Lalas raises fears over Beckham's Galaxy future

Former US international defender Alexi Lalas said he would not be surprised if David Beckham did not to return to his club Los Angeles Galaxy after his loan with AC Milan.

Beckham recently moved to Milan on a short-term loan deal and could make his Serie A debut against AS Roma this weekend. He is due to return to LA Galaxy in March.

The Joy of Six: Shocking Second-half-of-the-Season Chokes

Half a dozen occasions that show Liverpool fans should beware – being top at this stage of the season doesn't always augur well.

The Mill + ++ +++

Friday's Rumours


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Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview

All anyone wants to talk about is Beckham's potential debut for Milan when they face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday. Elsewhere, leaders Inter Milan host Cagliari, Siena go to Juventus and Fiorentina host Lecce...


Preview

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Valencia and Villarreal clash, Barca go to lowly Osasuna and Real Madrid head out to lowly Mallorca...

Preview

Phil McNulty in England: Top three face crucial tests

There is only one thing worse than being talked about by Sir Alex Ferguson - and that is not being talked about by Sir Alex Ferguson. So Liverpool's status as serious title contenders received the official rubber-stamp when Ferguson fired his first barb - a mild one by his own acerbic standards admittedly - in the direction of the Premier League leaders.

England: Premier League Weekend Previews + Predictions

Chelsea's visit to Manchester United on Sunday dominates the fixture list this weekend. Elsewhere, Wigan welcome Tottenham to the JJB, Villa host West Brom, Arsenal host Bolton, Blackburn go to Craven Cottage to face Fulham, it's the Tees/Wear Derby as Boro host Sunderland at the Riverside, Pompey welcome Manchester City to Fratton Park, Everton host Hull, Newcastle welcome West Ham, and Liverpool go to Stoke.

Preview One

Preview Two

Lawro's Predictions

Nick Webster's Predictions

Rooney is still benefiting from official indulgence

The Manchester United forward's disciplinary record belies a persistent aggressive streak.

Villarreal confirm that Altidore is going nowhere

It had been reported that Everton were keen on taking the highly-rated 19-year-old on loan for the rest of the season, but Villarreal want their summer signing from MLS to continue adapting to life in La Liga, despite only using him sparingly so far during his Spanish career.

Quotes & Chants of the Week

"Jermain has got an illness and hopefully he will be back in training on Monday."
Tony Adams on the mystery bug that prevented Jermain Defoe from being cup-tied and had miraculously cleared up by the time he walked out at White Hart Lane.

"Some of the players had handbags for Christmas and were anxious to show them off."
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson gives his view on a tunnel 'bust-up' with Crystal Palace.

“If they want to go to England then in the end they’re going to go, but they need to understand this: the English live badly, eat badly and their women do not wash their genitalia. To them, a bidet is a mystery."
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, talking to his players about why they shouldn't move to England.

"Oh the Sousa... the mighty Sousa... We're gonna win away... a win away a win away a win away..."
(To the tune of The Lion Sleeps Tonight) - QPR fans when it look destined they would finally win an away game, only for Charlton to equalise.

THE REST

Moggi Handed Jail Sentence

Former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi has been sentenced to 18 months in jail on corruption charges.







Come on Luci! Smile for the camera...

The Mill +

Thursday's Rumours



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I'm not Big Phil's pet, barks Deco

Chelsea midfielder Deco has hit out at claims he is Luiz Felipe Scolari's pet player - and feels he is worthy of a regular starting place. The Portugal international has come in for criticism as the Blues' form has slumped in recent weeks. Some fans are also frustrated he has received what they perceive as preferential treatment from boss Scolari.

Jamie Trecker Column: Six scenarios that will define American soccer in 2009

Happy New Year, folks. We're back with our weekly look at all things in American soccer, and forthwith, here are a few of the things we'd like to see come to pass next year, and the odds we wager on them coming to pass ...

Martin Rogers Column: January transfer window: Money for nothing

The January sales have begun. But unlike in the consumer world, where bargains abound at this time of year, soccer’s silly season prompts a spate of fervent spending at inflated prices.







Silly, indeed...

Amy Lawrence Column

Jermaine Pennant doesn't seem to care enough to push for a place with Liverpool or England. So why are Milan interested?

Milan beckons for Pennant, the enigma with attitude





That's Mr. Pennant on the far left, oozing class, as they say...

Ronaldo crashes Ferrari on way to training

• Manchester United player unhurt after hitting roadside barrier

• Police at scene of accident following winger's crash in tunnel




Oops...

Clough follows in father's footsteps

Forty-two years ago, a brash 32-year-old in the shape of Brian Clough arrived at Derby County as the club's new manager and took the Rams on an extraordinary journey.

England: Carling Cup Semifinal First Leg Result

Derby County 1 - 0 Manchester United
Stunning Kris Commons goal leaves Manchester United fighting for survival

Martin Tyler's Top 10 Goals

The last 12 months provided another blockbusting chapter in the Premier League success story and of course, goals, goals, goals.

Carling Cup Semifinal Preview: Derby County vs. Manchester United

With Wembley almost in sight, Derby and Manchester United meet in the Carling Cup semi-finals.

The Mill + ++

Wednesday's Rumours


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Spain: Copa del Rey: Messi Hat-Trick Sees Barcelona Past Atletico

FC Barcelona are within touching distance of the last eight of the Copa del Rey after taking a 3-1 away lead against Atletico Madrid, courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat-trick...

Messi Masterclass:

Gabriele Marcotti Column

Praise be to the Aston Villa manager - but all is not what it seems.

