Harry - Cole Deal Already Done

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Joe Cole has already decided to leave Chelsea and found a new club.

The 28-year-old, who has been named in England's 23-man World Cup squad, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer so is available on a free transfer.

The attacking midfielder has been linked with a number of clubs, notably Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal.

But Redknapp, who gave Cole his senior debut as a 17-year-old at West Ham, reckons not only that Spurs are already out of the running but a deal has already been done.

"It looks to me someone's going to make a great free transfer, if he doesn't stay at Chelsea," he said.

"I genuinely don't know who that is. I don't think it's going to be Tottenham.

"I've got a feeling, I may be wrong, that he's already agreed a deal with someone, and it's not Tottenham.

"I'm not saying if he hadn't agreed a deal with someone and he was available and didn't stay at Chelsea that we wouldn't be interested.

"I'm a big fan of Joe's, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something."

Cole came back from a major knee injury at the start of last season and upon on his return he struggled to hold down a regular starting role for Chelsea.

He did enough to be named in Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad, though, and booked a ticket to South Africa after impressing as a half-time substitute in Sunday's warm-up win over Japan - his 54th international appearance and first since September 2008.

Cech Rejects Real Link

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has dismissed reports he could be reunited with his former manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Since Mourinho was confirmed as Real's new coach he has been linked with moves to sign several of his former Stamford Bridge charges.

The likes of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been mooted as targets for Mourinho, while Cech has also been put forward as an option for the Portuguese.

However, Cech has moved quickly to dispel any notion that he could leave Chelsea for Real, particularly with Iker Casillas the undisputed No.1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It is common to say 'never say never', and it always happens that, if such a coach is appointed at such a big club, plenty of potential targets appear in the press," Cech told CTK.

"At the moment it is just at the level of big rumours and I don't think it is necessary to comment on them at all.

"Speculation will always be there, but I don't see it (a transfer) as being realistic.

"The goalkeeper's position is the last area Real have to improve and that makes it the end of the story for me."

Cech, who joined Chelsea in 2004, the same year Mourinho was appointed as manager, is hoping the club can win the UEFA Champions League next season following this term's Double triumph.

The Czech Republic ace added: "I am happy there. The only major trophy that is left for Chelsea to win is the Champions League.

"And, in my opinion, at the moment we have a team strong enough to win the competition.

"As for my ambitions, I am satisfied and that is why I don't intend to leave for anywhere."

Galatasaray Close In On £2.5m Move For Miroslav Stoch

Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch could be set for a move to Turkey after Galatasaray made a £2.5 million bid for him, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

The winger has returned to Stamford Bridge after a season on loan with Twente Enschede, where he helped Steve McClaren's side to the Dutch title.

The left-sided starlet will also be a part of Slovakia's squad at this summer's World Cup finals.

The Mirror reports that the player will discuss personal terms with Gala once this summer's tournament in South Africa is over.

Joe Cole 'To Join Arsenal On Free Transfer After Signing Three-Year Deal'

Joe Cole could be on the verge of making a shock move from Chelsea to Arsenal on a free transfer after rumours emerged today he has signed a three-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.

According to reports, Cole's representatives met up with Arsenal officials yesterday to thrash out the terms of the deal while the midfield playmaker was being called up to England's World Cup squad by Fabio Capello.

Barring any complications in the process the transfer is expected to be finalised next week, with a view to announcing the move before the tournament in South Africa begins in ten days' time.

The rumours follow hot on the heels of comments by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp earlier today, when he admitted he believes Cole has agreed in principle to a move to another Premier League.

'It looks to me that someone's going to make a great free transfer,' Redknapp is quoted as saying.

'I genuinely don't know who that is, but I don't think it's going to be Tottenham.

'I've got a feeling - and I may be wrong - that he's already agreed a deal with someone.

'I'm a big fan of Joe's, and I would be interested if he didn't stay at Chelsea, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something.'

If true, the news would be a huge boost for Arsenal fans still reeling from the revelation that captain Cesc Fabregas could be leaving the club to join boyhood team Barcelona this summer.

Cole's signing also fits in with the Arsene Wenger transfer philosophy in that the England international would represent a shrewd bit of business.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at Chelsea and would be available on a free transfer.

And while his wage demands may have presented a stumbling block - given the Blues are reluctant to meet his expectations - Wenger is said to be more willing to offer larger contracts to players in a bid to build a title-winning team.

Former West Ham United star Cole is also believed to be keen to stay in London, as partner Carly Zucker has recently given birth to a son and is reluctant to relocate.

