Ronaldo to Real, Sam’s Santa clause & the Arsenal boardroom meltdown

Comment & analysis round-up Quote of the day : “We have already signed the top player for next summer. The top is the top. It is Cristiano [Ronaldo], there is no one else. It’s not bad, is it?  It is better not to say anything right now because there are clauses that prevent us from announcing it right now. For us it would be the right moment [to go public] but we shouldn’t do so.” - Real Madrid director Pedro Trapote. Runner-up : “What sort of message does it send out to the players? If you play well for Ports­mouth and win the FA Cup like Lass did last season… he wasn’t getting a game at Chelsea or Arsenal… he came down here and then Real Madrid come knocking. It is an advert for all the players around the Premiership who are not getting in the team at Man United and ­Arsenal. They can come and play here.” - Tony Adams. Today’s overview : Blackburn have moved quickly to appoint former Bolton and Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce as their new manager, and Big Sam’s return dominates today’s ... (link)