Arjan de Zeeuw is smarter than your average Premiership footballer, as Prime Minister Tony Blair might have been aware when he named him as a favourite player a couple of weeks ago. He is enjoying himself so much that the central defender is putting his real career on hold, he tells Paul Wilson.

So, Roy Keane is in his last season as a Manchester United player. Given that he is 35 next birthday, that hardly counts as a surprise and, given that he has his heart set on a career in management, it will be no great surprise either if he turns up on the Old Trafford payroll again at some date in the future.

Earlier this month England’s 2004 young footballer of the year changed hands between the country’s clubs for £6,5-million, bringing the total spent on one of the brightest prospects Charlton have ever produced to £16,5-million in 17 months. In that time Scott Parker has played in two England friendlies, one Champions League semi-final, and made eight Premiership starts.

It is a pity Lee Bowyer is keeping his thoughts to himself at the moment because his views on the English justice system could only be interesting. It should be remembered he was found not guilty in the court case that has become central to his reputation. One wonders if the English police haven’t got better things to do than to target footballers.

Sir Alex Ferguson left Old Trafford without saying goodbye to the fans after Manchester United’s last home game of the season. There would have been little point on Tuesday because most supporters left after the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea without saying goodbye to Ferguson or even waiting for the players’ lap of honour.

El Hadji Diouf celebrated his 24th birthday last week, but the Bolton Wanderers player was most pleased when he received a telephone call from Steven Gerrard wishing him many happy returns. The much-vilified striker likes to tell this tale for two reasons. He speaks to Paul Wilson about his determination to clean up his image

Hurrah for the new Premiership season! Last season there were complaints that competition was actually quite dull, but when you see what passes for football news when no matches are taking place, the heart fairly leaps at the prospect of Bolton vs Charlton or Portsmouth vs Birmingham.

One of the key contests when England take on France in their opening Euro 2004 game in Lisbon on Sunday will be in midfield, where Steven Gerrard of Liverpool comes up against Patrick Vieira of Arsenal in what might be termed the Roy Keane Memorial Challenge.

Michael Owen believes the European Championship will provide England’s youthful squad with an acid test – and one they are capable of passing with flying colours. There is an awareness within the squad that potential needs to be realised and the time to win something might have arrived.

Arsenal already had the most wanted manager in European football before they raised his profile even higher by going through a Premiership season undefeated, but eight years ago Arsène Wenger had to prove himself. The guiding hand behind Arsenal explains how the club manages to stay ahead of the rest.