Berlusconi criticises Shevchenko

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.

The Ukrainian has struggled to make an impact since his £30million move from the San Siro and the former Italy Prime Minister has chosen to take a public view on Shevchenko's private life - describing him as a "lap-dog" for his supermodel wife.

Berlusconi, who recently appeared to be considering trying to attract 30-year-old Shevchenko back to Milan on loan, has cut short that charm offensive.

"A true Milanista and a real man would not have behaved like this," he told Gazzetto dello Sport.

"At my home I'm in charge and decide what happens. Instead, when Shevchenko's wife shouts, he runs under the bed like a lap-dog. His wife ordered him to move to London with their children, where the fog will do their lungs the world of good."

Chelsea's trio relishing Porto test

Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben says Jose Mourinho will be relishing the prospect of putting Porto, the club he took to Champions League glory in 2004, out of the competition.

Chelsea were drawn on Friday against the Portuguese side in the first knockout round.

"Of course there is a special feeling for the manager, and also for Ricardo (Carvalho) and Paulo Ferreira. For them it's a special game. It will give them that extra bit of pleasure to beat them," Robben said

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich lured Mourinho to London immediately after the Portuguese had lifted the trophy. Mourinho brought the two defenders with him.

"It could have been worse. The likes of Inter and Real Madrid in that group - those were the two teams that were maybe the toughest."

Dong to get Man. United chance

China international Dong Fangzhou will get the chance to live his Manchester United dream after the Premier League leaders finally secured a work permit for the young striker.

Dong has been limited to sporadic appearances on a couple of pre-season tours as United attempted to get over the red tape which prevented him from playing in England.

However, after spending three years on loan at Belgian feeder club Royal Antwerp, during which time he has won seven caps for his national side, Dong has now been cleared to link up with United on a permanent basis.

Defoe dismisses move rumours

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has claimed reports linking him with a move away from the club do not 'make any sense'.

The England international, 24, had been strongly linked with a January move away to either Manchester United or Liverpool.

But the in-form forward, who claimed two goals against Dinamo Bucharest in the Uefa Cup on Thursday night, says he has no reason to leave while he is playing games and the side is doing well.

"I'm happy here," he told The Times. "I just let my football do the talking. When I'm out there playing and I've got a smile on my face and I'm playing well, I think people know I'm happy here.

"So, if you're doing well, as a team and as a club, why would you want to go anywhere? It doesn't make any sense."

Beckham, Cassano face Real exit

Real Madrid are looking into the prospect of offloading David Beckham and Antonio Cassano.

Real Madrid are ready to do business with Milan over striker Antonio Cassano whereas Inter are reportedly trying to lure Beckham to the San Siro.

The capture of Gonzalo Higuain from River Plate has dropped Cassano further down the pecking order at Real and the club's technical team are ready to allow the Italian to leave during the January transfer window.

Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti is interested in Cassano and Real are actively encouraging the Italian giants to make them an offer for the forward.

Beckham is coming off contract at the end of this season and is a target for Inter president Massimo Moratti, who hopes to snap him up on a free transfer.

Russo replaces La Volpe at Boca

Miguel Angel Russo will replace Ricardo La Volpe as Boca Juniors coach after the team lost the Argentine championship in a playoff. Russo, 50, left his job as coach of Velez Sarsfield to accept the Boca offer.

"I want to welcome Miguel and wish him the best of luck and to thank Velez Sarsfield for allowing him to leave to come to work with us," Boca president Mauricio Macri said at the official announcement.

"We've been watching his work for a long time."

La Volpe resigned after Boca lost 2-1 in last week's playoff to Estudiantes and missed out on a third successive title.