Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares105 Views

      in Soccer

      Prince William lifts lid on attempt at Ronaldo’s ‘Siu’ celebration & chooses between pal Becks & Zidane in hilarious Q&A

      by

      FOOTY-MAD Prince William says he would injure himself trying to recreate Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous celebration in a kickaround in his back garden.Wills, 42, had a ball while selecting attributes for his “perfect footballer” during a laughter-filled quickfire Q&A on The Beautiful Game, with The Sun.Footy-mad Prince William says he would injure himself trying Ronaldo’s famous celebration in his gardenCredit: Dan CharityWills had a ball during a laughter-filled quickfire Q&A on The Beautiful Game, with The SunCredit: Dan CharityThe Prince of Wales was all smiles as he met with Tyrone Mings at Aston Villa’s training groundCredit: Dan CharityHe was left scratching his head when faced with the ultimate football question that has divided fans across the globe: Messi or Ronaldo?And he had a hard time choosing between Three Lions pal David Beckham and France legend Zinedine Zidane in a light-hearted but high-pressure game.Some of his selections – such as selecting Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger’s intelligence and Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven for pace – for his ‘Perfect Footballer’ will no doubt spark debate with fellow football fans.Despite being an avid Aston Villa fan – who was pictured cheering on from the stands as they reached the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night – no Villans made his list.Read More SportHe was handed the tricky questions in a fun face-off with pal and Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings at the club’s Bodymoor Heath training ground, exclusively for The Sun.And the prince gave away a hint of footy kickabouts in the back garden in the shadow of Windsor Castle when choosing Ronaldo’s Siu routine as the celebration for his ideal fantasy footballer.He said: “Well the most iconic I guess is Cristiano Ronaldo’s.”Mings cheekly asked: “Have you recreated it a few times in the garden?”Most read in FootballThe prince replied while laughing: “Well, obviously!” and added while reaching down to his hamstring: “And then I do a hammy.”Prince William on recreating Ronaldo’s goal celebration in his garden as he builds ‘Perfect Footballer’But the footy-mad prince impressed Villa star Mings with his breadth of football knowledge as he explained his choices for each part of his perfect player.Then, faced with the viral ‘Football Legends – Head 2 Head’ game the future King faced some tricky calls and was left with a series of tricky choices to make.He struggled to choose in a shoot-out between Zidane and Golden Balls Beckham – who joined the prince celebrating Air Ambulance heroes last October.William grimaced and said: “This gonna hurt. Becks, I think, just.”But there was no hesitation when choosing Brazilian Ronaldo, or R9, over the former England and Man United winger.Although he found deciding between retired Ronaldo and Messi much more difficult.He said: “These are really tricky ones.. Messi.”Then faced with the final head-to-head between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo he agonised before choosing the Argentine goal-getter.Wills justified his selection saying: “Gotta go Messi, just.”The Cristiano v Messi debate divides football fans around the world with both players dominating the Ballon d’Or for almost two decadesMessi won the gong on eight occasions between 2009 and 2023 while Cristiano bagged five since 2008 – but holds the record of being nominated in 18 seasons.The future King regularly played football while at Eton.And two years ago revealed he often still lines up for a game of 11-a-side when his busy schedule allows.READ MORE SUN STORIESPrince William lined up alongside Prince George in a Christmas Eve football match between Sandringham estate workers and villagers.He was “wiped out” in a tackle by England legend Jill Scott during a charity game in 2012.Despite being an avid Aston Villa fan, no Villans made his list for the ‘perfect footballer’Credit: Dan CharityPrince William pictured with pals at the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Club Brugge KV at Villa Park on WednesdayCredit: GettyWills admitted he has ‘obviously’ recreated Ronaldo’s iconic celebration in his gardenCredit: GettyThe royal believe the star’s move to be the most iconic of all timeCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun More

