Liverpool and Arsenal are confirmed challengers in the race to sign Daniel Opare.
The Ghanaian international defender has been linked with a number of Barclays Premier League clubs in recent months, and the player's agent has confirmed interest from Liverpool, Arsenal and a number of top English sides.

Roy Hodgson has survived many low points in his short spell as Liverpool manager but Wednesday night's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn would seem to be one disaster too far and could hasten his exit from Anfield.
Even before Saturday's injury-time winner against Bolton the suggestion was club owners New England Sports Ventures were actively looking for a replacement.

Some quick news to get you started on just a Suuuuper Draft sort of day.

• Just Super

Only a little from TSG...

MLS SuperDraft day today. Unfortunately, we're not your best resource today....but I am hearing that "there is a lot of speculation as to the 1st pick.

At £27 million, he is not the most expensive player in the Premier League. However for Manchester City, Edin Dzeko can only be seen as the possible final piece of the Citizen's objective to dominate the Barclays Premier League. And why not, Dzeko is the complete forward that City lacked.

Barclays Premier League game between Arsenal and Wigan Athletic held on January 22, 2011.

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Barclays Premier League game between Manchester United and Birmingham City held on January 22, 2011.

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LIVERPOOL, England Joe Cole may have earned under-pressure Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson some breathing space with a last gasp winner against Bolton at Anfield. With the club's owners reportedly seeking a replacement, the summer signing's first league goal and Fernando Torres' equaliser came at just the right time for the former Fulham boss.

Barclays Premier League game between Liverpool and Bolton Wanderers on January 1, 2011.

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libo
Goaa | Myspace Video

Barclays Premier League game between Birmingham and Arsenal held on January 1, 2011.

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Goaa | Myspace Video

Barclays Premier League game between Chelsea and Aston Villa held on January 2, 2011.

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Goaa | Myspace Video

Ever since Arsenal were drawn against FC Barcelona in the Champions League people have said that we are on a hiding to nothing and that it will be like men against boys.
Pretty much everyone on this Earth, and their dog, believes that it is simply a formality that Barcelona will crush us. We will be destroyed, or if you like, Barcered.

This is the second guest column by Preston Petri

Gerard Houllier, contemplating changes in front of the mesh at Villa Park...while higher-ups likely contemplate his...

Recently, Aston Villa of the Barclays Premier League have followed in the footsteps of the old Fullhamerica teams by integrating former and current USMNT players into their first team fold.

United might well have a two point lead at the summit of the Barclays Premier League, but followers of the club must have doubts about the team's ability to stay at the top, given our away record. Just a week ago Nemanja Vidic said "Our away record is not something we're proud of, yet here we are top and still unbeaten.

LIVERPOOL, England Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson believes the "unprecedented" way the club's fans had turned on manager Roy Hodgson was instrumental in his departure. Liverpool announced that Hodgson had left the club by "mutual consent" with the Reds 12th in the Barclays Premier League, just four points above the relegation zone.

If this game was taking place two months ago I think it's fair to say we would walk this game and that is no disrespect to Ipswich in any way at all, in fact I think even their own fans would dread the thought of taking on Chelsea.
However, it's a no lose situation for the Tractor Boys and it's Chelsea they have EVERYTHING to lose today as we start our defence of the FA CUP.

Chelsea fans! Why not go and try the brand new Indian Restaurant in Fulham Broadway The MASALA ZONE before or after the game today.
Why not grab a Curry, Rice and a beer for just £12!!
The Masala Zone has been awarded the following accreditations:
Best Restaurateur of the Year - Tatler Award
Amaya: Best Restaurant & Best New Restaurant - London Restaurant Awards
Chutney Mary: Best Indian Restaurant - London Restaurant Award
Veeraswamy: Britain's Oldest Indian Restaurant - Established 1926
Masala Zone: "10/10 for food, service & value for money" The Guardian
So if you need food before or after the game then why not head to The Masala Zone (opposite Barclays Bank) and please mention you have seen this advert on my website "Chelseadaft" for me when you go in.

Nicklas Bendtner has said that it is important Arsenal to go on and win some silverware this season in the Carling Cup, which could give the players the winning mentality to go for the Barclays Premier League. Bendtner talked about Arsenal's next game which is Ipswich away, In the first leg of the Semi-Final.

Liverpool caretaker manager is set to seal a move for Benfica left back Fabio Coentrao as his first signing in January, according to reports.
The new Reds boss wants to bring in a replacement for Paul Konchesky, one of Roy Hodgson's high-profile flops, to improve their defence.
Alongisde Damian Comolli, Dalglish has amended Liverpool's January transfer wishlist, which now includes Ryan Shawcross and Ricky van Wolfswinkel at the top.

Barclays Premier League Venue: Bloomfield Road Date: Wednesday, 12...

When last we met... The Press Association: Baggies sweat on Odemwingie West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is continuing to battle an ankle injury ahead of the crunch Barclays Premier League clash with Blackpool on Saturday. The Baggies will attempt to end a six-match losing streak at The Hawthorns this weekend but they may have to do so without their leading scorer.

Barclays Premier League game between Blackpool 2-1 Liverpool held on January 12, 2011.

Blackpool won all two games against Liverpool.

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Goaa | Myspace Video

Liverpool striker target Pavel Pogrebnyak could make a summer move to the Barclays Premier League.
The Russian international has been linked with a number of clubs in recent months, with former Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson thought to be one of the interested parties.
New Reds chief Kenny Dalglish is expected to continue the Anfield outfit's interest in the player, although Liverpool are now unlikely to secure a switch this month.

