Philippa Kaur

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    Man Utd replace £100 Christmas staff bonus with £40 M&S voucher in latest Sir Jim Ratcliffe PR disaster

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has replaced Manchester United’s £100 staff Christmas bonus with a £40 M&S voucher in his latest money-saving measure.The British billionaire, 72, continues to cut costs in a drastic attempt to balance the books at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has turned into the Christmas Grinch with his brutal cutsStaff saw their £100 cash bonus replaced with a £40 M&S voucherCredit: GettyAnd morale among employees no doubt took another hit when news of the changes to their Christmas gifts was announced.As reported by The Telegraph, when the Glazers ran the operation, United usually gave their staff at Christmas an extra £100.However, as the first anniversary of Ratcliffe’s 27.7 per cent takeover on Christmas Eve approaches, he is not feeling very generous during the festive season.And the cash gift was swapped out for the gift card to spend at Marks & Spencer. READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe PR own goal disaster prompted a wave of reaction from fans on social media hitting out at the club’s hierarchy.One said: “When people are reminiscing fondly about the Glazers, you know things are properly grim.”Another wrote: “Bizarre… yet an extra £10k a week on a player wouldn’t even be flinched at.”A third joked: “Anyone started a gofundme to top up the Man Utd’s £40 M&S gift voucher?”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd a final user fumed: “SJR: The billionaire who cancels Christmas parties at Manchester United and swaps £100 bonuses for £40 M&S vouchers. Who needs the Grinch when you’ve got Scrooge Jim.”The tightening of the purse strings follows news that broke in October that Ratcliffe had cancelled the traditional United staff Christmas party.Man Utd reveal first pics of redeveloped 100,000-capacity Old Trafford in ‘biggest regeneration scheme ever seen’Elsewhere, Ratcliffe made 250 redundancies in the summer including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex Wylie.Matchday staff lunchboxes were scrapped, with suggestions that some workers even ate their food next to the toilet.Ratcliffe’s “back to work” policy forced all employees back into the office – even though there is not enough space, prompting the club to fork out to temporarily convert hospitality suites into offices between home matches. Private chauffeurs and company credit cards for the United top brass were also cut while staff had to pay for their transport to the FA Cup final, where they were only given one ticket each. Fans have been hit, too, with the club deciding to ditch concessions tickets for pensioners and children, raising the minimum home ticket price to £66 – sparking furious protests outside Old Trafford.There were also suggestions Ratcliffe plans to half the £40,000 annual budget given to the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association. Ratcliffe is on a cost-cutting rampage at Old TraffordCredit: PASir Jim Ratcliffe’s first year at Man UtdRATCLIFFE’S FIRST YEAR AT MAN UTDDecember 2023 – Man Utd confirm Ratcliffe’s takeover on Christmas Eve, vowing to invest £245m into Old TraffordJanuary 2024 – Ratcliffe and right-hand man Sir Dave Brailsford photographed meeting Erik ten Hag during tour of Carrington January 2024 – Omar Berrada poached from Man City as new CEO February 2024 – Ratcliffe’s £1billion, 27.7 per cent takeover officially completed February 2024 – Former CEO Richard Arnold quits board as Ineos pair John Rees and Rob Nevin addedMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe bans words “awesome” and “lukewarm cappuccino” in bizarre moveMarch 2024 – Matt Johnson appointed head of women’s footballMarch 2024 – Ratcliffe announces plans to build “Wembley of the North” to replace Old TraffordMarch 2024 – Man Utd NYSE share price drops to $13.73 on March 21 – down from $20.52 immediately after Ratcliffe takeover in DecemberApril 2024 – Senior staff club credit cards and private cars cancelled April 2024 – John Murtough quits as football director April 2024 – Jason Wilcox appointed technical director after compensation package agreed with Southampton May 2024 – Ratcliffe turns Carrington “toxic” after sending email to employees slamming “disgraceful” lack of cleanlinessMay 2024 – Work finally starts on leaking Old Trafford roofMay 2024 – Man Utd finish eighth in Premier League, worst-ever finish May 2024 – Ratcliffe gives employees just one week to decide if they want to accept redundancy May 2024 – Staff forced to pay for own transport to FA Cup final and only given one ticketMay 2024 – Pre-match party and hotel for senior staff before FA Cup final axedMay 2024 – Man Utd shock rivals Man City to win FA Cup despite suggestions Erik ten Hag will be sacked regardless of resultJune 2024 – Man Utd announce £50m plans to upgrade Carrington training ground June 2024 – Ratcliffe introduces strict “back to work” policy forcing staff to come into officeJune 2024 – Ratcliffe scores own goal with comments about women’s teamJuly 2024 – Man Utd finally agree deal to bring in Dan Ashworth as sporting director after four months of gardening leave at Newcastle, who received £3m in compensationJuly 2024 – Erik ten Hag signs shock new contract extension until 2026July 2024 – Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake appointed assistant managers, Andreas Georgson first-team coach and Jelle ten Rouwelaar goalkeeper coach. Darren Fletcher’s role changes from technical director to first-team coach. Steve McClaren, Mitchell van der Gaag and Benni McCarthy depart.July 2024 – Ex-Chelsea technical director Christopher Vivell joins on short-term basis as interim director of recruitment July 2024 – Jean-Claude Blanc added to Man Utd board  July 2024 – Man Utd cut down number of staff on US pre-season tour to 125July 2024 – Ratcliffe makes 250 redundancies including popular media man John Allen, historian Cliff Butler and kitman Alex WylieAugust 2024 – Man Utd splash out £199m in the summer transfer window August 2024 – Matchday staff lunchboxes scrapped and some forced to eat beside toiletOctober 2024 – Man Utd stop paying £2m-a-year ambassador salary to Sir Alex FergusonOctober 2024 – Staff Christmas party cancelled October 2024 – “Back to work” policy costing Utd fortune to convert hospitality suites into temporary offices between home matchesOctober 2024 – Erik ten Hag sacked with club 14th in Premier League table, costing club £15mNovember 2024 – Ruben Amorim appointed new Man Utd manager on deal until 2027 after stumping up £10m release clause November 2024 – Coach Ruud van Nistelrooy axed by new manager Ruben Amorim November 2024 – Man Utd chiefs locked in blame game over summer shambles including Erik ten Hag situation and transfer signings November 2024 – Ratcliffe reportedly set to half £40,000 budget paid to Manchester United Disabled Supporters AssociationDecember 2024 – Ratcliffe admits “mediocre” Man Utd “still in last century” December 2024 – Fans protest after OAP and children concessions tickets ditched and minimum home ticket cost up to £66December 2024 – Dan Ashworth sacked after five months as sporting directorDecember 2024 – £100 staff Christmas bonus ditched for £40 M&S voucher More

