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      Ex-Man Utd star Mason Greenwood ‘could be AXED by Marseille in summer’ after De Zerbi said he ‘wasn’t showing enough’

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      MASON GREENWOOD could be on his way out of Marseille this summer following a “lack of effort”, according to reports.Greenwood, 23, has fallen out of favour in France after his “attitude” was called into question by manager Roberto De Zerbi this month.Mason Greenwood could be sold by Marseille this summerCredit: GettyThe forward, who joined Marseille from Manchester United in the summer, had been a regular starter for The Olympians all season, but had had to settle for cameos from the bench against Lens and PSG in recent weeks.And manager De Zerbi seemed to hint that things need to change if Greenwood wants to keep his place in the side.The former Brighton boss said: “No one can have more respect for him than I do.”But that doesn’t change anything: I expect more from him. He has to do more, because what he is currently showing is not enough.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”If he wants to achieve his ambition of becoming a champion, he has to be more consistent, sacrifice more and be more determined.”Greenwood remains Ligue 1’s second top scorer this season and has had a stellar first year in the French top flight.However, RMC reporter Florent Germain, via BFM Marseille explained that if the one-time England international doesn’t react to De Zerbi’s comments he could be sold at the end of the season.He said: “He is a player that can make a big difference but honestly, if he doesn’t react, questions will be asked about a departure for Greenwood this summer.”Most read in FootballMarseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has called on Mason Greenwood to make changesCredit: AFPJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordRMC Sport have also reported that there is a a perceived “lack of effort” and “nonchalance” with Greenwood’s “attitude” inside the club.Greenwood was linked to a number of different clubs last summer with the likes of Barcelona, PSG and Juventus all rumoured to be keen on the star in the past.Ex Man Utd star Mason Greenwood welcomes 2nd child with partner Harriet Robson after starting new life in FranceAnd despite already raking in £27m for their academy graduate, Man Utd could be in line for another financial boost if Greenwood is flogged in the summer.The Red Devils are thought to have included a 50 PER CENT sell-on clause in the bagsman’s contract – meaning they will earn half of any profits that Marseille get from a sale. More

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      John Terry warns Chelsea fans it could be FIVE YEARS before club compete for a title and urges them to be ‘very patient’

