Portsmouth get busy on D-Day

Harry Redknapp is getting busy on transfer deadline day with the probable signings of two players. Portsmouth completed the signing of Chelsea right back Glen Johnson this morning for a fee of four million pounds. The player had played on loan last season for Portsmouth but never really managed to nail down a place at Chelsea, so has decided to join the south coast club.

"Portsmouth is a fantastic club with a lot of nice people," said Johnson. "The fact that I played here last season was a big factor in my decision. Manager Harry Redknapp was a massive factor, too. He has belief in me." Portsmouth are also close to signing Fulham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop. The player had been told earlier this month by Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez that he could leave the club.

In other news at Pompey is that Gary O'Neill has failed a medical at Middlesbrough where he was set to put pen to paper on a deal worth five million pounds. I believe that the signing of Papa Bouba Diop is an absoloute gem because the player is so under rated it's untrue. The signing of Johnson is a decent one but I do think that Pompey could of got a lot more for what they have paid.

Derby sign Scotish ace

Derby County have completed the signing of Scotland international Kenny Miller from Celtic on a three year deal. Derby have signed the player for a fee of three million pounds. Miller has been out of favour in recent weeks and Celtic boss Gordon Strachan has decided to let him go. Derby boss Billy Davies had failed in his attempts to sign Portsmouth striker David Nugent but is delighted to complete the signing of Miller.

I believe Miller is a decent signing but not a great one. He scored a few goals when he played last in the Premiership with Wolves but I don't believe that this signing alone will be enough to keep Derby County in the Premiership. In my view, three million pounds is a bit much but I would love to see him prove me wrong in the coming months.

Champions League Draw Reaction

Here is the draw for the 2008 Champions League group stages:

GROUP A: Liverpool (England) Porto (Portugal) Olympique Marseille (France) Besiktas (Turkey)

GROUP B: Chelsea (England) Valencia (Spain) Schalke 04 (Germany) Rosenborg (Norway)

GROUP C: Real Madrid (Spain) Werder Bremen (Germany) Lazio (Italy) Olympiakos (Greece)

GROUP D: AC Milan (Italy) Benfica (Portugal) Celtic (Scotland) Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)

GROUP E: Barcelona (Spain) Olympique Lyon (France) VfB Stuttgart (Germany) Rangers (Scotland)

GROUP F: Manchester United (England) AS Roma (Italy) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)

GROUP G: Inter Milan (Italy) PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands) CSKA Moscow (Russia) Fenerbahce (Turkey)

GROUP H: Arsenal (England) Sevilla (Spain) or AEK Athens (Greece) Steaua Bucharest (Romania) Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)

My predictions:
Winners: Real Madrid.
Dark Horses: Lyon.

Prodigal son returns

Tomas Gravesen has rejoined Everton on a season long loan from Celtic. The 31 year old left Everton two years ago for Spanish giants Real Madrid. Gravesen never really made it at Real Madrid and joined Celtic last season where it also did work out and he is delighted to be back at Goodison. "I am really looking forward to coming back to Everton, it is a chance to play top-flight football in the Premier League again," he said.

David Moyes has been looking for a new midfielder ever since his move for Benfica star Manuel Fernandes collapsed at the weekend. In my view Gravesen is a great signing and won't cost the club a penny. I think at the time he left to go to Real Madrid it was a big shock for everyone, but now he is back were he belongs.