In the wake of Ramon Calderon’s resignation, opinions are divided as to what sort of legacy he has left behind.

In the wake of Ramon Calderon’s resignation as Real Madrid president, opinions are divided as to what sort of legacy he has left behind.

Will he be best remembered as the man who helped bring the glory days back to the Spanish giants, or will his place in history be defined more by unfulfilled transfer vows and the role he played in last summer’s tiresome Cristiano Ronaldo saga?
Madridistas can have few complaints as the Spanish superpowers have been awash with silverware since Calderon took up his post.

Prior to Calderon’s election, Madrid’s football team had not won a single major trophy since 2003 but, with coaches Fabio Capello, Bernd Schuster and now Juande Ramos pulling the strings, there have been two more Primera Liga titles and the Spanish Supercopa added to the club’s list of achievements.

Calderon said at the end of last season: “This league title will be more special for me because it will be my second. It will also be the first time we win two consecutive league titles in 18 years. I think we are doing a great job.”

It was a similar story on the basketball side of things, with Madrid winning the league and the ULEB Cup – their first European title in a decade – while Calderon was still in his first 12 months of office.

That was the first time in 21 years that both the Madrid football and basketball teams have been league champions at the same time.

On the flip side though, Calderon detractors could point out that while the 57-year-old lawyer was the figurehead of the club, sporting success was down to the performances of players, coaching staff and the technical team, and had little to do with the president himself.

And Madrid’s transfer record during his tenure has hardly been a resounding success, with plenty of money being spent but a number of big fish slipping through the net.
However, when it comes to big transfers, former Madrid president Florentino Perez casts a long shadow indeed.

Perez’s so-called ‘Galacticos’ policy of signing at least one star name every summer – whatever the cost – established Madrid as the most powerful club in the world, but it also set a precedent that future presidents would struggle to match.
Proof of that was in the 2006 election race to find the long-term successor to Perez, who stepped down that January after six years in charge, citing the need for change having not won any major silverware since 2003.

Five men including Calderon challenged for the position, and each of them made extravagant promises about which players and coaches they would bring in should they be elected.

It is impossible to tell how successful the other candidates would have been in fulfilling their respective pledges, but Calderon’s player promises proved largely hollow.

Of the three big-name players he claimed would be bought, Kaka and Cesc Fabregas stayed put, and while the third, Arjen Robben, did end up moving to Madrid, it was not until 12 months later, for a fee of more than £20million.
Madrid’s transfer failings during Calderon’s presidency were not limited to those players either.

The club’s long chase for Manchester United winger Ronaldo, in which Calderon played a very vocal role, has so far failed, and also landed Madrid and Calderon in the English giants’ bad books.

The European champions lodged an official complaint with FIFA over Madrid’s pursuit of the Portugal international and United coach Sir Alex Ferguson also hit out at Calderon following his comments about player slavery.

“In terms of great clubs, Barcelona have far better morality than Real Madrid will ever have,” said Ferguson.

Calderon, however, responded by insisting his club had “conducted themselves exquisitely” in the whole affair.

He added: “We are not going to start a conflict. We’re sorry that Manchester United, a club with which we have an excellent relationship, is annoyed with us because Real Madrid have nothing to do with that aspect.”

Ronaldo was not the only player to shun Madrid this summer though, with both David Villa and Santi Cazorla reportedly ignoring overtures from the Spanish champions and committing their futures to Valencia and Villarreal, respectively.

That meant Madrid’s only summer signing for this season was Rafael van der Vaart, and they were also unable to keep hold of forward Robinho, who left on transfer deadline day for Manchester City despite Calderon saying 24 hours previously: “There will be no player coming in and no player leaving.”

Madrid’s lack of success in the transfer market combined with Robinho’s determination to leave suggested the club can no longer lay claim to being every player’s dream destination – something unimaginable not so long ago when they were prising the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Brazilian ace Ronaldo away from reluctant sellers.

That said, as long as Madrid continued to pick up trophies, off-field matters would have stayed in the background. But this season they have stuttered, allowing a 12-point chasm to open between them and leaders Barcelona.

