According to Gordon Strachan, it is the players who decide for their own future with the club. They are open to deals as long as their players are willing, although they also encourage them to stay if they deem it possible. If Bobo Balde decides to stay with the Celtic, then he can do so and the club will be more than supportive with his decision.

The 32-year-old signed a contract with the club until 2009. Many thought that he has played his last game with his team this season, but decided to stay before the last transfer window closed.

Balde fail to spot the start of the 06-07 season subsequent to finding out that he had to undergo surgery because of a unrelenting stomach muscle problem. He returned to the team in the month of November but suffered a broken leg during a match. The Guinea international was sent-off during the first half of the 2-2 draw against Dundee United. He was then ruled out again for several months.

Strachan doesn’t have any regrets about leave-taking Balde on the sidelines pending this week. Balde made his first appearance this season on December 26, 2007 precisely a year after his last, in a 2-0 triumph to Dundee United. His attendance aided Celtic to their first away win in roughly 15 months. He was then awarded “Man Of The Match” for his remarkable performance.

Strachan again emphasized that Balde, who is scheduled to leave for the African Nations Cup after his next two games against Gretna today and against Rangers on January 2, still holds his future in his own hands.

Being ten points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is still confident about winning the title this season. After four goalless draws this season putting them ten points behind the leaders and nine points behind Manchester United, Benitez is still bright with assurance. The Reds boss rejects being downcast.

As the January transfer window approaches, he is ready to push into the January transfer market and spend some to overcome the “player crisis” in his club. He has not named names, but he has hinted that he will be ready to spend for noteworthy players for his club. However, unless it is not put on paper, he will still keep on trying to get the right players at the right “restricted price”. According to him, he will do whatever it takes to put things back at their right places.

Indeed, there is no doubting about his credentials. After steering Valencia to a league and UEFA Cup double matching up the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid in the 03-04 season has been an achievement. Under Benitez’ supervision, it was Valencia’s second La Liga title-win in three years.

Benitez is a perfectionist of some sort and is a very technical coach, which may have resulted to his having a degree in Physical Education. He uses computer technology to keep an eye on his players’ diets and physical progress. His coaching made him the man that he is today. The club is hopeful that he does even better to help out on the team’s way to the top.

Juande Ramos was firm when he said that it is Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy who will settle on whether Dimitar Berbatov stays with the club or not. After bagging four goals during the 6-4 victory against Reading during the weekend, the Spaniard was one of the many who received accolades from the fans.

It was reported last March that the Tottenham board strained Martin Jol to pick Dimitar Berbatov for FA cup tie against Chelsea. In addition, Berbatov was strongly rumored to be a target for a move to some of Europe’s biggest clubs during the January transfer window.

Berbatov is considered to be one of the most valuable players Tottenham has in possession, so the coach obviously wants to continue to get hold of a treasure which will be to the club’s advantage. Berbatov is also said to be Man Utd boss Ferguson’s favorite, whom he has been eyeing for a long time.

There had been assumptions that Berbatov would be drawn in a big money transfer to Manchester United or Chelsea but he publicly announced that he is very happy with Tottenham. Tottenham have also stated that they have no intent of selling the gifted striker. Berbatov played the new season with information of a gap between him and ex-Spurs manager Martin Jol. Despite this, the striker has been performing really well so far.

Ramos is however determined to keeping Berbatov but the striker’s long-term career still mainly depends if Spurs would get into European championship this season or not.

Because of the many issues linked to the Manchester United Premier League club this season, Alex Ferguson has taken the initiative to remind his players to stay out of trouble. If anyone violates his rules on club discipline again, he warned them that he will not hesitate to sell any of the biggest stars he has in his team.  

Although he kept his silence on the issues about his club players, he obviously has not been happy about it. After being on the headlines because of a Christmas party dilemma which eventually ended in rape claims, the coach has become impatient with his players’ behavior. They obviously need a little whipping. Until now, Ferguson has declined to comment on the party which led to player Jonny Evans being arrested.

It was reported that the United boss solicited a fine of one million pounds for those players involved in the party. The fine has been the biggest ever given by a Premier league club for breach of discipline. Ferguson has banned conducting any parties whatsoever to avoid unwanted incidents.

The team has been doing well in their previous games although United had their most terrible start of the season under Ferguson suffering a 1-0 defeat in opposition to city rivals Manchester City. However, United improved and triumphed in their next three Premier League matches. Man Utd were victims of a shock outcome when they were defeated ar 2-0 to Championship side Coventry City in the 3^rd round of the League Cup in September 2007, subsequent to Ferguson’s fielding a worn-out side which nonetheless incorporated more than a few million pounds-worth of international players such as Wes Brown, Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Anderson and Nani.

Boss Arsene Wenger is undaunted by the lead Manchester United has taken over the Premier League. After their 4-0 win against Sunderland and after Arsenal’s draw with Portsmouth, the boss still believes his club will be able to take the lead again in due time. According to him, a point behind their rival doesn’t make a big difference.

Man Utd is now leading with 45 points after their fifth straight victory, Arsenal behind with 44, Chelsea 38, Liverpool with 36 and Manchester City at the foot with 34.

It was Arsenal’s first time not to score in the league this season. The team feels that they should have won the game considering their control of the second half but was stuck with Portsmouth’s tactics, missing the chance of regaining the top spot that they have been looking forward to. The game ended with no hit whatsoever, contrary to what Arsenal showed at the start of the game.

Portsmouth certainly made the game difficult for Arsenal, given their performance during the game. The team played with ten players and surely made the most out of it. Overall, the game was thrilling. Arsenal obviously weren’t at their best condition, but they obviously gave it their best shot.

With Manchester leading, the changes has made Premier league even more thrilling as the fans anticipate and bet for what is to happen next. The title race is far from over, and with the single point lead Man Utd has taken over Arsenal, we’ll never know what is to happen next.