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      Erling Haaland turns to Neil Warnock for FA Cup final pep talk as Man City ace admits he ‘agrees with’ long ball tactics

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      ERLING HAALAND had a pep talk from former Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock to help prepare him for the FA Cup final.The veteran boss was invited to Manchester City’s training ground by Etihad chief Pep Guardiola earlier this month and spent time chatting to the players.Erling Haaland has a chat with Neil Warnock about ‘old school’ footballCredit: Erling Haaland SnapchatWarnock as invited to the City training ground by Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA:Press AssociationAs a lifelong fan of English football, Haaland revealed he was delighted to meet the ‘old school’ 76-year-old — and it turned out they had plenty in common.The Norwegian also told Warnock how he expects City to find the energy to finish their disappointing season on a high note — just as they always have done.Recalling the meeting with Warnock, striker Haaland said: “He’s a really funny guy, a good guy. I’ve watched a lot of English football my whole life so I know he’s a legend of the game.“I didn’t know he was coming so it was a surprise but I had a good chat with him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He’s got an old school way about him and I’m also a little bit old school because of my father. We had some good discussions.”Asked what they had chatted about, Haaland told the BBC: “Sometimes you have to kick and run a little bit.“That was his tactics in his days and I agree with it — a bit of kick and run.“We both love football so we talked about that, the period we’ve been in but how we’ve got a good momentum going on now.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“In other seasons, something has happened to give us some extra energy from somewhere and this is exactly the time it should happen.”Haaland says he is fit and raring to go after six weeks on the sidelines recovering from an ankle injury picked up in the quarter-final win at Bournemouth.City have reached the final in each of his three seasons at the club and he says winning it would be special as May 17 is a significant date in his homeland. It is always a public holiday in Norway as they celebrate their Constitution Day with parades, traditional dress and music.He said: “It would mean a lot to me on a big day in Norway. So I’ll do everything I can to make it possible and I’ll do everything I can to help the team to achieve this.“It was horrible to be injured. But what can you do? You have to recover as quickly as you can and to come back as fit as you can.“Now I’m back with loads of energy. I’m feeling good and moving good and I’m ready.”Guardiola has said that winning the FA Cup and securing a place in next season’s Champions League would not save the season in his eyes.Haaland believes FA Cup glory could save City’s poor campaignCredit: GettyHowever, Haaland stressed: “For me it would help. It’s important to win trophies. That’s what I want. That’s why I’m here.“But again, the standards these guys have been putting up, maybe for them it doesn’t mean anything because they put the standard so high.“The past has been incredible for me personally in this club and also before I came here in the club, what Pep has been doing.“It’s ridiculous when you actually dig a bit into it to see how good he’s been doing.  “But yeah, I’m here to continue to win trophies, which we’ll try to do now in the FA Cup.”Haaland has been to Wembley as a City fan — and for the last two years as a player in the final — and he cannot wait to experience it again.He added: “I remember my father telling me how appreciated the FA Cup is in this country and I understood that when I won it.“It’s really impressive to see how many times Pep has taken City to Wembley, it’s a difficult thing to do. To be here for the third time in a row is amazing and hopefully we can win it again.Read More on The Sun“I’ve watched many finals, but I’ve been to Wembley as a supporter of City, and I’ve won it as well.“It’s special to go to Wembley. You always know it’s a big game when you play there.” More

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      Chelsea star banned from driving after racking up more points on license than Man Utd have in Premier League

