ESPN Soccernet - Paper Round
soccernet blog
Soccernet Home Soccernet Home
Soccernet  Home Blogs Home
RSS feed
Paper Round
Posted by Jon Carter on 05/04/2009

It's the news that most Liverpool fans have wanted to hear for a while now. No, not the fact that the entire United team have been mauled by penguins, but that Lucas Leiva could be on his way out of Anfield this summer for a cool £6m.

The Daily Mirror have the story and reckon the much-derided Brazilian midfielder is happy to pack his bags. Strange that this story has appeared when Lucas could be set to play a massive part in the title run-in after Joey Barton's assault on Xabi Alonso, but it could all change if he wins Liverpool the trophy.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is known as a bit of a wheeler-dealer, but, so far, all his signings have either been pretty expensive, or former Spurs players. Now he's gone back to his Portsmouth days to show an interest in bringing yet another central midfielder to the club - Sulley Muntari - and after Jermaine Jenas said his head had been turned by Inter Milan, could swap the pair for a bit of extra cash.

The Daily Mirror reckon that Redknapp's summer targets also include Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones, Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and Charlton wonderkid Jonjo Shelvey - although none of these have either played for Tottenham or Portsmouth before. Odd.

If the Black Cats lose Jones, and their place in the Premier League, it would be a blow. Luckily the Daily Mail have the answer - Fulham reject Steven Davies, currently at Rangers. He'd cost £2.5m, but the club might want to wait until either they get a new manager, they stay in the league, or both, before making a decision.

Turning our attention on to the relegation battle - well, the title's almost sewn up now - Newcastle fans will not want to hear from their former players at a time like this. James Milner in the Daily Express claims the club wouldn't have been relegated, or even in this position, if they'd held on to Sam Allardyce. No James, they probably wouldn't, but it might have helped if they were able to hang on to, say, a young right-sided midfielder capable of providing a few assists and goals as well.

After a battering by Liverpool, there are pictures aplenty of an unhappy looking Alan Shearer. We all expected them to lose, but did think they might put up a bit more of a fight. No, Joey, not like that! Expect some hairdryer treatment from old Al', and the Sun reckon he might just fine Barton a cool £120,000 too.

Hull have problems of their own, but you have to feel sorry for Kevin 'Zinedine' Kilbane, who told the Sun that his home life has suffered as a result of their slip down the league. We're not totally sure what that entails, but assume it's something to do with not being able to watch Neighbours because of being called into extra training.

Comments

© ESPN Soccernet 2009
Cricinfo
Soccernet
ESPN