Go sign a star in Neymar

David Luiz has urged Chelsea to break the bank again and add Neymar to the growing Brazilian contingent at Stamford Bridge.

The £39million-rated Santos forward enhanced his reputation by scoring both goals as the South Americans beat Scotland 2-0 at the Emirates on Sunday.

Neymar, 19, already earns the equivalent of £3million net from Santos, his home-town club, but they realise they have a valuable commodity on their hands.

Superstar: Brazil's Neymar announced himself to the world with two goals against Scotland

Neymar remained in London with his agent Wagner Ribeiro on Monday and spent time with Pini Zahavi, who played a key role in Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea takeover and has the mandate to sell the young Brazilian in England.

Abramovich spent more than £70m in the January transfer window on Fernando Torres and Luiz, who admits he would welcome another Brazilian joining him, Alex and Ramires at the club.

‘I would love it if Neymar came to Chelsea,’ said Luiz, who has enjoyed an excellent start to his career in England. ‘He is going to be one of the best players in the world.’

Cultured: Neymar's exquisite first goal showed a class and composure way beyond his years

The new King of Brazil

Full name: Neymar da Silva Santos Junior

Born: February 5, 1992, in Mogi das Cruzes (near Santos).

Position: Forward.

Height: 5ft 8½in.

Weight: 10st 1lb.

Santos record
Debut v Haldane (Mar 7, 2009)
116 appearances, 59 goals
32 yellow cards, 1 red card

Team honours: Paulista (Sao Paulo State Championship); Copa do Brasil 2010.

Individual honours: Paulista Player of the Year 2010; Paulista Newcomer of the Year 2009; Paulista Team of the Year 2010; Copa do Brasil top scorer 2010.

Brazil record: debut v USA (Aug 10, 2010) - scored in a 2-0 win. Three caps, three goals.

Did you know? On April 15, 2010, Neymar scored five goals in the 8-1 drubbing of Guarani in the Copa do Brasil.

Neymar turned down the chance to join the Barclays Premier League champions last summer and instead trebled his money by agreeing a new five-year deal at Santos.

The £40,000-a-week deal included promises by the club to raise his profile across Europe and increased the buy-out clause in his contract to ¤45m (about £39m). Chelsea are thought to be sticking at £30m.

The diminutive forward has averaged a goal every other game for Santos since making his debut as a 17-year-old and one a game in three appearances for Brazil since winning his first cap against the United States in August. It was during Brazil’s stay in America that Sportsmail revealed Santos’s plans to report Chelsea to FIFA over their pursuit of the wonder kid - a claim denied by the English club.

Ownership issues raised doubts about the ease of a transfer, with Santos having a 55 per cent share in the player and private investors a 45 per cent share.

However, despite the complexity of the deal, Chelsea have continued to monitor the situation, and Abramovich sent his personal talent spotter Piet de Visser to the South American Under 20 Championship last month to watch Neymar in action. He was not disappointed as Brazil won the tournament and Neymar was the top scorer with nine goals.

Inevitable comparisons with Pele have followed him from an early age, with the Brazilian media labelling him O Novo Rei (The New King).

Prize asset: Santos worked tirelessly to tie Neymar to a new deal in order to push his price up

Real Madrid, Manchester United and both Milan clubs have made approaches at different stages of his career. West Ham also made a £12m bid last summer, £5m less than Chelsea offered several days later.

Neymar’s pace and footwork is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil team-mate Robinho. Like both, he can operate wide in an attacking three or up front. However, there are doubts over whether he has the physical or mental toughness for the Premier League.

Neymar is conscious that Robinho failed to deliver on his talent - and sizeable transfer fee - at Manchester City and doubts linger in his mind. Speaking after the win over Scotland, he said: ‘The (Emirates) stadium is great; the pitch is, too. The (English) weather I don’t like all that much, but I could get used to it.’

That was after a match played on a beautiful March afternoon, a million miles away from a trip to Stoke in December.

Tumbling down: Neymar frustrated at times on Sunday, falling under little pressure from the Scots

He would come with baggage, too. Last April he apologised to Santos, along with Robinho and team-mate Paulo Henrique Ganso, for refusing to take part in an Easter event at a charity care home for cerebral palsy sufferers. The players refused to get off the bus, citing religious conflicts of conscience.

Neymar was also fined and suspended following a clash with then manager Dorival Junior over who should take a penalty in a league game last September - an episode which ultimately cost the boss his job.

In October, Neymar almost came to blows on the training ground with senior Santos player Marcel having taken exception to a practical joke directed at team-mate Ze Eduardo and, after Sunday’s game, Neymar alleged he had been racially abused by sections of the crowd, claims he later admitted he would not follow up with an official complaint.

