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Becks targets international return

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David Beckham has not given up hope of a return to the England set-up despite boss Fabio Capello suggesting the midfielder has played his last competitive game for the Three Lions (England 9/1 to win the European Championships 2012).

Beckham, who is England’s most capped outfield player with 115 appearances, has now recovered from the injury that forced him to miss the World Cup and has returned to action with club side LA Galaxy.

The 35-year-old has spent two separate loan spells with Italian giants AC Milan in the last two seasons but Beckham has distanced himself from a return to European football this season (AC Milan 15/8 to win the Serie A title).

“I don’t think so,” said the former England captain when asked if he had any plans to return to Europe on loan this season.

“I’ll never say never, but after my injury I need to really focus on getting my full fitness back.

“Physically I need to get myself back in order after a very long time out of the game. I can’t say for sure, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”

Capello suggested Beckham’s England career was over earlier this year as the Italian boss intends to bring through a new generation ahead of the 2012 European Championships (England 1/7 to win qualifying Group G).

However, Beckham has not given up hope of pulling on an England shirt again, although he feels the manager is right to offer the younger players the chance to impress on the international stage.

He added: “Ever since I was a little kid all I ever wanted to do was to play for my country. Whether the road is over or not, I don’t really know, but I will continue to work hard to get my fitness right because that’s the important bit at the moment.

“Once I’ve done that, we’ll know more.

“I hope England continue to push on and keep bringing young players through; this is an important thing for the future of English football at international level.”

Capello faced somewhat of a backlash from the English public over the way he handled his announcement regarding Beckham’s future in the wake of the Three Lions’ dismal World Cup campaign.

The former Real Madrid boss told a press conference Beckham was no longer in his plans before he told the former Manchester United and Real midfielder his intentions.

Capello has since backtracked, to a degree, on his comments regarding Beckham and stated that the door is always open if a player impresses, regardless of age.

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Deschamps on Liverpool snub

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Marseille manager Didier Deschamps has revealed he was interviewed for the-then vacant Liverpool manager’s job this summer but decided to stay in France (Marseille 8/1 – 90 minutes v Chelsea).

The position became vacant after Spanish tactician Rafael Benitez finally ended his six-year reign at Anfield to take over from the departed Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Several names were linked with the Liverpool hot-seat and even former Reds great Kenny Dalglish revealed that he was keen to have another crack at the whip, having led the club to glory between 1985 and 1991.

But Anfield officials opted to bring Roy Hodgson from Fulham and the much-travelled manager was charged with the task of trying to get the once-great club back into the upper echelons of English football (Liverpool 80/1 – Premier League outright).

Deschamps enjoyed considerable success as a player with Marseille, Juventus and a one-year spell at Chelsea, and he has slipped seamlessly into management, taking charge of Monaco, Juventus and now Marseille.

But he could have been managing in the Premier League this season after revealing that he held long discussions with the Liverpool board before deciding to show loyalty to his current employers.

“I am very proud that a club of the standing of Liverpool showed interest in me this summer,” he said. “But, to be fair, it wasn’t good timing. I had just started pre-season training with Marseille.

“I don’t think the fans or the club officials would have been very pleased if after two days back I was looking to join another club.”

Deschamps took over at Marseille in 2009 and promptly steered the club to their first title in the French top flight in 18 years.

The Stade Velodrome outfit have enjoyed a steady start to the defence of their title and currently sit in sixth place in Ligue with 11 points from their first seven matches.

They have already conceded nine goals this term and will doubtless come under intense pressure from a Chelsea side full of confidence, despite the weekend blip against Manchester City.

The Blues have become almost unbeatable at home, but will not have inspirational striker Didier Drogba in their ranks, as he sits out the final match of a two-game ban.

Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun are still out but Ashley Cole returns after being rested for the 4-1 win over MSK Zilina.

The French outfit have yet to pick up a point in the Champions League this season, with a 1-0 reverse to Spartak Moscow in their opener but, having played at Stamford Bridge during an illustrious career, Deschamps knows his difficult it will be for his side to come away from west London with anything to show for the efforts on Tuesday night.

