The latest gossip, rumours and damned lies

There’s just one more day until the transfer window is flung open, and a stroppy Ivorian is dominating the headlines amidst talk of a name-and-shame session at Chelsea HQ…

Didier Drogba to leave Chelsea
According to sources at The Daily Mail, Big Phil held a 45-minute clear-the-air session at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground yesterday, where many “key players” cited Le Drog as the principle reason for dressing room disharmony. After votes were counted, Didier Drogba was nominated to be evicted from the Big Chelsea House in January.

Spoiler truth-o-meter: With each passing day, Drogba’s future at Chelsea gets shorter, and it will probably be best for everyone if he runs off into the sunset with his lover Jose.

Mikel Arteta to Arsenal
Ever since Professor Wenger suggested he may defy his usual practise of spending absolutely nothing in the January window, the Gunners have been linked to every midfielder under the sun. Despite the strong Andrei Arshavin links, The Guardian believes Mikel Arteta will plug the Fabregas-shaped hole in exchange for £12m.

Spoiler truth-o-meter: It’s clear that Arsenal wish to bring in a midfielder, and Arteta would be a cheaper alternative to Arshavin, who has no Premier League experience and a mercenary attitude

Also appearing on a computer near you…

Notts County midfielder Neil MacKenzie may have won five editions of Countdown, but he’s always up for a bit of horsing around
[Dirty Tackle]

Tottenham’s revival under ‘Arry could be finished
[chickendinner]

Not for the squeamish: a nasty American football leg break
[With Leather]

Proof that curling can be sexy
[SportsbyBrooks]

The top twenty young footballers to watch in 2009
[Soccerlens]

Elano to Spurs?
[Caught Offside]

A Turin defender drove his car off a bridge and into a river… and survived
[Unprofessional Foul]

Gemma Atkinson is no longer a WAG - sexy tribute, anyone?
[Sports Crackle Pop]

23 days until the window is flung open

It’s not long until Manchester City’s bottomless coffer is unleashed, and the press are having a fantastic time linking everyone under the sun to them. Here’s the latest happenings in gossipland…

David Villa to Manchester City
The Sun has revealed Man City are in talks to sign Euro 2008 star David Villa after Mark Hughes insisted there would be big name signings in January.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Cash-strapped Valencia would surely accept £60 million and City wouldn’t think twice about breaking the world transfer record. And for around £150,000 a week you’d think the man himself might be quite interested too.

Thierry Henry to Manchester City
Manchester City are keen to bring Thierry Henry back to England after his turbulent time in Spain according to the Daily Mail. Barcelona might be interested if the right money is offered although a sale would most likely follow a guaranteed replacement with Lyon striker Karim Benzema consistently linked with the Catalan giants.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: City and Barcelona might both be interested in a deal, but Thierry Henry remains determined to prove his time in Spain has been a success. Following a hat-trick at the weekend he looks keen to win over his detractors in Spain.

Milan to extend loan for Beckham?
AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani has revealed he hopes to keep David Beckham for as long as possible. LA Galaxy have already agreed to loan out Beckham in January for the close season of the MLS. Despite competition for places in Milan’s midfield - Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldinho to name just a few, Beckham’s England career prospects would be enhanced by proving his quality in Serie A as opposed to in USA. Milan might struggle to match the Galaxy’s asking price or Beckham’s weekly half a million dollar wages but would enjoy significant commercial success if a permanent deal could be agreed with the Galaxy.

The Spoiler Truth-o-meter: Posh might like life in Italy better than LA where she is far less popular than her hubby and might want to stay for Milan Fashion Week in September.

A Manager to Sunderland
Rumoured replacements for Roy Keane include Peter Reid

The best hat-trick of goals we’ve seen this week. Watch, enjoy, vote for your favourite…

1. Maicon, Brazil vs Portugal
Intricate build-up capped with a thunderous finish. Reminiscent of Carlos Alberto’s famous goal at the 1970 World Cup - this is not as good, obviously, but it’s still a lovely strike.

More below:

No room for Ireland, Hamann, Bojinov, Kompany, Benjani, Ben Haim, um, Mills

Can anyone remember the days when Arsenal were in the Big Four and Man City were just a bunch of also-rans? Those were great times - feels just like yesterday doesn’t it?

But now look at them, Arsenal have a tissue paper midfield, and Man City are all over this year’s Premier League like a rash, baby! They have, of course, promised us a top four finish, then bigger things to come next year.

As an aside, how must little Wright-Phillips feel about leaving Chelsea, only to find himself back at Chelsea?

Gutted.

City looking to replace German midfielder in transfer window

When a player reaches the end of his playing career, the club that owns him usually opts for a gentle approach. Some players will be granted a testimonial. Others will be trotted out for occasional five-minute cameos to allow them