Platini: Henry Wrong to Stay

Thierry Henry has won too few trophies with Arsenal and should have joined Barcelona last summer rather than signing a new contract to stay at the Emirates Stadium, according to France legend Michel Platini. 'I sincerely believe he made a mistake in not signing for Barcelona. I told him so and said the same to Barcelona president Joan Laporta. Henry would have grown a lot at Barcelona,' said Platini.

'Thierry Henry is a truly great player and is on the verge of overtaking me as a goalscorer for France. However, he hasn't achieved the same category of other great stars', he added. 'Why? Because he lacks playing in a great team and winning titles with his club like he has done with France, where he has been European and world champion.' Platini's description of Arsenal as not a great club will infuriate Arsene Wenger.

Sam Allardyce wants to agree a new contract with Kevin Davies as soon as possible to prevent the 29-year-old striker leaving the Reebok Stadium next summer on a free transfer. 'There's an urgency about Kevin's situation because we started talks last summer,' said the Bolton manager. 'We're trying to negotiate, but it's difficult for a club like us. We have a problem hitting the figures he wants, but I hope we come to a solution.' Davies has not scored since the opening day of the season.

Opposition to West Ham moving to the new Olympic Stadium being built in east London for the 2012 Games is growing. Labour MP Derek Wyatt, chairman of the all-party London 2012 group of MPs and peers, said it would be 'outrageous' if the venue was handed over to a football club after the event and did not remain as an athletics arena.

Milan Mandaric is relishing the challenge of repeating his success in getting Portsmouth into the Premiership if his £25million takeover bid for Leicester City succeeds. The directors at the Walkers Stadium will meet this week to consider Mandaric's offer to take a controlling interest in the Championship side.

Ronaldo may start his first league match of the season tonight in Real Madrid's home game with Celta Vigo after losing weight, with Ruud van Nistelrooy dropping to the bench. 'He's improving every day in training and regaining an acceptable physical condition. He's not at his best. He needs to lose a little weight, but he seems pretty good,' Real coach Fabio Capello said yesterday.