PORTO and Benfica battle it out in a Primeira Liga grudge match under the lights this evening. TV channel: FreeSports – Freeview 64, Sky 422 or Virgin Media 533. Stream: LiveScore App – Google Play and App Store. Porto team: Marchesin, Nanu, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu, Luis Diaz, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe, Tecatito, Marega, Taremi. Benfica team: Vlachodimos, […] More
PORTO and Benfica battle it out in a Primeira Liga grudge match under the lights this evening. TV channel: FreeSports – Freeview 64, Sky 422 or Virgin Media 533. Stream: LiveScore App – Google Play and App Store. Porto team: Marchesin, Nanu, Mbemba, Pepe, Zaidu, Luis Diaz, Sergio Oliveira, Uribe, Tecatito, Marega, Taremi. Benfica team: Vlachodimos, […] More
RONNIE SCHWARTZ wants to bring home the Danish bacon at Charlton. The Dane is hoping he can deliver on the field while his countryman and club owner Thomas Sandgaard does the business off it by bringing success to The Valley. Schwartz, 31, got off to a great start on his end of the bargain by […] More
FRANK LAMPARD has the FULL backing of Chelsea fans – they’re just not able to show it. That’s the opinion of supporters’ group We Are The Shed, who have unfurled a huge 15m x 1.5m banner at Stamford Bridge to endorse the Blues legend. The banner – which reads ‘In Frank We Trust. Then. Now. […] More
Ex-Everton star Magaye Gueye is facing calls to be deported from Romania … after being filmed in a booze-fuelled hot tub with two women.
The French striker, 30, made 39 Toffees appearances in four seasons before joining Millwall in 2014.
Magaye Gueye filmed himself sitting in a hot tub with company
He reportedly described his companions as ‘whores’
Gueye joined Dinamo Bucharest last year from Azerbaijan club Qarabag. He signed a two-season contract, but has since scored just twice in nine games.
But he became the talk of Romania this week after footage of him appeared on social media.
A clip shows the Paris-born player swigging champagne in a jacuzzi accompanied by two scantily-clad women.
Gueye is heard ranting abuse about his club bosses, as well as reportedly describing his two companions as “whores.”
The women are seen to kiss and cuddle the former Premier League ace before writhing sexily with each other.
Dinamo legend Florentin Petre has now called for Gueye to be booted out of Romania.
The 54-cap winger won three league titles and five cups with the Bucharest club, and later had spells as their assistant manager.
Petre, 45, fumed: “What Gueye says is shocking. You can do what you want when you are free.
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The striker had filmed himself in the hot tub
Magaye Gueye playing for Everton in 2012Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
“The problem is when you offend and mock Dinamo’s history. He must be fined and sent back where he came from.
“He must be kicked out of the country! He has mocked all the supporters who have invested money in Dinamo.
“He ate and drank the fans’ money. He was under the influence of alcohol.
“I’ve known this boy since he came over. He was more like a rugby player than a footballer.
“They just come over to make a name for themselves at Dinamo, to recover and to earn some money.”
Everton paid Strasbourg £1million for Gueye in 2010, but he managed just three goals in four years for them.
He struck five times in 36 games for Millwall, and went on to play in Turkey and Azerbaijan before moving to Dinamo.
Gueye won France Under-21 caps before switching allegiance to his parents’ birthplace Senegal – playing three times for the Under-23 side.
James Rodriguez scores overhead kick in Everton training More
PAUL SCHOLES believes Manchester United can be crowned champions of the Premier League but only if they start winning the big games.
Despite being the current league leaders, Man Utd have failed to beat any of the ‘Big Six’ this season.
Manchester United Paul Scholes doing what he does best in the 99 legends match vs Bayern Munich.
And Scholes pointed out that a win over Liverpool this weekend would put an end to that bad spell of results.
Talking to ESPN, the legendary midfielder said: “It feels strange to say it but I actually do think United can win the league because it’s been a weird season, but it’s all about winning the big games now.
“They haven’t done that yet. People can say they won at Leicester on the final day of the season to qualify for the Champions League but that wasn’t a big game like going to City, Liverpool or Chelsea and winning when it matters.
“That failure to win big games has to change if they are to win anything but there’s no better place to start than at Anfield.”
