John Obi Mikel Will Be The Playmaker For Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti feels that this season could be the campaign where midfielder Jon Obi Mikel steps forward and shows his qualities as a creative midfielder.


“I have a lot of trust in Mikel,” he told The Daily Mail. “I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical.


"For the present and for the future he is a very important player for us. We are very happy he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a lot of years.


“I would like that he puts in his great quality for the team.”


Mikel was clearly pleased by his manager's praise, saying “It is a great honour that he sees something in me. He says I am a player with great qualities, but thinks I can be even better.”


“It is going to take a bit of time, but I am going to work very close with him to make it happen.”


"He likes the fact I am strong and can play with the ball, but says that I still need to add more things to my game — if I do that then he thinks I’m going to be fantastic.”


The Nigerian believes Ancelotti will finally bring a Champions League to Stamford Bridge, saying, “We have come close so many times and I think that is why the club have brought him here, to take us to that final step.”


"The way he has come in and the ideas he has as to how to set the team up, I think we can win everything."

John Mikel Obi commits future to Chelsea by signing new five-year deal

John Mikel Obi has become the latest Chelsea star to signed a new long-term contract with the club.

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho had hoped to take Obi to Inter Milan and was prepared to pay the midfielder £60,000 a week, as revealed in Sportsmail in April.

But the 22-year-old Nigerian, who is thought to be on around £40,000 a week, will see his wages rise to around £70,000 a week after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.

'It was easy to commit to because I am happy here and when the opportunity came it was good to sign after speaking to the club,' he said.

Chelsea have already secured Florent Malouda on a long contract this summer and Didier Drogba is expected to agree a new deal.

The Blues have also brought in Yuri Zhirkov, Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnbull under new boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Joe Cole is also close to signing a fresh contract at Stamford Bridge.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1198080/John-Mikel-Obi-commits-future-Chelsea-agreeing-new-year-deal.html#ixzz0M0BaAAOS

Manchester City tired of waiting for Eto'o and pull out of race to sign Barcelona star

Manchester City last night pulled out of the race to sign Samuel Eto’o after growing tired of the Barcelona striker’s failure to respond to their stunning offer of £180,000 a week after tax.

City expect to clinch a deal with Carlos Tevez in time to unveil him on Tuesday and are planning a further move for John Terry but have given up on Cameroon striker Eto’o.

Chief executive Garry Cook said: ‘Samuel Eto’o is undoubtedly a fine footballer but the circumstances surrounding him were such that the deal could not be completed.
'We now feel the time is right to pursue other avenues and we have a clear and strategic transfer plan, which we continue to follow.’

The news surrounding Tevez is far more positive for City fans, however. Sources at Eastlands are convinced they have beaten off interest for Tevez from Chelsea to
land the former West Ham and Manchester United striker for £25.5million.

And City are also quietly confident they can tie up a deal for Chelsea and England captain Terry before they fly to South Africa on a pre-season tour on Wednesday.

Chief executive Cook flies back to Manchester this weekend after attending Robinho’s wedding in Brazil and will spend Monday putting the finishing touches to the Tevez deal before turning his attention to Terry.

Chelsea themselves are keen to have Terry’s future resolved before they set off on a pre-season tour of the United States on Thursday.

He had brief discussions with owner Roman Abramovich’s closest aide, Eugene Tenenbaum, on his return to training on Thursday but more serious talks with either chief executive Peter Kenyon or even Ambramovich himself are planned for early next week.

It seems they will have plenty to discuss, with City poised to raise their bid for Terry to £35m and offer him £200,000 a week to join Mark Hughes’s squad.
The official line from Chelsea remains that they do not wish to sell Terry and that their skipper wants to stay. However, much could depend on whether they are prepared to increase the 28-year- old defender’s £130,000-a-week wage by around another £20,000.

Should Terry opt to stay at Chelsea, he is likely to appear at a press conference alongside his new manager Carlo Ancelotti before the trip to the States.

If not, then the possibility remains that Terry could be joining his new City teammates
in South Africa.

While Terry is tempted by the goings on at Eastlands, the same cannot be said for Eto’o.

According to reports in Spain the Cameroon striker has turned down the chance of a two -year contract extension at the Nou Camp and is ready to leave this summer rather than see out the remaining year of his current deal.