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    Ruben Amorim will teach Pep Guardiola how to be humble – but he won’t do it by burning cash like City and United have

    MANCHESTER United boss Ruben Armorim is ready to give Pep Guardiola more lessons in how to be more humble.Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon humiliated Guardiola’s Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League before the Portuguese took over at Old Trafford last month.Pep Guardiola and Ruben Amorim go head-to-head in the Premier League for the first time on SundayAnd as the new United manager prepares for his first Manchester derby, a former close confidant reckons he will bring his City counterpart down a peg or two in the short and long term.Goncalo Ferreira was communications chief at Braga when Amorim took his first job as a top-flight manager in 2019.Ferreira believes Amorim will revive United without spending the kind of money they have wasted in recent years, and without the resources that Guardiola has enjoyed at the Etihad and in his previous jobs at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.Ferreira said: “I think Ruben will give Guardiola some lessons in humbleness. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Ruben isn’t a ‘rich’ coach, in terms of mentality. He respects everybody.“He doesn’t think he is the best coach in the world. He doesn’t need that focus. He only needs the space and the time to work, and hopefully then the results will arrive.“He will prove that with maybe cheaper players than United is used to, you can win. “Let’s make a team. United had great teams in the past. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“United started to think that to build success they should do the same as City, burn money. “It’s not about burning money.”Man Utd’s Player Ratings Against Nottingham Forest Ferreira is now boss of agency Global Take Over but before taking the job at Braga he was a journalist and came into contact with Guardiola.He recalled: “I interviewed Guardiola and I know what I felt. “I thought he was talking to me but thinking about other things he had to do afterwards. Not humble. “You won at Barcelona. People can say it’s easy if you have Messi. You won at City – you had Sergio Aguero, David Silva. “Let’s win at  Roma, they have some money but don’t win a lot. Let’s win at Dortmund, for example, not in Bayern. It’s difficult.”Amorim was flying high after his Sporting Lisbon side thrashed City 4-1 in NovemberCredit: PAAmorim and Guardiola will be shaking hands again at the Etihad on SundayCredit: AFPFerreira feels Guardiola and City were guilty of underestimating Amorim and Sporting when they travelled to Lisbon at the start of last month.The City boss was having to manage an injury-hit squad in which senior players like Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker were feeling their way back to match sharpness.Guardiola also gave centre back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey his first start, the day after his 19th birthday. And although the young defender acquitted himself well, Ferreira felt Guardiola’s overall team selection was flawed.Ferreira said: “Even with the players that he chose, from what he had, he didn’t take Sporting too seriously. “No-one in Portugal ever did that because everybody knew that Sporting had the best coach and if they were in their normal way, they would win because they had the best players.“But although Sporting is a good team, it isn’t Real Madrid or Barcelona or Bayern or one of the big teams of the world. Yet they beat City 4-1.“Guardiola learned a lesson. Because he won everything and is rich, he is lacking a little bit of humbleness.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim has had an up and down start at United, while City are enduring the worst run of Guardiola’s reign and his entire managerial career – which included that defeat in LisbonIf Guardiola isn’t careful, the new man at Old Trafford may kick him when he’s down again. More

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    Hidden message on Cucurella’s new £220 boots as Puma’s cheeky marketing campaign backfires after Chelsea star’s slips

    MARC CUCURELLA’S infamous Puma boots featured a cheeky marketing slogan.The Chelsea full-back, 26, ditched his footwear for a different pair after slipping in the build-up to Tottenham’s first two goals last Sunday.Marc Cucurella twice slipped the build-up to Tottenham goalsCredit: APCucurella, 26, decided to change his boots during the first halfCredit: GettyThe full-back switched back to an older pair of Puma bootsCredit: GettyFollowing his side’s 4-3 comeback win, the Spaniard posted a picture of his original boots in a bin with the caption “Sorry Blues”.Having risked Puma’s wrath, Cucurella swiftly deleted the image from his Instagram Story – but not before it had swept across social media.The Chelsea ace had been wearing a studded pair of Puma’s new Future 8 boots.When he shuffled over to the bench to change them following Dejan Kulusevski’s goal, Cucurella switched into Puma’s previous Future 7 edition.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Future 8 boots are on sale at £220 per pair, with Puma having claimed that they boost “Ultimate Precision, Adaptability and Performance”.During Sunday’s game, Cucurella’s pair also featured a message on its heel.Alongside an exclamation mark, it read: “This boot might be leaked. We’re used to it. Don’t worry. Stay tuned.”It was then followed by the date “03/03”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSCucurella’s boots featured a cheeky marketing sloganCredit: GettyThe Future 8s ended up in the bin after Sunday’s matchCredit: instagramCucurella has not worn the Future 8s in training this week, ahead of the Blues’ Europa Conference League clash with Astana tomorrow.He has instead stuck with the Future 7s for sessions at Cobham.Moment Cole Palmer stops interview to quiz Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella on his boots after Tottenham clash After Sunday’s game, Cole Palmer stopped mid-interview to ask Cucurella about his boots.The England star, 22, cheekily asked: “Yo Marc, the boots, where are they?”Cucurella replied: “They are in the bin.”In a further Instagram post, the full-back joked: “It almost slipped away… but proud of the amazing team effort to turn things around.”Cucurella has not worn the Future 8s in training this weekCredit: Reuters More

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    The state-of-the-art stadium with special features that will host Chelsea’s clash vs Astana in extreme -13C temperatures