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Gunners aim to be on Song

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Alex Song believes Arsenal will deliver the perfect response to their embarrassing defeat against West Brom by beating Partizan Belgrade (4/1 – 90 minutes) in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The north London outfit were shocked by the Baggies on Saturday afternoon, losing 3-2 to the newly-promoted outfit at the Emirates Stadium.

After the match manager Arsene Wenger read the riot act to his players and heavily criticised them in the media, calling their all round display ‘poor’ and below par of what he expected.

Defeat meant they failed to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea after their loss at Manchester City in what was a bad weekend for England’s Champions League participants.

Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge next Sunday to take on the reigning champions but before that face a tricky trip to Serbia to face Partizan.

Under current manager Aleksandar Stanojevic, Partizan have been in good form, winning the Serbian title before dumping out Belgian champions Anderlecht on their way to the group stages of the competition.

Despite losing their first group match at Shakhtar Donestk (9/2 – Group H winners) the majority of the players and the manager appear to be in a confident move, happily predicting the downfall of Arsenal (1/5).

However, Arsenal’s players are keen to prove that Saturday’s defeat to West Brom was nothing more than a rare slip-up, with Song issuing the rally cry to his team mates to show what the Gunners are capable of.

“Normally we win most games but we have just come here to do our best because we know in the last few days we have not done very well,” he said.

“We want to show we are ready.”

Arsenal head to the hostile Stadion FK Partizan still without the injured quartet Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabergas and Nicklas Bendtner.

Wenger has also ruled out goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, claiming the Spaniard has an elbow injury which has forced him to stay at home.

The French boss has given his backing to Almunia’s stand-in Lukasz Fabianski, who has failed to impress in recent appearances and will no doubt be put under pressure by the less than friendly Partizan supporters.

Gunners fans will have their fingers crossed Thomas Vermaelen will have recovered from an Achilles injury that has kept him out for the last three weeks.

Arsenal (10/1 Champions League outright) won just one of their five European matches on foreign soil last season but will be hoping they can set that record straight in Belgrade on Tuesday night.

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Fletcher ready for tough encounter

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Midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that Manchester United are expecting a tough clash with Valencia in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter (Valencia 13/8 – 90 minutes).

The Red Devils have travelled to Spain without the injured Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia and Ryan Giggs, while Paul Scholes has been left at home to rest for United’s next Premier League clash with Sunderland (United 8/13 – 90 minutes).

They Old Trafford outfit have yet to hit top gear this season and could only manage a 0-0 draw with Rangers in their opening match of Europe’s elite club competition.

Domestic form at home has been good with three wins from three matches, but they have yet to win away from Manchester, with three draws on their travels to date.

Contrastingly, Valencia are riding high at the top of La Liga, with 13 points from their first five games, and Fletcher believes that United will have their work cut out to compete with a side who have comfortably dealt with the loss of high-profile players David Villa and David Silva.

“It is going to be a difficult match,” he said. “People might say it is not the same Valencia because they have lost Villa and Silva.

“But as we have seen at Manchester United, when you lose good players others step up to the mark and take on more responsibility. They have had a fantastic start.”

Michael Carrick could well be set for his first start since August’s Community Shield, as he was on the flight to Spain on Tuesday morning.

His passing ability may give the former Tottenham schemer the edge in selection with ball retention, according to Fletcher, key to success against the best in Europe.

“We have picked up experience of playing in Europe and we have confidence,” he added. “We know how to cope with the travel and the different styles of play.

“Against Spanish sides, keeping the ball is key. If you give the ball away cheaply, you might not see it for a few minutes and they will punish you.”

Michael Owen could be set for another run-out, after netting the equaliser that gave United a point against Bolton on Sunday, with in-form Dimitar Berbatov certain to start at the Mestalla Stadium.

Rooney’s ankle problem is not thought to be too serious but another week out of the spotlight could also help him come to terms with the tabloid allegations about his private life which, according to Sir Ales Ferguson, have been affecting the England star’s performances this term.