Birmingham have had a £6million bid accepted by Tottenham for Ireland striker Robbie Keane, according to reports this evening.
City have reached agreement with Spurs to pay an initial £4 million for the Dublin born Ireland international.
But this could rise by additional £2million via various add-ons and clauses in the deal.

Barclays Premier League game between Liverpool and Everton held on January 16, 2011.

Meireles scores his first goal for Liverpool.

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Lots missed in a Monday where TSG wasn't at the internet terminal:

• Junior to cross Black Cats' path?

Junior, moving with ball against Colombia...will he be moving without it soon?

A Fox Soccer reported suggested Michael Bradley could be the cat's meow at Sunderland FC in the Barclays.

Newcastle Reserves beat second placed Wigan Athletic yesterday, to go 3 points clear at the top of the Barclays Reserve League North. Nile Ranger - scores first goal with acrobatic volley And Nile Ranger, who was an unused sub on Sunday at Sunderland, reminded manager Alan Pardew of his tremendous potential by bagging a great [.

Done deal. Four and a half year deal.

Darren Bent has officially completed his move from Sunderland in what will be a record transfer deal for Villa (£18m rising to £24m the most popular claim) and will be eligible for Man City on Saturday. I think he'll probably play, don't you?

Bent brings undoubted quality exactly where we need it the most.

Villa seal deal for record signing Bent Aston Villa are delighted to confirm that Darren Bent will be unveiled today as the club's record signing, having agreed a four-and-a-half year deal to June 2015. The 26-year-old England striker completed a medical before the formalities of the signing today and will be available for the Barclays Premier League game against Manchester City on Saturday,

In a move that shows that the power in London is changing, Steven Pienaar has joined Tottenham after turning down a move to Chelsea.

Pienaar, who cost Spurs between £2.5million and £3million, is reported to have signed a four and a half year contract with Spurs.

Spurs confirmed the transfer on their official website saying:

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Everton and Steven Pienaar for the player's transfer to the club.

In a move that shows that the power in London is changing, Steven Pienaar has joined Tottenham after turning down a move to Chelsea.

Pienaar, who cost Spurs between £2.5million and £3million, is reported to have signed a four and a half year contract with Spurs.

Spurs confirmed the transfer on their official website saying:

"We are delighted to announce that we have reached agreement with Everton and Steven Pienaar for the player's transfer to the club.

Liverpool is facing stiff competition from Chelsea in the race to sign Chilean international Alexis Sanchez.
The Udinese star has been monitored by a string of top European clubs in recent seasons, with Liverpool one of those keen to bring the player to the Barclays Premier League.
Former Reds boss Rafael Benitez was keen to bring the player to Anfield as recently as May, and his Liverpool replacement Roy Hodgson was also thought be interested in bringing the player to Merseyside before his recent departure.

(For reference on the saying, go here then here).

I saw this little diddy in the Daily Mail and it made me sigh deeply.

A return to his old club is the 29-year-old's only option in the Barclays Premier League because he made one appearance for Fulham in August before joining Liverpool, and the rules state that players cannot represent three top-flight teams in the same season.

Barclays Premier League game between Wolverhampton 0-3 Liverpool held on January 22, 2011.

Kenny Dalglish's first win in his second in charged as Liverpool FC tactician.

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BLACKBURN, England Blackburn manager Steve Kean celebrated his long-term contract with a third home victory in a row as Rovers claimed a 2-0 win over West Brom at Ewood Park to climb up to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League. Kean this week signed a deal to keep him at the club until [...]

BLACKBURN, England Blackburn manager Steve Kean celebrated his long-term contract with a third home victory in a row as Rovers claimed a 2-0 win over West Brom at Ewood Park to climb up to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League. Kean this week signed a deal to keep him at the club until [...]

Tyrell Belford hopes the FA Youth Cup will provide him with the perfect opportunity to add another winners' medal to the family mantelpiece.
The 16-year-old's father, Dale, was once on Aston Villa's books as a goalkeeper and went on to win the 1989 FA Vase with Tamworth.
Belford junior admits his Dad has been a major influence on his fledgling career and hopes he can enhance the family name by going on to enjoy success at the highest level in the future.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has fired shots at English Premier League leaders Manchester United about the lack of style that they play with, despite their successful results in the EPL this season.

Ancelotti accepts the Blues are currently no match for unbeaten Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United when it comes to grinding out results.

Football365 | All The News | Football News | LAMPARD TO MISS TROTTERS CLASHFrank Lampard did not travel with the rest of the Chelsea squad for tonight's Barclays Premier League clash at Bolton...The 32-year-old picked up a calf injury during training earlier this week, but had still been expected to feature tonight as Carlo Ancelotti's men aim to reduce the 10-point gap on leaders Manchester

LIVERPOOL, England Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has completed his move to Hoffenheim after signing a two-and-a-half-year contract, according to the German club. The Reds accepted a fee for the Holland international, believed to be in the region of £6million, last week but the deal appeared to be off up until late on Monday when [.

Liverpool target Sulley Muntari is reportedly available for transfer from Inter Milan.
The Ghanaian international midfielder is thought to have been unsettled at the San Siro following the departure of Rafa Benitez, and the arrival of Leonardo as manager has done little to convince the 26-year-old that his future is in Serie 'A'.