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      JOHN TERRY believes it could be “three to five years” before Chelsea celebrate another Premier League title.But despite spending more than £1billion on new players he has also called for patience from fans desperate to see the Blues dominating English football again.John Terry warned Chelsea fans it could be a long wait for another Premier League titleCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe Blues are in a transition period this season after massive spending on transfersCredit: GettyTerry embodies the most successful period in Chelsea history with his immense haul of trophies from a glittering 19-year career as captain, leader and legend as the supporters say.In a wide-ranging interview in which he also hailed Cole Palmer’s leadership, Dan Burn’s heroics and gave his view on Thomas Tuchel as England boss, five-time Prem champion Terry said: “In terms of where we were 20 years ago, we’re not there. But we’re in a transition period. “As ex-players and fans we need to be very patient with that. And I say that with a ‘very’ in front of it because I think we’re three to five years off competing for the Premier League in my opinion.“But it was always going to be a process. When you sign young players – and we lost a bit of experience with Thiago Silva and those guys last year – there was going to be a process. “Even at the start of the season when things were going well, I expected a little drop from the players just because of that lack of experience and the game time. “So I’m comfortable with the direction we’re going in.”Man City have been off it this year but they’re still a top side. “As long as we keep seeing progression and closing the gap towards Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, because they’ve got to be the targets for everyone.”Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeThe only trophy Terry, 44, failed to collect during his time at Stamford Bridge – which spanned three decades – was Fifa’s Club World Cup.Chelsea and Manchester City are the two English representatives at the revamped 32-team tournament in the USA this summer. ‘Reminded me of Gerrard at Liverpool’ – Cole Palmer told he needs to LEAVE Chelsea and has outgrown the club alreadyWhere once it was seen as a two-week exhibition event in the Middle East, the best sides in Europe and the rest of the world will be on display.Terry works two days a week at the renowned Chelsea academy which launched him on the road to stardom.He believes the Club World Cup can be a springboard for the youngest squad in the top flight this season aged 23 ½ to gain valuable experience in the hunt for future glory.The former centre-back said: “If there’s one thing in the group you miss, it’s probably a bit of experience. As ex-players and fans we need to be very patient. And I say that with a ‘very’ in front of it because I think we’re three to five years off competing for the Premier League in my opinion.John Terry“So adding that on with competing and adding better players to the squad every year, playing in this Club World Cup is going to give the club £52million. That helps towards buying another player, another striker maybe, or defender, goalkeeper, midfielder, whatever that looks like.“We’re a big club, that’s what we’ve represented over the last 20 years. We want to be part of that.“We want to be competing against the best sides. It goes back to this, the Fifa Club World Cup. You want to be competing against the best sides, the best teams, the best players and testing yourself. And Chelsea are used to that.“It’s the trophy that passed me by. One I didn’t win. As players, you want to win all the trophies possible and test yourself against the best players and best teams. “This gives you the opportunity to do that.  People’s perception of it is new and people don’t like change. It’s going to take time.”Cole Palmer is a ‘leader’ in the Chelsea teamCredit: GettyThe forward sets the example – and not just with his goalscoringCredit: GettyIf Chelsea are to get their hands on the Club World Cup – and more importantly the Premier League trophy in years to come – JT knows Palmer will play a key role.But while many will immediately think of Palmer’s goals and assists, even amid a two-month goal drought and first missed penalty, Chelsea’s greatest-ever captain is impressed by his leadership. Terry witnessed first hand how deceptively strong wispish-looking Palmer is with the way he outstripped his team-mates in a recent bleep test at the training ground.JT added: “He probably doesn’t think, ‘I’m a leader here’, but he’s leading the group with his standards – ‘This is the standard you probably need to get up to. You need to get as fit as me.'”From afar people look at captains and leadership as if you’ve got to be that big vocal guy, screaming, shouting, barking orders. I think it’s very different now. “A lot of players now do it in the way they’re playing. He certainly falls under that category. Cole’s probably leading the way he likes to lead. “He’s been incredible for us. He’s taken a lot of the heat in terms of our dip, but also in terms of our first part of the season.From afar people look at captains and leadership as if you’ve got to be that big vocal guy, screaming, shouting, barking orders. I think it’s very different now.John Terry”It was probably all him, with his goals, contributions, work rate. Everything Chelsea were doing well revolved around him.”Teams have obviously identified that he’s the big threat and there needs to be a real focus.” Another man who is proving to be a big threat is Newcastle’s Burn, who opened the scoring in the Carabao Cup final win just days after receiving his maiden England call-up.And Chelsea-mad Terry reckons Blyth-born Burn’s love for the Toon is a brilliant advert for football. Terry, who played 717 times for the Blues after joining the club aged 14, said: “I know Dan and see him every now and then. I am just delighted for him because obviously Newcastle means to him what Chelsea means to me.”When you’re that player and it’s your club growing up that you’ve loved and everything it means the world to you.”All of us at the weekend were Newcastle supporters. It’s great to see. “Newcastle are probably Premier League supporters’ second team everyone loves. I think they’re really exciting to watch.”Big Dan’s been brilliant as well. I’m delighted for him to get called up to the England side as well. “He obviously has a real threat at set plays. “He’s done great and been really consistent over the last couple of years with Newcastle. Being part of that journey back to where they want to be, I am so delighted for him.”Dan Burn’s love for Newcastle is brilliant for footballCredit: AFPBurn received his first England call-up from new manager Thomas TuchelCredit: GettyBurn is part of Tuchel’s first squad since replacing Gareth Southgate as Three Lions boss.The former Chelsea boss was a controversial selection as the German got the nod over English candidates, including Burn’s club boss Eddie Howe, but has been brought in with the sole goal of winning the World Cup next year.Terry crossed paths with Tuchel during his 18-month stint as Chelsea boss from January 2021 to September 2022 – which included lifting the Champions League. Patriotic JT admits it is an adjustment having an England manager who hails from one of our great sporting rivals. But he believes the next generation of England coaches could mature while Tuchel is in charge.Terry said: “It wouldn’t be top of my list, but we’ve had foreign managers before, not German, but being England we have to get the best.ENGLISH WINNERS OF THE CLUB WORLD CUPFOUR English sides have won the Fifa Club World Cup – including Chelsea2008 – Manchester United (beat LDU Quito 1-0)2019 – Liverpool (beat Flamengo 1-0)2021 – Chelsea (beat Palmeiras 2-1 aet)2023 – Manchester City (beat Fluminense 4-0)”If the FA identify him as being the best, whether he’s from Brazil or Germany or wherever, let’s get him. “Have we got the level of coaches at that top, top level that have won major trophies and Champions Leagues? No, we haven’t. “We saw Eddie Howe winning the other day, which is really refreshing.”We see Frank Lampard doing well, so really setting the tone for the next generation of managers and young English managers need to be encouraged by that.”Hopefully one day we can have the best English manager as the England manager. “As a country, we need to be getting the best. Tuchel falls in that category, so absolutely why not? He’s a very good coach as well.” Terry is enjoying seeing pal Frank Lampard succeed at CoventryCredit: AFP – GettyThe former England skipper will keep a close eye on how Tuchel gets on with the Three LionsCredit: PA More

