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      Which Dream Team defenders have provided the most goal involvements this season?

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      TIME is running out for Dream Team managers.Our regular season fantasy game is drawing to a close and many gaffers will be hoping to improve their overall rank across the final Gameweeks.It’s often the case that goal contributions from the back make a huge difference so let’s analyse which defenders have registered the most goals and assists in all competitions so far this season.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!Anfield’s hero puts most playmakers to shame with his passing and crossingCredit: Dream TeamMOST ASSISTS AMONG DEFENDERS IN 2023/24:
      Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5m) – 13
      Kieran Trippier (£4.3m) – 11
      Pedro Porro (£3.3m) – 8
      Malo Gusto (£3.1m) – 8
      Conor Bradley (£3.4m) – 7
      Antonee Robinson (£3.2m) – 7
      Vladimir Coufal (£2.3m) – 7
      Ben White (£4.6m) – 6
      Diogo Dalot (£3.2m) – 6
      Sergio Reguilon (£2.5m) – 6
      As has often been the case since he burst onto the scene, Liverpool’s homegrown hero leads the way in terms of playmaking among players in his position.Whereas before Alexander-Arnold simply bombed forward from right-back, he’s frequently been deployed in a midfield/hybrid role in the last year – it’ll be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp’s successor uses the England international next term.Trippier recently missed nine games through injury and yet still he’s Alexander-Arnold’s closest rival in this metric.The Newcastle right-back provides plentiful chances from open play and set-pieces when fully fit. Most read in Dream TeamPorro was a creative force throughout the first half of the campaign but the assists have dried up for him lately – he hasn’t registered one since mid-January.Credit to Gusto, who many initially saw as merely a back-up to Reece James (£3.5m).Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameFulfilling the Ilkay Gundogan roleCredit: EPAMOST GOALS AMONG DEFENDERS IN 2023/24:
      Josko Gvardiol (£4.2m) – 5
      Cristian Romero (£2.7m) – 5
      Fabian Schar (£3.2m) – 5
      Manuel Akanji (£4.1m) – 4
      Dan Burn (£3m) – 4
      Matty Cash (£2.8m) – 4
      Lewis Dunk (£3.1m) – 4
      Ben White (£4.6m) – 4
      Virgil van Dijk (£3.5m) – 4
      Harry Maguire (£2.8m) – 4
      Marcos Senesi (£2.7m) – 4
      Dara O’Shea (£1.7m) – 4
      Thiago Silva (£3.1m) – 4
      It’s no surprise to see Manchester City’s left-back among the top scorers after his recent spree.The Croatia international, who Pep Guardiola jokingly called “the best winger in the world” after his brace against Fulham, scored his first goal of the season in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.Since then, Gvardiol has scored a further four goals in just six outings – he’s fulfilling a role previously occupied by Ilkay Gundogan with a succession of clutch goals at the back end of the season.The fiercely competitive Romero also has five goals to his name amid what has been an impressive campaign.Tottenham’s form may have dipped as the season has progressed but the World Cup winner has stood up to be counted.Ange Postecoglou recently said that some of Romero’s team-mates need to learn from his mentality.And Schar always seems to chip with a few goals for Newcastle.The Swiss centre-back is a threat at set-pieces and has a decent long shot on him too.White has combined clean sheets with regular attacking returnsCredit: GettyMOST GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS AMONG DEFENDERS IN 2023/24:
      Alexander-Arnold – 16
      Trippier – 12
      Porro – 11
      White – 10
      Maguire – 9
      Senesi – 9
      Naturally, there’s a lot of crossover when the metrics are combined but it’s notable that Arsenal’s No4 has achieved double figures.White’s attacking output combined with a whopping 22 clean sheets has resulted in him amassing 264 Dream Team points in total – he’s set to finish top among defenders.A word too for Maguire, an unexpected inclusion in this list.After facing much criticism, the 31-year-old put in a decent shift this season – Manchester United’s best spell coincided with his run in the team.READ MORE SUN STORIESSenesi is also deserving of a hat tip having scored four goals and provided five assists for a Bournemouth side that have punched well above their weight.Looking forward, gaffers should start thinking about which defenders will be among the goal involvements once Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game gets underway.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
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      I was in the Premier League and counted ex-Man Utd star as a team-mate, now I’m at Aldi earning MORE money

