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      ‘Seemed like a part-time job’ – Carlo Ancelotti reveals he rejected huge role with Real Madrid future in doubt

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI has revealed he rejected the chance to take up a huge managerial role because it seemed “like a part-time job”.The Italian coach, 65, is hoping to mastermind a stunning comeback from 3-0 down for Real Madrid against Arsenal on Wednesday, although preparations have been anything but smooth.Carlo Ancelotti has said he rejected the Italian national team job in 2018He said he thought it might ‘make me lose a bit of my passion’Credit: RexAncelotti has been with the club since 2021, but he has now opened up on how he turned down the Italian national team gig in 2018, before they ultimately appointed Roberto Mancini.Speaking to Swiss broadcaster RSI, he said he rejected the role because he feared it would make him “lose a bit of passion”.He explained: “I said no because I didn’t feel like it.“I really like being on the pitch daily to prepare training sessions, and the national team seemed like a part-time job that would make me lose a bit of my passion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”That’s the only reason.”Ancelotti’s contract with the Spanish giants runs until 2026.However, the club face a mountain climb to defend their Champions League crown and are trailing Barcelona in La Liga by four points.They also play their arch-rivals in the Copa del Rey final later this month, and if they fail to overcome Barcelona in at least one of the domestic competitions, they could be left trophyless this season.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIf that happens, ruthless club bosses may not waste any time in relieving him of his duties as manager despite his stellar record during his second spell in Madrid.Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed Real Madrid will make a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso if Ancelotti leaves.How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ AGAIN vs Real Madrid | Tactics Exposed Deano’s DecisionAncelotti said he would discuss his future with the club at the end of the season, telling reporters: “I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.”Whatever it is, it will be discussed at the end of the season. The club always supports me, especially in difficult moments.”Since returning to manage Los Blancos, Ancelotti has won 11 titles, including two Champions Leagues, two league titles, the Copa del Rey and the Club World Cup.The former AC Milan and Chelsea manager joined the club from Everton, and revealed he initiated contact over a return.Carlo Ancelotti has now won 28 trophiesHe added: “Actually, I was the one who called them.”The year before, I had reached out to see if they had any players available, and we ended up signing James Rodriguez.”I knew they were looking for a coach the following year.”I spoke to the director and said they needed to get a good one.”I shouldn’t talk about things about my future, because the contract is quite clear.Carlo AncelottiAncelotti also admitted that before joining the Toffees his dream was to manage Liverpool, but after experiencing the Merseysiders’ rivalry first hand he was now “absolutely” an Everton fan.He said: “My dream was to coach Liverpool, but then I found myself at Everton and I experienced their rivalry, and now I’m absolutely an Everton fan.Read More on The Sun”I really liked the environment, because there is a spectacular passion for colours.”You also notice the suffering that the fan has for Liverpool, which for many years and still today excels in the Premier League.” More

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      ‘I’ve never seen that before’ – Thierry Henry baffled by what Leny Yoro did after Man Utd conceded against Newcastle

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      A BAFFLED Thierry Henry admitted he has “never seen” what Leny Yoro did against Newcastle.The teenage French defender played the full 90 minutes at St James’ Park on Sunday.Harvey Barnes scored for Newcastle despite pressure from Leny YoroCredit: AFPThierry Henry mocked the French defender’s reactionCredit: Sky SportsThe Magpies ran riot with a thumping 4-1 victory over Ruben Amorim’s sorry Red Devils.But it was what Yoro, 19, did after the third Newcastle goal – Harvey Barnes’ second – that dumbfounded Henry.Barnes pounced on Noussair Mazraoui’s slip before bursting through three United defenders and firing into the top corner. United trio Manuel Ugarte, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen all slumped their heads in dejection.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBut for some reason, Yoro looked across to the assistant referee – seemingly wanting a flag.There was no suggestion of a foul for the slip and it could not be offside, so Yoro’s hopeful stare was purely in vain.But compatriot Henry was not impressed.Speaking on Monday Night Football, the ex-Arsenal striker said: “Look at Yoro and what he is asking for.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I don’t know why… I don’t know what he is looking at.”You’re looking at the linesman trying to see if he is going to bail you out… on what I don’t know. ‘That should have been me’ – Micah Richards reveals Kate Abdo is up for prestigious award as Thierry Henry is impressed”I don’t know if he thought there was an offside, I don’t know if he thought that someone – I – we – I don’t know.”We all know it’s a goal. What are you looking at?”I actually don’t know. I’ve never seen that before.”We all know it’s a goal.”Jamie Carragher suggested Henry’s exaggerated facial expression would become a viral meme.’PATHETIC STUFF’But fans were unhappy with the piece of punditry from the legendary forward and felt it was mocking Yoro.One said: “I like Henry but this is nonsense. Frozen a clip just to make a cheap joke on a young centre half. If Yoro plays for Fulham or Palace they wouldn’t dream of using this ‘analysis’.”Another wrote: “What kind of analysis is this? I rate Henry’s punditry but this ain’t it!”A third replied: “Dragging a youngster and being performative just because he’s got the taste for being a viral meme now. Pathetic stuff.”Read More on The SunA fourth commented: “This is proper weird from Henry, going after a young lad in this way is just odd, especially when you see defenders do this after every goal I’ve ever seen. Probably scripted to get the clicks which has obviously worked.”And a final user typed: “Defenders often instinctively look to linesmen. Henry knows this. Just pandering to the crowd for the sake of tearing apart a teenager over a freeze frame.”Fans jumped to Yoro’s defence on social mediaCredit: ReutersMan Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shockerMANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances… More