Chelsea's Anelka Crashes On Mountain Bike Ride

Nicolas Anelka survived a scare when he crashed during a mountain bike ride at France's World Cup training camp on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Tuesday.

Anelka, who has started up front in the two warm-up games France have played so far, escaped unhurt after losing his balance on a slippery road and falling at the end of a 50-minute ride on the spectacular volcanic island.

In an effort to make his team bond, France coach Raymond Domenech has organised all sorts of group activities since the start of their preparations, including a hike up a glacier in the French Alps and a dune buggy race.

The coach's latest idea was a bike ride on Reunion, where the players landed on Tuesday from Tunisia.

Under ominous skies and a slight drizzle, the players rode up a steep, narrow road and down again, with Franck Ribery the fastest and Djibril Cisse the slowest.

Some 100 fans stood in the rain at the ride's starting point and cheered on the players, who waved and smiled but did not stop to sign autographs or talk to the media.

All the players participated except number two goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who stayed at the hotel but had "nothing serious", according to a team spokesman.

After the ride, the team returned to their luxury hotel, overlooking a beach just outside St Pierre, the island's second largest city.

A more traditional training session is scheduled for Wednesday on Reunion, where France will play China on Friday in their last match before the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa.

The former world and European champions have switched to a new 4-3-3 formation and Domenech has left forward Thierry Henry out of his starting line-up for their first two warm-up games, a 2-1 win over Costa Rica and a 1-1 draw in Tunisia.

France, whose popularity has reached a depressing low after their Euro 2008 flop and the uninspired performances that have followed, will face hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A.

Uli Hoeness Advises Michael Ballack To Retire From International Football

Experienced midfielder Michael Ballack missed out on Germany's World Cup squad due to a serious ankle injury and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has now advised the Chelsea star to consider retiring from international football.

"As a friend, I would recommend Michael to concentrate solely on his club in the future. This could be a good moment for him to retire from international football," said Hoeness to Bild.

"I don't think it would be clever to set the European Championships in 2012 as a goal. Even if it is bitter, you have got to be able to realize when the time has come to say enough is enough."

The 33-year-old Ballack made his debut for the Nationalelf in April 1999 against Scotland and has since racked up almost 100 international appearances for Germany.

Branislav Ivanovic: Every Game At World Cup 2010 Is A 'Final' For Serbia

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has indicated that Serbia do not want to let themselves or their country down at the World Cup this summer, and will be treating every game like it was the final.

The Serbs are in a tough group with Germany, Australian and Ghana, but topped a qualifying group that included France as they sealed a place at the finals.

Many have tipped them as a potential surprise package, and Ivanovic maintains that they will be not lacking when it comes to a positive attitude.

"We qualified in first position ahead of France, which was very good for us," the versatile stopper told his club's official website.

"We did a lot of good things and we have to continue to play like we did in the qualifiers.

"But of course, the World Cup is completely different to the qualifiers. If you make a mistake, it is very difficult.

"Every game is like a final in the World Cup and we have to remember this when we play."

This is Serbia's first World Cup as a nation in their own right, and Ivanovic is well aware of the special significance of the campaign for players and fans.

"It is our first one as Serbia, and my first one. It is a pleasure and it makes me proud to play in a World Cup, as it is for any player," he said.

"It is a special thing to play for your country and to represent them in a World Cup is the dream of every player. Every one of us is happy with this."

Summary Of A Season: Daniel Sturridge

After his contract at Manchester City expired, the 20-year-old forward chose Chelsea and the Champions League as the place to develop his talents further.

We already knew what he could do having seen him score against us in the FA Youth Cup two seasons ago, and it was in the senior version of the competition that he really began to make his mark at Stamford Bridge, netting four times in three games against Watford, Preston North End and Cardiff City after the turn of the year.

Signed as one for the future, Daniel’s ambition shone through immediately and he scored on his Chelsea debut in a friendly against Seattle, turning sharply and slotting home. He was rewarded with a call-up to England Under-21s in August, making his debut against Holland.

When the real business got going though he had to be patient, waiting until October for a first Chelsea start, and then missing two big chances to get off the mark against Bolton in the Carling Cup.

Confidence remained high though, and his introduction against Fulham just after Christmas instigated a vital comeback. Then in the absence of Didier Drogba, January saw him begin to find the net as Carlo Ancelotti predicted he would, with the three Championship sides dispatched on the way to the last eight of the Cup.

A first Premier League goal arrived in April when Stoke were put to the sword, and a winners' medal after appearing 13 times will have spurred him on for more success next season. The manager has already discussed giving youth a chance, so expect Sturridge to feature more regularly.