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      ‘I’ll never speak to them again’ – Phil Jones opens up on emotional moment he quit Man Utd WhatsApp group after retiring

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      PHIL JONES says leaving the England and Manchester United WhatsApp groups were some of the most difficult moments of retirement.The 33-year-old left boyhood club Blackburn Rovers to sign for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and won the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.Phil Jones retired from professional football in AugustCredit: ReutersThe defender has recalled leaving the Man Utd WhatsApp groupCredit: GettyJones spent 12 years at Old Trafford and also won 27 caps for the Three Lions, but after a number of injury struggles he called time on his playing career last summer.Discussing the hardest parts of retirement, he revealed that departing the WhatsApp groups was one of the toughest.Jones said: “Believe it or not, it was quite emotional. I’d been on the WhatsApp for years and banter and you’re sending people pictures and all sorts.“I remember sitting in the bedroom going like, ‘Lads, it’s been a pleasure and blah blah blah. Some I’ve played with a lot, some I’ve only just met, but it’s been an absolute pleasure. I wish you all the best and I’ll be your biggest supporters.’ It was a tough moment actually.Read More in Football“Do you know what I gave it a minute and there was no response. I was like ‘gone, gone, gone, I’m gone!’ No-one cares. But that’s it. It’s football. “Things move so quickly and people come in. I played with people for six years. I will never see them again. I’ll never speak to them again.”Jones admitted he could not watch football for the first six months, saying: “I found myself getting really bitter towards the game and that’s not who I was, but I needed that time to reflect and come to terms with what happened and how it happened. “I look back now and I’m in a great place.”Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordJones then embarked on a return to the game, doing a football directorship course and then completing his Uefa coaching A Licence while working with United’s U18 squad.He sat down with SunSport while doing his FA Pro licence badge at St George’s Park last week and said: “It was nice for the first few weeks, but then after that I was getting itchy feet and ready to embark on something, which is why I went down the director’s route just to give me a different sort of focus to football. Phil Jones reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson convinced him to sign for Man Utd “But my bread and butter is on the grass and it’s what I really enjoy doing. I know exactly what I want to do, where I want to be.“I’m ambitious as I was as a player. I wanted to play at the highest level, compete against the best players in the world.“I love being out on the grass, working with kids, watching players develop. Whether that’s at United, or that’s elsewhere, I love watching new players come through. “I’ve been lucky enough to help out with U18s at United, which has given me a different perspective on the game now.“I don’t watch a game any more, you’re analysing it a little bit differently. I love the game. I love everything about it. I love being involved in it.”It’s given me a purpose and I’m really ambitious and it’s something that I really want to go into.”Jones has seen the likes of Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard both endure difficulties in the dug-out but is still determined to do it rather than earn an easier living as a pundit.He added: “I just feel that I’ve got too much to offer with the managers I played under and the players I played with just to go, you know what, I’ll leave it there.I found myself getting really bitter towards the game and that’s not who I was“I want to be involved. I love being involved. The media work I’ve enjoyed. I’ve enjoyed it more than I actually thought I would but my bread and butter is certainly on the grass and coaching and going into that.“Listen, I’m not naive enough to think that I’m going to become a head coach or a manager in the next two or three years. “I understand that now I’m on the other side of the ladder where I’ve got to work myself up and build myself up. But I’m absolutely ready to do that and my family knows that.“When I visualise and try to manifest where I want to be in five years time, absolutely, I want to be the guy taking the team. “I want to be the guy making the decisions and having support and backing from the club and the owners and choosing that right moment to step in at that time.“I want to win games of football and I win at all costs. Whether that means I have to change personnel, whether that means I have to go down a different route to get results. It’s a results business game. Of course we all want to play expansive, attractive football but it doesn’t always work like that.”Jones, who had awful luck with injuries in his career, also backed Luke Shaw to bounce back from his “terrible” spell on the sidelines.Jones coached United’s Under-18 team for a seasonCredit: GettyHe said: “I feel so sorry for Mason (Mount) and Luke. The feeling for me was almost an embarrassed feeling.“You’re at Man United, the biggest club in the world and all you want to do is play football. “I love playing football, I just loved playing football like a little kid, and when you can’t do something, you have something taken away from you, it’s difficult to deal with.“You have the fans, you have social media. I can absolutely sympathise with them.“What I would say is they’ve got to come back to a state where they feel comfortable playing. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Medical staff these days will always try and promote you to come back sooner, but they’ve got to feel right in themselves, feel confident that they’re ready to come back and play and compete at a high level.“I absolutely sympathise with them. It’s a really, really terrible and tough place to be.”Man Utd ratings vs LeicesterMANCHESTER UNITED leapfrogged Tottenham into 13th in the Premier League by beating Leicester.Rasmus Hojlund was left to run in behind and shoot low into the bottom corner from an angle to open the scoring on 28 minutes.The Danish striker had not found the net since December 12 – a run of 21 matches.Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal chalked off for offside but there was no taking his snap-shot finish off him on 67 minutes.And skipper Bruno Fernandes rounded off the comfortable 3-0 win in style in the closing stages.Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Hill rated the Man Utd stars. More

