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Ruud van Nistelrooy, who has amassed 244 career League goals, has this weekend expressed his desire to return to the Premiership. The interesting feature of the Dutchman’s admission is his apparent willingness to be employed as a “reserve striker,” having spent most of his playing days in a starring role.

“I am thinking about a nice club in England after this season,” he stated. “I have decided that if a really big European club does approach me, I will accept a role as reserve striker.” But what do we actually know of van Nistelrooy post-Real Madrid, other than a continuous flirtation with the Dutch national squad and a seemingly end-of-career move to Hamburg? Does he still possess, to any extent, the clinical and consistent finishing which makes him a Manchester United legend despite an acrimonious departure from Old Trafford?

The simple answer to the latter would be yes. Van Nistelrooy is nearing his 35th birthday and can no longer produce the form that saw him net 44 times for United in the 2002/2003 season. But disregarding the physical and mental restraints any player of that age faces, his scoring has remained dependable and effective since his previous tenure in the Premier League.

The three-time Champions League Top Scorer has scored 9 in 18 starts for Hamburg this season and marked his return to the Dutch national team with a substitute appearance in Holland’s 4-0 thumping of Hungary last Friday. Class is permanent. Van Nistelrooy has been knocked back and written-off on more than one occasion during his illustrious career but remains one of the most deadly finishers of his generation, and it is this unrelenting aptitude for scoring goals that maintains his status.

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Blackburn are the first Premier League side to declare an interest with boss, Steve Kean, confirming he could use Michel Salgado’s friendship with the former Madrid forward to lure him to Ewood Park. Rovers are set to lose Roque Santa Cruz when he returns to Manchester City following his loan and the club’s new Indian owners are still searching for a marquee signing to validate their takeover. It’s this attitude that stunted Robinho’s progress at City, impeded the twilight of Freddie Ljungberg’s career at West Ham and appears to be affecting Fernando Torres’s recovery at Chelsea.

Despite the recent history of reputable signings, it is not inconceivable to suggest that van Nistelrooy could provide a club like Blackburn the sort of goal-scoring proficiency that James Beattie showed in his first six months at Stoke. The former Southampton striker scored 7 in sixteen starts and was probably the most significant factor in Stoke’s survival in 2009. Beattie may not have been a ‘big-name’ signing for the Potters but his age and propensity for re-appearing in the Premiership season after season suggests a move for a veteran striker with the reputation of van Nistelrooy by any of the League’s middle 12 clubs would be worthwhile.

In reality, van Nistelrooy hasn’t stopped scoring since his last Premier League goal, the winner against Bolton towards the end of the 2006 season, and will surely continue to do so for the next side to secure his services, whether as the leading man or as a reliable reserve.

Comparable Transfer:

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Andy Cole to Fulham – Aged 32 at the time, played one season (2004-2005) and was club’s top scorer with 13.

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Manchester United’s reward for getting past Chelsea is a trip to Germany and a Champions League semi final tie against Schalke. There will be high demand for tickets, flights and accommodation in Gelsenkirchen, so here is all the information you need to make sure you beat the crowd!

Bundesliga outfit Schalke play their home matches in Gelsenkirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The nearest airport to Gelsenkirchen is Dusseldorf Airport, which is to the south-west of the city, around 45 minutes away. The club’s stadium, known as the Veltins-Arena under a sponsorship agreement with Veltins brewery, was completed in the summer of 2001 and has a capacity of 61,673 spectators. It is located to the north of Gelsenkirchen.

The all-important date of the first leg away to Schalke is Tuesday 26th April!

Flights and hotels:

You can fly direct from London Stansted to Dusseldorf Airport on Air Berlin Airlines. The flight takes just over one hour to complete and will cost somewhere between £100 and £150. You can also fly from London Heathrow or London Gatwick with British Airways, in addition to bmi and Lufthansa from Heathrow. A flight from Manchester will take in the region of one hour and forty five minutes, and you can fly to Dusseldorf with Flybe, Lufthansa or bmi.

