Chelsea make Kounde top target, Real Madrid ‘confident of Haaland transfer’, Arsenal and Man Utd in Tielemans battle

Bale tipped for summer exit

Gareth Bale is expected to depart Real Madrid this summer.

The Wales winger, 32, has been linked with a free transfer return to Tottenham.

Roman fortune drops £650m

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s fortune has dropped by about £650million in just one day due to mounting tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The multi-billionaire Russian tycoon, 55, has seen the value of his 28.6 per cent stake in steel group Evraz, fall sharply.

Investors fear sanctions will be imposed on Russian companies.

Shares in Evraz, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange, were down 129½p, or 29 per cent, at 315¼p.

Danni Hewson, a financial analyst at investment platform AJ Bell, said: “The new trading week has begun on a bad note across Europe and Asia.

“Investors fear the alarm clock is about to sound on a physical battle between Russia and Ukraine.”

Foxes sign Kolo’s son

Leicester are keeping it in the family after signing first team coach Kolo Toure’s son Yassine, writes GRAEME BRYCE.

The teen has joined on a two-year scholarship.

But unlike his defender father, Yassine is a right-winger who wears the number seven shirt.

He also qualifies to play for England and the Ivory Coast.

The youngster was born while Kolo was playing for Arsenal.

And he joined Leicester from Celtic as an under-14 after his dad arrived as part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching staff.

In December, he was offered a two-year scholarship with the club.

That means he will play for City’s under-18s until the end of the 2023-24 season.

EXCLUSIVE: Pickford caught up in brawl

England goalie Jordan Pickford is at the ­centre of a police probe into a pub ruck after revellers mocked that he had short “T-Rex arms,” writes ROBIN PIERRE.

His pals were furious and a mass brawl broke out in East Boldon, South Tyneside.

One lad was left with a broken nose and another with a smashed phone.
Police rushed to the scene but Pickford, 27, and his friends had already left. Officers are investigating and seeking witnesses.

There is no suggestion that £30million ace Pickford assaulted anyone.
The ruck happened at around 9pm on Sunday at the Beggar’s Bridge pub, in East Boldon, South Tyneside.

A witness said: “He was getting goaded, like they do. All I heard was ‘little arms’ and then that’s it. It kicked off. It happened as soon as they walked in. They hadn’t even had time to get a drink. One lad suffered a broken nose.

“Pickford wasn’t hurt at all. He was out of the door as soon as it kicked off. Pickford’s group left by minibus before the police came.”

The witness added that a lad who was filming the incident had his phone smashed by one of the star’s group.

Crock Trippier sweats on return

Kieran Trippier faces a race to be fit for Newcastle’s survival fight after breaking his foot.

The England defender fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot after being stamped on in the second half of Sunday’s 1-0 win over Aston Villa.

Trippier, who scored with a free-kick, faces six weeks out.

He said: “It’s really frustrating to have picked up the injury. We’ve built some momentum and long may that continue.

“I will remain positive and work as hard as I can on my rehab to be back fit as quickly as possible.”

The 31-year-old went straight for an X-ray before returning to St James’ Park on crutches with his left foot in a protective boot, and now faces surgery.

Trippier, a £12million signing from Atletico Madrid in January, has been at the forefront of Toon’s revival under boss Eddie Howe.

He has scored the winning goal in the last two games and even captained the side against Villa in Jamaal Lascelles’ absence.

Rangnick: We’re scared to press

Ralf Rangnick admits Manchester United’s struggling players are crippled by anxiety trying to play the pressing game.

Club legend Paul Scholes let rip at the Red Devils’ work-rate after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, blasting: “They don’t want to put a shift in.”

Interim boss Rangnick, whose side host Brighton on Tuesday night, said: “It’s important we pick the right moments to be proactive to press.

“Even if it’s not possible, stay compact and don’t be too easy to be out-played. Too easily, some of them in transitional moments were almost over anxious.

“We were not ready at the right moment and then were saying ‘oh I should have pressed’, and then coming back one or two steps too late, giving the other team space on the counter attack.

