Blues midfield star wants out

Chelsea star Deco wants out. According to reports the little Portuguese midfielder wants to finish his playing career in Brazil, the land where he grew up. "I want to go back to Brazil. I still have a couple of good years of high-level football in me but I want to be near my kids," said the 32-year-old on Monday. He added: "Ideally, I'd like to go after the World Cup and I've been talking to Chelsea about it." The former Porto and Barcelona star has one year left on his contract. He has played regularly under Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. Flamengo are among the teams to have expressed an interest in Deco, who plans to quit international football after representing Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.

United renew interest in winger and other red-hot gossip

Manchester United are considering a fresh attempt to lure Benfica's much sought after winger Angel di Maria to Old Trafford. Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson is apparently prepared to pay £20m for the Argentine international. This is somewhat down on the £36m valuation of the player by the Portuguse giants. Elsewhere, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Blackburn are all tracking Wolves defensive midfielder Karl Henry; England boss Fabio Capello will turn to Tottenham's injury-plagued defender Ledley King as he attempts to solve his centre-back crisis; and legendary manager Guus Hiddink is "almost certain" to be in charge of Cote d'Ivoire at the World Cup in South Africa.

Fears for young Gunners' career after horrific tackle

There are fears that Arsenal youngster Aaron Ramsey may never play football again after he broke his leg against Stoke on Saturday. The 19-year-old’s right leg was shattered after an horrific tackle by Ryan Shawcross during the Gunners’ 3-1 win. The midfielder had to be given oxygen before being strapped to a stretcher and rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Shawcross was red-carded. Manager Arsene Wenger was understandably furious after a third Arsenal player in three years had a leg broken by a tackle. "I am not very happy with the tackle. It is not acceptable," said Wenger. "I am very sad by what has happened to Aaron Ramsey. It is a bad injury and it is certainly long term.” Abou Diaby had his ankle broken at Sunderland in 2006, while Eduardo's ankle was shattered by Birmingham's Martin Taylor.

‘JT will never captain England again’

Fabio Capello has added to John Terry’s woes by claiming the defender will never captain England again. Terry, a married father of two, was stripped of the national captaincy following revelations of his affair with the girlfriend of former Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge. Bridge, now of Manchester City, is also a regular member of the England squad. "As long as I am England manager, I don't think John Terry will be captain again. I expect my captain to be responsible to children and for the fans. I told him all of this,” said Capello on Saturday. And in further news to the whole sorry saga, Bridge refused to shake Terry’s hand when Chelsea and City clashed at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, with he City star offering his hand but as Terry went to shake it, Bridge instead shook hands with one of the mascots!

We were fortunate – Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted Manchester United enjoyed good fortune in their Carling Cup win over Aston Villa on Sunday. Wayne Rooney came off the bench to head home the winner in the Red Devils 2-1 win at Wembley. It was Fergie’s 32nd major trophy at United and Rooney’s 28th goal of the season. But controversy surrounded a penalty awarded to Villa in the fourth minute when United defender Nemanja Vidic brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor. James Milner scored from the spot but the referee failed to card Vidic, even though he was the last defender and Agbonlahor was through on goal. "You're in this game to win and I appreciate everything we have achieved as a club and I appreciate the luck I've carried. I've lost finals and it's not easy when you lose a final. The only way you can enjoy Wembley is winning,” said Fergie afterwards.

Roo delighted to play his part

Wayne Rooney was delighted to come off the bench to seal Manchester United’s Carling Cup final win over Aston Villa on Sunday. The red-hot striker replaced an injured Michael Owen after 41 minutes and then struck with a perfectly weighted header with 15 minutes of the match remaining to seal the club’s first trophy of the season. "I was delighted to come off the bench and get the winner,” said Rooney afterwards. "Michael had scored with a great finish and it was unfortunate for him to come off injured. I wanted to play although I have had a bit of a sore knee. I've had a problem for a couple of weeks and I thought about coming off today.” Rooney has now scored 28 goals this season, 20 in his last 20 games!

JT hits back at Bellamy and other red-hot gossip

John Terry is fuming over Craig Bellamy's post-match insults directed at the former England captain, saying: “People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.” Bellamy had earlier stated: “I know what John Terry is like and nothing surprises me about him. I think everybody in football knows what the guy’s like off the field.” Elsewhere, Birmingham City are tracking Kris Boyd from Rangers, with the Blues set to send scouts to see him play for Scotland against the Czech Republic on Wednesday; Arsenal are keeping a close eye on West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans, who is valued at £6m; and John Rooney, the 19-year-old younger brother of Wayne, will have a second trial at Derby County this week.