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      Carlo Ancelotti ‘to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season with Xabi Alonso favourite to take over as manager’

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      CARLO ANCELOTTI will quit Real Madrid with Xabi Alonso ready to replace him, according to reports.The 65-year-old boss guided Los Blancos to LaLiga and Champions League glory last season.Carlo Ancelotti is set to quit as Real Madrid boss at the end of the seasonCredit: RexXabi Alonso is the favourite to replace AncelottiCredit: EPABut Ancelotti is apparently ready to step down as manager in the summer.The Italian, who is three-and-a-half years into his second spell at the club, signed a new deal in 2023.Ancelotti’s contract came amid rumours he was going to leave to become Brazil manager.His contract at the Bernabeu runs until 2026, but he will reportedly now say farewell “no matter what happens” between now and the end of the season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAncelotti has come under criticism for losing two El Clasico’s to bitter rivals Barcelona 4-0 and 5-2.He also oversaw a poor start to the season that has left Real Madrid 20th in the Champions League table.But they have since recovered in the league and now sit top.Ancelotti has won two LaLiga titles in his second spell at the Bernabeu, as well as two Champions Leagues.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe also won the European Cup in his first tenure, in 2014.Club president Floretino Perez is already working on replacing Ancelotti and is targeting former player Xabi Alonso.Fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti has had lip fillers as reason for Real Madrid manager’s swollen mouth is revealedThe Spaniard was heavily linked with the Liverpool job in the summer but rejected them to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.Alonso led the club to an unbeaten domestic season as they lifted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. More

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      Non-league rivals set to merge with ‘budget Ryan Reynolds’ becoming chairman following crypto billionaire investment

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      TWO non-league rivals have announced they plan to merge – in a bid to surge up the football pyramid. Bedford Town and Real Bedford are joining forces in a move designed to “transform” their fortunes.Bedford Town are set to merge with local rivals Real BedfordCredit: AlamyReal are owned by ambitious bitcoin guru Peter McCormack, who has big plansCredit: XReal are owned by Bitcoin podcaster Peter McCormack, who has previously indicated he wants to see his team in the Premier League.A statement from the two clubs read: “The Directors of Real Bedford FC and Bedford Town FC are excited to announce that discussions are in progress regarding a historic merger that has the potential to transform football in Bedford.”We are engaged in detailed negotiations to unify the two clubs into a single entity. “There is considerable work to be done, including navigating necessary governance processes and protocols, details of which will be shared in due course.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”As part of the proposed agreement, Peter McCormack would assume the role of Chairman of the newly merged club.”Jon Taylor and Ben Banks will continue as Non-Executive Directors to provide guidance during the transition and drive the club’s future ambitions.”McCormack, who has dubbed himself a “budget Ryan Reynolds”, took over the club in 2022.Then a 10th-tier club called Bedford FC, they now play in the eighth tier after an initial rebrand. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMcCormack made his fortune in virtual currency and has previously spoken about giving Bedford a league team. The town sits in between Northampton, Luton and Cambridge, who all have EFL clubs. Boyzone reuniting for Welcome to Wrexham-style TV docu-series after buying non-league Chorley FCBedford has a population of almost 130,000 – and local businessman McCormack believes that is more than enough to support a major side. McCormack said: “As a proud Bedfordian, nothing would make me happier than seeing our town represented at the highest levels in men’s and women’s football. “We’ve made amazing progress with Real Bedford, but this merger unlocks the potential to achieve something truly special in the town.”I understand that fans of Bedford Town may feel some apprehension, but this only works if we come together to make it a success. “By combining the strengths of both clubs, we’re building a united front that can deliver league football to Bedford. “I’m excited about what lies ahead and look forward to working with everyone to achieve our shared ambitions.”Bedford Town are currently in the seventh tier.Manager Lee Bircham admits the merger is necessary – because the club’s current financial position is not sustainable. Bircham admitted: “We can’t compete at this level next year.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The owners have done the right thing. “With the investment that Pete [McCormack] has got, Bedford could have a Football League club in five years.” More

