27 Days and Counting...

With the World Cup less than a month away, European football leagues are wrapping up and some big news is coming along with it.

 Mr Andriy Shevchenko would be a scary addition to the Chelsea line-up.

*  Andriy Shevchenko, one of the top 3 strikers in the world, has said he wants to leave AC Milan this summer.  Milan's President was talking to some kids a couple days ago when one kid said 'Shevchenko is my favorite player,' to which the President replied 'He wants to play in England.'  On another note, Chelsea's manager Jose Mourinho has said he wants to sign a striker this summer.  Tough call who he might be looking for. 

*  Chelsea are also on the verge of signing Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder, Michael Ballack.  Ballack is out of contract with the German side this summer and has said he wants to move abroad.  Ballack has met with Mourinho but nothing has been signed yet.  The German midfielder mentioned a couple days ago he will let his intentions known before the World Cup starts June 9 where he will be playing in the future.  One rumor has it that Ballack has asked Mourinho for a guaranteed starting spot and Mourinho has declined.  This has been fueling speculation Ballack might look elsewhere with Chelsea being absolutely loaded in the midfield.  Saturday was Ballack's last match for Munich as they won the German title.  The German side's fans aren't taking too kindly to him leaving this summer...read about it here.

 Liverpool's Steven Gerrard holds up the FA Cup trophy with his teammates.

*  Liverpool beat West Ham on Saturday in the 125th FA Cup Final on penalties, 3-1, after the game finished 3-3.  'Pools Steven Gerrard tied up the game in the 90th minute with a 30-yard volley that sent the game into extra time.  Read more about what many are calling the best FA Cup Final of recent times here at the BBC's website.

*  Juventus goalkeeper, Gianluigi Buffon, is being investigated for betting on football games across Europe.  ESPN Soccernet reports "Juventus are one of four top Italian teams whose officials are under investigations for 'criminal association' and 'sporting fraud' in what has developed over the last few days into one of the biggest scandals to hit the game."  This is big news for Buffon, the world's most expensive goalkeeper.  On Monday, the Italian national side is to be announced for the World Cup.  This could put his place in lingo. 

*  The final of the UEFA Champion's League is Wednesday, May 17th, in Paris.  Barcelona, led by World Player of the Year Ronaldinho, face Arsenal and their all-world striker Thierry Henry.  For those of you who don't know what the Champions League is it's Europes club championships.  One big story line for the final is that Ronaldinho has been saying for month's he would love to have Henry (pronounced On-ree) in Barcelona next year.  Henry hasn't signed a contract extension with Arsenal.  His current contract ends at the end of next year and if Arsenal don't sign him he can leave the London side for free next summer. 

 One player I didn't think would be leaving Manchester for a long time, van Nistelrooy.

*  Manchester United and Holland striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and manager Alex Ferguson have been at odds for months about van Nistelrooy's playing time and starting spot with the English club.  The day before a testimonial match for Roy Keane, who left Man United for Scottish club, Celtic, last winter was to be played Ferguson told van Nistelrooy he wasn't going to be participating.  This may lead to van Nistelrooy out of Manchester this summer.  On a similar note, Ferguson has been to Lyon to watch star midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who the manager sees as a long-term replacement for Keane.  Lyon officials are saying they would look into a player for player swap with van Nistelrooy for Diarra. 

*  27 days and counting until the world's most popular sport starts in Germany.  Who will take home the trophy?  David Beckham's England squad?  Ronaldinho and his loaded Brazilian squad?  How about the home squad Germany with all world star Michael Ballack?  How far can the USA go?  Dissecting the World Cup in the coming weeks.