Since it's the Silly Season, we're grinding the rumor mill over here at Starting Eleven:

1. Rafa Benitez will not be fired at Liverpool. Instead, to solve the club's ever-inflating debt, LFC will be sold to Barcelona and Liverpool will officially become FC Barcelona-Liverpool. See, since Barcelona pulled out of its MLS-Miami deal, they have all this petty cash hanging around.

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The Sin: Lust is one sin that I have had difficulty linking to one's soccer ability. After all, some of the greatest players in recent world history (including both Ronaldos and Mr. Rooney) and from the past (George Best, Eusebio) were lusty lads.

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This is what the various Ronaldos have been up to.One Ronaldo has broken some bones in his left wrist the other one made a flattish debut for Real Madrid at home - where he played in a pre-season friendly against Al Ittihad in the Peace Cup.The first Ronaldo might have done his wrist less injury if he had been a bit lighter and the other one's performance in his debut game has been described thus.

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As part of his latest shot at rehabilitation, Paul Gascoigne appeared as a special guest on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday.
I sincerely hope Gazza doesn't go the way of George Best, though I wouldn't bet money against it. Indeed, while Best remained mentally sharp until his dying day, Gazza – who was, let's not forget, as "daft as a brush" to begin with – now slurs his words horribly. Click to continue reading...