As a child, I quickly came to terms with the concept of a Satta King Result caterpillar evolving into a butterfly. As an adult, I accepted the wife’s monthly tendency to turn into a raging psychopath, before reverting back to the more placid psychopath she would normally be. As a betting genius, I find Everton’s transformation from Champions League participants into Sunday League cloggers more difficult to comprehend.

What are the reasons behind their demise?

Two seasons ago, Everton finished 17th in the league, one spot off relegation. At the start of last season, instead of strengthening a poor team, they sold their best/plumpest player. Three consecutive 1-0 wins early in the season gave them an air of confidence, which coupled with a statistical anomaly not seen since I bet on red at roulette and black came out 37 times, landed the Evertonians a 4th place finish. To sum up, Everton are not in demise, they’re still the same poor team they were two seasons ago. Get on Tottenham at 4/7.

Next week, I solve the Middle East crisis.

Thomas Sorensen is a capable goalkeeper, but he suffers from ‘footballing anorexia’, he freezes when he sees Emile. The Villa keeper handed the bragging rights to Birmingham in both matches last season, but the luck is about to run out for the Blues.

Birmingham are conceding two goals a game on their own patch and have had a player sent off in their last three league matches. Barring a goalkeeping error, the Villa are a cracking bet at 7/4.

While watching England beat the Poles in a local tavern, I heard a drunken young man sing the following, “If Crouch can play for England so can I.” You’d think Phil Neville would spend his time more productively.

It’s now 10 games without a goal for Peter Crouch and Liverpool are 13th in the table as a result. With the Reds finding goals hard to come by, back Blackburn to snatch a draw at 12/5.

Sunderland v Man U would have been the game of the week if Roy Keane wasn’t out injured, although I hold out hope that Keano will offer Mick McCarthy tactical advise from the stand. The Mackems are on a four match unbeaten run in all competitions, but with Van Nistelrooy and Rooney in great form, United are the bet at 4/9.

Nothing lasts forever, with the possible exception of a conversation about cushions between the wife and her mother. Chelsea’s 100% record in the league has been a fantastic effort, but Bolton are a great bet to put an end to their domination.

Big Sam has avoided defeat at the Bridge for the last two seasons, and Bolton have won six of their last eight matches in all competitions. All good things must come to an end, back Bolton to win or draw at 3/1.

The following paired Goalscorer specials are all available at Super Soccer.

“Ham, Berger” – Dietmar Hamann and Patrik Berger both to score 33/1

“Chubby, Brown” – Wayne Rooney and Michael Brown both to score 10/1

“Bent, double” – Darren Bent and Marcus Bent both to score 13/2

“Horses, Four Courses” – Van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney both to score 3/1

“Sun, Bern” – Sun Jihai and Olivier Bernard both to score 66/1

“My big fat Greek wedding” – Wayne Rooney and Stelios both to score 12/1

“Chris, Musampa” – Chris Sutton and Kiki Musampa both to score 12/1

The English contingent in the UEFA Cup put up a good fight but still went out, albeit in the most dramatic fashion.

Penalties, the disease that usually afflicts the national team, were fatal for Tottenham and Everton, who bravely equalized the aggregate score against PSV Eindhoven and Fiorentina in the return leg before it came to spot kicks. Bolton came Satta King Chart tantalizingly close against the 2005 finalists Sporting Lisbon, but it will be the Portuguese who will take on Rangers, the last British representatives in the quarterfinals.

Rangers, who have had a dream season so far, are chasing four trophies but the strain could prove too much in the final stage of the campaign against Sporting, who are now fully concentrated on the European stage. The last time that a Scottish club made a continental finals was in 2003 when Celtic lost to Porto by 2-3 in Seville.

Elsewhere, Bayern will try and confirm their status of the team to beat when they face the Spanish surprise package in Getafe. In the previous round, the Bavarians got rid of Anderlecht in a bizarre replica of their 1987 encounter in the European Cup. On that occasion, Bayern beat the Belgians 5-0 at home and drew 2-2 in Brussels in a game which Anderlecht were winning by 2-1 until the 90th minute. This time, Bayern ran riot in the first leg in Belgium scoring an amazing 5-0 win but suffered a 1-2 defeat at home.

