Football news

Chelsea reacted swiftly to media reports that they are bound to quit Stamford Bridge for a new stadium at a site in Battersea and said they would not change home until redevelopment of Stamford Bridge has been entirely ruled out.

"This story is total nonsense. Chelsea is not actively considering moving to this site in Battersea," Chelsea said in a statement.

"Chelsea has been linked with a whole host of high-profile sites in London before. We are approached on a regular basis by developers and others with a commercial interest in driving up the price of property.

"Chelsea's position on stadium development is very clear. We will not be considering moving away from our present stadium until all possibilities of redeveloping Stamford Bridge are exhausted."

Spurs may swoop for Zaki

Harry Redknapp wants to add more power to his front-line and Wigan striker Amr Zaki has emerged as a surprise January transfer target for the Tottenham manager.

Zaki has done extremely well for the Latics so far this season after scoring eight goals and is already starting to attract attention with Liverpool among the clubs showing keen interest.

Zaki, on loan at Wigan from Egypt's El Zamalek, is said to be looking for a move to one of the Premier League's big guns when his loan spell runs out.

Keane opens league account

Robbie Keane opened his Premier League account for Liverpool with a double in the 3-0 victory over West Brom on Saturday. He said he was not worried about his lack of goals despite mounting pressure on the £20 million summer signing from Tottenham.

"My first Premier League goal for Liverpool has been a long time coming but I knew it was only a matter of time," said Keane.

"I didn't get down about things.

"Hopefully, that is Robbie Keane back to his best. It's been stop-start but I feel like I'm getting better and better with each game and starting to know the players more."

Adams... a winner at last

Tony Adams is relieved to have chalked up his first victory since taking over from Harry Redknapp at the helm of Portsmouth.

On Saturday, the former England skipper saw his side snatch all three points in a last-gasp 2-1 victory away to Sunderland.

He said: "Oh, I love winning, I love winning. I will take it any style, playing well, playing not badly, it doesn't matter to me.

"It is always a fantastic feeling for me. We have had a good week on the training pitch and I have enjoyed that, and we have got a good result."

Ronaldinho to get pay rise

Ronaldinho has convinced Milan that he's in top form and negotiations are on for the Brazilian to get a pay rise and a contract extension to 2012.

Ronaldinho accepted a cut in wages to complete the move from Barcelona but the time has come for Milan to repay that generosity.

The player's salary went from £7m per season at the Nou Camp on a two-year contract to £5.3m on a three-term deal.

The former Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year has already scored vital Serie A goals and the winner on Thursday in the UEFA Cup against Sporting Braga.

Fulham turn down Bullard request

Roy Hodgson told reporters that midfielder Jimmy Bullard wanted Fulham to open fresh contract talks following his call-up to England in September.

Hodgson said: "When Jimmy made the England squad his agent was very quick, as agents are, to fly forward and say 'my boy is in the squad, I want to tear up that contract and renegotiate'.

"But the club wasn't keen to do it, and I've got to say that I'm on the side of the club in this economic time. We've got quite a few players with contracts running out in two years' time. The club's policy has been 'let's look at it when the time comes'."

Villa to take risk on Barry

Aston Villa will not be looking to part with prized asset Gareth Barry in January, manager Martin O'Neill said. Barry almost joined Liverpool in an £18 million deal in the summer and Arsenal and Tottenham are both showing interest in the England international.

Should Villa hang on to Barry for the rest of the season then he could buy out the remaining year of his contract for just £2 million next summer. O'Neill said that is a risk the club is willing to take.

"Cashing in on Gareth has never been a big concern - it certainly wasn't in the summer for the owner of this club. If it had been we'd have taken a cut price for him then.

"I don't know if our success this season is having any effect on Gareth's future here. We'll see what develops. But there is time enough to think about it after Christmas."