Cech urged to take command

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is adamant Petr Cech will rediscover the form that once made him the best goalkeeper on the planet. The lanky Czech international’s form has dropped this season with a series of blunders, especially when dealing with crosses. Ancelotti has now urged him to take command of his penalty area in order to overcome his uncertain form. "A goalkeeper that takes responsibility in his box can make the odd mistake but I prefer to have a goalkeeper who takes responsibility than one who just stays on his goalline," said Ancelotti on Friday. “Petr Cech is one of the most important players for this team, one of the best goalkeepers in the world." The Blues took a paltry nine points from 18 in December with Cech's performances coming under the spotlight. The club however remain two points clear at the top of the EPL going into 2010.

Serie A stars difficult targets and other transfer gossip

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini thinks it is going be difficult to persuade the stars of Serie A to swap Italy for England. Juventus centre back Giorgio Chiellini, Inter Milan forward Mario Balotelli, and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso have all been linked with moves to City in January. "Chiellini is the key to Juve's defence so it seems a bit difficult they would let him go. The same goes for Balotelli and Gattuso,” admitted Mancini on Friday. Elsewhere, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has ruled out signing Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh even though Robin van Persie is sidelined until April; Chelsea will shatter the British transfer record with a £40m swoop for Valencia striker David Villa; Liverpool could move for Olympiakos right-back Vasilis Torosidis as a replacement for their injured defender Glen Johnson; and Sunderland are ready to make a £4m bid for Tottenham's Scotland right-back Alan Hutton.

Becks tears at United news

David Beckham has admitted that he "almost cried" when he heard that AC Milan had drawn Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Italian giants tackle the Red Devils over two legs in early February. "I have never returned to Manchester as a player in seven years. It is going to be incredible. It will be an emotional night," said the 34-year-old on Thursday. He did however admit that he would put his emotions aside once on the pitch. "It is business. We want to win the game." Beckham is hoping that he will recapture the strong form he showed in last year's loan spell with the Milan as he bids to make the England squad for the 2010 World Cup. If he does it will be his fourth appearance in the global showpiece. Beckham played for United from 1994 – 2003.

Fab news for Arsenal fans!

Inspirational Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas could be back in action within the next two weeks. The Spaniard injured his hamstring after coming on as a substitute and scoring twice in last Sunday's 3-0 win over Aston Villa. "It looks like he will be out for 10 days," admitted Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on Wednesday. "Let's say the only question mark we have is does Cesc make Everton or not on 9 January," he added. The Gunners England winger Theo Walcott will however join Fabregas on the sidelines. "Walcott has a ripped muscle in his side and about the same, 10 to 12 days," revealed Wenger. Arsenal currently lie third on the EPL standings, four points behind leaders Chelsea but with a game in hand.

Villa and Reds for Hammers ace and other transfer gossip

Aston Villa have joined Liverpool and Tottenham in the chase for West Ham midfielder Scott Parker, who could be available for around £8m. Parker is a former England international and operates most effectively as a holding midfielder. He previously played for Charlton, Chelsea and Newcastle.Elsewhere, Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko is being courted by Zenit St Petersburg, Lokomotiv Moscow, Spartak Moscow and Sporting Lisbon but Spurs want £13m for the out-of-favour Russian; and Hull hope to sign Manchester City striker Benjani on loan in January, but only if the Eastlands club agree to pay 50% of the Zimbabwean's £50,000-a-week wages.

City to loot Reds

Big spending Manchester City are ready to raid Liverpool if the Merseysiders fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Reds superstars Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard are said to be top of City’s hit list, with insiders claiming that the club’s billionaire Arab owners are ready to break the bank to land the trio. "If they put Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres on the market, City will be interested,” revealed the club’s new Italian manager Roberto Mancini. "We at City will do everything possible to prevent Liverpool from finishing fourth." According to reports, money is short at Anfield and failure to make Europe's elite competition could force the club to sell their prized assets. Mancini is also reportedly also interested in Brazil and Sweden superstars Maicon and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Bayern rubbish Ribery claims

Bayern Munich have dismissed reports linking their star winger Franck Ribery to Real Madrid. According to reports, the Frenchman is on his way to the Bernabeu next summer for £50m. "There is no agreement at all with Real,” insisted Bayern president Uli Hoenes on Wednesday. "There have been no offers, no options and no negotiations about or with Ribery." The 26-year-old current deal expires in 2011, meaning next summer would be the last chance Bayern would have of earning a substantial fee for him.