Round of thirty two 1st 2nd

Zenit vs Villarreal 1-0 1-2

Marseille vs Spartak 3-0 0-2

Galatasaray vs Bayer 0-0 1-5

AEK vs Getafe 1-1 0-3

Bordeaux vs Anderlecht 1-1 1-2

PSV vs Helsingborgs 2-0 2-1

Rangers vs Panathinaikos 0-0 1-1

Brann vs Everton 0-2 1-6

Werder vs Sporting Braga 3-0 1-0

Sporting Lisabon vs Basel 2-0 3-0

Aberdeen vs Bayern 2-2 1-5

Zürich vs Hamburger SV 1-3 0-0

Rosenborg vs Fiorentina 0-1 1-2

Bolton vs Atletico Madrid 1-0 0-0

Slavia vs Tottenham 1-2 1-1

Benfica vs Nürnberg 1-0 2-2

Round of sixteen 1st 2nd

Anderlecht vs Bayern 0-5 2-1

Fiorentina vs Everton 2-0 0-2 (4-2 pen)

Benfica vs Getafe 1-2 0-1

Rangers vs Werder 2-0 0-1

Bolton vs Sporting L. 1-1 0-1

Bayer vs Hamburger SV 1-0 2-3

Tottenham vs PSV 0-1 1-0 (5-6 pen)

Marseille vs Zenit 3-1 0-2

Quarterfinals (3rd and 10th of April)

Bayer vs Zenit

Rangers vs Sporting (L)

Bayern vs Getafe

Fiorentina vs PSV

His current form and performances over the past year cannot be argued with and he has eclipsed the likes of club mate Ashley Young. He fully deserves his place in the squad but is he good enough for the first team? That remains to be seen and he is perhaps more of a safety valve to cover a few positions and be available to protect a lead should the need arise.

He doesn’t have the creativity of Joe Cole or Steven Gerrard. He doesn’t have the midfield goal threat of Frank Lampard. satta king result He doesn’t have the blistering pace of Aaron Lennon or Theo Walcott. He doesn’t even cross as well as Adam Johnson.

He does most things very well but jack of all trades is often master of none and I don’t see a starting position for Milner. He is probably the direct replacement for Owen Hargreaves; a confident assured penalty taker (another reason to have him in reserve given England’s major tournament shootout record) who can cover the full length of both flanks and play right through midfield.

Fair play to the lad, he’s proved me wrong and the next couple of steps in his career could see him become a World Cup winner and key component of the most ambitious club side in the world. Now that’s progress.

Hope you all got on last time out? Below was the five-way wager of the weekend:

Sunderland to beat Brum @ Evs; Spurs to win at Stoke @ 21/20; Pompey to hump Hull @ Evs; Arsenal to beat West Ham @ 1/5 and Wigan to beat Burnley @ 7/10. The five-wayer pays over £160 for a tenner.

Stick with me, punters, next time this year we’ll be millionaires!!! Or is it this time, next year? Either way, have a butchers at this week’s…

All Square at Old Trafford?

What an early kick-off we have in store on Saturday at Old Trafford as Carlo’s lot visit from London. Of course, this would have been the battle of the sharp-shooters had the Roondog not hurt his ankle in Tuesday’s fight with zee satta king Germans. Luckily for England fans, he should be back for the summer’s world war. The Drogdog will be playing though, despite the fact that Chelsea really didn’t need him last time out in their demolition of JLS (Aston) Villa. As the booookies predict, this one will be close, closer than close. The draw is 21/10 and I think it’s nailed on.

