Selling Cazorla to Arsenal at that price was a 'blunder', says Pellegrini

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini believes Arsenal snapped up the bargain of the summer in Santi Cazorla after admitting the Spanish club were forced into selling the player because of financial problems...

Benitez still unsure over Terry

Rafael Benitez admits he does not know when John Terry will be fit to return to the Chelsea team, but insists he was delighted with his side's "amazing" performance in the Capital One Cup on Thursday evening..

Nasri may miss festive period

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has been ruled out for two weeks with a groin injury, the Daily Mail reports..

Huntelaar set for Schalke stay

Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 29, is set to extend his contract at Schalke in the next few days, DerWesten and kicker reports..

Huntelaar set for Schalke stay

Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, 29, is set to extend his contract at Schalke in the next few days, DerWesten and kicker reports..

Bale returns to training

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale is back in training after recovering from a hamstring injury and is in contention to face Stoke at the weekend..

Fergie: Ronaldo and Messi are equals

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Cristiano Ronaldo deserves equal billing with Barcelona's Lionel Messi when the tag of best player in the world is being deliberated..

PSG confirm interest in Mourinho & Cristiano Ronaldo

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Sheikh Bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani has revealed that Paris Saint-Germain are interested in luring Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho away from Real Madrid. .

I have complete confidence in Mourinho and he has my full support, says Perez

Florentino Perez y Jose Mourinho - Real Madrid

Real Madrid  president Florentino Perez has given a vote of confidence to under-fire coach Jose Mourinho, who has been the subject of harsh criticism from a fraction of the club's supporters and parts of the media..

Zenit fans' group: Don't sign black players

Zenit St Petersburg's largest supporters' group has called on the club not to buy black or gay players and urged it to maintain its "national identity".

Dangling Arsenal Sinks Reading In a 5-2 Match

Santi Cazorla helped himself to a hat-trick as Arsenal closed up on the top four of the Premier League with a 5-2 win at bottom club Reading..

Demba Ba Plans To Join Arsenal Next January

Newcastle striker Demba Ba has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal, amid speculation that the north London club are set to take advantage of a release clause in the player's contract..

Espinoza receives permit to join Wigan

Roger Espinoza is to complete his transfer to Wigan Athletic after receiving a work permit to play in the U K..

Ajaccio boss Alex Dupont fired

Alex Dupont has been axed from his position as manager of French side Ajaccio, the club confirmed on Monday..

Anelka on way out of Shanghai

Former Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka appears set for an imminent exit from Shanghai Shenhua after the club said talks over the cancellation of his contract were ongoing..

South African FA in match-fixing scandal

Five top officials including president Kirsten Nematandani and newly appointed chief executive Dennis Mumble have been suspended from the South African Football Association (SAFA) following a match-fixing report..

Balotelli fights fine

Mario Balotelli will take Manchester City to a Premier League tribunal on Wednesday in a bid to overturn a fine for continued ill-discipline..

Lampard urges Blues to revive season

Chelsea's Capital One Cup clash with Leeds united could be one of the most important games for the Blues this season, according to midfielder Frank Lampard..

VIDIC is the Best Defender in The World Check The Top Ten of the Best Defenders in the World

A look at 10 of the best defenders in the world.

1. Nemanja Vidic (Serbia & Man United)

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The Manchester United defender may not be playing in one of the most prominent national teams, but he helps form a defense that has been particularly stingy over the years. In qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, Vidic and his comrades conceded just one goal in 10 matches, a record that helped them top the group ahead of Spain. A commanding presence who can also pop up with headed goals from time to time..

Ten of the Best Goalkeepers in the World

A good goalkeeper can mean the difference between success and failure for a team. Here is a look at 10 of the best goalkeepers in the world.

1. Iker Casillas (Spain & Real Madrid)

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'Saint Iker,' as he is known at Real Madrid, has been his club's first-choice goalkeeper since he was a teenager, having come through the youth set-up. Casillas has often had the misfortune of having an inadequate defense in front of him as Real have focused assembling a fearsome attack, only to neglect the backline. But this simply meant he was able to showcase his skills to an even greater extent, bailing out his defense time and time again, putting his body on the line and making spectacular saves when the opposition looked odds-on to score. One of a kind..

