By Myles Palmer
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KLINSMANN has said Lehmann would play the semi-final and Kahn would play the final on Wednesday 29th June.
“If we get there,” said Jurgen.
That was decided before the Confederations Cup kicked off.
So Lehmann will play the semi against Brazil on Saturday.
Stuttgart’s Timo Hildebrand did not look the part in the 2-2 against Argentina, so it’s still Kahn v Lehmann.
In a World Cup season, that’s good for Arsenal.
Lehmann is trying very hard to get the job, so he may play better than ever next season.
THREE WEEKS ago I reckoned there would be few big deals this summer.
Just a few £5 million deals as managers shuffle their packs a bit.
Liverpool need a fairly major refurb, but most clubs will only buy two or three players – and not huge stars.
Since then, not much has happened.
Van Der Sar for £2 million to Man United, who also signed Park ji-Sung for £4 million.
Two good players.
Park is a warrior who will handle the Premiership.
Del Horno gives Chelsea a Spanish left back for £8 million.
Even Chelski don’t spent megabucks on full backs.
They baulked at Kaladze of AC Milan at £10 million and he is a more proven left back than Del Horno.
Good keepers are usually more expensive than fullbacks and so are centrebacks, wingers and midfielders.
Full backs don’t put bums on seats and don’t win titles for you.
That’s why I always doubted whether Ashley Cole would go.
If this is a summer where there is almost no market for footballers, who would pay £20 million for Cole?
Who would pay £15 million for him?
Nobody!
MEANWHILE, during the transfer doldrums, enjoy the warm weather, the Lions tour, Wimbledon, the cricket.
I don’t think we can beat the All-Blacks, don’t see anybody who can beat Federer on grass.
But I’ll watch Sharapova next week when I spot somebody who can give her a game.
Sharapova is a steely competitor. She is six one and hits the ball at 100 mph.
I love icons. I always wonder whether they can survive success. Sharapova will, I’d guess.
I might watch a bit of Glastonbury on TV (if the flood recedes) and Live 8 next weekend.
HOLY MOLY! – a gossip email- reckons that Jonathan Ross is being paid £45,000 to compere Live 8.
Ross was sitting near me at a screening years ago. The seat between us was empty.
The film ended and the lights came on and everyone stood up and I made a comment to him about the film.
I think it was a fairly neutral remark, rather than a smart-ass remark which put him on the spot.
I can’t remember what the film was, or what the comment was, but he blanked me.
Maybe he didn’t think I had the right to talk to him.
Oh well….. I’ve interviewed hundreds of people who are more talented than Jonathan Ross, including some who have been guests on his show, so I didn’t lose any sleep over it.
June 24th 2005.