The 24-year-old is the “favourite” of Real chairman Florentino Perez “for the new plan,” the newspaper ABC said.

Perez “has had his eye on Rooney for a long time, even more so in view of the great season he’s having.”

The England striker has unleashed an incredible burst of 24 goals in his last 22 matches that have kept United in contention in both the Premier League and Champions League.

But Spanish media say it is unlikely that Rooney will follow former United star David Beckham to Spain.

Real are unlikely to accept the probable 70-million-euro price tag and United manager Alex Ferguson is unwilling “to lose a player who is a substitute for Cristiano” Ronaldo, the Portuguese winger who was signed by Real last year for a world record fee.

Sports daily Marca reported Real are also keen on Chelsea’s England defender Ashley Cole to boost their back line.

The club splashed out more than 250 million euros on world stars last summer and are currently top of the Primera Liga on goal difference from Barcelona.

But their exit from the Champions League in the last-16 stage to Lyon last week means they are now looking to prepare for next season.

MADRID (AFP)

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Between Shaun Wright-Phillips, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon (if fit) and James Milner there is a wealth of talent at the Italian’s disposal.

The nagging worry for Capello may be the question of why one of those younger players has not made the position his own already.

There have been plenty of opportunities after all. It’s four years since Beckham resigned as captain after the World Cup in Germany. It might have been the end of his international career but Steve McClaren eventually recalled him and Capello has made him a regular in the squad, if not the starting line-up.

Now the prospect of Beckham coming off the bench and to the rescue has gone, it should be a signal for Wright-Phillips and co that someone needs to take responsibility in that area and give Capello one less thing to worry about, as the gruelling and relentless English season lurches into its eighth month.

Wes Brown has fallen prey to the curse of the metatarsal — a broken toe that in the past has previously cut down Beckham, Gary Neville, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney twice — and is fighting to make the World Cup.

Capello’s other main right back Glen Johnson is only just tentatively returning to action after ankle ligament damage that kept him out for more than two months. Left back Ashley Cole has a broken ankle that will at best leave him desperately rusty and at worse rule him out of the tournament altogether, while his obvious replacement, Wayne Bridge, has retired from the international game after his personal problems with centre-back and former captain John Terry.

The new captain, Rio Ferdinand, has struggled all season with a back injury while Lennon is trying to get over a troublesome groin injury that has kept him out since December.

Right midfield should really be the least of Capello’s worries.

Lennon, Walcott and Wright-Phillips all bring a measure of pace and direct running that Beckham could not match even in his prime.

This is an opportunity for one of them to step up and put a real stamp on this England team. Who will rise to the occasion?

Source

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“The Englishman from Chelsea is the player for the job. He is one of the best players in the world and wants to come to Spain,” sports daily Marca said, without identifying its sources.

It said the English Premiership club “is ready to listen to offers.”

Cole, 29, is not the only left back targeted by Real although the former Arsenal player is top of their list.

Marca said Real are also keen on Manchester United’s French international Patrice Evra, who could cost “about 20 million euros” and they were also following “very closely” Lazio’s Serbian player Aleksandar Kolarov.

The Spanish club, which spent more than 250 million euros on top stars last summer, is currently top of the Primera Liga on goal difference from Barcelona.

But their exit from the Champions League in the last-16 stage to Lyon last week means they are now looking to prepare for next season.

MADRID (AFP)

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With Ashley Cole currently injured and Wayne Bridge unavailable Baines is competing for the left-back spot with Aston Villa’s Stephen Warnock ahead of tomorrow’s friendly against Egypt.

The 25-year-old has yet to make his England debut but Neville thinks he’s ready to be part of England’s World Cup squad.

“Leighton is a very level-headed lad who keeps his feet on the ground,” Neville told the Liverpool Echo.There is always someone who comes up late on the rails and does well in a World Cup and what a fantastic end to the season it could be for Leighton.

“He has good experience at international level with the Under-21s and that will stand him in good stead for the game against Egypt.

