Fulham

Despite a miracle run to remain in the Premiership, Fulham has decided to shed some of the American mainstays who helped prevent what seemed like certain relegation

Carlos Bocanegra had been long rumored to be leaving Craven Cottage at the end of the season. He had fallen out of favor with the front office, and though he played efficient defense in over 100 matches for Fulham, he committed soccer’s cardinal sin: he offended his club’s fans by whining about not getting his new shiny million dollar deal when he wanted it.

No one is surprised (or apparently sad) to see Boca go.

But Brian McBride had been a Cottager for what seemed like ages. He wore the Captain’s arm band, and though his goal production dropped off precipitously this season due to a knee injury, he was still widely regarded as one of the best in the entire league at winning headers.

In over 130 matches with Fulham, McBride notched 32 goals—not too shabby for an American abroad.

Now, gossip is rising that Kasey Keller is also out of favor with Fulham and will be returning to the States soon. The 38 year-old Keller played sparingly for Fulham last season, and all signs point to his departure from the club during the offseason.

Fulham apparently is seeking to shed its image as ”America’s Team” in the EPL. In fact, only Clint Dempsey and Eddie Johnson will likely suit up for the Cottagers next season, and Johnson’s poor play has not exactly guaranteed his spot on the roster.

I am sad to see Fulham lose the majority of its American contingent. McBride and Keller were in the twilight of their careers, so it's not too shocking to see them ousted (if Keller leaves, that is). Bocanegra pushed the front office’s buttons, so it’s not surprising to see them press one of his: the ejection button, that is.

But I, for one, will miss seeing all those Yanks play together in (my opinion) the best professional soccer league in the world (with apologies to the top flights in Italy and Spain).

So the question is: what’s next for the former Fulham contingent?

Keller, I believe, should consider retirement if he’s let go. He has nothing left to prove.

If he likes, he could certainly play in the MLS. But, for the pittance he will be paid, I would imagine Mr. Magoo (as he used to be humorously referred to by opposing fans) has seen during his long career all the shots on goal he’d care to throw his body in front of. He’s got the skills to keep going, but why?

I would like to see McBride return to MLS.

In fact, a return to his former squad, the Columbus Crew, could allow his career to come full-circle. McBride could still be a dominant forward in MLS, despite his advanced years. Moreover, on a team like Columbus, he could be invaluable by passing on his tricks of the trade on to youngsters like Robbie Rogers and Eddie Gaven.

Bocanegra, I believe, still has the athleticism to play in the top-flight European leagues. He may end up in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany or somewhere else in the EPL, who knows? But I do believe coming back to the MLS would be a mistake for the U.S.’s most polished defender.

In the end, American soccer fans should consider this a dark day. When you only have a handful of players in the world’s most watched league, it always hurts to see one depart.

McBride no doubt took today to announce his departure in order to capitalize on the publicity surrounding the US vs. England friendly. The timing of McBride’s announcement, like his aerial acrobatics, was impeccable.

Brian McBride will miss Craven Cottage. But, in the end, it could be Craven Cottage that misses Brian McBride even more.

A month or so ago we predicted that Brian McBride and Kasey Keller would be heading back to Major League Soccer. Well Fulham announced today that Brian McBride has decided to leave the club and return to America.

The former USA international forward told the club’s official website:

“After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years. I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club, the chairman, the staff and wonderful fans for all their support, on and off the pitch, during my time at Fulham.

"I take great pride in the fact that my last appearance for Fulham saw the club maintain their Premier League status. I leave with some wonderful memories from my time at Fulham and the club will always be in my heart. I would like to wish the club, Roy Hodgson and my team-mates every success for the future.”

McBride is from Ohio and is expected to sign for the Crew. Columbus is second in our MLS Power Rankings. If McBride signs for Columbus they would have to be prohibitive favorites to win the MLS Cup this year.

From Soccer by Ives on where McBride could go in MLS:

"The big question now is where will McBride go? Reports have linked McBride to a move to the Chicago Fire, which is his home-town team, but the Fire do not hold the necessary allocation place to sign McBride, or the Designated Player slot you would expect McBride to hold. A trade would likely have to be worked out in order for McBride to wind up with the Fire.

"There is also the matter of McBride’s former MLS team, the Columbus Crew, which could desperately use a forward like McBride, who spent nine seasons with the Crew before joining Fulham in 2004.

