ballclip's Blog

BY BBC SPORT

Campo has scored 13 goals for Bolton Bolton have released Ivan Campo, Stelios Giannakopoulos and Andranik Teymourian but hope to persuade keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to stay at the club. Jaaskelainen and defender Ricardo Gardner's contracts expire at the end of June but boss Gary Megson is hopeful of extending their stay at the Reebok. "Jussi and Ricardo have been excellent servants and are still very much part of my future plans," said Megson. "Hopefully, we can get them secured on new deals as soon as possible." The midfield trio have all been released as Bolton prepare for next season's Premier League campaign after escaping relegation by a single point. "Ivan, Stelios and Andranik have all done well for Bolton and I'd like to express my gratitude to them," Megson added on the club's website. "It's time for them to move on and I wish them all the best." After a successful loan period, Spaniard Campo, 34, joined Bolton from Real Madrid in 2003, the same year Greek star Stelios arrived at the club. Iranian international Andranik joined Bolton after impressing during the 2006 World Cup but has only made nine appearances this season. Keeper Jaaskelainen missed the latter half of Bolton's season after he injured his back while warming up for Bolton's Uefa Cup tie against Sporting Lisbon on 6 March. Long-serving Jamaican Gardner completed his ninth campaign with Bolton at the end of the season.

BY BBC SPORT

Chelsea are being strongly linked with a move for departing Barcelona midfielder Deco. (News of the World)

Thierry Henry could be tempted to follow David Beckham into Major League Soccer with a £5.2m-a-year offer to join new club Seattle Sounders. (Various)

James McFadden is a wanted man following Birmingham's relegation - with Portsmouth, Sunderland and Celtic chasing the £6m-rated striker. (Sunday Express)

Juande Ramos wants £8m-rated Sevilla defender Adriano Correia added to his Tottenham squad this summer. (News of the World)

John Arne Riise is ready to snub a move to Newcastle for the lure of Champions League football next season with Schalke emerging as favourites to sign him. (News of the World)

Manchester City skipper Richard Dunne has set his heart on a summer move to Tottenham despite efforts by Sven-Goran Eriksson to keep him at Eastlands. (Mail on Sunday)

Liverpool are close to completing a £13m double swoop for Italian defender Andrea Dossena and Espanyol left winger Albert Riera. (News of the World)

The Reds will also turn their attention to Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing if they fail to land Aston Villa's Gareth Barry. (News of the World)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is set to raid his homeland, France for three players to make up for the loss of Mathieu Flamini. Wenger has identified Lille midfielder Jean Makoun, St-Etienne right-back Mahamadou Dabo and Marseille's Samir Nasri. (Sunday Telegraph)

Everton want to bid £11m for Valencia winger Joaquin. (News of the World)

Galatasaray's Turkish midfielder Arda Turan is an £11m target for Newcastle. (News of the World)

Tottenham have emerged as favourites to sign Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o after making a £24m bid. And they have also made their interest in West Ham's Dean Ashton clear to the Hammers. (News of the World)

Martin O'Neill is confident he will land Arsenal's Justin Hoyte after failing with a £4.5m bid last year. (News of the World)

Villa have reached agreement with Chelsea for midfielder Steve Sidwell. The fee for the former Reading star is £7m. (News of the World)

Chelsea are poised to ditch Nicolas Anelka and set up the ninth transfer of his career. (Sunday Mirror)

Roy Keane hopes to cash in on Manchester City's summer clearout by landing Stephen Ireland. (News of the World)

Tottenham are weighing up a move for Michael Owen if their bid to land Samuel Eto'o collapses. (The People)

BY BBC SPORT

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp said rescuing Pompey from the brink of relegation two seasons ago was a bigger feat than winning the FA Cup.

Redknapp won the first major trophy of his footballing career thanks to Kanu's solitary strike against Cardiff.

But the manager said: "It's a great day in terms of there is glory in winning but, in football terms, keeping Portsmouth up was a bigger achievement.

"It's a dream come true to win the FA Cup. It has been a good day."

Redknapp was re-appointed Portsmouth manager in December 2005, after a spell at arch-rivals Southampton, with the club languishing six points from safety after a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham in his first game back.

The south coast side recorded just two league wins in Redknapp's first 13 games in charge but somehow managed to miraculously maintain their Premier League status.

"It wasn't easy and I have no doubt if we had gone down I wouldn't be here now talking about an FA Cup final win," said Redknapp.

Now, two years on, they are FA Cup winners thanks to Kanu's first-half strike at Wembley.

The all-important goal came when Cardiff goalkeeper Peter Enckelman spilled John Utaka's cross, allowing Kanu to tuck the ball home from four yards.

"He has been great for us," said Redknapp of his match-winner.

"That's a semi-final and a final he has won with his goals and yet when I signed him at the start of last season on a free transfer from West Brom people said I was mad.

"I thought when he missed the first chance it could be costly but he keeps on going, keeps on trying to do the right things and he's a big plus for us."

Redknapp insisted that Enkelman should not be blamed for the goal and paid tribute to Portsmouth's Championship opponents.

"Cardiff put us under a lot of pressure and we had to deal with difficult situations. My defence was fantastic," he said.

"They did really well, especially on set-pieces. For me the biggest feeling is one of relief. There are no easy games any more.

"But when we get in front - with Sol Campbell, David James, Sylvan Distin, Heidar Hreidarsson and Glen Johnson - we're a difficult side to break down. It was important to come here and get the win. "

"Harry's a legend now, isn't he?" said James. "It was a hard game today, a bit scrappy, but we deserved to win."

Striker Kanu said triumphing in the FA Cup final with Portsmouth was more special than his two victories with Arsenal as he started the game and played such a crucial role.

"The is the best moment of my life," he revealed. "I feel good, I feel happy. I missed a good chance but I am one of the experienced players and you have to keep going.

"When we have the fans behind us we keep on going for them."

Midfielder Sulley Muntari said he knew Portsmouth would win the Cup after they defeated Manchester United in the quarter-finals.

"It started with the Manchester United game. It gave us confidence winning there," said the Ghanaian.

"We knew that was a big result and we could win the Cup from that point. Now we have the Cup.

"We knew we were going to win it. We have all the players and all the possibilities. We were nervous a little bit but we knew if we played well we could win."

After playing enough games this season to trigger a one-year contract extension, Kanu now wants to lead Pompey for their European campaign.

"I love the supporters and I want to be part of the team that plays in the Uefa Cup," he said.

"Being in Europe means a lot to the players because most of them haven't been there or won medals."