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      PREMIER LEAGUE footballers tend to earn the big bucks, but one former star could now be earning more money working at Aldi.Former Crystal Palace shot-stopper Chris Kettings swapped the football pitch for the supermarket when he hung up his gloves in 2017.Former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Chris Kettings is now working at AldiCredit: GettyKettings is a National Supply Chain Director for the supermarket chainCredit: LINKEDINKettings started life out in the Manchester City academy before heading on a journeyman-like career as a backup goalkeeper.The Scot, 31, had spells with Blackpool, Birmingham, Morecambe and York City as she searched for a place to call home.But despite sharing the dressing room with the likes of Wilfired Zaha and Yannick Bolasie during his days in the Premier League with Palace, things didn’t quite work out for Kittings.He did enough to earn himself three caps for the Scotland’s Under-21s, but couldn’t nail down a starting position at any of his clubs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis eight-year career saw him make just 35 appearances between the sticks.And despite being on the books at Premier League and Championship clubs, the highest level Kettings was able to play at was League Two for Morecambe. His flurry of loan spells ended when he was released by Palace in 2016 before he gave it one last crack after a free transfer to Oldham Athletic.But just one year later and Kettings brought an end to his career and hasn’t looked back since.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChris Kettings career
      2011 – 2014: Blackpool
      2011: Birmingham (loan)
      2011 – 2012: Stockport Sports (loan)
      2012: Morecambe (loan)
      2013 – 2014: York City (loan)
      2014: Hyde FC (loan)
      2014 – 2016: Crystal Palace
      2015: Stevenage (loan)
      2015: Bromley (loan)
      2016 – 2017: Oldham Athletic
      2017 – present: Aldi

      Thanks to a three-year spell during his career where he studied Business and Accounting with the Open University, Kettings was able to land on his feet and fall into the professional world.He binned his football contract and penned a deal with supermarket giants Aldi – where he signed on as a director of store operations.Ex-Chelsea and England wonderkid now unemployedSince then he has managed to progress through the ranks and is now a national supply chain director.Supply chain managers at Aldi can earn up to £94,240 a year, meaning if Kettings is high up the scale he could certainly be earning more now than he did as a reserve keeper for Crystal Palace.Kettings previously spoke about how important it is for footballers to educate themselves and secure a safety plan just in case things don’t work out.In an interview with the PFA in 2015, he said: “What I would say to other players considering education is to just go for it.”It is a process that is very rewarding and that can open a lot of doors. Not only will it give you a Plan B in case anything goes wrong within football, it is a starter for a second career for when the day comes that you retire from the game.He added: “I think a lot of footballers are reluctant to explore education, because they feel once they do this they are accepting the fact that one day they will no longer be a professional footballer.”Who are these famous footballers? More

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      Footballer, 33, ‘raped woman as she slept’ hours after cup final win at Wembley – before sending explicit photos to pals

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      A FOOTBALLER raped a woman as she slept before sending explicit photos of her to his teammates, a court has heard.Michael Emery, 33, brought the woman back to a hotel after spending the night celebrating Warrington Rylands FC’s FA Vase win on May 22, 2021.Michael Emery, 33, celebrated a win in the FA Vase Cup final at WembleyCredit: AlamyHe is currently on trial for allegedly raping a woman while she sleptCredit: AlamySt Albans Crown Court heard they initially had consensual sex, which the woman described as “vanilla”, before the defendant fell asleep.But she allegedly later awoke to find Emery biting her “really hard” on her left thigh and breast.The woman said “ow twice” and told him she didn’t want to have sex, before Emery allegedly raped her, the court heard.She subsequently “played dead” while he continued to bite her, before allegedly raping her for a second time, jurors were told.read more on football Charlotte Newel KC, prosecuting, said the alleged offences took place at a hotel in Watford.The woman had consumed six or seven bottles of beer over eight hours and was said to be “merry but not drunk,” the court heard.Opening the case, Ms Newell said: “Whilst she was asleep, Mr Emery demonstrated his total disregard for the autonomy and consent of the woman he had intercourse with by taking photographs of her naked without her knowledge and distributing them shortly before 4am amongst his teammates.”Emery is accused of sending explicit pictures to two WhatsApp group chats, allegedly writing: “Anyone want a go?”.Most read in Football”She knew nothing of this and would never have consented to such pictures being taken,” Ms Newell added.In a police interview, the woman said: “I think that when it first sort of hit me a bit… I was feeling quite wavy, for want of a better way of putting it.”The woman confided in her two friends about the alleged rapes first, before approaching her GP on May 27, 2021, the court heard.Her injuries were assessed, samples were taken and she was referred to a counselling service for victims of sexual assault, jurors were told.She was reluctant to go to the police at the time as she was aware of rape conviction statistics, the court heard.But due to Emery’s association with a women’s football team, she decided to tell Mark Pye, Warrington Rylands club chairman, about the alleged attack.After contacting Samaritans for help, she reported him to the police on August 16, 2021.Following a recorded interview, Emery was arrested on September 29, 2021.He claimed they had consensual sex three times.Emery also said she appeared fine and “showed no signs of being unhappy” when she left the hotel room the following morning.However, he failed to mention the images and refused to answer questions about them, the court heard.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe footballer denies two counts of rape and one count of disclosing private sexual photos with intent to cause distress.The case continues. More

