Saturday's photos of the day

Ranieri's own particular way with words will be sorely missed, not least by the papers themselves, should the Italian find himself a victim of new owner Roman Abramovich's ambition.

Unveiling latest signing Claude Makelele, Ranieri describes the French midfielder in these glowing terms: "I have a new watch. It is run by battery. Claude is my new battery."

But the Daily Star and the Daily Express instead focus on Ranieri's response to reports that he could soon be replaced.

The Blues boss tells reporters: "I know everyone wants to crucify me like Jesus Christ but I am a strong man, don't worry."

In The Sun, Makelele claims that "the players are the ones who should have to deal with the pressure, not the manager."

THE HEADLINES The Times: Will England win the World Cup? Do me a favour, mate Daily Telegraph: British Sport The Sun: We smash Turkey ticket racket Daily Express: Ranieri: I will survive Daily Mirror: Buy Buy Deadly Daily Mail:Wenger's SOS Daily Star: Ranieri: Everyone wants to crucify me The Guardian: Montoya: The man who would be King The Independent: Brawn under fire as tyre row reignites

But Ranieri might be slightly concerned about the antics of one of his players, as in the same newspaper Eidur Gudjohnsen is pictured as a girl (and a very convincing one at that) in a stunt for Icelandic television.

With Abramovich providing no end of fodder for the newspapers over the last few months, it is no surprise that the emergence of a Venezualan billionnaire's interest in buying Aston Villa is greeted with plenty of column inches.

The papers are awash with the news that 'Deadly' Doug Ellis' reign as chairman of Villa may be about to come to an end.

'Buy buy Deadly' is how the Daily Mirror chooses to celebrate Ellis' imminent departure, but the Guardian instead reserves praise for the controversial chairman.

The paper describes as a "canny financial operator" before explaining that "his careful handling of the club's budget may have frustrated glory-seeking fans but it has satisfied the City, leaving Villa ripe for a takeover."

Away from football, England's Rugby World Cup credentials come into sharp focus with the big event under a month away.

Former Australia international David Campese is never short of an opinion and he takes the opportunity to indulge in some familiar 'Pom-bashing' in an exclusive interview with The Times.

He asserts that "England won't win the World Cup because their game hasn't moved on in the last decade", explaining that his hatred of England stems from his belief that "they always think they're better than they are."

But Campo would appear to be getting a little confused in his old age as in another 'exclusive', this time in the Daily Mail , he tips England for glory.

"Their mentality has changed," he claims. "The players keep their feet on the ground whereas they used to go round thinking they were the world's best."