    • 238 Shares87 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘He’ll get tired on the stairs’ – Jose Mourinho in staggering jibe at Saint-Maximin’s weight after Fenerbahce star’s dig

      by

      JOSE MOURINHO has launched a cutting barb at Allan Saint-Maximin as he branded the ex-Newcastle star lazy and overweight.France winger Saint-Maximin has been on loan to Mourinho’s Turkish club Fenerbahce this season from Saudis Al Ahli.Allan Saint-Maximin hit out at Jose Mourinho but the Special One produced a brutal comebackCredit: GettyMourinho had a dig at the ex-Newcastle star’s weightCredit: GettyThe Special One left the 28-year-old out of his squad for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Rangers.That prompted Saint-Maximin to poetically suggest Mourinho has been dishonest about him, but that the truth will emerge in due course.He wrote on social media: “When a lie takes the elevator, the truth takes the stairs.”It takes longer, but it arrives in the end.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFormer Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho hit back when quizzed about his player’s comments.He told TRT Spor: “I didn’t know Saint-Maximin had a gift for poetry. I’m not bad at it either.”When a footballer works well, works hard and trains every day, he can be in good form and climb up the stairs. He doesn’t need to use the lift.”By contrast, if a player doesn’t train well, turns up late, is overweight and isn’t ready to play a match, then he needs to use the lift – as he’ll soon get tired on the stairs.”Most read in Europa LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsSaint-Maximin, who spent four seasons with Newcastle, responded on Instagram – claiming his weight has remained the same since 2022.The Paris-born ace also resorted to poetic language once more to declare: “Lies give you flowers – but they don’t bear fruit.”Inside Newcastle’s £3BILLION new stadium plans with St James’ Park project to rival Old TraffordFormer Toon favourite Saint-Maximin made 124 Magpies appearances, scoring 13 goals, before leaving for Al Ahli in a £23million deal two summers ago.Mourinho, 62, took charge of Fenerbahce last June.The Istanbul side lost their first-leg Europa League tie 3-1 at home to Rangers last week More

    • 250 Shares113 Views

      in Soccer

      I feared I would become addicted to sleeping pills – Dele Alli’s interview hit me hard, says Brentford captain Norgaard

      by

      CHRISTIAN NORGAARD began choking up when he sat down to watch Dele Alli’s candid and tear-jerking interview two years ago.There was one moment in particular that tugged at the Brentford captain’s heartstrings because he had been in a similar position himself.Christian Norgaard feared he could become addicted to sleeping pillsCredit: GettyDele Alli was very open about addiction strugglesCredit: PAIt was when former England player Alli, 28, revealed he had spent six weeks in rehab because of a sleeping pill addiction and mental health issues.Popping tablets most nights to nod off is, according to Alli, “something going around more than people realise in football” and he admits: “I definitely abused them too much.”Norgaard, 31, was one such person who had dabbled with the medication but was lucky enough to avoid falling down a deep rabbit hole of long-term dependence.Speaking for the first time about fears he may have become “addicted” like Alli, Norgaard said: “I watched Dele Alli’s interview, maybe a year back now, where he spoke about sleeping tablets.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It was tough to watch but it was also touching and it was quite emotional for someone like me who struggled a lot with it.“And maybe could have ended up being addicted to these sleeping tablets.”Uniquely for a Premier League club, but unsurprising given their open-minded approach to football and wellbeing matters, Brentford have employed a ‘sleep coach’ since 2016.Anna West helps the players get much-needed shuteye and has been instrumental in the Danish midfielder’s improved night-time patterns since he arrived in West London from Fiorentina in 2019.Most read in FootballHe was quick to show his gratitude when he realised Alli, now with Serie A side Como, had struggled after using pills.Norgaard continued: “I remember also sending a text to our sleeping coach Anna to say thank you for the things we’ve been working on because this is a clear picture of how bad it can go.”Beaming Dele Alli left speechless as Pochettino delivers heartwarming message live on Sky Sports“If you don’t have some different routines you can use outside of only taking the easy choice. Because I had been on sleeping tablets.“I did for a season in Brondby. Only for away games. Only when I was in a hotel but yeah, that’s one of the things I’m really happy about, having left it behind. Happy that I’m not addicted to it now.“Because I think once you finish with your career, it’s something you can struggle with, falling asleep.”Friday (March 14) is World Sleep Day and rest and recovery are just asimportant for a world-class athlete as training, running or lifting weights.Norgaard’s problems intensified when he was playing in his homeland, for Brondby between 2013-2018, due to an anxiety about a lack of sleep hindering his performance on the pitch.It’s a topic that has maybe been going a bit under the radar. I think now it’s getting emphasised, not only in football but in general, how important it is.Christian NorgaardIn an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “I really pretty remember when it (first) happened.“It was before quite an important cup game in Denmark and that’s when the mind started going. I was at Brondby.“I had a bad night’s sleep and I brought those thoughts into the game and I was like: ‘Ah, what if I don’t play well now because I’ve slept bad?’“That became my thinking pattern for the next game. ‘Now I need to sleep good before the game otherwise I’ll be a disaster in the game’.“Then it’s hard to fall asleep. So that’s why you have to break those patterns up.“It’s a topic that has maybe been going a bit under the radar. I think now it’s getting emphasised, not only in football but in general, how important it is.“I needed some routines. So I bring my own pillow to every away game.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It can be like a hot shower before I go to bed, a cup of tea, these small things. Reading a book. A few bits that helped me quite a lot to unwind.“That has been my problem, it has been overthinking stuff. I have felt it really hard to sleep.” More