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      ‘This is not over yet’ – Marinakis demands Gary Neville is ‘subject to FA rules’ over Nottingham Forest ‘mafia’ comments

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST owner Evangelos Marinakis has revealed his legal team contacted Sky about Gary Neville and his “inappropriate” comments.Forest stunned the football world last month after berating the PGMOL following a 2-0 defeat to Everton.Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis believes the FA should take action regarding Gary Nevile’s ‘mafia’ commentsCredit: PAGary Neville suggested Nottingham Forest’s statement was like a ‘mafia-gang’ statementCredit: GettyThe club issued a statement claiming they had warned the organisation about the risk of bias from a Luton-supporting VAR official.Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville heavily criticised Forest as a result, even comparing the act to a “mafia gang” statement.He said: “What the hell are they playing at? They’ve grabbed defeat from victory with the way they’ve handled it.”It’s like a petulant child, it’s embarrassing. The suggestion of cheating because there’s an official who’s a Luton fan is a scandal and they will pay for that.Read More on Football”They will regret that as a football club. It”s a horrendous statement by that football club.”Nottingham Forest subsequently launched legal action against Sky Sports, citing Neville’s statements.And Marinakis believes the FA should also take action.In an interview with the Daily Mail, the owner said: “The truth is this specific referee is well known to be a Luton fan – and no doubt declared his interest to PGMOL, as all of them have to.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”In my opinion, the PGMOL should not have selected him for this match. Luton were directly below Forest at that time. In the final relegation place in 18th position.”The match against Everton was hugely important for the club’s survival in the Premier League. The PGMOL should not have risked even the suspicion or perception of any bias, even unconscious bias.Gary Neville tells Mark Clattenburg to RESIGN from Nottingham Forest role after club’s ’embarrassing’ VAR statement”To be clear, we don’t expect to dictate or to impose a change to the PGMOL or Premier League but it is our duty to warn of a situation and be proactive.”He continued: “We made this announcement because we tried to protect and then there is a big fuss – but that was made from Sky Sports and specific guys.”I can bring you 100 examples of times they exaggerated, didn’t say the truth and humiliated people.”Neville is subject to FA rules too, surely – he is a director of Salford FC. His comment about the club was outrageous, but the FA have done nothing.”I need to be careful – because our lawyers have already been in contact with Sky regarding Neville and this is not over yet. The comments and words he used were inappropriate, didn’t correspond with reality and harmed people.”PGMOL chief Howard Webb claimed after the match that Nottingham Forest should have been awarded a penalty.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Reds all-but secured safety in the Premier League at the weekend.That’s after relegation rivals Luton suffered a 3-1 defeat to West Ham.What have Nottingham Forest said?
      After the final whistle against Everton, Nottingham Forest’s official Twitter account tweeted: “Three extremely poor decisions – three penalties not given – which we simply cannot accept.
      “We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times.
      “NFFC will now consider its options.”
      On Monday the club revealed they have requested the PGMOL release the audio recordings between officials during the match.
      A statement read: “Nottingham Forest has today submitted a formal request to the PGMOL to release into the public domain the audio recordings between officials during yesterday’s match against Everton at Goodison Park.
      “The club has requested this be shared for three key match incidents – Ashley Young’s challenge on Giovanni Reyna (24th minute), Ashley Young’s handball (44th minute) and Ashley Young’s challenge on Callum Hudson-Odoi (56th minute).
      “We firmly advocate for the broader football community and supporters to have access to the audio and transcript for full transparency, ensuring the integrity of our sport is upheld.” More

