Today's Papers / Top Dog / 08 January 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

• Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
• Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
• Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Joe Cole demanded to have his picture taken with the Carling Cup when Chelsea won it in 2005 because it was the first trophy of his career - and incidentally the first won by Jose Mourinho. So when the England midfielder talks passionately to all the papers about his determination to win it again it's a bit more than the usual pre-match press conference talk. Chelsea are [1.96] to beat Everton tonight, and [1.55] to reach the final, then [2.7] favourites for the trophy itself. Their deal for Nicolas Anelka is getting closer with Bolton turning down an initial £11million offer - not much doubt it will eventually happen. If it does Anelka can play in the second leg of the semi and the final as he's not cup tied. (He'll also be available for the Champions League and FA Cup)

Cruft's:

The Sun - Go Defoe - Jermain Defoe reveals that Spurs boss Juande Ramos has told him he can leave if he wants to. England striker Defoe insists he wants to stay and prove he's worth his place - but the important bit is the quote that says he won't sign a contract if he's not in the team. Defoe is in the middle of changing agents and there's a dance going on to sort out his future. Aston Villa have already asked about him, expect them to come in strong to do a deal.

Daily Mail - Kop target Klinsmann - John Edwards broke the story yesterday that Rick Parry was flying to America to talk to Liverpool's owners and now says Jurgen Klinsmann is first choice to move in if Rafa Benitez goes. One to keep watching for, especially as experienced North West based man Edwards has talked to friends of the former German boss who say he fancies the job. The Mirror's David Maddock, who wrote Robbie Fowler's autobiography, also says Klinsmann's the man

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - 330 million fans (and they don't all live in Surrey) - Nice take on Manchester United's financial figures. They'll announce about £75million profit on £245million turnover on Thursday thanks to their massive worldwide fan base. It means the Glazers can keep servicing their £500million loan without needing to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid

Daily Star - Keano hunts down £7m duo - North East reporter Ian Murtagh says Sunderland want Leroy Lita from Reading as well as Stephen Hunt. Keane wants five new faces. The signs are that Irish striker Hunt wants to play for Republic legend Keane. Reading would miss a man who has scored seven goals for them

Daily Mail - Boro eye £12m Alves - Colin Young says Middlesbrough are preparing to pay a club record £12m for Dutch based Brazil striker Afonso Alves. The 26-year-old was top scorer in Holland last season with 34 goals and has ten this year, including the fastest hat trick in Eredivisie history. Boro urgently need goals. They are [5.1] for relegation at the moment.

Daily Mirror - Big Mac keen to boss Irish again - The Mirror's James Nursey clearly reads Top Dog's column. I said last week there were rumours that Mick McCarthy might return to being boss of the Republic and Nursey is the first to put the story into print. It's still speculative, but one to keep an eye on - particularly while you can back him to be next ROI boss at [36]

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - Carragher sees red - Jamie Carragher lost his temper with some Luton fans who taunted him then sprayed him with drink while he was warming down after Sunday's FA Cup tie. The Sun's front page news team has paid a fortune to some punter who took a mobile phone picture of the Liverpool star wanting to take them on and paints him as "behaving like a vicious thug". But how would you react if you got insulted and sprayed with drink while you're at work?

Daily Express - Anelka says pay up Roman and I'm yours - Tony Banks reckons Nicolas Anelka wants an £8.5million contract to join Chelsea. This is guesswork, even though he's probably about right in thinking the Bolton striker will sign for £80,000 a week.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Scaredryer - My heartache by Defoe - I'm not worth £35m says Berba - Blues must pay £15m to nick Nic - Give Beckham his 100th cap says Terry Venables - We can be Goodison legends says Phil Neville - Ian Wright column

Daily Express - You're in safe hands promises Capello - Havant we got a plum draw - Enzo Bearzot on Capello - Beckham's hopes for Fab - Alan Curbishley column - Carling Cup preview - Keep Berbatov or we'll win nothing warns Ledley King - Fabregas on his aims for 2008 - Jewell bid for Savage

Daily Star - Drogba: I'm off - Get us out of the gutter FA beg Capello - Havant striker on the magic of the Kop - Don't mess with Fabio says Beckham - United back on top of the rich league

Daily Mirror - Klin of the Kop - Havant they done well - Blatter blast at Capello - 'Le Sulk' will be a Blue - I'll do it my way says Capello - Neville's Mersey dreams - Man Utd say we've got 333million fans - £31m for me is absurd says Berbatov - Nick Owen fronts bid to buy Hatters

Daily Mail - Capello hits the ground running - Gale boys aim to Kop a big one - Anelka's price will be £15m, Bolton tell Chelsea - Pienaar to miss semi after FIFA win battle with Moyes - Livy insists strike pair must stay

Tags: Anelka, Carling Cup semi-final, January transfer window