    • 263 Shares87 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd files: Two-horse La Liga race for Antony amid concerns Sir Jim Ratcliffe transfer rant could lead to PSR woe

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED are once again looking to return to their former glory with a summer revamp planned.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given boss Ruben Amorim his full backing despite an underwhelming start to life at Old Trafford for the Portuguese boss.Ruben Amorim is set to get the time to put his summer plans into motionCredit: ReutersSir Jim Ratcliffe has given the Man Utd boss his full backingCredit: PAHere, SunSport’s team of writers reveal the latest goings-on behind the scenes at Old Trafford.ANTONY IN DEMANDREAL BETIS are already looking at how they can make Antony’s move a permanent one.The £82m Old Trafford flop has been a smash-hit since joining on loan from Manchester United in January.Sources close to the player say he is desperate to make the switch a permanent one as he looks to rebuild his career, while Real Sociedad also now believed to be monitoring developments.But the Brazilian is believed to prefer the idea of staying at Betis, where he has settled quickly and become a fan favourite.Meanwhile, Antony’s agent Junior Pedroso has launched a furious attack on United manager Ruben Amorim.He said: “Antony showed his true potential with Betis when the right conditions were available, proving that the issue was not with his physical abilities but with how he was treated at Manchester United.”There are many players who did not succeed at United but have excelled elsewhere, raising questions about whether the problem lies with the players or the club itself.”Antony did not get his chance at Manchester United, as he played only 252 minutes under Amorim. How can one judge him without giving him a real opportunity?”Antony has flourished on loan at Real BetisCredit: RexAntony leaves Man Utd with more yellow cards than goals as £86m Ten Hag flop goes down as one of worst transfers everHORROR STATSANY Manchester United fans attending last month’s FT Business of Football Summit would have left shaking their heads in disbelief at the damning stats unveiled about the Old Trafford club.Figures revealed showed that of United’s all-time 10 most expensive players, only two – Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire – played more than 60 per cent of the available minutes during their time at the club.Antony, on the pitch for less than a third of the possible game-time before his loan to Betis, headed the list of let-downs.Harry Maguire is one of just two Man Utd’s top ten most expensive signings to have played more than 60 per cent of available minutesCredit: GettyRATCLIFFE’S ‘COSTLY’ RANTSIR JIM RATCLIFFE’S decision to name and shame “overpaid” and “not good enough” players may make United’s historic transfer market problems even more stark.Ineos owner Sir Jim lambasted Andre Onana, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund as well as on-loan pair Antony and Jadon Sancho in a blistering assault on the previous Old Trafford hierarchy.But the intensity of the attack is likely to make shifting any of those players for a price to United’s benefit even tougher.While major signings by Manchester City and Liverpool have seen their potential transfer values rise by an average of 25 per cent over three seasons, United incoming stars have seen their values FALL by 25 per cent.Pointing out that United’s bill for sacked managers since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson has already topped £80m, the FT’s Simon Kuper added: “This could be an indication of poor signings.“But also the level of dysfunction at United means any player going there, their value will drop. This will show up on the balance sheet when players are sold.”While Chelsea’s deal for Sancho included a £20m “obligation” to buy, asking top dollar for players the club’s figurehead has diminished has hardly been made easier.There are concerns that Ratcliffe’s decision to name and shame Man Utd’s flop signings could deplete their value in the transfer marketCredit: GettyASHWORTH UPDATEDAN ASHWORTH lasted just five months at Old Trafford – with Jim Ratcliffe saying the ‘chemistry’ was not right with the sporting director he hand-picked.But as things stand there are no plans to replace him within the Old Trafford hierarchy. Technical director Jason Wilcox has taken on more responsibility going forward – while chief exec Omar Berrada knows that side of the business well having worked closely with Txiki Begiristain across town at Manchester City.Meanwhile chief operating officer Colette Roche has been helping to manage the football operations side since Ashworth’s departure – and that will continue.Man Utd are not set to hire a replacement for Dan AshworthCredit: GettyHOLY TRINITYOLD TRAFFORD as we know it is looking increasingly doomed this week – but the famous ‘Trinity Statue’ which lies in the shadow of the Theatre of Dreams will definitely live on. The sculpture of club legends SirBobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law became a focal point after the latter’s death earlier this year and is loved by visitors to United’s home.Patrick Campbell – one of the architects of the ‘New Trafford’ project said their feel it is ‘really important the statue addresses the stadium’ as it does now.Fans are likely to be consulted but one option is it could be at the end of the walkway from the station to the new stadium – meaning it would not move much.The famous Trinity Statue at Old Trafford is set to be retained, but could get a new homeCredit: AlamyDANE DEALRASMUS HOJLUND has not scored in his last 20 United appearances – and his drought is now approaching a full 24 hours of football. Not surprisingly, the £72 million forward has cut a frustrated figure in recent matches.But he had an arm round the shoulder and a few words of encouragement from his fellow Dane and Old Trafford legend Peter Schmeichel after Sunday’s draw with Arsenal.The former keeper was back on his old stamping ground for media commitments – but he took time to grab a few minutes with Hojlund as he left the Theatre of Dreams after the game.Man Utd goalkeeping legend Peter Schmeichel has offered a helping hand to Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyBILLIONAIRE’S PARADISETHE HUGE £2 billion cost of United’s ‘New Trafford’ stadium was one of the eye-catching pieces of info which emerged when the plans were unveiled this week. It is almost double the price of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – which opened in 2019 – but was in a more expensive part of the country. Meanwhile it is also more than £500 million more than Real Madrid’s stunning revamp of the Bernabeu.United say they have factored in inflation across all areas of the economy and the increased energy costs into their estimate.Man Utd’s new stadium will cost twice as much as Tottenham’sCredit: SWNS More

