Football Corner

Considered by many as one of the greatest footballers of his time, Raul has today been linked with a move to the richest club in the world Manchester City.

The Real Madrid striker is currently in the form of his life, averaging well over a goal in every other game. The 31-year old has 102 caps for Spain, however that has been the case for quite some time now, after he was dropped by former international boss Luis Aragones.

With Man City set for a summer of massive spending, it comes as no surprise to see a player of Raul's calibre being linked with a move to Eastlands. It was claimed that Mark Hughes, backed by the club's wealthy foreign owners, may make a bid of £35 million for Raul, however Hughes has since denied the claims by saying : "We keep on getting linked with players and that's going to happen every week. I think maybe if you work back from where that story originated, I would suggest it's come from Spain, it's not come from England."

You know what they say, they're is never any smoke without fire and I think that's certainly the case here. Listening to Hughes' comments on the issue, he seems to shy away from answering the actual question being asked. OK, City are being linked with endless amounts of names and you could say this latest rumour is just another made up one, however I really do believe this move could happen, maybe not for the figures being suggested though.

What do you think? Have City got any chance of signing one of the greatest strikers of all-time? Comments below please.

That was the message from Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez after the pair were linked with possible summer exits.

Both Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano have been in tremendous form all season and have contributed in no small part to Liverpool's decent campaign to date.

Alonso, 27, was strongly linked with a move to Italian side Juventus last summer but for whatever reason that move never materialised and he remained at Anfield, however there have been fresh reports in recent weeks that a move to Juve could be on the cards.

Mascherano, 24, has spent just over two years on Merseyside since his controversial move from West Ham back in 2007. The Argentine international recently admitted he didn't know whether or not he would still be a Liverpool player next season. Following Mascherano's somewhat shock revelation, Benitez has had this to say : "I talked to him and he is happy here. But you can't stop clubs talking with his agent because he is a good player ... There aren't too many holding midfielders of his calibre."

I am sure the large majority of Liverpool fans will delighted to hear both Alonso and Mascherano will be staying, for the foreseeable future at least. There is no doubt that with the pair playing in the side, Liverpool are a far stronger side then when they're not playing. Both players are still quite young and arguably only approaching the prime of their career's so I feel the longer Liverpool hold onto them, the better.

Share your thoughts on the matter, by leaving a comment below.

Hands up if you wanted to see a Barcelona v. Manchester United final.


Sorry Chelsea fans but it really is the final everyone wanted to see.

As the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge last night I couldn't help but feel a sense of injustice for Chelsea, however that feeling of injustice was quickly replaced by a feeling of anticipation. Anticipation that, in just under three weeks time, we will get to see, arguably, the two best club's in the world battle it out for one of the biggest prize in football. The Champions League.

The Premier League Champions versus the La Liga Champions.

The experienced campaigner, Sir Alex Ferguson versus the young pretender, Pep Guardiola.

The FIFA World Player of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo versus the player who many people feel, on current form, is the best player in the world, Lionel Messi.

As I mentioned in the title, I really do feel this is the final everyone wanted to see, including UEFA. Graeme Souness said it perfectly after the match last night : "Let's put it this way, UEFA won't be disappointed that it's not and all English final."

It's a bit harsh to say that the game was in anyway fixed, although judging by some of the decisions last night you may argue it was fixed (joking). I am keen to hear your thoughts on the matter. Leave your comments below.

That was Didier Drogba's reaction to Chelsea's shock exit from the Champions League tonight.

The Ivorian international simply went mental as the full-time whistle was blown at Stamford Bridge as Barcelona controversially progressed to the final in Rome.

In total, Guus Hiddink's men had about six penalty appeals waved away by the referee on the night Tom Henning Ovrebo and Drogba, who had been substituted earlier in proceedings felt it was only right he should run on the pitch and have a go at the officials.

Looking at the game as a neutral, you would have to admit that Chelsea can feel hard done by on a least two of the claims. The foul on Florent Malouda in the first-half was a stone-waller and the hand ball by Gerard Pique in the second-half was so clear cut.

Although I do feel sorry for Chelsea, you just cannot condone the behaviour of some of their players, especially Drogba. The fact that the Barca goal came so late probably made it even worse for the Chelsea players, but seeing players like Michael Ballack nearly hitting the referee is, as Drogba would put it, a disgrace, a f*ckin disgrace.

Share your thoughts on tonight's game and the behaviour of the Chelsea players by leaving a comment below.