Food for thought, Fabio

Long time fans of tournament football will already know that surprise inclusions/exclusions are not out of the question. Eric Cantona was left out of France’s Euro 96 squad in favour of some guy called Zidane, Gazza famously didn’t make it the the 98 World Cup, and last time around, little Theo Walcott toured with England, despite only being about 12.

Expect the unexpected.

Hence, The Spoiler thought it somewhat necessary to compile a team of players without a cap between them, who might yet drift onto the Capello radar in the coming months (pictured).

Onuoha - “Hello West Ham!”

If this transfer window were a film, it would be a rubbish film that promised so much, dragged on for ages, but then delivered hardly anything at all - and barring any sudden Usual Suspects/Sixth Sense style twists right at the very end, it’s one that Guy Ritchie would be very proud of.

As things stand, the biggest business of the day appears to be going on between Man City and Middlesbrough, as they finish hammering out a deal that would take Adam Johnson to Eastlands.

Elsewhere, people have been overheard muttering the words “David”, “Sunderland” and “James” in the same sentence, and West Ham - the real movers and shakers so far - have signed Mido, and shifted focus from attack to defence, with a reported bid for Man City’s Nedum Onuoha. Loud whispers say that it’s a loan, and a done deal.

UPDATE: And with the chimes of Big Ben, the window has now slammed shut. Look out for all of the INS and OUTS from the past month on the site tomorrow. One late OUT could find Robbie Keane heading off to Celtic, with Scottish deals allowed to go on into the night.

Adam Johnson - City bound?

Right, to kick things off there are a few congratulations to get out of the way. Congratulations to Egypt for winning the Africa Cup of Nations. Congratulations to John Terry for managing to paint an even more abhorrent picture of himself than the one that already existed in The Spoiler’s mind, whilst simultaneously reopening the old abortion debate (should you go private etc…?).

And congratulations to Vanessa Perroncel for signing up with Max Clifford - the man who did such a tremendous job of making Rebecca Loos absolutely impossible to dislike.

But, today will be all about transfers. And so far, it looks like the Man City cheque book might yet become tatty and worn in a frenzy of activity, with deals for Real’s Fernando Gago, Parma’s McDonald Mariga, and Middlesbrough’s Adam Johnson still just about alive in the water.

Also appearing on a computer near you…

A very painful way to win a penalty (0.25)
[101GG]

Roman Abramovich has spent £240 a minute at Chelsea
[CNN]

Manchester City will try and use their excellent negotiating skills to lure John Terry
[The Guardian]

Luton fans could be set for a well-earned trip to Wembley
[chickendinner]

Manchester Utd, Liverpool and Madrid chase Middlesbrough’s £10m-rated Adam Johnson
[Fans FC]

A UK female boxer has been banned because she had breast implants
[Deadspin]

Cash-strapped Fisher Athletic cause controversy with their manager auction
[BBC]

Are Portsmouth about to employ a part-time manager?
[Caught Offside]

Alex Curran is looking good
[Daily Mail]