Can't buy a game at Eastlands.

Now-a-days at Middle-Eastlands, headlines are dominated by Robinho and Shay Given, and the exploits of last seasons dominate early season form at the hands of Brazilian Elano have been nearly forgotten. That is until he was dispatched by Dunga against Italy in London for an International friendly. Playing on the right Elano showed pure class, with silky passing and fluent moving and a clear ability to operate all over the field. With his one two from Ronaldinho found Robinho, followed by a through pass on the on-running Elano where he finished over the helpless Buffon, one thing became clear - this guy needs to play.

Although Mark Hughes and Elano have had a falling out back in September, it is time to get this guy on the field for the faltering Citizens. With the three-match ban on the horizon for Shaun Wright-Phillips, the time could be right for the Brazilian to step into the position he occupied for his country which he went on to impress. If Hughes overlooks this world-class star he already has on his books, this could go a long way in carving out the future for Elano who has done a great deal in a short time at the City of Manchester Stadium, mostly under Sven Goran-Eriksson.

So they missed out on Kaka, but after Elano's performance against Italy, is that such a big deal?

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.

Whats the problem Andrei?

Andrei Arshavin has been linked with just about every major football club, on every continent, since the end of the Euro 2008 competition. Why?

Well, to be frank it is because of his leading Russian club Zenit St-Petersburg to the UEFA Cup title, and more so, about two or three appearances for Russia in the Euros, following his suspensin of the group stages of the competition.

No one doubts his talents, but the 27-year-old has created a sort of hysteria about himself. Plying his trade only in Russia for Zenit St-Petersburg, one wonders if all the hubbub around the creative midfielder is warrented.

No question of his talents, but at 27 what has kept this shining star from major European football? Many major teams are reluctant to sign the star, one because of his age, and two because of his reported belief that he deserves sky high wages. Why this belief that he deserves so much after proving himself, if you really think about, not proving himself at all at the highest level.

Problems mount up for the Samba star.

After the well-documented walk-out on the club in Tenerife, Robinho seems to have returned to England a wanted man after being arrested and reportedly released on bail. The charge stems from a nightclub sexual assault allegation at a Leeds night club. The former Real Madrid star has denied the charges on his official website, and in light of the timing of these events, some eye brows have been raised in connection with all the dramatic events surrounding the troubled star.

On Robinho's official website (http://www.robinhoofficial.com/) the meeting with police was described as pre-arranged, hinting that Robinho probably knew what was to take place when he jetted off back to South America. This could indicate that the "personal reasons" Robinho cited for leaving might be tied to the charge, as it also could explain Mark Hughes unwillingness to publicly and harshly punish the star, although the gaffar confirmed he would face a monetary punishment. More developments are sure to unfold, stay tuned as the plot thickens.

Ok, for arguments sake, let us get a few things out of the way.

Becks:

1. Wicked right foot, worth it for free kicks alone.

2. Has looked sharp in cameo roles for the national team.

3. Probably went to the US too soon and could do more damage in Europe.

4. World class, for the time being anyway.

Well now that those points have been made, David Beckham to AC Milan in January? Seriously? The side that took on fatty Ronaldo, have signed a lagging yet promising Ronaldinho and have floundered midtable for nearly the last two years, losing nearly every friendly they've played in while making marks in unknown waters for themas '06 Champions League winners in the UEFA Cup.

If they want a deal breaker, a real solution to their right midfeild problem, why not go for a young world class talent with years of service to give? Why not chase some starlets with their legendary club status? Beckham has experience on his side, yet alongisde the likes of Emerson, Maldini, Nesta, Pippo, Zambrotta and Seedorf, Milan are starting to look like a geriatric side in a Sunday league. Beckham would be another bloke with a walker stumbling through the halls of the San Siro.

Milan need to get serious. Their future isn't in Beckham, their future isn't even with Ronaldinho or Kaka. (Well, maybe Kaka.) It's with the Pato's who are coming on strong, and the Gourcoff's they've scared away and loaned out. It could even lay with the Flamini's they enticed for free. It's in world class youth with a nice mix of experience, with experience in abundance in Milan at the moment. Time to use the AC Milan name and entice some world class lads for the future, not names soon to be left in the past.

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