For football fans looking to keep the cost of their Champions League trip low and who are on a tight budget, the two-star Ibis Gelsenkirchen offers great value for guests. Located in the south of the city and a fair distance from the stadium, rooms are available for less than £50 if you book early.

The InterCityHotel Gelsenkirchen offers guests three-star accommodation and is located south of the Veltins-Arena. The hotel has a restaurant on site, and with rooms available from around £50, offers a reasonable stay for people on a medium budget.

For those travellers that have a large budget to enjoy, the four-star Maritim Hotel Gelsenkirchen will fit the bill perfectly. Rooms will cost in excess of £100, but for that you get to use the on-site restaurant, indoor pool and spa, and stay in a prime city centre location.

So there’s all the Schalke travel info you need, now buy you tickets by clicking the link below…

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Buy Schalke v Man United Champions League tickets here!

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is keeping faith in the kids as he battles for their English Premier League survival.Bruce’s men have plummeted down the table after losing eight of their last nine and selling star forward Darren Bent to Aston Villa in January, and face a relegation dog fight when they take on Wigan on Saturday.

And with an injury-ravaged squad, Bruce has had to turn to the club’s youth system to plug the gaps as they embark on a nervous season finale.

“It’s been levelled at me that I have picked too many youngsters, but youth is the best way forward,” the former Manchester United defender said.

“I won’t change my philosophy of bringing in young players; it’s the right way forward for the club. There’ll be times when they have ups and downs.”

“But I’m relying on some of the young ones now to pull us through. I hope we can get through this, then get our big players back to give them a bit more experience.”

“The club will be better in the long-term for having these young kids play their part. It can only be a good thing to have Jack Colback at 21, Jordan Henderson at 20, Lee Cattermole at 23 and Ahmed Elmohamady at 23 playing first-team football.”

“I thought Colback did great last weekend. He’s another young player who grasped his chance and did particularly well. He will be better for it.”

They might not have got the desired result but the performance in last weekend’s 2-0 reverse at Birmingham City was the source of great optimism for Bruce.

He added: “I was really pleased with the way we played at Birmingham.”

“The lads were young and fresh and athletic and that’s why we were better, rather than having people who were carrying injuries and struggling.”

“It was the best we’ve played in a couple of months, we didn’t quite get the result but that’s all I can ask for.”

“If they play like that again then hopefully we can turn it round and get the result we want.”

Midfielder Kieran Richardson (calf) and forward Danny Welbeck (hamstring) are doubts.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon is out for the season and defenders Titus Bramble (knee) and John Mensah (calf) plus forward Fraizer Campbell are also injured.

Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt will be fighting for their lives in the Bundesliga on Saturday, while St Pauli look doomed.Monchengladbach have spent much of the season propping up the table.

But they beat Hannover 1-0 away last week and are now three points off safety with two matches remaining.

They host overachievers Freiburg this weekend, before a trip to Hamburg on the last day of the season.

Faced with a similar situation in the 1997/98 season, a Steffen Effenberg-inspired Gladbach won both of their last two matches to narrowly survive.

It remains to be seen if the 2011 edition can match those heroics.

Frankfurt fans also face a nerve-wracking conclusion to the season.

Third from bottom and just one point away from safety, they play host to Cologne, who are four points better off in 14th place and require just a draw to guarantee their survival.

Wolfsburg are the other team battling to avoid the drop.

They have won their last two matches – Felix Magath’s first victories since returning as coach in March – to climb out of the bottom three.

League champions as recently as 2008/09, they remain just one point clear of the relegation zone and are at home to Kaiserslautern on Saturday.

St Pauli looked destined to return to the second tier after just one season back in the top flight.

Six points from safety with a vastly inferior goal difference to the teams above them, they would need big wins in both matches to have any chance of a remarkable escape.

And with Champions League contenders Bayern Munich arriving at the Millerntor on Saturday, it would appear an impossible task.