Black Coffee serving at the Emirates

Down at The Emirates, Arsenal entertain the Wolves, without Cesc Fabregas it would appear. Arsenal without Cesc are like coffee without sugar – it just doesn’t taste right but you drink it if you have to. Arsenal won’t taste very good without their sweet star which is a shame as they also lost their milk earlier in the season. Had van Persie and Fabregas been fit throughout the season, the coffee would have gone down a treat and Arsenal may have just been topping the table. So it’s a strong black at the Emirates which will be suffice to tame the Wolves. Home win @ 1/6 methinks.

Everybody in love?

Up at the Reebok, JLS will be performing as Aston visits the Wanderers. Villa will want to bounce back from their heavy defeat last week but if Bolton put their Marigolds on, JLS will struggle to Beat Bolton Again. Put your hands up if you’re backing another draw at 9/4? The home win is also tempting at 2/1.

Inconsistent Pompey

Down on the south coast, Pompey entertain , well they play against, Blackburn. Away from home, Rovers are about as consistent as my nan’s custard and may just serve up Pompey’s seventh win of the season. Home win here. 21/10 is very generous.

Take a nap at the Britannia

At the Britannia, Stoke could jump above Blackburn into the top ten if they see off Hull. Sorry, when they see off Hull. This is the nap of the day – well, if you watch it you’ll fall asleep. Boring home win at the Potteries (4/5).

Share and Share alike at the Stadium of Light

Up in the North East, Sunderland play host to Spurs and Tottenham can cement their 4 th Champion’s league position with a victory. Having said that, the Black cats have sharpened their claws recently and Bent, Darren, has found his footing once again. So many close encounters this weekend and this one will be no different. Share of the spoils between Bruce and Harry (23/10). Sunderland are 5/2 if you’re tempted by a home win?

Moor Shocks on the Turf

Last but not least on Saturday, Moor football in Burnley as Manchester City are visiting. The home win is very tempting at 4/1 and Burnley fans will be piling in. City are horrendous value at 7/10. The result of this one will depend on which Manchester will turn up. Like my nan’s gravy, City are not as smooth as they should be. A loss on Saturday could see City 5 points off the sacred Champion’s league positions come Saturday evening. A win for Burnley could bring them level on points with safety and “I’ve got a feeling (wooooohoooooo!!!)” that Saturday night will be a good night in Burnley as the 4/1 shot romps home. City will be crocked and shocked: Europa league for the Blues?

The Wicked Witch of West Ham

On Sunday, the not-so-happy Hammers travel up to Merseyside to face the Toffeemen. It has been a very sticky time for Zola of late and events at Upton Park are backing up the assertion that not all world-class players can become successful managers – Alan Shearer can vouch for that. Zola was a wizard on the pitch but is fast becoming the wicked witch of Wham. Many managers are waiting in the wings, claiming “I’m your man” to takeover the Claret-reins. Whoever it may be might just be a step closer on Saturday as Moyes’ men inflict more misery on the Witches of East Ham. (2/5 the Toffees)

Super Sunday

Fulham Fairies flourish

The Wiganers are cottaging on Sunday, Craven thereof. Wigan are thirty goals worse-off than their London counterparts and this will show as Bobby Z and co go to town on their Northern rivals. It’s not often Northerners lose out to Southern fairies, alas this will be one of those days. Big win for Fulham. Get on at Evens.

A Blue visit for the Reds

The last premiership game of the weekend is at St. Andrews and the Blues are handily priced at 19/5 to beat Liverpool. The Reds are a bit like my nan’s cheese sauce: sometimes they look and taste great; other times they are a disgrace, make you feel sick and should never be allowed to be put out on the table…sorry, pitch. Still, regardless of how bad the cheese sauce is, nan’s fans accept it and never tell her how bad it is, which makes the neutrals gob smacked! Rafa guaranteed fourth place a few weeks ago; Liverpool are now 4 points off the position and have played a game more than the team currently sitting there – Spurs. They’ll have played another on Saturday and won’t be any closer as another long shot comes in. Get on the home win at 19/5 to continue Brum’s amazing campaign: they have only lost two games at home through the entire season.