Man Utd have only picked up two points out of a possible 12 this season against the ‘Big Six’.
Both points came in 0-0 stalemates against Chelsea and their local rivals Manchester City.
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
The other two games ended in defeats – a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Spurs towards the start of the campaign followed by a 1-0 loss to the Gunners at Old Trafford.
Scholes also mentioned that Solskjaer will have a key part to play in the Red Devils success this season.
The former United talisman said: ” Ole has to manage his squad because you can’t ask the same 10-11 players to perform every week.
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“He made changes in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea last season and lost heavily.
“But it’s in United’s hands and that’s the best place to be. They have some tough games to come at Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal, but it is their away form that has put them top of the table.”
Man Utd duo Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly’s cele vs Burnley compared to legendary Ince and Giggs effort by Gary Neville More
MANCHESTER UNITED and England legend Wayne Rooney has called time on his illustrious playing career to become manager of Derby County.
Rooney, 35, scored an all-time record 53 goals for England and is also United’s record scorer with 253.
Man Utd and England legend Wayne Rooney has retired from playing Credit: AFP or licensors
The Three Lions’ record goalscorer has been appointed permanent manager of DerbyCredit: AFP or licensors
He joined Derby in a player-coach capacity a year ago from MLS side DC United and made 35 appearances for the club.
Rooney had been interim manager at Derby since the club sacked Dutchman Phillip Cocu in November.
The Merseyside born striker began his playing career with boyhood club Everton, and announced himself on the English stage in spectacular fashion.
He was 16 years and 360 days old when he scored his first Premier League goal – for Everton against Arsenal in October 2002 – making him then the youngest goalscorer in the competition’s history.
Sven-Goran Eriksson gave Rooney his first England cap at just 17.
The teenager responded by lighting up Euro 2004 in his first major tournament appearance before being sidelined by an injury.
In the same summer he moved to Manchester United for £26million, breaking the record transfer fee for a teenager.
Rooney enjoyed great success at Old Trafford, and is the only player to have scored more than 250 goals for the Red Devils, eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record in 2017.
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The 35-year-old quits as Man Utd’s highest ever goal scorerCredit: AFP or licensors
He only won the FA Cup once – in 2016Credit: PA:Empics Sport
One of his lowest points was being sent off in a World Cup quarter-final against PortugalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He was judged to have stamped on Man Utd team-mate Cristiano RonaldoCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He won five Premier League titles with Man Utd plus the Champions League in 2008.
In 2017 he returned to Everton, before moving to DC United in 2018.
Rooney was sadly never able to replicate his incredible displays at Euro 2004 at a future tournament, and was sent off during England’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Portugal in 2006.
He did however become the Three Lions’ record goal-scoring with 53 strikes.
He is also England’s most capped outfield player, with 120 international appearances, five short of Peter Shilton’s overall record.
West Ham boss David Moyes gave Rooney his debut as a 16-year-old at Everton and also managed him at Old Trafford.
Moyes said: “I knew him as a boy and he was a tremendous young player, someone who we were amazed with his abilities for someone so young.
“From 16 onwards, we got him his debut and everyone knows his career from then. Manchester United’s leading goalscorer, England’s leading goalscorer. So he’s had an incredible career.
This iconic strike against Man City was arguably his greatest ever goalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
The striker spent 13 years at Man Utd from 2004-17Credit: AFP or licensors
He won a staggering 17 trophies at Old Trafford including four Charity Shield’s and the Fifa Club World CupCredit: AFP or licensors
The former England captain scored a record 53 goals for his countryCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Wayne Rooney’s playing career
Wayne Rooney has retired from playing after an illustrious 18-year career with the following clubs.
Everton 2002-04
Manchester United – 2004-17
Everton – 2017-18
DC United – 2018-20
Derby County – 2020-21
“If he’s chosen to stop playing I’m sure it will be for the right reasons and because he wants his future to be in management.
“He’s going into a different world now completely and not all the best players have gone on to be the best managers.
“But Wayne’s love of the game, his drive, just his attitude will give him every chance of being successful.”
Rooney’s retirement was recognised by the England official Twitter account, which posted: “A #ThreeLions legend.
“Congratulations on a fantastic playing career, @WayneRooney! Wishing you all the best in management.”
⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
Rooney signed for United in 2004 and he had a tumultuous relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson during his time thereCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Rooney never reproduced his Euro 2004 form for England at a major tournamentCredit: AFP or licensors
He played for boyhood club Everton either side of his spell at Man UtdCredit: AFP or licensors
The Toffees fan burst onto the scene at Goodison Park in 2002Credit: PA:Empics Sport
He won the 2008 Champions League with Man Utd – his first of two European trophiesCredit: AFP or licensors
The prolific front-man won the 2010 PFA Players’ Player of the Year awardCredit: PA:Empics Sport
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Wayne Rooney reveals he was keen to swap Manchester United for Barcelona in 2010 More
RAY PARLOUR still dreams Arsenal will sign ‘special talent’ Wilfried Zaha.
Ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery claims he wanted the Crystal Palace attacker ahead of Nicolas Pepe in August 2019 – and Zaha himself admits he would ‘love’ to have joined.
Palace attacker Wilfried Zaha would still be a massive signing for Arsenal, according to former Gunners’ midfielder Ray ParlourCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe only came on against Palace as a sub on Thursday night, while Wilfried Zaha again shone for the EaglesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Instead Pepe has spluttered since his club-record £72m arrival from Lille, while Ivory Coast team-mate Zaha is in rampant form this season.
And former Arsenal midfielder Parlour believes wideman Zaha, 28, is currently almost untameable in full flight.
He told Stadium Astro: “I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha but again it’s down to the board and money available.
⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
“Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15million a year, which suited the French side where he came from.
‘Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time… because if you (Palace) lose your best player you need to replace him.”
Parlour feels Zaha showed why the Gunners would benefit from his skills in Thursday night’s 0-0 draw between the two teams at the Emirates.
He said: “He got frustrated at times, where they tried to kick him. We saw David Luiz going back and he reacted at times, but we all know what a special talent he is.
“When he’s running at you full pelt… I wouldn’t like to play against him as a defender.
“You know he makes things happen, he goes down, he gets free-kicks in good areas, he can get penalties at times.
“He’s a real talent. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him in an Arsenal shirt.”
Pepe, 25, only came on as a sub while lively Zaha played the whole 90 minutes.
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And over the whole campaign so far Zaha has amassed eight goals plus two assists, compared to Pepe netting just twice.
Zaha revealed last week how Emery seemed keen on signing him – before opting for Pepe.
He said: “He was like, ‘Yeah we’d love to have you’ and I was just like, ‘Yeah I’d love to come’.
“Obviously, it was up to the club who they chose. And they chose Pepe over me.”
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Yet Emery has now insisted Zaha was his original first-choice.
The Spaniard was reported by Football London as saying: “I was thinking at this time that the adaptation of Zaha was probably easier and faster than Pepe.”
But whatever the finer points of that debate two years ago, and whatever Pepe’s development in the future, few would disagree that Zaha would benefit Arsenal more right now.
Piers Morgan rages at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and said the club should have signed Zaha More
REECE JAMES is set to make his return for Chelsea against Fulham on Saturday.
The 21-year-old has been out of action since the Boxing Day defeat to Arsenal.
Here’s one way the Blues could start the match against Fulham
But James returned to training this week after recovering from a hamstring issue.
The four-cap England international is expected to start the match at right-back.
Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma and Ben Chilwell are expected to make up the rest of the back four.
Frank Lampard has a fully fit squad to chose from for the trip to Craven Cottage.
But star man N’Golo Kante, 29, will be unavailable as he is serving a suspension.
He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the 3-1 defeat to Manchester City.
Jorginho, 29, could be called up by the Blues boss to fill the void in the midfield.
Mason Mount, 22, and Matteo Kovacic, 26, are likely options to start alongside him.
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Reece James has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Up top, Timo Werner could lead the line after he scored in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The German forward found the net in the 44th minute of the 4-0 win over Morecambe.
Ex-Arsenal star Olivier Giroud and Tammy Abraham are alternative options for Lampard.
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech are set to start out wide against Scott Parker’s side.
Chelsea are in desperate need of a win to silence Lampard’s growing list of critics.
The Blues are slumped at ninth in the table with just 26 points from 17 matches.
In their last six league games, Lampard’s struggling side have lost four times.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
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