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Carlton Cole is one of the most divisive characters to grace Upton Park in recent years. Signed from Chelsea in 2006 after a journeyman existence of loan moves whilst contracted to the west London club, Cole struggled to establish himself in the West Ham side before Gianfranco Zola took charge of the team, when he began to flourish. But since the Italian’s departure earlier this year, the 27 year-old appears to have regressed, and with Cole, as well as many fans, unhappy with the state of affairs at the club, is it time for West Ham to cash in?

There was plenty of interest from Anfield for the striker back in the summer, but all advances were respectfully declined in east London. However, with Cole’s outburst that he felt he has been ‘starved’ in Avram Grant’s defensive formation, perhaps it is time for West Ham to listen to any overtures for the striker in January. After the Liverpool game Cole said;

‘That was diabolical. We didn’t even turn up. We had lost the game in the first 10 minutes, psychologically anyway. I had just one cross. Apart from that I had nothing and, as a striker, that’s starvation, that’s famine. What am I supposed to work on?’

With Cole clearly frustrated with his manager and team mates, Avram Grant rather surreptitiously laid the finger of blame squarely at Cole;

‘Some players, when they don’t perform well and are a little bit disappointed with themselves, say some things,’

So with life running anything but smoothly at Upton Park, dissenting voices are the last thing the club needs, and as chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan are all too willing to note, the club’s finances are also not in great shape. With Cole’s price-tag apparently being around £10m in the summer, if those kinds of offers come in for the striker in January, West Ham surely won’t be able to resist.

After grabbing a couple of goals in the demolition of Manchester United in the Carling Cup last week, Cole once again came to the fore, but perhaps only served to up his asking price in January, especially after once again disappointing, and looking vaguely disinterested, having been given a starting place ahead of Frederic Piquionne in Sunday’s match against Sunderland.

All these factors conspire to leave the door wide open for a January exit, and judging by the mood of some around Upton Park, there won’t be too many tears if he goes.

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Southampton’s new young prospect Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is attracting the interest of Premier League clubs Liverpool and Arsenal according to reports.

Oxlade-Chamberlain will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow Southampton graduates Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale who have gone on to experience success at both a domestic and international level.

The St Mary’s youngster, who joined the Southampton academy when he was seven, is a strong, versatile player who can play across the midfield or even as a striker.

Both Liverpool and Arsenal could both provide a good destination for Oxlade-Chamberlain should be opt for a move in January. Arsene Wenger has a good record of developing youngsters through the Arsenal academy with the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere all around the first team this season. While Liverpool have also proved lately that they are dedicated to developing youth by bringing in Jonjo Shelvey and Danny Wilson over the summer.

A source from Southampton has tried to ward off any suitors by apparently saying that Oxlade-Chamberlain won’t be available on the cheap: “A lot of the big clubs are watching Alex but it will take serious money to get him,”

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Southampton manager Nigel Adkins has been keen to shield Oxlade-Chamberlain from too much publicity, but after scoring five goals from 11 appearances and earning an England U-18 call-up, this season he has suddenly become the newest hot property.

When these clubs last met back in October, the Baggies went into the fixture with a real opportunity to embed themselves in the European seats at the top of the league, and Blackpool were without a home win since Sean Connery last played James Bond.

Whilst it would be unfair to say that things have gone all wrong for Roberto Di Matteo since his bright introduction to Premier League life, he will be desperate to secure a home win here to silence the whispers of a relegation battle in the weeks ahead.

Blackpool keep getting stronger. After coming from behind to beat Liverpool in mid-week, Ian Holloway’s men are looking more and more assured of top-flight football next season- a stunning achievement. There have been a few rumours circulating about the future of club captain, Charlie Adam, however Holloway has looked to douse speculation linking the influential midfielder with a move, labelling bids received so far as “disgraceful.”

It might be easy to get carried away and back the Seasiders to get another good away win on Saturday. Do not, however, underestimate how big this fixture could be in defining how the rest of the season plays out for the hosts. I fancy them to nick it.

