Back in two weeks!

Sports Portal will be taking a short summer break. I will be live and posting again in two weeks. See you then.

Javier Mascherano and the modern day footballing mercenary!

In the era of no loyalty within our elite level footballers, this attitude is summed up most by non other than Javier Mascherano.

While at Argentinian side River Plate and then Brazilians Corinthians, Mascherano built up quite a reputation not just in South America but around the world.

He was an exciting young talent who chased and hassled the ball carrier tremendously, he was tipped for Europe's best clubs in a matter of years.

However after a shock switch to West Ham United along with compatriot Carlos Tevez he quickly saw he first team opportunities cut short.

After just half a season though and five appearances, Rafael Benitez brought him to Anfield assured he could rebuild his career.

The fans instantly took to the gritty ball winner, and he became a favourite in the terraces.

Now nearing a century of appearances on Merseyside, it seems his time at Liverpool is numbered.

While he should be grateful to Benitez for the 'risk' he made in buying the Argentine, he should be appreciate the club and power brokers who also took the risk and the fans who have took him into their heart.

His refusal to play in the recent defeat to Manchester City is a ludicrous way to act towards the club and fans who are STILL paying his wages despite this refusal.

It is also worth pointing out that Liverpool have turned him into Captain of his country, a situation that seemed highly unlikely during the tumultuous time at West Ham.

Manager Roy Hodgson has stated if no bid matches the clubs valuation, then he could stay.

However the fluttering eye lashed at Barcelona which started last summer are still ongoing, and with Inter Milan now in the race if he does stay it could have a hugely detrimental effect on morale.

Their now seem to be a distinct lack, if any at all, of one club men.

A quick buck among players seems to be the priority and player 'rule' the trend at clubs.

Fergie spot on with 'kamikaze' jibe

Another round of the infamous Alex Ferguson 'mind games' could be in the offing, following the Manchester United managers quotes yesterday.

Without naming a club he has claimed the spending in the Premier League is well over the top, with clubs splashing out on players in kamikaze style.

Fergie believes more clubs should follow his own blue print, bleeding youngsters into the side to develop alongside the more experienced figures.

This summers signings of Chris Smalling, Bebe and the already impressive Javier Hernandez is in stark contrast to their neighbours across the City.

The Eastlands outfit are set to take their spending above the £100m mark when James Milner officially becomes a Manchester City player.

Although the most decorated manger in Premier League history is not alone in thinking they can't instantly buy success.

Real Madrid have famously tried this with the galactico's and won nothing, and had another go at this unsuccessful formula last year with similarly bad consequences.

With Jose Mourinho's installation they have stopped this incessant need to buy big names, with the 'special one' building a solid side.

Their signings of Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil, two of Germany's most impressive performers in this summer World Cup, for just £24m shows this.

They have established themselves in their national side, and show huge promise for the future.

For a similar fee City are buying a player who has some Premier League pedigree, is in or around his national side and justifies his inflated fee after one brilliant season last term.

Ferguson and the others who have tipped City for another baron year could be just right.

They should spend their money more wisely if they want the success everyone connected with the club craves.

Time for England's new breed

Tomorrow night the World Cup flops who carried the hopes of a nation on their shoulders this summer, roll back into town and take centre stage of Wembley.

Fabio Capello's troops face Hungary, a side ranked significantly lower in the Fifa World Rankings and one that should be tossed a side with little complaint.

However there are new faces in this squad, players who given a good performance could replace some of the World Cup 'stars' on a permanent basis.

Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are the most exciting of the new inclusions, with the Arsenal youngsters set to be main stays of the national side for years to come.

That is if they get enough game time for their clubs, which shouldn't be a problem give the fact that Arsene Wenger has rejected loan bids for some of his young stars.

Fellow Gunner Theo Walcott is also back, with Adam Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Joe Hart, and Bobby Zamora amongst others also getting a chance to impress the Italian.

Hart and Johnson are also future stars in the making, but the rest with have to put in a sterling performance to impress a deflated nation.

Hungary, boosted by Fulham man Zoltan Gera, aren't expected to do much in this game but secretly could just fancy their chance.

After all they are playing a side in disarray, deflated after a poor summer and further rocked by retirements of players called into the squad for this game.

What ever you think of Paul Robinson and Wes Brown though will be irrelevant come kick off, all eyes will be the Wembley pitch where a win is a must!

If either a poor display, a loss or both occur Capello really could have a problem on his hands with just a month to go until the European Championship qualifiers.

Liverpool's best news for years

Upon hearing the news that Chinese businessman Kenny Huang is interest in buying Liverpool Football Club, it has emerged that there are as many as six offers on the table.

Although it is unknown who the other bidders are apart from Huang, whose bid we are hearing more of on a daily basis.

You don't need me to guide you through the tumultuous period that the club has experienced under Tom Hicks and George Gillet, but hopefully they have now turned a corner.

Huang certainly talks the talk, but then again so did the Americans before they took charge and look what happened there.

It is understood he wants a quick sale in order to give Roy Hodgson funds to spend for the remainder of the transfer window, just the Manchester City two seasons ago.

Although it is hopeful Liverpool will have more than one day to play with, unlike their counterparts from the blue side of Manchester.

In addition to providing funds Huang wants to wipe out the clubs enormous debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland, as well as resurrecting the new stadium project in Stanley Park.

With the news that Fernando Torres is more or less staying at the club, it yet be one of the most memorable transfer windows in the clubs history.

A statement has issued a deadline of the end of next week to elect a new buyer, lets just hope the right decision is made this time around.