“This is not only tactical discipline but also to be clever and smart enough to realise now it’s not possible so just stay in position.

“Keep your shape, keep your formation and make it difficult for the other team to play through our lines.”

Utd made Ron decision over Erling

Paul Ince has questioned why Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo instead of going all out Erling Haaland.

Red Devils icon Ronaldo, 37, returned to Old Trafford to much fanfare in a £12.85m move from Juventus in August.

But the Portuguese superstar’s comeback has failed to inspire improvement as Ralf Rangnick’s side continue to stutter.

Dortmund sensation Haaland has been a long-term target and United could have landed him last summer if they had broken the bank under now axed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

And Ince said: “When Ole first took the helm the project was about going young but all of a sudden they were bringing in 37-year-olds.

“You think, ‘why didn’t you just go and get Haaland?’ You didn’t need Ronaldo, but it’s just the fact that everyone thought he was going to Man City.

“Everyone thought it was great when he first came and if it wasn’t for Ronaldo, they wouldn’t still be in the Champions League.

“But the example he is setting, by throwing his toys out of the pram, is a bad one. Why would you listen to someone prepared to act the way he is? As we’ve seen on numerous occasions – running down the tunnel, not clapping fans, sulking – it’s not a good example.”

Shall I compare thee to a summer’s transfer deadline day?

Tough-talking Neil Warnock showed off his romantic softer side as he read a love poem he wrote to his wife for Valentine’s Day.

The former Cardiff and Middlesbrough boss is known for no-nonsense management but caught talkSPORT presenter Laura Woods by surprise by revealing he often writes adoring rhymes for his wife.

Warnock advised listeners to do likewise before reading out his poem, which he insisted was written spontaneously.

The poem included the lines: “That smile said it all that’s why you’re my girl.”The look with those eyes sends my head in a whirl.

“I’m so in love with you at times I could cry, I find myself looking at you and boy do I sigh.”

Amorim is ‘next Mourinho’

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is the hottest coaching talent from Portugal since Jose Mourinho.

Amorim has the opportunity to prove he too is a “special one” tonight when he leads his side against Manchester City in the last 16 of the Champions League.

As SunSport first revealed, Amorim’s achievements have put him on the radar of Manchester United.

And when Guardiola calls it a day at City, Amorim could even be in the frame to take charge at the Etihad.

Filipe Dias, a senior editor at Lisbon-based sports newspaper Record, said: “Since Mourinho there hasn’t been a manager as captivating here in Portugal as Ruben Amorim.

“We’re a small country but we have had good managers, like Mourinho and now Bruno Lage, in the Premier League.

“I think Amorim is something special as well.”

Roo picks Tevez over Ron, Ruud and RVP

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney rates Carlos Tevez his favourite Old Trafford strike partner.

Ex-England skipper Rooney also developed frightening relationships with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistlerooy and Robin van Persie.

But he reckons his line-up with Tevez was awesome all-round as they won SIX trophies from 2007-9.

That included back-to-back Premier League titles and Champions League glory.

And Rooney revealed the pair of them were ‘like bulls’ when trying to win the ball back from opponents, and ‘complimented’ each other perfectly.

He told Sport Bible: “I just loved our connection. The two of us up front, we complimented each other really well.

“Normally if I played with Louis Saha, Ruud van Nistelrooy or Robin van Persie – these strikers were always the No9 and I’d play as a No10.

“With Tevez we could rotate, I’d be the No9, he’d take the No9 spot and I’d be No10. When we lost the ball we’d be like two bulls trying to get it back.

“As a strike partner, he was the one I enjoyed playing with the most.”

‘Utd should feel embarrassed’

Gary Neville has slammed Manchester United players yet again following the draw with Southampton, writes KEALAN HUGHES.

After the match Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed an area of weakness in the United team he was able to exploit.

Hasenhuttl was critical of the Red Devils’ pressing game and exposed United’s players for their defensive work rate.

He said after the match: “It is not a big secret that when they lose the ball that the reverse gears are not the best from everybody.

“Then you have the chance to create something and we did.

