PREMIER LEAGUE:

If declarations of this being the greatest World Cup ever were tempered during what has mostly been bland football since the knockout stages began, one theme has been maintained, if not strengthened, throughout.

The January window brings back into focus the issue of scouting and how to tell whether a player you are thinking about buying is worth the risk.

TRACING the footsteps of a living legend is dicey business. ‘He was born here’, ‘he grew up there’, ‘he first kicked a ball over there’... all claims made by Rosarinos about their most famous son, Lionel Messi.

AUTHOR of cerebral soccer books like Football Against The Enemy and Why England Lose, Simon Kuper is one of those rare sportswriters whose work never fails to fascinate.

Real Madrid have parted company with managing director Jorge Valdano, strengthening Jose Mourinho’s position as coach.

THE trouble with Jose Mourinho is that you never know if what you see is what you get — like the boy who cried wolf, he has played his mind games so often that you don’t know when he is lying any more.

REAL MADRID general manager Jorge Valdano yesterday predicted coach Jose Mourinho would provide the club with “many glorious afternoons”.

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano insists the Spanish giants have not been in contact with Arsenal regarding a possible move for Cesc Fabregas.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho could be on his way back to England sooner rather than later.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho today welcomed the arrival of Emmanuel Adebayor and immediately included the loan signing in his squad for tomorrow’s Primera Division clash with Osasuna.

THERE is something about Christmas that brings out the best in us, and the worst.

DAVID BECKHAM, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Jaap Stam, Paul Ince.

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has lauded his side’s attack and questioned the need for another goalscorer amid rumours linking Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney with a move to the Spanish giants.

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has dismissed the likelihood of any new additions arriving in the January transfer window, insisting he has faith in the players currently at his disposal.

New Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has revealed he did not leave Real Madrid a year ago because his wife had developed breast cancer.

Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano has been pleasantly surprised by the flexible approach of new coach Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid have had an offer for Werder Bremen midfielder Mesut Ozil turned down by the Bundesliga club.

CELTIC manager Neil Lennon believes he will be signing one of the top players in the Barclays Premier League if his loan swoop for Craig Bellamy comes off.

Real Madrid officially confirmed tonight that Bernabeu legend Raul is to leave the club and will hold a farewell press conference tomorrow.

Jose Mourinho has been presented at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium as the new coach of Real Madrid today, signing a four-year deal with the Spanish side.

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano is hopeful a deal to bring Jose Mourinho to the Bernabeu will be tied up early next week.

Cesc Fabregas’ father has denied reports he had a meeting with Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano at the weekend after reports linked the Spain international with a move to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano gave under-pressure coach Manuel Pellegrini a vote of confidence in the wake of last night’s Champions League exit at the hands of Lyon.

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is set to wear a mask against Hull on Saturday to protect a broken nose.

REAL MADRID general manager Jorge Valdano insists the club are not interested in taking England striker Wayne Rooney to the Bernabeu Stadium.

REAL MADRID director general Jorge Valdano has ruled out making any more major signings until the Spanish giants can offload some of their existing players.

Real Madrid director general Jorge Valdano has ruled out making any more major signings until the Spanish giants can offload some of their existing players.

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has threatened to report Real Madrid to FIFA if the Spanish club continue in their bid to sign Franck Ribery.

MANCHESTER UNITED continued their rebuilding for the new season with the signing of winger Gabriel Obertan from Bordeaux yesterday.

Real Madrid believe they can still land Xabi Alonso despite accusing Liverpool of being greedy and pricing the Spain international out of a move.

JORGE VALDANO has admitted Real Madrid are some distance from Liverpool’s valuation of Xabi Alonso.

Jorge Valdano admits Real Madrid are some distance away from Liverpool’s valuation of Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano believes the club face defeat in their bid to land a number of big-name transfer targets, including Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid director of sport Jorge Valdano has revealed the club may end their interest in Valencia striker David Villa because the asking price is too high.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has given the thumbs up to Real Madrid’s record-breaking bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, believing it shows that football is still a growth industry.

REAL MADRID general director Jorge Valdano claims the club are already in negotiations with Manchester United over Cristiano Ronaldo.

Real Madrid general director Jorge Valdano claims the club are already in negotiations with Manchester United over Cristiano Ronaldo.

New Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo's winning mentality and believes he would be a "model" player at the Bernabeu.

REAL MADRID have confirmed they have reached an agreement for Manuel Pellegrini to be their new coach.

THE frenzied speculation surrounding a shock move for Arsene Wenger from Arsenal to Real Madrid shows no signs of abating in Spain.

Jose Mourinho has revealed his retirement plans but insists they do not include walking away from Chelsea this summer.

Former World Cup-winner Jorge Valdano has fiercely criticised the style of football produced by Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez, claiming it stems from their failure to find success as players.

THE comparisons are inevitable.