    CHELSEA will battle the elements when they face Astana in the Conference League.The Blues will be hoping to pull of a rapid raid when playing in Kazakhstan.Chelsea take on Astana in the Conference League on Thursday eveningCredit: Getty – ContributorThe temperature could drop as low as -13CCredit: Getty – ContributorEnxo Maresca has inisted he will take extra layersCredit: GettyEnzo Maresca’s side will undergo a 16-hour and 7,000-mile round trip to the Chinese border to face Astana in subzero conditions.The temperature could drop as low as -13C during the Chelsea match.The Premier League giants will be aided by Astana’s special stadium.The Astana Arena has a capacity of 30,000 and a retractable roof to help protect those inside.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe stadium and pitch can also be heated in order to add some warmth when the temperature drops.It cost £145million to construct and was completed in 2009.Chelsea have won every single game in this group stage so far and should not be concerned about Astana, who finished second in the Kazakhstan Premier League this year.Maresca said: “I will take many layers.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”It’s a big difference. But we have to go, we have to play, we have to try to do our best and to try to adapt to the conditions that we’re going to face there.”I played in something similar, it was the worst in Ukraine. We played with more or less the same temperature.”Enzo Maresca confirms forgotten Chelsea wonderkid Josh Acheampong will start against Astana after contract stand-off Axel Disasi is ready for the trip to KhazakstanCredit: GettyOn top of their usual preparations, Chelsea’s players were also having to pack extra gloves for the game and download hours of movies for the flight.Axel Disasi, who has the Netflix series Senna ready to watch, added: “We just have to put on gloves and be ready to compete in these conditions.”We all know the conditions of these games, its eight hour flight and -13 so download some movies to watch on the plane, be ready, put on two pairs of gloves and compete in the game because at the end we just have to fight and keep this first-place.”Instead of travelling and training at their opponents facilities, as the Blues have done for previous Conference League trips, the squad prepared at their Cobham base yesterday.The group boarded the eight-hour flight, which takes them across Europe, between Russia, Ukraine and the Middle East, at Gatwick yesterday afternoon.They will be back home at 6am on Friday morning, when preparations for Brentford will already have begun.Maresca and his staff will try to keep the players on English time given the quick turnaround, with everyone eating before bed despite the fact they landed at 3am local time in Almaty.While they are doing everything to keep the squad fresh, the Italian hopes no one who travels to Kazakhstan will have to be involved against the Bees.He added: “You never know because the ones that are not involved, first of all, they’re going to be training.”They have to train well.”You never know if we need one of the guys that are going to play Astana on Sunday again.”Ideally, we prefer not because we’re going to land at six o’clock in the morning on Friday and it’s not normal for one of them to land at six o’clock in the morning and then play again on Sunday.”So hopefully not, but in case we need to, they’re going to make the effort.”Disasi added: “As a player we like to play every game but at the same time you have to be clever.”With a lot of games like we have, you can’t play every game. We have a big squad and everyone has to take his chances.”That’s why when you have the opportunity to play you have to perform and show you have quality.”At this moment we did well even if sometimes you can feel as a player you want to play every game but it’s not possible.”We fly eight hours and then play Sunday so we have to be clever and think of things like this.”The trip to Astana will also see the return of youngster Josh Acheampong to the squad.Acheampong, an 18-year-old defender, was frozen out of the Chelsea squad until he agreed a new contract earlier this season.A deal is yet to be fully completed, but Maresca suggested an agreement is close – meaning the academy graduate is in line to start.Maresca said: “He’s in the squad and probably he’s going to play from the start.READ MORE SUN STORIES”With Josh it’s quite clear. We all love Josh. The club loves Josh. I love Josh.”We are trying to find an agreement with the players. We are close. We are almost there.”Josh Acheampong will be back in the Chelsea squadCredit: GettyWho are these famous footballers? More

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    Chelsea owner Todd Boehly in talks to buy 169-year-old UK newspaper in £550m deal