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      Man Utd had a DIFFERENT NAME the last time they were this bad… and got relegated in same season

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      RUBEN AMORIM reckons his side are the “worst Manchester United team in history” – and he might be right.The Red Devils slumped to a woeful 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday to leave them 13th in the table.Ruben Amorim says his team are the worst in Man Utd historyCredit: APThey broke an unwanted club record in the 3-1 loss to BrightonCredit: APUnited honoured Newton Heath by wearing their green and gold kit in 1993, seen here on Bryan Robson, 100 years after they wore itCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdIt was United’s fifth defeat – three of which were at home – in just eight games.And winning at Old Trafford is proving a huge problem.In 12 league matches, they have been beaten six times in front of their own fans.And that horror run has matched an unwanted club record set 131 years ago for most home league games lost after 12 outings.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBack then, in the 1893/94 season, United went by the name of Newton Heath.In their green and gold shirts, they ended up losing seven at home that year and got relegated.United were known as Newton Heath when they were founded in 1878 by the carriage and wagon department of the Lancashire and Yorkshire railway depot.They were re-branded as Manchester United in 1902 after the club ran into debts and changed ownership.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThis season is set to go down in history for all the wrong reasons and the defeat to Brighton set further shocking records.It was the Seagulls’ third straight win at Old Trafford to hand United their tenth Premier League loss in 22 games this season.Reasons to be positive under Ruben AmorimIt it the earliest they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989/90.Yankuba Minteh got the scoring underway for Brighton after just five minutes and it was the fifth time in a row they conceded the first goal at Old Trafford, their joint-longest ever run.These damming stats come after a woeful December that saw United lose three consecutive domestic games at home for the first time since 1979.And Amorim’s men suffered defeat on six occasions last month in all competitions, which was the most amount of losses in a single month since September 1930.United were last relegated at the end of the 1973/74 campaign and despite Amorim claiming going down is a “possibility”, they sit ten points above the drop zone.Man Utd ratings vs BrightonBy Ken LawrenceANDRE ONANA 4 – No chance with either of the Seagulls’ first two goals. But an awful howler to gift them their third.MATTHIJS DE LIGT 5 – Certainly doesn’t look like he likes players running at him as Kaoru Mitoma constantly did. Looked unsure of himself throughout.HARRY MAGUIRE 6 – The one member of United’s three-man central defence who looked like he knew what he was doing. Beginning to believe in himself again.LENY YORO 5 – The £52M youngster is still settling into the Premier League to be fair to him. But he is certainly taking his time about it.NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI 4 – Has been one of the few consistent successes of Ruben Amorim’s tactical revolution. Yet he had a real shocker this time around.MANUEL UGARTE 5 – Supposedly “tired” in the 3 – 1 win over Southampton the midfielder looked brighter here. Yet he still doesn’t look that switched-onKOBBIE MAINOO 4 – Where is last season’s Kobbie? Looks nothing like the buzzing homegrown midfielder who burst on the scene last season.DIOGO DALOT 5 – Did his duties as a left wing-back to the best of his abilities. Another United player, however, who looked nothing like sharp enough.AMAD DIALLO 7 – Thursday night’s 12-minute treble hero on a high again – unlike, again, so many team-mates. Sometimes his footwork is just dazzling.BRUNO FERNANDES 6 – Ultra-cool from the spot but that goal didn’t do much to raise his performance level. Had one of those days where nothing really clicked.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE 5 – “Won” the penalty after being brought down although Carlos Baleba’s challenge would have looked good in a wrestling ring. There’s a footballer in there somewhere…SUBSALEJANDRO GARNACHO (for Mainoo 64) 5 – Struggled to make an impact in a team that was being taken apart.TOBY COLLYER (for Ugarte 64) 5 – Plenty of youthful commitment but still too inexperienced to lift a side as poor as Amorim’s.ANTONY (for Mazraoui 84) 4 – Talk about a last throw of the dice by Amorim???RASMUS HOIJLUND (for Zirkzee 84) 4: Given a thankless task in the closing moments of another depressing display. More

