[edrooney]

On football related matters, looks like the Liverpool move for Babel is almost a done deal of sorts. Negotiations seem to be going well, and all parties are optimistic for a fee of approx. £11.5m.

Also, it seems a done deal for Yossi Benayoun at around £5m. Good price for a good player. Look, he ain't no Cristiano Ronaldo, but with Torres the new man in the middle, it was vital that Rafa upgraded the wide areas, and that's what seems to have happened. Babel / Benayoun is certainly an upgrade over a combination of Zenden / Gonzales / Pennant. (Although, of course, Benayoun isn't a natural wide player, more of a 'in the hole' guy, but I think Rafa will play him out on the wing.)

Interesting to see what happens to Harry Kewell now. I say keep him. 4-5 years ago, he was one of the best young players in the EPL. He's had major injuries since then, and suffered periodic lapses of form. Simply, we wouldn't get much for him given his last couple of years, so worth keeping him just in case he can recapture some of his best form. You never know.

Finally, on the Liverpool front, comedy upon comedy. Not only did West Ham pay £8.5m for Bellamy, but they're giving him 70k pw. Bellamy's a good player, but it's TOO MUCH!! Curbishley has gone money mad.