“In the past he was probably just happy to be in the England squad but now there’s a quiet determination to go in there and cement his place in the team.

“He has a good chance of starting and hopefully staking a claim for the World Cup.

“He has all the attributes. He’s quick, technically good, gets crosses in, knows how to defend and he won’t let anyone down.”

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Pre-tournament form is a notoriously fickle indication of how a team will perform at the quadrennial football showpiece, but some of the sides bidding for glory are already beset by problems and controversies.

England’s chances of a first World Cup success since 1966 were hyped to the hilt in the aftermath of their near-flawless qualifying campaign, but Fabio Capello’s side has since become tainted by scandal.

John Terry was stripped of the captaincy following allegations of an extra-marital affair with the ex-girlfriend of international colleague Wayne Bridge, who turned his back on the England set-up as a consequence.

First-choice defenders Glen Johnson, Rio Ferdinand and Ashley Cole are all struggling for fitness, with Cole a doubt for the World Cup after breaking his ankle.

Capello, though, has sought to emphasise the importance of unity and has even stated his desire to include Bridge – the leading candidate to replace Cole at left-back – in his squad for the tournament.

“I respect Wayne Bridge’s decision, but we have three months to change his decision. I open the door to all the players and now the door is open for the future of Wayne Bridge,” said Capello, whose side host Africa Cup of Nations champions Egypt on Wednesday.

France’s game with Spain at the Stade de France, meanwhile, opposes two teams with similarly high profiles but vastly different expectations.

After a distinctly under-par qualification campaign, France limped into the tournament in contentious fashion when Thierry Henry’s now infamous handball put paid to the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams.

Coach Raymond Domenech has prevailed over four years of underachievement since defeat to Italy in the 2006 World Cup final but his successor will be named before the tournament, much to Domenech’s discontent.

“Everything that comes from outside can disrupt, undermine and create weaknesses that could prove harmful during a long competition,” he said.

“For one match, no, but for one month, with substitutes who won’t play or who will only play a bit, it could be complicated and it could create tension.”

European champions Spain, by contrast, approach the game in relative serenity.

The Euro 2008 winners won all 10 of their qualifying games and the principal task facing coach Vicente Del Bosque is one of dampening fervent expectations.

“We must be aware of who we are, not underestimate our opponents,” he said.

“Thinking that we are the strongest is obviously stupid because we know that this competition demands concentration and humility if you are to win against any team.”

Favourites Brazil, who tackle Ireland in London on Tuesday, must deal with the characteristic pressure that accompanies their participation in every major competition.

Coach Dunga has stamped his style on the team since he took over in 2007 and his counter-attacking system leaves no room for the flamboyant talents of Ronaldinho, who was once again overlooked for the game against Ireland.

“I guess it’s normal (for Ronaldinho’s absence to cause controversy) because the players who are absent are always the best and everyone wants to talk about who is not part of the national team,” Dunga said.

Argentina coach Diego Maradona claims to have already informed “50 percent” of the players who will make up his 23-man squad for the World Cup, where Argentine hopes of a third trophy will rest heavily on the shoulders of European Footballer of the Year Lionel Messi.

The Albicelesti on Wednesday confront Germany, whose own preparations have been dogged by a dispute between coach Joachim Loew and the country’s football federation over an extension to his contract.

Defending champions Italy face Cameroon in Monaco, with Azzurri coach Marcello Lippi having claimed last month that he already knows 17 of the 23 players he will take to South Africa.

PARIS (AFP)

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According to some reports, Cole is unhappy that the club is singling him out for hefty disciplinary action. The punishment might even reach suspension.

Chelsea are preparing to fine Cole after it was claimed he deluded a senior official over an alleged extramarital affair.

Cole is expected to meet Chelsea officials at the end of this month to discuss the issue. However, rumors in various sources have linked England’s first-choice left-back to a summer move to Barcelona or Real Madrid.

However, according to Sky Sports News, Cole has no problems with Chelsea and is happy to stay at the club.

Cole is currently out of action while nursing a broken ankle.