Worse still for St Pauli, Bayern will not be lacking in motivation.

They finally moved into third place – the final European Cup qualification berth – after Hannover lost last week and will fiercely defend their two-point advantage in the last two matches.

Werder Bremen are still just four points clear of the drop and will be hoping newly crowned champions Borussia Dortmund arrive nursing a hangover from their title-winning celebrations.

Stuttgart, five points above the bottom three, must take points off third-placed Hannover as they seek to guarantee their survival.

Elsewhere, Hamburg travel to second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, while sixth plays eighth when Nuremburg host Hoffenheim.

Mainz can secure Europa League qualification with a win away to Schalke, who exited the Champions League at the hands of Manchester United on Wednesday.

Mario Balotelli and Andrea Pirlo have been recalled to the Italy squad to take on Estonia and the Republic of Ireland in June.Manchester City striker Balotelli has not featured for Italy since their 1-1 draw against Romania in November 2010.

He has been left out of subsequent national squads through a combination of injury and indiscipline, with Italy coach Cesare Prandelli refusing to select players who do not meet his expected standards of behaviour while at their clubs.

In line with the policy, Roma’s Daniele De Rossi has been omitted after the red card he received against Bari on May 1 resulted in a three-match domestic ban.

Midfielder Pirlo, who will move from long-term club AC Milan to Turin giants Juventus in the close season, has not played international football since Italy’s 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland in October 2010.

The 32-year-old playmaker has endured an injury-interrupted season for Milan, making just 19 starts in all competitions for the Serie A champions.

Italy host Estonia in a Euro 2012 qualifying match at Modena’s Stadio Alberto Braglia on June 3, before taking on Ireland in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, on June 7.

Prandelli’s side top qualifying group C with 13 points, five ahead of second-place Slovenia.

Squad: Goalkeepers: Buffon (Juventus), Sirigu (Palermo), Viviano (Bologna).

Defenders: Astori (Cagliari), Balzaretti (Palermo), Cassani (Palermo), Chiellini (Juventus), Criscito (Genoa), Gamberini (Fiorentina), Maggio (Napoli), Ranocchia (Inter).

Midfielders: Aquilani (Liverpool), Marchisio (Juventus), Montolivo (Fiorentina), Thiago Motta (Inter), Nocerino (Palermo), Palombo (Sampdoria), Pirlo (Milan).

Attackers: Balotelli (Manchester City), Cassano (Milan), Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giovinco (Parma), Matri (Juventus), Pazzini (Inter), Rossi (Villarreal).

Steve Bruce was satisfied to end an up-and-down season for Sunderland with a top-10 finish after beating West Ham 3-0 on Sunday.Sunderland were on course for Europa League place after a flying start to the season, which included a 3-0 win away to Chelsea.

But a succession of injuries to first-team players, coupled with the departure of striker Darren Bent in the January transfer window, resulted in a dire loss of form in the second half of the season.

But two wins from the last two matches sees Sunderland sneak into the top half of the table, albeit on goal difference.

“I’m delighted for us and all Sunderland fans. We set out to be in the top 10 and we’ve had a pretty awful three months,” Bruce said.

“We’ve put in back-to-back victories away from home, I thought we were well worth it today, and to go up four places, to finish above Newcastle for the third time in the last three years is obviously very pleasing for the supporters.”

“To finish in the top 10, for the third time in 55 years I believe, shows we’ve made a bit of progress and the next step is can we keep improving?”

“We’ve been badly injured and badly hampered by the loss of key players but to finish in the top 10 is very, very pleasing. I’m delighted for the club.”

West Ham came into the match at Upton Park with their relegation to the Championship already confirmed.

Avram Grant was dismissed immediately after their defeat to Wigan last week, leaving first-team coach Kevin Keen to take charge against Sunderland.

Despite overseeing a comprehensive home defeat, Keen insists he is the man to take the club forward.

“Yes I’d love the job,” Keen said. “My audition for the job started as soon as I got it and I think this week I’ve conducted myself quite well.”