    TODD BOEHLY is in talks to buy The Daily Telegraph.The Chelsea co-owner, 51, could help to fund Dovid Efune’s bid to acquire the UK Newspaper.Todd Boehly is interested in acquiring the TelegraphCredit: AlamyDovid Efune has been trying to strike a deal to buy the UK newspaperCredit: GettyEfune, 39, already owns The New York Sun and is looking to add the Telegraph to his portfolio.He has been in exclusive talks for nearly two months to buy the newspaper, but this period of exclusivity is set to end in the coming days.The Telegraph’s current ownership group, headed by Jeff Zucker, is said to be coveting at least £550million ($700m).According to the Financial Times, Boehly could step in to help fund Efune’s bid.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLShould Efune drop out of the running, however, it’s said that Boehly could try to buy the Telegraph outright.The American is already a familiar name in the UK having completed a £4.25bn ($5.4bn) deal to buy Chelsea alongside Behdad Eghbali in 2022.As of the end of 2023, the Telegraph possessed more than one million subscribers.Zucker is chief executive of the RedBird IMI group, which took control of the Telegraph, as well as sister publication The Spectator, last December having paid off debts of its previous owners the Barclay family.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSRedBird IMI were quickly then forced to take bids for both titles by the UK government, however, due to their Abu Dhabi-backing.They have agreed a £100m ($127m) deal with British billionaire Paul Marshall to sell The Spectator.Angry Chelsea fan slams Todd Boehly’s transfer policy and claims no Blues supporters are happy with his running of the ‘unrecognisable’ clubWhile Efune and now Boehly are exploring a deal to acquire The Telegraph.Boehly has several other business interests in sport aside from Chelsea.He owns 20 per cent of MLB franchise the Los Angeles Dodgers, while he and Mark Walter acquired 27 per cent of NBA giants the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021.The businessman also possesses a stake in the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA franchise, while in June 2023 Boehly’s BlueCo bought Ligue 1 side Strasbourg for around £65m ($83m).In the summer it was reported that Boehly and Eghbali were at loggerheads and wanted to buy each other out at Chelsea.But since then it has been claimed that the rift between the two has healed somewhat.Boehly co-owns Chelsea alongside Behdad EghbaliCredit: Getty More

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    Only three midfielders average more points-per-game than Eberechi Eze in 2024/25 – Crystal Palace star viable this month

    DREAM TEAM managers are spoiled for choice at this time of year.Come Friday morning, there will only be one relevant European fixture (Chelsea v Shamrock Rovers in Gameweek 15) to consider until mid-January.A pause to the continental competitions evens out Dream Team’s fixture list, boosting the viability of dozens of players from clubs not active in Europe this season.Take Eberechi Eze (£5m) for example.Eze does itCredit: Dream TeamIt’s difficult for gaffers to justify selecting Crystal Palace’s No10 when he’s got just one game a week in which to strut his stuff while midfielders from Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United are regularly in action twice because of European commitments.We haven’t included Chelsea in that list because Enzo Maresca has tended to rotate almost his entire team for Conference League match-ups, minimising double headers for his players.However, no team has more fixtures to fulfil than the Eagles between Gameweeks 15 and 19 as it stands.For that to still be the case after Gameweek 15, Oliver Glasner will have to mastermind an unlikely upset against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals but the point is that Eze is not hindered by the same fixture deficit as he has been lately.Player like Eze increase in popularity when the European competitions are put on holdCredit: GettyThe England international’s return of four goals and four assists might look modest compared to the numbers posted by the likes of Cole Palmer (£6m) and Bukayo Saka (£6.7m) but the key stat to focus on is his average of 7.6 points-per-game.Only three midfielders boast superior averages at the time of writing and the long list of those below Eze in the metric includes Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m), Brennan Johnson (£3.9m), Luis Diaz (£4.1m) and many other popular selections.Most read in FootballDespite being limited to 15 appearances in 2024/25, Eze has earned 19 bonus points, a tally bettered by only seven other players in his position – he racked up plenty last season too.His play style virtually guarantees successful dribbles, accurate crosses and fouls won, a reliable recipe for bonus points.Average points-per-game is an important statistic in Dream TeamCredit: RexThe 26-year-old mustered just two points against Manchester City last time out but he notched 13 points in Gameweek 13 upon his return from injury.Looking ahead, it would be a stretch to say Palace’s fixtures are favourable, especially with a double header against the Gunners coming up, but Eze should at least be considered among the potential options for the next month or so.CRYSTAL PALACE FIXTURES FROM GAMEWEEK 15 TO GAMEWEEK 19:Brighton (a) – Premier LeagueArsenal (a) – Carabao CupArsenal (h) – Premier LeagueBournemouth (a) – Premier LeagueSouthampton (h) – Premier LeagueChelsea (h) – Premier LeagueStoke (h) – FA CupLeicester (a) – Premier LeaguePalace have become harder to beat in recent weeksCredit: REXEncouragingly, Glasner has started his star man in the domestic cup competitions this season, whereas many of the top-tier midfielders are rested, so minutes should not be an issue.Even if Eze doesn’t appeal, Dream Team bosses should note the schedule pivot and how it opens up other avenues to points across the festive period.BetMGM sign up offerBetMGM: Get £40 in free bets — HERE**New cust only. 7 days to opt in by placing a £10 qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater to receive 4x Free Bets: 1 x £10 horse racing, 1 x £10 Bet Builder, 1 x £10 Acca and 1 x £10 football. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