But it seems Eto’o would prefer to wait and see if an offer from the likes of Manchester United or AC Milan is forthcoming despite City having agreed a £25m fee with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Robinho’s marriage to childhood sweetheart, Vivian Guglielmetti, in Guaruja, Brazil on Thursday afforded the City star the opportunity to reacquaint himself with his former employer, Santos president Marcelo Teixeira.

And although Robinho left the Brazilian side in acrimonious circumstances, Teixeira
wasted no time trying to talk the skilful forward into a return to the Sao Paulobased
club.

‘Now that he is married and calm, it will be easier for him to return to play at Santos,’
he said. ‘It is a plan that both he and I have. I wish he could return to the club as
soon as possible.’

Such claims were no doubt taken with a pinch of salt by Cook, who was joined by a
star-studded collection of Brazil stars at the ceremony, including Robinho’s Eastlands
team-mate Elano, £56m Real Madrid man Kaka , former Arsenal forward Julio Baptista and his national team boss Dunga.

Money issues aside, Terry is also understood to be concerned at the lack of serious
movement by Chelsea in the transfer market, with Yuri Zhirkov their only major
capture of the summer along with youngsters Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge.
The fact that City are in the market for players of the calibre of Tevez and Eto’o,
having already landed Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry, is certainly a statement of intent by their hugely wealthy Arab owners and may prove just as appealing to Terry as the cash on offer at Eastlands.

But given the difficulty in signing either Terry or Eto’o, and the debacle of City’s attempt to sign Kaka last January, it is clear their wealth is still not attracting the marquee names.

That would all change were they able to offer Champions League football, a situation that might well become reality next summer should Hughes be able to add more high-calibre players.

Hughes wants a sense of clarity about his squad. As long as Eto’o dithered, such a position was impossible to achieve, leading to last night’s statement.

Meanwhile it has emerged that City's England defender Micah Richards contracted swine flu during the summer while on holiday in Ayia Napa.

The illness was diagnosed and treated in Cyprus, but the star of Stuart Pearce’s successful Under 21 side was then kept in isolation when he returned home.

He has now fully recovered and is with City’s squad for their pre-season trip to Germany.

John Mikel Obi commits future to Chelsea by agreeing a new five-year deal

John Mikel Obi is ready to sign a new five-year contract with Chelsea.

Former Blues boss Jose Mourinho had hoped to take Obi to Inter Milan and was prepared to pay the midfielder £60,000 a week, as revealed in Sportsmail in April.

But the 22-year-old Nigerian, who is thought to be on around £40,000 a week, will see his wages rise to around £70,000 a week when he puts pen to paper at Stamford Bridge in the next few days.

Obi's agent John Shittu said: 'He will sign the deal early this week. Some of the club officials were away but they were expected back last weekend. As soon as everybody is in, we will sign the new contract.

'It is a very good deal for him and would put him on a par with some of the top earners in the club.'

Obi is due to report back for pre-season training next week but is expected to cut short his summer break by a few days to sign the new deal.

Chelsea have already secured Florent Malouda on a new contract and Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Joe Cole and Alex will follow soon.

The Blues have also confirmed they have agreed an £18million deal with CSKA Moscow for Yuri Zhirkov.

Bring me Tevez! Ancelotti demands Chelsea splash the cash to beat Manchester City to Carlos

Carlo Ancelotti has ordered Chelsea to go all out in their bid to sign Carlos Tevez.

The Argentina striker had been expected to complete his switch to Manchester City this week.

But new Blues boss Ancelotti has told owner Roman Abramovich to raise his offer for the club-less star after admitting a creative player was high on his wish list.
Tevez is available to buy at £25.5million after refusing to sign a long-term deal at champions Manchester United, where he spent the past two seasons.

Chelsea and City have both matched the asking price but Abramovich is unlikely to be able to offer the same astronomical wages available at Eastlands.

Mega-rich City, who have already splashed out £30m on Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry, are believed to have put a five-year deal worth £130,000 per week on the table.
Yet, Ancelotti is refusing to give up hope that Chelsea can lure the former West Ham striker to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are also thought to be looking at Real Madrid midfielder Wesley Sneijder and haven't completely given up on France star Franck Ribery, but Ancelotti said: 'Ribery is for sure a great player, but Ribery I think stays in Bayern Munich.'
'I think Chelsea is a strong team, a great team, a physical team that plays very well and can be improved with some creative players. And we are looking for these players.