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      CHELSEA star Wesley Fofana has been banned from driving for two years after racking up 47 points on his licence.The French international’s tally would see him finish higher than several Premier League giants this season — including Manchester United, who sit on 39 points.Wesley Fofana has been banned from driving for two years after racking up 47 points on his licenceCredit: AlamyFofana was then caught five times behind the wheel of his £300,000 Rolls-Royce CullinanCredit: AlamyLavender Hill magistrates’ court in South West London heard on Wednesday that he had committed eight offences in three different vehicles in less than a year.Fofana, 24, who did not appear at court, was dubbed a “habitual speeder” by chairman of the bench John Soones, who slapped the defender with a further 38 points on top of his previous nine.Mr Soones said: “We take into account the fact he is a habitual speeder, with access to powerful motor cars, who speeds at nearly double the speed limit.”The earliest offence was last March when he drove his Lamborghini Urus at 26mph in a 20mph zone in Brixton, South London.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSFofana was then caught five times behind the wheel of his £300,000 Rolls-Royce Cullinan and twice in his blue 4.0-litre Audi — all in a 50mph zone on the A3 Esher bypass.He hit speeds of up to 88mph on the route he regularly uses to get to and from his home in Kingston-upon-Thames to the club’s training ground in Cobham, Surrey.Fofana, who admitted all offences, had so many they were scattered throughout the building’s courtrooms. Chairman Mr Soones said: “He’s got a flush. He is in court one, two and three. But we have gathered them all together”.Most read in FootballHis lawyer Imogen Cox told the court: “He is a young man that plays football for a living and he works extremely hard, training, and has foolishly not complied with the rules of the road.”Fofana was fined £5,328, plus a £2,131 victim surcharge and £110 in costs. Chelsea player ratings: Enzo Fernandez silences his doubters but Robert Sanchez endures a few shaky moments vs LeicesterHe was previously disqualified for six months in January 2023 for speeding.The player is regarded as a “sick note” by Chelsea fans due to long absences after two major knee injuries since his £70million switch from Leicester City in 2022. More

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      Arsenal fans baffled as Lewis-Skelly is beaten by team-mate, 24, to Premier League Young Player of the Year nomination

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      ARSENAL fans have demanded a rule change to the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award.The eight stars nominated for this season’s accolade have been announced with Myles Lewis-Skelly missing out.Myles Lewis Skelly did not make the cut for Young Player of the YearCredit: GettyBut William Saliba was a shock inclusionCredit: GettyBut to the surprise of Arsenal supporters, 24-year-old William Saliba made the cut instead.Liam Delap (Ipswich), Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest), Ryan Gravenberch (Liverpool), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Joao Pedro (Brighton) and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) complete the list of nominees.Many expected Lewis-Skelly to be one of them after a stunning breakthrough season.The 18-year-old has featured 21 times in the Premier League this term and has made the left-back spot his own following his start in December.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLewis-Skelly’s good form even saw him earn a first senior England call-up in March.But he has not been nominated with many of the players chosen aged between 22 and 24.Premier League rules state you are eligible for the Young Player of the Year award if you are 23 or under at the start of the campaign.But many fans want a change to the regulations, with one saying: “It should be Under-21 players only.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnother added: “They really need to rethink the ‘Young’ Player of the Season. Because not having Lewis-Skelly but having 24-year-old Saliba makes no sense.”A third wrote: “They need a Rookie of the Year award to go along side this for newcomers/younger players.”‘Those doubts maybe kick in’ – Jamie Carragher hints when Declan Rice will start considering his Arsenal futureGravenberch has also been nominated for the senior Player of the Season award after helping Liverpool win the league.His team-mates Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk join him on the list.Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest), Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) and Declan Rice (Arsenal) are the other contenders. More

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      Sonia Bompastor says Alexis Ohanian £20m investment in Chelsea Women shows English football is ‘in a good place’