"So who is holding the cards in the McBride sweepstakes? That would be Toronto FC, which currently holds the top spot in the allocation order. Trade offers have already begun pouring in, but prying away that allocation won’t come cheap.

"So you have the Fire, which has the trade pieces to get the allocation from Toronto, but not that AND a designated player slot, and you have the Crew, which has the available designated player slot, but not the trade pieces to get the allocation from Toronto."

Terry, Hargreaves, Rooney, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Beckham, Bentley, Gerrard, Lampard, Walcott, Crouch, Owen and both Coles. These are some of the best players not only in England but in the world. Yet they will all be there tomorrow, ready to go against the overmatched U.S. 

Yikes.

I don’t pity Capello when it comes to filling out the Starting 11.

How could he go wrong? 

Bob Bradley, on the other hand, has some tough decisions that could greatly affect the game’s outcome. Unlike Capello, he does not have unlimited ammunition. He’s got to pick his shots, and yes, he must pick some fellas who will refrain from firing until they can see the whites of Hart’s eyes.

Yes, tomorrow night, the U.S. Men’s National Team will take on England’s Men’s National Team before a horde of screaming Brits at Wembley Stadium. All in all, it looks like it will be the Boston Massacre all over again.

The Battle of Bunker Hill, not so much. The Battle to Escape from Soccer’s Bunker? Perhaps. A win for the U.S., even though only a friendly, could vault the team in the overall FIFA rankings and give the U.S. some much needed momentum prior to World Cup qualifiers.

As is customary though, I will spend the time leading up to the big game by beginning to second guess Bob “Skeletor” Bradley’s decisions before he can even make them.

With that in mind, I started thinking about who I would put out there on the pitch for the U.S.’s most high profile friendly outside a battle with their southern neighbor, Mexico.

Now, Ives Galarcep knows way more about soccer than I. In the past, he has been almost spot on when it came to predicting who Bradley would put on the pitch for a big match. So, because I don’t have access to Bradley’s Starting 11 (likely because it remains undecided and he doesn’t even have access to it yet), I will use Ives’ projected starters as my tableau:

———–Dempsey———-Johnson————

Beasley———————————-Donovan

—————-Bradley—–Clark——————

Pearce—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Cherundolo

———————Howard———————–

Now, here is who I would go with:

———–Donovan———-Wolff————

Lewis———————————-Dempsey

—————-Bradley—–Edu——————

Pearce—–Bocanegra—-Onyewu—–Cherundolo

———————Howard———————–

Howard between the posts is a no-brainer. No argument there.

The defense is also pretty hard to find fault with. We are obviously going to need a four-wide line to keep Howard from being riddled with shots like Sonny Corleone. While I love Spector, and honestly would rather see him out there instead of Pearce, Dolo or even Carlos (who will likely Captain), he has a hip problem that will probably keep his back side glued to the bench.

At center mid, Clark has gotten the start in both previous games this year, and I fear Galarcep is right that he will be placed prominently in the middle for the third. I say “fear” because I just don’t believe the hype about Ricardo yet. I prefer the cool, defensive play of Maurice Edu. This is a big game and Clark could get frustrated early and blow it big time.

Edu is more calculated, and he plays better D, which the U.S. will need heaps of.

Obviously, Bradley is a no-brainer to be in the center as well. He had perhaps the most impressive season of any Yank abroad last year, and he needs to emerge as the team’s leader in the middle. He too often has a hot head though. If his passion gets the better of him early, it would be far better to stick someone in for him in the second half.

I must admit, if I had seen Beasley in the Starting 11 a week ago, I would have scoffed that his injury would preclude him from playing. But apparently DMB (Beasley) looked fantastic for his Scottish side and now looks fit for the big dance with the Red Coats. Outside, I obviously think Beasley is far better than Lewis.

But DMB is just back from injury, and there is no reason to overuse him too quickly.

Bradley loves Dempsey up top, but anyone who has watched Fulham knows Clint belongs out on the right, and not up top where he lacks any space to be creative.

Finally, up top is obviously where I disagree with Bradley. I like Wolff. The guy is not bad. He may be the most underrated American player of his generation. Let him have a go at England.

Let’s see if he has anything to prove.

One thing that won’t prove anything is sticking EJ up top. The guy has already shown he can’t get it done against top competition, and I see no reason why he should break out against a defense led by John Terry.

I also love Donovan up top, instead of out wide where he is less of a scoring threat. Yes, he lacks size. Yes, he will have less space up top. Yes, he usually folds like a lawn chair in the big ones.