Weekend Wagers

Trebles for Show

Chelsea Liverpool draw (21/10); Sunderland Spurs draw (23/10) and Bolton/Villa draw (9/4). In excess of £300 for a tenner. Oooooooh that’s nice.

Doubles for Dough

Burnley to beat Man City (4/1) on Saturday and Birmingham to beat Liverpool (19/5) on Sunday. £240 back for a tenner. Larrrrrrvely.

In the same week that we saw for the first time an all-English top flight match kick off with no English players or coaches involved (Portsmouth v Arsenal), the jewel in the crown of the mother of football’s competitions performed its most traditionally exciting day with a whimper.

The Fratton Park clash surely dispels for good any arguments that England has a problem with youth development, while the decline of the FA Cup, alive and kicking since 1872, is equally depressing. The Cup’s 3rd Round, which traditionally takes place soon after New Year, is the stage where the big boys enter, which can make for mouth-watering David v Goliath clashes.

There were no shocks this year, another sign of the financial satta matka chasm between the Premier League and the rest, but the sight of half-empty stadia was glaring enough for the presenters of the competition’s biggest cheerleaders, ITV, to debate it on air just as they launched their station’s coverage with expensive graphics and a slew of advertising. Only 12,474 paid to watch megabucks Man City’s visit to Middlesbrough, while a thousand less attended Premier League Portsmouth’s tie with Coventry City. Premier League Wigan’s clash with Premier League Hull drew barely 5,000 paying spectators. This cup is half-empty.

When I was growing up in the 1970s and ’80s the FA Cup was as prestigious a trophy as the League Championship, a uniquely English prize which set it apart from the rest of UEFA’s member nations’ cup competitions.

Cup Final Day was the most exciting day of the football season, a Superbowl for England accompanied by ubiquitous fascination and a prize as glittering, if not more so, than winning the league itself in the eyes of fans. The minnows who raised the Cup or slew the giants, from Yeovil to Sutton United, Coventry and Wimbledon, passed into legend. Like all boys I would wake up excited on Cup Final Day and gleefully imbibe the long TV build-up with its reportages from the team hotels, coaches and rosette-bearing fans as they made their way to the shrine of the Twin Towers at Wembley.

Then along came the Premier League in 1993 with its inflated marketing and the Cup almost immediately began to lose its sheen. Add the bloated ‘Champions’ League to the equation and the writing was on the wall for the old favourite. Winning the Cup could no longer be as important as finishing in the top four and thereby guaranteeing your income for the following season. While older generations of fans were priced out, newer ones arrived with no comprehension of the Cup’s special status. Foreign coaches arrived in England equally bemused why people should take it so seriously and began to field weakened teams, with the league their big focus.

What a shame. This was the oldest competition of the world’s greatest sport we poisoned, a special affair whose magic lay not in two billionaire owners trying to outspend each other but in its unique ability to allow minnows a taste of greatness, a format which in theory could see a parks team of amateurs end up playing Manchester United. When my home town club Woking, a semi-professional outfit from the 7th national division won 4-2 at West Bromwich Albion in 1991 before losing 0-1 at Everton, our unmitigated ecstasy was not merely due to our humdrum home town being centre-stage, but because something impossible on paper had become reality on grass. And only the Cup could do that year after year.

David v Goliath can still be thrown up by the draw, but everyone these days shrugs and backs Goliath. There are no non-league teams left in this year’s competition and I think I’ll skip Chelsea and Man Utd’s clashes with lower-league opposition tomorrow; despite their inevitably weakened lineups the giants will still prevail.

Perhaps the saddest confirmation of the Cup’s toppling from its perch this week was the news that West Ham had emailed their fans, pleading with them to buy tickets for Arsenal’s 3rd round visit. The Hammers beat the Gunners in one of the most memorable finals of all, the ‘Cockney Cup Final’ of 1980, when Trevor Brooking’s header won the day for the second division team, the last time a club from outside the top flight had lifted the glittering prize.

