Football news

England-based players have grabbed all but three of the places on a 20-strong list of nominations for the UEFA club footballer of the year award.

The winners will be named during the draw for this season's Champions League group stage in Monaco next Thursday.

The nominees are:

Goalkeepers: Almunia (Arsenal), Cech (Chelsea), Neuer (Schalke 04), Reina (Liverpool), van der Sar (Man. United).

Defenders: Carragher (Liverpool), Ferdinand (Man. United), Puyol (Barcelona), Terry (Chelsea), Vidic (Man. United).

Midfielders: Essien (Chelsea), Fabregas (Arsenal), Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), Scholes (Manchester United).

Forwards: Drogba (Chelsea), Messi (Barcelona), Ronaldo (Man. United), Rooney (Man. United), Torres (Liverpool).

Healy moves

Northern Ireland striker David Healy has joined Premier League club Sunderland from Fulham. The 29-year-old has signed a three-year deal.

France's Djibril Cisse joined the Black Cats on loan from Marseille on Wednesday and both strikers could go into the squad for today's league visit to Tottenham Hotspur.

"David will be a good signing for us," said Sunderland manager Roy Keane, who was once Healy's team-mate at Manchester United.

"He has lots of experience at the top level and his international record is phenomenal."

Healy joined Fulham from Leeds last year for £1.5 million.

Freedman hints at Leeds return

Dougie Freedman, the Crystal Palace forward, said he would move back to Leeds United if the club offered him the right deal.

"I've decided to carry on playing football," Freedman said. "So, I'm leaving London but I wouldn't go just anywhere, I'm looking for an opportunity that excites me and challenges me."

The 34-year-old had a successful loan spell at Elland Road last season, scoring six goals in 14 appearances. Freedman was thought to be mulling a coaching role at the end of this season.

"I've taken the decision that I will play as long as I can," he said.

"I've been offered a coaching role but I want to play. What comes out of Leeds I can't really control."

Robinho wants to join Chelsea

Brazil forward Robinho said yesterday he was determined to leave Real Madrid and sign for Chelsea before the transfer deadline expires next weekend.

"I've told the president, the directors and the coach that my aim is to leave Real Madrid," the 24-year-old said.

"I'm telling the truth. I want to leave and I have got the character to tell the press that I'm not aiming to stay at Real Madrid," he added.

The Brazilian, had been a target of Chelsea and their new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari for most of the off-season before the West London club made a formal offer for him on August 7.

Zenit to offer Arshavin new deal

Zenit SP are set to offer star player Andrei Arshavin a new contract. Arshavin's future was the subject of intense speculation since Euro 2008 with a number of clubs, including Tottenham, showing an interest in the skilful playmaker.

Sovetsky Sport quoted Arshavin's agent Denis Lachter as saying an offer from Zenit to keep the midfielder at the club was forthcoming.

"I'm sure that the management of Zenit will soon offer Arshavin a contract extension," Lachter said.

"If the footballer accepts Zenit's terms, he won't be going anywhere even though at Tottenham Andrei would have earned more money.

"The English club had until Wednesday to raise the transfer fee from €22 to 25 million, as Zenit demanded."

Rio primed for captain's job

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson assured Rio Ferdinand yesterday that the defender remains in line to lead the club despite missing out on the England captaincy.

England coach Fabio Capello chose John Terry ahead of Ferdinand to become the new national team captain on a long-term basis ahead of England's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic this week.

Ferguson said, however, that he would hand 29-year-old Ferdinand the United captain's armband once Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were no longer around.

"The way I operate is through seniority," Ferguson told reporters. "That's why Gary Neville is captain and when he's not playing Ryan has taken over. If Ryan is not available then Rio stands in.

Arsenal interest in Villa's Barry

Arsene Wenger, in the transfer market for a central midfielder to replace Mathieu Flamini, has confirmed his interest in Gareth Barry, of Aston Villa.

Barry, 27, looked set to join Liverpool a few weeks ago but the two clubs have been unable to agree a deal. Villa are requesting £18 million for the transfer.

"There is always interest but I cannot tell you much more. He's one of the players we follow," Wenger told reporters.

"I find Barry a good player."