Now that Sir Alex Ferguson appears to be flirting with the idea of turning Wayne Rooney into a great Man Utd midfielder, don’t be surprised to see the hair-transplanted one barging his way into this debate in the coming years. But for now it’s a three-way battle between Man City’s David Silva, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, and Tottenham’s Luka Modric. First up, Jason Burt of The Daily Telegraph ignores the claims of the Chelsea and Spurs men and instead pushes the Man City envelope marked ‘Silva’: “He’s raised the standard of the Premier League,” insists Jason. “He’s almost peerless in the way he plays, and at the moment he’s one of the best players in the world, definitely the best in the Premier League.”
When it comes to midfielders, Ian Ridley of the Daily Express views things rather differently – no Man City or Tottenham players for him – opting for the old warhorse seemingly forever evading the Chelsea knacker’s yard, Frank Lampard.
“Forget your Fancy Dans who can play in any role, Frank’s a good old-fashioned player, who has scored a goal in every three games for Chelsea. People keep writing him off, but Frank keeps coming back.”
And then to Spurs, who seem to have a midfield teeming with treats this season. But, in Martin Lipton of the Daily Mirror’s eye, one gem sparkles brighter than the others. “Modric holds the team together,” says Martin. “He has the ability to set the tempo in a game. He’s an outstanding player.”
Man City unsure if Tevez will EVER return
Manchester City have no idea whether Carlos Tevez will be returning to England.
The Daily Mail says uncertainty continues to surround City's Tevez. The 27-year-old went AWOL earlier this week when he flew back to Buenos Aires to be with his family.
City emailed Tevez telling him to contact the club with an explanation yesterday, but last night neither camp would confirm if he had done so ahead of a midnight deadline.
The striker is expected to be fined £600,000 over the latest controversy, having already been hit with a £400,000 fine for his touchline fallout with manager Roberto Mancini in September.
Tevez has also been summoned to a meeting with club officials on Monday to discuss his future, but it remains to be seen if he flies back to Manchester over the weekend.
Man City target Shaqiri is staying at Basel
Manchester City target Xherdan Shaqiri will not be sold in January - but Basel may cash in on him next summer.
The Switzerland star has attracted interest from across Europe following a result of impressive performances for club and country.
According to reports in the Swiss press, City are on a lengthy list of admirers thought to be considering a January offer.
The skilful midfielder, 20, is rated at around £9m by Basel but sources in Switzerland have revealed the club will resist all offers until the end of the season.
Basel are currently three points clear at the top of the Swiss Super League and have an outside chance of progressing to the knock-out stages of the Champions League and the club do not wish to compromise their position by selling one of their key players.
talkSHIT
Manchester City join the £34m race for midfielder Martinez
Manchester City have sounded out Athletic Bilbao over Spain Under 21 captain Javi Martinez.
The midfielder, 23, is also coveted by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea but will cost £34million - the buyout clause inserted into his latest contract. He said: 'When you hear of interest from United, you feel proud but I'm happy at Athletic.'
Balotelli key as Italy beat Poland 2-0
Mario Balotelli was the key man as Italy overcame Poland in the international friendly in Wroclaw, yesterday.
The Manchester City striker blasted the opening goal in the 30th minute before he turned provider for Italy’s second when he set up Giampaolo Pazzini after the break.
Jakub Blaszczykowski missed the chance to pull a goal back for Poland from the penalty spot five minutes from the end as Italy’s defence held firm to keep a deserved clean sheet.
Poland had plenty of chances and striker Slawomir Peszko had the first opportunity of the match when his shot from the right of the penalty area went wide of the left post.
Italy started to dominate and it was Balotelli who almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute when Pirlo delivered an inswinging corner which the City striker got his head to but could not find the target.
Balotelli was then denied by keeper Wojciech Szczesny when he caught the striker’s 18-yard shot. However, the striker made amends 30 seconds later when he drilled the ball into the top left corner from 25 yards to put Italy ahead.
Balotelli almost gave Italy a two-goal cushion six minutes after the break when he got on the end of Riccardo Montolivo’s cross only for his header to go wide.
Another goal looked on the cards and it was Balotelli who created the score when he picked out Pazzini, who fired home from close in.
