He may have started the weekend's game on the bench for Milan, but I'm hoping David Beckham gets the nod to start against his former club Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Not for any sentimental reasons - although it will be nice to see him get the terrific reception he deserves, and is expected to get, should he feature - but rather because his presence on the pitch can be of benefit to United. ...
My comments on Monday about Arsene Wenger's reaction to Aaron Ramsey's injury provoked a very strong reaction from Arsenal fans. Perhaps I would have been better off saying that Ryan Shawcross should be hung, drawn and quartered.
I was in no way trying to trivialise what is a very serious injury for a young player. I have nothing but sympathy for Ramsey and his team-mates. ...
Arsene Wenger was wrong to criticise Ryan Shawcross for the challenge which broke Aaron Ramsey's leg and should apologise to him.
Sometimes your emotions get the better of you. Sometimes when it happens to a team-mate or a player in your team you need to take a step back, have another look and think about what you say. ...
All eyes will be on Wayne Bridge shortly after 12:30 on Saturday when his Manchester City side line up in the Stamford Bridge tunnel alongside John Terry's Chelsea.
Inevitably, there will be pressure on the left-back to shake his former friend's hand and everyone is waiting to see if he will or not.
To be honest, if he refuses to take Terry's hand, I wouldn't blame him and it should never be held against him. ...
Liverpool's performance against Manchester City did not come as a surprise - Rafa Benitez just isn't an adventurous manager.
The only time he encouraged his side to play daringly was at the back end of last season - when he was rewarded with a second-place finish.
Since then Liverpool have failed to step forward. ...
MATCH OF THE WEEKEND: Manchester City v Liverpool
It's impossible to predict this one, considering how inconsistent both teams have been this season.
City are still struggling to convince a lot of people and despite the odd moment here and there they have, on the whole, been rather average. ...
The tie must be seen as the stand-out fixture of the round, but it is about the meeting of two of the biggest clubs in Europe - David Beckham as an individual doesn't really come into it. ...
Match of the weekend: Southampton v Portsmouth
This is a fascinating encounter, and one which Southampton fans will use to get right in the faces of their local rivals.
Having suffered the ignominy of dropping down the divisions after a financial meltdown of their own, Saints fans know better than most what their bitter enemies are going through at the moment. Just don't expect them to have any sympathy. ...
Rio Ferdinand wouldn't have been my choice to replace John Terry as England captain - I would have gone for Steven Gerrard.
Maybe Fabio Capello likes to have centre-halves wearing the armband as they can see the play in front of them, but Rio is not even an automatic pick at this point.
He has just come back from injury and earned himself a long ban through a silly elbow and a ridiculous appeal. ...
Sunday's game against Arsenal will be John Terry's first back at the Bridge since the scandal that saw him lose the England captaincy and it will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts.
Of course there will be those die-hard Chelsea fans who will sing his name throughout the game against Arsenal, but what about Chelsea's contingent of female fans?
Will they be so quick to publically back him after the allegations that he cheated on his wife?
If not, ...
The last thing Wayne Rooney needs going into the World Cup is to be made captain of England.
There is already enough pressure on him, as he is the player every England fan will be pinning their hopes on.
He is a player who leads by example on the pitch, and he can do that without the armband.
Just let him get on with doing what he loves, which is playing football, instead of saddling him with interviews and team talks. ...
Game to watch: Arsenal v Man Utd
For the first time in years, this game has flown slightly under the radar because of the midweek Manchester derby in the Carling Cup. But don't worry, there will be no shortage of atmosphere or intensity when these two great rivals step out on Sunday. It is hard to see who has the edge, but the injury to Thomas Vermaelen might just tip the balance in United's favour. ...
Considering the number of youngsters Arsene Wenger sent out against Stoke in the fourth round of the FA Cup, a certain amount of criticism directed at the Arsenal boss was to be expected.
Arsenal have a number of tough games coming up and there have been accusations that by resting some of his more senior players, thereby prioritising the Premier League over the Cup, Wenger has devalued the competition. ...
Leeds have been to Old Trafford and beaten Manchester United and they will go to White Hart Lane without fear of top flight opposition - and in the knowledge that they are capable of causing another upset. ...
I never bought into the opinion that Chelsea would struggle without those players still away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
Chelsea have enough power and goal-scoring ability within their squad to cope with the loss of anyone - and they proved it again at the weekend. ...
I never bought into the opinion that Chelsea would struggle without those players still away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
Chelsea have enough power and goal-scoring ability within their squad to cope with the loss of anyone - and they proved it again at the weekend. ...
Match of the weekend: Stoke v Liverpool
Rafa Benitez has had so many 'must-win' games this season - and failed to win the bulk of them - we cannot say defeat at the Britannia Stadium would seal his fate. But his position looks increasingly untenable after Wednesday's defeat to Reading, and there is now a chorus of Anfield legends calling for him to go. ...
Tom Hicks Jr's (pictured, left) abusive email to a Liverpool fan was an absolute disgrace and shows the kind of regime that is in charge at Anfield.
It was an unbelievable show of disrespect to some of the most loyal and passionate fans in the game, and he should have been sacked by his father (right) before he had a chance to quit. ...
I cannot understand why so many top-flight games have been postponed in this modern age of undersoil heating.
For example, the pitch at Hull's KC Stadium is immaculate, but their game with Chelsea has been called off because the roads around the ground are thought to be unsafe.
In years gone by, fans never seemed to have a problem getting to grounds in ice and snow, and teams would play on with an orange ball in atrocious conditions. ...
I could hardly bear to watch Leeds beat Manchester United at Old Trafford, knowing what the fixture means to both sets of supporters.
Simon Grayson's side are having a great season, and came into the match full of confidence. It was the biggest game of their season and it showed.
They deserved to beat a United team that never really got out of the blocks, and their names will go down in the history of the club. ...