Yet Chelsea remain committed to signing one of the brightest prospects in world football.

Silky shoes: Several of the Scotland players, including Charlie Adam, admitted they couldn't handle the talented teenager

Neymar showed both sides of his game on Sunday, with some delightfully deft touches and dazzling footwork but also a propensity to go to ground at the slightest sign of physical contact.

Zahavi said: ‘We were all very happy with his performance at the Emirates.’

Blackpool’s Scotland midfielder Charlie Adam is in no doubt what the Brazilian could bring to English football.

‘You can’t judge the player just now because he’s not even played in the Premier League,’ said Adam. ‘But the quality he’s got, he would light up the Premier League.’

Neymar welcomes Chelsea move

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Brazilian's latest wonderkid Neymar is likely to put Chelsea on high alert after revealing his desire to live in London.

The Santos forward is enjoying a growing reputation in the game and further enhanced his credentials on Sunday night by scoring both goals in Brazil's 2-0 friendly victory over Scotland.

With the game being held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini were reportedly both present at the game, undoubtedly making the most of an opportunity to catch Neymar first-hand without having to travel to Brazil.

However, it now seems that City will have to take a backseat, as while Neymar has revealed he would entertain a move to an European side, he also spoke of his inclination towards living in London.

According to the Guardian, when Neymar was informed that top European sides were eagerly scouting him, he replied: "I also want this level of team and I want to play in Europe."

"It is a dream which will come true but I don't know yet when."

"It is up to Santos to decide. But here in London I could even walk in peace in the streets."

Neymar is no doubt eager to escape from the constant scrutiny of being labelled as Brazil's next big thing and playing for one of the country's biggest clubs.

International team-mate David Luiz was quick to announce his approval should his compatriot make the move to Stamford Bridge.

"I would love it it Neymar came to Chelsea. He is going to be one of the best players in the world."

If Neymar were to eventually ply his trade in the Barclays Premier League, he may find himself up against the likes of Blackpool's Charlie Adam and Wigan's Gary Caldwell, both of whom had a taste of the youngster's quality in the recent friendly and have no doubts he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

"He's been linked with every top club in the country so it's just a matter of time before he moves," Adam said.

"With the quality he's got, he would light up the Premier League."

Caldwell was quick to agree, revealing: "He's an outstanding talent. His pace and movement caused us a lot of problems in the game."

"I've played against some good players and he has to be right up there with the best. Sometimes young players like that can be immature but he looks like a great talent."

"He could have the world at his feet."

With Neymar already starring for one of the most famous national sides in world football, and with the accolades coming in with increased regularity, Chelsea may just be convinced enough to splash out one of the hottest talents currently and bring him to the streets of London."

Keluarga besar Britney Spears

TRAWICK dan Britney disertai oleh anak bongsu penyanyi itu, Jayden James.

BRITNEY dan Trawick tiba untuk menonton Sean Preston bermain besbol.

SORAKAN ibu bapa dari luar padang adalah saat paling penting dalam kehidupan semua kanak-kanak.

Tetapi jika ibu bapa anda sudah berpisah dan masing-masing datang dengan teman baru untuk menonton perlawanan hujung minggu, ia mungkin boleh bertukar menjadi sengketa maki hamun. Tetapi ini tidak berlaku pada satu keluarga selebriti.

Britney Spears dan bekas suami, Kevin Federline seolah-olah menjadi satu keluarga besar ketika mereka bersorak menyokong Sean Preston, lima, dalam perlawanan besbol hujung minggu lalu.

Penyanyi lagu Hold It Against Me itu ditemani oleh teman lelakinya, Jason Trawick sementara Kevin datang dengan teman wanita, Victoria Prince. Tidak ada tanda-tanda permusuhan di antara mereka ketika memberi semangat dengan bersorak untuk bintang kecil mereka.

Federline, 32, menjadi jurulatih pasukan West Hill Yankees, yang antara pemainnya ialah anaknya dengan Britney.

Dia memberi galakan dan nasihat kepada Sean Preston dan rakan sepasukannya sementara Britney dengan bangga menonton anaknya dari luar padang.

Dengan Trawick di sampingnya, Britney, 29, juga menghabiskan masa berbual dengan Victoria dan Federline, menunjukkan betapa hubungan antara bekas pasangan itu semakin baik.

Jayden James, empat, anak kedua Britney dan Kevin, juga hadir untuk memberi sokongan kepada abangnya. Dia duduk bersama Federline kerana mahu pemandangan lebih baik dan kadang kala pergi ke tempat duduk ibunya.