Szczesny then saved another good chance, this time from Alessandro Matri who blasted a shot from close range, but the young keeper denied him with his feet.
Blaszczykowski missed a penalty on 85 minutes when he stepped up after Andrea Ranocchia fouled Lewandowski but Buffon punched the ball clear.
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[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Liverpool are closing in on the signature of Swiss teenage striker Nicholas Hunziker from FC Basle. Daily Mirror
Schalke are ready to offer Arsenal the chance to swap Russian forward Andrey Arshavin for the German club's forward Jefferson Farfan. The Peruvian is out of contract at the end the season. talkShiT
Arsenal will listen to offers for defender Sebastien Squillaci in January as manager Arsene Wenger forges ahead with his squad clear-out. Striker Marouane Chamakh has also been told he can leave the club in the new year. Daily Mail
Barcelona midfielder Seydou Keita has said he will wait until the end of the season before deciding if he fancies a move to Liverpool. He said: "I want to play more games and the Premier League is very attractive and exciting for anyone." the Sun
Fulham are lining up Swansea's former Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair as a replacement for Moussa Dembele, who is wanted by Tottenham. Daily Mirror
Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is reportedly ready to make an audacious bid for Roma forward Bojan Krkic.
Full story: Footybunker
Arsenal are ready to listen to offers for goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Vito Mannone, after Arsene Wenger made the fringe duo available for loan. TalkSHIT
Newcastle United are preparing a £20m January double swoop for Tottenham Hotspur strikers Jermain Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Caught lying offside
Sheffield rivals United and Wednesday are set to go head to head to sign in-form Rotherham striker Lewis Grabban. Sun
Former Chelsea coach Ray Wilkins has questioned whether Tottenham would be able to turn down a £35m bid from Barcelona for winger Gareth Bale. Reports have emerged that the Spanish club have sent scouts to watch him and Wilkins said: "It will be very interesting to see if Tottenham can turn that down as it is an extreme amount of money." Full story: TalkSHIT
Harry Redknapp's Tottenham are believed to be tracking 20-year-old Barcelona B left-back Carles Planas. Inside Futbol
Mexico international striker Javier Herandez says that he nearly quit playing football before joining Manchester United. the Sun
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says English football has made Spain a team of leaders. Daily Mail
Arsenal and Wales midfield star Aaron Ramsey says he will not be bullied out of playing for Team GB in the London 2012 Olympics. Daily Mirror
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson says he wants to beat David Beckham to the captaincy of the Team GB Olympics side for London 2012. Daily Mirror
Former Liverpool defender Steve Staunton has backed Kenny Dalglish's criticism of the club's upcoming schedule. The Reds face Manchester City in an important Premier League fixture at the end of the month, followed by Chelsea in the League Cup quarter-finals just 48 hours later and Staunton said: "He's trying to put the point across that it's a disgrace. It's the League Cup, why does it have to be 48 hours after an important league game?" TalkSHIT
Wigan want striker Hugo Rodallega to sign a new contract before the January transfer window re-opens. Daily Mail
Arsenal are prepared to take a major risk with captain Robin van Persie by waiting until the end of the season to open contract talks with their star striker.Metro
Defender Rhys Williams has given Middlesbrough an ultimatum - get promoted to the Premier League or he'll leave. The Australian international's contract does not run out until the summer of 2013 but he is refusing to consider a new deal unless Boro can offer him top-flight football. Daily Mirror
Watford legend Graham Taylor could quit as Hornets chairman after a row with club owner Laurence Bassini. The former England manager, who saved Watford from plunging into administration two years ago by stepping into the hot seat, was fuming when Bassini pulled out of a fans' forum in midweek, claiming he was too ill to attend. Daily Mirror
Manchester United outcast Dimitar Berbatov says he still admires "unbelievable" boss Sir Alex Ferguson despite being left on the bench by him for the majority of this season so far. Daily Mirror
Swansea's 5ft 6in midfielder Joe Allen has thanked former Manchester United star Paul Scholes, who was just an inch taller, for helping him prove size does not matter. Allen said: "You look at some of the players around in the past - one of my idols was Paul Scholes - and some of the best in the world are smaller. Daily Mirror
A foreign referee will officiate in an FA Cup match for the first time when Masaaki Toma, of Japan, takes charge of Brentford's first round match against Basingstoke. (The Times)