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      England boss Gareth Southgate has already named 40-man squad for Euro 2024 as Uefa handed list

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE has already handed over his first Euro 2024 squad to Uefa… but the names will remain a closely-guarded secret.Ahead of every major summer tournament, competing nations submit initial long lists featuring 40 names, with England submitting theirs a week ago.Gareth Southgate has handed over his preliminary squad list to UefaCredit: GettyThe players on the Three Lions’ list are now aware they will not be able to rush off on holiday hours after the final games on Sunday.The England boss will then name a Euro 2024 training squad next Tuesday featuring at least 30 players.Southgate’s men have a friendly at Newcastle against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 3 and then play Iceland four days later.Manchester City and Manchester United players will not feature in the first friendly at St James’ Park because they will only have just linked up with England after being given a week’s holiday following the FA Cup final.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReal Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is likely to miss both friendlies as he will play in the Champions League final on June 1.England’s stars will first meet at Middlesbrough’s Rockliffe Park training ground on Wednesday May 29 and Southgate will want to ensure he has at least 22 players available for 11v11 matches.Southgate has the added worry of the Newcastle vs Tottenham friendly in Australia a week today and will hope the likes of James Maddison, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier all avoid injury.The England manager will now have a 26-man squad after the number has been increased by Uefa from 23 players.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSouthgate will hand in his final Euro squad within two hours after the final game against Iceland on June 7 and it will be announced by the FA the following morning.Man City to be upstagedManchester City will have to share centre stage on the final day of the season… with Barry Manilow.Fans demand Rooney’s son Kai, 14, be ‘promoted to first-team’ after latest videoThe American singer is due to play at the troubled Co-op Live Arena on Sunday which is in the shadow of the Etihad and also part-owned by the City Football Group.It will be the first time a first-team game has clashed with a concert, meaning the logistics around the stadium will be severely tested.Olivia Rodrigo was due to play at the arena on the same day that City hosted Wolves earlier this month but it was postponed due to the teething problems at the venue.City’s own Rodrigo (Rodri) had top billing that day instead.Manilow announced recently he had lined up the AO arena – formerly known as the MEN Arena – as a back-up in case the Co-op was not ready but now, it looks like it’s going ahead.Free to signDougie Freedman’s chances of being offered the Newcastle sporting director job may have been helped by the fact that he uses the same agent as manager Eddie Howe.Currently Crystal Palace’s sporting director, Freedman – along with Toon boss Howe – is represented by Dean Baker of Wasserman Media Group.Howe’s relations with Newcastle’s outgoing sporting director, Dan Ashworth, have recently become strained so a good working relationship between the club’s two most senior football employees is vital.READ MORE SUN STORIESFreedman is down to the final two candidates for the role along with German recruitment expert Johannes Spors, who is currently the sporting director at 777Partners.He previously worked for Genoa, Vitesse Arnhem and Red Bull Leipzig. More

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      Piers Morgan shares humiliating throwback picture as Arsenal super-fan shows extent of his ‘one day only’ Spurs support

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      ARSENAL super-fan Piers Morgan has shared an old picture of him wearing a Tottenham shirt to show the extent of his “one day only” Spurs support.The talk show host has declared he wants the Gunners’ biggest rivals to nick a result from Manchester City to help the club win their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 Invincibles 20 years ago.Piers Morgan has shared a throwback picture of him in a Tottenham shirtCredit: X/ piersmorganPiers wants Tottenham to thrash Man City to help Arsenal win the Premier League titleCredit: gettyTottenham take on Man City in North London on Tuesday night before this weekend’s final round of fixtures.The Cityzens enter the contest in second position, a single point behind Mikel Arteta’s side and with an inferior goal difference (+61 vs +58).If they beat Tottenham on Tuesday and then West Ham on the final day of the season at the Etihad, a sixth title in seven years – and fourth in a row – is theirs.But a loss in the capital and Arsenal will simply need to beat Everton to lift the title, with a draw potentially leaving their fate down to goal difference.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis is why Arsenal star Kai Havertz revealed he will “be the biggest fan of Tottenham on Tuesday.”And now die-hard Gunners fan Piers has echoed the German forward’s sentiment ahead of the clash.To show just how devoted he is to backing Spurs, the Sun columnist shared an old picture of him being forced to wear the white jersey on Sky Sports after losing a bet to Peter Crouch.The 59-year-old tweeted: “UPDATE: Tomorrow, for one day only, I’m a Spurs fan – however painful that may be.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd Arsenal fans are in full support of Piers as one said: “We are behind you.”Another added: “We all watching Spurs tomorrow, I give them my 100 per cent support to win the match.”Arsenal fans set off fireworks outside ‘Man City hotel’ at 2am before Tottenham game – but team were still in MANCHESTERA third then put, “COYG🔥🔥” followed by a picture of Martin Odegaard, Havertz and Bukayo Saka all in Spurs shirts.Piers even added: “If [the match] means me putting on the dreaded white shirt and chanting ‘Ossie’s Dream’ then so be it.” More

