Mikel joined United in 2005, but then challenged this to successfully move to Premier League foes Chelsea from Lyn Oslo.


"Because of his talent and his young age we thought we could have developed him the right way," Ferguson told kickoffnigeria.com. "At the time we were disappointed because we thought that Mikel would be a Manchester United player.

"But he chose Chelsea in the real sense of the matter and there was nothing we could do about that.

"In the past we have witnessed circumstances like this but you have to forget everything and move on."

This case eventually led to the sacking of a Chelsea Director who was involved in the saga.

Do You Accept This Verdict?

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has told Cristiano Ronaldo he would be "bloody stupid" if he was to quit the club for Real Madrid.
"Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world right now," Cantona said in the Daily Star. "He is a genuine artist.

"His style of play fits Manchester United's very well, and the reverse is also true. It is pleasing to see such harmony.

"As for him wanting to join Real Madrid, I don't really know his personality. Maybe he has valid reasons that drive him to leave United.

"He is still young, and so maybe he wants to take on fresh challenges. I can understand if this is the reason why he wants to leave for Real.

"But if he were to leave because of something else, I think he would be doing something absolutely stupid."

Can the Skipper survive the Nou Camp

PSG and Barcelona are willing to bid £5 million for Arsenal captain William Gallas.

Gallas has two years of his contract left and there have been no indications of an offer of an extension. This has alerted Barcelona, where new manager Pep Guardiola wants to bolster his squad after signing Alexander Hleb from Arsenal for £12m.

Gallas is also a friend of ex-Arsenal star Thierry Henry, who has decided to stay at the Nou Camp.

Willwm Gallas went to Arsenal Fc as part of the infamous "tapping up" swap deal with Ashley Cole.He has not been much of a big hit at Emirates Stadium which got worse during his apathy for the game after the 2-2 draw against Birmingham City FC last season.

Makelele is Gone!!

Chelsea have announced that Claude Makelele has signed with PSG.

A statement on Chelsea's website read: "Everyone at Chelsea would like to take this opportunity to thank Claude for the five years of service he has given to the club.

"He has been a key part of our trophy success during that time and we wish him well for the future.

"He will always be welcomed back to Stamford Bridge in the future either as a player or as a friend of the club."

Makelele will be unveiled by PSG at a press conference later this afternoon.

Adieu Blue Makelele!

Chelsea stalwart Claude Makelele has signed for French capital club, Paris-Saint Germain. The 35-year-old will be presented this afternoon, though the details of the deal have not yet emerged. This ends a five-year spell at Chelsea, who he joined from Real Madrid...The Defensive Mid-field stalwart had been a big hit at Real Madrid but left to Chelsea over some personal disagreements with the Galatico Team.He won six trophies with the Blues under Jose Mourinho.

Please Stay Queiroz!

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has made a late bid to convince Carlos Queiroz to stay at Old Trafford.

The Daily Star says Fergie is determined to hold on to his right-hand man and he is now attempting to talk Queiroz out of taking the Portugal job.

Ferguson is unable to offer Queiroz assurances that he will be handed the reins at Old Trafford when he finally opts to retire as manager.

But the Scot has made it clear to the Mozambique-born coach that he regards him as a vital cog after five years with the club and a huge influence behind United's Premier League and Champions League double success last season.

It appears that he now has the burden of trying to keep Christiano Ronaldo ad his assistant.

Paul's Magic

Frank Lampard has sought advice from Blackburn Rovers boss Paul Ince over his future at Chelsea, it has been revealed.

The Mirror says Lampard has sought Ince's advice, with the latter telling him his own spell at Inter Milan was the making of him as a player and suggesting the midfielder could benefit in the same way.

With the chance to again play for Mourinho and Ince's recommendation he should take the plunge, Lampard was already leaning in that direction before Chelsea turned down his new contract demands.

HAPPY HARRY!

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch will be unveiled as a Portsmouth player on Friday afternoon if he successfully passes a medical at Fratton Park.
The England international will undergo a medical on Friday morning and, providing that does not throw up any issues, he will sign a contract and be presented to the media in the afternoon.

Crouch has already agreed personal terms after Pompey and Liverpool agreed a deal which is believed to be in the region of £11million.

The 27-year-old will be joining Portsmouth for the second time, having played for the club in the 2001/02 season before joining Aston Villa.

The 6ft 7ins striker had limited first-team opportunities at Liverpool last season.

The Reds had earlier rejected a 7million and 9 million pounds offer from Portsmouth FC who want to beef up their team prior to their forth-coming European campaign.Harry Redknapp is a long time admirer of the lengthy striker.

Adieu Drogba!

Marseille fans have launched an appeal to raise the £22million they believe is needed to buy Chelsea star Didier Drogba.

Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan are all said to be interested in the Ivory Coast international but Marseille fans have launched an audacious bid to bring the 30-year-old back to the club he left four years ago.

A supporter called Kain has set up a website Doodle asking fans to pledge one, two or five euros to the club, writing: "Let's try to see if us supporters can pay for him by each donating one or two euros maximum to the club."

The collective attracted immediate attention and has already raised nearly 5,000 euros thanks in part to 800 fans each pledging the maximum five euros.

The Ivorienn Striker has been very much linked to a move outside of Stamford Bridge and had further fuelled the speculations by stating that he had been psycologically affected by the departure of the special one, Jose Mourinho.