Tuesday Football
02 October 2007
by Jerrad Peters
JOHN Terry will be among the starting-XI when Chelsea visit Valencia in the Champions' League tomorrow. The England skipper suffered a fractured cheekbone in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Fulham at Stamford Bridge and underwent surgery less than 24-hours later. On Monday, however, he was participating in drills at the club's Cobham training facilities. And after making the journey to Spain with his teammates, he will be on the field at the Mestalla when the Matchday Two contest kicks-off tomorrow. Terry is hardly a stranger to quick, almost miraculous, recoveries. After an operation to repair a nagging back problem last winter, the 26-year-old was back in the squad after just over a month. And after sustaining an ankle injury against Porto in the Champions' League in late February, he made a shocking return just days later against Arsenal in the Carling Cup final. In the second-half of that same match at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, he was knocked unconscious after being kicked in the head by Arsenal defender Abou Diaby. He was stretchered from the field and rushed immediately rushed to hospital. But Terry, unwilling to miss the post-match celebrations, discharged himself from the University Hospital of Wales and arrived at the stadium in time to savor his side's 2-1 win.
David Albelda, Valencia's 30-year-old defensive midfielder, is confident that his side can take advantage of Terry's injury and Chelsea's recent hardships. "It's a good moment to be playing this game," stated the Spanish international, yesterday. Valencia are eager for revenge after being knocked-out of the competition by Chelsea last year.
Roy Keane has offered David Beckham a Premier League lifeline. The Sunderland manager is eager to sign the 32-year-old Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder to a 6-month loan deal when the MLS season concludes in November. Since suffering an ankle injury while on England duty in June, Beckham has made only three appearances for Galaxy and is anxious to remain fit over the winter. Regular games would also improve Beckham's chances of an England recall. Keane and Beckham combined to win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the Champions' League while together at Old Trafford. Former United teammates Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole are also currently on one-year deals at the Stadium of Light and could be part of the lure for Beckham.
Alessandro Del Piero could be poised for a shock exit from Juventus in January. The 32-year-old Juve and Italy icon is out of contract at season's end and has yet to agree a new package with the Turin giants. Sporting Director Alessio Secco admitted that the 32-year-old could be on his way out of the Stadio Della Alpi. "There is a risk of losing him," he stated, yesterday. "It is a situation that is helping nobody." Del Piero has also been dropped from the Italy squad and could be keen on a change of scenery to revitalize his career.
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