Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones, pictured above heading into Boa Steakhouse for a bite on 26.12.2011, has been suspended for eight weeks after the American was charged with intentionally stepping on an opponent's injured foot. After first saying it intended to appeal, the club decided to accept the penalty instead.

With such a settled side and the emergence of players such as Kyle Walker and Younes Kaboul, it seems increasingly unlikely that there will be too much transfer activity at White Hart Lane this January.

Predictably however, that hasn't stopped the rumour mills and there are a couple of interesting names being touted around today.

Liverpool and Man City considering swoop for Inter Milan defender

Cristian Chivu is out of contract at the San Siro in the summer and Premier League pair may move

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-11-01 13:55:50 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

To say that Inter's Champions League match Tuesday night against Ligue 1 champions Lille was a "must win" would be a massive understatement. After a lackluster performance at the weekend that resulted in a loss to Catania, the heat was on and cranked up to the maximum temperature. Yes, one could argue the penalty given against Luca Castellazzi was a soft call and it should never have been.

Last season, Milan was the center of the Italian soccer world, as the two city rivals battled at the top of the table. This season, things will not change much as Internazionale and AC Milan will lead the race for the scudetto. And just like last season, Inter will likely fall just short of the trophy.

Philippe Mexes is a dirty cheat. He's a walking red card and a thuggish scumbag; an explosion waiting to happen like that quiet, inevitable interval in between lighting a firecracker and waiting for it to go off. Philippe Mexes is a tremendous defender. Sure, he has a dirty side, but what centerback doesn't?

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu.
The 30-year-old, who primarily plays as a left-back but can also play in central defence or even in midfield, has twelve months left on his existing deal at the San Siro.
According to the Daily Mirror citing reports in Italy, the Merseysiders are keen on the Romania international, but face competition from Valencia and Napoli.

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian captain Cristian Chivu announced his retirement from international football on Saturday citing age and a succession of injuries as his reasons. The 30-year-old Inter Milan star capped 75-times since making his debut in 1999 said that he was not able to play both for the national team and his [.

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian captain Cristian Chivu announced his retirement from international football on Saturday citing age and a succession of injuries as his reasons. The 30-year-old Inter Milan star capped 75-times since making his debut in 1999 said that he was not able to play both for the national team and his [.

3-0. A bitter pill to swallow, but as many of the Inter senior players stated after the derby loss to AC Milan, the Nerazzurri simply have to "get on with it." It was perceived to be the most significant derby match since the ill-fated Champions League matches nearly a decade ago. The five time Scudetto winning Inter seemingly did not show up.

MILAN, Italy Inter defender Cristian Chivu has been handed a four-match ban after punching an opponent during Thursday's 3-0 victory over Bari. Chivu struck Bari's Marco Rossi in the second half but referee Andrea Romeo and his assistants missed the incident and no action was taken. After the matter was reviewed by the authorities, [.

MILAN, Italy Inter defender Cristian Chivu has been handed a four-match ban after punching an opponent during Thursday's 3-0 victory over Bari. Chivu struck Bari's Marco Rossi in the second half but referee Andrea Romeo and his assistants missed the incident and no action was taken. After the matter was reviewed by the authorities, [.

YouTube was discovered from 'neath its rocks in the resource rich tundra of Siberia for moments like the one Cristian Chivu enjoyed on Thursday. Displeased by...not really sure what, Chivu punched an entirely unaware Marco Rossi in the face. Not his finest moment.

But admit it: despite the fact that he should be taken back to medieval times for throwing a punch from the back, that's some of the best punching form you've ever seen on a pitch.

Come era prevedibile, è arrivata la stangata del Giudice Sportivo nei confronti del difensore rumeno dell'Inter, Cristian Chivu. Grazie all'ausilio delle immagini, il calciatore nerazzurro, reo di aver sferrato un pugno in pieno volto all'indirizzo di Marco Rossi, durante la ripresa del posticipo di Serie A, è stato squalificato per 4 giornate.

Gloves off, headguard still on Cristian Chivu punched Bari's Marco Rossi during last night's 3-0 victory for Inter Milan. The Romanian 'hardman' thumped Rossi on the back of the head from behind, all the while under the protection of his safety headgear. The match officials missed the incident and Chivu stayed on the pitch, but [.