Football Corner

After weeks and weeks of poor football it appears as though, finally Kevin Keegan's Newcastle may just be starting to turn a corner.

Keegan returned to St James' Park earlier this year and until last week hadn't picked up three points from any of his eight games back in charge. They beat Fulham 2-0 last week and yesterday, undoubtedly displayed their best performance under Keegan since his return with a 4-1 away victory against Tottenham.

Many people questioned Keegan's decision to return to Newcastle after 11 years away from the club and indeed many people questioned Mike Ashley's decision to bring him back. Keegan's future at the club was even brought into question a fortnight ago with many people predicting he wouldn't last til the end of the season.

Yesterday's win away to Tottenham was magnificent. Just what Newcastle needed. After winning at home to Fulham it would of been an awful shame for them to go to Spurs and get beat. People said before yesterday's game that the Magpies may yet go down but after the performance they put they displayed against the Carling Cup winners, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that they will stay up.

Keegan has now even hinted at a top half finish which I personally feel may be just a bit too high for them to achieve after such a poor campaign to date. However I do feel with the right money pumped into the club, Geordies may yet see European football within 18 months.

Javier Mascherano is a Muppet. He receives an early booking, rightly so, for a tackle on Paul Scholes early on in the clash between Man United and
Liverpool and then proceeds to constantly question the ref's decisions.

I couldn't care less wheter or not the decisions may of been wrong, the fact is you can't do what he did yesterday. I counted about four times were Mascherano ran over to Steve Bennett and started questioning his decisions.

I understand Bennett can be a very fussy referee at times but yesterday I really admired him. He simply was fed up with Mascherano's antics and showed him his second yellow. Mascherano you Muppet!

According to reports in today's Daily Mail, Tottenham are leading a host of European clubs in the race to sign Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano.

The Brazilian international has been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid and Roma over the past few months as well as Man United and Man City interested in the 27-year old.

Fabiano is widely regarded as one of the top strikers in Europe at the moment and he is currently sitting at the top of the scoring charts in La Liga at the moment to prove that point.

I personally feel Fabiano is a terrific striker that any team in Europe would love to have at their disposal. He is currently valued at around the £20 million mark and that for me represents value for money.

Spurs defender Takura Mtandari could be set for a move to either West Ham or Fulham in the near future according to reports in The Sun today.

The young defender was thought to be a hot prospect, a long term member of the White Hart Lane side but now it appears as though he wants to leave the club for either of Spurs' london rivals in that of West Ham or Fulham.

According to reports in various papers today, Chelsea and Tottenham are to do battle for Valencia striker David Villa after the player admitted he may leave the La Liga giants in the summer.

The 26-year old has been linked with dozens of moves to the Premier League over the past 18 months or so but as of now nothing has happened. He is widely regarded as one of Europe's top strikers and is currently valued at around £30 million.

Villa has been at Valencia for over three years now and has scored an impressive 50 goals in that time. He also has 29 caps for his country and has scored 13 goals in those appearances.

I personally believe Villa would be a terrific addition to either side. He is a terrific striker who scores bags of goals for both club and country. I do however feel £30 million may be a little bit hefty although when you think about it, Tottenham did spend £16 million on Darren Bent!

Liverpool, Barcelona and Man United look set to battle it out for the signature of Cameroon star Stephane Mbia according to reports in the Daily Star.

The defensive midfielder made a name for himself in the quarter finals of this years African Cup of Nations when he bagged two goals against Tunisia.

The 21 year old is currently playing with French outfit Stade Rennais and his performances both domestically, and internationally for Cameroon have supposedly caught the eye of Rafa Benitez, Frank Rijkaard and Alex Ferguson.

According to reports in today's Daily Mail, Arsenal are keen on signing Everton's on loan midfielder Steve Pienaar.

The player is currently on loan from German side Borussia Dortmund and it is thought Everton will look to make the deal for Pienaar permanent at the end of the season.

Arsenal aren' the only team interested in the South African player, Spanish giants Valencia are also said to be monitoring the situation. Pienaar has over 20 caps for his country and is widely regarded as one of South Africa's best players.

I personally feel Pienaar will make his move to Everton permanent come the end of the season. He is only 25-years old and in my view has done very well since joining David Moyes' men.

Chelsea are targeting Werder Bremen midfielder Diego and Villareal's Martin Caceres while Frank Lampard is being linked with a move away from the Bridge.