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Now fresh revelations have emerged – that Cole had smuggled Ann Corbitt, an American local government worker, into his room at the team hotel in Seattle during the club’s summer tour of the United States. He then allegedly tried to cover it up and deliberately misled senior club officials to keep the incident from his wife, Cheryl.

Ashley Cole, 29, is also said to have convinced Chelsea head of communications Steve Atkins that this latest story was not true.

And now the club hierarchy is mortified to have discovered that he may have lied to the senior club official, who was then implicated in a cover-up aimed at stopping details appearing in the papers.

Cole is now set to be hauled before Blues chiefs to explain and could face further punishment.

Although Professional Footballers’ Association rules state the maximum fine for a player is two weeks’ wages, Chelsea will be able to fine him a large sum due to the number of misdemeanors.

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Drogba has been in fine fettle since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola this month and made it six goals in five matches to help Chelsea put an end to their recent poor away form and capitalise on United’s slip against Everton earlier in the day.

Chelsea had only managed six points from their previous six away games, a sequence that was threatening to hand the title initiative to Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, but Drogba wrestled that back in impressive fashion.

Drogba is in the form of his life and finding their feet on their travels again could not have been more timely for Carlo Ancelotti and his squad as they prepare for a midweek showdown with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.

Drogba is giving United star Wayne Rooney the biggest run for his money to win the Player of the Year award and he was the crucial difference here as Wolves were handed another harsh lesson at this level.

Chelsea rarely found peak form, but still managed to collect maximum points and deliver the perfect response to Ancelotti’s reading of the riot act in midweek.

Chelsea have not lost to a side joining the top flight that season since a defeat to Charlton in April 2001 – a sequence stretching 54 games – and, while their image off the pitch has taken a battering with lurid revelations and allegations about captain John Terry and England international Ashley Cole, they appear to be powering relentlessly towards the title on the field.

Yet Wolves can consider themselves hugely unfortunate not to have at least been level at the interval, after creating the better chances for Kevin Doyle.

Chelsea had been well below par up until the 40th minute when Drogba struck.

In one rare move of quality, Yury Zhirkov exchanged passes with Michael Ballack and the Russian’s cross to the far post was slid over the line by Drogba.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy said earlier in the week that there was no fear factor about the top four and they are not “invincible” anymore.

You could see the reason for his argument as Chelsea struggled to put together any kind of fluency on a poor surface, but for all their struggles, Wolves could not take advantage, mostly because of the excellent form of Petr Cech.

Cech wants to remain at Stamford Bridge for another ten years and on this form he has a chance of getting his wish.

The point blank save he pulled off to deny Kevin Foley from ten yards was exceptional. Even then Chelsea had their slice of luck as Karl Henry slipped as he tried to force home the rebound.

Cech made another excellent save at point blank to deny Adlene Guedioura and that proved to be the difference as Wolves were hit by a sucker punch on the counter attack that ensured Chelsea will go to the San Siro on bouyant mood.

Cech’s long punt down the field set up the chance as Christophe Berra totally mis-judged the bounce and Drogba pounced to round Marcus Hahnemann and roll in his 25th goal of the season.

WOLVERHAMPTON, England (AFP)

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Blues chief executive Ron Gourlay and coach Carlo Ancelotti held a 10-minute meeting with the players this week in a bid to avoid a repeat of the kind of lurid headlines that cost John Terry the England captaincy and have once again seen Ashley Cole making front-page news.

“We had a meeting this week with the players,” Ancelotti, who has been a staunch supporter of Chelsea captain Terry, said on Friday.

“It was a good meeting. Ron Gourlay was there as well. We spoke to the players and explained to them the behaviour that is required of the players in this club.

“Now they know very well what they have to do and what behaviour is expected of them when they’re in the Chelsea shirt.

“We are interested, me and the club, in protecting the image of this club. Not only the players and the manager, all the staff — the people who work in this club — have to protect that image.

“That is one of the most important things, the image of the club. We want to carry that forward. And I think the players and all the staff know very well what they have to do.