    • 213 Shares175 Views

      in Soccer

      Real Sociedad star ‘BLOCKED from facing Man Utd after being denied visa’ hours before Europa League clash

      by

      A REAL Sociedad star has reportedly been blocked from facing Manchester United after being denied a visa.Arsen Zakharyan has not been allowed into the UK ahead of the Europa League round of 16 second-leg clash.Arsen Zakharyan has been blocked from entering the UK after being denied a visaCredit: GettyHamari Traore was granted a visaCredit: GettyThe midfielder was forced to stay in Paris with a team-mate while his club tried to fix the issue.But his visa has been denied so he will not be able to feature in the second leg at Old Trafford, report El Diario.Hamari Traore also waited in Paris but has been granted a visa so will travel to meet up with the rest of the squad.Zakharyan, 21, is a Russian international and he has eight caps to his name.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he has been denied entry after making just four appearances for the LaLiga side this season, including one in the Europa League.It is a boost for United after they drew the first leg 1-1 in Spain last week.Joshua Zirkzee opened the scoring and the Red Devils led at half-time before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled from the spot.Meanwhile United have been boosted by Mason Mount returning to training after a lengthy injury lay off.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe 26-year-old midfielder has not played since the 2-1 derby win over Manchester City on December 15 due to a hamstring tear.Mount will not be fit to face Sociedad but Manuel Ugarte could be after missing the last two matches with a minor problem.Mason Mount returns to Man Utd training after three months out More