The O'Neill fallacy

Football Club Owners: The Rich List

Now this one says that it is the richest owners in British football.

The List

Football Players: The Rich List

I guess this is comprised of English players and players who play in England. And one English couple. Very odd...

The List

Carling Cup: Spurs Stun Burnley With Second Half Mauling

On the day they re-signed Jermain Defoe, holders Tottenham Hotspur produced a bloodthirsty second half display, sparked by Jamie O'Hara, to place one boot in another Carling Cup final.

Juventus caretaker caught red-handed over 2,000 stolen training tops

Police set up a hidden camera in the stock cupboard at the Vinovo centre and caught Juve's chief caretaker, Adrian Roberto Oliva, red-handed.











Cheers to Pedro for this...

England: FA to fund anti-homophobia video

The Football Association has agreed to fund a video featuring high-profile Premier League stars speaking out against homophobia in the game. Peter Tatchell, of the gay rights group OutRage!, suggested the DVD as a way of challenging the abuse hurled by fans at some players.

World Cup whistleblower shot dead in South Africa

A South African whistleblower who accused officials of corruption in the building of a 2010 World Cup stadium has been shot dead.

Oliver Kay: Should United wave goodbye to Carlos Tevez?

FROM the moment it emerged that it would take the best part of £32 million to sign him permanently, there was a good argument for suggesting that Manchester United should wave goodbye to Carlos Tevez at the end of the season. Now that he has started to bleat about the situation, expressing unhappiness with Sir Alex Ferguson, perhaps the Argentina forward should start packing his bags now.

Sid Lowe in Spain

Valencia's David Silva may be short in stature but he made up for it with a big performance at the weekend.

Sparkling Silva, Valencia's gem, leaves Atlético in the shade.

Richard Williams Column

Plight of even the richest owners proves the Premier League is about to lose much of its bargaining power.

City's spree will be last before English game takes a pounding.

The Mill + ++

Tuesday's Rumours


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Big Phil's Big Chelsea Chill

Actually, Big Phil Scolari is turning into the big story. Chelsea were brilliant at the start of the season, but one bobbly deflection from Xabi Alonso (straight out of the Lampard collection 2005-6) and the wheels are looking distinctly wobbly.

Eduardo Alvarez in Spain

New Year, new writer for your weekly fix of Spanish football! After my summer spell as Spain's correspondent for Euro 2008, I'll now try to share my perspective of Spanish club football, while also describing the cultural traits that often influence my country's favourite sport. In his "Hasta la Vista" column, Phil explained the difficulty of understanding the rivalries and feuds between teams in Spain without taking into account the country's historical background. I totally agree and will do my best to illustrate that context in my columns.

Carling Cup Semifinal Preview: Tottenham vs. Burnley

Carling Cup semi-final first leg
Venue: White Hart Lane
Date: Tuesday, 6 January
Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Preview

Spurs agree £15m fee to buy back Defoe

The 26-year-old striker joined Portsmouth from Spurs less than a year ago in a £7.5m fee. Portsmouth are said to still owe the bulk of that fee to the White Hart Lane club as well as some cash for Younes Kaboul, who headed to Fratton Park in the summer.


Does that mean this comes back as well...?

Robben's Goal for Real Madrid vs. Villarreal

Oliver Kay Column: Sorry Paul Gascoigne is in need of salvation

Interviewer: You haven’t eaten again today.

Paul Gascoigne: I know. I should eat more.

Interviewer: So why don’t you, then?

Gascoigne (reaching for stomach): Because I feel fat.

Interviewer: You’re not fat.

Gascoigne (pointing at his lean chest): That’s fat. I feel fat. [Pause] I’ve got food disorder. I’ve got bi-polar. I’ve got mood swings. I’ve got anxiety. [Pause] Bored with life.

Interviewer: What do you normally do?

Gascoigne: [Pause] Sit here and get pissed.

The Rest

Spain: La Liga Weekend Roundup

Roundup

Donovan Talks Bayern Loan

Officially a member of Bayern Munich, Landon Donovan talks about his loan, his new manager and life in Germany.

Americans in the UK: Cup Weekend Victories

Jay DeMerit, Watford

DeMerit helped his squad progress in the FA Cup as Watford defeated Scunthorpe United 1-0 on Saturday. Grzegorz Rasiak scored the lone goal for the home side in a game that was definitively uninspiring. Although the match left much to be desired, the victory could help steer Watford in the right direction. Before Saturday’s win, they’d only won twice since mid-November.

The Rest

Martin Rogers Column: Soccer's 10 People to Watch in 2009

The new year promises to be one of uncertainty in soccer. There are no major international tournaments to look forward to in 2009 – just concern and confusion at how the global economic crisis could affect the world game.

The Mill + ++

Monday's Rumours


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Jonathan Wilson in Eastern Europe

The talented and temperamental Andrei Arshavin's perceived 'betrayal of Mother Russia' may soon reach its conclusion.

Arsenal a likely beneficiary as Arshavin confirms his western wanderlust.

Generation Adidas Players Change MLS Game

Generation adidas players have drawn most of the focus ahead of next week's SuperDraft. Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy explains how roster and salary protections granted by MLS - and the inability of teams to keep draft picks on the roster long-term - makes GA players a smart choice.

England: FA Cup Wraps

Saturday Wrap



Sunday Wrap

FA Cup: Richard Jolly at St. Mary's

Southampton 0 - 3 Manchester United
Teenage Kicks on the South Coast