what the papers say

Kaka keen on England move

The Daily Telegraph start by bringing us some news of interest...

'Kaka warms to idea of Manchester City move'

Kaka, the world footballer of the year, has opened the door to a possible move to Manchester City by admitting that it “would be great” to play in the Premier League.

“I like very much the Premier League because it is a very tough championship, a lot of big players, a lot of big teams, now I think it is the best championship in the world,” he said.

Asked if he would be interested in joining Manchester City, he said: “Yes I have a lot of friends playing there. I am watching some games - I am speaking with Robinho, Elano sometimes about Manchester City.”

It is understood that Kaka is on a rather ambitious January shopping list at Eastlands, as well as Kolo Toure, John Terry and Gianluigi Buffon.

The Brazilian is currently in England with AC Milan ahead of Thursday night’s Uefa Cup match against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has, however, insisted that it would be “impossible” just now to envisage Kaka leaving Milan.

Mark Hughes has challenged the City players to prove they can succeed without Robinho against Schalke 04 tonight. Hughes has omitted the Brazilian from his squad for the Uefa Cup tie to guarantee his fitness for Sunday’s derby clash at home to Manchester United.

Robinho, who is nursing a slight ankle sprain sustained against Arsenal last Saturday, has scored nine goals in all competitions and missed just one game since completing his British-record £32.5 million transfer from Real Madrid on Sept 1. By contrast, City's seven other first-team strikers have managed just eight goals between them all season.

“We have to know how to manage without Robinho because there will be occasions when we may need to take him out of the fray,” said Hughes.

Manchester City (probable, 4-1-4-1): Hart; Ben Haim, Richards, Dunne, Garrido; Kompany; Vassell, Wright-Phillips, Ireland, Sturridge; Benjani.

The Sun adds...

'Show you don't need Robinho'

MARK HUGHES has challenged his Manchester City troops to prove they are not a one-man team by winning without Robinho.

The Brazilian superstar was left at home to rest his twisted ankle and ensure he is ready for the Manchester derby at Eastlands on Sunday.

This UEFA Cup clash with Schalke is the first match the £32.5million man has missed since joining City — apart from the Carling Cup tie at Brighton.

Robinho has scored nine goals in 14 games, while Sparky’s other seven forwards have managed only eight between them this term.

Boss Hughes said: “There will be no Robinho. He has a sprain which is a little bit of a concern but we are hopeful about him for the weekend.

“We have to know how to deal with the opposition without him because there will be occasions during the season when maybe we need to take him out of the fray.

“He’s been excellent for us and played every game and there will be times when we will need to look after him in terms of giving him a rest.

“We want him to get over his injury first and foremost before this weekend’s game and then look to the future.

“We will have to focus very quickly on Thursday because we will be playing in front of a full house of 60,000-odd.

“It will be a fantastic occasion and we’ve got to be ready or it will be a difficult game for us. So we can’t afford to look too far ahead.”

United will have an extra two days to prepare for the derby and spent yesterday morning training in Spain, while City travelled to Germany.

Hughes admitted: “It’s not ideal that they have had the extra two days — it can be an advantage to United.

“United are used to travelling into Europe on many, many occasions over many, many years.

“We are relatively new to it as a group of players and as a club. I have had occasions in the past where it has impacted negatively on us.

“But we are back reasonably early on Friday morning just after midnight. We will be back at the normal time for training.

“It impacts on you more negatively if you are playing away on the Sunday. That can tire you out. But we will be fine for this weekend.”

And finally the Daily Post tell us...

'Dean Saunders adds Man City defender Sam Williamson to Wrexham FC squad'

WREXHAM manager Dean Saunders last night made Manchester City defender Sam Williamson his second loan signing of the week.

And the Dragons boss is hoping the 21-year old, a member of City’s FA Youth Cup-winning side last season, will agree a permanent move in the New Year.

Williamson is set to make his debut at Stevenage Borough on Saturday, together with Cardiff City striker Jonathan Brown, whose month-long stay at the Racecourse was agreed on Wednesday.

Saunders said: “Sam has come in until January 3, but with a view to a permanent move on a free transfer. He can play either left back or left midfield, he is young and from good stock, having been at a Premiership club, and is exactly the sort of player I want.”

Kaka on the radar?

Something of a round-up of all current transfer speculation from today's Telegraph.

Daily Telegraph

"Manchester City target Gianluigi Buffon and Kaka in £100 million January bonanza"

A list of preferred targets has been drawn up and, with City having already shipped 22 goals in 14 league games, the immediate focus is on improving the defence. Ambitiously - and rather optimistically - the short-list includes John Terry, Kolo Toure and Gianluigi Buffon, the Italy goalkeeper. AC Milan's Kaka is also understood to be a target, while Lassana Diarra, Roque Santa Cruz and Chelsea left-backs Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge are being monitored.

Of course, the difference between Manchester City's wish-list and future team-sheet is likely to be vast, yet the calibre of some of the targets only underlines the club's intentions and, crucially, available money.

At a time when even Chelsea are announcing a review of their business, Manchester City's new found wealth will also inflate wages in football at a time of wider cost-cutting.

Manager Mark Hughes says that they "are going to make sure we do everything we can to bring in the players I know will help us" but accepts that there is a danger of prices being hiked up "because it is Manchester City".

After scaling back some of the more extravagant claims of his initial spokesman, Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan has promised to support the manager in January and also in the long term.

The £32.5million signing of Robinho on transfer window deadline day signalled City's intent in spectacular style, though club sources remain adamant that the events of August were only the start.

With City's new owner part of the Abu Dhabi ruling family, the club's funding is relatively unaffected by the global economic crisis.

However, there is also an acceptance that many of their transfer targets may prove unattainable in the short term. Terry, the England captain, has been with Chelsea throughout his career and has consistently outlined an ambition to remain at the club until he retires. The chances of Chelsea even considering a bid are also miniscule.

The unrest at Arsenal may heighten the possibility of Kolo Toure considering his options, though he signed a new contract in 2006 that is understood to last until 2010. Given Arsenal's current predicament, Arsene Wenger would surely also hesitate to sell one of his best and most experienced defenders, even if Toure has fallen behind Mikael Silvestre in the pecking order.

There is, however, optimism surrounding the possibility of successfully tempting Juventus to sell Buffon for a potential world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper of £50 million.

Buffon, who is widely considered to be the world's best goalkeeper, was even quoted as advising his club to sell him should such a huge offer come in while Juventus may welcome the money given they have recently announced plans for a new 40,000-seater stadium. As well as Buffon, Diarra, Santa Cruz and possibly Bridge will be considered attainable targets in January.