....well maybe not just yet, but the nerves which had been building over the weekend with the transfer window rapidly closing have now subsided. Terms have been agreed with Espanyol for the highly talented left winger Albert Riera.

He possesses a vast array of skills on the ball and is quite an exciting player to watch (at times). Click to continue reading...

On watching his team paired against Liverpool in the Champions League draw, a disbelieving Standard Liege coach László Bölöni admitted to responding with a choice expletive.

Rafael Benitez, though, would be forgiven for muttering a few swear words of his own given the less-than-ideal preparations for tonight's crucial final qualifying round first leg in Belgium. Click to continue reading...

Aston Villa say that Gareth Barry will be staying at the club and not moving to Premier League rivals Liverpool. Villa claim the Reds failed to meet a deadline to sign the midfielder, who stated he wanted to move to Anfield, and now any switch is off.

"During talks in the past few days, a final deadline to conclude this episode was set that all parties were aware of and agreed to," said a Villa statement.

Click to continue reading...

Apparently Keane's departure from White Hart Lane is supposedly a formality so it appears many sources are claiming that the cash is already being earmarked to be put to very good use! Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager! Andrei Arshavin's agent has told Sky Sports News that the Zenit St . Click to continue reading...

The signing of Gareth Barry looks a formality as soon as Liverpool and Villa can agree on a fee to suit both parties. But is Barry our big-name summer signing? Or does Rafa have a Torres-esque deal up his sleeve?... Click to continue reading...

Brazil's Fluminense believe overturning a two-goal deficit against Ecuadorean champions LDU in the second leg of the Libertadores Cup final on Wednesday is little more than a formality. Click to continue reading...

The Australians have already qualified for the next round and this live online and radio commentary World Cup 2010 qualifier between Australia and China live will only be a formality for them as there is nothing at stake here for them. They managed a draw in the live online streaming match against the same opponents the last time both sides met and this could turn out the same way with nothing left to play for by both sides. Click to continue reading...

There's a strong rumor emanating out of the boot that the soon-to-be-defunct Roberto Donadoni Era will make way for a return to greatness: Marcello Lippi is coming back.

I don't think this would (will? - being called a mere "formality" and we've all been expecting this for some time) be a great shock to anyone, but it doesn't temper down the excitement in any way whatsoever.

Click to continue reading...

In what really is the least biggest surprise of the soccer calendar in 2007, FIFA will formally name Brazil as the host of the 2014 World Cup. Sources tell me FIFA has completed the formality of choosing Brazil and will make a formal announcement soon (possibly Tuesday) in Zurich. I, like some others were hopeful that [...] Click to continue reading...