TOP 100 SOCCER SITES
| |||
|
| |||
| |||
|
| |||
| A couple of thoughts today ... inside the mind of Darius Vassell Darius Vassell's blog makes for compelling, if disturbing, reading, finds the Bung. telegraph.co.uk |
City owner keen to buy Real Madrid Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has made inquiries about trying to buy Real Madrid, according to a report out of Spain on Monday morning (EDT). foxsports.com.au |
Rosicky to Arsenal's rescue Tomas Rosicky's stoppage-time leveller rescued a point for title-chasing Arsenal in their 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw at home to Everton. foxsports.com.au |
German FA not worried about security at World Cup The German soccer federation has full confidence in South African World Cup organizers to provide adequate security and is telling fans to travel to the tournament without worrying about their safety. cbc.ca |
Chelsea to be boosted by early return of Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou • Ivory Coast internationals due back on Wednesday• Juliano Belletti out of Birmingham gameChelsea's title challenge is to benefit from Ivory Coast's premature elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations with Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou expected back in London on Wednesday ahead of a first-team return for the weekend trip to Burnley.The much-fancied Ivorians surprisingly departed the tournament in Angola at the quarter-final stage following a 3-2 defeat to Algeria yesterday. Chelsea had anticipated being without the forwards until the potentially critical collision with Arsenal on 7 February but, although neither player will be available for the awkward game with Birmingham City on Wednesday night, Carlo Ancelotti is hopeful they will feature at Turf Moor.Both players' fitness will be assessed later this week – there will potentially be two training sessions in which they can be integrated back into the team – but, while Chelsea have prospered in their absence, their return will be welcome ahead of a cluttered fixture schedule. Frank Lampard trained with the first-team at Cobham today having come off as a precaution after 66 minutes of their 2-0 win at Preston North End on Saturday complaining of a tight calf. The medical staff were monitoring his fitness tonight, but expect him to be available for the game against Birmingham.That match represents something of a challenge to Chelsea's recently regained momentum, with the visitors unbeaten in 16 matches in all competitions. Juliano Belletti, who has been filling in as a defensive midfielder in the absence of Mikel John Obi and Michael Essien, will be absent after twisting a knee at Deepdale. The results of a scan on the joint will be scrutinised on Tuesday with Ancelotti considering employing either Michael Ballack or Deco in that role on Wednesday.ChelseaPremier LeagueDominic Fifieldguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |