Football News

Real Madrid have been named as the best club of the 20th century after an exhaustive study by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

The Spanish giants finished out in front of Juventus, who were second, while Barcelona, Milan and Bayern Munich completed the top five in the historic record books.

In recent seasons the IFFHS have judged clubs in order of merit, but have only done so in the Club World Ranking that began in 1991.

Demand was high for a ranking based on titles won, placings in competitions and other factors over the entire 20th century, and now the IFFHS have explained how they reached their conclusion.

"For some years now, the IFFHS has been asked by clubs, sports journalists and fans to determine the clubs of the century for the individual continents but on a realistic basis without imaginary values and subjective influences," the statement on the IFFHS website explains.

"The rankings published so far have been based on the number of titles won or placings or marathon tables in competitions.

"Because the Club World Ranking (by IFFHS) has been determined monthly only since January 1991, it cannot be used as the basis for determining the club of the century.

"The IFFHS has decided these continental clubs of the century and with it continental rankings of century to determine exclusively on the base of individual match results of the continental club competitions.

"The national competitions are merely a prerequisite to qualify for the continental club competitions. Intercontinental club competitions were not taken into consideration."

A point system saw clubs rewarded for their performances in the Champions League, UEFA Cup, European Cup Winners' Cup, Mitropa Cup, Copa Latina and the European Super Cup.

Below are the top ten clubs of the 20th century:

Points Club
563.50 Real Madrid
466.00 Juventus
458.00 FC Barcelona
399.75 AC Milan
399.00 Bayern Munich
362.00 Inter
332.75 Ajax
300.25 Liverpool
299.00 Benfica
231.00 Anderlecht

Espanyol face Real Madrid in the Primera Division on Saturday, and their captain is puzzled by the criticism that los Merengues' Portuguese star has received from some quarters.

"Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't have to prove anything," Ivan de la Pena stated in an interview with AS.

"I saw him play against Deportivo La Coruna and I liked him. The fact is any Real Madrid player can turn a game: [Karim] Benzema, Kaka, Cristiano, Raul...

"Xabi Alonso gives the team a lot of options," the 33-year-old added.

While the 'Little Buddha' was full of praise for Saturday night's opposition, he is also quietly confident that Espanyol could find a result against their illustrious opponents.

"We must be ourselves and play our football. If we are able to play a good game, we will get a good result. We want to play a part," he declared.

Chelsea need a left-winger who is left-footed, according to manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, before they can even think about regularly partnering Didier Drogba with Nicolas Anelka up front.That lack of a genuine left winger is what is preventing the Brazilian switching his 4-3-3 formation to a 4-4-2, despite the Blues' form, especially at home, suggesting that change is needed.

Scolari feels that out of his current squad Florent Malouda, currently sidelined with injury, is the only player who can fill the left-wing position adequately, despite the Brazilian having Joe Cole at his disposal.

Cole has played on the left wing for England on many occasions, and has performed well in the role, but Scolari doesn't feel that he can do an effective wide job in a 4-4-2 formation. Another option would have been Wayne Bridge, who can occupy a role further forward than his usual left-back position, but he was sold to Manchester City yesterday.

"I will play 4-4-2 when I have a winger who can play on the left and with his left foot," Scolari said in the London Evening Standard. "When you don't have players with these characteristics it is difficult to adapt one player to play in 4-4-2.

"Florent Malouda is the only player who can play with his left foot and he is injured. Everyone else is right-footed."

Chelsea have won only three of their last ten games and take on Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend.

In the long-term absence of perma-crocked Czech Republic star Tomas Rosicky, and the four month lay-off of young playmaking captain Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been linked with a replacement who can pull the strings while the former two ensure the club's physios earn their wage.

Despite reports to the contrary suggesting the buy would be too flambouyant, confirmation has just this moment arrived that Arsenal are indeed in talks with Zenit St Petersburg over Russian attacker Andrei Arshavin. A Zenit chief today told Sky Sports: "We have been in discussion with Arsenal now for some time.

"They are hoping that a deal will be concluded within the next ten days to two weeks."It is no secret that Zenit value the Russian international at £20 million, and if Arsenal were to pay the full amount, then it would smash the club's record.

The Gunners paid £13 million for Sylvain Wiltord in August 2000. In the winter window in 2003- 04, the fee paid for Jose Reyes was initially £10 million, but could have risen to £17 million due to top ups, but was unlikely to dwarf the transfer for Wiltord.

Juande Ramos has admitted that he is not happy that Real Madrid were paired against Liverpool in the first knockout round of the Champions League in Switzerland on Friday.Los Merengues' coach had hoped to avoid English opposition and he stated that he was not pleased, but did consider that Rafa Benítez would also not be satisfied.

It will be an even contest though as Ramos knows Liverpool well from his time at Tottenham, while the Reds' manager knows Madrid as he was a coach there before."We have not liked the draw that we have been given and I suppose that they will not have either," Ramos told reporters.

"Rafa Benítez knows Real Madrid very well and I also know Liverpool and Benítez well from my time in England."

Although he is not pleased with the draw, Ramos admitted that while Liverpool are a strong side Madrid should not worried about playing any team in particular.

"They are a complete and difficult team and have some very good players," he continued. "But Real Madrid cannot fear anyone and we have the same chances as them to go through."

Lazio coach Delio Rossi is demanding a good showing against Palermo tomorrow evening.The Biancocelesti have fallen off the pace over the last few weeks, but they will look to make amends against the Sicilians and end the year on a good note.

Lazio have been distracted this week by constant talks of an exit for the coach, as well as dressing room unrest.However, Rossi has brushed all that under the carpet as he looks ahead."We have a tough game against Palermo as they are a direct rival for Europe," Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.

"I hope my players can take advantage of playing at home.

"Palermo have picked themselves up after a fairly slow start to the league.

"They are doing very well and they are a team which will fight until the end."

Christian Brocchi is injured for the Aquile, and Rossi is likely to start with an attacking trident composed of Mauro Zarate, Goran Pandev and Tommaso Rocchi.

Milan have reacted to the UEFA Cup draw having been paired with Werder Bremen in the knockout phase.Early talk seems to suggest they are not too worried.

Club director Silvano Ramaccioni was in Nyon as he followed the draw and he is confident in his side's abilities, despite meeting a Champions League drop-out."It's a serious draw but not severe," the director told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"It will be a difficult game because Werder are a strong team and they are used to playing Italian sides.

"We have to play them with maximum concentration and conviction. Overall, I think it's better to have drawn Werder."

The Rossoneri have not been too special in Europe, drawing with both Portsmouth and Wolfsburg in the group stage.

Reports in Italy have suggested Milan would rather win the Scudetto than the UEFA Cup.

Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero has warned it will not be easy to head to Chelsea and come away with a good result as he looks ahead to the Champions League last 16 stage.Del Piero and company were drawn with Luis Felipe Scolari's Blues side in one of the games of the round.

The game will be like a home coming for Juve coach Claudio Ranieri. The Tinkerman is happy at heading back to Stamford Bridge, 'Pinturricchio' not so."It's a difficult draw. Every team is strong at this stage but what makes Chelsea different is their squad," Del Piero told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

"They have an excellent team at their disposal."

Momo Sissoko, who played in the Premier League for Liverpool, is looking forward to returning to England.

"I always follow the English game and it will be very difficult for us," added the Mali international.

"Chelsea are not going through a great patch but the have excellent players.

"We will be at the top of game and level on terms with them."

As a result of their Champions League success last term, Manchester United are currently contesting the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.They smashed Gamba Osaka 5-3 in the semi-final and have now booked a date in the final with Ecuadorian team LDU Quito.

Despite the prospect of becoming world champions, talk has still refused to veer away from man-of-every-moment Cristiano Ronaldo who, according to latest reports, has made a verbal agreement to join Real Madrid.

Club captain Gary Neville though is adamant that the Portuguese recipient of the Ballon d'Or will remain at Old Trafford.

Respect

"There should be a level of respect shown between the clubs, but we can't do anything about the specualtion. All we can do is look after our own situation," the United right-back told the club's official website.

"Cristiano is our player and he will continue to be our player as long as we want to keep him. The manager has already said that.

"Manchester United don't let players go that they don't want to sell, it's as simple as that. And they want to keep Ronaldo."

The draw for the first knock-out round of the Champions League was announced today, and United have been partnered with Jose Mourinho's Internazionale.

Despite Aston Villa succumbing to a midweek loss against Martin Jol's Hamburg in the Uefa Cup, Steve Sidwell - who was red carded in the closing stages of that game - believes the Villans can return from east London with maximum points at the weekend.

Aston Villa are currently occupying a Champions League spot, and if they are to maintain their advantage over fifth-placed Arsenal, then a weekend win is a must, as this will stand them in good stead for when the Gunners visit Villa Park on Boxing Day.

Sidwell shared his thoughts about Villa's plus points with the press today: "With the pace we’ve got we are at our most dangerous on the counter.

Counter Attack

"We can catch teams on the break very easily away from home because they’re trying to come out and score against us. We know what we can do away from home.

"When you play at home the away team arrive not expecting to win.

"West Ham are at home. They need to come out and entertain their own crowd," he explained.

Since the injury to John Carew, Martin O'Neill has experimented with England hopeful Gabriel Agbonlahor in the lone role in a 4-5-1 formation.

"When we’re at home maybe the 4-5-1 doesn’t work so well.

"Sometimes we do struggle to break teams down when they come to Villa Park and put 10 men behind the ball," Sidwell said.

"But we know what we have to do and we’re working hard in training on it."

Despite the installation of charming Italian tactician Gianfranco Zola, West Ham have only managed to register one win since the victory over Fulham in September. That was at Sunderland a month ago.
Villa though have not won at Upton Park for precisely 12 years.

Earlier this week, Portsmouth's Cameroonian right back Lauren announced that there was a distinct possibility pacy striker Jermain Defoe would be reunited with former mentor Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane.

The England international has twice played under the tutelage of Redknapp; at the forward's current club Pompey, and also at West Ham United. Rumours suggest that he may be going for the hat-trick by making a sensational return to Tottenham during the January window.

Redknapp though has been quick to pour cold water on the red hot speculation, and has announced that the club have made no official bid.Jer-Main Man

"We haven't made an offer for Jermain," Redknapp explained to the press today.

"I do like Jermain but there are a lot of players at Portsmouth I like. They have a great squad of players there.

"We are short in certain positions without a doubt," Redknapp stressed.

"We've got a good squad here, it just needs thickening up. If we find the right players, we will bring them in."

Red-top newspaper The Sun believes that Antony Annan and Dean Ashton are Spurs-bound, while The Guardian have reported that Matthew Upson and Carlo Cudicini are likely candidates on Redknapp's shortlist.

Following his heroics for Barcelona against Real Madrid in El Clasico at the weekend, Victor Valdes is set to be richly rewarded as the Blaugrana prepare to open talks to offer him a new contract.With the club having safely tied up the future of midfielders Xavi and Sergio Busquets, they are now eager to ensure that Valdes, considered the best goalkeeper at the Camp Nou since the days of Andoni Zubizaretta back in the late '80s and early '90s, commits his future to the Catalan cause.

Barcelona-based daily Sport reports that initial meetings began several weeks ago between Barca sporting director Txiki Begiristain and the player’s agent and father, Jose Manuel Valdes.
It is believed that a new deal will be offered to the 26-year-old to extend his current agreement, which expires in 2010, until 2014 while maintaining his buy-out clause, which stands at €100 million.

However, negotiations have been put on hold momentarily as Begiristain has been forced to fly out to Japan to attend to his brother who has fallen ill.

Barcelona are also keeping a close eye on Villarreal’s Diego Lopez, should the negotiations with Valdes run into any complications.

Liverpool went two goals down against Hull City on Saturday, before Steven Gerrard leaped to the rescue in typical fashion to give his side a share of the points.Nonetheless, Alvaro Arbeloa reckons the Merseysiders were unfortunate not to claim victory after lifting their game in the second half.

"I thought we played well and we were much better than the last two games at home, but we should have taken all three points," the Spain defender told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We conceded two bad goals but we then showed character and got it back to 2-2 thanks to Stevie.

"We then had some clear chances towards the end of the first half but we couldn't get the third goal.

"I think we tried everything to win the game. We had three or four clear chances in the second half and Sami hit the post but couldn't score.

"We played really well in the wide areas and I think overall we were unlucky."

Liverpool head to the capital this weekend to take on struggling Arsenal, who have been edged out of the top four by in-form Aston Villa.

Both clubs boast a perfect record against their title rivals this season, and Arbeloa is hoping to complete what would be a prestigious hat-trick.

"We have a difficult game against Arsenal but we believe in ourselves and we can get a good result there," he added.

"We have beaten Manchester United, we have beaten Chelsea and now we want to beat Arsenal.

"We have a really good team and I don't think they are playing their best football at the moment, so we have a good opportunity to show what we can do."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney revealed his desire to win the FIFA Club World Cup when his club travelled to Japan yesterday to take part in the tournament that begins for them on Thursday.If The Red Devils win the competition they will become the first ever English winners of it, and will be regarded by many as the best team in the world.

The Champions League holders took place in the competition eight years ago in Brazil when they crashed out early after successive defeats. United's decision to take part in the competition that year caused uproar in England after they withdrew from the FA Cup in order to participate.

They returned from that tournament in a good position as none of their title rivals had failed to make any headway in their absence, and The Red Devils will be hoping for more of the same when they return to Premier League action.

Rooney is determined to pick up a winner's medal, and speaking to The People, said, "To say you are the world club champions and the best team in the world would be fantastic.

"Our main objective at the start of each season is to win all the trophies we are involved in.

"If we can return as World Club Champions it will be a fantastic achievement and something to be proud of for the players and the club.

"That's why we are not going to Japan to take the games lightly and rest all the big names, we will definitely be going in there committed to winning it because that is the mentality of the manager and the players.

"There would be no point going all that way and not attempting to create history. I came to United to win trophies, and to win something no other English club has ever won is all the motivation we need.

"It's coming up to nearly halfway in the season and we are all feeling pretty fit. The games have been coming thick and fast but as a player you want to be playing twice a week."

The 23-year-old striker insists that despite his team's absence from the Premier League, they will be keeping an eye on events back home whilst in Japan.

"When we are there we aren't going to ignore what's happening in the Premier League," Rooney continued.

"We will definitely watch some games if we get a chance. We only miss one game against Wigan, it could have been worse, but it's worthwhile to maybe fall a few points further behind for winning the European Cup.

"If you want to be the best you have to deal with whatever problems come up."
Finally, Rooney sees no reason why United can't receive an invitation to next year's tournament by becoming the first team to retain the Champions League trophy this year.

"I believe we have the quality within the squad to win more major titles. We are still a very young side and there is no reason why our success cannot go on and on," added the former Everton man.

Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón has insisted that the Spanish giants only pursued Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer because the player told them that he wanted to join them.Los Merengues' supremo recognised that it could have damaged the club's relationship with the Premier League oufit, but stated that he only pushed because he thought the Portuguese star would do the same.

The Ronaldo saga lasted throughout the pre-season transfer window and dominated sports pages around the world, only for the whole thing to collapse when United stated that they would not sell.Now Caldéron has reflected on the relentless chase and admitted that the only did it because he believed that he was helping the player to make his dream come true.
"We have left that, it has been a very big story, which we didn't provoke," he told Sky Sports News. "The player said he wanted to come here, a dream to come to Real Madrid and we received and we were happy to know that.

"After that I talked to Manchester [United] but [chief executive] David Gill was very clear and said they did not want to sell at all.

"We want to have a good relation with all the big clubs in Europe and Manchester [United] is one of the best and I would like to have a good relationship with them forever, and they said for the moment no.

"I know the media in general like to give excitement to their readers and listeners and Cristiano Ronaldo is a fantastic player and he has won the Golden Ball - and I congratulate him on that and I wish him the best - regardless of where he is going to be in the future."

Ian Rush won quite a few trophies with Liverpool during his time with the club in the 1980s. At that time, the Reds swept all before them at home and, prior to the ban on English clubs after the Heysel disaster, in Europe.
Rush, an instinctive and prolific goalscorer, played a huge role in that success, so it's fair to say that he has a good idea about how teams go about winning things. When he points out that Rafa Benitez's current Liverpool side lack creativity, people should probably listen to him.

Speaking today after last night's draw with West Ham United, Rush was fairly clear as to where he feels Liverpool's problems lie.
"Liverpool may have gone top of the league last night but it was another very disappointing display and it’s clear there are problems with the team just at the moment," he said.

"Last night there wasn’t enough urgency and certainly not enough creativity on show.

"And that’s why despite overtaking Chelsea, there are concerns and criticisms around from quite a few people and pundits today.

"The Reds struggled to find the cohesion and flair which was on display earlier this season – and again we failed to break down a team we were expected to beat without too much fuss."

And although Rush gave West Ham credit for their defensive performance, he also felt that Liverpool should have exploited the opportunities that did come their way. After all, the Hammers didn't line up like Stoke City and play entirely defensively at Anfield.

"You get chances to play your football against a team like West Ham – but we played in fits and starts last night," Rush continued.

"We had spells and I know we could well have scored from some of the opportunities, but there was never really the belief out there or a real confidence that we were going to outfox them and break them down."

Rush was also baffled as to why Benitez didn't change his tactics when his original plan clearly wasn't working.

"Another frustration was that when Plan A wasn’t working," said the former Welsh international, "we didn’t seem to have a Plan B to unlock West Ham. A couple of changes were made with Ngog and Babel coming on, but last night it didn’t really seem to have the impact we were all hoping to see."

Rush was not pessimistic though, and rather urged Benitez and his squad to show character and pull together through the rough patch. After all, they are still top of the table, despite Manchester United slowly gaining ground on them.

"It’s when things aren’t going well that you learn most about your players," Rush added.

"You see those who refuse to shrink and stand up to the challenge. So we’ll find out now who the big men and big characters really are in this squad. And let’s hope that’s all of them.

"Liverpool are top but no one’s happy. That’s because we are better than this – the team has proved it with other results and performances this season."

And Rush ended with a rallying cry for the Reds:

"Forget last night now. There are important games coming up and points to be won so let’s go out and start getting them, instead of letting them slip."

Real Madrid and Ajax have officially confirmed they have reached an agreement over the transfer of forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
The 25-year-old is going to cost the Bernabeu club €20 million up front, with the total fee potentially rising to €27m with additional clauses based on appearances and his levels of success with Los Blancos included in the deal.


The transfer will take place subject to Huntelaar agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, with Madrid set to sign the striker on a four-and-a-half-year contract, running until the summer of 2013.
If everything goes as planned, the player will join Madrid on January 2.

Huntelaar, who will be eligible to play in the Champions League having only played in the Uefa Cup with Ajax this year, has earned former club Heerenveen €2.5m as part of a sell-on clause they held from his sale to the Amsterdan giants in 2005.

Madrid’s official statement read: "Huntelaar is the new Real Madrid player. Real Madrid and Ajax Amsterdam have reached an agreement for the forward.

"As usual, the deal is dependent on the player passing a medical and the signing of his contract with Real Madrid.

"Klaas Jan Huntelaar will be tied to Real Madrid until June 30, 2013."

Los Merengues have acted in the transfer market after a season-ending injury to Ruud van Nistelrooy left them short on striking options, with another signing expected to be announced for the January transfer window.

Huntelaar scored a superb 75 goals in 90 league games and a total of 100 strikes in 120 appearances in all competitions for Ajax, following up from a successful spell with Heerenveen where he netted 34 league goals in 46 matches.

The prolific striker also has 18 international caps for the Netherlands and has already scored 10 times for his country.

Paul Scholes is expected to return to the Manchester United first team this evening after two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The former England ace's absence has left the United midfield looking rather thin in recent weeks, as Owen Hargreaves is also out of action and will be for the rest of the season.

Darren Fletcher has been one of the main beneficiaries of Scholes' bung knee, as he has enjoyed a rare run in the starting XI. And the Scot has made the most of it - he was among the Red Devils' best performers in their weekend derby win at Eastlands.
Still, the 25-year-old might be the one to make way for Salford's favourite son as the Old Trafford club take on Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup tonight - but he has no complaints.

Fletcher said in The Sun: “Paul is still the best midfielder in Europe, if not the world. Nobody can really control a game like he can.”

Argentine sensation Lionel Messi only managed to secure the Silver Ball in last night’s European Footballer of the Year announcement, comprehensively beaten to the coveted Golden Ball by Cristiano Ronaldo.
As the debate rages on about who really is the best player at present, Barca’s captain and defender Carles Puyol has thrown his support behind his teammate.

“I congratulate Ronaldo for winning, but for me, Messi is the best player in the world,” he told reporters during a promotional outing.
“I enjoy watching him every day, just like how all the fans enjoy watching him play,” added Puyol.

The 31 year old versatile defender then turned his attention to Barcelona’s upcoming games, including the titanic tussle with eternal enemies, Real Madrid in less than two weeks’ time.
“We must take full advantage of the form that we are in now because things can change very quickly in football.

“But we mustn’t think about the game against Real Madrid. If we do, then we are sure to lose our next match [against Valencia]. We have to take things one day at a time,” he concluded.

According to the Daily Mail, both Liverpool and Manchester United are keeping close watch on Franco Zuculini, the Racing Club de Avellaneda midfielde
The 18-year-old has been hugely impressive in his short professional career of 20-odd games, so much so that Argentina coach Diego Maradona has dubbed him "one of the stars at the next World Cup".

Indeed, Zuculini has been strongly likened to one of Anfield's current favourites - although the original version is only 24 himself, everyone is raving about 'the new Javier Mascherano'.
'El Jefecito' arrived on Merseyside early last year after an ill-fated stint at West Ham United, and has since come to be recognised as arguably the best defensive midfielder in world football.

The former River Plate man signed on permanently for the Reds this January, so it is unlikely they will be seeking an immediate upgrade.

However, with questions being raised over whether Lucas Leiva can cut it in the Premier League, Rafael Benitez may look to ship out the Brazilian youngster and draft in a new understudy to Mascherano and Xabi Alonso.

Meanwhile, at Old Trafford, there are concerns over Owen Hargreaves' long-term future after he underwent surgery recently on a tendonitis problem that has plagued his career.

The Canadian-born England star has played just 25 league games since moving from Bayern Munich last year, and it has been whispered that Sir Alex Ferguson is keeping an eye out for a worthy replacement.

But Liverpool and Man United would not only be battling each other for Zuculini, as it is thought that Juventus are leading the race for his signature.

The Old Lady attempted to lure Mascherano himself to Turin last winter, but the €21 million price-tag was well out of their reach and they opted for the out-of-favour Mohamed Sissoko instead.

But Momo and his midfielder partner, Christian Poulsen, have disappointed all too regularly this term, and Juve are reportedly ready to upgrade when the transfer window reopens next month.

Udinese had a €2.5 million bid rejected by Racing, who are demanding €10 million for their young superstar-in-the-making. However, financial problems mean the Argentine club should settle for around €7 million.