The most expensive football transfer in Irish history was agreed on Friday. Understandably, you may have missed it.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed he was confronted by a gang of hooded fans during his contract talks with the club eight years ago.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has revealed he was confronted by a gang of hooded fans during his contract talks with the club eight years ago.

Rangers administrators Duff and Phelps have announced that Craig Whyte has confirmed he will transfer his majority shareholding to two parties involved in takeover talks.

IT used to be that you could always rely on Chelsea to spice up those vacant weeks when the international programme lays a dead and frosty hand across football.

I WAS worried before the West Brom game. Don’t get me wrong, we were always going to be stronger than the newly-promoted side, but I did wonder whether we were going to see some major bottom lips on display after news was leaked of the abolition of various bonuses.

THE two Italian coaches new to the Premier League must be baffled by how much attention can be focused on a handshake that might never happen but that’s how it is in English football at the moment.

AC Milan 2 Manchester United 3

CHELSEA are operating effectively free from debt after Roman Abramovich wiped off £340million (€381m) owed to him – but the prospect of the club breaking even by 2010 appears unlikely after they recorded a yearly loss of £44.4million (€49.75m).

Roman Abramovich has all but wiped out Chelsea’s £340m (€375m) debt, according to financial figures released by the Barclays Premier League leaders.

CARLO ANCELOTTI is hoping to use Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan as an opportunity to end his feud with Jose Mourinho.

CHELSEA appear to have shelved any plans to move from Stamford Bridge after revealing the club would consider naming rights for the stadium.

A CLUB record of 11 straight victories is a great statistic, but the fact it came against the ancient enemy makes it extra special. For Ashley Cole to score the first goal rubs extra salt in the wounds.

CARLO ANCELOTTI insists Chelsea are on the same level as Manchester United despite Harry Redknapp’s dig at the Blues ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.

CHELSEA yesterday named Ron Gourlay as their new chief executive.

League leaders Chelsea, fresh from their 1-0 Champions League success over Porto, host rivals Tottenham on Sunday, who themselves have enjoyed an excellent start to the new season.

Chelsea chief operating officer Ron Gourlay has today been named as Peter Kenyon’s replacement as chief executive.

PETER KENYON, who announced his departure from Chelsea yesterday, left behind a mystery which even Dan Brown would struggle to decipher. Did he jump or was he pushed?

Chelsea have announced that chief executive Peter Kenyon is to leave his full-time role at the club.

LEEDS have called for possible points deductions for “predator clubs” who poach promising teenagers – on a day when Manchester City became the latest Premier League power to be embroiled in a row over the signing of a French teenager.

CHELSEA have criticised FIFA’s transfer ban as “totally disproportionate and extraordinary” and pledged to launch the strongest possible appeal against the ruling.

Chelsea have criticised FIFA’s transfer ban as “totally disproportionate and extraordinary” and pledged to launch the strongest possible appeal against the ruling.

ALEX FERGUSON admitted Manchester United face a stern test in this season’s Champions League after a tough-looking draw in the group stage yesterday.

Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United face a stern test in this season’s Champions League after a tough-looking draw in the group stage.

WHILE Emmanuel Adebayor was last night on the brink of joining Manchester City after being granted a work permit Chelsea were standing firm in their refusal to let John Terry join the Manchester club.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has reiterated the club’s stance that captain John Terry is not for sale.

Chelsea have hit back at suggestions they have left captain John Terry in the dark over transfer interest from Manchester City.

Chelsea are to play a summer friendly in America against Seattle Sounders FC.

John Terry last night quashed any lingering hopes Manchester City may have had of taking him to Eastlands by insisting he never wants to leave Chelsea.

Chelsea captain John Terry has dismissed speculation over his future by declaring he remains committed to finishing his career at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are tightening their belts for the next two years with dramatic spending cuts needed to fulfil their aim of breaking even by 2010.

Chelsea have been left counting the cost of recent managerial upheaval after announcing losses of £65.7m (€73.4m) for the last financial year.

SO, in the never-ending soap opera that is Chelsea Football Club, we have now axed four managers in the five-and-a-half years that Roman Abramovich has been in charge. This is a record of transferring people to the gulags that would be impressive even in Stalinist Russia.

Chelsea are hoping to appoint their new manager before the weekend with Avram Grant emerging as a leading contender to return on a caretaker basis until the end of the season.

Clubs competing in the Champions League will learn tomorrow if they are to face stringent restrictions on spending on wages.

Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins insists star striker Didier Drogba will not be sold in the January transfer window.

The Arab tycoon behind the takeover of Manchester City may become the man to finally test Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea resolve.

COMETH the hour (of need), cometh the man. I’m not going to write another eulogy in praise of Lampard but I have to thank him for giving me one of those brain-melting celebrations as a fan last Saturday.

Luiz Felipe Scolari has not ruled out an FA Cup return for Ivorian striker Didier Drogba.

Marseille enquired about the availability of Chelsea striker Didier Drogba before finally settling on Brandao as their attacking recruit in the January transfer window.

IN THE interview after the Southend debacle, Phil Scolari wondered why we did not score one of the 15 chances we had — just a thought, but could it have been anything to do with leaving the highest scorer in the league on the bench?

CHELSEA’S England left-back Wayne Bridge looks set to complete a £12 million (€12.5m) move to Manchester City today.

Assistant coach Ray Wilkins has given the biggest hint yet that Chelsea will be in the market for a striker in the January transfer window.

IT is just hours after the 2008 Champions League final and Roman Abramovich, the Siberian oil tycoon, owner of Chelsea FC and the new face of political and financial power in post-communist Russia, is drifting through the impossibly plush suites of Moscow’s Ritz-Carlton, the hotel he has booked for his club’s post-match soiree.