Rumour has it that Liverpool are keen to launch a raid for two of Man City’s most exciting young stars, Stephen Ireland and Michael Johnson (Various).

Rafa Benitez has been repeatedly linked with Johnson, the former Everton schoolboy, and now his sights are on Irish international midfielder Ireland as well, although City boss Sven Goran Eriksson has made it clear he doesn't want to sell. The former England chief said: “As with any of our talented players from the academy, I don't want them to go – Stephen has been involved in almost every game this season."

City have done fantastically well this season and it is no surprise that some of their top talent is attracting attention – the key for Sven is to hang on to his fine young players and persuade them that they can achieve their ambitions at Eastlands rather than having to go to Anfield for success. You have to hope that kids brought up in the light blue of City will have some loyalty to the cause and not want away as soon as the first lucrative offer comes in. Or is that just naive in these greedy, grasping times in which we live?

‘... the key for Sven is to hang on to his fine young players and persuade them that they can achieve their ambitions at Eastlands rather than having to go to Anfield for success.’


This leads us nicely to another graduate of the City academy, Micah Richards, who is still to sign on the dotted line and is therefore apparently a target for a potential £30m bid from Arsene Wenger at Arsenal (Various).

This is an old one and a rumour that will run and run until the England international commits himself to Sven’s regeneration. I am pretty positive that the 19-year-old will stick with City and that this rumour is merely lazy, rehashed paper talk.

From there we move to west London and to Chelsea where it has been reported that Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge are about to become Spurs players! (Various).

England internationals Wright-Phillips and Bridge would by no means be considered regulars and have only become part of Stamford Bridge plans because of injuries and absentees, so it’s no surprise that they are being linked with a move away. They are after all quality players. Given that Juande Ramos has Aaron Lennon to count on I think a move for Wright-Phillips is unlikely, especially given Lennon’s recent return to form. Wayne Bridge on the other hand could be a useful purchase and this could well be a rumour that holds water.

Wright Philips is also being chased by Newcastle and Man City and both these clubs could prove a more likely destination for the 26-year-old wide man.