
City and Chelsea in chase for Ajax £30m-rated midfielder Eriksen
Manchester City and Chelsea are locking horns in the battle to sign one of Europe's top young talents Christian Eriksen.
Chelsea have fired an opening salvo, testing Ajax's resolve to hang on to the 19-year-old midfielder with a £22million offer, but City are ready to step in with a bid of about £30m.
Both clubs, along with the crème de la crème of European football, had representatives at the European Cup qualifier against Dynamo Zagreb last Tuesday, when Eriksen had a starring role in the Dutch club's 4-0 victory.
He is an established international, having been the youngest player the 2010 World Cup.
Man City are best in Premier League, says Jay Bothroyd
Jay Bothroyd has no doubt QPR were beaten by this season's Barclays Premier League champions at Loftus Road on Saturday night.
Rangers could hold their heads up high after the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City.
They were the first side to go in front against the Blues this term and then they had the character to fight back after City had turned the match on its head.
Even following Yaya Toure's winner, the hosts came within a whisker of snatching a point when Heidar Helguson struck the bar.
But, according to Bothroyd, City are a class apart this term, a team with the look of champions.
"They are definitely the best side," he said.
"They have the best players. But it is more than just ability. They have an abundance of that but names alone don't make a great team. It is the work ethic as well.
"They have a world-class bench. God knows how many millions that cost, and they are improving.
"They have been in top form all season. They hammered Manchester United, are scoring goals pretty freely and generally, they keep it tight at the back."
Poppy ban on England kit enforced 'in case we upset Germans'
FIFA have insisted that England cannot wear poppies against Spain at Wembley — in case they one day meet Germany around the time of Remembrance Sunday.
Football’s governing body do not want to create a ‘provocative’ political precedent which would potentially cloud a future match because of historical difference.
The FA had their request for poppies to be sewn into England’s kit for Saturday’s match against the world champions declined by FIFA, to the dismay of war veterans and England’s governing body.
Manager Fabio Capello wore a poppy while watching Tottenham beat Fulham.
But a FIFA source told Sportsmail: ‘What would happen if England played Germany around the time of Remembrance Sunday, for example? The international aspect of the regulations gets overlooked when people want to feel it’s England against FIFA.
‘But the rules are there in case political inference could potentially be far more provocative.’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... rmans.html
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OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are set to make a move to sign PSV Eindhoven's Brazilian-born 15-year-old midfielder Andreas Pereira. Daily Mail
Sir Alex Ferguson's side have also added Valencia left-back Jordi Alba to their list of transfer targets as a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra. Metro
Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean is ready to resurrect his bid to sign striker Vedad Ibisevic from Hoffenheim. Daily Mirror
Lille playmaker Eden Hazard and Ajax centre-back Jan Vertonghen, who have been long-time Arsenal targets, are attracting strong interest from Tottenham. Metro
Blackburn are also considering an ambitious move for Barcelona's Mexican midfielder Jonathan dos Santos - younger brother of Tottenham's Giovani dos Santos. Daily Mail
Spurs are preparing to offer Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero, 36, a chance to finish his career in the Premier League. Inside Futbol
Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has dismissed rumours he will have to sell Darren Bent in the January transfer window as "utter nonsense". Daily Mirror
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is lining up January bids for Sochaux striker Modibo Maiga and FC Twente forward Luuk de Jong. Inside Futbol
Newcastle are ready to go back in for £2m-rated Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell in January - but will face competition from West Bromwich Albion for the 27-year-old. Daily Mirror
Derby are set to sign Mansfield's highly rated defender Tom Naylor, 20, on loan with a view to a permanent move in January despite interest from QPR, Leeds, Hull and Charlton. Daily Mail
Celtic are evaluating a move for former Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Boudewijn Zenden. Press Association
Former England manager Steve McClaren says Fabio Capello knows the importance of having captain John Terry in his side. talkSHIT
Nigel Pearson wants to return to Leicester City as manager - but compensation would have to be agreed with Hull. Daily Mirror
Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart believes his side have to play better if they want to challenge for the Premier League title. talkSHIT
Blackburn boss Steve Kean says his players are fed up with the campaign to force him out of Ewood Park. Daily Mirror
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger called his team-mates "headless chickens" after they flopped at home to Swansea on Saturday. Daily Express
Meticulous secrecy measures ensured the naming of the Sir Alex Ferguson stand remained a shock to the manager - with only eight members of staff at Old Trafford being in on the plan. Daily Mail