Daily News Roundup: 16 April 2007

Relatively quiet today – luckily, plenty of Soccerlens goodness to keep you busy.

News Headlines

1. Inter Milan have 7 games left, and having won 25 and drawn 6 of their 31 games so far, are looking to wrap up the title on Wednesday when they visit Roma.

   Somehow an undefeated season wouldn’t have the same feel as Arsenal’s, would it?

2. Tim Vickery of the BBC writes about Brazil 2014 and the problems facing them.
3. Rio Ferdinand gives some deserved praise to Darren Fletcher – and after the season he’s had, you can’t ask for him to be sold.
4. A quick look at what happened across Europe this weekend – Barcelona, Lyon, Shalke and Inter are still top, with Lyon and Inter fast closing in on their titles.
5. Rafa Benitez talks about his desire to find more Carraghers and Gerrards in the Liverpool academy. Some of his statements would get snide remarks from me on another day, such as this one:

   “But if I could find one Carra every year, and then you will see in five years maybe five Carras. Think of the money you would save with a team of Carraghers.”

   But essentially he’s right though – home-grown players are an amazing bonus, especially talented home-grown players.

6. Leroy Lita – Reading – says that the FA has to do more to clamp down on cheating. This comes after he got a 3-match ban from a post-game video review after he was shown to have headbutted a Charlton player. Lita (and Coppell) say the decision is incorrect. I haven’t seen the video so I can’t comment, but if anyone has, let me know.
7. Sepp Blatter wants to awaken the 1 billion-strong sleeping giant of football that is India. It figures that Fifa want China and India to be involved. A 2.5 billion market is nothing to scoff at. And if you consider that along China and India are slated to be / already are economic powerhouses, it makes perfect sense.

   Or am I being too cynical?

8. Mourinho’s post-match interview after the Blackburn game was interesting. Have a read.

Soccerlens Coverage

1. Milan vs Manchester United – let’s get it on
2. Liverpool have the edge / Chelsea will never give up
3. Relegation Dogfight: West Ham, Charlton, Fulham, Wigan and Sheffield United
4. Manchester United vs Chelsea – 2007 FA Cup Final Preview
5. Gutless Newcastle lose again
6. Blackburn 1-2 Chelsea – what a game!