EPL

Chelsea fans around the country had better put the champagne away, as it has become clear after today`s comments by Jose Mourinho, that he will not be going to Chelsea this summer. That does not mean to say he will stay at Real Madrid, but there have been developments in the story behind the media hype about his impending move back to Chelsea.
Earlier this week, in the aftermath of a disappointing exit from the Champions League semi-final against Borussia Dortmund, Mourinho was asked about his future. Needless to say, he was still emotional about the devastating blow to his ego amongst other things, after all he had pinned his reputation on Real Madrid winning the Champions League. With his main Spanish rival, Barcelona, utterly destroyed by Bayern Munich, it must have seemed like the best opportunity yet for his club to progress to the final and ultimate glory.

For years now Everton Football Club have always been looked on as the inferior team on Merseyside. Their neighbours Liverpool have a Global brand, millions of supporters worldwide and the history and finances a club like Everton can only dream of. Five times Champions of Europe, 18 times Champions of England, they are one of the most prestigious clubs in the World and with good reason.

However, as both teams look towards a critical Merseyside derby on Sunday, the 220th meeting between the two sides, things have become much different.

Arsenal have received some great news with manager Arsene Wenger hinting he'll sign a new contract after 2014. Despite a tough season, Wenger is still a world class coach and the right man to lead Arsenal back to trophies.

The Gunners' boss has brushed off rumors linking him with a move to uber-rich French giants Paris Saint-Germain. Wenger is quoted in The London Evening Standard reaffirming his commitment to Arsenal and his belief the Gunners are primed for a revival.

For many such a revival is long overdue after eight trophyless seasons, the last two of which have been particularly brutal. Since moving from Highbury to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have gradually settled into a cycle of sustained mediocrity.

The life source of that cycle has been an inability to compete in the transfer market and a penchant for behaving like a selling club. Wenger hasn't been able to match the spending power of the likes of Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs.

With just three games of the Premier League season left to go, David Moyes and Everton have the opportunity to finish the season ahead of next door neighbours, Liverpool, for a second successive campaign, a feat not achieved by the Toffees for over 50 years.

While the Reds have ridden a rollercoaster of uncertainty and change on and off the pitch over the last few years, their counterparts from across Stanley Park are the model of consistency and stability. Both clubs go into this weekend’s Merseyside derby at Anfield with the confidence that they can put one over on the other in the race to be the city’s top dog.

Lukas Podolski will continue playing as a central striker, according to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. It's a major gamble from the Gunners' boss in the club's race for a top four finish.

Arsenal.com quoted Wenger endorsing Podolski's ability to lead the attack through the middle. Podolski has only been deployed centrally twice since joining Arsenal last summer.

He played as the main striker on the opening day of the season against Sunderland. He failed to make a credible impact in a 0-0 draw.

His next foray as a central striker came in the recent 1-1 home draw with new champions Manchester United. Again Podolski was quiet for much of the game.

It's been easy to assume Podolski belongs in the middle for Arsenal. After all he is an assured finisher with a prolific international record.

However, those who expected Podolski to step in and fill the void left by Robin van Persie, missed the point. That's because Podolski has rarely been used through the middle.