Perez's picture perfect Real Madrid masks the reality in Mourinho war

 

Life at Real Madrid is rarely dull and so it proved again this week as Jose Mourinho's men hogged the headlines once more.
Reports earlier in the week claimed that there were deep divisions within the squad, with players telling supremo Florentino Perez that he had to choose between them and Mourinho.

The president quickly called a press conference where he insisted all was well in the Spanish capital while Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas released a statement supporting their coach, for now at least.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Which of Europe's card sharks is holding the aces this year?

 

Stick or twist? That's the real question as Europe's top bosses limber up to do battle in the second half of the season - even if they all seem to be playing their own game.

Will Arsene Wenger Go Fish this January? Who'd win in Top Trumps if Jose and Tito laid their star cards down?

How long before Roman increases the tension on Rafa before he hears that all-too-familiar Snap and finds a new willing victim for Bridge?
Can Pep, er, pep up the Bayern players after the upcoming depature of Old Maid Jupp? And will Sir Alex Beggar My (noisy) Neighbour to reclaim the Premier League crown?

All we know is we want to be in the room if this game ever takes place...
Tweet Follow @omomani

Newcastle's French revolution goes a step too far

 

Defenders Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Massadio Haidara, midfielder Moussa Sissoko and winger Yoan Gouffran all look set to be confirmed as Magpies players this week, bolstering a squad which already boasts the talents of former Ligue 1 stars Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Mathieu Debuchy, among others.

All this comes after Alan Pardew was gazumped by QPR and Harry Redknapp in the race for Marseille striker Loic Remy. So who is next? Napoleon? Marcel Marceau? Gerard Depardieu? Some randomer wearing a hooped jumper with perhaps a greater affection for garlic than is wise?

As Goal.com's satirist-in-chief George Ankers claims, maybe it's time for Newcastle to start calling themselves Nouveau Chateau. Whoever it is, we're all for it. Allez les Toon!

Tweet Follow @omomani

Zaha set to take the plunge with Manchester United

 

Wilfried Zaha has made quite the name for himself in the Championship with Crystal Palace and is subsequently being coveted by the cream of the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger registered his interest in the prodigal 20-year-old back in November but as the January transfer window draws nearer to its conclusion, it appears Manchester United are on the verge of clinching the transfer of Zaha.

Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to offer the south London club £17 million to take the wonderkid to Old Trafford. Zaha has scored five goals from 32 games this season playing the majority of his matches from wide positions and was rewarded by Roy Hodgson with his first England cap in a friendly against Sweden.

Tweet Follow @omomani

الإمارات البطلة

 

ظفر المنتخب الإماراتي ببطولة كأس الخليج الحادية والعشرين في أرض البحرين بعدما قدم رفاق المبدع "عموري" بطولة مميزة واستطاعوا التفوق على كبار منطقة الخليج العربي والتفوق على خبرات العراق والكويت.

المنتخب الإماراتي ظهر بجيل المستقبل الشاب الذي يعول عليه كثيرًا لحمل لواء الكرة الإمارتية وإعادة الإنجازات من جديد للمملكة بعدما عادت البسمة على شفاة الشعب الإماراتي.

والآن مع ريشة عمر المومني لترسم احتفالات الأبيض بلقب خليجي 21 ... 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Thawly not?! Wenger & Sir Alex Ferguson left frustrated after dropped points in the snow

 

A snowy Sunday saw both Manchester United and Arsenal suffer setbacks in the Premier League, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men losing ground in the title race while Arsene Wenger's side hindered their chances of securing a top-four spot.

A late Clint Dempsey strike rescued a point for Tottenham against the Premier League leaders at White Hart Lane, while a timid opening half at Stamford Bridge saw the Gunners ship two goals as Theo Walcott's effort after the break could not inspire a comeback against Chelsea.

The draw led Sir Alex to slam the performance of assistant referee Simon Beck, while Wenger insists his players cannot afford to drop any more points if they want to secure a Champions League place for next season.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Suarez and Sturridge are Liverpool's new A Team

 

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers loves it when a plan comes together.

The Anfield boss saw his January signing, Daniel Sturridge, excel in tandem with the prolific Luis Suarez on Saturday, scoring in the 5-0 victory over Norwich and playing a big role in most of the Reds' most threatening attacking play.


In Suarez and Sturridge, it appears Liverpool have found a new A Team, and a push up the Premier League table might not be too far away.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Pogba the Torpedo

 

The French midfielder struck twice to cap off a marvellous personal display against Udinese, and staked another claim for a regular spot in the Bianconeri XI

Tweet Follow @omomani

Walcott contract hold-up explained

 

So finally he has signed. Theo Walcott put pen to paper on a new long-term deal with Arsenal and has relieved Arsene Wenger of his latest contract headache.

The forward was linked with moves to a host of Premier League clubs prior to committing to a new deal which has seen his salary climb to around £90,000 a week.

But what took Walcott so long to sign? Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani has a theory...

Tweet Follow @omomani

Wenger baulks at lofty Cavani price tag

 

Arsene Wenger has faced heavy criticism over his reluctance to spend money on new signings at Arsenal, and even his compliment towards Napoli forward Edinson Cavani was laced with his own financial conscience.

"Cavani is a player that I like," Wenger confessed in Thursday's press conference before quickly adding: "What is for sure is that he costs a lot of money."

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that a bid of €55 million [£46m] for the striker has previously been rejected - will Wenger try his luck? Er... don't bank on it.

Tweet Follow @omomani