Ever since he poignantly told CNN that he assumed all his childhood pals were dead (Why? "Because if they were alive they would be coming round to extort money from me, so they must be dead") we've taken a special interest in anything Nigerian defender Taribo West (below, left) has to say. Currently out of favour at AC Milan, after a season on loan at Derby, West linked himself with a move to Liverpool last week, but insisted it didn't appeal to him because "the truth is I have lost interest in football". He wants to devote his life to God.

Reflecting on his time in England, Pastor Taribo, as he now likes to be called, told Yahoo.com that "God used Derby to prove to all that He is still fully in control of life. He said to me: 'Go and save the club', and I obeyed and Derby escaped relegation. It was the power of God."

But, our sources tell us, when God assessed the pastor's hopes of winning the league with Liverpool this season, He said: "Nah, even some miracles are beyond me, son - time to hang yer boots up." To which Taribo replied: "God Almighty, no flies on you".