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      Man City’s Erling Haaland splashes out on rare £4m Bugatti with 277mph top speed, space-age features & iconic doors

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      SUPER-RICH soccer ace Erling Haaland has ordered an incredible Bugatti dream car for £4 million.The Manchester City striker – who recently penned a record nine-and-a-half-year £200 million contract – is buying a space age Bugatti Tourbillon.The Bugatti Tourbillon has a price tag of $4 million and a 1,800 horsepower engineCredit: GettyErling Braut Haaland of the Norwegian national football team during a training session in MarbellaCredit: RexIts 1,800 horsepower petrol and electric hybrid V16 engine catapults the sleek supercar to 62mph in an astonishing two seconds and rockets on to 124mph in five seconds.And the monster motor – which features iconic “butterfly” doors – has a top speed of 277mph.Norwegian superstar Haaland, 24, has joined forces with billionaire car collector pal Ole Ertvaag to snap up one of just 250 Tourbillons being made by the legendary Italian firm.The ultra exclusive model has a list price of around £3.2 million but Haaland and his co-buyer will fork out a fortune in tax owing to Norway’s strict low emissions laws.Read more SportThey are also expected to pay huge sums on customising the car – which will be crafted and styled to their exact specifications.Tycoon Ertvaag – a season ticket holder at City rivals Manchester United – has a fleet of supercars and insists on registering them all in his native Norway.More than 90 per cent of all new cars sold in the uber-green Scandinavian nation are now all-electric thanks to heavy charges levied on petrol vehicles.The pair are now planning to register their Tourbillon in Norway before April 1 when laws change to push import taxes of petrol-driven hybrid vehicles even higher.Most read in FootballA Norwegian source told The Sun: “The taxes will push the cost of the car to £4 million provided it’s registered in time.“But the cost is not a deal breaker for people as rich as Erling Haaland and he will love the chance of being able to drive his Bugatti on trips back home.How Man Utd could clinch a win in Fulham FA Cup clash – Expert’s best bets | Weekend Wager“It’s a truly amazing car both in terms of looks and performance – and the only question remaining is whether it will be delivered in sky blue Man City colours.”Powerhouse Haaland – who has bagged 29 goals for City this season – and fellow investor Ertvaag, 62, bought a £2.62 million Mercedes AMG together last year.The pair are both from the Rogaland region of Norway and share a passion for fast cars and football and already have joint property investments, along with Erling’s ex-city star dad Alfie.Erlings’ new Bugatti is set to become the star car collection, which already includes a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. A Mercedes AMG, a Ferrari Monza SP2, a Range Rover Sport and an Audi RS6 Avant Quattro.Erling Haaland pictured playing for Manchester City during a Premier LeagueCredit: Getty More

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      ‘He will be the glue’ – Tuchel made controversial Jordan Henderson decision SIX WEEKS ago but admits ‘it wasn’t my idea’