'But you can be creative not only with creative players. You can be creative with creative ideas and a creative organisation. You can change the idea of the team with the same players.

'I would like to have a team that plays well, plays good, creative football and naturally I would like to win. For a coach it is important to win but it is important to build a team with good characteristics, to play well, to play with organisation.'

They have already wrapped up deals for Yuri Zhirkov, Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge, while Milan forward Alexandre Pato remains in their sights.

Ancelotti has ruled out selling skipper John Terry to ambitious City, although he is expected to trim his squad ahead of the new campaign.

Inter Boss Jose Mourinho Lands In Nigeria For Three Day Visit

Inter coach Jose Mourinho arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, on Friday for a three day visit as a guest of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).

According to the BBC, Mourinho will be in the West African country from 3-5 July, seeking to encourage coaches and officials of the project, which is run by the Kwara state government.

The fans turned up to greet the former Chelsea boss and the rest of the delegation, despite the fact that he arrived two hours later than announced.

"It is a great landmark in the history of Nigerian football, as well as the KFA," Nkechi Obi, CEO of Premium Sports Marketing Services told BBC Sport.

"He is here with other coaches and trainers to conduct seminars and coaching clinics for indigenous coaches.

"We are positive that his presence will benefit the talented players in the academy and hopefully attract interest from international clubs throughout the world.

"Football fans, media and everyone involved with football will enjoy photograph and autograph sessions with the 'Special One' on this trip."

The trip, facilitated by DanJan Sports, is widely seen as an opportunity to expose the KFA to the rest of the world.

"The KFA epitomises what a perfect football academy truly is and Gestafute are happy to be associated with them," David Omigie of DanJan Sports explained. "We have seen what the visit of Manchester United and Portsmouth gave to Nigeria as a country in the past.

"The coming of Mourinho and KFA will bring a lot of positive attention to football in the country once again.”

Former Nigeria coach Clemence Westerhof is the director of the Kwara Football Academy, which is in Ilorin, the capital of Nigeria's Kwara State.

Chelsea snub £30million Manchester City bid for John Terry

Manchester City last night had a £30million bid for England captain John Terry rejected, as Chelsea told them he is not for sale at any price.

Stamford Bridge officials released a statement exclusively to Sportsmail after confirming that a bid had been made in person by City chief executive Garry Cook.
Cook asked to meet Peter Kenyon, the Stamford Bridge chief executive, yesterday to discuss Chelsea's pursuit of talented young striker Daniel Sturridge.
It was something that surprised Chelsea when they had already said they would be happy to let an independent tribunal set the size of the fee for the 19-year-old.

But an even bigger surprise followed when Cook suddenly presented a letter with a formal offer for Terry. Kenyon was understood to be stunned, not least because he had already made it clear to Cook last season that the club captain and the heartbeat of the Chelsea team was not available at any price.

A club statement issued last night said: 'Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has completely rejected an offer from Manchester City for John Terry.

'It was made clear to City, for the second time following another approach last season, that we would not entertain any conversation on the subject. At that time John also reiterated his total commitment to Chelsea. We would like to make clear, and will not do so again, that John is not for sale.'
That Cook offered such a derisory sum further amazed Chelsea. When Bayern Munich are demanding £65m for Franck Ribery and Cristiano Ronaldo has moved to Real Madrid for £80m, and when City are prepared to pay vast sums for players like Robinho and Samuel Eto'o, less than £30million for one of the world's best centre halves seems low.

But City have long had their eye on Terry and Chelsea suspect this amounts to the latest stage in a poker game designed to try to lure exactly the kind of inspirational figure Mark Hughes wants in his team at Eastlands.

When City tabled an offer last season, Terry expressed his loyalty to a club he has served with distinction his entire career.

But the money on offer could yet prove tempting when the richest club in England would be prepared to almost double his current £130,000-aweek wage. Terry is already the highest paid player at Stamford Bridge but City could take him into an elite occupied only by players such as Ronaldo and Kaka at Real Madrid.
City plan to make at least one major impact signing this summer. Not least because they were left so embarrassed over the Kaka debacle when Cook responded to missing out on the Brazilian by launching an astonishing verbal attack on AC Milan. The former Nike executive, relatively new to football at the time, branded the Italian giants 'bottlers'.