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      Jose Mourinho launches new side hustle alongside Fenerbahce job as John Terry vows to be first customer

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      JOSE Mourinho has launched a wine business to go alongside managing Fenerbahce.And John Terry has already promised to support his former Chelsea gaffer’s new side hustle.Jose Mourinho has launched a new side hustleCredit: JOSEMOURINHO INSTAGRAMMourinho hard launched his new wine business himself on InstagramCredit: JOSEMOURINHO INSTAGRAMOf course, the former Premier League boss has called his wine ‘The Special One’Credit: JOSEMOURINHO INSTAGRAMMourinho hard launched his brand new red wine called ‘The Special One’ on Instagram this morning in classic Jose fashion.The 61-year-old said in a promotion video: “Finals, I’ve won them. Leagues, I’ve conquered them. I’ve never been one of the bottle. I make the bottle.”I prefer not to speak. My achievements, my success, my work. They speak for themselves. This is the Special One, now yours to share.”The clip begins with the Portuguese manager sat with his back to camera with dramatic piano music playing in the background.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe new entrepreneur also wore a flash blue suit and sat stoic in a black leather chair, before sipping his new drink.Mourinho cleverly referenced his iconic cryptic statement of “preferring not to speak” about referee Chris Foy in 2014.Foy sent off Brazilian duo Willian and Ramires in the Blues’ 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, before sending Mourinho to the stands.The hilarious interview is considered to be one of his best and later became a social media meme.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMourinho captioned the launch: “As someone who values precision, quality and excellence in every endeavour, I am proud to present my very own wine ‘The Special One’. “Handpicked from one of my favourite regions in Portugal, this wine reflects the spirit of my homeland and my relentless desire to enjoy every moment in life. Jose Mourinho confirms he has undergone minor surgery but won’t miss a single Fenerbahce training sessionTerry and Mourinho won three Premier League titles togetherCredit: AFP AFP or Licensors”Crafted with passion and care, it is a gift from one special one to another. This wine is meant to be shared with someone truly special.”Under it, former Chelsea captain Terry wrote: “Two cases please Boss 🤣🍷.”Terry and Mourinho won three Premier League titles together over two spells at Chelsea from 2004–2006 and 2014–2015. Terry once described Mourinho as “the very best I have ever worked with.”Meanwhile Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig under the former Man Utd and Tottenham manager’s leadership.Mourinho joins a long list of people in the world of Prem football who’ve turned to making wine.Manchester City legend David Silva has a successful wine business in Spain.Silva joined forces with winemaker Jonatan Garcia and launched a new winery called Bodega Tameran, in the Canary Islands.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhile former Man Utd CEO Ed Woodward is involved in winemaking in the Douro Valley of Portugal.Woodward bought Quinta da Pedra Alta, a 35-hectare wine property, in 2018.Silva is also focused on making top quality wineEx Man Utd chief Ed Woodward works in winemaking More

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      Abandoned 30,000-seater Olympic stadium could become new home of Euro giants as mayor gives approval to £332m plan

