Where he should have been all along.

A part of me is glad Golden Balls loan move seems to have turned into a permanent migration, given the fact that Becks shied away from top flight football way too early. Although we were not going to see his name on any FIFA World Player of the Year shortlists, there was a lot the former Real Madrid star could bring to the table on a European level.

From the start there was really no way Beckham could A) settle, and B) do for the game what the the Galaxy and the MLS wanted him to do for the sport in America. Just like for a football side, big names won't bring you anything more than 15 minutes of notority. His star power attracted attention, but it wasn't enough to bring any permanent change. That has to come from development, just like a club's youth academy.

A big draw for Becks had to have been the money, and after realizing that by this point in his career, money doesn't mean all that much, playing in a side like AC Milan must have been like coming home after being lost at sea. With a host of superstars around him, Becks has fit into a strong Milan side and has even pushed Ronaldinho out of the starting XI. Milan will benefit from his play and his marketing abilities, while the US will use the fact that David Beckham used to play for one of their sides.

In hindsight, Beckham probably should have gone straight to AC when they were after him as it became clear that he was going to leave Madrid. Then perhaps, after a few years plying his trade in the Serie A would a move to the US seem slightly more rational and intelligent. But hindsight is always 20/20.

Following his heart, and not his pockets.

So its finally over - Kaka stays in Milan after denying he even considered a move to Eastlands, while Manchester City insist Milan are at fault for the deal breaking down or "bottling it" at Garry Cook would say, and Brazilian ace goes missing from Tenerife training to return home to Brazil for his Birthday.

There will certainly be much more to come.

While City might consider it somewhat of a victory they even got this far in negotiations, they will be dissappointed as Kaka was seen as a key figure in the Blues revolution.

The dressing room unrest rumored to affect Kaka's decision not to come to City was somewhat confirmed when it was found that Robinho jumped ship against Hughes and the clubs wishes. Hughes managerial skills will surely come under scrutiny now, and the next big transfer saga involving City might be a managerial one.

With reports rife that City's executive chairman Garry Cook is in Milan negotiating a deal (not quite a deal, more a coup or a bid worth more than some football clubs), it seems Manchester City may not be that far from landing their next big-name signing.

With €100 million euros reported to be on the table, and a cool £250,000 a week in wages to be offered, money will not be a concern for Kaka, yet his agent proclaims the Brazilian is not in it for the money.

Cases can be made for both sides of this argument of whether Kaka will sign or not, given Robinho's recruiting methods and the draw of the City revolution (although it still looks like the same old City) versus whether or not this is another case of the Arab's money-weilding gone array.

League leaders and favorites are finally starting to take shape around the football world, but that doesn't mean there is not some room for surprises!

In the Premier League, Chelsea have taken the top spot off Liverpool as Robbie Keane finally opened his EPL account with the Reds. The Irishman has finally began chipping away at his £20 million pricetag.

Arsenal have proved doubters wrong while denting Manchester United's title challenge significantly. Seems like Berba and Rooney may not be a match made in heaven, but at least Rafeal looks like a gem!

Manchester City are on a three game skid, while in a game marred by questionable cards and sending off's, Tottenham moved clear of the relegation zone. Mark Hughes will be in hot water when he goes to meet his new owners for the first time, yet with a rumored £100 million plus to spend, who knows what the Welshman can do.

Abroad, Real Madrid got back on the high road with a sintilating performance from Hinguain. The Argentine tore apart Malaga for four goals. Maybe Madrid don't need a striker after all. Around La Liga, Barcelona saw off Valladolid by convincing 6-0 margin. Eto'o's four goals in 45 minutes will go a long way to shut up his critics. So will his league leading 13 goals in La Liga. Valencia have also seen off Getafe. Shaping up to be a good season in Spain.

Italian league leaders AC Milan heading into their tie will be dissappointed to leave Lecce with only a point after fighting ahead with a Ronaldinho strike. The injury time equalizer will set the Rossonari behind last years champs Inter Milan as Julio Cruz put the Inter by Udinese at the San Siro. With so many teams playing well in the Serie A, it should be a tight one again this year. Here is hoping Roma can get their domestic form in order!

