One reason cited for Roberto Mancini's dismissal as manager of Manchester City is his failure to meet the targets set for this season. Mancini to a certain extent can feel hard done by, on account of City's transfer activity last summer, according to those close to him much of which was out of his hands.

Out…

Ever since Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen made his breakthrough, prior to the 2010 World Cup, speculation surrounding his future has intensified every passing month.

The latest club linked is Liverpool, who according to De Telegraaf () is lining up a €20m bid this summer, a hefty sum for a player who is heading into the final year…

Alan Pardew picked the team that successfully hammered another nail into Paul Lambert's coffin in midweek, but Saturday's game was different. At Villa Park it had all been about the new boys, the French Revolution and the vital six-pointer. At St James' Park, against Benitez's Chelsea, the transfer window novelty had gone and it was time to get real…

If the BBC made an episode of 'Who Do You Think You Are?' about football they might discover a link between squad rotation and zonal marking. Study the game's extended, international family tree. They are cousins. 

Traditionally neither had many advocates in the UK. The zone debate still reduces folk to livid buffoons. The constant switching of personnel? Dastardly and…

It's strange to think that Samir Nasri, artistic playmaker, and James Milner, determined workhorse, cost Manchester City roughly the same amount of money, depending on one's valuation of Stephen Ireland in the Milner swap deal. But although Nasri is the more talented footballer, Milner was excellent against Arsenal last weekend, and deserves to keep his place for the home match…