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      AN ABANDONED 30,000-seater Olympic stadium could become the new home of a European giant after a £332million revamp project was given the green light.Stadio Flaminio is situated in Rome and was built for the 1960 Olympic Games.An abandoned 30,000-seater stadium could become the new home of a football giantCredit: GettyThe Stadio Flaminio is situated in Rome and was built for the 1960s OlympicsCredit: GettyIt showed a number of events and sports including rugbyCredit: GettyHowever, years of disrepair and decay saw the arena end up completely abandoned.As well as athletics, it had also been used for rugby and even music concerts.And the Stadio Flaminio’s decline into obscurity left locals upset.However, in 2021, the president of a Serie A football club put forward a plan to rebuild the stadium to its former glory.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe proposed to revamp the arena into a modern-day 40,000 seater behemoth.And now the dream is on for his top-flight team to make it their permanent home.The president who is the driving force behind Stadio Flaminio’s rebuild is none other than Claudio Lotito.He is one of the biggest names in Serie A football.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd Lotito is chief supremo of none other than Lazio.The capital club currently ply their trade at the Stadio Olimpico.Inside iconic abandoned stadium that hosted England matches before falling into disrepair when club went bust The stadium is now completely abandonedCredit: YouTube @Nome PredefinitoIt has fallen into a state of disrepairCredit: YouTube @Nome PredefinitoA plan to rebuild the stadium has now been approved by Rome’s mayorCredit: YouTube @Nome PredefinitoYet Lotito hopes once Stadio Flaminio is complete, Lazio could end up playing there full-time.His plan, which is expected to cost £332m, is now off the ground after being approved by Rome’s mayor.Roberto Gualtieri said: “I think the Flaminio stadium project is beautiful and worthy of support.”As well as repairing the pitch and stadium itself, Lazio president Lotito also plans to transform the surrounding area into a multi-sport facility.There are amazing plans to house an Olympic-sized swimming pool under the stadium — as well as an ice rink and four tennis courts.While the field itself would also be used for women’s football and rugby matches, with the prospect of the Italian national team returning there one day.Lazio president Claudio Lotito is the driving force behind the projectCredit: GettyLazio currently play at the Stadio OlimpicoCredit: Getty More

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      Tottenham recall club’s youngest ever debutant from Championship loan as Postecoglou faces mammoth injury crisis

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      TOTTENHAM have recalled young striker Dane Scarlett from Oxford – but plan to loan him out again.Spurs’ first team are painfully short of attacking options after Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson joined their massive list of injuries.Tottenham have recalled striker Dane Scartlett from his loan at Oxford UnitedCredit: AlamyThe forward scored four times for the Championship sideCredit: GettyBut rather than Scarlett being brought back to bolster numbers, the 20-year-old has been recalled due to a lack of game-time at Championship side United.The N17 academy product made just seven league starts for the Yellows, netting four times.Spurs are looking to farm him back out in this window to boost his experience.The North Londoners remain on the lookout for a new forward this window, having brought in only goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky so far.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThey missed out on Randal Kolo Muani, who is joining Juventus on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.Boss Ange Postecoglou said after Sunday’s defeat to Everton that the club were doing everything in their power to add new faces, but that nothing was “imminent”.The Aussie, whose job remains safe despite recording a 12th league loss of the season at Goodison Park, added: “The club’s well aware of our situation and they’re doing their utmost.”As far as I know at the moment there’s nothing imminent.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”But you know, I assume between now and we’re getting to the end of the window that hopefully something comes up.”Spurs were without ten players at the Toffees, including four attacking players.SunSports’ Tom Barclay speaks on Tottenham’s current poor form which has led the club to the cup of a relegation battle Solanke is set to miss the next few weeks with a knee problem, while Johnson faces a month out with a knock.Timo Werner is still three weeks away with a hamstring injury – which is the same issue that has ruled summer signing Wilson Odobert for most of the campaign.Scarlett became Tottenham’s youngest-ever debutant in 2021 and drew praise from then-manager Jose Mourinho. The Special One said: “He is a diamond, a kid with incredible potential.Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine.”He is going to be a fantastic player and I hope everything around him goes well. “He is a striker, a number nine, I have been playing him from the sides similar to Marcus Rashford and he is very clever.”READ MORE SUN STORIESScarlett, now 20, has played for England at five different age levels.He has previously been on loan to Portsmouth and Ipswich Town. More

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      Chelsea vs Wolves LIVE SCORE: Cole Palmer injury latest with Blues superstar in race to be fit after missing training

