Other soccer stories in brief

Terry gets top job

Steve McClaren admits he chose John Terry as the next England captain because of the inspirational qualities he has shown in leading Chelsea to two Premiership titles. "I'm certain I've got the right man in John Terry," McClaren said yesterday. "I'm convinced he will prove to be one of the best captains England have ever had."

McClaren favoured Terry over Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, who was also strongly linked with the candidacy. Though both are captains at their respective clubs, there had been a fierce internal debate among McClaren's closest confidants over who should be handed the responsibility at international level.

In McClaren's opinion the qualities Terry has shown at Stamford Bridge, where he has worn the captain's armband since the age of 22, marked him out as being the most capable candidate.

"John has all the attributes an international captain needs: leadership, authority, courage, ability, tactical awareness and a total refusal to accept second-best. He has been an inspiration for Chelsea and is at his best in adversity."

That may be a requirement of the job after three successive exits at the quarter-final stage of international tournaments. - Guardian Service

Cole deal imminent

Ashley Cole's move to Stamford Bridge will be agreed within the next 24 hours, according to sources close to the talks. Arsenal seem resigned to the inevitability of the transfer after leaving the England left back out of their official 2006-7 season team photograph taken yesterday.

No firm agreement has yet been reached over the fee, although despite the mutual enmity between the clubs that will not prove to be an intractable block on the move. On Wednesday night Chelsea issued a statement ostensibly withdrawing from discussions over the player, however it emerged yesterday there was more wriggle room in the negotiations than their declaration indicated.

The Premiership champions' most recent bid of £16.5m was rejected, leading their manager Jose Mourinho to insist his club would not pay "one single pound more" for Cole. However the Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is preparing to dictate what transfer fee his club will pay and, depending on the billionaire oligarch's whim, that could yet see Arsenal's £25m demand being matched.

According to current instructions Chelsea will set a ceiling of between £18m and £19m on the deal.

Inter get Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic became the latest big name to desert Juventus when he moved to Italian rivals Inter Milan for €24.8 million yesterday.

The Sweden striker signed a four-year contract, Inter said on their website after completing the most expensive incoming deal in Italy of the close-season.

Bought by coach Fabio Capello in 2004, Ibrahimovic gallantly filled the shoes of the injured David Trezeguet and went on to steer Juve to the Serie A title as the club's top scorer.

Last season, however, looking slow and uninspired, the Malmo-born player managed only a handful of goals in Serie A and was similarly uninspired for Sweden in the World Cup.

United a hot ticket

Manchester United have defied their critics by recording massive season-ticket sales for the coming campaign.

With the Sunday evening deadline for sales fast approaching, the Old Trafford club claim the existing number of tickets sold, including those in executive areas at Old Trafford, has now reached 64,000.

When the normal allocation reserved for away supporters is included, it would take the club to within touching distance of the 67,500 capacity of previous campaigns. Capacity now stands at 76,000 with the opening of new quadrants.

The impressive sales figure, way in excess of any other Premiership club's ground capacity, has come in the face of continued opposition among more militant groups of United fans to the ownership of Malcolm Glazer.

In brief . . .

Manchester United have confirmed the capture of goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak from West Brom. ... Andy van der Meyde has been fined by Everton for breaking club rules by going out in Liverpool on Sunday night. The 26-year-old Dutch winger was hospitalised on Monday with breathing difficulties following the night out... Manchester City have accepted Portsmouth's offer for goalkeeper David James . . . Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou appears to have committed his future to the Ivory Coast after being named in their squad for the friendly match with Senegal next week.