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has confessed it wasn’t his idea to controversially recall Jordan Henderson but did admit: “He will be the glue.”The former Liverpool midfielder, 34, now plays at Ajax following his stint in Saudi Arabia and had been overlooked by interim boss Lee Carsley and Gareth Southgate for the Euro 2024 run to the final.Thomas Tuchel has revealed calling up Jordan Henderson wasn’t initially his ideaCredit: GettyBut Tuchel is thrilled to have Henderson on board to be the ‘glue’ in England’s groupCredit: GettyIn fact, the 81-cap ace hasn’t played for England since November 2023.But Tuchel, who named his controversial squad last week, has insisted Henderson will be the “glue” which holds the squad together.Tuchel told ITV Sport: “He embodies everything. He’s a serial winner, his personality, character.”He is the glue in every team where he played and he will be the glue that makes things special.READ MORE SPORT STORIES”When I talk to players, I talk to staff, I talk to people in the federation, his name came up permanently.”Tuchel admitted it wasn’t his idea to bring Henderson back into the England fold.But the ex-Chelsea chief claimed “it made so much sense”.Tuchel continued: “It was not my idea initially from day one but it made so much sense to then call him up because his name was in the discussions all the time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I called him up, and I have to say after this phone call for 15-20 minutes six weeks ago, I was pretty convinced that I need this guy in camp.”Henderson will turn 36 during next year’s World Cup in the USA.Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-headerYet Tuchel’s comments suggest the 2019-20 Premier League champion will be part of the England fold for the massive tournament.However, fans were less than happy with Henderson’s inclusion in the group.The ex-Sunderland star made the cut ahead of in-form Morgan Gibbs-White, as well as Adam Wharton and Conor Gallagher.Gibbs-White has since been called up, following injury to Cole Palmer. More

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      Arsenal ‘considering shock swoop for Everton flop Moise Kean’ to solve striker woes but face fight with three Prem foes

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      ARSENAL are keeping tabs on Everton flop Moise Kean in their battle to finally add some firepower up front.The Gunners have been unable to sign a centre-forward in the last few transfer windows, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with a lack of options to spearhead his attack.Arsenal have been linked with Fiorentina star Moise KeanCredit: GettyEverton flop Kean is also wanted by three other Prem sidesCredit: RexArteta has used Gabriel Jesus up front – and the likes of midfielders Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino as false nines.Many Arsenal fans have blamed missing out on the Premier League title on the lack of a natural striker.According to Tuttomercatoweb, however, the Gunners are finally looking to splash the cash for a No9 in this summer transfer window.And Arsenal have been linked with Kean, 25, who is thriving this season with Fiorentina as he has already registered 20 goals and three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.Read More on ArsenalThat is a far cry from the £44million-rated forward’s Goodison Park days, in which he scored just four goals in 39 matches following his move from Juventus in 2019.The Italy international was loaned out to Paris Saint-Germain and former club Juve where he made a permanent return in 2023.Kean regained his former goalscoring prowess with Fiorentina following his move to the Artemio Franchi in the summer.Although last month he collapsed on the pitch against Verona – but he has now recovered.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesArsenal are facing competition from Premier League rivals Tottenham, West Ham and Newcastle.Toon see him as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak if he decides to leaveMoise Kean shows off his super skill with training at PSGIsak has taken the Premier League by storm since his arrival at St James’ Park in 2022 and has even been linked with a move to the Emirates this summer.The Gunners have also been linked with other European strikers, shich as RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Juventus sharpshooter Dusan Vlahovic and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen – who is currently on loan at Galatasaray.Arsenal ratings vs ChelseaARSENAL collected three points at the Emirates with a comfortable display as they fight to keep their fading title hopes alive. More

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      Chelsea flop Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, 26, already planning for career after football despite signing six-year contract