Stay tuned to the Fanatic for more gossip this week!

After Juventus managed to dispose of Spalletti's wounded Roma in Turin, the boys from the Eternal City were welcomed back with feisty supporters hurling coins and shouting abuses to the team as they made their way off he bus. Things are not looking up for hurting Roma.

If anyone is next to go up on the managerial chop block it has to be Spaletti, but his efforts surely were not helped with the board deciding to part with the likes of Mancini while bringing no big names in.

FANATIC PREDICTION: Spaletti loses his job in the next month. Roberto Mancini to replace?

The list:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal, Togo), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid, Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg, Russia), Michael Ballack (Chelsea, Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy), Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain), Deco (Chelsea, Portugal), Didier Drogba (Chelsea, Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona, Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal, Spain), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool, England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan, Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain), Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil), Frank Lampard (Chelsea, England), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), Franck Ribery (Bayern Munich, France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal), John Terry (Chelsea, England), Fernando Torres (Liverpool, Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid, Holland), David Villa (Valencia, Spain) and Xavi (Barcelona, Spain).

Vastly similar to the Balon list, but a little more refined and predictable.

Most would have to say it comes down to only a few when you look at form over the last year, or so: Ronaldo, Messi, Torres, Fabregas, Aguero, Gerrard, Xavi, Villa, Lampard and Casillas. To me, the rest have some injury or inconsistency to keep them out of serious contention, but you might not agree!

Spain dominates the list, but interestingly enough Chelsea rules the roost as far as clubs go, but the Blues boast no Spanish players. Interesting....

Well, the nominee's have been announced and look like this:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Togo.
Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Argentine.
Andreï Archavine (Zénith Saint-Pétersbourg), Russia.
Michael Ballack (Chelsea), Germany.
Karim Benzema (Lyon), France.
Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus Turin), Italy.
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Spain.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Portugal.
Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Ivory Coast.
Samuel Eto'o (FC Barcelone), Cameroon.
Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Spain.
Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC), Spain.
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool FC), England.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan), Sweden.
Kaka (Milan AC), Brazil.
Frank Lampard (Chelsea), England.
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Argentina.
Pepe (Real Madrid), Portugal.
Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich), France.
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), England.
Marcos Senna (Villarreal), Spain.
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Spain.
Luca Toni (Bayern Munich), Italy.
Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United), Netherlands.
Rafael van der Vaart (Hamburg SV puis Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Ruud van Nistelrooy (Real Madrid), Netherlands.
Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United), Serbia.
David Villa (Valence CF), Spain.
Xavi (FC Barcelone), Spain.
Youri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscou), Russia.

First and foremost, the left-outs. Henry, Ronaldinho, not a surprise. World class, but as of late have been rubbish. The likes of Sheva can be added to that list, as his struggles have been well documented. Also, past winner Fabio Cannavaro is absent from the list most likely a victim of the list reduction from 50 to 30.

World class names without a chance: Ballack, Pepe, Senna, Vidic, Zhirkov.

Best shots: Messi, Ronaldo, Torres, Casillas, Xavi.

Messi - Probably the dark horse favorite behind Ronaldo. Undeniable talent and youth at one of the world's biggest club. Their new number 10 and talisman with Ronaldinho's departure. He's Barca's highest paid player for a reason, but is that enough to lift the trophy after Barca listed no trophies last season?

Ronaldo - The bookies favorite. 40 plus goals in all competitions last season. European Club champion. English champion. Pretty much sums it up. Over the years will surely be battling with Messi for best player in the world. Mouth watering if a move to Madrid materializes. El Clasico will be phenomenal.

Torres - Lit up the Premier League with underachieveing Liverpool. Will look to lead them to a domestic title, but his form has been undeniable. If he stays healthy he will be a nominee year after year.

Casillas - Takes the keeper position to a whole new level. Casillas or Buffon is everyone's first choice for a goalkeeper. Yet, it might prove tough to outshine the skilled wingers on the list.

Xavi - All around player. Golden ball winner from the summers Euro Championship. Truely the complete midfielder.

So, anyone's guess who the committee will select, but the bookies have to have Messi and Ronaldo as the favorites. What do you think?