Bintang hari itu, Sean Preston bermain cemerlang di padang dan kelihatan begitu fokus ketika gilirannya tiba untuk memukul.

Britney kelihatan ceria melihat kemahiran anaknya bermain. Kehidupan keluarganya semakin kukuh ketika ini, begitu juga dengan kariernya.

Single pertama daripada album barunya, Femme Fatale berada di tempat pertama senarai lagu paling popular Amerika Syarikat.

Single keduanya, Till the World Ends diedarkan awal minggu lalu selepas ia tersebar dalam Internet dan jelas, peminatnya seolah-olah begitu dahagakan persembahannya. Ia membuktikan dia masih mempunyai ramai peminat.

Penyanyi itu dikatakan meraih lebih setengah juta dolar hanya melalui produk yang digunakan dalam video muziknya untuk Hold It Against Me.

Klip promo empat setengan minit itu menunjukkan Britney muncul dalam skrin televisyen Sony, menggunakan celak Make Up For Ever dan mengakses laman web website Plentyoffish.com.

Album barunya, Femme Fatale akan mula diedarkan pada 29 Mac

Elin beli rumah agam RM37.8 juta

ELIN Nordegren, bekas isteri bintang golf, Tiger Woods mula membelanjakan wang diterima daripada tuntutan perceraiannya dengan membeli sebuah kediaman di Florida yang bernilai AS$12.2 juta (RM37.8 juta).

Walaupun ia hanya sebahagian kecil daripada jumlah AS$60 juta (RM186 juta) yang diterimanya, Elin bakal mempunyai ruang kediaman lebih luas di rumah agam itu.

Kediaman Woods yang terletak di kawasan seluas 12 ekar dikhabarkan hanya separuh daripada saiz kawasan kediaman Elin yang mempunyai keluasan lebih daripada 17,000 kaki persegi.

Tujuh bulan selepas pasangan itu membuat keputusan akhir mengenai perceraian mereka, Elin yang memang sibuk mencari rumah baru sejak musim luruh lalu tertarik untuk membeli rumah agam yang menghadap laut di kawasan eksklusif North Palm Beach.

Ia terletak hanya 10 batu di selatan kediaman baru Woods yang bakal siap di Pulau Jupiter, berikutan bekas pasangan itu bersetuju untuk tinggal berdekatan demi anak mereka.

Kediaman dua tingkat yang mula-mula dibina pada 1932 itu mempunyai lapan bilik air dan tingkat bawah tanah seluas 4,700 kaki persegi, menurut Palm Beach Post.

Walaupun bekas pasangan itu mempunyai hak jagaan bersama ke atas anak mereka, Sam, 3, dan Charlie, 2, tetapi kedua-duanya dijangka akan tinggal bersama Elin.

Dalam satu wawancara baru-baru ini, Woods berbicara mengenai kesukaran membesarkan anak bersama ekoran perceraian yang berlaku.

"Ia sudah menjadi tanggungjawab. Tidak dapat dinafikan memang sukar tetapi seronok juga," ujar Woods.

"Ia tanggungjawab yang saya suka. Saya gemar menghabiskan masa bersama anak-anak dan melihat apa yang mereka lakukan.

"Ia cukup seronok. Kami meluangkan masa indah bersama-sama dan itu yang paling penting," tambahnya.

"Keluarga didahulukan. Keadaan itu yang berlaku ketika saya membesar dulu. Ibu bapa saya sentiasa ada untuk saya dan kini saya melakukan perkara sama kepada anak saya," katanya lagi.

Baru-baru ini, Woods ada menulis dalam laman blognya bahawa dia teruja untuk berpindah ke kediaman barunya tidak lama lagi.

Menurut laporan, Elin membeli kediaman di North Palm Beach itu melalui peguam dari Virginia, Dennis Belcher yang mengendalikan urusan perceraiannya daripada Woods musim panas lalu.

Elin turut memegang AS$45 juta(RM139.5 juta) nilai gadai janji kediaman Woods sehingga urusan untuk bahagian Woods selesai dalam persetujuan perceraian itu yang dikatakan bernilai kira-kira AS$100 juta (RM310 juta).

Ibu dua anak itu kini mendaftar sebagai pelajar separuh masa di Kolej Rollins di Florida dan mengambil pengajian Psikologi.

Britney Spears mahu saingi Lady Gaga

SAN FRANCISCO - Bintang pop, Britney Spears kini menghadapi persaingan dengan kemunculan penyanyi lain seperti Lady Gaga, Katie Perry dan Rihanna.

Penyanyi yang berusia 29 tahun itu mengejutkan peminat semasa dia membuat persembahan bagi mempromosikan album terbarunya, Femme Fatale di Auditorium Sivik Bill Graham di sini kelmarin apabila penyanyi tersebut menyarung pakaian ketat hitam yang biasa dipakai oleh Lady Gaga.

