Chelsea F.C. — Best pictures!

Manchester United’s star forward Wayne Rooney will go into the season opener against newly promoted Birmingham City with a plank of 15 rating points to beat if he wants to remain in the top tier of the FTBL world ranking of strikers.

Chelsea’s France international Nicolas Anelka (pictured) captured the 3rd spot in the FTBL ranking of English Premier League strikers after helping France overcome the Faeroe Islands (1:0) in a World Cup 2010 qualifier Wednesday.

Inter Milan and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar could return in the FTBL World Top 23 of goalkeepers during the Confederations Cup in South Africa as early as after the first match against Egypt by pushing out Chelsea’s Petr Cech.

Cristiano Ronaldo, whose move to Real Madrid in a mega deal has now been confirmed, remained locked in a tug war with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi for the top spot in FTBL rating of the world’s top midfielders throughout the season, with the Portuguese holding

Barcelona’s Argentine prodigy Lionel Messi (pictured), who five days ago topped the FTBL rating of the world’s best midfielders, has dropped to 4th place, even letting new Real Madrid sign Cristiano Ronaldo overtake him.