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    Enzo Maresca confirms forgotten Chelsea wonderkid, 18, will start against Astana after contract stand-off

    CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Josh Acheampong is set to start against Astana.The Blues will take on the Kazakh side tomorrow in difficult -13C conditions.Enzo Maresca has discussed Josh Acheampong’s futureCredit: GettyAcheampong, 18, is highly-rated at Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyMaresca is set to make several changes to the side that beat Tottenham 4-3 last Sunday, with 11 academy starlets having been added to his Europa Conference League squad.Full-back Acheampong, 18, is set to come in for his first Chelsea start.The England youth international is highly-rated at Stamford Bridge and has made two cameos from the bench for the Blues.But in October it was reported that he had been “frozen out” amid a contract stand off.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was recently seen having returned to first team training, however.And asked about Acheampong ahead of tomorrow’s match, Maresca confirmed that a contract agreement is close.The Italian, 44, said: “He’s in the squad and is probably going to play from the start.”With Josh, it’s quite clear, we all love Josh, the club love Josh and I love Josh.Most read in Europa LeagueBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We are trying to find an agreement with the player. It’s close, we are almost there.”Chelsea will embark on a 7,000-mile round trip to face Astana, with stars such as Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke among those that will be left at home.How Chelsea embarrassed Spurs with Enzo Fernandez leading genius in-game tactical shake-upOn their travel arrangements, Maresca added this morning: “We have a session now, then we fly there, eight hours.”We arrive, have dinner, bed. Fortunately they are five hours ahead of us. We are going to be there for 24 hours.”Friday morning, we are going to arrive around 6am in London.”Following Chelsea’s arduous trip, their West London derby against Brentford this weekend has been pushed back to an unusual kick-off time.The match will get underway at 7pm this Sunday, and it’s likely that Maresca could make as many as 11 changes from the side that will face Astana tomorrow.Acheampong has made one brief first team cameo under MarescaCredit: Getty More

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    Michael Schumacher plot ‘mastermind’ threatened to leak ‘intimate’ photos of stricken star to ‘get REVENGE on family’

