Del Piero wants to play on

Former Italy and Juventus great Alessandro Del Piero on Monday said he wants to play on, despite being 39 and without a club.

The 2006 FIFA World Cup™ winner failed to agree a new contract with Sydney FC at the end of last season but is back in Australia to captain an All Stars side against his old club Juventus on Saturday.

Del Piero said he had been staying fit and wants to keep playing football for at least another year, but is yet to decide where or in what capacity.

Asked by reporters in Sydney whether it could be the last game of his career, Del Piero said: "No, I don't think so.

"It could be my last game in Australia, but I'm still in touch with the (Australian) federation and Sydney FC as well. I'm happy to be here and hope to stay in touch in the future."

Juventus' all-time leading goalscorer said there were currently two "big" but not definite options available to him.

"Now I have to choose exactly what is the best for me with the opportunities, but I want to play on," he added.

"It's my passion. I understand I can follow my passion until I'm 90 years old, but I think I'm in good shape to play for one more year and this is my idea."

The Italian great, who spent 19 years at Juventus, scoring 208 goals in 513 appearances before joining the A-League, said it would be emotional for him on Saturday.

"This is a special game, not only for me but for the Australian federation, all the players," he said.

"It will be, for sure, exciting to come face-to-face with my former team. I don't know what can happen, because it's a very unique situation."

Juventus have brought a full-strength team to Sydney for the match, including new recruit Patrice Evra, Andrea Pirlo, Gianluigi Buffon, Carlos Tevez and Paul Pogba.

Exclusive – Former Chelsea ace: Lampard MUST be respected for Man City move

Former Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has suggested that Blues fans should respect club legend Frank Lampard’s decision to join Manchester City.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini revealed the England midfielder has agreed to join the Premier League champions until January, as he prepares for his permanent move to newly-formed MLS side New York City.

Lampard’s shock switch was met with mixed reaction from the Chelsea fanbase, with some supporters questioning his legendary status at the club having transferred to a top flight rival.

But former team-mate Carvalho, who won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during a six-season stay at Stamford Bridge, accepts the decision was made for purely football reasons.

“Obviously I would prefer to see Frank in a Chelsea shirt, but you have to respect his decision to move to City," the former Portugal international told talkSPORT.

“It’s a professional decision he has made for the football, so you must respect that from a player like Lampard.”

Tottenham update: Schneiderlin to leave, but not for Arsenal?

Earlier in the week, Southampton and France midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was going nowhere, according to club chairman Ralph Krueger.

Do we believe that, though? The player appeared to have a dig at the chairman with this tweet: 'six years of an amazing journey' at the club had been 'DESTROYED in one hour'. However, he could have just been venting his frustration at the player exodus.

Here is the latest news surrounding the potential transfer...

Huge £45m double swoop from Spurs
According to the Mirror, Tottenham will spend £45m on both Schneiderlin and Swansea striker Wilfried Bony. Apparently Spurs’ initial bid of around £13m for Schneiderlin has been rejected and may bump this up to £20m. The Saints reckon he is worth £27m.

Wenger hasn’t spoken to Southampton
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expects to do more business in the transfer window, but denies targeting Schneiderlin. The long serving Gunners boss has NOT contacted Southampton about their France international, say the Express.

Giroud helping out the Gunners?
Arsenal did speak with Morgan Schneiderlin about a possible move and striker and World Cup team-mate Olivier Giroud has reportedly been putting a good word in for his countryman. It is unclear if the club has stepped up their efforts to sign the player since then, say Get French football news.

Schneiderlin "nailed on to leave" St Mary's
Sun journalist Paul Jiggins told talkSPORT he believes the midfielder is “nailed on to leave”, though the saga could continue and we may still be discussing it on deadline day, he said.

Blow for Manchester United! Van Persie will miss Season Opener

Manchester United will have to do without star striker Robin van Persie for their opening Premier League match against Swansea City after he was given an extended break following the World Cup.

The Dutch forward played a key role in helping the Netherlands finish third in Brazil under his now club boss, Louis van Gaal, but has not featured in any of United's pre-season games.

Van Persie, 30, is due to return to training on Monday but having missed large chunks of last season through injury, Van Gaal revealed he would not be rushing the striker into action.

“When a player has been on holiday for three weeks they have to train,” the Red Devils boss said.

“I’m sorry but players have to train and Robin needs a full training regime behind him before he can play again.

“People can criticise me for my decision but I know what to do with players who have had three weeks’ holiday. Hopefully, Robin will get his fitness back very fast but, for now, he won’t play.

“Robin wants to play every game, I know that, but so do the other 30 players in the squad.