“The pressing for them was good in the beginning, but they aren’t used to doing it for more than 30 or 40 minutes, we came into the game after that.”

Neville felt the United squad should be embarrassed by what the Austrian had to say, believing it reflected very badly on the players.

He wrote on Twitter: “Imagine being a Manchester United player and having a respected opposition manager say that about you.”

Hasenthutl criticism of Utd ‘worst type you can get’

Gary Neville has defended Southampton boss Ralph Hasenthutl for handing Manchester United the ‘ biggest criticism’ professional footballers can face.

Hasenthutl questioned United’s workrate as his Saints’ side fought back for a 1-1 draw.

Hasenthult said: “It is not a big secret that when they lose the ball that the reverse gears are not always the best from everybody.”

Old Trafford legend Neville responded by saying no sportsperson or an athlete’ can face a worse accusation ‘that you don’t work hard enough’.

The ex-England defender told Sky Sports: “He said essentially that not everyone mucks in when the reverse gears are put on.

“If I was a Manchester United player and had that said about me by a respected opposition manager, that would bite deep.

“The reason I don’t think it’s disrespectful is because it’s coming from someone with authority and it’s the feeling in the league.”

Flachi, 46, plays again after 12-year ban

An ex-Serie A star has made his return to football in the Italian fifth tier aged 46 after a 12-YEAR ban for cocaine use.

Francesco Flachi played for Fiorentina and Sampdoria in his pomp and was capped by Italy at youth level.

But a huge suspension in 2010 after traces of cocaine were found in his urine effectively ended his playing career.

Now, though, amateur outfit Signa 1914 have handed the 46-year-old the chance to play again.

He made his comeback for the side based near Florence in a 2-2 draw against Prato 2000 at the weekend.

Upon his return to football, Flachi told Italian outlet Gazzetta della Sport: “This day cancels 12 years of disqualification. It is my rebirth.

“This is the proof that I have also rebuilt. What have I felt? At first I felt dizzy, I haven’t slept for a week due to tension.

“Now I’m so happy, I want to thank everyone who made me feel like I was before: a football player.”

Uefa give 30,000 free tickets to finals

Uefa will hand out 30,000 free tickets for its European club competitions to ‘reward’ fans.

President Aleksander Ceferin revealed plans for the governing body to subsidise thousands of seats for the Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League and Women’s Champions League finals.

The tickets will be split between the two competing sides.

Uefa say it is a gift to the most loyal fans for their support during the coronavirus pandemic.

And clubs must not give the tickets away for corporate purposes.

Uefa also confirmed ticket prices for the next three years of finals would be frozen.

That means category four tickets will still cost £60 for 2022, 2023 and 2024, with category three tickets staying at £150.

Uefa chief Ceferin said: “Fans are the lifeblood of the game. And we thought it would be a nice way to recognise the difficulties they have experienced over the last two years.

“We must ensure that loyal travelling supporters can attend historical moments for their cherished teams at affordable prices.”

Trippier ‘frustrated’ by injury lay-off

In-form Kieran Trippier will miss Newcastle games due to the fractured foot he suffered after sinking Aston Villa on Sunday.

Trippier’s superb free-kick was his second goal in two matches as he underlined his value since arriving from Atletico Madrid in the transfer window.

Newcastle said: “Trippier underwent an X-ray immediately after the game and scans have shown a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his left foot.”

And the England wing-back posted a message to bemoan his ‘really frustrating’ injury.

He added: “We’ve built some momentum and long may that continue.

“I will remain positive and work as hard as I can on my rehab to be back fit as quickly as possible.

“Thank you all for your very kind messages of support!”

Gunners ‘might not replace Auba & Laca’

Arsenal might not replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette in the summer, according to reports.

The Gunners shifted Aubameyang off the books in January, sending him to Spain to play for Barcelona.

But they could also lose Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, with both of their contracts up in the summer.

But according to football.london, youngster Gabriel Martinelli has been training as a No9, suggesting the Gunners may not necessarily splash out on a big money forward.