But, and it’s a Sir Mix-A-Lot approved size “but”, he has looked unstoppable lately.

Granted, its easier to tear through the Dallas defense than the England Men’s National Team, but you have to go with the hot hand, and Donovan’s got it.

I would make three subs, all at the 60 minute mark, so long as injury did not force one earlier. Beasley would come on for Lewis. Clark for Edu (unless Bradley was doing his Chucky doll routine). Finally, I would stick Adu in for Wolff. Freddy’s the future, and the only way to ensure it’s a bright one will be to get him some experience.

Regardless, I predict a beat down for the U.S. Here’s what I predict. By the end of the game, the Brits will be gleefully singing “God Save the Queen” and the Yanks will be singing “God Save Us From Theo Walcott”.

• Brazilian defender Edmilson has left Barcelona and joined Villarreal on a free transfer; the player turned down advances from Newcastle to say in Spain.

• Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Bournemouth’s teenage striker Sam Vokes for an undisclosed fee.

• Leeds United have signed Wales international Andy Robinson from Swansea City on a free transfer. The Swans have signed Stockport County defender Ashley Williams for a club record fee of 400,000 pounds.

• Celtic’s Japanese winger Shunsuke Nakamara has denied he is about to leave Parkhead for the J league to sign for Yokohama Marinos. (Kyoda News)

• World cup-winning fullback Gianluca Zambrotta could to set to finalise his switch from Barcelona to AC Milan, if the Catalan’s valuation of 7 million euro is met by the San Siro club. (tribalfootball.com)

• Real Madrid and Barcelona are interested in signing Deportivo La Coruna’s Argentinian defender Fabricio Coloccini. The former AC Milan player had a move to River Plate fall through last summer. (Marca)

• Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers, and Aston Villa are all fighting it out for Tottenham’s English goalkeeper Paul Robinson in a 5 million pound deal. (Daily Star)

• Fulham have signed Middlesbrough keeper Mark Schwarzer on a free transfer. The Australian international turned down moves from European giants Bayern Munich and Juventus. (Sky Sports News)

• Everton are the latest club to be interested in Birmingham City keeper Maik Taylor. The toffees want the former Farnborough man to be a reliable backup to first choice, Tim Howard. (The Times)

• Chelsea will beat Manchester City to the signature of Barcelona’s Mexico International whiz kid Giovanni Dos Santos, by offering Florent Malouda in exchange. (Daily telegraph)

• Manchester City will use the sale of Ireland internationals Richard Dunne and Stephen Ireland to fund a move for Zenit St. Petersburg captain Andrei Arshavin. Roy Keane’s Sunderland are interested in the pair as well as Newcastle. (Daily Mirror)

• Chelsea are prepared to sell Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba after the forwards petulant display in the Champions League Final. (Daily mail)

• Cardiff City are set to release veteran strikers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank and Robbie Fowler in the summer. (Daily Telegraph)

• Manchester City are also on the verge of signing CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian striker Jo, despite reported interest from Everton. (Daily Mail)

• Liverpool have upped their bid for Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry by 2 million to 12 million pounds. (The Sun)

• Tottenham have reportively made a 2.5 million pound bid for Lyon’s France keeper Gregory Coupet. (The Sun)

• Derby County have signed Nottingham Forrest winger Kris Commons on a free transfer from the City Ground.

• It’s reported that Real Madrid will use Robinho as a make-weight in a 64 million pound move for Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo. (Daily Mail)

• Mark Hudson is set to leave Crystal Palace and sign for former boss Iain Dowie at QPR, after the former Fulham player turned down a new contract. (Sky Sports News)

• Newly Promoted Premier league side Stoke City are interested in Senegalese midfielder Guirane N'Daw. The player currently plays for Sochaux in France. (Sky Sports News)

Edwin Van der Sar has been brilliant in goal for Manchester United this season and was the hero once again on Wednesday night in Moscow. The 37 year-old used his experience to delay his dive just enough to read the direction of Nicolas Anelka’s penalty kick and push it away, giving United their first Champions League final victory in nine years.

The season commenced with Van der Sar saving three of Chelsea’s penalties in the Community Shield, ensuring United began the season with a win and dealt Chelsea a minor philosophical setback in the process. 

More than nine months later, Van der Sar once again denies Chelsea silverware in a penalty shoot-out.