They were knocked out of the Copa del Rey last week and face a tough tie against Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Calderon, who once said “this club wants its money to be on the pitch, not in the bank”, would no doubt have tried to put things right by splashing more cash in this month’s transfer window and in the summer, but now he will not get the chance.

Manchester United host Chelsea on Sunday as both sides look to catch Liverpool at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

CAREER

Ferguson made his mark as a manager at Aberdeen, where he won three league titles and four Scottish Cups as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup and Super Cup in an eight-year spell.

A move to Old Trafford followed where the Scot initially struggled but he has gone on to win 10 league titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups.

The Scot has also led the Red Devils to two Champions League titles.

Brazilian Scolari started his coaching career with Criciuma who he led to the Brazilian Cup in 1991 and won the Libertadores Cup with Gremio in 1995 and Palmeiras in 1999.

Appointed Brazil coach in 2001, Scolari led them World Cup glory in 2002 in Japan and South Korea.

Scolari then took over as Portugal coach, taking them to the final of the 2004 European Championships, fourth in the 2006 World Cup and the quarter-finals of Euro 2008.

FORM

United are well placed behind Liverpool and Chelsea with two games in hand. Their last six league games have seen the Red Devils claim four wins and two draws. However, they have scored only four goals in that time with the forwards failing to reproduce the scintillating goalscoring form of last season. Their home form has been excellent with seven wins and a draw from the eight games.

Chelsea have the best away record in the Premier League with eight wins and two draws and have yet to be beaten away from Stamford Bridge. Although they have lost only two matches all season, the Blues have been less than convincing and their last four league games have garnered just one win – against rock-bottom West Brom. Their last game against Southend in the FA Cup saw them concede a last-minute equaliser.

TACTICS

United will look to continue their attacking approach with Ferguson convinced a team will one day suffer because of their current inability to convert the many chances they are creating. While not setting the world on fire, Dimitar Berbatov gives them different options and Cristiano Ronaldo will be desperate to get on the score sheet for the first time since his double against Stoke.

Nicolas Anelka has produced his best form in years this season for Chelsea, scoring 14 league goals playing alone up front in the injury-enforced absence of Didier Drogba. However, since the return of the Ivory Coast striker, Anelka has fared less well. The team have been depleted by injury having missed the likes of Michael Essien and Ricardo Carvalho as well as the quiet influence of Claude Makelele, who left the club last summer.

Barcelona striker Thierry Henry talked about the Spanish media’s harsh treatment of Ronaldinho in his last season at the club before he joined Milan.

Many people were highly skeptical when Milan signed Ronaldinho from Barcelona last summer in what was certainly the biggest move of the year. However, the Brazilian superstar has silenced the skeptics in these first months at the club by scoring several goals and providing a number of assists.

A number of fallouts with coach Frank Rijkaard and reports of wild nights out on the town led the Spanish press to describe him as a finished player, although his allegedly poor physical condition didn’t help either. His declining reputation was also reflected in last summer’s transfer period, as there were only two clubs interested in signing him from Barça: Manchester City and Milan.

Considering the player’s form with the Rossoneri so far this season, however, it seems those judgments were highly exaggerated. Blaugrana striker Thierry Henry also believes the Ballon d’Or was treated unfairly by the Spanish press.

“I never accepted the way they treated a player like Ronaldinho, who gave a lot to Barcelona,” he said to ‘Sport’. “He certainly didn’t go through a happy period last season, but he didn’t kill anyone either. He’s a lad with a big heart and the team were very sad to read what was being said about him.”

Ronaldinho has scored seven goals in Serie A so far, making him the team’s top scorer along with Kaká, and two in the Uefa Cup.

