Patrick Snell answers your questions

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LONDON, England (CNN) -- CNN's Patrick Snell answers your questions about football.

Q. I have a question about the Italian team, Juventus. I'm well aware that they are in Serie B now for whatever scandal they went thru. Do you think that they can go back to be in Serie A again and how long it will take? Thank you.
Umberto, Ottawa, Canada

A. Hi Umberto, I can answer this one very accurately indeed. I felt this was a good time to respond as the speculation over Juve and who they might be about to sign is intense to say the least. To recap, the most decorated club in Italian league history was promoted from Serie B -- just one season after being relegated for the club's role in the country's match fixing scandal. Fabio Capello departed to Madrid and Didier Deschaps took over this time last year and did a great job in getting them promoted despite a points penalty.
It's still surprising to many the French man has himself now departed meaning all eyes are now on another famed Italian coach Claudio Ranieri. It's understood he will have a big budget at his disposal to get the "Old Lady" back on track as soon as possible and reclaim the Serie A crown. You may recall the club was stripped of the Scudetto under Capello and I know from mail from their fans they're just itching to get back and do battle with the likes of Internationale and Milan. In terms of new recruits ... deals are already reportedly done for Czech defender Zdenek Grygera, Italy international striker Vincenzo Iaquinta and the Yugoslav midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic. Lyon midfielder Tiago is also being heavily lined with a move to Turin.

Q. Dear Patrick, with his track record and the way he has handled the Nigerian Super Eagles so far, do you consider Berti Vogts the right choice of coach for this assignment?

A. Thanks for the interesting question on the Nigerian coaching situation.
It's always good to get people asking about African affairs. Just to recap for those who may be unaware, the famed German took over the Nigerian national team at the start of the year in a move that shocked many. He signed a four year contract and since taking his first match in charge over Uganda I think it's fair to say the jury's still out in terms of what success we can expect from him in his new role.
I personally believe it's a good choice for them as there can be no doubting his pedigree and experience. As a player he won nearly a hundred caps for his country and was one of the key men in Borussia Monchengladbach's success in the seventies during which time the club won the Bundesliga title no less than five times. In terms of coaching , he is certainly much traveled having been in charge of the Kuwaiti national team and had a two and half year stint with Scotland. He had mixed success with the Scots who won't recall with fondness the humiliating draw with the Faroe Islands which Vogts oversaw. He's best noted for his huge triumph with the German national team though at the European football championships in England in 1996 when his country won the tournament outright.
If he can bring that Midas touch to the Nigerian team -- there won't be too many Super Eagles fans complaining.

Q. Hi Patrick, I enjoy reading your column. What is your opinion on Bayern Munich next season? They are spending all their money on Ribery, Luca Toni, young German international Marcell Jansen and World Cup top scorer, Miroslav Klose. With Bayern missing their first Champions League season in more than ten years, it could be tough year for the German giants. Also -- compared to the other European leagues -- where do you see the Bundesliga clubs in next years Champions League? Best.
Stephan

A. Thanks Stephan for your question. These are interesting times at FC Bayern. The Bavarians were clearly stung by finishing fourth in the Bundesliga and failing as you say to qualify for the Champions League is disastrous for them. As the soon to be departed Owen Hargreaves says, it's something they simply can't afford. That said, the money coming in from Manchester United has released some spending power and I think the signing of Ribery in particular is a huge coup . He's a wonderful player who will add much attacking diversity to the team and I expect him to be a big hit in Germany. His compatriot Lizarazu certainly was and I see no reason why Franck won't be too. Luca Toni will find the back of the net regularly I am sure but I do wonder will he be more effective that Claudio Pizarro, the Peruvian striker who has been allowed to leave surprisingly in my view? Ze Roberto looks poised to be returning to the Bayern fold and Miroslav Klose as well ... though maybe not for a season or two! What does this mean for Podolski? It will be interesting to see what is afoot but I confidently predict Bayern will be a more formidable unit next season and still be a hard team to beat in the Champions League. Remember they only lost this year to eventual winners AC Milan. I still think Bayern will be Germany's strongest representatives in next season's competition despite the great season enjoyed by for example Stuttgart. Time will tell of course but I believe Bayern fans have much to look forward to in the coming months ... and Ribery is just one of the reasons why.