The Dutchman won the Champions League thirteen years ago with Ajax, but was also in between the sticks when Juventus defeated Ajax in a penalty shoot-out in the 1996 final. 

The painful memories of that defeat will most likely have been washed away after Wednesday night’s triumph. 

It was a match Van der Sar will probably savor for a long time. The giant Dutchman spent four years at Craven Cottage with Fulham, where he failed to win anything except for the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Ever since the retirement of Peter Schmiechel, a true goalkeeping great, Manchester United had struggled to find a dependable goalkeeper. But Ferguson wasted no time in recruiting the reliable and experienced stopper in the summer of 2005. 

Less than three years later and Edwin Van der Sar has won a trophy every year, including back to back Premier League titles. The Champions League achievement this year, however, may be the most special of all the trophies he’s won during his time with United. 

He was, after all, the hero on the night and one of the main reasons United are Kings of Europe once again.

Van der Sar was expectedly delighted after winning the match for United after his penalty heroics.

“Of course, nights like this are what you dream of,” the Dutchman explained.  “It’s been 13 years—a long time—since I last won the competition and it feels fantastic, especially in the way we won it. It was the last penalty—saving it—I don't have any words for it. What can I say? It's great.”

Van der Sar also took time to pronounce his joy of playing for Manchester United.

“I'm very grateful I got the opportunity at 34 to come to United," Van der Sar said. "I sometimes wondered why not sooner, but never mind. I now have two titles and we're not finished yet.”

The fact that Van der Sar isn’t finished yet is good news for all Manchester United fans. 

The first comparable keeper to Schmeichel has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season and has shown why he is not only one of the best stoppers in England, but in the entire world. 

• Falkirk striker Pedro Moutinho is set to move back to his homeland and sign for Maritimo. (Sky Sports News)

• West Ham’s bid to take Juventus striker Davide Lanzafame on a season loan, looks in doubt after Palermo asked for fifty percent of his rights in the deal to take Amauri to the Stadio Delle Alpi. (Sky Sports News)

• Inverness striker Dennis Wyness has signed for St Mirren on a two year contract. (Sky Sports News)
  

• Portsmouth are interested in Rennes’ Ghanaian defender John Mensah and Tottenham’s France U-21 defender Younes Kaboul. Rennes are already looking at bringing in Dynamo Kiev’s Pape Diakhate as a replacement. (Sky Sports News)

• Manchester United want to sign French youngsters Jeremy Helen and Daniel Situ. Both players are France U-16 Internationals, and are currently contracted to Rennes and Lens respectivately, although are looking at loop holes in their pre-contracts with the French clubs. (L’Equipe)

• Napoli’s Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik has no intention of moving to Liverpool this summer. Despite reported interest from the reds. (Daily Mail)

• Manchester City are reportively lining up big money moves for Espanyol’s Argentine midfielder Pablo Zabaleta for around fifthteen million and Zenit St Petersburg’s Russian International Andrei Arshavin for around twelve million. (Club Call and the Sun)

• Barcelona are going to attempt to swap Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o for Inter Milan’s Romanian captain Christian Chivu, to bulk up there defence. (Football Italia)

• Everton are after CSKA Moscow’s Brazilian defender Dudu, who spent last season on loan at Valencia. The full back would be available for around eight million. (Club Call)

• Another player that has no interest in moving to Liverpool is Wigan’s Ecuadorian winger Antonio Valencia, who wants to stay at the JJB. (Various)

• But Rafael Benitez is on the lookout for back up for Pepe Reina, with Scott Carson set to sign permantley for Aston Villa and Charles Itandje set to leave.  Possible targets are Newcastle’s Steve Harper, Birmingham’s Northern Ireland international Maik Taylor and Bordeaux’s Ulrich Rame. (Daily Mail)

• Swansea City are set to sign Southend United captain Mark Gower. (Vitalfootball.com)

• Northern Ireland striker Warren Feeney is set to leave Cardiff City for league one side Millwall. (Various)

• Rangers are taking a look at Hearts full back Lee Wallace, with a view to signing him in the summer. (The Sun)

• Tottenham boss Juande Ramos is looking at Seville striker Luis Fabiano and Real Zaragoza’s Diego Milito after failing in a bid to sign Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o. (Daily Mirror)

• Roy Hodgson is keen on bringing back Liverpool full back Steve Finnan to Fulham. The former Ireland international is believed to be available for two million this summer. (Daily Mirror)

• Bolton and Middlesbrough are tracking Sporting Lisbon striker Simon Vukcevic. (Daily Mail)

• Ajax striker Jan Klaus Huntelaar has left the door open for a possible transfer away for Amsterdam in the summer. The Dutch international said “I am playing in the Dutch squad and the rest is not in my hands.”