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      CHELSEA host Wolves at Stamford Bridge for a huge Premier League clash TONIGHT.The Blues are winless in five Premier League matches and find themselves outside the top four ahead of kick-off and are facing an injury crisis. Enzo Maresca will have up to NINE Chelsea stars missing as they face a struggling Wolves side, with the likes of Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Romeo Lavia among those who missed training on Friday.New Wolves boss Vitor Pereira had an enjoyable honeymoon period after Wanderers picked up seven points from his opening three points, but form has slumped in recent weeks following back-to-back 3-0 defeats in the Premier League.Kick off time: 8pm GMTTV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier LeagueLive stream: NOW/Sky Sports appChelsea team: To follow…Wolves team: To follow…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSFollow our live blog below…Wolves last 6 In contrast, Wolves have relatively picked up the pace since the appointment of their new head caoch Vítor Pereira. In their last six, they’ve been able to amass the same amount of wins (3) as they did in the 18 prior under predecessor Gary O’Neil. The stern start as tailed off in recent weeks with the three-game suspesion of Matheus Cunha proving noticable. Current form:Dec 22 – Leister City 0-3 WolvesDec 26 – Wolves 2-0 Mancheseter UnitedDec 29 – Tottenham 2-2 WolvesJan 6 – Wolves 0-3 Nottingham Foorrest Jan 11 – Bristol City 1-2 Wolves Jan 15 – Newcastle 3-0 WolvesCopy linkCopiedChelsea last 6This time last month Chelsea were being hailed as serious title contenders after five straight Premier League wins and nine in 10 matches in all competitions.While Chelsea were unbeatable at that stage, they haven’t been able to find a win since.The Blues now have just three points in their last five (very winnable) Premier League games and their only win since December 20 has been the 5-0 FA Cup win over League Two Morecambe.Current form: Dec 22 – Everton 0-0 ChelseaDec 26 – Chelsea 1-2 FulhamDec 30 – Ipswich 2-0 ChelseaJan 4 – Crystal Palace 1-1 ChelseaJan 11 – Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe (FA Cup)Jan 14 – Chelsea 2-2 BournemouthCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedGood sistersChelsea have reportedly agreed to sign Mamadou Sarr from sister club Strasbourg. The Blues have spent £12.5million on the centre-back, 19, but RMC state he will stay in Ligue 1 until the summer.Chelsea already have three players on loan at the club – goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, defender Caleb Wiley and midfielder Andrey Santos.Terms on a contract are already said to have been agreed, but not yet signed.Copy linkCopiedNoni anniversaryToday marks the two year anniversary of Noni Madueke signing for Chelsea. The winger joined from Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 and has cemented himself as one of the better deals conducted during the chaotic wheeling and dealing period of the club.Madueke, 22, is Chelsea’s third most productive player in the league this season and will surely provide sufficient deputy for the absence of Cole Palmer this evening. Credit: ReutersCopy linkCopiedGittens enquiryAs for who could come in for the Blues, Jamie Gittens seems to be the main topic of interest. The Borussia Dortmund winger has been in electric form this season so far, with 11 goals and five assists, to the alert of top English clubs back home. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Chelsea made formal enquiry for the 20-year-old last week, while Liverpool also sent their scouts several times to follow his progress. One that will certainly rumble on. Credit: RexCopy linkCopiedItaly interest for Chillwell One player who will almost certainly not be featuring for Chelsea this weekend is outcast Ben Chilwell. The left-back hasn’t made a single Premier League or Europa League appearance under Enzo Maresca this season.And Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla claims Serie A giants Juventus have emerged as leading contenders.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedHow Chelsea could line up against WolvesChelsea are set to be forced into a makeshift starting XI when they take on Wolves tonight, with star man Cole Palmer set to miss out through injury.The Blues have been hit by a wave of injuries going into the crunch Premier League clash.With Chelsea missing up to nine players, SunSport have looked at the players available to Enzo Maresca. Here’s how the Blues could line up on Monday: Copy linkCopiedWolves worriesChelsea aren’t the only side with injury concerns, of course. Vitor Pereira could be without star man Matheus Cunha, who was ill at the end of last week.The Brazilian, who has 10 goals this season, was another player who missed training on Friday.Pereira said on Friday: “Today, he was out of the training because he got the flu. “He’s a bit sick, and I hope tomorrow he will be on the pitch. “Then, it’s a possibility to be in the next game.”Again, there has been no update since then from the club.Toti Gomes and Boubacar Traore are close to returning but aren’t expected to be fit for the Chelsea match.Sasa Kalajdzic, Yerson Mosquera and Enso Gonzalez aren’t due back for weeks.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedOthers missingIt’s not just Palmer that could miss the crunch clash against Wolves.Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile are both longer-term injury concerns, as is Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.Mykhailo Mudryk is out indefinitely due to his drug case.The more pressing concerns, alongside Palmer, are Levi Colewill, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia.All three started the draw with Bournemouth but we also left out of training on Friday.Maresca said: “[Along with Palmer] Levi was also not in the session today, Enzo wasn’t in the session today, Romeo wasn’t in the session today. “So, we have three or four players who are doubts for Monday’s game because of the last game.”We’ll bring you any and all updates on those players as soon as we hear them.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopied’Cole is a doubt’Maresca revealed on Friday that Palmer had missed training and was unsure if he was going to train over the weekend.There has been no update from the club since.At the time, Maresca revealed: “Cole is a doubt.”The first half [of the last game] they kicked him so he didn’t train today.”We don’t know if he will train in the next two days.” Palmer has scored or assisted 20 of Chelsea’s 41 Premier League goals this season and leads his team-mates in both goals (14) and assists (6).”We rely on Cole because he’s a big player,” Maresca added. “We prefer to play with Cole but in case he has an injury or a problem, then we will find a solution.”Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedGood morning!Hello and welcome to our (very) early coverage of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Wolves.Kick-off is not until much later – 8pm – but with so much speculation surrounding Chelsea’s injury crisis, we thought we’d treat you all to an early start.Chelsea fans will know the trouble they are in by now, Enzo Maresca may have as many as NINE players missing. Cole Palmer is one of those and Blues supporters will be sweating on his fitness.The Chelsea star, as well as Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez and Romeo Lavia, were all held out of training on Friday and are facing late fitness tests.Credit: PACopy linkCopied More