    THE mastermind of the Michael Schumacher blackmail plot threatened to leak “intimate” photos of the stricken star, a German court has been told.A former security guard for the Schumacher family allegedly wanted “revenge” after he was let go by wife Corinna earlier this year.The alleged mastermind of the Michael Schumacher blackmail plot threatened to leak ‘intimate’ photos of the stricken starCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe former security guard for the Schumacher family Markus F allegedly planned the blackmail plotCredit: FacebookBouncer Yilmaz T was also hired to extort £12million from Schumachar’s family, it is claimedMarkus F, 53, reportedly turned bitter following the decision and hatched a plan alongside two other men to extort the wealthy family out of millions, it has been alleged. German cops have been leading investigations with the three suspects appearing at Wuppertal District Court near Dortmund this week.A member of the Schumacher staff took to the stand as she told the court she has seen emails between Markus and the family revealing he wanted cash in return for the intimate photos staying private.Heike P claimed the men had images of Michael in his wheelchair and threatened to post them on the dark web.read more in blackmail plotShe told the court: “Emails were written in which he said if he didn’t get his pay he would go after the Schumacher family.”The staff member for the Schumachers also said she couldn’t remember the amount of money asked for in the messages.She did believe it was less than three months worth of wages the former security guard would have been on at the time.Markus has refused to say a word in court so far other than to confirm his name and address.Most read in MotorsportThe intimate images are said to be a part of a 1,500 cache of secret files believed to have been stolen from the Schumacher family home.This sensitive material was uploaded onto four USB sticks and two hard drives in the days prior to Markus being let go, prosecutors say.Inside Michael Schumacher’s decade-long recovery from ‘desperately cruel’ ski crash as brother shares devastating updateThe content included photos, videos, medication lists and even Schumacher’s patient file, BILD reported back in July.Markus is accused of stealing the information and then recruiting long-term pal and local bouncer Yilmaz T, 53, say German authorities.Yilmaz then allegedly used his son Daniel L to help him make contact with the Schumacher family before trying to extort them.Police say the total figure the trio wanted was around £12million.Yilmaz – who had known Markus for over 20 years – was allegedly promised a small commission in return for his help.German cops plan quickly managed to thwart the plot soon after contact was first made with the Schumacher family.When the men were first hauled into court Markus’ lawyer claimed he had been asked by Corinna to digitalise copies of photos taken of her husband.This included the intimate images.Michael’s family are trying to keep secrets about his health private during the caseCredit: GettyHowever, a shocking revelation reportedly now claims that one of the hard drives which may still hold data on the F1 legend has gone missing.Authorities said they were able to track down the alleged extortionists through “technical measures”.On July 4, officers arrested Markus in his apartment in Wülfrath. They also detained Yilmaz and his son Daniel L soon after for their roles in the alleged blackmail plot.All three men were charged and are now in court for the hearing.Prosecutors are asking for the men to spend at least four years behind bars if found guilty.Speaking for the first time at Wuppertal District Court, Yilmaz T said he had done nothing wrong and that it was all to help out a poor nurse.I didn’t think there was anything bad about it. He said he had photos of a person and wanted to sell themDaniel LsuspectHis son Daniel has accepted his role in the affair but is claiming he had no knowledge of the content being sent as part of the plot. The 30-year-old is being charged for having supplied his father with an untraceable Gmail address.He is also accused of forwarding the illicit pictures on his dad’s behalf.Daniel said: “I didn’t see the content. My dad just said that it was a legal, normal affair, whereby there was a layer involved, and that was it for me, so I didn’t ask any more questions.“I didn’t think there was anything bad about it. He said he had photos of a person and wanted to sell them. “I didn’t ask my father what it was all about. Its my father. So I just thought, yeah, okay, and that was it.”Schumacher’s wife Corinna, 55, has already filed a motion to protect her husband during the trial.She is asking to exclude the public from the trial if the seven-time world champion’s current state of health is ever discussed.Corinna has spent over a decade crafting a close knit inner circle of people who are allowed to know about Michael’s health ever since his horrific ski accident. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe F1 star hasn’t been seen or heard from since after with very little being released about his current status. What happened to Michael Schumacher?MICHAEL Schumacher’s life was hanging by a thread over 10-years-ago as medics tried desperately to keep him alive after a tragic skiing crash.The F1 legend was left with horrific brain injuries and placed into a coma for 250 days.He was given the best possible treatment as he underwent hours of tricky operations on his brain.Back in 2013, the retired seven-time world champion, and his then 14-year-old son set off on the Combe de Saulire ski run in the exclusive French resort of Meribel.Footage from his helmet camera revealed he was not travelling at excessive speed when his skis struck a rock hidden beneath the snow.He catapulted forward 11.5ft and crashed into a boulder head first that split his helmet into two and left him needing to be airlifted to hospital for two life-saving operations.At one point his family were told to brace themselves for the worst case scenario as the situation was much worse than originally believed.At the time, medics said Schumacher was likely to stay in an induced coma for at least 48 hours as his body and mind recovered.But the coma ended up lasting 250 days – more than eight months.After he woke up in June 2014, he was discharged from hospital and sent to his home in Lake Geneva to get further treatment.Since then his wife Corinna and his inner circle of friends have expertly avoided almost anything leaking out about his health status.Only small amounts of information have been released including reports that Schumacher was in a wheelchair but can react to things around him.In 2019, it was said that Schumacher was set to undergo breakthrough stem cell therapy in a bid to regenerate and rebuild his nervous system.Renowned France cardiologist Dr Philippe Menasche, who had operated on him previously, was set to carry out the treatment that would see cells from his heart go to his brain.Following the treatment at the Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, he was said to be “conscious”, although few other details were given about his state.Michael with his wife CorinnaCredit: EPA More