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      ‘Can’t move, can’t run’ – Man Utd legend Nicky Butt singles out unacceptable midfielder letting Ruben Amorim down

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      NICKY BUTT has brutally slammed Christian Eriksen’s laboured performance during Newcastle’s 4-1 demolition of Manchester United.The Dane, 33, was outrun and outfought by Newcastle’s superior midfield, who mounted a second-half surge with the score level at 1-1 at half-time.Nicky Butt singled out Christian Eriksen while calling out of the rest of Man Utd teamButt said Eriksen couldn’t ‘run or move’ while being outpaced against NewcastleMan Utd were hammered as Newcastle completed the league double over them for the first time since 1931Alejandro Garnacho had cancelled out Sandro Tonali’s skilful opener at St James’ Park, but Man Utd were never really in it.Harvey Barnes scored twice in the second half and Bruno Guimaraes lashed in a fourth after a howler from No 2 keeper Altay Bayindir. The Turkish international came into the side because Andre Onana was dropped from the squad for his own errors in the Europa League last Thursday.However, Butt – who was spotted sitting next to Newcastle heroes Alan Shearer and David Ginola during the game – didn’t hold back in his assessment.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSpeaking to Premier League Productions, Butt suggested his former club didn’t look like they cared on Sunday, before pointing out a lack of athleticism in Ruben Amorim’s struggling side.The Treble winner said: “It is easy to sit there and apologise but for me if you go on a football pitch you have to do something about it.”I did not expect Man Utd to come here and win. Newcastle are a better team, better individuals, better athletically, more power, more pace.”I don’t know how Man United go on the football pitch and allow it to happen. I came here [as a player] and lost 5-0, so it can happen. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford”But allowing it to happen is something different, I didn’t see one tackle or one bit of aggression. I didn’t see anybody go head to head with anybody.”You have to at least go and show that we are not going to accept this lying down. Ruben Amorim show his disappointment at Man Utd’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle “They just lay down and let themselves get beat too easily. They have no power and no pace. It is sad to see. “I see Christian Eriksen who was a top player and now he can’t move, can’t run. It’s ridiculous.” Barnes put in a proper winger’s performance, with Eriksen and shock starter Victor Lindelof unable to lay a glove on him or anybody else.Roy Keane also blasted the Red Devils as “physically and mentally weak” in the aftermath.Keane then reignited his feud with club captain Bruno Fernandes over a “meaningless” interview which was “full of sound bites”.Man Utd ratings vs Newcastle as Zirkzee does well before injury but dropped Onana’s stand-in has a shockerMANCHESTER UNITED’S worst ever Premier League season was confirmed with a 4-1 defeat to Newcastle.The Red Devils are now guaranteed to finish on less than 56 points, which is their lowest ever Prem total.And they can only get that high if they win ALL of their last six games.If they’re not careful, they could even finish 17th – just one spot above the marooned bottom three.It was another dark day that reflects a poor campaign for United as Newcastle carved them open with ease in the second-half.Ruben Amorim dropped keeper Andre Onana after his horror show against Lyon midweek.But stand-in Altay Bayindir had a game to forget too.Sandro Tonali’s volley, a double by Harvey Barnes and a Bruno Guimaraes finish cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s goal.Here is how SunSport’s Gary Stonehouse rated the United performances…Newcastle completed the league double over United for the first time since 1930-31, with Jason Tindall taking the reins in the absence of Eddie Howe.Man Utd’s 14 league defeats this season is their joint highest tally in a single Premier League campaign, also losing 14 games last season.They last suffered more defeats in a top-flight campaign in 1989/90 (16 in 38 games).After being undefeated with Sporting Lisbon before moving to Old Trafford, Amorim has now lost 10 Prem games since joining.Read More on The SunNext up, United host Lyon in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final – their last chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Amorim’s side are currently tied 2-2 after two huge errors from goalkeeper Onana, while his spat with Nemanja Matic still overshadows the tie.  More