Martinelli’s blistering pace, technical and finishing ability could see him grow into a top class striker. The Brazilian has four goals to his name this term having found himself in good goal scoring positions as a result of his movement.Former Arsenal player Jack Wilshere – who is currently back at the club training to regain fitness – has been left impressed by Martinelli.

Speaking to Arsenal’s official club website, Wilshere said: “The one who I really like and think he’s going to be top, is Martinelli.

“I think what the manager has done with him has been genius as well.

“When I first went there he was training, coming on, not playing much, but training really well and I was thinking, ‘He’s going to get a chance here’ and he eventually got his chance and he’s been brilliant.”

Rudiger insists he’s happy at Chelsea

Antonio Rudiger has revealed he is happy to stay at Chelsea with his contract set to expire in the summer.

The centre-back, 28, is wanted by several high profile clubs across Europe.

But Chelsea are determined to keep him and have already offered Rudiger an extension – but he admits signing a new deal does not solely depend on him.

Rudiger told The Athletic: “I feel great here, I have always said it. I think the way I play you can see that I’m happy here.

“But there are also other people who have to make decisions.”

Rudiger reportedly wants £225,000 a week to stay at Stamford Bridge – a massive increase on his current weekly wage of £100,000.

He also wants a signing on fee having reportedly rejected an offer of £140,000 per week from the Blues as well as a £173,000-a-week deal from Real Madrid.

The Blues are believed to be preparing a contract extension worth £200,000 a week in a bid to keep him at the club.

Warnock: Cesar ‘lucky’ to win it all

Neil Warnock says Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is ‘lucky’ to have had the trophy-laden career he has enjoyed so far.

The 32-year-old has claimed every trophy available to him both domestically and on the European stage.

In his near decade-long spell with the Blues, Azpilicueta has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Europa League, Champions League and the Club World Cup.

But former Prem manager Warnock insists the Spaniard has been ‘lucky’ to win the prestigious competitions as he doesn’t think he is ‘a great defender.’

Speaking on talkSPORT, the 73-year-old said: “I think it goes two ways to be honest.

“I think Azpilicueta has been a very fortunate lad to be a at a club like Chelsea. I don’t think he is a great defender. 

“Sometimes in football you need a bit of luck and I think he’s had a bit of luck at the right time and in the right place. 

“That’s what you need in football, you need a bit of luck to be successful.”

Eriksen returns to action in friendly

Christian Eriksen made an emotional return to the pitch today – eight months on from his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.

The playmaker, who turned 30 years old on Valentine’s Day, celebrated his birthday by featuring in Brentford’s behind-closed-doors friendly against a Southend United XI.

Eriksen played for an hour in his first taste of action since last summer’s shocking incident.

And the Dane showed he’s still got it by laying on an assist in Brentford’s 3-2 win, with fellow midfielder Josh Dasilva continuing his own injury comeback with a hat-trick.

Eriksen completed a stunning free move to the Bees on deadline day after leaving Inter Milan.

He was unveiled to home fans before Saturday’s 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace.

And Eriksen has been training hard at Brentford’s Hounslow base to build up his fitness.

New manager Thomas Frank is sure to be delighted with the midfielder’s contribution in today’s friendly.

Rangnick: Utd players aren’t robots

Ralf Rangnick admitted that Manchester United’s habit of throwing away leads has “affected the minds of the players”.

The German interim boss conceded that they now have no chance of catching Chelsea in third.

The Red Devils only came out with draws against Burnley and Southampton having bagged the opening goal.

And Rangnick, who brought in psychologist Sascha Lense in December, conceded they will only salvage something from their season if they improve their mental strength.

He said: ““They say we should have been 3-0 or 4-0 up and all of a sudden it’s 1-1 – it affects the mindset, it is obvious. They are human beings, not robots.

“The situation is clear, in 11 out of the 13 games we scored the first goal but only won half.

“We have to be more effective to score a second and a third goal and just kill the game off.

“But if that doesn’t happen stick to the game plan, stay solid and stay tactically disciplined. We’ve given away goals too easily and it was our own mistakes we made that allowed them to score.”