    • 225 Shares87 Views

      in Soccer

      Uefa ready to open talks over shock rule change after controversial Julian Alvarez penalty disallowed vs Real Madrid

      by

      UEFA ready to open talks over a shock rule change after Julian Alvarez’s penalty was controversially disallowed against Real Madrid.The Spanish derby went to a shootout in the Champions League last 16 after Atletico won 1-0 on the night to level 2-2 on aggregate.Julian Alvarez’s penalty was disallowed in the shootoutCredit: GettyBut controversy struck when former Manchester City star Alvarez slipped while taking his spot-kick. His effort went in but was soon chalked off and overturned to a miss after replays revealed the slip caused him to twice touch the ball before it went in.It violated Uefa’s rules on penalties but, after Atletico launched an appeal, the governing body ruled the stipulation could be looked at and changed.Uefa said in a statement: “Atletico de Madrid enquired with UEFA over the incident, which led to the disallowance of the kick from the penalty mark taken by Julian Alvarez at the end of yesterday’s UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid.READ MORE IN football “Although minimal, the player made contact with the ball using his standing foot before kicking it, as shown in the attached video clip. “Under the current rule (Laws of the Game, Law 14.1), the VAR had to call the referee signalling that the goal should be disallowed.”UEFA will enter discussions with FIFA and IFAB to determine whether the rule should be reviewed in cases where a double touch is clearly unintentional.” Madrid progressed 4-2 on penalties with ex-Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger scoring the deciding spot kick.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut, had Alvarez’s kick have counted, Atletico would have had one final penalty to take the contest to sudden death.Atletico manager Diego Simeone fumed in the post-match press conference. Fans can’t believe what Antoine Griezmann swapped his shirt for with fan after Atletico winHe said: “Don’t be afraid to speak. Are you afraid because you’re going to be punished? “If you’re afraid, don’t say anything. Raise your hand if you think Julian knocked twice. No one? No one. Okay.”Honestly, I won’t lie to you, being eliminated the way we’ve been is not an easy thing to accept.”Simeone continued: “I just saw the image of the penalty. “The referee said that when Julian stepped and kicked, he touched the ball with his foot, but the ball didn’t move. “That’s something to discuss about whether it was a goal or not, but I’m proud of my players.”When he plants his foot and kicks, the ball doesn’t move even a little bit. But if VAR called it, I’ve never seen a penalty called by VAR, but it’s still valid, and they’ll have seen that he touched it. “I want to believe they’ll have seen that he touched it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESMadrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “I think they had detected it already at the VAR when we were hesitating. “We haven’t warned them, not me at least because I didn’t realise. I’ve seen the replay and I think he touches it with his left foot, the second touch.”Real Madrid won the shootout in very controversial circumstancesCredit: Alamy More

    • 250 Shares96 Views

      in Soccer

      Why Cole Palmer is struggling and how Enzo Maresca can help Chelsea’s star find his form with three tactical tweaks