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      SONIA BOMPASTOR reckons Alexis Ohanian’s decision to buy a stake  in WSL champions Chelsea, is a positive move for the women’s game.And the Blues chief hopes the Reddit co-founder’s move will encourage others to invest in the sport in England. Sonia Bompastor hopes Alexis Ohanian buying a stake in Chelsea will lead to more investment in the WSLCredit: PAThe American businessman’s decision to buy a ten per cent stake has been hailed as a landmark moment for Chelsea WomenCredit: APOhanian is set to be at Wembley to watch Bompastor’s players in action with the Blues hoping to add an FA Cup win to their League Cup and WSL title triumphCredit: ReutersThe France-born coach, 44, was speaking earlier today, a day after The Times reported the internet had entrepreneur purchased a ten per cent stake worth around £20million in their women’s side.Along with tennis legend wife Serena Williams, Ohanian is also an investor in US women’s outfit Angel City. His also the largest shareholder of the National Women’s Soccer League side whose founders include actor and film star Natalie Portman.    The USA-born multimillionaire, 42, and Williams, 43, are due to visit Wembley on Sunday, to watch Chelsea in action against Manchester United in the Women’s FA Cup final. Read More Football StoriesOf his backing Bompastor said: “That’s really important for the women’s game, but also for England to have someone who invests in a team like Chelsea.”This investment is game-changing for the women’s game, but also for young girls. “We want to be one of the best teams in the world in terms of results on the pitch, but also we want to be a model off the pitch. “We want to make sure when young girls look at our team, they dream of being one of our players for the future.Most read in Football”We want to be the team that shows every other team how you need to perform and how you need to invest in the women’s game. “Hopefully this example will bring some other people who will invest in women’s teams in this league.”Earlier today Ohanian posted a picture via his official account social media platform X featuring a Chelsea shirt.The Blues jersey featured the number 776 on the back in reference to the name of a tech venture capital firm established by the American businessman in September 2020. Today Chelsea Women chief executive Aki Mandhar described Ohanian’s move as a “landmark day” for the team and for women’s football in Europe and beyond. Mandhar added: “This investment is validation of the club’s past success. “More importantly it is yet another proof point in the market of the persistent growth and potential of women’s football. “We continue to lead the way, on and off the pitch, for players and for our fans and brands, empowering and inspiring future athletes and the next generation of sports fans. “As a club, we are unapologetically ambitious. “This investment is proof that the opportunities for growth in the business of women’s football are endless.”When the Chelsea boss was asked her thoughts why Ohanian invested she added: “We are the best. Simple. The results help a lot.”This Sunday Chelsea will attempt to seal a trophy treble win with United targeting back-to-back triumphs following their first Cup final victory last year. Bompastor said: “We know we are facing a really strong team, so we’ll be ready for that.Man United are targeting back-to-back FA Cup wins in their third successive appearance in the contest’s finalCredit: Getty”We feel ready going into this final, but it will be a really special moment.Read More on The Sun”I heard maybe 80,000 tickets were sold. “Just to have the opportunity to play in that stadium in front of an almost sold-out crowd will be the perfect end to a season, if we win.” More

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      Sheffield Wednesday release SEVEN players including Euro 2024 star as fans say ‘should be ashamed’

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      SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY have released seven players following the end of their contracts.The Owls finished the Championship season in 12th under boss Danny Rohl. Stuart Armstrong has left Sheffield WednesdayCredit: AlamyWednesday announced today that Stuart Armstrong, Ben Hamer, Ryo Hatsuse, Michael Ihiekwe, Marvin Johnson, Pol Valentin and Mallik Wilks have all been let go as their deals have expired.Armstrong, who featured at last summer’s Euro 2024 for Scotland, leaves after just four months at the club.The 33-year-old ex-Southampton midfielder played just 11 times for Wednesday. Johnson’s four-year spell comes to an end after making 169 appearances.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd other first-team regulars Valentin and Ihiekwe depart.Veteran goalkeeper Hamer leaves having never played a game for the club and Wilks is shown the permanent exit door after spending the season on loan at Rotherham.But Wednesday fans have slammed the club for letting go of Hatsuse shortly after he made the move from Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe.The left-back featured just six times and one supporter wrote online: “Should genuinely be ashamed of bringing him over to the UK for three months just to let him go.”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOthers added: “He was the most pointless signing ever.”A third reacted: “Hatsuse and Armstrong just came for a holiday in the lovely city of Sheffield.”Wednesday also confirmed that extension options have been exercised in the contracts of Anthony Musaba, Michael Smith and Josh Windass.Club legend Barry Bannan, as well as team-mates Akin Famewo and Callum Paterson, have been offered new deals.Loanees James Beadle, Ibrahim Cissoko and Shea Charles return to their parent clubs. Barry Bannan has been offered a new dealCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal starlet Ethan Nwaneri handed goalkeeper’s shirt number with chequered Gunners history