Right now Samuel Eto'o is still believed to be within their reach, although they feel they are being used by the striker in his pay dispute with Barcelona. Eto'o, who will cost around £25m, will be available on a free next summer but City have offered a staggering £10m a year, net, in an attempt to lure him to the Barclays Premier League this summer.

A more realistic target is Carlos Tevez, who is expected to join the club early next week - even though others are interested. City will not want to fail in their Tevez bid after missing out on Terry. Cook, whose transfer-market prowess is being monitored by City's backers, is under pressure to close deals.

One observer commented: 'City have a lot of clout in the transfer market because of their backing, but it's important they go about their business in the right manner also.'

Cook and his top team were pleased when Roque Santa Cruz eventually arrived from Blackburn to spearhead the attack, alongside Robinho and - hopefully - Tevez.

Mark Hughes, however, demanded a top centre back. Although City continue to monitor Arsenal's Kolo Toure, Terry was always first choice for Hughes, who sees him as the iron man to lead his team and stabilise a back four that often conceded soft goals last season.

City say they hope to break into the top four this season and moving for a player of Terry's standing would appear to support their claims. They mean business and, although they have failed with this audacious effort, there will be more money flowing from their coffers in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's imminent £18m recruit Yuri Zhirkov has been provided with personal armed bodyguards for the first time in a move seen in Moscow as a sign that his deal is agreed.

Zhirkov, 25, is expected to arrive in London on Monday and has a reputation for mixing freely with journalists and fans.

But now security men prevent access to him. 'All we can do now is watch Zhirkov from a distance,' said Sovetski Sport. 'His huge and extremely intimidating bodyguards who followed him everywhere did not let us ask him any questions about negotiations of his move to Chelsea and the date of his flight to London.'

Drogba Hails Eto'o And Barcelona Improvements

Chelsea's Didier Drogba believes that Samuel Eto'o has matured in recent seasons, while revealing his admiration for the current Barcelona side that remind him of the team that won the Champions League three years ago.

The Chelsea forward was asked for his thoughts on Barcelona and their Cameroonian star Eto'o, who has yet to commit himself to a new contract at Camp Nou.

Last summer Drogba was one name put forward to replace Eto'o when it appeared that Pep Guardiola was preparing to sell the former Mallorca star and replace him.

"He has grown up with his behaviour. Two or three years ago he would have reacted badly to what happened last summer," Drogba told Sportsweek.

"Now he is much calmer. He is more mature."

Drogba has been impressed with Barcelona as well as Eto'o and thinks that they have a team that are reminiscent of the side that tasted European glory in 2006.

"The team is, quite frankly, impressive. The great players that they have are playing as a team and they are very effective," he continued.

"They remind me of the Barça side that won the Champions League in the Stade de France.

"[Lionel] Messi has replaced Ronaldinho and at present he is one of the best forwards in Europe, if not the best."

Adebayor Named African Player Of The Year

Togo international Emmanuel Adebayor was Tuesday night named CAF African Player of the Year for 2008 at an elaborate awards ceremony in Lagos.

Adebayor beat Mohamed Aboutrika of Egypt and Ghana’s Michael Essien to win the prestigious award, which involved voting by the national team coaches of CAF’s member-nations.

“This is a special night for me. I dedicate this award to my mum, without her, I would be nothing. My father is no more but where ever he is, he will be proud of me,” said Adebayor, who was accompanied by his mother.

Adebayor took away a crystal trophy and a cash prize of $20,000.

This is the first time that a Togolese will be voted as Africa’s best player.

The Arsenal star's exploits of the past year were mainly with his English Premier League club. In the absence of France international Thierry Henry, who moved to Spanish club Barcelona, the Togo star stepped up to finish the season with an impressive tally of 30 goals.

The striker also inspired Togo to reach the final qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

The awards night was graced by many dignitaries including FIFA president Joseph Blatter and CAF president Issa Hayatou.

Ahly’s Aboutrika got a consolation prize as the Inter-Club Player of the Year.