      by

      COLE PALMER’S form has dropped off a cliff in recent weeks.So far this season, he has 20 goals and assists in all competitions for Chelsea.Enzo Maresca’s tactics are preventing his best player, Cole Palmer, from thrivingCredit: RexWe have looked at three ways Maresca can get Palmer back to his bestCredit: GettyBut Palmer has failed to net since January 14 and has not set up a team-mate since December 1.Palmer, 22, even missed a penalty for the first time in his senior career when his spot kick was saved in the Blues’ 1-0 win over Leicester last weekend.His previously perfect record of 15 spot-kicks for club and country was KO’d by Mads Hermansen.And to make his embarrassment even worse, manager Enzo Maresca then revealed the England star was suffering from stomach cramps.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s a far cry from a year ago, when Palmer was unstoppable in his breakthrough season at Chelsea following a £42.5m transfer from Manchester City.He flourished under Mauricio Pochettino, with 25 goals and 15 assists in 46 appearances, winning the club’s Player of the Season award and also being named PFA Fans’ Player of the Year. So how can tactical guru Maresca switch things up to make Palmer the player he was just a few months ago?Tactics expert Chris Beaumont of We Scout Strikers has three solutions that could unlock the Palmer puzzle.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsSpeed it upLast season, when Palmer really broke out and became a dominant attacking force, the England star played for the most part as a right-sided winger. However, he was very much more of a threat when he came inside and played in the channels or even the central areas.So far this season Maresca has used Palmer more as an orthodox No.10.Cole Palmer branded ‘gift that keeps on giving’ after Chelsea star reveals his meal deal sandwich Maresca favours a slow build-up style with a very structured system with players understanding the passing patterns he wants. There is very little freedom in the system as the coach favours control over individuality. This means Chelsea have struggled when they have found it difficult to progress the ball through the middle and into the areas where Palmer would have ideally been positioned. As such Palmer has started to drop deeper and deeper to get on the ball.By coming deep to get on the ball, you are immediately taking Palmer out of the positions and the areas in which he can cause the most threat. Here we see Chelsea’s slow build up forcing Palmer to drop deep to get the ballThe system Maresca favours sees Chelsea form a box midfield as they attack with the right-back – or left-back – typically tucking inside to the midfield. This is designed to give Chelsea control over the centre of the pitch.The problem for Chelsea is the the opposition are able to close down ball progression by pressing tight to the two players at the base of the midfield.They then close down gaps the advanced midfielders can take up. Here Palmer drops even deeper and is so deep that he is pressed by the Brighton forwards taking him far away from his best zonesThe solution to prevent Palmer from feeling he has to keep dropping into deeper areas is to improve the ball progression from deeper areas.Maresca has to release the restrictions on his team and allow them to play more quickly if he is to get Palmer back to his best.At the moment everything from Chelsea is too slow and predictable. The players need more freedom to get on the ball and play forward quickly in order to affect the opposition.Spread the game outPalmer is playing as a more central attacking midfielder for Chelsea this season but still typically comes to the right into the channels when his side are in possession. While Palmer is very, very good when it comes to finding pockets of space he can occupy in order to receive the ball, he has been less effective in doing so in recent weeks.One of the biggest issues he has faced is teams becoming more aware of his danger.Consequently, they are taking away the spaces in their own defensive thirds where Palmer would have previously got on the ball and created most of his threat. With Chelsea looking to overload the midfield with a box shape, the opposition respond by defending tight in the centre and leaving more space in the wide areas.With the opposition defending more effectively in the central areas of the pitch there is a real need for Chelsea to take advantage of the spaces elsewhere. Here there are no spaces centrally so we see Palmer constantly having to come out from the attacking positionsWith Palmer now playing more centrally the spaces Chelsea have to exploit are in the wide areas. If Chelsea become more effective in getting the ball into the wide areas and having players who can attack their opponent 1v1 then they will create more penetration and space centrally.If the likes of Palmer cannot find space centrally, and given he is one of the best attackers in the squad, then Chelsea need to create him the space. The issue they currently have is because possession-hungry Maresca wants his wingers receiving the ball wide.But where they could look to be aggressive and to attack the opposition fullback, instead they are turning back and looking to play back or into the centre of the pitch.If Maresca wants to create more space centrally in the final third for the likes of Palmer then he needs to unlock the wingers. Here Palmer has no space centrally to receive the ball but there are spaces in the wide areas for Chelsea to exploit, but they are too slow to find themIf the wide attackers are more likely to attack 1v1 then the opposition will have to release defenders out wide to double up and provide cover.This will immediately create more space centrally for Palmer.Give Palmer more freedomIt is natural when a young player starts to see his form slip for them to start to look for ways to force the game more. When Palmer was playing well at the start of the season the game looked easy for him and he always seemed to have time and space on the ball to create and make things happen. Now, we are seeing far more examples of Palmer taking possession and almost trying to force the game around him by playing too quickly instead of playing with composure.To an extent Palmer is also finding it more difficult to create space for himself and find shooting angles because Chelsea are lacking a genuine striker with Nicolas Jackson out injured. Here we see Palmer, again dropping deeper looking to force the play with a cross into an easily defended areaPalmer and Jackson have an excellent understanding and partnership.The forward’s runs and power create space in the defensive line for Palmer to exploit, often to devastating effect in the first-half of the season. But with Christopher Nkunku being played centrally, out of position, in Jackson’s absence the spaces simply have not been the same.As Palmer is willing to stand up and take responsibility for the attacking structure and play in the final third we often see him isolated on the ball and trying to beat players.Instead he should have been looking for more options around him to combine.Palmer has the ball wide with little space centrally for the attacking players but cannot create a clear cut chance with two defenders on him and the box fully defendedThis is more of a coaching point than a tactical point and it touches on the fact Maresca is a more tactically focused than one who has a close personal relationship with his players. Palmer needs to go back to playing with more freedom on the ball as opposed to trying to force things to happen.ConclusionChelsea are on the brink of falling out of the Champions League places in the Premier League.For them to achieve their sporting ambitions this season they need to become more effective again in the final third.READ MORE SUN STORIESThis means they need to get back to creating the structure around Palmer to allow him to thrive. If he can go back to finding and creating goals as the season draws to a close then there is every chance Chelsea will finish in the top five and possibly land a trophy to go with it.Chelsea ratings vs Leicester as Cucurella causes chaos all-game long but Nkunku just can’t find his feetCHELSEA marked their 120th birthday with a hard-earned win against Leicester.Enzo Maresca’s side keep their place in the Champions League spots ahead of a tough run of games with a much-needed 1-0 victory.Chelsea were by far the most threatening side and it didn’t take long for Cole Palmer to get a golden chance to break his eight-game goal drought.Referee Tim Robinson pointed to the spot this time after Jadon Sancho was brought down in the box.Palmer stepped up, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Leicester keeper Mads Hermansen.Chelsea continued to dominate but Maresca left ruing his lack of a target man up top as crosses were swung aimlessly with Pedro Neto in the wars trying to reach them. With no real threat coming towards Robert Sanchez from Leicester, it looked as though it could be one of those games where they struggle to break down a side despite having the lion’s share of the ball. A moment of magic was needed as frustrations were growing and Marc Cucurella produced it on the hour mark.A peach of a strike from outside the area as he lit up Stamford Bridge, as he has on numerous occasions this season, scoring for the second game in a row. With chances coming and going for both sides, the nervousness among the home support was tangible as the game drew to it’s conclusion, with the relief at the full-time etched on Maresca’s face.Here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Chelsea players…CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2025 LIVE: LATEST TIPS AND RESULTS FROM THE GREATEST SHOW ON TURF More