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      ETHAN NWANERI has been given a new shirt number ahead of the 2025/26 season.The 18-year-old was one of the shining lights in a disappointing season for Arsenal, who are on course for a third-straight second-placed Premier League finish.Ethan Nwaneri wore the number 53 shirt for Arsenal last seasonCredit: ALAMYThe 18-year-old has been handed a new shirt number for the 2025/26 campaignCredit: GETTYNwaneri will take the number 22 shirt left vacant by David Raya, who has officially taken the number 1 jerseyCredit: SHUTTERSTOCKNwaneri has worn the number 53 shirt this season, in which he’s scored nine goals and provided two assists in 36 appearances in all competitions.But he’ll don a different number for the 25/26 campaign after one of his team-mates vacated their current number.Nwaneri will be Arsenal’s new number 22 next season, taking the shirt from goalkeeper David Raya.Raya has ditched his old number to officially become Arsenal’s number one, which was left vacant following Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton last summer.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Emirates faithful will hope the number 22 shirt will bring Nwaneri the same good fortune it did Invincible Gael Clichy.The shirt, however, has had a chequered past in recent years, being worn by flops Yaya Sanogo, Denis Suarez and Pablo Mari.Nwaneri’s fellow teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly won’t be following his suit and changing his number for the 2025/26 season.The 18-year-old – who has been one of the club’s star performers this season – will continue to wear the number 49 shirt next season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSNwaneri has played a whopping 1,303 minutes of football in his breakthrough season at the Emirates.But manager Mikel Arteta is wary of giving the teenager too much game time too soon.Ethan Nwaneri’s rise at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s guiseThe Spaniard said of the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with Liverpool last weekend: “There are moments where players are used more and less.“He’s played a lot, probably more than anybody expected for sure.”In the last few games, it’s been because of the games and the context, we decided not to play him in those matches.”It can change very quickly.” More

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      Marcus Rashford set for £40m summer transfer scramble as Aston Villa have NO buy clause in Man Utd star’s loan deal

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      MARCUS RASHFORD will be up for grabs for £40million this summer.Aston Villa will have the option to buy the Manchester United ace after he spent the last half of the season on loan with them.Marcus Rashford is available for £40m this summerCredit: GettyHowever, Unai Emery’s side do not have the first option on the 27-year-old and other clubs can sign him for the same fee in the close season.Villa confirmed yesterday that Rashford is not fit to face Tottenham, meaning he has played his last game for them.That’s because their final game of the season next Sunday is against his parent club at Old Trafford when he would be ineligible.As things stand he is due to return to Carrington to begin pre-season training in early July.But it seems unlikely he will play for his boyhood club again while Ruben Amorim remains in charge.The challenge will be to find a club which is willing to pay Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages as he does not want to take a pay cut.Villa are believed to be covering around 75 per cent of that while he is on loan with them with United making up the shortfall.They may have to enter into a similar arrangement if they want to get him off the books permanently this summer.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnother loan deal is an option if a permanent move cannot be found.Rashford is clear he wants to join a Champions League club.He won an England recall on the back of his form with Villa – where he scored four goals and made six assists in 18 appearances.However, he has missed the past few weeks with a hamstring injury which has put an end to his domestic season.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Free agent XI could be greatest unemployed team of all time with Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar all set to be available

