Football news

David Beckham said his love of the Californian lifestyle meant he was happy to stay in Los Angeles.

The 35-year-old England midfielder hinted at extending his stay in the United States when his contract at LA Galaxy ends in just over a year’s time, despite their elimination in the play-off Western Conference finals on Sunday.

“I haven’t thought what’s going to happen after that. As long as the kids are happy, wherever they are happy we will stay. We plan on staying here for a while, but we love going back to England as well,” Beckham said.

“We were settled here. It’s such a great place to live, such a great place to bring up the kids.

“It is that kind of lifestyle.”

Milan favourites, says Juve’s Buffon

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon claims Milan are the favourites to land the Serie A title following their derby victory against Inter.

“They’re big favourites for the Scudetto. If Juve finish three or four points behind them we can consider our season positive,” he said.

“But if we finish 18 points back then it’s clear we won’t have closed the gap.”

His second statement was possibly a reference to the 15-point gap Juve finished behind Milan last season, when the Rossoneri came third and the Old Lady of Turin ended up down in seventh and outside the Champions League positions.

Doctor has high hopes on Kaka

Kaka’s recovery from the surgery he underwent on his left knee in August is on track and he will once again be the world’s best footballer, his doctor Turibio Leite said.

“Kaka is doing very well, he is in the final stages of his recovery. He is now seeking muscle balance to be the same player he was in 2007. He will once again be the best,” Leite, who has known the player since he was 15 years, said.

When Kaka, 28, underwent surgery on his knee at the beginning of August, Real predicted he would be sidelined for up to four months.

Kaka joined Real for €65 million in June 2009 but had a disappointing first season due to niggling injury problems.

Johnson would consider move

Adam Johnson admits he may have to consider his future at Manchester City if his chances continue to be restricted. The 23-year-old moved to Eastlands from Middlesbrough in this year’s January transfer window and made a seamless transition to the Premier League.

His form prompted a call-up to Fabio Capello’s preliminary squad although he failed to make the final cut for the World Cup.

However, Johnson has started just five league games this season and, although he insists all he wants to do is become established for City, he admits he may have to consider moving on.

He said: “Every footballer has to think about it when the time comes. It is still early but I definitely would consider it.”

Donadoni takes over at Cagliari

Cagliari have sacked coach Pierpaolo Bisoli and replaced him with former Italian national team coach Roberto Donadon.

The side from Sardinia have lost their last two home games to Napoli and Genoa and are currently 17th in the Italian first division just two points ahead of bottom side Bari.

Bisoli is the third Italian Serie A coach to lose his job this year after Gian Piero Gasperini at Genoa and Franco Colomba at Bologna.

Donadoni was a star player for Milan from 1980 to 1990 and was coach of the Italian national team from 2006 to 2008.

Barcelona agree Afellay deal

Barcelona have reached an agreement with PSV for the transfer of midfielder Ibrahim Afellay.

The deal is still pending an agreement between the Spanish champions and the player, but if all goes to plan then the Dutch international will move to the Nou Camp when the January transfer window opens.

Barcelona said: “PSV and Barcelona have reached an agreement on a deal to bring Ibrahim Afellay to Barca, subject to successfully settling personal terms between the player and the Catalan club over the coming weeks.”

The 24-year-old Afellay’s contract with PSV Eindhoven was due to expire at the end of the season and it was announced last month that he would not be penning a new deal with the Dutch outfit.

Terry fears long lay-off

Chelsea captain John Terry fears that a long-term nerve injury in his leg could sideline him for months.

The complaint forced Terry to miss the shock 3-0 home defeat against Sunderland on Sunday, which served to underline the importance of the defender to the Blues’ title defence.

“It is at a point where I cannot carry on with it,” he said.

“I used to be able to make it through games because the adrenalin gets you going and you blank the pain out. But now there is no decision to make. After games I’m in agony and not sleeping at all.”

Terry will miss England’s friendly against France at Wembley tonight.