“All the players were there. Ron spoke for the club, for the owner (Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich), and the players listened.

“It was a private meeting and I don’t like to speak about what exactly was said. But, to confirm, the most important thing is that everybody has to pay attention to protect the image of the club.”

Chelsea travel to Wolves on Saturday with a one point lead at the top of the table.

But they will be without England midfielder Frank Lampard (virus) and Brazilian defender Alex (knee injury).

“We have some injuries for the next game,” said Ancelotti. “Lampard is not available as he has a virus and Alex is also out.

“Alex had an injury yesterday (Thursday) and he has a scan today on his knee. We have to wait to assess him, the Italian added.

Terry, who was given a break to spend time with his wife following revelations of an alleged affair with French lingerie model Vanessa Perroncel, the ex-girlfriend of former team-mate Wayne Bridge, is back with the squad.

“John Terry has returned and trained very well this week. He’s able to play tomorrow (Saturday) and is in good condition,” Ancelotti said.

Asked if Chelsea could win the title and deny second-placed Manchester United a fourth straight Premier League trumph, Ancelotti said: “Until the end of the season, we have 90 days. It depends on us what happens at the end of the season.

“If we do very well in these 90 days, we can have a good result at the end of the season.”

LONDON (AFP)

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Blues captain John Terry was absent for the match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after flying to Dubai to see his wife in a bid to solve his marital problems following reports of an affair with the ex-girlfriend of England teammate Wayne Bridge.

Ashley Cole was also missing through injury, but his private life has been thrust into newspaper headlines too over reports of text picture messages which were sent from his phone to a glamour model.

While those issues could be a problem for a less experienced squad, Chelsea are showing no signs that any of it will hinder their push for trophies as they bounced back from a midweek defeat at Everton.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are already top of the Premier League table, and soon resume their Champions League campaign with a two-leg clash against Inter Milan, led by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

They were far too strong for Cardiff and goals from Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Daniel Sturridge and Salomon Kalou clinched a fifth round win.

“It’s not so much about their class, more their professionalism,” Wilkins said.

“Some people think a game like this will be straight forward and easy, but those players took the game by the throat and helped us pull through. I’d put Frank Lampard in there too.

“We have a wonderful squad that helps our aim to win every game. We have a wonderful challenge coming up against Inter Miilan, it is massive. We know they will be an extremeley tough couple of games.”

Drogba moved Chelsea ahead within two minutes, yet their defensive performance left much to be desired and Cardiff deservedly drew level before half-time when Alex was out of position and Michael Chopra headed home.

Eventually Cardiff ran out of steam as three second half goals left them feeling hard done by.

Ballack’s goal came after a Drogba pass cup open the back four, Sturridge’s fourth FA Cup goal of the season fell to him after a ricochet, while Kalou’s header four minutes from time after a Paulo Ferreira cross was fantastic.

“It was tougher than we thought,” admitted Wilkins. “We knew they would work their socks off but thankfully we increased the tempo in the second half. In the end it became a tad easy.

“Every now and then we do have a lapse in concentration at the back though, and people score. It is a slight concern.”

Wilkins confirmed Terry will fly home to prepare for their next game with Wolves, but also brushed off worries that midfielder Joe Cole is struggling to recapture the form that once made him an England regular.

Cole was substituted at half-time against Cardiff after an ineffective performance.

“Joe wasn’t injured, it was a tactical decision,” Wilkins said. “There is no concern over his form, it just takes time to come back after an injury like he had. Going forward we see no problems. He will get there.”

Cardiff manager Dave Jones gave credit to his players for their efforts and will now focus his attention on an attempt to win promotion to the top-flight.

“Chelsea are the best team in their division, because they are top,” Jones said. “I think my lads can take great credit that we gave it a real go for an hour.

“I have told them we will go over the game on Monday, but there are just small mistakes you get punished for at this level.

“Getting attracted just half a yard towards the ball cost us. But it was certainly a good experience for us that will help in the future.”

LONDON (AFP)

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