HOTTEST
NOTTINGHAM FOREST captain Joe Worrall has joined Besiktas on loan until the end of the season.The Turkish transfer window is open until February 9 which gave Besiktas time to complete the deal.
Joe Worrall has joined Besiktas on loanCredit: Getty
Worrall, 27, has found his game time limited this season and was even banned from training in December along with Scott McKenna.
The centre-back did return to the first-team squad and played a minute against Newcastle.
McKenna departed on loan to Copenhagen while Worrall was linked with a move to Championship side Middlesbrough.
A proposed Deadline Day move to Sheffield United also collapsed despite Worrall reaching an agreement with the Blades.
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But the defender has had his wish to leave fulfilled after Besiktas had a loan bid accepted.
The Turkish side has the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
Worrall made 226 appearances for Forest and has been captain since 2021, so played a pivotal role in their promotion from the Championship in 2022.
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He will join compatriot and former Arsenal and Liverpool player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Besiktas.
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The Turkish giants also possess several former Premier League stars including Cenk Tosun, Arthur Masuaku and Gedon Fernandes.
The Biggest January Flop Signings In Premier League History MoreYOU could call it the ‘Arsene Wenger derby’. Arsenal have won their battle against Fifa at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.This column revealed in March that the North London club appealed against a ruling by the world governing body, which has ex-Arsenal boss Wenger as their chief of global development.
Arsenal have won their battle against Fifa over sell-on clauses in previous transfersCredit: Getty
Arsene Wenger is Fifa’s chief of global developmentCredit: Getty
The situation relates to variable sell-on clauses the Gunners have inserted when selling some of their players.
In 2018, they sold Chuba Akpom to PAOK in Greece and Joel Campbell to Frosinone in Italy.
Sell-on clauses were included in both deals. For Akpom, it stated that PAOK would give Arsenal 30 per cent of any fee for the player — but 40 per cent if he was sold to a British club.
With Campbell, it was 25 per cent to another side but 30 per cent if he went to a British club.
Akpom was sold to Middlesbrough in 2020 for £2.25million, while Campbell is playing in Mexico for Monterrey on loan from Leon.
CAS ruled variable sell-on clauses are part of football and Arsenal — who now do not have to pay a £33,000 fine — could have no influence over which clubs former players are sold to.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
PAIN IN THE GRASS
ENGLAND will play on an artificial pitch in Andorra on Saturday evening, which is why Gareth Southgate will stage a Friday lunchtime training session on the surface.
Normally, the Three Lions train the day before an away game at St George’s Park. Some Premier League chiefs will be worried about potential injuries, particularly players with ankle issues.
After Wales scraped a 2-1 win there in 2014, Gareth Bale said of the 3G surface: “It was the worst pitch I’ve ever played on. I can’t describe how bad, bobbly and hard the pitch was.”
ELECTRIC FEEL
TEN Men Went To Mow is a favourite song among the Chelsea fans.
But now the club’s groundsmen are able to use their lawnmowers in complete silence.
In an eco-friendly move, the Blues have ditched their noisy machines for electric ones at both Stamford Bridge and their Cobham training ground.
After games in English football, mowers are used not to cut the grass — but to remove debris from the pitch.
The noise has made it particularly difficult for TV presenters to conduct pitchside interviews and for written journalists to speak to managers via Zoom during post-match press conferences.
WEMBLEY WAY
FA chiefs have asked Uefa for an in-person hearing over problems at the Euro 2020 final.
It is set to be held later this month.
England’s penalty shootout loss to Italy was marred by ticketless fans storming Wembley on July 11.
Fifa are still probing allegations Kyle Walker was racially abused by Poland’s Kamil Glik in England’s World Cup qualifier on September 8 — but it is unlikely to come to anything.FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
JERSEY BOYS
TOTTENHAM and Manchester City both have the most expensive shirts in the Premier League, costing £70.
Chelsea and Liverpool are not far behind — just 5p to be precise.
Burnley are the cheapest, at £45.
But for once, it is not English football fans who continue to be ripped off.
