Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Manchester United midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo has suggested for Wayne Rooney to join him at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo says the striker's glittering reputation means he would be a sure-fire hit in Spain, which would see him fit right into the Real Madrid mantra, given the club's taste for marketable superstars.

"Wayne would be a sensation out here. I think we could do with Rooney to help us out," Ronaldo told The Sun.

"He would be brilliant if he came. This is the ideal place for the world's best players and there's little doubt he is one of them.

"Wayne has all the skill and determination you need to make a fine career here."
Ronaldo admitted that he knew such a move would be difficult to negotiate, but is hopeful it could eventuate sometime in the distant future.

He added: "I realise it would take a lot for him to move from England"

"He loves the country, he loves Manchester and he is a Liverpool boy. And United is a good club for him. But you never know what could happen in the future," concluded the Portuguese superstar.

Troy Nicholson, Goal.com UK

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Didier Drogba

As a team that is decorated with a galaxy of stars, a lot of expectations rest on Côte d'Ivoire as African nations eagerly anticipate their quest for maiden glory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ next summer.

And the side's star players are not shy about their desire to be counted among the early tournament favourites. Côte d'Ivoire became the third African side to book their place at South Africa 2010 thanks to a goal by their inspirational captain Didier Drogba, whose sole strike was enough to send the Elephants to their second successive FIFA World Cup. FIFA.com caught-up with the Côte d'Ivoire captain following their FIFA World Cup qualification en route from Malawi in Blantyre.

FIFA.com: You scored the vital goal that took Côte d'Ivoire to the 2010 FIFA World Cup to cap what has been a flawless campaign. How does it feel to qualify for the first ever FIFA World Cup on African soil?
Didier Drogba: First of all, I want to say this is a collective effort. Everything we achieve, we do it as a team. That goal was important, not just for me, but for the rest of my team-mates. We are happy to be part of this World Cup, we are very proud to be here. We believe this is an opportunity for Africans to show what they can do to the rest of the world. This is a period whereby we all have to be proud of being Africans. We know that this World Cup will change a lot of stereotypes about Africa; it will educate people more about this beautiful continent.

A lot will be expected from you and the team at South Africa 2010.
People expect a lot from us now. We have been winning games, we are playing good football. From a personal point of view, I just want to do well and help the team achieve its goal. We don't play for individual glory, but for that of the team. At the World Cup, we won't only be representing people of Côte d'Ivoire, but also millions of African people. We are not there to add the numbers, we are coming to the World Cup to compete.

People say this is the best time for an African team to qualify for the semi-finals or even win the FIFA World Cup. Do you think Côte d'Ivoire can achieve that feat?
I have to say that this is going to be a big challenge, but we are really motivated for this one, it's a special project for us. We know it won't be easy. There are great teams like Brazil and Germany who have been winners of the World Cup in the past.

My friends and I want to make history in South Africa, we want to change the way people see Africa. This World Cup is a great honour for the African people. It is a huge honour for us African people to play at this World Cup, on African soil. Now what is left is for us to work together in making Africa proud. What is important is that we have to change the image of Africa, we have to show the rest of the world what Africa can do. We have capable teams like Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire who have some of the top players in the world. Let's wait and see after next year and we will revisit that subject.

What about the hosts, South Africa?
When I started playing international football, South Africa was a very strong country in Africa. Like any other team, I think they are going through a rough patch. But we saw their performance at the [FIFA] Confederations Cup; they did very well during that competition.

Any Questions?

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Champions League Story

 Real Zaragoza defender Francisco Pavon has indicated that Barcelona's defeat to Rubin Kazan shows that the Catalan outfit can be beaten.

'Paco' added that he hopes los Blanquillos can take advantage of the Spanish champions' slip up to spring another surprise at the Camp Nou.

"It will be a very tough game, but we have our chances and we have to fully exploit them while we also try and counter Barcelona's qualities," Pavon explained to El Mundo Deportivo.

"We have to be at our very best when we take on Barcelona.

"We will have to give 110 per cent because even when people say they are playing badly, they are still capable of beating anyone."

The former Real Madrid man concluded by saying that even though the Blaugrana are "the most difficult side to beat" away from home, Zaragoza will not give up any lost causes and will try "to hurt" the champions.

Anthony Wright, Goal.com

• Madrid vs AC Milan
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All About Soccer

BPL Forecast For This week

• Aston Villa vs Chealsea
• Liverpool vs Sunderland

World

• Maradona in Argentina 
• Beckham Return 
• Barca Face Valencia
  

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Stadium In Barclays League

Manchester Utd - Old Trafford

Address : Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA
Telephone : 0161 872 1661
Tickets : 0161 872 0199
Capacity : 76,100

Old Trafford is two miles south-west of Manchester city centre. Parking is available at several paying car parks around the ground but it's a long walk from any of the mainline stations.
From The South:
Take the M6 until Junction 19, then follow signs A556 for Stockport and then A56 for Altrincham. From Altrincham follow signs for Manchester. After six miles turn left into Warwick Road for the ground.

From The North:
Use the M61 motorway and then the M60 until Junction 9. Follow signs for Manchester A5081 and after three miles turn right into Warwick Road for the ground.

From The West:
Use the M62 motorway and then the M63 until Junction 4. Follow signs for Manchester A5081 and after three miles turn right into Warwick Road for the ground.

From The East:
Use the M62 motorway until Junction 17 then use the A56 for Manchester. Follow signs for South and then for Chester along the Chester Road. After two miles turn left into Warwick Road for the ground.

By Train:
The mainline station (Piccadilly) or Oxford Road station are long walks, but the Metrolink can be caught to Old Trafford and Trafford Bar stations.

Buses:
From Piccadilly Station - 114, 115, 252, 253, 256, 257. From Victoria Station - 264

Trams :
From Manchester Piccadily or Manchester Victoria to Old Trafford (Although that is about a mile from the ground). It is a fast way and runs every 12 minutes

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www.chealseafc.com

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