Q. Hi Patrick, I am a die hard Barcelona fan and I have many questions to ask. Barcelona is a great team with great players like Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Messi and Deco. But they have failed to produce good results this season. What do you think could be the source of their failure. I have heard rumors on so many moves, like Eto'o moving to Liverpool or Manchester United, AC Milan and even Inter Milan.
Also, Ronaldinho moving to AC Milan, but I want to know who you think is leaving the club and who is coming in.
Barry Obed, Cameroon

A. Barry, let's not be too hasty with Barcelona just yet. Yes, they will have been disappointed with their relatively poor showing in the Champions League this season and their loss to Liverpool but they're still very much in with a shout of making it three Primera Liga titles in a row.
Real Madrid are desperate to stop them of course but I don't see the Catalans getting involved in the serious issue of finding new players until their domestic campaign is over. There are so many rumors out there right now -- especially concerning Eto'o and his future in the wake of his alleged bust up earlier in the season with Ronaldinho and members of the coaching staff. I am not about to speculate but I predict there will be some interesting movement into and out of the Camp Nou in the coming weeks with yes, lots of potential suitors clamoring to sign up the Cameroonian striker should he move on.

Q. Hi Patrick, thank you for enlightening us on the current football issues. My concern is the poor officiating in England and mostly when Manchester United plays. They have been favored lots of controversial spot-kicks. I am a Manchester United fan but the way penalty's are given is very unfair.
Just look at the referee of the Manchester and Milan game in the San Siro ... that was superb officiating.
Abdul Abeid, Tanzania

A. Hi Abdul, You make interesting points. It's fair to say that the whole penalty issue towards the end of the Premier League season took to a certain degree center stage. The comments of Jose Mourinho that his team -- Chelsea -- seldom gets spot- kicks and that Manchester United never seem to get awarded any against them really did given added spice to the title run-in. I don't particularly agree with the Portuguese coach -- see below for reasons why -- in any case and I am not sure I am in accordance with you when you claim the red devils are "favored lots of controversial" ones.
I think like all teams over the course of the season it evens out. And let's face it, United last season especially hardly needed to rely on penalties to win games. That said, it's important to never forget the golden rule. When it comes to all things United, the magnifying glass comes out in a big way and the bubble of scrutiny is intensified like with no other club. Penalties did play a part in the title run-in but it's one that was given against them in a crucial game against Manchester City that springs to mind. It was well saved by Edwin van der Saar and United went on that weekend to win their 16th league title.
There's also the case of the one that got away too. At the recent, FA Cup final between United and Chelsea, Ryan Giggs was denied a clear cut spot-kick in extra time. That's in the past now but you can be certain Abdul, the penalty furore will not go away and I predict there'll be plenty more talking points come next season.

Q. Where is the Brazilian striker Ronaldo and what was his importance in the Champions League final?

A. After all the recent questions on Manchester United's brilliant young Portuguese, good to get one on the relative veteran and former world player of the year by the same name. I can tell you the Brazilian version is alive and kicking and just champing at the bit to get started next season with the new champions of Europe, AC Milan. He was ineligible to play for the Rossaneri but it was good to see him reveling in the Italians' win over Liverpool. His form since his move back to northern Italy has been impressive overall and if he can stay fit he still has I believe two good seasons left at the very highest level. The former Real Madrid man had the chance to join the Major League Soccer scene in the U.S. but opted against that in order to prolong his career at the top ... and that I feel is a huge credit to him and his attitude. He could have chosen to go to the States and take what was without doubt an easy lucrative offer but he didn't and that speaks volumes about him. Milan fans I am sure will see him back to his enigmatic best come the start of the new season. After all, there's the small matter of depriving Internationale of a third straight scudetto title.

Q. Dear Patrick, I am an avid Arsenal fan and my question is that how well do you feel Arsenal will do next season -- in EPL and Champions League -- considering many players like Henry, Van Persie, Ljunberg etc. will be fit again and the young players will have gained experience? Regards.
Ahsan Rahim, Pakistan

A. I really don't expect too much to change. I think the first priority is the club secures the services of its key players, their coach for the new season.
The whole David Dein affair I feel may also have some more drama to play out which could well impact the futures of certain individuals in North London. Certainly Fabregas' long term contract is great news for the club and there's no doubting a fully rested and fit Henry and Van Persie will make a big difference but I still don't see the Gunners challenging new champions Manchester United or indeed Chelsea in terms of consistency. I've said it throughout the season and I still believe it. Namely the club and its players are still to some degree at least scarred by losing that champions league final to Barcelona when victory was just minutes away. They really do as a matter of urgency need to win something I feel as quickly as possible to try and banish the memory of what happened against the Catalans. That will clear the slate and go some way at least to trying to put those last few minutes in Paris behind them.
Yes, I agree with you, the club's younger players are getting better all the time and can only improve but that also applies at the young guns at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge so it really is all relative. I like the look of young Sebastian Larsson who they let go to Birmingham. I am surprised at this and think he will only blossom under Steve Bruce. Wenger for sure has plenty more young talent to unearth but I genuinely believe the young Swede is a big star in the making.

