What with it being one of the hottest weeks on record you might have thought that cricket would be dominating the sports pages on Friday. But, hard as it may be for some to believe, the new football season kicks off on Saturday and it is a football story that dominates the back pages.
In fact, it is just the latest chapter of THE football story, namely Chelsea's bid to single-handedly halt the on-going financial crisis afflicting the game.
The reaction to Juan Sebastian Veron's transfer from Premiership champions Manchester United to newly-rich Chelsea grabs the lion's share of the column inches.
Veron has been praised to the high heavens by new boss Claudio Ranieri, who calls him "the best midfielder in the world".
Veron, apparently embarrassed by his new boss' lavish praise, said Ranieri was exaggerating.
But he vowed: "His appreciation will spur me on to give to him and to Chelsea what they expect from me."
 | THE HEADLINES Daily Telegraph: Veron is 'best in the world' The Times: Veron sees chance of a life less ordinary The Sun: Di Canio's revenge The Guardian: Chelsea turn sights on Viduka Daily Express: I must keep my cool - Gerrard Daily Star: You're wrong Fergie Daily Mirror: I'll win Tie-tle with Juan Daily Mail: Fergie on the move The Independent: Ranieri signals more spending by Chelsea |
The tabloids all find a different angle on the same story, with the Daily Star running the story under the headline "You're wrong Fergie", suggesting United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has blundered in letting Veron go.
Ranieri also had plenty of praise for young England star Joe Cole, who left move to West London from capital rivals West Ham.
The Sun gleefully reports that ex-Hammer Paolo Di Canio one was one of the people who advised Ranieri to buy the 21-year-old England midfielder.
Back to the summer game - apparently still cricket but you'd be hard pushed to know - and Dominic Cork is the player making the headlines.
Cork saw his Derbyshire side slip to a one-wicket defeat against Gloucestershire in the semi-finals of the C& G Trophy.
Cork admitted his poor bowling had not helped his side's cause but his hair - long, blond and held by an Alice band in the style of England football captain David Beckham - seemed to be the main point of discussion for several of the papers.
You might expect The Times to be above such matters, but they have given it half their back page and even brought in fashion writer Emily Davies to give her expert opinion.
And her conclusion? Only the very macho can get away with such a feminine accessory.
You suspect Cork would wholeheartedly agree.
MMIX
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