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Lampard still on the mend

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admits Frank Lampard is at least two weeks away from returning to action and will miss some crucial games for both club and country (Chelsea 3/10 to beat Marseille in the Champions League).

The 32-year-old has been out of action for a month and has not played since the Blues beat Stoke 2-0 in their third Premier League match of the season.

In his absence, the Stamford Bridge outfit had maintained a 100 per cent record until Saturday’s 1-0 reverse at Manchester City saw them drop points for the first time this term.

However, with Manchester United failing to secure all three points at Bolton and Arsenal being beaten by West Brom at the Emirates Stadium, Chelsea are still top of the league with a three-point lead over the Red Devils.

Lampard has been a vital part of Chelsea’s success over the past few seasons with his ability to score vital goals from midfield and fire accurate passes to create goal-scoring opportunities for the club’s array of attacking men.

But he was forced to go under the surgeon’s knife to correct a hernia problem four weeks ago and will play no part as Chelsea host the French side on Tuesday night, before welcoming the Gunners to west London on Sunday.

The Premier League will then take a short break as international football returns to the calendar, with England facing a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier with Montenegro and Ancelotti does not believe he will be fit enough to play for the national side (England 9/1 to win Euro 2012).

“He can’t play on Tuesday. We need to have more time than we expected for his rest,” he said. “In a few days there will be an international break and he will be ready for the first game after the break.

“He didn’t play with us so I don’t think he is able to play for the national team.”

Lampard’s team-mate John Obi Mikel feels that Chelsea do have enough strength in depth to cover for the loss of the experienced Lampard but he admits they would much rather have him in the side.

“There are other players who can do a similar job to Frank but it is a massive loss to the team,” he said. “I think we are coping well without him, but he is a fantastic player and we can’t wait to have him back.”

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Gers hit by Davis fears

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Rangers could be without influential midfielder Steven Davis for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bursaspor (Rangers Evs, Draw 11/5, Bursaspor 3/1 – Match Betting).

The former Fulham and Aston Villa man was forced to leave the field towards the end of the Gers 3-2 win at Aberdeen on Sunday.

Walter Smith revealed afterwards that Davis had picked up a “slight hamstring” problem and that the medical team will asses him before the visit of the Turkish side to Ibrox.

The Gers boss admitted: “With that type of injury, you would say he must be very doubtful for Wednesday’s game.”

Davis’ absence would be a big blow to the SPL champions, who also have other injury concerns ahead of the Group C clash (Rangers 10/3 To Qualify).

Right-back Steven Whittaker had to be replaced by Kirk Broadfoot at Pittodrie after suffering a bang to the head.

The Glasgow giants will go into the game full of confidence though, having made a 100 per cent start to the domestic campaign and drawing 0-0 at Manchester United (1/2 To Win Group C) in their opening group game in the Champions League.

Sunday’s win over Aberdeen put Rangers back on top of the league table because they have scored more goals than rivals Celtic.

One of the main reasons for that advantage over the Hoops is Kenny Miller (Evs to score at anytime v Bursaspor), who has scored in every league game so far this season.

The ex-Wolves and Derby frontman, who has yet to pen a new deal at Ibrox, believes he is in the form of his career.

Miller said: “To get off to a flyer and score 10 goals in the first six league games and, not just that, to score in every game, is obviously pleasing.

“For me, it is about putting myself in the right position and hopefully taking the chances.”

Miller has rejected one contract offer from the Gers but remains in talks over a new deal, with the striker saying “things will iron themselves out in good time.”

Meanwhile, manager Smith insists that there is “a willingness from all the parties” to agree terms and is hopeful the 30-year-old will remain at Ibrox.

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Keegan joins Rooney debate

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The controversy surrounding Wayne Rooney does not seem to be abating as the Manchester United striker continued his poor run of form against Bolton Wanderers on Sunday (Rooney 9/2 to be first goalscorer versus Valencia).

Rooney once again failed to get on the scoresheet as United were held to a 2-2 draw at the Reebok. He was substituted with 30 minutes to go and Michael Owen’s equaliser has only added to the pressure on his place.