Gamba Osaka make it two in a row

Cometh the hour, cometh Yasuhito Endo as one of Asian football’s genuine stars took control of the 89th Emperor’s Cup final at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

The recently crowned Asian footballer of the year scored twice and laid on another as Gamba Osaka overpowered Nagoya Grampus 4-1 in front of 42,140 fans, who turned out in bright sunshine in the Japanese capital.

The scoreline somewhat flattered the Osakans, who found themselves locked in a battle of attrition during a tense first half.

In-form Brazilian striker Lucas Severino opened the scoring for Gamba as early as the sixth minute, however Nagoya hit back through Naoshi Nakamura as the two sides went into the interval locked at 1-1.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with Australian striker Josh Kennedy going agonisingly close to handing Nagoya the lead, only to miss Magnum’s cut-back by a matter of inches.

In the end it was Endo who conjured the headlines, as he beat two defenders before slamming an accurate strike past Japan team-mate Seigo Narazaki to restore Gamba’s advantage with just thirteen minutes remaining.

Gaps opened up at the back as Nagoya poured forward in search of another equaliser, and the Osakans exploited them to the fullest as Endo laid on a chance for veteran midfielder Takahiro Futugawa to sidefoot home.

Endo himself added Gamba’s fourth with a stunning half-volley late on, as the defending champions sent off retiring goalkeeper Naoki Matsuyo on a high.

Gamba’s win means that fourth placed J. League finisher Sanfrecce Hiroshima claim Japan’s final place in the 2010 AFC Champions League, with Gamba having already qualified via a third place finish in the league.

For Nagoya it was a case of what might have been, as Dutch Eredivisie-bound Maya Yoshida ended his stint with the Aichi outfit on the losing side.

For those looking for a sneak preview of the names that will light up World Cups and the UEFA Champions League in the near future it’s eyes down for a full house in Venezuela.

Scorching heat and searing ambition mark the Indian satta-off of the South American under-20 championships in the north-east tip of the continent.

From January 19th through to February 8th youngsters from the top 10 Latin American footballing countries will contest the championship. As well as aiming to achieve glory for their nations the players will also be hoping to leave their mark on the scouts in the stands.

A host of luminaries have already chosen the Suamericano tournament to showcase their talent to the world. Enzo Francescoli, Romario and Adriano have all topped the goal scorers chart at this prestigious championship.

With so much pride at stake the super-powers of South America never take this competition lightly. Brazil have won the tournament a record nine times, Uruguay have seven titles and Argentina have bagged four along the way.

This year’s championship will be contested in three stadiums throughout Venezuela. The three stadiums will be Puerto Ordaz, Maturin and Puerto La Cruz which were all put to use when Venezuela hosted the 2007 Copa America

Venezuela stepped in to host this tournament when Peru were stripped of their right to play host by FIFA last year due to political interference from their football association.

The competition’s format is two initial groups of five teams which play each other once. Group A is made up of Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and hosts Venezuela. Group B contains Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia and Paraguay. As with every group stage competition the championship has a ‘group of death’ and that tag is bestowed on Group B in Venezuela.

The top three sides in each group then proceed to a final group stage of six teams. The country on top after this six team round-robin will be crowded the 2009 South American under-20 champions.

Only the four top teams from the event will qualify for the FIFA under-20 World Cup in Egypt later this year. Seven of the last eight winners of this youth World Cup have been CONMEBOL sides.

In total the competition will feature a whooping 35 games, an ample dose for any football fan with an eye on the latest players to drop off the South American production line and into Europe’s top leagues.

Team-by-team insight:

Argentina

The Albiceleste come into the tournament with a very strong pedigree. The winners of the under-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada two years ago have Argentina’s 2008 Olympic gold medal coach Sergio Batista in charge. Even though Franco Di Santo and Pablo Piatti have not been released by Chelsea and Almeria respectively the squad is still as strong as any at the competition. Batista was able to prize away Emiliano Insua, the left-back who was enjoying a run in Liverpool’s first team in the Premier League.