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      Ashley Cole set for first job in management as host of English clubs fancy former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back

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      ASHLEY COLE is being targeted for his first managerial job, according to reports.The former England defender, 43, enjoyed a decorated playing career before becoming a coach.Ashley Cole is being targeted by Championship clubsCredit: RexHe has worked under his former team-mates in Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney previously, joining the latter at Birmingham this season.Cole remains a coach at Blues months after Rooney was sacked after just 15 games in charge.But now the former Chelsea star could be handed the reins for the first time amid interest from several Championship clubs, according to The Mirror.It is a division Cole knows well from his time at Birmingham, while he also coached at Derby between 2018-19.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe then left to follow Lampard to Chelsea as first-team coach, having previously worked with the Premier League side’s academy.Cole also worked with Lampard at Everton, but his best achievement so far came with England’s Under-21s, helping the team win the Euros last summer for the first time in 40 years.The former left-back has previously expressed an interest in becoming a manager, stating he is “raring to go”.Cole said: “It’s definitely something I’m taking really seriously.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAshley Cole career stats
      Arsenal – 228 games, 2000-06
      Chelsea – 337 games, 2006-14
      Roma – 16 games, 2014-16
      LA Galaxy – 94 games, 2016-18
      Derby – 12 games, 2018-19
      Honours
      Champions League – 2012
      Premier League x3 – 2002, 2004, 2010
      FA Cup x7 – 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
      Europa League – 2013
      League Cup – 2007

      “I have been trying to get as much experience as I can and develop myself as a person as well as a coach.”I have still a lot to learn but being here is going to help me massively.Ashley Cole marries stunning model fiancée Sharon Canu in lavish Italian wedding“I don’t think going into coaching or management should scare anyone. “You know there will be doubts with young coaches because it is ruthless but I am raring to go and waiting for my opportunity.” More

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      Bolton vs Oxford – League One play-off final: Wanderers face Yellows in huge Wembley clash – team news, kick-off time

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      BOLTON take on Oxford in the League One play-off final on Saturday afternoon.Ian Evatt’s men missed out on automatic promotion after Portsmouth and Derby County both amassed over 90 points, meaning Wanderers had to settle for third.Dion Charles scored twice against Barnsley in the first legCredit: GETTYCameron Brannagan bagged from the penalty spot against Peterborough in the semi-finalsCredit: REXBolton beat Barnsley 5-4 over two legs, while Oxford got past Peterborough to secure their Wembley spot.The Trotters got revenge on the Tykes after their semi-final exit last year – and now they will be hoping to go all the way and return to the Championship for the first time since 2019.Meanwhile, Oxford haven’t been in the second tier since 1999 after experiencing play-off heartbreak in two of the last four seasons.When is Bolton vs Oxford?
      Bolton vs Oxford will take place on Saturday, May 18.
      Kick off will be at 4.15pm BST.
      Wembley Stadium will host.
      READ MORE IN EFLWhat TV channel is Bolton vs Oxford on and can it be live streamed?
      Bolton vs Oxford will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
      You can live stream the match on the NOW app/website.
      Alternatively, you can follow all the action via SunSport’s live blog.
      Team newsFor Bolton, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Carlos Mendes Gomes will be unavailable as they continue to recover from long-term injuries.Star striker Dion Charles bagged two goals in the semi-final first leg and will be seeking more in Saturday’s final.Oxford are set to have a fully fit squad for their trip to Wembley, with Cameron Brannagan the key man for the Yellows.Most read in EFLWhat are the odds?Match result
      Bolton – 17/20
      Draw – 13/5
      Oxford – 3/1
      *Odds courtesy of Paddy Power and are correct at the time of publication. More