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      Cole Palmer and Liam Delap lead incredible XI of stars now worth £460million that Man City let go

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      MANCHESTER CITY have dominated the Premier League over recent seasons – thanks to mammoth spending and a world-class academy. The City Football Academy continues to bring through a seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of talent. Phil Foden and Cole Palmer are England regulars – but could have been tearing up defences together at club levelCredit: GettyCity have enjoyed huge success in recent years after spending billions on playersCredit: GettySome stars – such as Phil Foden – have broken through into the first team at the Etihad.While others – including Cole Palmer and Liam Delap – have moved on, arguably prematurely, for hefty transfer fees.SunSport has investigated if there could be a tinge of regret at City for letting some youngsters go.Palmer, Delap and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers all feature in this XI the club had in the building – but chose to let go.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAccording to Transfermarkt values, the star-studded team is now worth over £460million combined. James Trafford – £15.2mFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe England under-21 goalkeeper joined Burnley for £15million in July 2023 after six years in the Etihad Academy. Trafford is a penalty-saving machine and recently denied Sunderland’s Wilson Isidor twice from the spot in the same game. Most read in FootballThe 22-year-old has helped make the Clarets the best defence in the Championship this season, conceding just 9 goals in 27 games.Behind the scenes with Burnley goalkeeper James TraffordPedro Porro – £38mOriginally bought in as an 18-year-old youth team prospect in 2019, Porro never made a first-team appearance for City.He was shipped out on loan and eventually landed at Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £17.4m.Now rated at more than double that price, Porro is back in the Premier League with Spurs as a first-team regular. Taylor Harwood-Bellis – £21mHailing from Stockport, Harwood-Bellis was snapped up by City at the age of just 6. He was a rock in defence as City made the FA Youth Cup final in 2019 and made his debut for the first XI later that year.After a successful loan move to Southampton last season, he was bought by the Saints after their promotion for £20m. Harwood-Bellis spent more than a decade in the City academyCredit: GettyTosin Adarabioyo – £16.9mAdarabioyo was spotted by City’s head of recruitment Terry John when he was just 5 years old.He spent 13 years in the academy but appeared in just four senior games for the club.Tosin established himself as a Prem regular at Fulham last season, before switching to Chelsea in the summer. Tosin has found success in the Premier League after leaving the EtihadCredit: ReutersRomeo Lavia – £33.8mCity tempted Lavia to sign into their Academy as a raw but talented 16-year-old.He joined from Anderlecht and within a year was training with the first team. Looking for regular football, he joined Southampton and earned a big-money move to Chelsea a year later, penning a mammoth seven-year deal.Injuries may have derailed his progress, but Lavia remains one of the Prem’s hottest prospects. Lavia was snapped up as a 16-year-old by City but left for first-team opportunitiesCredit: GettyFelix Nmecha – £16mNmecha was born in Germany but joined the City academy at the age of just 7. He starred in all age groups but was controversially let go by City when his contract expired in June 2021.Nmecha went back to Germany, where he impressed for first Wolfsburg and is now a regular at Dortmund. Nmecha (left) is now a first-team regular at DortmundCredit: ReutersJadon Sancho – £25.3m An Academy media darling, Sancho joined City from Watford as a 15-year-old and was fast-tracked into the senior setup. But after failing to get playing time, Dortmund swooped to land the prospect for a cut-price £8m.Sancho’s career has not taken off as anticipated since a £72m switch back to Manchester with City’s rivals Utd in 2021.He is still contracted to the Red Devils, but is currently away on loan at Chelsea where he’s netted 2 goals in 15 games this term. Sancho is now back in Manchester – but on the red side of the cityCredit: PA:Press AssociationMichael Olise – £55mOlise serves as a missed opportunity for City, Arsenal, and Chelsea.All three had the winger on their books before he was allowed to join Reading in 2017. Olise has since progressed into one of Europe’s most exciting playmakers, earning a £50m move to Bayern Munich from Crystal Palace last summer.Michael Olise completes £49.5m Bayern Munich transfer as Crystal Palace release classy farewell statementCole Palmer – £110mPalmer could yet prove to be City’s biggest mistake after the club let the forward leave for £40million in the summer of 2023.The 22-year-old had already broken into the first team at the Etihad when the Blues came knocking, but had been unable to secure a regular first-team spot.He has since thrived with both England and Chelsea since making the move south.Palmer has scored 36 goals in just 54 games for Chelsea, adding 17 assists. City’s decision to release Cole Palmer could come back to haunt themCredit: AFPMorgan Rogers £33.8mRogers was snapped up from West Brom after starring in the 2019 FA Youth Cup semi-final.He was farmed out on loan to various EFL clubs before landing at Middlesbrough in 2023.Rogers, still only 22, has come on leaps and bounds over the past two years. He joined Aston Villa for a reported £15m and is enjoying a breakthrough season, netting 6 times in 21 games. Rogers was snapped up by City after leaving Derby – but is now a Prem regular for VillaCredit: GettyLiam Delap £21.1mCity brought in Delap from Derby in 2019 after his impressive goal record for England’s youth teams. He made his first team debut in September 2020, before successful loans with Stoke, Preston and Hull.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith no route into the first team anytime soon, Ipswich swooped for Delap after their promotion to the Premier League. The powerful striker committed the next five years to the Tractor Boys and has 8 goals already this season. More