Several other Egyptians won various award categories. Egypt coach, Hassan Shehata was Africa’s Coach of the Year, and the team he led to successfully defend the Nations Cup in Accra last year were picked as the best national team on the continent.

Ahly were crowned Club of the Year ahead of Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien, who defended the CAF Confederation Cup, and beaten CAF Champions League finalists, Cotonsport from Cameroon.

Salomon Kalou of Ivory Coast and Chelsea was the CAF Young Player of the Year ahead of Cameroon’s Stephane Mbia and Nigerian forward Victor Obinna Nsofor.

The list of award winners:

CAF Player of the Year

Emmanuel Adebayor - Togo/Arsenal

CAF Young Player

Salomon Kalou - Ivory Coast/Chelsea

CAF Female Player

Alice Matlou - South Africa

National Team of the Year

Egypt

Coach of the Year

Hassan Shehata - Egypt

Best Club

Ahly - Egypt

Inter-Club Player of the Year

Mohamed Aboutrika - Al Ahly

African Legend

Christian Chukwu - Nigeria

Chelsea Sack Scolari

After a series of underwhelming and unsatisfactory performances and results, Chelsea have been quick to ensure the rut does not continue by relieving Brazilian boss Luiz Felipe Scolari of his managerial responsibilities.

Chelsea's numerous weaknesses all over the park: from their static movement from defending set-pieces, to their midfield's inability to accelerate with the ball, to the forward line spurning the chances in front of goal, have been exposed and the club have won just seven points from a possible 15 in 2009.

Assistant manager Ray Wilkins - who was appointed to the role in September - will temporarily take control of first team affairs while the club search for a more permanent recruit.

A statement on the club's official website read: "Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect.

"The board would like to record our gratitude for his time as manager. Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.

It continued: "In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.

"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.

"While that continues Assistant Coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis," the statement concluded.
Sky Sports are speculating that Guus Hiddink - of the Russian national team - and Avram Grant, who guided the club to the League Cup final, the Champions League final, and second place in the Premier League, are understood to be forerunning candidates, possibly together, with the former as Director of Football and the latter as head coach.

Mikel charged with drink-driving

The 21-year-old was stopped by police at 5.30am on Saturday, after being seen driving his Range Rover "erratically" near his club's ground in London's Fulham Road.

Later the same day, Chelsea beat Ipswich 3-1 in the fourth round - although Mikel was not part of the squad.

The Nigerian midfielder has since been charged and will appear in court on April 3.

He faces a year's driving ban or a jail term if the offence is deemed exceptionally serious.

A Chelsea spokesman told The Sun: "We are aware (Mikel) was arrested and charged. We want to establish the facts before we comment."

Manchester City Want Didier Drogba

According to The Sun, mega-rich Manchester City are preparing a £15 million swoop for Chelsea's unsettled forward, Didier Drogba.

The Sky Blues are in need of an out-and-out striker, as the likes of Jo, Benjani and the injured Valeri Bojinov have failed to make much of an impression at Eastlands.

City boss Mark Hughes has long wanted Roque Santa Cruz to lead the line, but Blackburn Rovers continue to jack up the price on the Paraguayan hitman.

Thus, 'Sparky' has begun scouting out other potential targets, and it is thought his new favorite currently resides on the fringes at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba has fallen out of favor at Chelsea this season, as a combination of off-field drama and Nicolas Anelka's red-hot form have seen him relegated to second choice in the club's one-striker system.

Indeed, following a meek display in the Blues' recent defeat to Manchester United, the Ivorian was banished to the reserves and missed out on the FA Cup replay with Southend United.

He was also excluded from the squad for last weekend's narrow win over Stoke City, with youngsters Miroslav Stoch and Franco di Santo filling the bench instead.

There has been considerable speculation as to where the 30-year-old's future lies, with former club Olympique Marseille touted as a likely destination, but Luiz Felipe Scolari has dismissed those rumors.

However, the Chelsea manager could be tempted by the possibility of a swap deal involving Robinho, with Drogba replacing Anelka in the supposed four-man trade reported yesterday involving Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Alex.

It remains to be seen whether Robinho is eligible to move this month, but it is nonetheless highly unlikely that City would swap him for a player who, on paper, seems an ideal strike-partner for the samba star.