• Alan Curbishly is prepared to sell star striker Dean Ashton and defender Anton Ferdinand, to bank roll moves for Newcastle defender Steven Taylor, and Everton striker Andrew Johnson. (Daily Mirror)

• Former Manchester United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take over the red devil’s reserve team next season. (Daily Mirror)

• Former Wycombe manager Paul Lambert is in line for the Leicester job or the Motherwell job if Mark McGhee leaves for Hearts. (Various)

• Real Madrid have joined inter Milan in the race to sign Arsenal midfielder Alexander Hleb. (Sky Sports News)

• Liverpool are close to signing Udinese left back Andrea Dossena for eight million, although both Juventus and Tottenham are waiting in the wings, to sign the Italy cap. (Gazette delle Sport)

• Ajax and Liverpool are both interested in signing highly rated French youngster Sofiane Feghouli from recently promoted Grenoble. (Sky Sports News)

• Southampton will make a move for Sam Allardyce to be there new boss if Leon Crouch and Rupert Lowe resume power at St Mary’s. (Daily Mirror)

• Former Newcastle coach John Carver, now manager of Toronto, wants to bring former charge Shola Ameobi to Canada. (Daily Mirror)

• Manchester City will try and sign Real Betis’ Portuguese International goalkeeper Ricardo if Luiz Fellipe Scolari takes over at Eastlands. (Daily Mirror)

• Portsmouth are in the running to sign Paris St Germain’s highly rated French teenage striker Gael N’Lundulu. (Daily Mirror)

• Everton and Manchester City will battle it out to sign CSKA Moscow striker Jo

this summer. (Sky Sports News)

• Derby and Birmingham are on alert after Everton midfielder Lee Carsley
  turned down a new contract, so he can move back to the Midlands. (Press Association)

• Real Madrid are on the verge of signing Racing Santander’s Argentine centre half Ezequiel Garay for eleven million Euros (eight million pounds), after Barcelona president Joan Laporta vetoed a move for the player. (Sky Sports News).

• Aston Villa are rumoured to be tracking nineteen year old Real Valladolid keeper Sergio Asenjo. The Spaniard has a buyout clause of about 3.3 million pounds. (Sky Sports News)

• Ex England boss Steve McClaren is in line for taking the reins at FC Twente next season. The Dutch side qualified for the Champions League through the playoffs beating Ajax in the final. (The Sun)

• Arsenal are in talks with AS Roma’s highly rated Italian international Alberto Aquailani over a move to the Emirates. (Setanta Sports News)

• Everton are interested in Bordeaux’s former Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra, has a replacement for the departing Lee Carsley. (Various)

• Although they missed out on Garay, the Catalans have agreed a six million pound fee with Manchester United for Gerard Pique to take the Spanish defender back to the Nou Camp. (Daily Mail)

• Hungary captain Zoltan Gera could leave West Brom for Portuguese giants Benfica, after the midfielder’s agent received an offer from the Reds. (The Times)

• Paul Jewell has put the entire Derby County squad up for sale, following the Ram’s relegation from the Premier League. (Daily Record)

• Arsenal could turn to Blackburn’s Paraguayan striker Roque Santa Cruz if Emanuel Adebayor leaves for AC Milan, although the Gunners are confident that the Togo captain will stay in North London. (The Times)

• Arsenal will also sign Portsmouth’s Croatian midfielder Niko Kranjcar for ten million, if the south coast club sign former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who is a free agent after leaving Anfield. (Daily Mirror)

• Celtic will try to sign West Brom captain Paul Robinson if Lee Naylor leaves for Portsmouth. (The Herald)

• Fulham saviour Brian McBride is considering returning to the States this summer with former club Columbus Crew and Chicago Magic interested. The former USA international is out of contract this summer. (The Times)

• Lassana Diarra has a gentlemen’s agreement with Portsmouth that will let him leave the south coast if a top Champions League club comes in for the France International. (Daily Mail)

• QPR hope to bring West Brom Striker Kevin Phillips and Wolves’ Striker Freddie Eastwood to Loftus Road as the club’s first choice strike partnership next season. But the hoops will face competition from four other championship clubs for Eastwood’s signature. (Daily Mirror)

