3 Points

1. Would you turn down a salary of close to $500K a week? Probably not, but then again, you are not KAKA. The Brazilian superstar, who has 7 goals in this, his 6th Serie A campaign with AC Milan, has turned down a reported 100 million pound offer from Manchester City. Kaka says he wants to "grow old at Milan". Awwww. Just like in "The Wedding Singer" when Robbie Hart sings that song on the airplane with Billy Idol. I always wondered what happened to Glen Gulia after that. They just kind of push him out a door? Did they push him out of the plane? Isn't that a little harsh?

2. Today is Chelsea's big FA Cup re-match with Southend United, and they've made a big lineup decision. Didier Drogba has been scratched in favor of Nicolas Anelka, signalling what may be the end of Drogba's tenure with Chelsea. Drogba scored 20 goals for the Blues 2 seasons ago, but has been riddled with injuries since then, and hasn't been happy at Chelsea since former manager Jose Mourinho left after a disagreement with owner Roman Abramovich early in the 2007 season.

3. Real Madrid is going to have to be content to battle a host of other clubs for second place in La Liga this season, being that they trail leaders Barca by a whopping 12 pts. Their president Ramon Calderon has just given himself the dreaded vote of confidence, by steadfastly telling the angry mob to put their pitchforks and torches away because he's 2 Legit 2 Quit. While Real doesn't have any real hopes of winning its third straight La Liga title, they are in the Round of 16 in the Champions League, where they will face Liverpool next month.

LA LIGA
TOP 5 PTS/GP/GD
1. Barca 47/18/+41
2. Real 35/18/+12
3. Sevilla 35/18/+11
4. Valencia 34/18+12
5. Atletico 30/18+12

BOTTOM 5
16. Real Betis 18/18/-3
17. Recreativo 17/18/-13
18. Espanyol 15/18/-11
19. Mallorca 14/18/-17
20. Osasuna 13/18/-7

LEADING SCORERS
1. Samuel Eto'o, Barca, 16
2. David Villa, Valencia, 14
3. Diego Forlan, Atletico, 12
4. Lionel Messi, Barca, 11
4. Gonzalo Higuain, Real, 11