Porto shirts in their official club shop ahead of last week’s clash with Liverpool were priced at £95.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
Gabriel Martinelli shows off his skills in training with Arsenal MoreJUDE BELLINGHAM has joined Cristiano Ronaldo in launching his own YouTube channel.Real Madrid legend Ronaldo, 39, began his channel last month and accumulated more than 50 million followers in less than two weeks.Jude Bellingham confirmed on Instagram that he is launching a YouTube channelIt will document his incredible first 12 months at Real MadridCredit: GettyNow one of Los Blancos’ current superstars has followed suit as Bellingham announced his foray into YouTube content on Thursday.It will begin with a four-part series documenting his first year at Real Madrid, with the first episode of the weekly content being released on September 12.Speaking on Instagram, the England international said: “Hi everybody, it’s Jude Bellingham here.”I’ve heard YouTube’s where it’s at so I’ve decided to start my own channel.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Starting from the 12th of September I’ll be releasing an episode a week of a behind-the-scenes documentary of I’ve been filming of my first year at Madrid.”The highs, the lows, the Champions League, the Euros and everything in between.”Don’t forget to press the link in my bio and subscribe.”In the caption of the post he also revealed the YouTube series will be called “Out of the Floodlights”.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBellingham enjoyed an incredible first season at Real MadridHe also helped England reach the Euros final, scoring an overhead kick en routeCredit: APReacting to the news, one fan replied: “What a time to be alive.”While another added: “Bro is inspired by Cristiano.” What is Jude Bellingham’s goal celebration and what does it mean?And a third said: “Oh Jude the future 🐐. Welcome to YouTube.”Bellingham’s breathtaking first season at Real Madrid saw him scored 23 goals and assist 13 in 42 games.He won the LaLiga title and Champions League, before he reached the final of the Euros with England where they lost to Spain.At present he is sidelined with an ankle ligament injury. More
TYLER DIBLING was handed his first Premier League start against Manchester United and made sure everyone took note.Southampton may have collapsed after their bright start, losing 3-0, but it was still an afternoon to remember for Dibling.Tyler Dibling has been tipped to be one of the Premier League’s bestCredit: AlamyHe gave Diogo Dalot a tough afternoon on his first Prem startCredit: GettyDiogo Dalot will be glad he does not have to see the winger again until January.He quick turns and direct runs causing the full-back all sort of issues, ending in Dibling winning a penalty from the Portuguese international, which was eventually missed by Cameron Archer.For a teenager tipped to go right to the top, this looks like only the start.PLAYING STYLE Despite being only 18, Dibling is built like a far more senior player – making him a nightmare for defenders to wrestle off the ball.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWith his socks tucked almost around his ankles – inspired by former academy teammate Jimmy Jay Morgan – and a swashbuckling style on the ball, it is hard to avoid comparisons to Jack Grealish.At his best, Dibling looks like a throwback to Grealish at Aston Villa, bursting with confidence and given licence to roam and make things happen.While he looks unfazed on the ball, the youngster is more of an introverted character away from the pitch – but Russell Martin’s style is getting the best from him.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHis apparent ability to impact games with creativity on the ball has fans also comparing him to fellow academy graduate Adam Lallana, who has returned ten years after his departure this season and is helping out the youngsters at St Mary’s.Most read in FootballDibling said recently: “Lallana has been most helpful. He’s done it at the top level already and is always asking me questions and giving us advice.”Dibling has been compared to Jack Grealish when he was at Aston VillaCredit: GettyRISE TO THE TOPDibling really caught the eye outside of keen academy watchers with an incredible identical hat-trick at Newcastle two years ago.In a Premier League 2 game at St James’ Park, his first start for the Saints Under-21s, the midfielder drove forwards to the edge of the box and picked out the bottom right corner – three times.Boy Wonders: Spurs star Will Lankshear the next Harry Kane?That moment drew interest from the Magpies as well as Chelsea.Growing up idolising Eden Hazard, Dibling left the Saints for the Blues but returned just two months later, having struggled to settle due to homesickness while he was not getting enough minutes.Following his return, Dibling has had to wait for his chance but has now been brought into the first-team fold by Martin and has looked Southampton’s sharpest attacking talent this season.HIGH PRAISE Former Southampton first-team and academy coach David Horseman was in charge when Dibling scored his incredible identical hat-trick.He told SunSport: “To watch it, we knew he had the potential but to execute it at St James’ Park against young men, it was jaw-dropping. To do it three times is mind-blowing.”That was the bit which ticked a lot of boxes for clubs outside.”Tyler could be a top Premier League player, under the current manager and his style he could be a star of the future for sure.”He could go all the way, he looks like he’s loving life and he’s found his perfect fit. He looks like he could be the next big thing out of Southampton.”Team-mate Yuki Sugawara added: “I cannot believe he is still 18-years-old. He is a top, top, top player already and showed some really good stuff in the game and created big chances and he got a penalty.“He also defended well and is a top talent. He will be one of the best players in the Premier League. Yuki Sugawara says he was wowed by Dibling from their first training session togetherCredit: Getty”I really enjoyed the game with him. I felt comfortable playing on the right with him. We had good communications.“He was just incredible when I saw his first session. I asked how old he was and he said 18. I said ‘that is crazy’.”For sure he will be one of the best players in the Premier League or the world. “His mentality is top level. He is still young but I think he will be a top, top player.”WHAT’S NEXT?Next year could bring anything for the England Under-19 international. Saints fans will pray he is not another one who breaks out of the academy only to move on – but clubs will be watching carefully.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor the here and now, the big challenge is how much exposure Martin is prepared to give Dibling.After a first Prem start everyone will want to see him in the XI every week, though the manager is cautious as to just what his young body can handle.Adam Lallana (left) has been giving Dibling adviceCredit: Rex More
FULHAM have announced plans for their new Riverside Stand – with the ambitious structure to house a gym, restaurants and a rooftop swimming pool. The Cottagers have even bought a segment of the River Thames, to allow them to build a boardwalk on which to build on. Fulham’s are aiming to complete their ambitious new […] More