• Derby have had a half a million pound bid for Swansea’s Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde turned down. (Sky Sports News)

• Daniel Alves says that he feels the time is right to leave Sevilla for another challenge, Barcelona are the favourites for the match winning right back. (Sky Sports News)

• Hearts winger Neil McCann has left Tynecastle and signed for Falkirk. He joins fellow veterans Lee Bullen and Jackie McNamara in making the move to Falkirk Park. Hearts have also released French centre half Ibrahim Tall. (Sky Sports News)

• Shaun Wright-Phillips has denied that he wants to leave Stamford Bridge, despite his lack of first-team chances with the Blues. (Chelsea.com)

• While highly rated striker Karim Benzema will stay at Lyon despite the French international being chased by some of Europe’s biggest clubs. (Sky Sports News)

Coventry City, Norwich City and Leicester City are all interested in signing Luton Town midfielder David Bell. The versatile midfielder spent the end of last season on loan at Leicester City.

(Sky Sports News)

Coventry are also on the verge of signing Hibernian’s French midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin on a free transfer. (Sky Sports News)

Crystal Palace are prepared to take Tottenham to a tribunal over their attempted signing of sixteen year old prodigy John Bostock. The eagles are looking for a bigger financial package for the England U-17s captain, than the White Heart Lane club are offering. (The Metro)

Manchester United are preparing a thirty million pound offer for Seville’s Brazilian duo Daniel Alves and Luis Fabiano (The Sun)

Stoke City are to offer recently released Aston Villa midfielder Patrick Berger a twelve month contract to stay in the premier league instead of moving back to his native Czech Republic. (The Mirror)

Steve Bruce is chasing nineteen year old Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulosfrom AEK Athens for Wigan Athletic (The Mirror)

Derby County will ask for either Jon Stead or Rob Hulse as part of any deal involving taking Robert Earnshaw to Bramall Lane (The Sheffield Star)

Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has finally lost the plot and put the entire City squad up for sale. (The Guardian)

AC Milan have released BothCafu andSerginhofor the summer and both are free to move on Bosmans (Sky Sports News)

Valencia have agreed to rescind the rest of Jose Santiago Canizares’contract at the Mestalla meaning he is another high profile free agent (Sky Sports News)

If Gary O’Neilleaves Middlesbrough, then boss Gareth Southgate will turn to Newcastle winger James Milner, with a five million pound offer. (The Sun)

Sevilla and Galatasaray have been put on alert with the news that Michael Landrupwill quit Getafe this Summer (The Mirror)

Manchester City could have to start their UEFA Cup campaign at Hudderfield’s Galpharm arena after a Bon Jovi concert interrupted plans for the pitch at the City of Manchester Stadium to be relayed. (The Guardian)

Marseille coach Eric Gerets admits that both Samir Nasri and Djibril Cisse could both leave if the club receive favourable offers for the pair. (BBC Sport)

Former Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong Gook has offers from five different Japanese clubs, all vying for his services  after he was released from the Riverside (Press Association)

Tottenham Hotspurs may be forced to sell Dimitar Berbartov to balance the books after Darren Bent’s lack of impact on the team and his crippling wages (The Times)

Bolton have released Andranik Teymourian, Ivan Campo and Stelios Giannakopoulos, but the whites hope that Ricardo Gardner and Jussi Jaaskelainen will sign new deals. (Sky Sports News)

Tottenham could face competition from AS Roma in the race to sign Bolivia Striker Marcelo Moreno.

Lee Carsleycould leave Everton and rejoin Birmingham City on a two year deal (The Sun)

Motherwell Striker Ross Mccormackhas put English clubs Wigan and Middlesborough on alert after admitting that he wants to move to England. (Daily Express)

AC Milan will turn there attention to Celtic’s Polish International keep Artur Boruc with a ten million pound bid. (Daily Record)

Rangers want to swap Northern Island International Steven Davis for Gabon International Daniel Cousinwith Fulham. (Daily Mail)

Derby County Striker Kenny Miller is on the verge of a return to Rangers. (Scottish Sun)

The Daily telegraph say that Samuel Eto’o no longer wants to leave Barcelona but the Sun say that AC Milan still snatch Eto’o from under Spurs’ noses.