Prediction: 2-1

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Teenager Julian Draxler scored in the last minute of extra-time to help Schalke beat Nuremburg 3-2 in the DFB Pokal Cup on Tuesday.

With the teams level at 2-2 and the quarter-final tie heading for penalties, 17-year-old substitute Draxler – on the pitch for just three minutes – struck his first goal for the club from outside the area to tear the roof off the Veltins-Arena.

Striker Julian Schieber put visitors Nuremburg ahead in the fourth minute of the match, but Schalke were level 10 minutes later through Mario Gavranovic.

Fullback Christian Pander, played in by Raul’s through-ball following a swift counter-attack, was able to deliver directly to the feet of Gavranovic.

The Swiss forward struck first time to beat Nuremburg goalkeeper Raphael Schaefer and restore parity.

Raul had a goal chalked off before Schieber struck again, meeting a cross from strike partner Christian Eigler to restore the visitors’ advantage in the 32nd minute.

This time it took until just before the hour mark for Schalke to draw level, with Raul involved again.

The former Real Madrid captain set up Ivan Rakitic with a back-heel and the Croatian midfielder delivered a superb strike from the edge of the box to level the scores for the second time.

With Schalke pressing but unable to find the winner in regulation, the introduction of Draxler – making just his second appearance for the first team – proved a masterstroke from coach Felix Magath.

“You dream about such an experience your whole life,” Draxler said after his dramatic intervention.

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“The coach told me we had to do something.”

And do something he did, smashing home the winning goal with seconds left to put Schalke into the semi-finals.

In Wednesday’s quarter-finals, Energie Cottbus host Hoffenheim, MSV Duisburg are at home to Kaiserslautern and holders Bayern Munich travel to Alemannia Aachen.

As Liverpool made Luis Suarez their record signing (for a few hours anyway) in the January window, there will be sceptics that claim the Reds could be in danger of a massive let down.

The Dutch Eredivisie has built up a reputation over the past seasons of a league that is a little deceiving to say the least. Many forwards have lit-up Holland with outstanding goal scoring records but then failed to deliver when they’ve moved to one of Europe’s bigger divisions.

To give Liverpool fans a bit of perspective, here are five players who scored for fun and then, well, didn’t…

Mateja Kezman

Signed by Chelsea for £5.8m back in 2004, Kezman boasted an amazing 105 goals in 122 games for PSV Eindhoven. However, with only 14 starts to his name, the Serb was booted out of Stamford Bridge. Currently playing for South China would you believe…

Afonso Alves

In 2006/07, Alves scored a mightily impressive 34 goals in 31 Eredivisie games for Heerenveen. In October 2007, the Brazilian scored seven goals in one game, a league record. After being capped by his country, Gareth Southgate landed the £12.7m forward. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out and Alves is now playing for Al Rayyan in Qatar.

Dirk Kuyt

Many will suggest this one’s harsh but people must remember Liverpool purchased Kuyt under the impression he was not only a provider of goals but a scorer of many too. Kuyt scored 29 goals in 2004/05 for Feyenoord and then 25 in 2005/06. The Dutchman is now regarded as a right-midfielder.

Klass Jan Huntelaar

With 33 league goals in 2005/06 (for Heerenveen and then Ajax post-January), Huntelaar was another who scored plenty in Holland. The goals kept flowing for Ajax until 2009 when the striker made a move to Real Madrid. Things didn’t work out, neither did they in Milan. Now with German side Schalke.

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Saloman Kalou

While Kalou hasn’t done badly at Chelsea, it’s fair to say he hasn’t excelled either. At Feyenoord, the Ivory Coast international notched 35 goals in 67 appearances – establishing himself as a predator in front of goal. Nowadays, Kalou is more of a wide player and on the fringes of first XI.