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      Andre Onana to be offered Man Utd escape route as mega-money Saudi clubs line up transfer for flop goalkeeper

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      ANDRE ONANA is set to be offered an escape route from Manchester United by clubs in Saudi Arabia — but wants to stay and fight for his place.The Cameroon international keeper was all smiles as he returned to United’s Carrington HQ on Monday after being given time off to clear his head by Ruben Amorim.Andre Onana was given the weekend off following his Lyon shockerCredit: GettyBoss Amorim left him out of the squad for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle following his nightmare display in Lyon last week.But Onana was assured he would be back in the starting line-up for the Europa League quarter-final  second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday.Understudy Altay Bayindir, 27, also struggled at St James’ Park, gifting the Toon their fourth goal with a woeful clearance.So Amorim is likely to stick to the plan and put the club’s season in the hands of the former Inter Milan stopper.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOnana, 29, looked relaxed and happy as he drove into training with one of his representatives, stopping to sign autographs outside.He has recently changed agent — a move which sparked speculation he could look to leave United less than two years after joining them in a £47.2million deal.Onana was targeted by Saudi clubs before he left Inter for the Theatre of Dreams in July 2023 and there is still interest from the Kingdom.However, it is understood he is not looking to quit Amorim’s strugglers right now and plans to prove the critics wrong and re-establish himself.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKSunday’s Tyneside humiliation confirmed the Red Devils will suffer their worst season in Premier League history.They have 38 points with six games left so cannot beat their tally of 58 from the 2021-22 season.Ruben Amorim responds to question about dropping Andre Onana after disasterclass against LyonBut they could still qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.And skipper Bruno Fernandes has promised to repay the fans against Lyon with the tie poised at 2-2.He said: “On Thursday we will fight back and do something special.“The fans have always been by our side — without them we’d be in a worse position. It’s time to pay them back.”TONY AWARDSMeanwhile, Real Betis are pushing to make Antony’s move permanent after an encouraging start to his loan in Spain.Other clubs have taken notice of his form since the January switch, so Betis will have to find the cash to buy the winger, 25, who United spent £85.5m on in 2022.Read More on The SunUnited have also confirmed that club director Jean-Claude Blanc has stepped down.The Frenchman will fill a new advisory role as he remains the chief executive of Ineos Sport. More

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      Bournemouth 1 Fulham 0: Antoine Semenyo’s goal after less than a minute keeps Cherries’ European dream alive 