Sunderland have joined the race for Manchester City captain Richard Dunne. (Daily Mirror)

Arsenal will join Aston Villa in the race for Werder Bremen playmaker Diego if Alexsander Hleb leaves. (Daily Mail)

Preston North end are interested in Gretna keeper Greg Fleming (Daily Record)

It's that time of year again, when chairmen and owner's wallets are deeply hurt. The summer transfer window will often define a team's season, so which team will break the bank?

It really depends on your position in the upper echelon of English football, to know how much you have to spend. Champions Man Utd looking to safe-guard their title, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool chasing them down.

Everton, Villa, Man City, Portsmouth and Newcastle spend aiming for Europe. While promoted Stoke, West Brom and strugglers Fulham and Wigan spend to survive.

Arsenal: A spectacular collapse left the Gunners empty handed and injuries took a heavy toll on Wenger's paper thin squad. With Flamini having already departed, there is a real possibility Hleb and Adebayor could follow.

What they need: A goalscoring midfielder and a defensive midfielder. Another centre back to replace Senderos wouldn't go amiss.

Who: Yaya Toure has touted himself for Flamini's old position, while Dunne and Martins are consistently linked.

Aston Villa: A great season that just fell short of UEFA Cup qualification. The Intertoto will suffice but O'Neill will need to strengthen to push on and challenge Liverpool.

What they need: A defensive linchpin to replace Juventus bound Mellberg. If Barry departs then another quality midfielder will be needed.

Who: Portuguese U21 international Nelson of Benfica and Wigan winger Antonio Valencia would be quality additions.

Blackburn: Mark Hughes has a knack of making quality signings for knockdown prices—McCarthy and Santa Cruz examples.

What they need: A proven Premier League defender to give Friedel more cover.

Who: Mark Hughes recently ran the rule over Espanyol vice-captain Daniel Jarque, the defender would be available for no huge sum. 

Bolton: Gary Megson must spend big if the Trotters are to avoid a relegation scrap in 08/09. The money is there after Anelka's move to Chelsea.

What they need: A proven goalscorer to replace the departed Frenchman is the main concern for Wanderers.

Who: Apparently competing with Newcastle for the signature of St Etienne hot shot Bafetimbi Gomis. He would cost around £15 Million.

Chelsea: Avram Grant led the Blues to the brink of Premier League success but the main criticism was the boring football. Excitement is a must at the Bridge

What they need: A play-maker and a possible replacement for Drogba.

Who: Diego, Messi and Deco—take your pick Roman. Samuel Eto'o could link up after a disappointing season in Spain.

Everton: UEFA Cup football was secured yet again on a shoe string budget and Moyes will be keen to add some quality to the squad.

What they need: Yakubu to score 20 goals and if Moyes could bring in a suitable  player to partner him at the Goodison, Everton will really be feared going forward.

Who: Although unlikely, a move for Louis Saha would do wonders for the Toffees. The perfect foil for Yak with an eye for goal.

Fulham: Talk about your Great Escapes, Roy Hodgson the miracle worker has kept the Londoners afloat somehow. Now do they build on it or get sucked back in next year?

What they need: A defender wouldn't be a bad addition to help an ageing Aaron Hughes. A midfielder to partner Bullard.

Who: Like most years the Cottagers will have to be content with Championship standard signings and Premiership also-rans. No notable signings here.

Liverpool: Benitez simply must get every transfer 100% right if Liverpool are to challenge for the title. But in the middle of board room unrest who will throw Torres style money at additions?

What they need: A second striker to help out Torres, Kuyt and Crouch are not good enough for Anfield sadly. Another midfielder with a good left foot is in demand.

Who: Barry could well head to Anfield in the coming weeks but will a mega move for his fellow England international David Bentley materialise?

Manchester City: Definition of turmoil at Eastlands, Eriksson set to be sacked, no manager set to replace him and captain Dunne set to lead a player exodus!

What they need: "Big Phil" Scolari and fast. If that calibre of manager arrives it could well stop players leaving and allow them to strengthen.

Who: Ronaldinho's signature would truly send shock waves around the world but can Thaksin Shinawatra detract him from the bright lights of Milan.

Manchester United: The Champions had a vintage season, scoring was no problem, least amount of goals conceded and the small matter of the best player in the world Ronaldo. Seem fairly invincible...

What they need: If Louis Saha vacates Old Trafford then another striker will be required by Fergie, who has already indicated he will strengthen.

Who: Dimitar Berbatov, Luis Fabiano or Michael Owen. Most likely Berby, with Ramos resigned to losing his key man already.