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      FOR most footballers, the end of the season marks the chance to get some well-earned rest before going again next term.But for many, it sees them enter a period of limbo – because their contracts are expiring.Lionel Messi is out of contract this yearCredit: ReutersCristiano Ronaldo may be set to leave Al-NassrCredit: GettyAnd the list of stars currently set to be without a club includes some outrageous talent. From World Cup winners and GOAT contenders to some of the top performers in the Premier League and across Europe.SunSport creates the best XI of free agents who could be on the move for nothing during the summer transfer window if they don’t put pen to paper on contract extensions in the next few weeks.And it may well be the greatest team of unemployed blokes ever…READ MORE ON FOOTBALLGK: ALEX MERETNapoli goalkeeper Meret, 28, has racked up 15 clean sheets in Serie A so far this season.But more importantly, he could end the campaign with his second winner’s medal in three years and would be a shrewd acquisition for anyone wanting a new shot-stopper.Alex Meret could depart Napoli with another Serie A titleCredit: GettyRB: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLDOne man who has already secured the title is Alexander-Arnold, 26, with Liverpool. He announced he will leave his boyhood club after 20 years at the end of the season – to a mixed reaction – and is on his way to Real Madrid. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTrent Alexander-Arnold looks set to join Real Madrid from LiverpoolCredit: AlamyCB: JONATHAN TAHTah, 29, has been a key figure in Bayer Leverkusen’s recent success.But with his deal up, he could see if Xabi Alonso takes over at the Bernabeu – and wants to take the German centre-back with him.Zirkzee to Inter?! Why Man Utd Flop Could Shine in ItalyJonathan Tah may follow Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen to the BernabeuCredit: GettySunSport revealed Newcastle have joined the likes of Real, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the race for Tah.CB: OLIVIER BOSCAGLI Boscagli, 27, could be allowed to leave PSV – even if they pip Ajax to the Eredivisie title in dramatic fashion.The Monaco-born Frenchman has never earned a senior international cap due to the sheer strength in depth in Les Bleus’ squad – but would be a smart signing for a lot of Prem sides. Olivier Boscagli could be on his way to the Premier League for freeCredit: GettyLB: TYRICK MITCHELLMitchell, 25, has been at Crystal Palace since joining the academy in 2016 and has started all 36 Prem games this season.It would be a major mistake for the Eagles to let the academy graduate go for free – with no shortage of suitors – both due to the PSR benefits of selling him but also the quality they would lose. Crystal Palace are on course to see academy graduate Tyrick Mitchell leaveCredit: GettyCM: THOMAS PARTEYPartey, 31, has never quite lived up to the hype at Arsenal since his arrival in 2020. And the possible addition of fellow holding midfielder Martin Zubimendi would see him drop down the pecking order so while talks are ongoing over an extension for Partey, it would not be a surprise to see him let go as Mikel Arteta refreshes the squad. Thomas Partey’s Arsenal contract expires in the summerCredit: GettyCM: MARCO VERRATTIVerratti, 32, spent 11 years at PSG where he won nine Ligue 1 titles before heading to Qatari outfit Al-Arabi. With his contract ending in the Middle East, what does the future hold for the Euro 2020 winner?Marco Verratti has had two years in Qatar with Al-ArabiCredit: Twitter @alarabi_clubAM: KEVIN DE BRUYNENow we get to the real heavyweights with four superstars at the top end of the pitch – starting with Kevin De Bruyne.The Belgian maestro, 33, is leaving Manchester City after ten sensational, trophy-laden years – more pushed than by his own accord. Could Pep Guardiola and City’s loss be the gain for one of their main Premier League rivals who believe he still has plenty to bring? Kevin De Bruyne still has plenty to offer in the Premier LeagueCredit: GettyRW: LIONEL MESSIOK, this front three is bonkers – and it starts with none other than Lionel Messi, although technically he becomes a free agent on December 31 due to the MLS season’s dates. So Messi, 37, will play the 2025 campaign with Inter Miami – but then what will come next for one of the greatest footballers to ever grace a pitch? Another few years in Florida? An emotional return to Argentina? Retirement? LW: NEYMARMessi’s former team-mate Neymar, 33, is hilariously valued at the same price as Fulham right-back Kenny Tete these days. But after penning a short-term deal with Santos in January to end his Saudi nightmare, it started well enough before his injury woes kicked in again. Neymar headed back to Santos on JanuaryCredit: EPAST: CRISTIANO RONALDOAnd completing the all-star attack with a bonkers goals tally is Ronaldo at the tender age of 40.His two-and-a-half years at Al-Nassr could be coming to an end with just one Arab Club Champions Cup to show for it (and an awful lot of money). The Saudi club’s fans want to see the back of the veteran icon – but surely he is not ready to retire just yet, is he? So, where may he end up next? SUBSA special mention to some players who did not make the starting XI but are still free agents this summer.The likes of Ola Aina, Jorginho, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tariq Lamptey and Callum Wilson see their current deals in the Premier League expire at the end of June. Plus, on the continent, Leroy Sane, Walter Benitez, Angel Gomes and Jonathan David are all out of contract. Read More on The SunAnd, of course, it would be wrong not to mention Jamie Vardy.The ultimate Fox in the box will say goodbye to Leicester after 13 years on Sunday – hoping to score his 200th goal on his 500th and final appearance – but is not giving up on another season in the Premier League. Jamie Vardy will become a free agent when his Leicester contract expiresCredit: Getty More