RAFA THE VULTURE

England's top clubs are preparing to join the race to sign players affected by the Italian match-fixing scandal.
And Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "There are a lot of good players in these teams and they interest us."

Benitez is thought to be particularly keen on Juve striker David Trezeguet and winger Mauro Camoranesi.

"The players will be a better price now than they would have been three months ago," said the Liverpool boss.

"All the Juventus players are good, including Trezeguet. "He didn't play much in the World Cup but that is because France have so many good forwards."

We have to get in there and scavenge as many of these top players as we can, because if we dont sir alex up the road and mr wenger surly will. Ok we will still have to pay top wages but this levels the playing field slightly with chelski,the other English teams having the chance to sign some world class players in one close-season closes the gap slightly. And remember Rafas reputation around Europe is glowing, so we may see some players willing to spend a season or two trying to become better players under his tuition.

It really is going to make it a very interesting summer of transfers

Bellamy finds net on Liverpool bow

The FA Cup winners travelled to Wales to face Wrexham, and Bellamy enjoyed the return to his home country by scoring the second in a 2-0 win.
Liverpool had Salif Diao and Florent Sinama-Pongolle on show but a host of youngsters were given a run-out with Anfield's World Cup players still on holiday
In my previous posts i have been less than sympathetic to our new crazy little Welsh man, but i hope he proves me wrong and so far the signs are good. Its always good to open your scoring account early with your new club and Bellamy has done that, but also he seems to realize that this is his last chance to make it at a big club, for him its now or never.
I had totally forgotten about Salif Dioa remember him Houliers new Patrick Viera, now it seems we cant give him away thanks for that mr Houlier.
Florent Sinamo-Pongolle could be a very interesting player to watch this year, if we fail to get a new right winger this summer could he do the job for us and if we do get one can he provide competition there.