German striker Lukas Podolski claims that Tottenham have approached him about a move to London. – Corriere dello Sport

Mexican club Chivas have declared their interest in signing Spurs’ forward Giovani Dos Santos – Setanta Sports

Jose Mourinho ruled out a move for Newcastle and England striker Michael Owen. – La Gazzetta dello Sport

Jermain Defoe might have played his last game for Portsmouth with strong rumours that he will make a return to former club Tottenham Hotspur. – The Telegraph
Chelsea are set to table a bid for CSKA Moscow’s Yuri Zhirkov as a replacement for Wayne Bridge if the England left-back joins Manchester City. – Daily Mail

Mark Hughes wants to take West Ham midfielder Scott Parker to the Eastlands. – The Times

Valencia are prepared to offload their star striker David Villa for the right price with Manchester City seemingly keen. – The Independent

The Hammers will let Australian defender Lucas Neill leave the club on a free transfer to lower their wage bill. – The Sun

Serie A giants AC Milan are reportedly eager to take
Chelsea’s Brazilian defender Alex to the San Siro. – The Sun

Shay Given might be leaving the Magpies with Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal the supposedly interested parties. – Daily Mirror

Internazionale’s French midfielder Olivier Dacourt is keen on a move to join Gary Megson’s Bolton Wanderers. – The Sun

Hull City are pondering whether to make a move for Wigan’s hard-tackling midfielder, Michael Brown. – Daily Telegraph

Cristian Rodriguez of Porto and Juan Arango of Mallorca will become Spurs’ next best options if they fail to land England winger Stewart Downing. – The Times

Sir Alex Ferguson kicked off his January spending by securing the services of Serbian duo Zoran Tosic and Adem Ljajic from Partizan Belgrade

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Portsmouth want ‘in excess of US$29 million’ for England striker Jermain Defoe.

Defoe wants to leave Fratton Park but Spurs chairman Daniel Levy could not agree a fee with Pompey chairman Peter Storrie when the pair met yesterday.

Redknapp, when asked how much Pompey would want, said: “I think it’s in excess of US$29 million probably.

“The two clubs are miles apart in their valuation of the player so I think we’ll have to move on.”

Pompey manager Tony Adams insists he will have the final say over whether Defoe leaves the club.

Defoe may miss today’s FA Cup visit of Bristol City as he was absent from training after phoning in sick and Adams revealed the club sent a doctor to the striker’s Hertfordshire home to assess his condition.

Adams said: “Peter Storrie had a meeting with him last Wednesday, which I sat in on, and Jermain expressed a desire to leave.

“I think Peter is talking to a few clubs about him but the final decision will be mine and I have a price in mind of what I think he is worth.

“He is a superb player and a great goalscorer but I have not yet made up my mind whether or not I am going to sell him.

“I have to make a call on that like I had to with Lassana Diarra when Real Madrid came knocking.

“If I wanted to play him against Bristol City I could because he is still a Portsmouth player but it looks as if his illness has taken that out of my hands.”

Jack Wilshere had a double celebration when he woke up this morning. Not only was it the wingers 17th birthday, but his scholarship deal turned into a professional contract with the Gunners.

The terms are unknown, but it’s believed to be as long as eight years in length. It will see Jack become a full time player with the club, meaning he will now stop attending extra school lessons in a bid to keep total focus on being a footballer.

Many believe Wilshere has the potential to become one of the greatest players in the club’s history, but today marks a significant step in his development. He can also expect to add a couple of zero’s to his current pay packet – matching the sort of money that Chelsea offered him last season.

SkySports pundit Andy Gray picked out the prospect as one of the stars to watch out for in 2009, in a list which included Manchester United’s Rafael da Silva and Chelsea’s Franco di Santo.

Despite media reports, don’t expect Wilshere to be leaving on loan anytime soon. It promises to be an exciting few years in Jack’s development, but Arsène Wenger is known to keep his most exciting youngsters at the club.

Young Guns would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jack on his new contract, and wish all our readers a fantastic 2009.

