The following list of elite midfield players in the world will exclude the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka since they sometimes play as forwards or as support strikers depending on the strategy deployed by their team. Kaka has previously played as a second striker during his spell with Milan while both Messi and Ronaldo have played in various attacking positions for their club (mostly on the wing though).

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by CARL ELDRIDGE Lots of purring in the papers this morning after the glorious Gunners hammered AZ Alkmaar 4-1 with some exquisite football to take us to the brink of the last 16 in the Champions League.

In the Sun this morning, Arsene Wenger says he has his best-ever strike force. He said: "We've never had as many options on the creative side.

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In the (self-dubbed) newbie derby, Gold Coast have been defeated by a rampant North Queensland Fury side. Robbie Fowler lead the team from start to finish, getting on the scoresheet twice. The defeat has added to the horrible week that the Gold Coast have suffered, including a 6-0 whitewash by Wellington, and a huge condemnation by the public over club owner Clive Palmer's (right) decision to cap crowds at 5,000 to save money.

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Rafa Benitez bought himself some time and patience by winning the Champions League in his first season.
But Liverpool fans are an incredible bunch for sticking by Rafa ever since, showing loyalty beyond compare in the Premier League. They are magnificent supporters.

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Contrary to the last one, Arsenal go into this new International break with plenty to smile about. Back-to-back wins, six goals, players clicking together, Cesc Fabregas back to his best and we're also closer to the top of the table.

Writing about such an incredible win comes easy, reason why I prefer amongst other things of course to expand a little on Abou Diaby.

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Contrary to the last one, Arsenal go into this new International break with plenty to smile about. Back-to-back wins, six goals, players clicking together, Cesc Fabregas back to his best and we're also closer to the top of the table.

Writing about such an incredible win comes easy, reason why I prefer amongst other things of course to expand a little on Abou Diaby.

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D.C. United finally broke through on CONCACAF Champions League play on Tuesday night, posting a 1-0 victory against San Juan Jabloteh in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Christian Gomez converted a penalty kick in the 14th minute after a handball in the penalty area by Noel Williams. D.C. goalkeeper Milos Kocic made the goal stand up with several crucial saves as D.

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TFC (aka Scarborough FC) finally landed the international star that the team's fervent supporters have felt they deserved for a long time. The biggest surprise is that instead of splashing the cash on an aging European striker with two bad knees and former glories, the club went out and got a really good footballer. Click to continue reading...

Usually the lower divisions offer calmer seas for managers to negotiate. Away from the cash rich goldfish bowl of the Premier League, fans and chairman are more sympathetic to the restrictions placed on lower league managers.
But given that Bryan Gunn was sacked less than a week into the new campaign those days appear to be numbered. Click to continue reading...

The twentieth round of Allsvenskan gives us two very interesting matches at the top of the table. Kalmar is up against the wall as they take on league leaders AIK. The reigning champions of Kalmar will need to come up with a good result in order to remain in a strong title contender. In the other notable match-up for the top, disease-ridden and injury-laden Elfsborg takes on Örebro only three days after their match against Lazio in the Europa League. Click to continue reading...

The second gameweek even though just "half a" gameweek turned out be an interesting one. Gameweeks number one goalkeeper was Burnley's Brian Jensen, who wasn't intimidated by the star power in the opposing team ManU. Jensen even saved a penaltykick and 14 points is a great score for a goalkeeper.

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There are reports circulating today that Jermaine Jenas has submitted a transfer request. He has been linked with a move to Inter for a while after Jose Mourinho voiced his admiration for the player earlier in the summer. I wouldn't be that surprised to see JJ go. I get the impression he probably thinks he's a bit better than Tottenham and probably also expected to have moved on to a bigger club before now although his performances for us haven't demonstrated that he's worthy of such a move.

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The latest Major League Soccer Power Rankings for this week are out and the Columbus Crew have climbed to the top after a rough start while the New York Red Bulls continue to be the worst team. Overall the playoff races in both conferences are getting very close and almost every team still has a chance at earning a spot.

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If agents weren't already considered the scum of the footballing world, then maybe this little story will add that last little bit to prove to those on the fence about the whole topic. Men like Walter Tamer and Kia Joorabchian are just part of the reason why the game is going to hell in a handbasket.

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It was an interesting week in Major League Soccer as there was a light schedule because of many teams playing friendlies against the top European clubs. The LA Galaxy played AC Milan and Seattle Sounders FC hosted English Premier League club Chelsea FC. Here's the latest MLS Power Rankings through Monday July 20, 2009.

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We are now at the third volume of Transfer Tuesdays, and now we dig further into the transfer market. Most teams have started training again, and the new season is quickly taking shape. Now with all teams in pre-season training the sporting directors are moving frantically to make deals so that new signings can start pre-season training with the team.

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Last week I posted the first edition of Transfer Tuesdays, where every week we round up what every Serie A club is doing on the transfer market. Today is the last day of June, which means tomorrow the transfer window is officially open and you'll see all the transfers made in the past few weeks become "official".

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Two week ago I authored an article about the evolution of US tactics since Steve Sampson's days.

Since that article, Bob Bradley has switched his tactical setup for two consecutive matches while continuing his incredibly consistent and predictable squad selection.

Bradley went from the empty bucket 4-4-2 against Honduras to a 4-5-1 with essentially three holding midfielders against Italy.

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Soccer by Ives is reporting the Shalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones is planning to switch his international football allegiance from Germany to the USA. I think we've already got a glut of defensive midfielders, but this is still exciting news. Just who is Jermaine Jones? Here's what Ives has to say:

"He's a talented 27-year old who will easily be one of the best midfielders in the U.

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The deepest position in the U.S. men's national team pool is about to get even deeper.

Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones has notified the German Football Federation that he intends to change national teams and plans to play for the U.S. national team. Jones is taking advantage of the new FIFA rule that allows players of any age to change national teams if they are eligible for multiple national teams and have yet to play in an official match for either.

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The deepest position in the U.S. men's national team pool is about to get even deeper.

Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones has notified the German Football Federation that he intends to change national teams and plans to play for the U.S. national team. Jones is taking advantage of the new FIFA rule that allows players of any age to change national teams if they are eligible for multiple national teams and have yet to play in an official match for either.

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After securing the signature of Gareth Barry just a few days ago, Manchester City have already lined up someone to partner him in the centre of their midfield.
That someone is Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. Click to continue reading...

There is nothing much happening at Boro at the moment, that we know of. I'm sure there are talks with players, both with the club or not, going on all the time, but nothing has been announced since the signing of Chris Beardsley from Kettering Town halfway through last week. Graham Westley and his staff must be enjoying a far more relaxing summer this year after having to assemble a whole new squad last season.

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It seems as though every day, there is someone new being linked with a move to Manchester City.
This time it's Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
With the summer transfer window set to open in less than two months, Mark Hughes is apparently preparing a £18 million bid to try and lure Spanish international to Eastlands. Click to continue reading...

Portsmouth have 17 players out of contract in the summer and I'm sure Harry must be monitoring at least a couple of them.

Here are the biggest names that look to be on their way out, most of them are past their best or just plain useless but we know Harry loves to take a punt on a bargain.

Nwankwo Kanu – The guy's got a hole in his heart, is injury prone and probably demands a much higher wage than his ability deserves.

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