Muntari: Manchester United Are Scared Of Inter

Inter midfielder Sulley Alley Muntari has followed in coach Jose Mourinho's footsteps by continuing the mind games ahead of their Champions League battle with Manchester United.

The Nerazzurri travel to Old Trafford on February 24 and the plan is to come away with a good aggregate lead from the two-legged tie. Mourinho has already fired the first warning shots and Muntari is not low on ammunition either.

"We are also very strong and they [United] are scared of us. We are not a team who are easy to beat and we have learned from our mistakes in the first phase. I am sure we will play two great games," Muntari told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

The former Portsmouth man joined Inter in the summer after their move for Chelsea's Frank Lampard failed. Muntari insists he was prepared to be second choice had the Englishman joined the Nerazzurri.

"When I was in England, Mourinho called me and he told me that Lampard was first choice. I told him I was ready and I went there," added Muntari. "I like everything about Mourinho. He knows how to manage his players and every training session is different.

"He just has to look at you in the dressing room and you are motivated, he doesn't even need to speak to get the message across."

Top Ten African Players Of 2008

10. Jon Mikel Obi (Nigeria & Chelsea)

The young midfielder showed some battling qualities many thought he did not have at the Nations Cup, where the Super Eagles barely made it to the last eight. Many predicted that he would not have a future at Chelsea following the shock departure of Jose Mourinho, but Avram Grant kept faith with him and this season Luiz Felipe Scolari has given him even more responsibilities, which he has relished in the absence of the injured Michael Essien.

9. Mohamed Zidan (Egypt & Hamburger SV/Borussia Dortmund)

He was unsettled at German Bundesliga outfit Hamburg last season, but his switch to Borussia Dortmund has seen him prove his class. He has already matched his three-goal tally for Humburg last season at Dortmund in just seven games. He was outstanding in his Nations Cup debut in Ghana, showing what a clinical and classy finisher he is, with two superbly struck goals in Egypt's opening group game against mighty Cameroon.

8. Frederic Kanoute (Mali & Sevilla)

He was named Africa's top star for 2007 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Lome, Togo - only because Drogba failed to attend the awards, being just next door in Ghana with Ivory Coast participating in the Nations Cup. Mali partly owe Kanoute their comeback after they failed miserably in the qualifers for the 2006 World Cup and so did not feature at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt.

7. Sulley Muntari (Ghana & Portsmouth/Inter)

The Ghana midfielder is back the familiar terrain of Italy, after leaving Udinese for a season at Portsmouth, where he won an FA Cup winners' medal. He has settled down at star-studded Inter without too much trouble. Earlier in the year, he played a major part for his country, too, as Nations Cup hosts Ghana went as far as the semi-finals, despite losing the inspirational Stephen Appiah through injury before the competition had even begun.

6. Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast/Chelsea)

Injuries and controversies made sure that the big man failed to match his performance of the 2006/07 season, when he was far and away the best African player. He has yet to reach his high standards again but when he does, it will be to the benefit of both club and country. Still, performed well for Chelsea and proved an asset whenever he was in the team.

5. Michael Essien (Ghana & Chelsea)

The former Lyon midfielder came into his own last season at Stamford Bridge, as Chelsea reached their first-ever UEFA Champions League final. He was also the heart and soul of an average Ghana Black Stars side that exceeded many expectations to reach the last four of the Nations Cup they hosted in February.

4. Amr Zaki (Egypt & Zamalek/Wigan Athletic)

Egyptian players are not known to be great travellers, but this Zamalek centre-forward has already made a success of his second shot at glory in Europe with some cracking goals for modest Wigan in the English Premier League. It is little wonder that he has now been linked with some of Europe's top guns by the time his loan deal at Wigan runs out, though Steve Bruce is understandably eager to keep the goal machine at the JJB Stadium.

However, it was his five-star showing at the Nations Cup that really got the world to take notice. He scored thrice as well as taught an Ivorian back-four complete with Arsenal's Kolo Toure a football lesson in the semi-finals of the tournament. Egypt went on to claim their second Nations Cup in a row.

3. Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo & Arsenal)

Filled the goal-scoring void left by French legend Therry Henry at Arsenal last season by scoring 30 goals in all competitions. However, the Gunners failed to land any piece of silverware. He has also kept Togo in the reckoning for a second World Cup finals appearance after putting four goals past Swaziland.

2. Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon & Barcelona)

Barcelona did not win anything last term and even wanted to make the Cameroonian star one of the scapegoats for this, but the three-time African Player of the Year has since proved he still knows his way to goal, with an incredible 14 goals in La liga already. Last season he was hampered by injury and even came close to leaving Camp Nou this summer.

At the Nations Cup in Ghana, he put to rest the all-time scoring record of 14 goals set by Ivorian striker Laurent Pokou by scoring a total of 16 and counting.

1. Mohamed Aboutrika (Egypt & Al Ahly)

He was the continent's best player in 2008. He may still be playing his club football in Africa, but no one can doubt the quality of this attacking midfielder, who has made it a habit to score the important goals - whether for his club Al Ahly or the Egyptian national team.

He scored the goal that won the Pharaohs the Nations Cup in Accra for an unprecedented sixth time and has been the heart of an average Ahly team, as they also won an unprecedented sixth Champions trophy. Besides these accomplishments, this 30-year-old has shown great consistency at the top since 2005.

Scolari: Drogba & Anelka Aren't Gelling

Fitting Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba into the same Chelsea team was always going to be problematic. The two strikers both like to be the main man up front, with both preferring to operate as an out-and-out striker rather than in a supporting role or wide on the flanks. In addition, neither player particularly likes being benched.

Their styles as forwards do not necessarily complement each other either, and both Avram Grant and his successor as Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari have struggled to integrate them into the same line-up. Now Scolari has revealed that he has experimented using both strikers as a partnership, but has enjoyed limited success.

"It has been good sometimes but not good at other times," said Scolari, reflecting on the time spent in training on working on the partnership.

"It's 50-50. But this period has been better for the group. They are trying more than before to understand what positions I want them to be in. It has improved and evolved more in the last 15 days."

Anelka is reportedly keen to play in a 4-4-2 with Drogba, but Scolari doesn't feel that much has been gained from the training experiment, other than a slight increase in the flexibility of the side.

"They know more now. They have more confidence than before if they change (the formation) during the game," the Brazilian continued, before adding that more strikers does not necessarily mean more goals, and a lack of goals is often the coach's rather than the players' fault.

"Sometimes you put five players up front but the ball does not arrive there. If they make mistakes, it's my mistake because I give the orders. It's the same with left backs and right backs when they go forward, try to dribble and try to shoot," the Brazilian continued.

Time on the pitch as a partnership has been limited for Anelka and Drogba, amounting to little more than a handful of second-half minutes in five games. With Drogba's season so far shortened by injury and suspension, Anelka has gone about his business and become the Premier League's top goalscorer, netting 14 times in 17 appearances.

Drogba, meanwhile, is yet to score a league goal this season, and is regularly linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, with the names of Inter Milan and Jose Mourinho cropping up regularly in the rumour mill..

Mourinho: Inter's Adriano/Drogba Switch With Chelsea Won't Happen

Speculation has been rife regarding a potential January swap deal which would take Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Inter forward Adriano in opposite directions.

The pair are unsettled at their respective clubs and some feel they would both benefit from the switch. Drogba would, of course, hook up with mentor Jose Mourinho in Italy, while Adriano has been unsettled this season and a fresh start could be needed.

However, former Blues boss Mourinho has rubbished the reports.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Portuguese tactician said: "That is not true - it is merely speculation. No way - zero percent.

"At this moment, Adriano has nothing in his hands. We think he will be here on January 2 to work with us.

"Maybe he is not happy at living in an atmosphere that doesn't suit him, but he is a top player and I cannot open my door for him to go unless I have somebody to replace him."

Refusing to rule out an eventual move for Ivorian ace Drogba, who is working his way back into the Stamford Bridge fold after an injury-hit season, the 'Special One' added: "One day, if Didier has a clear situation [with Chelsea] - a club I love - and he is on his way out, then the door will be open for him.

"Everybody knows that he is one of my men and it won't matter which club I am managing."

Africans In Europe - Nigerian Stars Banging the Goals Again

SPAIN

Samuel Eto'o starred in El Clasico, scoring the opening goal as Barcelona beat rivals Real Madrid 2-0. The Cameroonian's goal atoned for his penalty miss earlier in the game.

