A round-up of today's other soccer stories in brief:
Ballack gets 'serious'
Germany captain Michael Ballack says he is in "serious" talks to move to Chelsea from Bayern Munich. Speaking in Munich yesterday, Ballack said he and his agent, Michael Becker, had yet to clinch a deal with the English champions.
"Nothing has been decided yet and nothing signed but I'm in serious talks with Chelsea," Ballack (29) said on the sidelines of a book presentation in Munich.
Ballack has spoken directly with Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho. "We've talked," Ballack said. "You can assume that I had a good feeling during that conversation."
The midfielder's contract at Bayern runs out at the end of the season. He has rejected a reported offer of €36 million to sign a new deal with the German champions.
Ballack's agent said that they were in advanced negotiations with Chelsea about a move to London.
Owen gets boots out
Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder said yesterday he is "confident" England striker Michael Owen will play for his side again this season. The 26-year-old yesterday put a pair of boots on for the first time since suffering a fractured metatarsal when colliding with Paul Robinson in a league clash with Tottenham on New Year's Eve. And Roeder maintains Owen will be fit before the end of the season, raising hopes he will line up for England in this summer's World Cup. Roeder said: "It's onwards and upwards again for Michael and I'm confident he will play for Newcastle before the end of the season."
Meanwhile, Newcastle have recorded a loss of £6.3million for the past half-year. The pre-tax loss is published in the club's interim results for the six months ending January 31st, 2006.
The losses are principally attributed to a fall in overall revenue and the purchase of Owen, Albert Luque and Nolberto Solano.
Anfield awaits Gonzalez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expects Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez to join the club in time for next season after being turned down for a work permit last August.
The Anfield side signed Gonzalez from Spanish club Albacete last July but loaned him to Real Sociedad after he failed to secure a permit to play in England.
"I still don't understand how he (Gonzalez) was refused a work permit last season and I think they will reconsider that now," Benitez said yesterday.
"My idea is clear, it is to have Mark working with us at Melwood (training ground) in time for next season."
Jol has high hopes
Manager Martin Jol believes Tottenham Hotspur can be serious challengers for the Premiership title within three years.
"It's maybe not realistic but I think that in the next three years we could make a big challenge to be champions of England," the Dutchman said yesterday.
"You need consistency in the club and with the players as well. Our spine has always remained the same with Ledley (King) and Paul (Robinson) and (Michael) Carrick. (Republic of Ireland captain) Robbie Keane is there now for another four years, (Jermain) Defoe. And I think that is probably an advantage over a lot of other clubs - our British (sic) players."
Keane vital - Lennon
Inevitably enough, when he turned up in Dublin yesterday to launch the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters' Club's annual charity dinner, Celtic captain Neil Lennon was asked for his thoughts on the future at the club of Roy Keane, writes Mary Hannigan. Lennon expressed surprise at Keane's recent hint that he may retire from football at the end of the season.
"It came out of the blue when he made those comments; it came as a surprise to a lot of us," he said, "but we are all hoping that he can stay.
"For next season, if we do go into the group stages automatically, his Champions League experience could be vital for us. But it's Roy's call. Without a doubt, though, he is up to another season."
Riquelme gets a break
Villarreal will rest four influential players for tonight's La Liga clash with Barcelona (kick-off: 7.30, live Sky Sports 1) to keep them fit for Wednesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal at Highbury.
Juan Roman Riquelme, striker Diego Forlan and midfielders Juan Pablo Sorin and Alessio Tacchinardi have been left out of the squad.
Barca, who play AC Milan in their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, are resting Ronaldinho for the match at Camp Nou.
In brief . . .
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan has been voted manager of the year by the Scottish Football Writers' Association . . . Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to end speculation about his future by signing a new contract with Juventus . . . Aston Villa defender Mark Delaney is ruled out for the rest of the season because of a knee injury.
