Becks needs Italian job
Rui Costa believes it is time for David Beckham to up sticks and try a new footballing experience in Italy. The Portuguese star left Benfica to play in Italy nine years ago. The midfielder has not regretted a day of it, having played for both Fiorentina and now AC Milan, who he represents in tomorrow´s European Cup final against Juventus. Costa believes Beckham would thrive in Serie A. He said: " A lot of players are used to only one way of playing and could not adapt to Italian football. But Beckham could do it very easily. He has such a sure touch and great ability to pass over long and short range - he would be perfect for Italian football. He also has a lot of experience, which is a key thing when you are moving from one big club to another one." AC Milan have been trying without success to tempt Beckham to the San Siro for the last three years.
Neil Custis, The Sun
Shadow of Beckham over Italy shoot-out
There are reasons why Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Juventus will win tomorrow night´s European Cup final at Old Trafford - and why he would want them to win. Should mighty AC Milan conquer Marcello Lippi´s side, the word in Italy is that city rivals Inter would react by launching an audacious bid for David Beckham.
Matt Lawton, Daily Mail
Sam snub for David
Sam Hammam reckons David Beckham is too soft for his Cardiff revolution. The outspoken supremo believes Beckham´s pop star image and his fancy Alice bands have no place in Wales. He said: " Beckham won´t be coming to Wales, we don´t like that sort down here."
Andrew Dillon, The Sun
Rio on a loser
Rio Ferdinand trudged off the England training pitch yesterday leaving Sven Goran Eriksson with the defensive nightmare he dreaded. England´s coach faces a gamble on the novice partnership of Gareth Southgate and Matthew Upson in central defence for the crucial Euro 2004 qualifier against Slovakia at Middlesbrough on June 11. Ferdinand, who was hoping to win his 33rd cap at the Riverside, moved yesterday from the gymnasium in La Manga to one of the football pitches to test the knee injury which only came to light after England´s 2-1 victory against South Africa in Durban last Thursday. Although there was no official word from the FA that the Manchester United defender will not be fit for the Slovakia game, his body language after training suggested he knows he will not make it.
Steve Curry, Daily Mail
Sam gets shirty
Sam Hammam´s crusade to squeeze the whole of Wales into a Cardiff shirt took a giant step forward with the play-off win over QPR. " It troubles me to see Welsh children walking around in the shirts of clubs like Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal," he said. " I won´t stop until they´re wearing Cardiff shirts."
Sports Reporter, Daily Mirror
It´s no-go Davies
Simon Davies has promised boss Glenn Hoddle he is staying at Spurs. Welsh midfielder Davies, 23, who has attracted the attention of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: " I see my long-term future at Tottenham until they tell me otherwise."
Sports Reporter, Daily Mirror
United cast-off May struggles to get new club
David May leaves Manchester United this summer knowing he faces a tough task to find a new club. The 32-year-old defender will leave Old Trafford when his contract expires after a nine-year stay which has brought him five major winners´ medals - including the Champions League - even though he has rarely been a regular in Sir Alex Ferguson´s side. He said: " Dropping down the divisions wouldn´t bother me but it will be dog-eat-dog out there this summer because a lot of players will be in the same boat. I just hope potential players remember I have played at the highest level."
John Cross, Daily Mirror
Martin´s a winner after all
Elation or despair, you´re never in the slightest doubt which emotion is flooding the senses of Martin O´Neill. He´s probably still shaking that head in disbelief this morning, striving to come to terms with the reality of life without a trophy on the green-and-white side of Glasgow. But the season when he won nothing could turn out to be the season that brought him everything. It offers him the chance to put himself even more firmly in line as No 1 candidate as Alex Ferguson´s successor at Manchester United. In his first season O´Neill steered Celtic to a Treble. In his second he won back-to-back titles for the first time in years. This time he has won nothing. And there lies the challenge now facing the heir to the Old Trafford throne. He came south of Hadrian´s Wall to put both Blackburn and Liverpool out of the UEFA Cup. If the Old Trafford hierarchy required confirmation O´Neill could handle the demands of Europe, he offered them irrefutable evidence. And he knows exactly what is required now. He has to do what Ferguson has just done: produce a triumphant team again from a dressing room occupied by players feeling sorry for themselves. Fergie showed how under-achieving multi-millionaires can be shaken from complacency and cajoled back to the work-ethic.
John Sadler, The Sun
Don´t quit now Incey
Sir Jack Hayward marched on to the pitch after Wolves´ play-off triumph and begged Paul Ince to stay. The veteran skipper´s contract ends this summer. But the chairman, whose side beat Sheffield United 3-0 in yesterday´s Division One final, believes 35-year-old Ince´s experience and commitment will be vital in the Premiership. Hayward said: " I have too much enthusiasm for this club. When you´re born 300 yards from the ground, you´re a Molineux boy. That´s why I asked Incey to stay. He said he´d think about it. Yes, I went overboard with the money I´ve spent but this has repaid all that. Dave Jones inspires the team. Now all we have to do is beat Manchester United 6-0 and then win the championship." Full-back Denis Irwin, 37, also faces an uncertain future. He admits even the prospect of a return to Old Trafford may not persuade him to play on. He said: " It´s a young man´s game now. I´ve always been a runner and I´m not sure if I can run any more."
Andrew Dillon, The Sun
Vieira wants fiver
Patrick Vieira wants a new five-year deal at Arsenal - and has vowed never to play for Manchester United. The Gunners skipper, 26, has just one year left on his current deal and will continue negotiations during the summer. But the French midfield star declared: " I really want to stay at Arsenal." Vieira, signed for £3.5million from AC Milan in 1996, has been a target for both United and Real Madrid. He added: " When I have to leave Arsenal I will go abroad. I don´t see myself in Manchester."
Eric Beauchamp, The Sun