Diego, 23, is extremely highly rated at both Werder Bremen and in his home country of Brazil for which he has made over 20 appearances. However reports suggest today that the Bundesliga outfit would find it too hard to turn down a rumoured offer of £25 million from Avram Grant's side.

Martin Caceres is another name being rumoured in the direction of Stamford Bridge. The centre half who is currently on loan at Recreativo Huelva is thought to be valued at about £14 million
and he is said to be near the top of Grant's Summer wish list.

However Frank Lampard's future at the club is in doubt after he was once again linked to be following Jose Mourinho to either Barcelonaor Inter Milan this Summer.

According to reports in today's Daily Mirror, Barcelona attacking midfielder Ronaldinho will reject a move to Premier League giants Chelsea if the opportunity presents itself.

The Brazilian international has been linked with a move to the Blues for as long as many people can remember but Ronaldinho has today stated that he would reject any move to Avram Grant's men because they don't play attacking football.

The 27-year old has been at Barca for just under five years now and made a huge impression in the first three or so but for some reason or another his terrific form has dipped in recent years. He has 80 caps for his country scoring over 30 times.

I personally don't think Chelsea will approach Barca manager Frank Rijkaard about the possibility of signing Ronaldinho. I understand that a player just doesn't suddenly lose his form of the course of a few weeks or so but this season he has been really disappointing for me.

Tottenham are closing in on the signing of Espanyol keeper Carlos Kameni according to reports in the Daily Mirror today.

The highly rated Cameroon international has been linked with a move away from the La Liga side since the close of the Summer transfer window, and reports today indicate that he has got the go ahead from Espanyol to join Spurs at the beginning of the next transfer window.

The keeper is valued at about £7 million and it is thought that the introduction of Kameni could see the end of Paul Robinson's time at White Hart Lane despite his recent improved form.

According to reports in today's Sun, Manchester United and Arsenal target Karim Benzema is set to reject a move to the Premier League in favour of staying at Lyon.

The 20-year old has been linked with numerous moves to either of the Premier League giants and there was talk that both sides would be involved in a bidding war for the player come the summer.

Benzema is currently valued at £30 million and that in my view could turn out to be a bargain. He is a terrific player with loads of ability of would be, in my view, a terrific addition to either Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson's sides.

I feel Benzema is making the right decision to stay at Lyon for another season. He will continue his terrific progress with the French giants and then maybe move onto a top European side like United or Arsenal.

According to reports in today's Daily Mail, England and Manchester City defender Micah Richards is a £20 million target for Serie A giants Juventus.

The 20-year old has impressed at both international and club scene this season and has supposedly been attracting the attentions of several top European sides including Claudio Ranieri's Juventus.

Richards recently signed a new long term deal at Eastlands and has previously declared he is happy at the club. I personally feel he would be better off spending another two or three seasons at City and then maybe progress to a top European side like Juve.

As a City fan I feel it would be a real shame if Richards were to leave. He has been at the club for several years now, progressing through the ranks at the club and he is widely regarded as a future City captain.

According to reports in today's Sun, AC Milan are preparing a £18 million bid for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

The 29-year old has been linked with several moves to the Seire A giants is recent weeks and months and it is now thought that Carlo Ancelotti will launch a bid for the player come the summer.

The Ivory Coast international has been at Chelsea for over three years now after joining from French side Marseille. He has scored an impressive 50 goals for the club in just over 100 appearances for the London club.

I personally feel Drogba will leave the Blues in the summer but I think AC will face stiff competition from La Liga side Barcelona for Drogba's signature. Drogba has been a terrific player for the Blues and he will be a big miss for the Premier League.

West Ham are tracking Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell according to reports in the Daily Mirror today.

The 25 year old joined the London side in July of last year from Reading and has failed miserably to make an impact at Stamford Bridge with the presence of Michael Essien, Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard and Micaheal Ballack all competing with the Englishman for the central midfield role.

Personally I have no sympathy for Steve in this case, purely because I think he sold out for the money by leaving the Royals, where he was clearly enjoying his football. Now he's lucky to make a substitute appearance for Chelsea. He couldn't possibly have thought that he would get a regular game for them so that means he either sold out for the cash or else he's just ignorant.

Despite my raging six line rant at him selling out Reading, I still think he was a good player, just not Chelsea good, so he probably would be a decent signing for the likes of West Ham. He is currnetly valued at about £5 milllion.

Arsenal have supposedly joined the race to sign Cardiff City youngster Aaron Ramsey according to reports in the Daily Mirror.