Ibu dua cahaya mata itu yang memulakan persembahan dengan menyanyikan lagu popularnya, Hold It Against Me duduk di sebuah kerusi dalam keadaan seksi sambil diapit oleh penari lelaki sehingga mendapat tepukan gemuruh daripada penonton.

Spears yang sudah lebih 10 tahun berada dalam dunia seni bagaimanapun menerima pelbagai komen daripada media dan peminat mengenai kelainan yang ditonjolkan semasa membuat persembahan.

Para pengkritik menyatakan Spears harus berusaha lebih gigih bagi menjadikan dia terus relevan biarpun berada dalam era Lady Gaga.

Menurut wartawan dari akhbar Independent, Andy Gill berkata: "Muzik yang dibawa oleh Lady Gaga tidak lebih atau berbeza dengan album Femme Fatale. Namun, dia (Lady Gaga) tahu daya tarikan dalam berpakaian," jelasnya yang memberi dua daripada lima markah untuk album terbaru Spears.

Wartawan akhbar Daily Mail, Adrian Thrills berkata, kemunculan Lady Gaga, Katy Perry dan Rihanna menjadi gelombang baru sehingga menjadikan penyanyi wanita harus menampilkan imej unik masing-masing bagi mengekalkan populariti.

Sementara itu peminat Spears, Sarah Ammann ketika ditemubual oleh stesen televisyen ABC mengaku perubahan penyanyi itu cukup hebat dan mengagumkan. Seorang lagi peminat dari Brentwood, California, Alicia Kennon menganggap Spears sebagai penghibur terkemuka dan pasti popularitinya terus meningkat. - Agensi

Kuda paling kerdil di dunia

EINSTEIN berada dekat dengan seekor kuda normal di New Hampshire, Amerika Syarikat baru-baru ini.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE - Seekor kuda kerdil, Einstein yang merupakan kuda paling kecil di dunia akan menyambut hari ulang tahun kelahiran yang pertama pada bulan depan, lapor sebuah akhbar semalam

Einstein yang hanya mempunyai ketinggian 50.8 sentimeter dan ia menjadi tarikan kerana kuda kerdil yang normal yang lahir akan mempunyai purata tinggi 0.53 meter.

Bagaimanapun, pihak Guinness World of Records tidak akan mengiktiraf Einstein menjadi kuda kerdil paling kecil di dunia selagi haiwan itu belum berumur empat tahun.

"Namun, kami berdua yakin ia (Einstein) sudah berhenti pembesarannya," kata pemilik kuda kerdil itu, Charlie Cantrell dan Rachel Wagner di ladang milik mereka di Barnstead.

Ibu kuda itu setinggi 81.3 sentimeter manakala bapa haiwan itu mempunyai ketinggian 76.2 sentimeter.

Kuda itu dibeli oleh pemiliknya daripada seorang pembiak kuda kerdil. - Agensi

Stunning ... overhead kick

Martial arts monks trained at football

IT'S Kung Futball! A monk from the famous Shaolin Temple martial arts centre performs a stunning overhead kick during a soccer match.

The Chinese hope to turn their national team into world beaters by training the acrobatic monks to play.

Maybe some will end up playing for Inter the Dragon Milan...

Great ball of China ... monk takes a shot, left, and goalie clears it off the line

Pass master ... controlling ball with chest

£30m Neymar to replace Drogba

JOYS FROM BRAZIL ... Blue want whizkid Neymar

NEYMAR has been lined up as Chelsea's £30million summer replacement for hitman Didier Drogba.

The Blues wanted the brilliant Brazilian teenager, who mesmerised Scotland with two goals at the Emirates on Sunday, last summer.

But their hopes of landing Mohican-haired maestro Neymar, 19, were hit because of a series of nagging injury doubts.

Santos' Neymar has since proved his fitness.

And Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to thrust him alongside £50m new boy Fernando Torres - at 33-year-old Drogba's expense.

Abramovich sees Neymar as a penalty-box assassin - as his record of 59 goals in just 119 Santos games suggests.

Last June, 14,000 fans signed a petition to try to force Brazil coach Dunga to take Neymar to the World Cup - but he refused.

Now, with Drogba's age and fitness beginning to count against him, Neymar is seen as the perfect man to fill the Ivory Coast striker's Stamford Bridge boots.

Neymar has revealed he will not be lodging a racism complaint after a banana was thrown at him during the Scotland match.

He said: "It's in the past, I have already forgotten about it.

"I just hope whoever did it will think about it and not do it again."