“I love the club, I played for the club for nine years, I’ve come back and I’ve coached the club for nine years. It’s in my blood.”

“I feel I can really take the club on and contribute. I feel it is time for me to go on and become a manager.”

“If you asked the players about respect and who they’d want to take the job I think you’d get a big affirmative from the majority.”

“It’s a tough profession but I’ve been in it a long time and I feel I’ve got the attributes to take the club forward.”

After Arsene Wenger and Stuart Pearce ’s rather heated exchange of words through the media, it was decided that Jack Wilshere would not travel to the Under-21 European Championships this summer. Andy Carroll will also be missing from the tournament in a move that has ignited frustration among football fans especially when you consider the mentality Spain have entered the tournament with. Spain have selected two World Cup winners in their squad – in the form of Juan Mata and Javi Martinez in a bold move to win the tournament and show the youngsters the way forward. Winning mentalities are never the worse thing in the world and the excuses for not picking two of England’s star players for the tournament again demonstrates why we are not producing enough world class players. English players believe once they break into their clubs first teams and have a few England caps behind them then they have made it. The attitude is all wrong.

The Champions League final was a perfect example of the complete difference in ethos and the Under 21 European Championships may again show England up. There are some real quality young English players heading to the tournament, but for the side’s two best players to be allowed to sit the tournament out shows a real unwillingness to win for England at any level. The argument that is put forward is that Jack Wilshere may be burnt out come the end of the summer. What about Chris Smalling, Micha Richards and Jack Rodwell? Are they somehow not affected by burn out or tiredness?

Micah Richards has been selected for England’s first team 12 times. Does that mean Richards could have pulled out of the tournament? Whose interests are we really protecting; Arsenal ’s or Jack Wilshere’s?

Just look at the example of Mesut Ozil and his team mates who wont the tournament in 2009 for evidence to the contrary. From what I can remember, the English media couldn’t get enough of the young German side at the World Cup last year? Interesting…

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We need to learn from Spain and look to blood our best players in tournaments such as the Under-21 European Championships. It shows the right attitude. Players like Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll who have come up through the ranks are role models for players, they can see that it can be done – that you can make the steps up and at some stage represent the national team at full international level. With Andy Carroll and Jack Wilshere in the side it would give England a greater chance of winning an international tournament. Nobody can argue against the importance of winning. International football is a lot different to domestic club football.

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Some players who have gone on to play for the top English clubs haven’t quite been at the required standard to bring a major Championship home because of the lack of drive and understanding of the international game. Spain are going to the tournament with every intention on winning the tournament. They have picked their strongest side available and have brought in older, more experienced heads to guide the team through tough games. Can England really say they are doing the same?

Read more of Tom’s articles at This is Futbol

Bayern Munich’s new signing Manuel Neuer was unveiled to the club’s fans at a training session on Saturday.The 25-year-old starred for Schalke last season after an impressive 2010 FIFA World Cup and was the subject of much interest from across the globe, before he signed with Bayern at the end of the season.

Bayern offered the shot-stopper a five-year-deal in the hope that Neuer will be the club’s first choice goalkeeper for many years, a place he is keen to cement by winning trophies.

“I want to achieve the most I can,” Neuer said.

“We’ll be concentrating on all competitions but the main focus will be on the league of course – that’s something I personally want to win.”

Neuer was unveiled alongside the club’s other new signings, Rafinha – who also joined from Schalke – and Nils Peterson.

Bayern boss Jupp Heynckes believes the acquisition of the trio will help the Bavarian giants win the Bundesliga next season after a disappointing campaign in 2010/11.

“I think the team has been competitive for the last few years, even if it only finished third last season,” Heynckes said.

“That means they are on an European level, they showed that two years ago when they reached the final of the Champions League and won the league and cup.”

“I think that if we manage to make a few more signings, then we will have an even better team and will be even stronger than in past years.”

“It will be important to strike a balance between offence and defence and I think it will be my target to achieve this together with the players.”