Middlesbrough: A bellow average season for an average team, Southgate has done well with limited funds but with Alves hitting form, a replacement for Woodgate could see the Teesiders propelled up the table.

What they need: You would have said goals until that 8-1 victory over Man City. Now, it's the defence that needs major surgery.

Who: Could compete with Villa for Nelson, him and a few decent additions would be a success in the summer.

Newcaste United: The King is back in Toon and if Mike Ashley backs Keegan then Europe will be on the horizon. The last taints of Sam Allardyce's reign are disappearing and all is well on Tyne for now.

What they need: A solid leader at the back, to bring Taylor along and end a long suffering problem. Another striker wouldn't do much harm.

Who: Richard Dunne is expected to move North to rejoin his old gaffer while Bafetibi Gomis has been watched several times by Dennis Wise.

Portsmouth: An excellent season which has culminated in an FA Cup final appearance against Cardiff. Redknapp has worked wonders on a team threatened by relegation a year ago.

What they need: A striker to replace the departed Benjani. The wheeler dealer Harry will surely find someone to fill the boots.

Who: Peter Crouch has been a long time target for the South Coast club and would be guaranteed first team football if he moves there.

Sunderland: Roy Keane has dismissed calling staying up as a success but satisfactory, that shows the ambition the Cork man has for Wearside. 40 Million he says isn't enough, get the chequebook out Quinn.

What they need: A good old fashioned defender who'll kick anything is badly required. Another striker to partner Jones would go along way to securing Sunderland's Premier League status.

Who: Richard Dunne has been linked but he'll most likely join rivals Newcastle, Diego Forlan would be perfect and Keane might be able to persuade his old team mate to move.

Tottenham Hotspur: Take out the Carling Cup triumph and in reality it's been a terrible season at the Lane. Many people's favourites for fourth finished in eleventh, Ramos will be judged next season.

What they need: A big name striker to replace the inevitable departure of Berbatov and a solid centre back to partner Woodgate.

Who: The Spanish connection has thrown up David Villa and Gabriel Milito. Both have had bad seasons and could be willing to move on.

West Ham United: Marooned in tenth for all of 2008 was hardly exciting but it was a better situation then they found themselves in twelve months earlier. Terribly inconsistent, beat both Man Utd 2-1 and Derby 2-1 at home.

What they need: To secure Dean Ashton to a long term contract and get all their injured players back, Dyer, Bellamy and Faubert will make a huge difference. An attacking midfielder would be welcomed.

Who: Could renew interest in Giles Barnes, showed enough for Derby to prove he belongs in Premier League.

Wigan Athletic: Dave Whelan should give Steve Bruce the backing he deserves in his first summer at the helm. Survival was achieved with good football and hopefully they can keep talents like Valencia.

What they need: A second striker and a partner to Titus Bramble at the heart of the defence.

Who: Could swoop for Championship hotshot James Beattie and Crystal Palace rock Mark Hudson.

It’s fitting a team with so many Americans would want to have a Hollywood ending to an otherwise ugly season, and that is exactly what Fulham conjured up in its final game of the season on Sunday.

Due to Reading’s expected thrashing of Derby and Birmingham’s surprising stomping of Blackburn, Fulham needed a win yesterday to stay in England’s top division.

Anything less than three points would mean relegation for a majority of the Americans playing in the EPL.

But Fulham delivered the win, in dramatic fashion no less, and now has survived another tumultuous season in the Premier League.

Bocanegra, Dempsey, Keller, Johnson and McBride will all likely be back at Craven Cottage in 2008, which is a very good thing for American fans of English soccer.

It only took one goal to keep Fulham afloat, and once again young star Jimmy Bullard delivered the clinching assist. Bullard looked like Fulham’s best player down the stretch, and the only down side to his rapid growth is he is now a transfer target of several of the top teams.

That’s Fulham’s lot in the EPL though. They’re always just good enough to scrape by, but if any of their players get too good, they get sold for more greenbacks. It’s a vicious cycle that may keep the Cottagers in the Premier League, but never far from its bottom.

But today is not a time to complain about lack of parity. On the contrary, today is a time to celebrate Fulham’s historic run. After winning only four in 34, Fulham rebounded to win four of its last five, including away wins at Reading, Manchester City and Portsmouth.

If Fulham can carry this momentum into next season, they could make the leap from relegation rival to mid-level meddler. Losing players like Jimmy Bullard would greatly hamper their chances at future success though.