Barcelona are now eight points clear of second-placed Valencia with 38 points from 15 games.

Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche was also on target for his club Getafe in their 4-1 trouncing of Mallorca. It was his third goal of the season.

Morocco's Nabil Baha found the back of the net for Malaga in their 2-0 home win over Numancia. Malaga are the 10th on the table with 21 points from 15 matches.

ENGLAND

Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins grabbed one of the goals as Newcastle beat Portsmouth 3-0 at Fratton Park.

The Nigeria international though appeared to have hurt his groin while scoring his club's second goal.

The victory took Newcastle further away from the drop zone.

Togo superstar Emmanuel Adebayor was on target for the second week runnning as Arsenal pulled a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough. It was his seventh goal in the Premier League.

Arsenal are fifth in the standings with 30 points from 17 matches.

GERMANY

Nigerian striker Manasseh Ishiaku came on as a late substitute to net the winner for Cologne in their 2-1 win over Bochum. It was his first goal of the season after a long injury lay-off. Promoted Cologne are placed 11th in the 18-club Bundesliga.

Egypt's Mohamed Zidan opened scoring for Borussia Dortmund as they beat Borussia Mochengladbach 2-1.

FRANCE

Benin star Stephane Sessegnon hit a double for Paris Saint-Germain in their away win at Auxerre. It was the club's 10th win of the season, same number of victories they had achieved all through last season when they barely escaped relegation.

Underachieving PSG are now fourth in the standings with 32 points from 18 games.

Senegal's 21-year-old winger Issiar Dia netted one of the goals as his club AS Nancy beat Grenoble 2-0 at home as

Algerian midfielder Djemal Belmadi scored Valenciennes' second goal in a 3-1 victory over struggling Monaco.

Lorient continued their surge to the top rank with a 3-1 win on the road against Le Havre. Yazid Mansouri from Algeria got their go-ahead goal after 40 minutes.

NETHERLANDS

French-Algerian Karim Soltani scored for Ado Den Haag in a 1-1 draw with Roda while Dutch-Moroccan Rachid Bouaouzan ensured Nijmegen beat Willem II Tilburg 2-1 by scoring one of his team's goals.

DR Congo-born Swiss international Blaise Nkufo scored in FC Twente's 4-1 victory away at FC Groningen.

BELGIUM

Joachim Mununga from DR Congo scored for the second week running as Mechelen beat Germinal Beerschot 2-1. However, Mechelen had to play the last minutes of the game without their Ghanaian midfielder Abdul-Yakinu Iddi, who was given a straight red card late in the game.

Gambia's Mustapha Jarju Toubabo of RAEC Mons scored against AFC Tubize in a 2-1 loss while Senegal's Cheikhou Kouyate was on the mark for KV Kortrijk in a 1-1 draw with KAA Gent.

TURKEY

Cameroonian Herve Tum grabbed a brace as Sivasspor beat Hacettepe SK 2-1.

Mikel Can't Risk Chelsea Job For Nigeria

Amodu excused Mikel from Nigeria's last two engagements - a World Cup qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Abuja and a friendly last month in Colombia.

"I have explained to the team (why I left him out) and they understand. I told them it could well be their turn next time. Remember we are not paying these players. If the clubs who are paying them so much money need them, we cannot afford to be selfish and put their jobs on the line. It's give and take," Amodu said in an interview published in FourFourTwo Nigeria Magazine.

"I was not in desperate need of him for those matches but when I am, I will be the first to put my foot down."

Amodu has met twice with Chelsea manager Luis Felipe Scolari and he admitted that they differ on Mikel's best position, whether as a defensive or attacking midfielder.

"Scolari feels he should play in front of the defence particularly in the absence of Michael Essien. I also played him in that position in the friendly match against Austria," Amodu said.

"Scolari admitted that he often has to shout at him to stay back in defence and not go forward.

"I want to believe that with the Eagles his best position is as an offensive midfielder even though he has the potentials to also play defensively."

He added: "The more positions he can play, the better for all of us.

"The problem will be how the player will quickly adjust when he plays for Chelsea and when he plays for Nigeria. That is the big challenge for both Scolari and myself."