United are next in action against Valencia in the Champions League on Wednesday (Valencia 9/5, draw 23/10, United 6/4 – 90 minutes) and Rooney could miss the game with a minor ankle injury. However, there are some who believe that Sir Alex Ferguson should play Owen with the in-form Dimitar Berbatov in Spain anyway.

Rooney has received support from the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle, who admitted the England international is “an absolutely class act”. He went on to admit that United are “very fortunate to have him”.

These comments are in direct contrast to those of former England supremo Kevin Keegan, who has insisted that Rooney cannot blame the press for his recent poor form.

Allegations about his private life are clearly affecting the England star but Keegan believes that his lifestyle choices are not helping the situation. He also said the media scrutiny is par for the course with being such a high-profile figure.

Speaking to ESPN, Keegan expressed: “You can’t have all the contracts, sell your wedding to magazines and things like this, and suddenly say, ‘That’s the tap I want to turn on but we want to turn the other one off’.

“It’s just one tap and I know from when I played that if you are advertising boots and all these things, you have to go and make appearances. You are going to appear in the paper.

“But the one thing I would say is keep your home and your family out of it and just take your endorsements if that’s what you want to do.

“One minute you are courting it, the next minute you’re saying ‘I don’t want this’.”

Last week, Ferguson told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport that he did not believe Rooney was suffering from a confidence problem, a claim refuted by Keegan. He believes that his performance against the Trotters demonstrated that his self-belief has deserted him.

United failed to capitalise on Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City on Saturday and are now three points behind the league leaders. They have failed to win all three of their away games in the Premier League so far and if they are to challenge for the title, Rooney needs to return to form sooner rather than later.

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Mancini stands by Blues claim

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Manchester City manager Roberto ManciniManchester City boss Roberto Mancini has reiterated his belief that Chelsea will win the Premier League, despite the champions losing their 100 percent league record at Eastlands on Saturday.

In a largely cagey affair, a solo goal from striker Carlos Tevez was enough to seal the victory and it saw the Citizens move up to fourth place in the Premier League table, just four points behind the leaders.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had gone into the match having scored 21 goals in their five previous matches to set the early pace this season, but they created few chances against a resolute City rearguard.

Mancini had stated before the game that he thought Chelsea were the best team in the country and that they would win the league “easily”, and despite masterminding their first defeat, the Italian tactician has not seen anything to change his mind.

“I still think they will win it easily because I think they are the best team in the Premier League,” Mancini said after the game.

“Sometimes you might get a result like today. But they are the better team.”

Mancini was aware of the attacking threat that Chelsea had shown in their previous games and made no excuses for denying the Blues the space to exploit any weaknesses in his back four.

“It is not possible for them to score five goals every game,” the City boss added.

“If Chelsea find space it is easy for them to score. But if they don’t have space it is too hard and our players defended very well.

“But we cannot think everything is OK just because we won this game.”

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti applauded his counterpart for his tactical execution and believes City are genuine title challengers, but admitted his players had not played to their full potential at the weekend.

“They used a good tactic to play against us. To play against us they wanted to counter attack and they did some very well. We knew this but from one counter-attack they scored,” Ancelotti said.

“If you play against a good team with a strong defence and you don’t play at your best then it is normal that you don’t score a goal.

“They have fantastic players and a very good squad and they can fight for the title.”

Meanwhile, Mancini has ruled out the possibility of a January move for Everton’s Jack Rodwell and says it will be “impossible” to sign him.

The young midfielder has long been linked with a move away from Goodison Park, with Manchester United reportedly keen to sign him in the summer.

Mancini has confirmed his interest in the player but admits that a deal in the transfer window is unlikely to come to fruition.

“We put English players in the team but it isn’t easy because all the clubs that have English players won’t sell,” Mancini told the Daily Star Sunday.

“I like Jack Rodwell but will Everton sell? Impossible. If I can, I give young players a chance.

“I was just 16 when I first played in Serie A.”

City (4/5 favourites in the match betting) are next in action on Thursday when they host Italian giants Juventus (3/1 to win, 9/4 the draw) in Group A of the Europa League, before hosting Newcastle in the Premier League next Sunday.