Article courtesy of  Matt Wood at the excellent NEW blog Clean Sheets All Round

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Benfica survived the first-half sending off of defender Sidnei to win a physical city derby against Sporting Lisbon 2-0 on Monday.The win illustrated the gulf in quality between the two Lisbon sides this Liga Sagres season, with second-placed Benfica now 15 points ahead of their bitter rivals in third.It took just 15 minutes for Benfica to take the lead. A cross from the right was only cleared by Sporting’s defence into the path of Eduardo Salvio – one of five Argentine players on the pitch – who took one touch before firing past goalkeeper Rui Patricio from close range.Sporting quickly went about seeking an equaliser, with striker Yannick Djalo flashing a right-footed drive just wide and new Brazilian signing Cristiano finding the back of the net only for the goal to be ruled out for off-side.Their job was made easier when Benfica central defender Sidnei was dismissed for his second yellow card inside five minutes as the first half drew to a close.And Sporting almost restored parity in the 52nd minute when strike duo Helder Postiga and Djalo drew a double save out of Benfica shot-stopper Roberto Jimenez.Cristiano needed attention after coming off second best in an aerial challenge with Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo in the lead up to the double chance, highlighting the increasingly bruising tone of the match.Sporting – still struggling to adapt to life without regular top-scorer Liedson, who was sold back to Brazilian club Corinthians in January – had the majority of their chances to draw level from outside the area, with Djalo again firing wide from distance in the 59th minute.And their inability to find a way through their opponents’ now-three man defence was punished when Nicolas Gaitan volleyed home from inside the box.Benfica had won a free kick on the edge of the area, with Sporting captain Anderson Polga perhaps fortunate not to join Sidnei in the dressing room after he brought down a theatrical Gaitan as the last man.The free kick was initially cleared, but Maxi Pereira’s cross back into the area was volleyed first time by Gaitan, though Rui Patricio’s efforts to save the shot were not helped by a wicked deflection.Substitutes Diogo Salomao and Maniche both tried to their luck for Sporting as time ran out, but bragging rights emphatically belonged to Benfica.Sporting must now attempt to hold on to third place on the Liga Sagres table, with Vitoria Guimares just one point in arrears.Benfica’s win puts them 15 points above their Lisbon rivals, though they still trail league-leaders Porto by eight points.

Espanyol chief Joan Collet has warned English Premier League club West Ham of the dangers of moving to a stadium with an athletics track.

The London club is in prime position to be handed the keys to London’s Olympic Stadium post 2012 ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham after receiving the backing of the Olympic Park Legacy Committee.

The main point of difference between the two bids is West Ham’s intention to maintain the athletics track at the stadium, with Spurs to develop the site as a purpose-built football arena.

Collet’s club inherited the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona following the 1992 Olympic Games and played there for 13 years before moving to their purpose-built Estadi Cornella-El Prat home.

The Espanyol chief executive officer said his club suffered at the Olympic venue due to a lack of atmosphere in La Liga clashes.

“We felt comfortable playing at the Olympic Stadium because we considered it as home but the football environment was nothing like our current pitch,” Collet said.

“There was an athletics track, the environment was much colder. The distance between the players and spectators was a lot bigger. As I have had the luck to speak to players about this, I can tell you that they said they felt a little lonely when playing in that stadium.”

“The atmosphere had to be really vibrant in order for it to be enough to reach the centre of the pitch and for the players to notice it.”

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“Unlike that situation, in our new stadium there is an immediate great atmosphere. You can feel football, people are close to players, people are close to the pitch and for us has been really positive. I can only wish that it will be the same for West Ham.”

West Ham are in line to inherit the stadium shortly after the London Games end in August 2012.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he will see out his contract with the London club as speculation intensifies over his future.The 51-year-old’s deal expires at the end of next season and despite reports he could return to Serie A – where he has previously been in charge of AC Milan, Juventus and Parma – he is adamant he will remain at Stamford Bridge.Speculation has linked Ancelotti with a return to Roma, where he made 171 appearances as a player, after the recent departure of Claudio Ranieri – a former Chelsea boss himself.But Ancelotti said such a move is not on the horizon.”I’m very well in London, I have another year of contract and I intend to stay here,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Here you can breathe. In Italy, if a team goes bad, the fans are waiting outside the stadium and insult you. I could not stand it.””Training Roma has always been my desire, which I have expressed several times, but it doesn’t mean that it should be realised tomorrow.”The Italian is in a bullish mood despite Chelsea’s league woes.The reigning champions are in fifth place on the table and 15 points behind leaders Manchester United, who they host on Tuesday. But with his side already having one foot in the Champions League quarter-finals, Ancelotti still has his heart set on silverware.”The season is not yet over. Of course, our journey so far has not been satisfactory,” he said. “The objective is to reach the top four in the Premier League and then there’s the Champions League.””My team, after two negative months, is recovering. I really think will be a nice spring for us.”

Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero believes his side should not focus solely on its upcoming fixtures with bitter rivals Barcelona.Real will meet the Catalans in La Liga on April 17 before facing Pep Guardiola’s side again just three days later in the Copa Del Rey final.

However, Granero has stressed the importance of concentrating on one game at a time, with several important fixtures, including their Champions League quarter-final against Tottenham, ahead in the preceding weeks.

“The circumstances of the calendar has made us face them twice already. We have the obligation to beat them twice now. The two meetings will be key to two important titles for us,” Grenero said.

“However it isn’t yet time to talk about Barcelona, because the games are still a while away, and there are other games beforehand which are almost as important.”

“We have to play to win, like always, and it could be an important time for us to turn the situation around.”

“We aren’t thinking about four games, because we have a Champions League tie beforehand and so do they. We are just thinking about the two immediate games.”

Grenero, who has been a peripheral figure from the bench under Real boss Jose Mourinho this season, claimed he was content his role in the team.

“The manager decides. I bring my game, I work hard and I am ready to play to the Real Madrid standard when called upon. I don’t have to ask anything,” he said.

“I just have to work and remain ready at the club. It is they who pay me, and they picked me eight years ago. The manager chooses the team, and normally he chooses well. So I have no complaints.”

And he is adamant Jose Mourinho will not be headed for a return to the Premier League at the end of the season despite the Portuguese’s publicly-stated desire to one day return to England as a club manager.

“I am convinced that he will be here next year, and for many years after that, because he will have a lot of success,” Granero said.

“We will go out to win in any case. We have to fight to have the best conditions, as does our manager.”

Reigning champions Inter Milan enter Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Schalke on a low after losing league ground at the weekend.Inter fell five points adrift of Serie A leaders and bitter rivals AC Milan following a 3-0 loss in Saturday’s ‘Derby della Madonnina’.

The result shapes as possibly the killer blow to Inter’s hopes of retaining the Scudetto in Italy, a feat that seemed nigh-impossible as Rafael Benitez’s tenure plumbed new depths earlier in the campaign.

Brazilian manager Leonardo has led the treble-winning champions to a stunning turnaround since taking over in late December, with Saturday’s loss the first real setback of his reign.

But Inter still have plenty of reason to feel confident in Europe, after their spirited come-from-behind 3-2 win at Bayern Munich that sealed their progression to the quarter-finals.

Next up is another German club in Schalke, who have under-achieved in the Bundesliga this term but still bundled out Spanish club Valencia 4-2 on aggregate in the round-of-16.

Mixed form at league level has seen Schalke fall to 11th on the German table, one year after finishing runners-up behind Bayern Munich, prompting the unexpected sacking of manager Felix Magath last month.

Tuesday’s trip to the San Siro will be a stern test for new boss Ralf Rangnick, who has never before coached in the Champions League knockout stages.

Rangnick may have to make do without a number of first-choice players on Tuesday, notably defender Christoph Metzelder, who broke his nose against St Pauli on Friday.

Mario Gavranovic (ankle) and Peer Kluge (abdomen) also picked up injuries in Friday’s league match, which was abandoned with Schalke leading 2-0 after the assistant referee was hit by a cup of beer thrown from the stands.

Inter’s biggest absence looks to be Brazilian defender Lucio, who will sit out the match due to suspension and is expected to be replaced by Colombian Ivan Cordoba.

Inter have been troubled without Lucio, and Andrea Ranocchia has been exposed in recent fixtures by Bayern and AC Milan without his partner in central defence.

Whether Ranocchia and Cordoba can work together to limit Schalke’s movement will play a big part in determining the winner of Tuesday’s opening leg.

The return leg will be played in Germany next week.