Sulley Muntari - Ghana Midfielder to Portsmouth

Udinese and Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari moves to Portsmouth.

Muntari impressed at last year's World Cup as the African side lost out to Brazil in the second round.

Luca Toni - Fiorentina Striker to Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says he has agreed to terms with Italy striker Luca Toni.

Bayern says it has agreed with Toni - SI.com

Hernan Crespo Will Stay at Inter Milan

Hernan Crespo will remain at Inter Milan, on loan from Chelsea.

Inter keep striker Crespo on loan - BBC

Ryan Giggs International Retirement

BBC is reporting that Wales captain Ryan Giggs will announce his retirement from international football today, Wednesday 30 May.

Giggs to quit international game - BBC

Carlos Tevez - Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United All Linked to Argentine

Carlos Tevez has been linked with nearly every top Premier club as well as the big teams abroad, but where he'll end up looks like it might be every bit as suspenseful as last summer.

At least one story has the Argentine striker unhappy with Hammers manager Alan Curbishly, while others have him happy to remain at Upton Park.

Outside of politics and money, if style of play were the only issue, Liverpool would seem a good match for Tevez.

Going:
Tevez to exit West Ham over rift with Curbishley - Jamie Jackson and Denis Campbell - football.guardian.co.uk

Staying:
Tevez claims his future 'must suit West Ham' - soccernet.espn.go.com

David Beckham Interview - BBC 26.05.07

Download MP3 of BBC 606 Interview with David Beckham, one day before England recall.

Download

Peter Crouch - Liverpool Striker Will Stay Put

The BBC reports that Rafael Benitez has revealed his plans to keep Peter Crouch at Anfield.

The 26 year-old England international stated, "Benitez told me I'm part of his plans and that's good enough for me."

Crouch backed to stay at Anfield - BBC Article

Samuel Eto'o - Liverpool Rumours Continue

Although neither side admits to talks, Samuel Eto'o has revealed his interest in joining Liverpool.

It is thought Reds boss Rafael Benitez is interested in the 26 year-old Cameroon international.

Eto'o admits Liverpool admiration - soccernet.espn.go.com

Aaron Lennon - England Winger Ruled Out With Injury

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has withdrawn from England's friendly with Brazil and Euro 08 qualifier against Estonia.

Lennon ruled out of England squad - BBC

Beckham Celebrates Recall With Man-of-the-Match Performance

David Beckham celebrated his England recall with a Man-of-the-Match performance in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Deportivo.

Beckham and Real Madrid could win La Liga on 10 June by defeating Real Zaragoza, if Barcelona were to lose to Espanyol.

Should Barca win that match, an added win for Madrid versus Mallorca on the last day of the season, 17 June, would seal the title no matter what the Catalan giants do at Gimnastic.

Related Internet Links:
THEREAL DEAL IN MADRID - Pete Jenson - www.people.co.uk

McClaren Sets Up Lose Lose

Steve McClaren might think recalling David Beckham was sound strategy, but he has truly set up a lose-lose situation for himself.

It breaks down like this:

-If Beckham plays well, McClaren looks like a boob and Becks possibly receives credit for helping put England back on track to qualify for Euro 08.

-If Becks plays badly, surely the former England captain will take some heat, but McClaren will look bad as well, seeing that Beckham's Real Madrid boss, Fabio Capello, has been able to coax sterling performances from the superstar.

Ultimately, an unthinkable loss to Estonia would be McClaren's undoing, but the win they will likely secure will not provide any glory to McClaren. A win would be seen as what is expected.

Now if McClaren leaves Becks out, then maybe the under-fire manager has bought himself some time until the midfielder leaves for the United States. Then McClaren can argue that MLS players are not up to European standards and no one will be able to say differently.

Presumably there is an outside chance McClaren just picked David Beckham because he's in great form, and the England boss actually just wants to put out his best eleven this time around. But that's probably not the case.

It's more likely McClaren has either misjudged the situation or there is some sort of political pressure from somewhere in the England brain-trust that is driving the recall.

Either way, McClaren's chance to claim glory all to himself might slip through his grasp if he allows Beckham to step onto the pitch Friday versus Brazil, or next week against Estonia.

Beckham Finally Recalled for England

David Beckham had recently stated that he would walk back from the United States to play for England, but now he will not have to.

The former England captain has been recalled by manager Steve McClaren for a friendly against Brazil on 1 June and the Euro 08 qualifier versus Estonia on 6 June.

Beckham leaves Real Madrid in a few weeks to begin his MLS career with LA Galaxy, but his recent outstanding run of form has earned a turnaround from McClaren.

Michael Owen will also be making his return to the England squad after injuring his knee at last summer's World Cup.

England Squad:

Goalkeepers: Paul Robinson, (Tottenham), Scott Carson (Liverpool), Robert Green (West Ham)

Defenders: Phil Neville (Everton), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), John Terry (Chelsea, captain), Wayne Bridge (Chelsea), Wes Brown (Manchester United), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Michael Dawson (Tottenham), Ledley King (Tottenham), Nicky Shorey (Reading)

Midfielders: David Beckham (Real Madrid), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), David Bentley (Blackburn), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Stewart Downing (Middlesbrough), Kieron Dyer (Newcastle)

Beckham recalled to England squad - BBC

BBC Pundit Butcher Continues Ax Grinding

Terry Butcher doesn't like David Beckham. It's that simple.

No matter Beckham's form at Real Madrid, Butcher won't acquiesce. And if Becks' form gets too good, the "other" former England captain, the less famous one, well, he will simply alter the facts.

In Butcher's most recent column, he stated of Becks and Real Madrid "the fact that they are top while he is playing is co-incidental [sic]."

In all fairness, Butcher probably doesn't even watch Real Madrid, but if he did, he would surely be grinding his teeth as the Bernabeu faithful chant Beckham's name as they have recently.

Real boss Fabio Capello, who seemingly hated Beckham a few months ago, states Becks is in the "best form of his life."

And Spanish-based journalist Graham Hunter says "he has dominated almost every Real Madrid game he has played in since February, with absolutely marvelous performances, particularly in top games..."

And now, on the verge of the unthinkable, missing Euro 08, Butcher thinks mighty mighty England don't need an in-form midfielder, who plays on perhaps the best team in Spain, in possibly the best league in the world.

Terry Butcher is jealous of David Beckham. It's as simple as that.



McClaren must resist Beckham call - Terry Butcher BBC Article
McClaren tight-lipped on Beckham - BBC
Should McClaren mend it for Beckham? - 606 Boards