Diamanti geezer

If there was any doubt about which Premiership team Italians should support it looks like being shed pretty soon. Yes, there is Ancelotti at Chelsea if you want to go for guaranteed glory. Or there is Cudicini at Spurs if you want to get off to a flying start. There is even the Aquilani-Dossena connection at Liverpool.

But the time has surely come to say Forza Hammers!

It was probably enough for most Napoletani that Mara-Zola was in charge. Add in a little sprinkle of former Viola and Inter man Luis Jiminez and the temptations grew stronger. Now that it looks like they have snapped up Livorno starlet Alessandro Diamanti and there is no room for dubiety. Heck, they are even being linked with Massimo Oddo.

So, bring me my dictionary straight away. How on earth do you translate "I'm for ever blowing bubbles!".

Carletto kicks off with a win

OK, so it was not the most sporting affair but at least the Italian came out on top. Carlo Ancelotti made his first effort at managing in a competitive clash in the English set-up and he did not too badly.

His team started off shakily but he seemed to make the right adjustments and then come on strong in the closing stages. Yes, there was controversy about the second goal but it shouldn't disguise the fact that the Blues did get better as the game went on.

However, what a boost Pato could be to the Stamford Bridge side. Drogba and Anelka does not work for me. Drogba and Pato has mind-blowing potential. Be worth about 50 goals a season from the pair, I reckon.

The crazy world of Berlusconi

Everyone knows that Silvio Berlusconi is prone to the odd crazy outburst but his latest tirade against dearly (very dearly, £30m) departed Sheva is positively cuckoo.

"He is his wife's puppy!" he howled, or words to that effect. "A real man and Milanista would never have done such a thing. In my house I'm in charge. Sheva, however, when his wife calls to send him under the bed, runs along like a puppy!"

I think we can probably rule out a return to Milan in January, then. Unless, of course, Mrs Shevchenko has other ideas and throws in a doggy biscuit to clinch the deal. "Here boy! Here boy!"

Mind you, based on the evidence (above) how many of us would actually blame old Sheva anyway?