Bayern open their league campaign with a home match against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 7.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Stoke City manager Tony Pulis is preparing a bid for Tottenham forward Peter Crouch.

Pulis has been searching for a experienced Premier League striker all summer and has identified £10 million rated Crouch as his number one target.

The former Liverpool man looks set to struggle for a starting spot at White Hart Lane next season with Spurs chasing Emmanuel Adebayor and Pulis wants to offer him guaranteed first team football.

It’s been a frustrating summer already for the Potters boss who has already seen a move for West Ham’s Carlton Cole collapse and talks with Birmingham’s Cameron Jerome stall.

Stoke failed to match the wages of both players and with Crouch picking up around £70,000-a-week it may take a sizeable chunk out of Pulis’ budget if he were to land the Spurs man.

30-year-old Crouch has also been linked with a move to former club QPR although they and Stoke wouldn’t be able to offer regular European football to a man who has performed at the highest level.

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The England regular has played and scored vital goals in the Champions League and it is doubtful that a move to Stoke will appeal to him as he requires regular European action.

The Premier League is often billed as the Greatest League In The World Ever ™. Compared to its European counterparts, it is often held up as a shining light for all things great and good about the beautiful game –  on a weekly basis it boasts excitement, action, quality and a smattering of drama along the way to boot. So it may come as a shock to some that upon closer inspection that this exalted league of ours lacks a truly global superstar (both financially and out on the pitch) to pin it’s sizeable marketing drive behind.

Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo packed up those ever so tight shorts of his for pastures new with a world record move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2009, the league has lacked a truly definable top talent.

That is not to say of course that the league lacks world class players. Of course it doesn’t. Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and Cesc Fabregas are the envy of club sides the world over just for starters. However, there isn’t that one big name that takes games at the highest level by the scruff of the neck and delivers in the same way that Ronaldo did. That would walk into any other club side in the world.

The Premier League may be the best league in the world to the paying public at least, but when it comes to the minds’ of the players, it will always remain a poor second to La Liga.

England is a breeding ground for world class talent. It’s here that emerging talent above any other league is given the platform to perform, with it’s hustling and bustling style making or breaking even the best. But when it comes to the best players in the world, they only ever see the pinnacle of their career playing for the hegemonic duo of Real Madrid or Barcelona over in Spain.

Last season’s Premier League, while fascinatingly and rather unusually competitive for the most part, lacked a true standout performer. Tevez threatened for spells, Van Persie probably would have been had his team-mates not capitulated when the going got tough and the likes of Gareth Bale, Dimitar Berbatov and Charlie Adam all enjoyed their respective moments in the sun.

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To put it another way, in no other year in recent memory would Scott Parker or Raul Meireles have finished the season with an award in tow. Despite both of them enjoying consistent yet unspectacular campaigns, they were rewarded for their performances as there was simply no bigger, brighter name able to step up and perform consistently as is customary at end of season award ceremonies.

What is concerning though, is that some of the league’s world class talent looks set to depart, with the likes of the aforementioned duo Tevez and Fabregas angling for moves away from our fair shores.

Some will say that this marks the dawning of a new, exciting and increasingly competitive era. But ask yourself – has the status quo really changed that much? Man Utd won the title, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City all sealed Champions League qualification as expected and Liverpool and Spurs sealed the other two European spots. A league works best when there is something to aim at, a standard to work towards. With concerns to it’s quality, the league may be lacking behind La Liga now – or to put it better, solely behind it’s big two.

The Premier League has and always will be a league that fosters and creates the next big global superstar as opposed to buying it. At no point in time has one of the top three players in the world moved to the Premier League to ply their trade by choice. This is obviously down to several factors outside of our control such as culture, weather etc, but it‘s a point worth noting.

But with several of the league’s big name players looking at moves away and the likes of Chelsea and Man City struggling to compete in the transfer market despite their relative riches, now more than ever before, the Premier League lacks quality, and with it, a true global superstar.

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