Chelsea in America: Petr Cech plays the drums and St Louis goes wild for David Luiz

Petr Cech is good with his hands - he's proved that in the Premier League during the past nine years. Nevertheless you might be surprised to discover that he can play the drums.

How Bayern Munich defied the Nazis

MICHAEL WALKER: In 1940 Magdalena Heidkamp, wife of Bayern Munich captain Konrad, took the club's trophies and buried them to prevent the Nazis from confiscating them.

Champions League final Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund key battles and stats

Saturday sees the first all-German Champions League final when Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich take on Jurgen Klopp's free-flowing Borussia Dortmund side at Wembley. Here, Sportsmail looks at the crucial battles, the best stats and the stories of the tournament so far in the big countdown to Saturday's showpiece.

Scott Sinclair has to had have his rib removed

Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair has had to have a rib removed as doctors found it was pushing on a vein, causing the blood-clot that has kept him out since May 3.

European Cup final memories - Sportsmail writers recall their best moments

With the Champions League final just days away, Sportsmail writers think back to their favourite memories from years gone by.

Chelsea in pole position to land 80m Cristiano Ronaldo after former Real Madrid chief Ramon Calderon dismisses Manchester United return

Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has raised the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo following Jose Mourinho to Chelsea... after dismissing Manchester United's chances of re-signing the Portuguese star.

Darren Bent told he can leave Aston Villa this summer

Darren Bent has been told he can leave Aston Villa this summer as the club prepares to take a huge hit on their investment in the England international.

Manchester City players out in New York with Joe Hart in glasses

Manchester City launched their new Nike kit at the same time as a record-breaking deal with the New York Yankees, and their players took advantage of being paraded in the Big Apple to get stuck in to the nightlife.

Champions League final 2013: Wembley Stadium gears up for German invasion

Staff at Wembley Stadium were putting the finishing touches to their Champions League final facelift as they prepared themselves for an invasion of German fans.

Paul Scholes will return to Old Trafford in charity match just weeks after hanging up his boots

Paul Scholes will pull on a Manchester United shirt just weeks after announcing his retirement. Fans will get a glimpse of Scholes in the Red Heart Legends match on June 2.

Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard to leave Chelsea US tour early for England duty

England players will leave the post-season United States tour following the first of two friendlies with Manchester City, defender Gary Cahill has confirmed.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho handed two-match Spanish Cup bans after seeing red in Copa del Rey final

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho have been handed two-match Spanish Cup bans for their roles in the ugly scenes at the end of the 2-1 Copa del Rey final defeat to Atletico.

Sergio Ramos wants Gareth Bale to join Real Madrid

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos believes Tottenham's Gareth Bale would be a great fit for Real Madrid, as Spurs face a fight to keep their star at White Hart Lane.

Former City midfielder Reyna to become director of football at New York City FC after Premier League club form mega-deal with Yankees

Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano today unveiled former player Claudio Reyna as the new director of football at the newly-formed New York City FC.

Dale Jennings heading home after two years at Bayern Munich

Dale Jennings will stand alongside supporters to watch his club mates bid to be crowned Kings of Europe this weekend before bidding a reluctant 'Auf Wiedersehen' to his great German adventure.

Manuel Pellegrini to have talks with Carlos Tevez at Manchester City

Manchester City will appoint Manuel Pellegrini as their new manager by the start of June and he will immediately open face-to-face talks with Carlos Tevez about his future at the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea's Florent Malouda training alone before contract runs out

This time last year Florent Malouda was still celebrating Chelsea's Champions League triumph after coming on as a substitute against Bayern Munich.

Tony Pulis says Stoke's success got 'lost in the wash'

The speed of former Stoke manager Tony Pulis's departure may have taken some at the club by surprise but the 55-year-old admits he knew the writing was on the wall before the end of the season.

Premier League transfers - summer 2013

Keep track of all the latest transfers this summer with our club-by-club guide...

Derek Boateng has announced his two-year deal on Twitter

Fulham have confirmed the signings of defender Fernando Amorebieta and midfielder Derek Boateng on free transfers. Venezuela defender Amorebieta, 28, has signed a four-year deal after eight seasons with Athletic Bilbao.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest glory: European Cup final special - Golden Years

There's always been something special about the European Cup final. And our latest Golden Years special features the match ahead of this weekend's clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Leigh Griffiths has as good a left foot as Gareth Bale - John Collins

Amid the predictable praise and admiration for a footballer with truly extraordinary ability, John Collins drops in one telling little word with notable frequency. There are plenty of ‘ifs’ surrounding Leigh Griffiths, right enough.

Manuel Pellegrini to Manchester City - who is the Malaga coach?

Manchester City's incoming manager Manuel Pellegrini is preparing to take over from the sacked Roberto Mancini. Here, PETE JENSON sheds some light on the man who is known to Malaga fans as 'God'.

Manchester City players in New York with NFL team Giants

Three years after their first visit, Manchester City were back in Harlem on Wednesday. The chief executive was different — Garry Cook’s Black Country twang being replaced by Ferran Soriano’s Spanish lilts — and this time they were without a manager.

Adel Taarabt fined 60,000 by QPR for refusing to be weighed and being late for training

Adel Taarabt has been hit in the pocket with fines of over 60,000 in the past month for a series of misdemeanors. The QPR midfielder has incurred Harry Redknapp's wrath over several breaches of discipline.

Mario Gotze ruled out of Champions League final - after being caught house-hunting in Munich

Mario Gotze will miss the Champions League final - meaning he will avoid another angry backlash from furious Borussia Dortmund fans. The forward has been ruled out of Saturday's showpiece at Wembley with a thigh injury.

Former Manchester United and England player Brian Greenhoff dies aged 60

Former Manchester United and England footballer Brian Greenhoff has died at the age of 60. He played 271 games for United and was capped 18 times for England.

Thomas Vermaelen may leave Arsenal to gain first-team football

Thomas Vermaelen fears he may have to leave Arsenal to keep alive hopes of playing in the World Cup for Belgium. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker are Arsenal’s first-choice partnership and manager Arsene Wenger may sign Swansea defender Ashley Williams this summer.

Maynor Figueroa wanted by Hull City manager Steve Bruce

Hull City are launching a bid to sign Wigan free agent Maynor Figueroa. The Honduran, 30, is out of contract and was due to sign for West Ham next month.

Andy Carroll's injury will not jeopardise move from Liverpool to West Ham

Andy Carroll's prospects of moving to West Ham won’t be jeopardised by the injury that will keep him out for up to four months.