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      BOURNEMOUTH’S European venture is back on track thanks to Antoine Semenyo.The Ghana star lifted the Cherries above Fulham in the race for a Europa Conference place with a sparkling winner after 53 seconds!  Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal after 53 secondsCredit: GettySemenyo’s goal was enough to see Bournemouth through to a winCredit: PASemenyo’s eighth goal of the campaign sent the Cherries into eighth spot on goal-difference and ended a seven-game winless run.The Cottagers left Dorset cursing the fact that they dominated most of the play but left their shooting boots back at the Cottage.This was not only a battle for Europe but a contest between two managers being linked with Tottenham should Ange Postecoglou lose his job.Cherries’ Spanish gaffer Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Portuguese chief Marco Silva have both caught the eye this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBournemouth made one change from the side that drew 2-2 with West Ham last time out.And it was a bit of a shock move too by boss Iraola, dropping Ukraine defender Illia Zabarnyi to the bench for the first time for Marcos Senesi.Nor surprisingly Fulham arrived on the South Coast unchanged from the team that beat champions elect Liverpool 3-2 in London.But any delusions of grandeur they may have had in seeing off the Reds was quickly quashed at the Vitality Stadium.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFor it took Semenyo just 53 seconds to jink his way into the Fulham box and score only his fourth Premier League goal in 21 matches.Alex Scott set it up with a strong run and when he found his team-mate the Ghana striker moved inside Joachim Andersen and tucked the ball into the far corner.Inside Fulham’s wild dressing room celebrations as rowdy stars launch bottles and dive around after win over Man UtdThe forward had told yesterday’s Sun Sport that he wasn’t fussed by his lack of goals and had the belief he would get back on the score sheet.But no-one expected he would find the net so quicky in the league for the first time since the Cherries trounced Nottingham Forest 5-0 in January.  And it should have been 2-0 after only 17 minutes when Evanilson hit the underside of the bar from barely four yards out.Milos Kerkez’s excellent cross was played back by Scott only for the Brazilian to smack the woodwork with his half-volley.Hesitation between Senesi and Dean Huijsen opened up an opportunity for Rodrigo Muniz but the Fulham striker shot wide when clean through.This inspired the visitors who saw Muniz and Ryan Sessegnon test Cherries goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with firm headers.Yet Scott came so close to netting in first half stoppage time when his solo effort was pushed around the post by Fulham stopper Bernd Leno.Marco Silva was furious when a mistake led to Ryan Sessegnon being substitutedCredit: AlamyZabarnyi’s exile on the touchline ended on 45 minutes when he was brought on for the struggling Senesi after the break.Within 10 minutes Fulham were grateful for Leno’s outstretched foot which denied Tyler Adams a second Cherries goal.A desperate Silva made a triple substitution on the hour although Sessegnon wasn’t happy being replaced by Adama Traore.And it took a brilliant diving save from Kepa to deny Alex Iwobi an equaliser minutes after the changes.Then sub Tom Cairney set-up up a shooting chance for Sasa Lukic who lifted his shot weakly straight at Kepa.Kepa was being labelled “a Chelsea reject” by the visiting fans but their taunts were music to the Spaniard’s ears especially when he was named man-of-the-match!Read More on The SunAt the other end Leno looked to have conceded a penalty nine minutes from time when he took out Evanilson.But VAR came to his rescue when they decided he had just managed to punch the ball clear before clattering into the Brazilian. More

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      Premier League clubs splashed £409MILLION on agent fees as Chelsea top spending table on 44 stars and axed manager

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      CHELSEA remain top of the agent payments charts this season – but even the Blues have slashed the amount they splash out to intermediaries.The Stamford Bridge club paid out £60.4m to players’ representatives over the course of the current campaign according to figures lodged with the FA.Chelsea spent more than any other Prem team on agents fees this seasonCredit: GettyChelsea paid out to agents representing 44 playersCredit: GettyThat is a 20 per cent cut on the £75.1m Chelsea laid out last term, with all of the Big Six reducing their agents bill.Chelsea paid out to agents representing 44 players – 26 of whom are still to make their first team bow – as well as the agent of former boss Mauricio Pochettino.While the Blues spent more than £200m across the two windows, many of the payments related to previous deals completed since Roman Abramovich was forced to sell to the Todd Boehly-led consortium in 2022.Manchester City’s £60.6m bill last term was reduced to £52.1m, Liverpool dropped £10.6m to £20.9m with small falls at Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat contributed to a slight overall drop in spending of £455,000 across the 20 top flight clubs to a total of £409.1m.Eight of the clubs who stayed up last season – Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Newcastle, West Ham and Wolves increased their fees to agents.Brentford, whose total rose from £8.1m to £14.7m, recorded the biggest rise by any club.And agents fees rose across all three divisions of the EFL.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe total for the Championship stood at £63.2m this term compared to £61.3m in 2023-24, with a £2.4m rise to £7.6m in League One and an increase of £300,000 to £2.7m in League Two.Leeds United spent the most by far with £18.8m – significantly more than second-highest spenders Burnley with £5.3m.In contrast, Oxford United splashed out just £572,808 on agents fees.Leeds spent the most on agents feesCredit: Getty More

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      Marco Silva left furious as WRONG Fulham player subbed off but Whites boss can’t do anything about it