Cristiano Ronaldo is The Best Midfielder in the World check out The Top Ten List

Strikers may score most of the goals, but many of the game’s real artisans reside in midfield. Here are 10 of the best midfielders in the world.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal & Real Madrid)

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Ronaldo's favored position is in wide midfield, although he can also function behind the striker or as a center forward. One of the most eye-catching players in the world game, Ronaldo's array of skills make him worth the admission fee alone. His step over is world renowned, and he scores an abnormally high number of goals for someone who does not regularly play as an out-and-out striker..

Top Ten of the Best Strikers in the World

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina & Barcelona)

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The triple World Player of the Year, Messi appears to get better with each passing season and is already Barcelona's record goalscorer. Although not an out-and-out striker, he operates in Barcelona's front three and in the 2011-12 campaign he set a new world record by scoring 73 times in a single season. Messi also dovetails beautifully with his Barca team-mates, and is a hard worker to boot. However, his indifferent form for Argentina means he has often borne the brunt of criticism from the fans and media. One senses there is a lot more to come from Messi in the national team..

Arsenal players losing faith in beleaguered Wenger

Arsenal’s players, including headline summer signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla, are losing faith with the methods of manager Arsene Wenger, Goal.com has learned..

Messi's father: My son will never leave Barcelona

AFP Lionel Messi is destined to remain at Barcelona until the end of his career, according to the player's father. The Argentina international has a contract with the Blaugrana until the summer of 2016, and his dad Jorge has stressed that the fans of the Catalan giants can rest easy knowing that a potential exit for the forward is "unthinkable"...

Toure backs 'angry' Balotelli as Best Striker of English Premier League

Yaya Toure says he is confident Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotelli will demonstrate he is one of the best striker's in the Premier League this season, despite being  angry..

No agreement yet over racism bans

The FA and the PFA are yet to reach an agreement over a solution on how severely to reprimand players for instances of racial abuse, ESPN has been told..

Cahill offers Benitez backing

Gary Cahill has offered more support for Rafa Benitez, insisting the team have become much more defensively sound under the new Chelsea manager..

Assou-Ekotto nears Tottenham return

Benoit Assou-Ekotto is close to a first-team return after resuming full training with Tottenham..

German fan measures get green light

The controversial 'Safe Stadium Experience' paper has been passed by a general meeting of all clubs in the German Football League (DFL) on Wednesday..

Mancini is Afraid of Benitez effect

Roberto Mancini believes Chelsea will be more dangerous opponents for Manchester City after sacking Roberto Di Matteo..

Wenger praises in-form Giroud

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud has attracted significant praise from manager Arsene Wenger after a string of consistent performances..

Benitez: I ranked Wenger Far above Ferguson

Rafa Benitez has claimed he doesn't enjoy mind games, but that didn't stop him taking part in them during his first Friday press conference as he placed Arsene Wenger ahead of Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager..

Benitez confirmed as new Chelsea boss

Rafael Benitez has been confirmed as Chelsea's new manager, after the club sacked Roberto Di Matteo in the aftermath of Tuesday's 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus..

Rodgers: We need time to succeed

Brendan Rodgers has declared that short-term pain will lead to long-term gain at Liverpool and has praised the club's board for being prepared to give him time..

Di Matteo reveals pride in Chelsea term

Roberto Di Matteo has spoken of his pride at managing Chelsea and insists he has no ill feelings towards the club after being sacked just eight months into his Chelsea tenure..

Gullit shocked by Di Matteo departure

Ruud Gullit has been shocked at the ruthless way Chelsea ended manager Roberto Di Matteo's short spell in charge of the club..

Mancini targets Europa League success

Roberto Mancini blamed Manchester City's catalogue of errors throughout the campaign for Wednesday's Champions League exit, but defiantly stated that he wants to qualify for the Europa League..

Wilshere demands more from Arsenal

Jack Wilshere has urged Arsenal to push for top spot in their Champions League group after defeating Montpellier 2-0 on Wednesday..