Q. Hi, how old is Teddy Sheringham and do you have more information on his career to date?
Donald

A. In a week of great celebration and relief for West Ham United, it's fitting to get a question if not on the club itself and the fact they secured their place in the English Premier League but on one of their veteran squad players. Sheringham has been an outstanding professional over the years and by my calculations having been born in April 1966, he's now forty one years of age. Where he will play next season is at this point not a hundred percent sure but you can be sure he will almost certainly be plying his trade somewhere. He's spurred on by his desire to one day play at least one game at pro level with his teenage son Charlie who's starting to make a name for himself in the game.
His father though is a shining example to all with his attitude to the game and to training. His career has witnessed many fine moments including his cameo performance in the 1999 Champions League final in Barcelona when he played a key role in helping United to their first European Cup since 1968. He collected three big prizes that season as the Red Devils did the unprecedented treble adding the English F.A. Cup and the Premiership to his medals haul. Earlier in his career he scored freely for -- among others -- Millwall and during two spells, with Tottenham. Teddy holds the record for being the oldest man to score in the EPL and he is also the oldest outfield player ever to play in it. You sense with his overall fitness levels and attitude, he's not done just yet.

Q. Did Romario already score his 1000th goal? Do you think a third player will ever manage to score a 1000 goals?
Trevor, South Africa

A. Thanks Trevor for the Romario question. To the best of my knowledge, he has not yet hit the magical one thousand career goals! He basically extended his career to play in his homeland with a view to reaching that milestone.
Now over forty and with CR Vasco da Gama he still has every chance of doing it but he's not quite there yet. There's always much controversy over just how many professional goals the World Cup winner has to his name with some disputing the exact tally. He is greatly motivated by matching the legendary Pele in getting to a thousand that's for sure. The 1994 world player of the year is without doubt one of the most prolific finishers to come out of Brazil. Earlier in his playing days, he finished top scorer in his homeland on no less than six occasions and he's also been named as one of the greatest living footballers ever. When the likes of Maradona have you in their all time "dream team" -- you must be doing something right! You sense reaching a thousand career goals would truly be the icing on the cake for him.

Q. Hi Patrick. I am the hugest Manchester United fan and I think we are going to win the champions league but, I would like to know who you think is going to join us in Athens? Secondly, I would like to know what you think about the PFA awards and if you think Ronaldo deserved to win both awards because a lot of people don't think he did ... disillusioned minds! I also would like to know if you think we'll be seeing both Man Utd and Chelsea in the champions league finals and FA cup finals, and then premiership decided at Stamford bridge.
Kaitlin, Texas

A. Hi Kaitlin. I was expecting a barrage of mail from Milan fans after their triumph over United this week but so far at least it hasn't materialized !
I have to eat humble pie to a certain degree as I genuinely thought the Red Devils would edge it over the two legs but credit it to the Italians, they were in fine form especially early on and proved worthy winners . It would now be great to see the legendary Maldini get fit and make the final against Liverpool.
We can now say with some certainty that you are wrong in your belief United will win the Champions league! And that means there'll be no trilogy of huge games with Chelsea. Indeed the English Premier League title could even be decided before their meeting next week at Stamford bridge. The F-A cup final is set though and will have plenty of meaning of course as it's the oldest cup competition in the world and will be the first time the prestigious event will be held at the new and highly expensive Wembley stadium. It could indeed be a fascinating encounter. United may well be on the point of another domestic double , while emotions could also be running high if speculation concerning Jose Morinho's future continues to run unabated.
Either way, it's not fair to suggest as some have cruelly mentioned this week in a tongue in cheek manner , it's a third and fourth play off clash for champions league also rans! As for your Ronaldo point, yes I certainly agree that on form displayed this season he has been well worthy the PFA awards he has scooped up. He has been over the course of the season without doubt the best player in England and I'm quite sure he's only going to get better!

