The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies…

Robinho and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona
Barcelona’s sporting director Txiki Beguiristain has revealed the Catalan giants are eyeing Robinho, with a potential January approach on the cards. The Brazilian of course has the advantage of being free to play in the Champions League. Cheeky Txiki also spoke of his desire to bring in Cesc Fabregas, brilliantly declaring that, “he was born suckling upon the teat of the football [we play] here.”

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Robinho would be tempted but how much would it take for moneybags City to agree to the deal? Fabregas could move next summer in what promises to be the most drawn-out transfer saga since Ronaldo and Real Madrid.

Emile Heskey to whoever will take him
Heskey has promised to readdress his current position at Villa as the England

Three Lions secure their place at WC2010 in style

England 5/ Croatia 1
We probably weren’t the only ones who cracked open a bottle of Santana DVX last night as England secured their place at the 2010 World Cup finals in emphatic style. Admittedly, Croatia didn’t put up a particularly strong fight - they were a shadow of the side who embarrassed England in 2007 - but Aaron Lennon was in rude health, Glen Johnson dealt with the pressure well and Emile Heskey even got a little bit close to scoring a goal.

Now then, who’s up for some celebratory music…

Has the little guy earned a place in the starting XI?

With nothing of particular interest arising from England’s friendly victory over Slovenia at the weekend, the papers are awash with the debate surrounding the England frontline.

In-form Jermain Defoe has bagged eight goals in ten appearances under Fabio Capello, which is twice as good as Wayne Rooney’s rate of return in the same period, and better than the tally that Emile William Ivanhoe Heskey has managed in the past ten years.

Under Capello’s maxim of ‘form wins places’, the Tottenham star is a shoe-in for a starting role. However, the obvious counter argument is that Wayne Rooney needs a strike partner with Heskey’s strength, height and ability to hold up the ball in order to operate at his best. And considering how Croatia tried to kick seven shades out of their opponents the last time they visited Wembley, such a physical presence from the outset could prove crucial.

So, should the serial WAG boffer retain his highly successful ’supersub’ status, or should he get to wear number 9 at Wembley on Wednesday? Votes and comments below, please…

England/Andorra, World Cup Qualifier, 8.15pm, ITV1

The Three Lions are ever-so-slight 1/200 favourites to make it seven wins out of seven in the World Cup qualifiers against an Andorra side who have never won away from home. This is how The Spoiler would line up.

We disagree with the idea of playing Gary Neville ahead of Glen Johnson, who is a yellow card away from suspension. Fabio Capello wants everyone available to face Croatia at home but we feel having players ruled out for the game after that away to Ukraine could prove just as dangerous.

The biggest talking point is who will partner Frank Lampard in midfield with Gareth Barry suspended and Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves and Scott

Kazakhstan/ England, WC Qualifier, Sat, 4pm, Setanta Sports 1

The Three Lions could continue their 100 per cent record in 2010 World Cup Qualifiers tomorrow, something that the bookies believe is a near certainty. The Spoiler also believes Fabio Capello will bring three points back to Blighty, and will do so starting with the 4-2-3-1 formation shown above.

We believe Robert Green will earn a cap, thanks to another great domestic season and the costly errors of Mr Robinson and Mr Carson. Matthew Upson was Man of the Match on his last away start for England in Germany, and therefore gets in ahead of Joleon Lescott (who has never really shone at international level) and Gary Cahill, whose newbie status means he’s unlikely to start.

We were toying with putting Michael Carrick in ahead of Gareth ‘Moneybags’ Barry, but the Manchester Utd star was poor in the Champions League final, and his City equivalent has played almost every game under Capello.

Crouchie’s international scoring record is a thing of beauty (13 goals in the last 13 he has started), so he should keep his place over Emile Heskey (whose form has dipped since joining Aston Villa) and Carlton Cole (who has only started once in two months because he got injured on the crappy Wembley pitch).

Let us know your opinions and choices for the starting line-up below…

Portsmouth/Aston Villa, 8pm, Sky Sports 2, free £10 bet

Last season just three points separated these two sides at this stage. With sixteen to play, Portsmouth are already twenty short of Aston Villa in 2008/09. Both sides failed to impress against Championship opposition in the FA Cup, but Martin O’Neill’s side are unbeaten in ten league games. Tonight, however, will be the first time this season that they will not be able to utilise their “genius” Ashley Young.

Should you fancy a punt on tonight’s televised match, the folks at chickendinner have provided some very useful statistics:

A WORRYING HESKEY TREND
Emile Heskey has never scored a goal on any of his five debuts for club or country (Leicester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wigan and England), but more worryingly, none of his first appearances at his last three clubs ended in victory. Wigan lost 2-1 to Newcastle in his debut there while Liverpool and Birmingham were both held 1-1, the latter of which came away to Portsmouth.

…AND THERE’S A WORRYING YOUNG ONE TOO
Since the start of the 2007-08 season, Ashley Young has only missed one game, a 2-1 defeat away to Fulham last February. Prior to that, Villa had been unbeaten for nine league games while Fulham had been unbeaten in twelve.

VILLA’S AWAY RECORD
Aston Villa have won five consecutive away games, something they had last achieved in May 1998. If they win tonight it will be the first time in Premier League history that they have won six in succession. Villa are one of only two clubs,

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

If West Ham get their way, this young chap will fill the angry, hate-filled void left by Craig Bellamy. More on that later - here’s the rest of the movers and shakers in Transferland today…

Jimmy Bullard to Hull
After reported interest from Arsenal, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Sunderland, Sky Sports claim Hull have agreed a £5m fee with Fulham, and the Tigers now face the task of persuading the London lad to move to Yorkshire.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Fulham didn’t try very hard to keep their best player, did they?

Emile Heskey to Aston Villa
It looked like Emile William Ivanhoe Heskeywas all set to join former club Liverpool, but Villa believe they have secured the services of the proven Premier League hitman

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Rafa has said he is not interested in parting with big money (£4m-ish) for Heskey, so it looks like Villa’s £3.5m bid may have sealed it.

Miguel Veloso to Manchester City
Sporting’s 22-year-old midfielder

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

It’s a little quiet in transferland today, and the headlines are dominated by comings on the red side of Manchester, and goings on the blue side…

Karim Benzema to Manchester Utd
The 21-year-old Lyon striker has said that it would be his “dream” to move to Real Madrid. Los Blancos are still chasing, but Sir Alex may stick it to them by jumping in with a bid, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: The Frenchman is said to be unhappy with Lyon’s performances in the Champions League, so Manchester Utd will obviously be a step in the right direction. He could make an excellent Tevez replacement.

Jo to Newcastle
After handing out £18m and getting one league goal in return, Manchester City are considering an offer from Newcastle for striker Jo, according to The Daily Mail. There are rumours of a swap deal with Mido and Alan Smith.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Jo has struggled