City bow out of UCL, Arsenal progress

Manchester City's Champions League adventure is over after they failed to beat Real Madrid on Wednesday, but Arsenal can look forward to the last-16 draw after they qualified with victory over Montpellier..

Redknapp dismisses Blackburn rumours

Harry Redknapp has told ESPN that he is not taking the Blackburn Rovers job despite being linked with the vacant position..

West Ham would consider Rio return

West Ham are seriously interested in bringing Rio Ferdinand back to Upton Park, but the clubs former centre half may prove far too expensive, according to ESPN's West Ham sources. PA Photos Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand on bench..

Video: Wenger wary of 'Rooney' rule

Press Pass Extra: Wenger critical of the 'Rooney' rule

Shaka Hislop, the honorary president of Show Racism the Red Card, gives his reaction to Arsene Wenger's criticism of the Rooney Rule.Tags: Racism, Rooney Rule, Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has rejected suggestions that English football would benefit from the introduction of an initiative comparable to the American-style 'Rooney Rule', which forces NFL teams to consider black candidates for every vacant coaching position..

Hiddink cools talk of Rooney move

Anzhi Makhachkala boss Guus Hiddink has played down the possibility of a move for Manchester United
striker Wayne Rooney..

Zimbabwe FA ban 15 for match-fixing

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has banned 15 players and officials for life following their involvement in the country's long-running match-fixing scandal..

Zidane denies rift with Mourinho

Real Madrid sporting director Zinedine Zidane has denied rumours that he fails to see eye to eye with club boss Jose Mourinho. Reports in Marca last month suggested that Zidane was unhappy at being sidelined by Mourinho, however, he has rubbished such stories.

 "I have no problem with Mourinho," Zidane told Sport365. "On the contrary, I have learned a lot from him." The ex-France international has also stated his reasoning for not being around the club's Valdebebas training facility each day currently as he is preparing to become a qualified coach..

Terry to wear anti-racism armband

Chelsea captain John Terry will sport an anti-racism armband when he returns to action in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night. UEFA are instructing club captains to wear 'United Against Racism' logos on their kit as part of a week of action by European anti-discrimination body FARE, yet the timing could not be more sensitive for Terry, who he is currently serving a four-game domestic ban in England after being found guilty of racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand..

Smalling and Jones near return

Manchester United's Chris Smalling and Phil Jones are two or three weeks away from a first-team return, according to Sir Alex Ferguson..

Moratti: Inter not aiming for Serie A title

Massimo Moratti has dismissed suggestions that Inter could challenge for the Serie A title.

 Andrea Stramaccioni's side have begun the campaign in impressive fashion, with Sunday's 2-0 victory over Catania leaving the Nerazzurri in fourth spot on 18 points - just four adrift of the Juventus..

Ribery relishing return to Lille for upcoming Champions League clash

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has expressed his motivation leading into his side's upcoming Champions League match against Lille, while also reflecting on the 3-1 loss against BATE Borisov.

 The 29-year-old Roten star has been in excellent form so far this season, playing a big part in helping his club to a record-breaking start of eight consecutive Bundesliga wins. And the next fixture sees the Bavarian outfit travelling to northern France – near to where Ribery grew up and played youth football during the late 90s..

Ferguson: Rafael is maturing into a great player

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has showered praise on his Brazilian youngster Rafael da Silva, after a string of strong performances at the start of this Premier League season.

 Currently without Phil Jones and Chris Smalling due to injury, and with twin brother Fabio sent out on loan at QPR, Rafael is the only right-sided full-back available to United at present and has staked his claim for a first-team place with a level of consistency which had been lacking in previous seasons. "He is maturing and learning all the time," Ferguson told Sky Sports..

Manchester United look to slash Ferdinand salary with new deal

Manchester United are ready to offer Rio Ferdinand a one-year contract extension in January – but on around half his current salary.

 The defender, who turns 34 next month, has yet to open talks with United about a new deal even though his agreement expires next summer. The club want to extend his spell at Old Trafford beyond 11 years but, in line with their policy of offering reduced terms to its over-30s players, Ferdinand cannot expect a renewal of his current £120,000-a-week wages..