One to watch: Eduardo Silva (Lanus)

Bolivia

Oscar Villegas has kept together the majority of the under-17 group which excelled in their age bracket two years ago in Ecuador. Several of the team are also first team regulars for clubs in the Bolivian top-flight. Villegas has been brave enough to include three 16-year-olds in his squad who he believes are ready to step up. Anyone who doubts Bolivia’s ability to go far at the tournament can’t have seen their recent friendly defeat of Argentina.

One to watch: Diego Suárez (Dynamo Kiev)

Brazil

The holders of the South American under-20 championships are never likely to field a weak side. The man in charge of the current Canarinha is national boss Dunga’s right hand man Rogério Moraes Lourenço. All of Brazil’s squad play in their homeland courtesy of the legislation which now makes it illegal for players to ply their trade abroad before their 18th birthday. It’s not even as if the national side were struggling, with seven World Cup titles in the under-20 and under-17 categories already beside their name. The Brazilian youth teams have also managed to collect silverware at a further seventeen South American tournaments.

One to watch: Douglas Costa (Gremio)

Colombia

A tricky task lies ahead for Colombia as first they try to advance from the initial group stage. Coach José Helmer Silva has only recently taken up the post and must organise his troops well if they are to stand any chance in the competition. Failure to qualify for the last under-20 World Cup could provide the spur needed for the only nation to have broken Brazil and Argentina’s dominance of this competition in the last 25 years. Another plus for the Colombians is that their fans do not have far to travel and should turn out in numbers to support their team.

One to watch: Camilo Vargas (Independiente Santa Fe)

Chile

Expectation is high in Chile after the country finished third in the under-20 FIFA World Cup in Canada three years ago. The trouble is that coach José Sulantay and most of the team have since moved on. Replacement coach Ivo Basay must work with the players he has at his disposal to manage expectations as best as he can. Chile have already been robbed of the influential Eduardo Vargas who was forced to withdraw with an injury.

One to watch: Marcos Medel (Audax Italiano)

Ecuador

Many of Ecuador’s squad have already tasted success when their country scooped the gold medal at the Pan-American Games two years ago in Rio de Janeiro. Coached by Julio Caesar Rosero, known simply as The Emperor, Ecuador will be going all out to bag one of the four under-20 FIFA World Cup spots up for grabs. Anything less than qualification for the tournament in Egypt later this year would be viewed as a disappointment for this talented bunch.

One to watch: Joao Rojas (Tecnico Universitario)

Paraguay

With the senior team riding high in the qualifying group for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa it is hoped that success can trickle down to the under-20 squad. Paraguay have not won this competition since 1971 and have failed to reach the last two under-20 World Cups. Argentinean Adrián Coria coaches a team with players who have already left Latin America to play in Europe.

One to watch: Fernando Duarte (Vasco da Gama)

Peru

The Incas have the son of one of their favourite sons in charge of their team at these championships. Although Héctor Eleazar ‘Tito’ Chumpitaz has never coached at the top level it is hoped he will provide the magic to steer Peru to some level of success. The players will also have extra motivation to succeed after their country was robbed of its right to host the tournament after a dispute with FIFA. Further bad news came for Peru when striker Jairsinho Baylón was ruled out for four months and so misses the championships.

One to watch: Carlos Zambrano (Schalke 04)

Uruguay

Legendary Uruguayan striker Diego Aguirre leads the Celeste in their quest for glory in the 2009 under-20 South American championships. The trophy has eluded Uruguay for the past 27 years but now the country can boast a side with genuine aspirations of bringing the silverware back to Montevideo. Certainly coach Aguirre is not thinking just of World Cup qualification but “to win the Sudamericano” trophy which has escaped his country’s grasp since 1981.

One to watch: Jonathan Urretavizcaya (Benfica)

Venezuela

The hosts will surely never have a better chance to qualify for their first under-20 FIFA World Cup as they are cheered on by their home crowd in every match. The fact that the head coach of the senior team, Caesar Farías, is taking charge of the side for this tournament is testament to how important a good showing is to the nation of Venezuela. With squad members already snapped up by clubs in Italy and Spain the team should be good enough to stay in the competition long enough to keep the locals interested. Also local laws mean more young players now play in the Venezuela First Division and this is bearing fruit for the youth squad.