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      MARCO SILVA was left fuming with the fourth official after the WRONG Fulham player was subbed off during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth.A bizarre admin error meant Ryan Sessegnon was forced off as part of a triple substitution in the 57th minute.Marco Silva was fuming with the officials during Fulham vs BournemouthSilva was left raging with the mix-upFulham didn’t want to take Sessegnon off, but had no choice in the endSessegnon had gone close to finding a Fulham equaliser in the 37th minuteWith Bournemouth leading 1-0 after a 53-second opener, Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Tom Cairney were brought on to find a goal.Fans at home saw the trio replace Sessegnon, Sander Berge and Rodigo Muniz at the Vitality Stadium.But the changes took more than FIVE minutes and were so long in fact that referee Michael Oliver had to walk over and see what was going on.It has since transpired that Fulham didn’t want to take Sessegnon off, but had no choice in the end.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSAnd Fulham manager Silva looked absolutely incensed with the mix-up.Silva was up on the touchline shouting at fourth official Tim Robinson, but it’s not clear which player he wanted to come off instead of the winger.According to Premier League rules, once a player is subbed off, he “cannot return to the field of play during the same match”.The Sky Sports commentator said: “The card went in with Ryan Sessegnon’s name on it. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But our understanding from the Fulham technical area is that he wasn’t supposed to be coming off.”The Cottagers were undone by a stunning low finish from Antoine Semenyo inside 53 SECONDS.The Premier League’s Top 10 sexiest managers according to AIEvanilson then struck the post from a yard out in the 17th minute.Sessegnon then missed a huge chance with a straight forward header to level for the Cottagers on the stroke of half-time.But Silva’s subs couldn’t find a leveller, with the Cherries overtaking Fulham to eighth in the Prem table.Bournemouth won their first game in nine matches in all competitions and are back in the race for a place in the European Conference League last season. More

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      How Declan Rice can be ‘world class’ again vs Real Madrid and send Arsenal into Champions League semi-finals

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      DECLAN RICE put on a performance for the ages against Real Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final.He had gone more than 400 career matches without scoring a direct free-kick.Declan Rice produced a stunning performance against Real MadridCredit: GettyHe was all over the pitch but got forward wellCredit: SunSportThen he produced two moments of sheer class within 13 minutes to turn the tie in Arsenal’s favour.Mikel Merino turned in a superb third to give the Gunners a 3-0 lead to take to the Bernabeu on Wednesday night. And ahead of the second leg, SunSport’s tactical guru Dean Scoggins unpacked what made Rice’s masterclass so good in the latest episode of Tactics Exposed…DECLAN RICE LOOKED A WORLD BEATER AGAINST REAL MADRID… WHY?Declan Rice is a world-class football player. We talked previously about how he can be wasted in the England system.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAgainst Real Madrid, Rice played much further forward and was freed up – but don’t underestimate the Bukayo Saka factor.Jude Bellingham came back to help David Alaba deal with Saka but that moved the midfield sideways for Madrid – which opens gaps for Rice to get forward and be a threat. Minus Rice’s two free-kicks, Myles Lewis-Skelly was the best player on the pitch – he was unbelievably good. He came in to make a midfield two with Thomas Partey which took some defensive responsibility off Rice.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWHAT DO YOU MAKE OF RICE DEFYING ARSENAL’S SET-PIECE COACH AND SHOOTING RATHER THAN CROSSING?Declan Rice the leader came to the fore in this game, too. Players can magic moments. This was an opportunity and he took it. How Lewis-Skelly could be Tuchel’s secret weapon for EnglandRice told Bukayo Saka he was going to ignore the set-piece coachCredit: GettyRice pushed into the high left No8 positionCredit: SunSportIf he put it over the bar, it wouldn’t matter.Too often in football matches it has becomes robotic and turgid because players don’t want to take the risk and shift responsibility. Rice has done that brilliantly well. We saw Brennan Johnson not take the penalty against Southampton when he could have completed his hat-trick – he semi-asked if he was allowed but Mathys Tel took it. Rice owned the free-kick and is becoming the main man in a very good team.WHICH FREE-KICK WAS BETTER – FIRST OR SECOND?I think the second one. As a mid-ranking amateur footballer that I was, I judge a goal on ‘could I have done it?’If you gave me 100 attempts, maybe I could score one in a hundred for the first one – but the second one not even one in a million. No chance! The pace he hits it at, the angle, the attitude to give it a go. IS RICE PLAYING IN THE WRONG POSITION?At the moment for Arsenal, his position is here, it’s there, it’s everywhere.He’s two, maybe even three, players in one. So yes, Mikel Arteta is getting the best out of him. Out of possession, he drops in with Partey and gets back in position but they call him the ‘horse’ because he never stops running. When the full-back inverts, he can go further upfield. Lewis-Skelly is English – so can he do the same for England to get the best out of Rice in a Three Lions shirt?Read More on The SunIf you have another holding midfielder alongside Rice for England, then you can have Rice and Bellingham running from deep. Get Rice on the field and tell him to run. Rice was able to push on due to the inverted role of Myles Lewis-SkellyCredit: GettyBukayo Saka’s influence cannot be underestimatedCredit: SunSportThe Englishman has been a standout performer all seasonCredit: SunSport More