Q. Does Arsene Wenger deserve to still be at Arsenal?
Chapia, Nairobi

A. A resounding yes to this. Why ever not? In fact, some Gunners fans might now be asking does the club deserve Wenger?!
In my view, he's one of the top four coaches in world football right now and really is making the very best of his current situation with the London club.
I think the glory days are for now at least behind him in that the loss of Patrick Vieira hit the squad hard and I also think Pires is a factor too. He still has at least two seasons left at the top in my opinion and I am sure some fans will wonder why he was allowed to leave.
I also believe the Champions' League final defeat in Paris hit Wenger and his players hard and it's been no surprise to me that at times they have appeared sluggish in the English Premier.
That said, if anyone can rebuild a team capable of winning the League, it's the Frenchman who knows a bargain when he sees one and a quality one at that.
Just look at the talented Fabregas and what he has brought to the side and still only 19! The David Dein situation has sparked all manner of speculation over Wenger's future and by implication what will also happen to the likes of Fabregas and Henry, but the fact is Arsenal still have him under contract and are said to be fighting tooth and nail to keep him at the club. And rightly so!

Q. Hi Pat, I am a die hard Man United fan here in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. How do you see their chances against AC Milan in the return leg? They are sure a good side but with so much injury hitting them especially their original back line, and with Patrice suspended for the return leg, they might be in real trouble. Do you see them scoring the all important away goal or at least keep Kaka and co from scoring. Thanks and best regards.
Patrick Ikomi, Nigeria

A. Hi Patrick. I think United have thrown themselves a wonderful lifeline with Rooney's late goal. Had they been going to Milan at two-two, I would have fancied the Italians strongly to advance. But now I really do think the Red Devils have a great chance. As Fergie says, he believes his team will score at the San Siro and that will make things very interesting indeed. I think Kaka and co. had the chance to kill the game off in Manchester and they failed to take that chance.
Ancelotti's men know all about the resilience of playing teams from England I am sure by now so it surprises me somewhat they sat back at Old Trafford thinking the job was done.
Kaka is a wonderful player and it will be hard to stifle him on home soil. I first came across him at the 2002 world cup in Japan when he played his domestic football in Brazil and was a junior member of his country's triumphant squad that year. I recall thinking it will only be a matter of time before he's snapped up by one of Europe's big guns!

Q. Hi Patrick, I wanted to ask your opinion on my favorite football team, AC Milan. I have grown tired and annoyed at people who have continually discredited AC Milan as a "has-been" or just an average team. Although I do understand where they are coming from. Andriy Shevchenko's recent departure has coincided with a slump in AC Milan's form and reputation througout the footballing world. Its true that back in the late 1980's and 1990's, AC Milan were probably the most fearsome and strongest football club in the world (both in terms of their actions on and off the pitch). AC Milan used to have greats such as Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard, Franco Baresi, Roberto Donadoni, George Weah, Sheva and my all-time favorite player, Roberto Baggio. What is happening to my AC Milan? Yes, we have Kaka, Pirlo, Gattuso and of course the player I consider as still the best striker in the world, Ronaldo. But why cant Signore Berlusconi splash the cash to bring in those world-class players who can ultimately bring Milan back to their deserved place at the top of the footballing world. I'm sick and tired of hearing about Chelsea, Man Utd and Barcelona. I hope that Milan win the Champions League this season so I can tell everyone to shut their trap!
Rossoneri Fan4Life

A. Passions continue to run high ahead of the Champions league semi-finals! Do I detect a little nervousness ahead of your team's clash with Manchester United? You mention Milan's "deserved" place at the top of the footballing world? There's no doubting the club's stature and reputation but success has to be earned and right now I know it gauls many a Milan fan to see bitter rivals Internationale top dogs on home soil. In Kaka especially the team has a genuine gem and it will I am sure be a closely-fought battle with United. Of course, you might argue Milan have enjoyed more than a fair degree of fortune to be in the tournament at all this season given the corruption scandal that's blighted the Italian game but the fact is they're through to the last four and like the other three teams have a great chance of winning the European Cup. I think though Milan as a club haven't really been the same since that fateful day in Istanbul when they contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against Liverpool. " Devastated" is no under-statement when it comes to describing how those players felt less than two years ago when they blew that three goal advantage and I just wonder to what extent that fuels the current crop of players' desires. A`seventh title is certainly not beyond them but I feel even if they beat United it will be a mighty tall order to go on and beat Chelsea or Liverpool too. I am quite certain all three English teams will fancy their chances against Milan who despite being still extremely difficult to beat are perhaps not quite the force they once were.

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