Young cub Varane proves he could be Madrid's new king

 

When Real Madrid and Barcelona meet, as they did in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg on Wednesday night, it is normally the two best players in the world, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who grab the headlines.
So, for a 19-year-old centre-back to draw all the plaudits, he must be something special. Raphael Varane did not only demonstrate fantastic defensive ability and athletic prowess in a superb display, he also kept Madrid in the tie with a thundering header.

Pepe and Sergio Ramos may well now be worried about their positions, after a potential new king of the Bernabeu has been announced to the world.

Tweet Follow @omomani

Firecracker Mario Balotelli rockets off to Milan

 

Mario Balotelli may have only graced British shores for two-and-a-half seasons, yet his imminent Manchester City exit to join AC Milan represents the end of an era in the Premier League.

From fireworks to training ground bust-ups, struggling to wear training bibs to effortlessly revealing that notorious 'Why Always Me?' t-shirt against Manchester United, the Italian's spell in England has provided us with a whirlwind of memories.

Love him or hate him, you will never forget Balotelli - but for now it is time to say goodbye to Super Mario as he shoots off back to Milan.
Tweet Follow @omomani

Drogba jumps ship to join Sneijder at Galatasaray

 

Didier Drogba has become the latest player to ditch Shanghai Shenhua for pastures new, with the Ivory Coast striker opting to join Wesley Sneijder at Turkish giants Galatasaray.

Fellow former Chelsea player Nicolas Anelka ended a similarly problematic spell in Asia to join Juventus on loan this month - leaving the Chinese club's dreams seemingly in tatters.

However, despite interest from a host of Serie A clubs, Drogba has opted for the fiery atmosphere of Istanbul, signing a one-and-a-half year deal with the Super Lig side...
Tweet Follow @omomani

doodling Astro Boy

Tweet Follow @omomani

Kim Thayil caricature

Tweet Follow @omomani

Balotelli to AC Milan

Tweet Follow @omomani

Premier League casualties pile up during week of Cup giant-killings

 

It may well be a cliche but the 'magic of the FA Cup' returned with a vengeance at the weekend as Premier League clubs far and wide found themselves dumped out of the competition by lower league opposition.

Millwall got things started on Friday night, adding to Aston Villa's woes by sending Paul Lambert's men packing with a 2-1 win at The Den.
Saturday saw yet more surprises with MK Dons thrashing QPR and non-league Luton upsetting Norwich at Carrow Road.

And Sunday saw yet more shocks with Leeds humbling Tottenham, Brentford holding European champions Chelsea and Liverpool booted out of the competition by Oldham.

Tweet Follow @omomani

A tribute cartoon to my fans in Russia

 

I made this cartoon to my great fans in Russia, after my VK page there reached the 20 000 fans.

Here is me as the K, with 20 and the zero as a heart.

check out the page: http://vk.com/momani

Tweet Follow @omomani

Mourinho tries to make his birthday wish come true

 

Jose Mourinho doesn't seem to be enjoying himself in Spain at the moment!

Not only are his Real Madrid side all but certain to surrender the Liga title due to languishing so far behind Barcelona, but earlier this week Madrid daily Marca reported that Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have threatened to leave Santiago Bernabeu in the summer if their boss is allowed to remain.

But it's not all bad for the Special One. Club president Florentino Perez has come out and backed his coach until the summer, which left Mourinho free to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday with some degree of peace, and contemplate how to salvage a turbulent season by winning the third Champions League crown of a stellar coaching career. 

Tweet Follow @omomani

Platini's Euro 2020 vision gets the green light

 

Friday brought confirmation from Uefa that the year 2020 will, for the first time, see the European Championships spread across 13 cities from all over the continent.

Michel Platini, president of the governing body, has been the biggest proponent of the idea and finally sees it come to fruition.

And now the stars of the next decade of international football, including the likes of Paul Pogba, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mario Gotze, can start to plan their triumphant EuroTrip!
Tweet Follow @omomani

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