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Kuyt offers Torres backing

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Dirk Kuyt has given his backing to Fernando Torres to come good after a disappointing start so far to the season but insists that the Liverpool striker plays a vital role for the team, even when he is not finding the back of the net.

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday and have now managed just one win in their opening six fixtures of the Premier League season, which sees them nine points off the pace in the title race in sixteenth place in the table – their worst start to a season for 18 years – while they have already been dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two minnows Northampton.

Torres has managed just one goal in the campaign to date, scoring the winner against West Bromwich Albion, but Kuyt has been quick to point out that he helped set up both goals against the Black Cats.

The first goal was surrounded by controversy as Torres picked up a back-heeled free kick from Michael Turner to run through unimpeded on goal before squaring for Kuyt to slide home, and the Spain international supplied the cross from which captain Steven Gerrard scored the equaliser.

Kuyt, who made an earlier-than-expected comeback from a shoulder injury on Saturday, said: “Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he offers a lot more. Against Sunderland he was responsible for setting up the two goals.

“He is very important for the team even if he is not scoring goals. I’m sure his goals will come.

“His mood has never changed. If you are a striker, and the type of striker Fernando is, you want to be involved in goals.

“But everyone could see how happy he was to have set up two goals.

“When you are one of the world’s best strikers everyone is watching you so if they get a moment to blame him they will.

“And if you are not winning games he is not happy, I am not happy and the team is not happy.

“But we all know next week he could score a hat-trick and then everything changes.”

Liverpool (2/5 favourites to win the group) are next in action on Thursday in the Europa League and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of Group K, following their opening 4-1 success against Steaua Bucharest, with Napoli and FC Utrecht playing out a goalless draw in the other game.

Liverpool (Evens favourites in the match betting) travel to Netherlands on Thursday to take on FC Utrecht (23/10 to win, 9/4 the draw) but whether Torres plays in the match is open to question as he was left out of the squad that won the opening Group K fixture.

The former Atletico Madrid has been struggling for with injury since the World Cup and is slowly working his way back back into full fitness.

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Wenger a ‘nutter’ – Redknapp

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Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp believes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger now acts like a ‘nutter’ on the touchline after 14 years in the Premiership (Arsenal 1/5 to beat West Brom).

The Gunners boss accepted an FA charge of improper conduct and was fined £8,000 for confronting fourth official Martin Atkinson after Arsenal’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland last weekend.

He was fuming at officials after they permitted play to run over the allotted four minutes of added time, allowing Darren Bent to grab Sunderland’s equaliser.

The 60-year-old’s touchline demeanour has changed dramatically since he breezed serenely into English football in the mid-1990s with the reputation as a thinker and not a screamer.

Wenger now cuts an agitated figure at Premiership grounds around the country, giving off the impression that the world is against him and his team.

Redknapp has always enjoyed a good relationship with Wenger and joked that more then a decade in the English top-flight had dramatically altered Wenger’s character.

“When Arsene first came to England I remember reading articles and they said that he was like a professor watching the game,” he said.

“All the other nutters were jumping up and down shouting and screaming, hollering and hooting – and this man is not like those idiots.

“He just sits there and is studying every move that goes on the pitch like chess. They didn’t lose a game all season.

“Now he has joined the nutters, you know. In fact, he is one of the key nutters. That is the tension that you are under. It has affected him now.”

The pressure on Wenger to succeed increases every season that Arsenal fail to land any silverware, with the Premiership title eluding them since the 2003-2004 campaign, while it has been five years since they have claimed the FA Cup (Arsenal 11/2 to win Premiership).

The Emirates outfit have enjoyed a solid start to the season, with 11 points from five matches, but they are already four behind league-leading Chelsea, who travel to Eastlands today to try and keep up their 100 per cent record in the Premiership against Manchester City.

City boss Roberto Mancini has already conceded the title to Chelsea after just five matches, saying on Friday that he is sure the Blues will claim the trophy this season.

Wenger is known to be the eternal optimist and will never concede that Arsenal cannot win the title until it is mathematically impossible – one trait that has not diminished after such a  long time managing in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of the English top flight.

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