    • 225 Shares140 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I’m not playing for you’ – Wayne Rooney could’ve played for different country before breaking England goal record

      by

      WAYNE ROONEY says he was close to playing for the Republic of Ireland.But the England icon – second on the all-time caps and goals for the Three Lions – snubbed Ireland boss Mick McCarthy because he was called up by the U21s and not the seniors.Wayne Rooney appeared on the latest episode of The OverlapCredit: YouTube @The OverlapRooney, 39, sat alongside Gary NevilleCredit: YouTube @The OverlapRooney, then at Everton, was approached by team-mate Lee Carsley through McCarthy as he qualified through his paternal grandparents.Asked which other country he would have played for, ex-Manchester United striker Rooney, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, said: “Mine would be Ireland. Mick called me up.”I spoke to Lee Carsley, and he spoke to Mick and I was close to doing it.”Then they called me up for the 21s. I was like, ‘I’m not playing for Ireland U21s’. I can play for England 21s.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”It obviously never happened, and I went to play for England.”I would have probably went [if they put me in the first team].”Ex-United team-mate Roy Keane quipped: “That was another one of your big mistakes.”You could have played for Ireland. You live to regret it!”Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsRooney went on to be an England legend, winning 120 caps and scoring 53 goals in a 15-year international career where he was captain for three years.He made history as the youngest player to play for his country when he won his first cap in a friendly defeat to Australia at the age of just 17-years and 111 days.I get the same text from Sir Alex Ferguson every time I get sacked from a job, admits Wayne Rooney Rooney also went on to become to the youngest player to score for England when he netted against Macedonia at the age of 17.He also made history as the youngest scorer in European Championship history when he netted a brace against Switzerland at Euro 2004, however the record was broken just four days later by Swiss midfielder Johan Vonlanthen.Rooney is one of England’s greatest ever playersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More