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      KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL is already planning for life after retirement despite penning a six-year deal with Chelsea in the summer.The midfielder has had a disappointing start to life in West London, making just one Premier League start since his £30m move from Leicester in July.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is preparing for life after retirementCredit: GettyDewsbury-Hall will likely be forced to look for a new club in the summer, with boss Enzo Maresca clearly favouring other Blues over the 26-year-old.But it appears that the Foxes academy graduate is looking well beyond next season and is already planning for life after retirement.According to Fabrizio Romano, Dewsbury-Hall has begun studying for a PFA Sporting Directorship course.That course, which takes two years to complete, costs nearly £12,000 and helps train up the next batch of football directors.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDewsbury-Hall could join a long list of pros that have turned their attention to director-level roles.Former Arsenal midfielder Edu Gaspar returned to the Gunners as Sporting Director some 15 years after leaving north London as a player.While ex-Chelsea and Barcelona star Deco is the current Sporting Director at Barca.Dewsbury-Hall will still be able to keep a focus on returning to form alongside his studies, as the course only requires four face-to-face sessions per year and one two-hour virtual session every fortnight. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford BridgeDespite a lack of minutes in the league, Dewsbury-Hall has started seven of Chelsea’s eight Europa Conference League games this season – scoring three times and registering one assist in the process.And he still has a long list of suitors who could snatch him away from Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.’This is a joke’ – Danny Drinkwater reveals moment he was told he had ONE HOUR to leave ChelseaWest Ham and former club Leicester were both linked with a move for the star in January, while Brighton were known to be admirers last summer.However, Dewsbury-Hall remains tied down to his current terms in SW6 until 2030.Chelsea ratings vs ArsenalCHELSEA missed the chance to pull clear in the race for Champions League football as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Arsenal.Mikel Merino scored the only goal of the game as the Blues produced a limp performance at the Emirates.They were without several key men including Cole Palmer.And they struggled to create chances against Arsenal with a threadbare subs bench to boot.But who was Chelsea’s best player in North London?And which players will want to forget about their performance as soon as possible?See SunSport’s Andy Dillon’s verdict on the Chelsea players here More

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      ‘If you lose your speed, you’re dead’ – Why Arsenal flogged Thierry Henry and broke up Invincibles

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      ARSENAL remain the only team to go an entire Premier League season undefeated when they won the title in 2003-04.But within a few years of that historic triumph, the Invincibles squad was broken up.Arsenal’s Invincibles won the Premier League in 2003-04Credit: GettyThierry Henry is the club’s top goalscorer and arguably greatest playerCredit: GettyHe left for Barcelona in a £16m transfer in 2007Credit: GettyAnd that included flogging superstar forward Thierry Henry.Talisman Henry – Arsenal captain at the time – left North London for Barcelona aged 29 in the summer of 2007.The Gunners received just £16million for their record goalscorer. But in a bombshell exclusive interview with SunSport, in which he slams the board for “failing” Mikel Arteta, former Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman revealed why they were prepared to sell Henry.READ MORE ON ARSENALEdelman said: “The reason Thierry moved on was because he was losing his speed. “His game was basically all about speed. “And if you lose your speed, then you’re dead. “So, we got money for him despite the fact that he was on the downward trap. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates”It’s like Kevin De Bruyne. Would you have been better to sell him for more money at the end of last year? “Or keep him and risk that he’d keep going this season?”I trained with Thierry Henry and he ruined my Arsenal career and it took me two years to go back over to the first team Henry – who scored 228 times for Arsenal – had three seasons at the Nou Camp, winning two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey, Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.As for the team he left, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal went nine years without a major trophy between their FA Cup triumphs in 2005 and 2014. Part of the reason for the lack of success was because many of the 2004 Invincibles departed the club – including heroes Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires – to make way for cheaper, younger players with potential. The transfer strategy, though, was down to the financial mire Arsenal found themselves in.Edelman explained: “Building a team goes in waves. “If you’ve got endless amounts of money, as Manchester City had, you could keep a team going longer.”I’d argue there’s probably only 20 world-class players in the whole Premier League, which is a very small number. “Therefore, replacing world-class players is very difficult.”And therefore, if you win things, you have a lot of world-class players because that’s how you win things. But when they get older, it’s very difficult to replace them.”You’ve got to look at how many world-class players you’ve got in your team, and they won’t be world-class forever, they get older and tend to dip. “This is what I mean about looking at things strategically. “You’ve got to ask the right questions. You’ve got to be probing. I don’t think a lot of people do that.”Arsenal were, in the Invincible years, were really lucky because, they had Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and Gilberto Silva, there’s five world-class players.”READ MORE SUN STORIESRead our full interview with EdelmanEdelman has landed a new role away from football. He has taken up a position with the country’s leading keynote speakers’ agency, Champions Speakers, to deliver speeches in the business worldHenry had three seasons with Barcelona, winning the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersRobert Pires, Gilberto and Patrick Vieira were all deemed ‘world-class’ playersCredit: GettyFormer Arsenal managing director Keith Edelman, right, lifted the lid on the Arsene Wenger eraCredit: PA:Press Association More