Atlético Vs Porto 24/02 » 11/03 »
Lyon Vs Barcelona 24/02 » 11/03 »
Arsenal Vs Roma 24/02 » 11/03 »
Inter Vs Man. United 24/02 » 11/03 »
Real Madrid Vs Liverpool 25/02 » 10/03 »
Chelsea Vs Juventus 25/02 » 10/03 »
Villarreal Vs Panathinaikos 25/02 » 10/03 »
Sporting VsBayern 25/02 » 10/03 »

Crisitiano Ronaldo has insisted that he is “very happy” at Manchester United despite ongoing the Real Madrid saga.

The Manchester United winger has been back in the headlines again over the past 48 hours, thanks to more speculation linking him with Real Madrid.

But comments from Real director Pedro Trapote have been greeted with disdain at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson claiming ‘I wouldn’t sell them a virus’ following his team’s 5-3 Club World Cup victory over Gamba Osaka.

Ronaldo opted not to get embroiled in the war of words between two clubs, who may get drawn together in the Champions League knockout round tomorrow.
However, he has confirmed he remains happy with life at Old Trafford – after Ferguson persuaded him to stay last summer.

“I don’t care what people are saying,” he said.

“I have not read it. I am here in Japan and I know nothing about what is going on around me.

“But I am very happy playing for Manchester United.”

After the intense speculation that surrounded him last summer, it seems Ronaldo must once again get used to being the centre of attention.

The Ballon D’Or winner preferred to talk about his goalscoring contribution to United’s latest triumph.

After heading home a Ryan Giggs corner in first-half stoppage time, Ronaldo has moved into double figures for the season.

As he prepares to be confirmed as the best player in the world at a glitzy FIFA ceremony next month, Ronaldo confirmed life at the moment is going well.

“It would mean a lot for me to be a world champion,” he said.

“It would be fantastic to win this trophy – and now there is a good chance, not just from a personal perspective but for Manchester United.

“We might only have one opportunity and we have to take it.”

Ronaldo knows the bare minimum about Sunday’s opponents, Ecuador’s South American club champions LDU Quito.

They were not that impressive in beating Pachuca in yesterday’s semi-final, but Ronaldo knows any club capable of overcoming the might of Brazil and Argentina must be respected.

“We are expecting a difficult game,” he said.

“The second match is always more difficult than the first, and we have to prepare well.

“Quito are a good team, with a lot of experience.

“We have a couple of days to study them and to see who the best players are, but the most important thing for us is to put the ball in the net.”

League leaders Barcelona are reportedly interested to bring Arsenal forward Robin van Persie to Camp Nou.

Marca reported that Barca made their intentions known and has received positive response from the player’s associates.

Arsenal on the other hand has been trying to tie Van Persie down to a longer contract with his current deal running out in 2011.

Barca’s technical secretary Txiki Begiristain has been scouting for a new left-sided attacking player with Thierry Henry unlikely to stay on after this season.

Some other notable players linked with Catalan giants is Valencia’s explosive winger David Silva while another Arsenal player, Cesc Fabregas is a long-term target that will unlikely be available this summer.

With Sylvinho also rumoured to be on his final season at the club and French international Eric Abidal keen on a move back to Olympique Lyonnais, Barca’s priority in the transfer marker will be to solve the left-sided void that could spell trouble if not plugged swiftly.

The Blaugrana are no strangers to signing Dutch players with Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars and the De Boer brothers just some of the Oranje players who have plied their trade under Barca colours.

Inter Milan striker Adriano will take part in a benefit All-Star Game organised by Brazilian legend Zico next week.

Adriano’s participation is the match, which is due to be played next Tuesday at the Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janeiro, is a curious situation given Inter allowed him to return to his homeland earlier this week because of a muscle injury.

The striker had been ruled out of Inter’s game at Siena on Saturday because of the injury, prompting the club’s decision to allow him to return to Brazil ahead of the upcoming winter break.

However, he looks set to play some role in Tuesday’s match after an organiser of the event, Junior Coimbra, confirmed his participation.

“Adriano has arrived in Rio and confirmed his presence in the All-Star Game,” he said.

“We are still waiting for the confirmation from a few other players, both local and international.”

Money collected from the game will be donated to charity and to help the thousands of victims of the floods in the state of Santa Catarina which killed 128 people.