As the African Cup of Nations gets underway in Ghana this Saturday, objecting voices over the tournament’s timing are coming thick and fast from the English Premier League. No fewer than thirty-four players have left UK shores for the competition, which runs until February 10. Between now and then three full weekends of Premiership fixtures, in addition to fourth round FA Cup ties and Carling Cup Semi-Final second legs, are to be played.

Aston Villa, Derby County, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic are the only clubs not to have a representative in Ghana, while other teams are Indian Matka facing up to reality of losing between three and four first team players. Only time will tell if the African Cup of Nations is to have any serious ramifications in the championship race, relegation dog fight or battle for European qualification places. One thing is for sure though, the league’s managers will refuse to hide their distain for the international competition until each and every one of their African stars are back in England, fit and ready to put on their club jerseys.

One of the strongest objectors to the African Cup of Nations being played in its current calendar spot is Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. The French manager has lost three key first team players to the tournament, at a crucial time when the Gunners find themselves level on points with Manchester United at the top of the Premier League table. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue are to represent the Ivory Coast while Alex Song will be playing for Cameroon. Their departure will leave a major gap in the north London side’s defence as they prepare for a weekend trip to Fulham and Tuesday’s Carling Cup Semi Final, second leg against rivals Tottenham. Arsenal’s only relief is that top goal scorer Emmanuel Adebayor will be staying in London as his Togo side failed to qualify for the tournament.

Wenger has called for the African Cup of Nations to be held just once every four years, rather than biennially and that it should be played in the summer instead of winter. He has also gone on record as stating that if the tournament’s timing is not changed, it could mean that English clubs no longer look to buy African players. “(Organisers) know more and more players play in Europe for the big clubs, and the big clubs don’t want to pay the price,” Wenger recently told the BBC. “That means it will be detrimental to the African players because the big clubs will not give them a chance any more.”

The Arsenal boss commented this week that he thinks his Gunners side along with Chelsea and Portsmouth will be the Premiership clubs most effected by the African Cup of Nations. That seems a fair assessment looking at the list of players who have left for Ghana. Chelsea have lost Michael Essien (Ghana), Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Ivory Coast) and John Obi Mikel (Nigeria). The shock waves of those departures should be eased by the Blues’ January signings of striker Nicolas Anelka and defender Branislav Ivanovic however.

Portsmouth are to be without Sulley Muntari (Nigeria), Geremi (Cameroon), Habib Beye and Abdoulaye Faye (both Senegal). Like Arsenal, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp can at least draw comfort in the fact their most prolific hit man this season, Benjani, wont be required in the competition, as Zimbabwe also missed out on qualification. The Fratton Park club have been quick to seek cover for their departing players, adding the 22-year-old French international defender Lassana Diarra to their squad this week.

The Premiership and other top European leagues will gain encouragement from FIFA president Indian satta’s view that the African Cup of Nations should be moved to June and July sooner rather than later. He has set the Confederation Football Africain (CAF) the challenge of moving the tournament to the summer months by 2016. That’s despite CAF’s insistence they want to keep the biennial competition in its original calendar position, claiming the weather in Africa is better for football then. Some signs of a compromise with football’s world governing body have been evident this week though, when CAF announced the African Cup of Nations will kick off ten days earlier in Angola in 2010. This will ensure players return to their clubs in good time ahead of Champions League and UEFA Cup matches.

The inconvenience felt by the Premiership’s high and mighty over the African Cup of Nations is set to run long after the February 10 final. Given the Premier League’s profile and power, it will be interesting to see just how long CAF can continue to frustrate England’s elite clubs with their defiance over a January tournament in the future.

Welcome to WordPress! This is your first post. Edit or delete it to take the first step in your blogging journey.