FOOTBALL

Graeme Souness has backed Tottenham Hotspur to mount a credible Premier League title challenge this season.

Phil Jones has insisted that Manchester United can handle the pressure associated with having their backs against the wall in the Champions League tonight, with the Red Devils desperate for a win to shore up qualification for the next round and keep the fight alive for top spot in their group.

John Terry hailed Didier Drogba's recent form after the striker scored twice as Chelsea beat Valencia at Stamford Bridge Tuesday.

Basel manager Heiko Vogel admits he is relishing the opportunity to test his wits against Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.

Sebastian Coates has revealed that he feels like Anfield is his second home, with the Uruguayan defender still adjusting to life in England.

Yoann Gourcuff will not be joining Arsenal next month according to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

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Ian Holloway has lavished praise on Jonjo Shelvey after the Liverpool midfielder returned to Anfield in the wake of Lucas Leiva's knee injury.

Arsene Wenger has taken a range of positives from Arsenal's loss to Olympiakos last night, with the Gunners manager insisting that the younger members of his squad have shown much promise.

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of top German target Marco Reus, with Bayern Munich admitting that they might make a bid for the 22 year old in the next transfer window.

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole would reportedly like to make his loan move away from Anfield a permanent one at the end of the season.

Although Liverpool failed to qualify for this season's Champions League, manager Kenny Dalglish will use the last round of group fixtures to scout a number of transfer targets ahead of the January transfer window.

Reputed Manchester United target Claudio Marchisio has reiterated his committed to Juventus ahead of next month’s transfer window.

A source close to Mateo Kovacic has revealed that Manchester City are chasing the star, but the playmaker would prefer a move to Manchester United when the time is right to leave current club Dinamo Zagreb.

The agent of Gaston Ramirez has told The International Business Times that Liverpool have not made contact in regards to a move for the Bologna sensation.

Sir Alex Ferguson remains adamant Wayne Rooney will not be affected by his impending Euro 2012 appeal hearing as Manchester United prepare for their crucial Champions League clash against FC Basel.

Andre Ayew insists he's happy at Marseille

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool.

Chelsea will reportedly allow Josh McEachran to join Bolton Wanderers on loan next month in order to push through a deal for Gary Cahill and pip their Premier League rivals Liverpool and Tottenham in the race for the coveted England international.

Chelsea cruised past Valencia with a morale-boosting 3-0 win, in their final game of the Uefa Champions League group stage, to qualify for the knockout stages as group winners.

Chelsea had progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 3-0 victory over Valencia on Tuesday.

Ray Wilkins believes Nicolas Anelka still has the quality to perform at the top level in the Premier League.

Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes Arsene Wenger needs to bring in another centre-half because he retains fears over the inconsistent form of Per Mertesacker.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Federico Macheda and Mame Biram Diouf will both likely leave Manchester United on loan in the January transfer window, as both youngsters struggle for game time at Old Trafford.

Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson will appear in court charged with drink driving following a motorway crash in October.

Gary Cahill is set to be the subject of a bidding war in January, according to multiple news sources, with Tottenham and Chelsea both interested in the defender to bolster their squad in the hopes of pushing for a Champions League spot.

Alex Oxlade Chamberlain is a chance for the Euro 2012 England squad, according to Gareth Southgate, with the FA head of elite development revealing that if the winger can increase his game time at Arsenal, he might be in with a chance for the international side.

Stiliyan Petrov admits he would happily swap places with any Liverpool player in order to realise his childhood ambition of playing for the club he supported as a young boy.

Didier Drogba has reiterated his commitment to Chelsea and insists he will stay in west London until the end of the season.