Arsenal become one of several Premier League clubs such as Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle to be linked with the Championship side's prodigy.

Judging from various reports this kid is supposedly up there with the best in terms of stars of the future and if they don't convince you of his ability, the fact that Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez and David Moyes are all supposedly tracking him, should.

According to reports in today's Daily Star, Barcelona have turned their attentions to Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo after missing out on Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas.

Barca are keen to add to their midfield options and it was thought that Fabregas was their number one target but now Barca director Txiki Begiristain was quoted as saying that Fabregas "could not return".

United winger Ronaldo has been linked with several moves to La Liga in recent weeks with Real Madrid said to be interested in the Portuguese international. Ronaldo, 23, has been at United for over four years now and has impressed United boss Alex Ferguson no end.

I personally believe Ronaldo will only leave United for Madrid. I heard recently that the players mother wanted him to join Real and Ronaldo has admitted in the past that the Spanish league attracts him.

Arsenal have once again dropped points as Man United heaped even further pressure on their shoulders.

Two weeks ago everyone was saying that Arsenal will prevent Man United retaining the Premier League title but that has proved to be far from the case.

Arsenal are beginning to crumble and United go from strength to strength. Arsenal were lucky to grab a point from today's home game against Aston Villa, a late Niklas Bendtner goal salvaging a point for the Gunners.

United on the other hand eased past the challenge of Premier League strugglers Fulham beating them 3-0 with goals from Hargreaves, Park and and own goal by Fulham's Simon Davies.

Arsenal have now dropped four points in the last two games and that is not the kind of form they would of been expecting coming into this final stretch. Gunners captain, William Gallas, ended the sides title ambitions last week with his antics after the Birmingham game last week.

It must of affected the other players in the team especially the younger ones. The injury to Eduardo last weekend was bound to of affected the side somewhat but they can't use that as an excuse.

United were 2/1 to win the title two weeks ago and they were, in my view, huge odds. They are now 4/6 to claim their second title in as many seasons. I fully expect United to go on now and win the title by five or so points and leave Arsene Wenger wondering where it all went wrong.

Tottenham are targeting SK Brann keeper Hakon Opdal according to reports in the Daily Mirror today.

The 25 year old was the very man who Everton managed to put eight goals past in the UEFA Cup over two legs, so I certainly hope that's not the performance that Spurs boss Juande Ramos is judging him on.

Spurs current shot stopper Paul Robinson has had a far from solid season in nets for both club and country which has meant that himself and Radek Cerny have been left to battle it out week in week out for the spot between the posts at White Hart Lane.

However because of Robbo's butter fingers, various reports have linked the former Leeds player with a move away from Juande Ramos' set up come this Summer. It is thought that to replace him, the Carling Cup champions have lined up SK Brann number 12 Hakon Opdal who should cost them about £5 million.

Everton and Liverpool are in negotiations with England internationals Joleon Lescott and Peter Crouch about new contracts at the Merseyside clubs.

Everton defender Joleon Lescott has been a huge success this season at Goodsion Park and has managed to earn a first England cap in that time.

He was signed by David Moyes two years ago from Championship side Wolves for a fee believed to be in the region of £5 million. There have been rumours that the likes of Arsenal and Man United were interested in the player, a price of £12 million being mentioned.

"I think there will be new contract talks soon, because he is a very valuable member of our squad," Moyes said. "The thing is, he is OK about playing at left-back, and that helps. "We have spoken about it and he understands, and after playing in Russia for England at left-back he realises being quite versatile can be a real benefit.

"He would rather be a centre-half. His best position is there, but I've got to say he is a more than competent left-back and I've said before I don't think many people get past him because he is so strong and such a good defender."

Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Peter Crouch could also be tied down to a long-term contract in the coming days. "We have been talking about a new contract with Crouch and the player has told me that he wants to stay," said Reds boss Rafa Benitez. "The agent was talking to Rick Parry and said that the player wanted to talk."

Crouch's future at the club has been in doubt for some time with clubs like Man City, Portsmouth and Newcastle said to be interested in the 27-year old. A lot of Liverpool fans feel he hasn't been given a fair chance at the club and maybe now Benitez will start letting Crouch do his stuff on the pitch.

I feel this is good news for both clubs especially Everton. Lescott has been terrific this season and is bound to get even better. He has scored as many as some other top strikers in the Premier League and it was no surprise to me to hear the likes of United and Arsenal were interested in him.