José María del Nido is high on something confidence

Since Sevilla’s surprise defeat of a Ronaldo-less Real Madrid at the weekend, many have suggested that the traditional Spanish two-horse title race will have an extra runner this year. Among those backing Los palanganas as genuine contenders is club presdient José María del Nido, who believes the squad is superior to that of the current champions. Marca reports:

The Sevilla president said “Barcelona are a great team,” although he added, he was not sure if the club “has the same quality of squad” that is currently at Sevilla.

Granted, the likes of Luis Fabiano and Didier Zokora are working wonders in Seville right now, but we think it a bit of a stretch to consider their squad stronger than Barcelona’s. Equally, we can’t see Manolo Jiménez’s side breaking the dominance of La Liga’s big boys this season. Would anyone (whose name isn’t José María del Nido) care to disagree? Let us know below…

La Liga side become the Kings of Extortion

Plenty of teams are guilty of jacking up the prices when heavyweight opposition comes to town, but Sevilla have ensured that only those with Lampard-esque bank balances will be able to see their home game with Real Madrid in two weeks time.

Tickets for the clash will go on sale at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium box office tomorrow, and the cheapest option will cost fans a whopping €110. That amount of money will secure a seat in the lofty upper grandstand, and those who wish to secure a better view of Florentino Perez’s Galacticos 2.0 will pay €180 for preferential seating.

If paying three figures to sit with the proles in a 50-year-old stadium sounds a little grotesque, Los palanganas are also offering VIP corporate seating at €300 a pop.

[Marca]

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Luis Fabiano to Manchester United
While Michael Owen stories have dominated today’s back pages, The Daily Mirror claim that Manchester United are offering Sevilla £16 million to try to beat AC Milan to the signing of Brazil striker Fabiano.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Fans probably wouldn’t be too happy to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez replaced solely by Antonio Valencia and Owen so it is plausible, especially considering the latter’s injury record, that Sir Alex Ferguson will want another attacking option.

Yuri Zhirkov to Chelsea
Chelsea completed their first summer signing last night, bringing in Middlesbrough’s reserve keeper Ross Turnbull - who conceded seven goals

A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Carlos Tevez to Manchester City
Goal claim to have heard from an unnamed source that Tevez has chosen Man City over Chelsea and that the deal will be finalised next Monday, which is when Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to be officially unveiled at Real Madrid.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Confirming the capture of Tevez on the same day that Ronaldo is presented at the Bernabeu would be City’s way of firing out a warning to their neighbours that the tide is turning.

Luis Fabiano to AC Milan
Emmanuel Adebayor is no longer even a secondary target for AC Milan, who have chosen to chase Confederations Cup top-scorer Luis Fabiano after being

Spain/England, Wednesday 9pm, ITV1, Free Bets, Best Odds

England have won five consecutive away games and Spain have lost their last two matches in Seville but despite those good omens, our friends at chickendinner can’t see anyone beating the Euro 2008 winners right now. Here are five reasons why Vicente del Bosque’s side should triumph:

1. Spain are unbeaten in 28 internationals, of which they have won 25. They haven’t lost since a 1-0 friendly loss to Romania in November 2006.

2. That incredible unbeaten run started with a 1-0 victory over England two years ago at Old Trafford.

3. Spain have also triumphed 1-0 in their last two home games against England.

The Spurs reject may be more sought after than Ronaldo by June

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague claims to have heard from sources close to Roman Abramovich that Juande Ramos is being considered as a summer replacement for Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Balague claims the Brazilian has failed to win over senior figures in the Chelsea side which opens the possibility of the Blues fighting with Real Madrid over the man Spurs sacked in October for leading them to their worst ever start.

“An enquiry over a possible replacement led to the name of Juande Ramos being mentioned to me by someone very close to Roman Abramovich. Furthermore, a very well known football agent has been in touch with the Real Madrid coach to inform him of Chelsea’s interest.

“If he can, at least, sustain his momentum in La Liga and present some form of challenge to Barcelona, while beating Liverpool and progressing to the final stages of the Champions League - then Juande Ramos could find himself very much in demand at both Stamford Bridge and the Bernabeu.”

There’s just thirteen days to go before the window is opened

In the summer everyone was expecting Xabi Alonso to move to Juventus only for coach Claudio Ranieri to eventually decide that he was too slow. The Daily Telegraph today claim that Ranieri is planning another Anfield raid, with underused duo Daniel Agger and Ryan Babel, who have eight league starts between them this season, top of his wishlist. The former Chelsea coach is poised to offer £19 million to persuade Rafael Benitez to part with his favourite substitutes. Here are today’s other major rumours:

Slaven Bilic to Sunderland
Former West Ham and Everton defender Super Slav has been backed down from 12/1 to 6/4 favourite for the Sunderland job but don’t be fooled into wasting money backing him because The Times say he is still not a leading contender.

Eleven players who’ll probably all end up at Man City in January

With just 23 days left until the big day, footballers all over Europe are champing at the bit to leave their current employers behind, in search of lots more money fresh opportunities elsewhere. Here’s eleven stars who are likely to change clubs in early 2009, conveniently arranged into a football team in their own right…

Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, linked to Manchester City)
Juve say they want to keep their star keeper but Buffon says they should cash in if they receive a ridiculous offer. Good news for Joe Hart’s England hopes then.

Wayne Bridge (Chelsea, linked to Manchester City)
Bridge is still behind Cashley Cole in the Chelsea pecking order and Mark Hughes wants to build a world class team. With this vision in mind, one would expect that left backs Michael Ball and Javier Garrido won’t be playing much longer.

Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland, linked to Lyon)
The man who put in a transfer request just minutes after Wigan’s last game of the season in 2006 seems ready to jump ship again. As Sunderland battle relegation, Chimbonda again proves he has an impeccable sense of timing.

Federico Fazio (Sevilla, linked to Arsenal)
Arsene Wenger has admitted his defence lack height and could sign 6′5 Fazio to shore