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      Abandoned stadium that hosted Liverpool reclaimed by nature after 16 years closed as locals refuse to knock it down

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      AN ABANDONED stadium that hosted Liverpool has been overcome by nature after being closed for the best part of two decades.The Bezigrad Stadium, located in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has been shut since 2008.The Bezigrad Stadium in Slovenia has been left to rot since 2008The stadium hosted 27 international matchesMichael Owen broke Liverpool’s European goal record at the groundBut it has been left derelict since 2008Former club NK Olimpija Ljubljana left the ground in 2008Building for the stadium began back in 1925 after being designed by Joze Plecnik – a Slovenian architect who had a huge influence on the modern design of Vienna.Construction was completed in 1935, with the stadium having an official seating capacity of 8,259.Following World War Two, the stadium was home to NK Olimpija and was also used for track and field events.The club, founded in 1945, played there throughout it’s history until its dissolution in 2005 due to a huge financial debt.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFrom 2005 to 2007 phoenix club NK Bezigrad was founded and played at the ground too.Liverpool scraped a 1-1 draw during a Uefa Cup match at the stadium in 2003/04 season, with Michael Owen scoring to beat Ian Rush’s record of European goals for the Reds.The stadium also played host to 27 matches for the Slovenian national team between 1995 and 2004 after the country gained its Independence.Many of these games were European Championship qualifiers, with Ukraine first playing there in 1995.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOpponents to visit the stadium ranged from Faroe Islands and Cyprus to France and Denmark.When Les Blues played there in a Euro 2004 qualifying match in September 2003, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry registered an assist for the only goal of Olivier Dacourt’s France career in a 2-0 win.Everton fans say ‘I feel sick just looking at it’ as new video of Bramley Moore Dock stadium go viral It was a match that also saw Zinedine Zidane and Patrick Vieira booked, while Claude Makelele was sent off.However, it has been left to the elements since 2008 when NK Olimpija, now known as Olimpija Ljubljana, moved into the neighbouring Stožice Stadium.Plans to redevelop the stadium have been drawn up in the past, with a £212million project being proposed the same year as its initial closure.The multi-purpose upgrade would have seen the building of multiple commercial outlets including a shopping centre, hotel, sports hall and restaurants.But objections from local residents and a lack of investment have thwarted progress.And consequently it currently lies behind fences and paddocks with weeds breaking through the concrete. More

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      Gary Neville explains what happened in Man Utd meeting amid pressure on Erik ten Hag’s job

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      GARY NEVILLE has revealed what was discussed in his recent meeting with the Manchester United top brass.The former Red Devils defender was part of a meeting on Monday at OId Trafford with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and key board members.Gary Neville recently sat in on a Manchester United meetingCredit: GettyThe club legend discussed the club’s plans to renovate Old Trafford with Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: PANeville insists footballing matters were NOT discussed in the meetingCredit: YOUTUBE@THEOVERLAPNeville was quizzed about the get-together during the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, which is brought to you by Sky Bet, and was dubbed an “inside man” by fellow podcaster Ian Wright.But the 49-year-old hit back at the Arsenal legend’s suggestion, and claimed he was not privvy to any discussions about the future of under-fire manager Erik ten HagNeville’s meeting with United hierarchy came amid growing pressure on ten Hag, who has overseen Utd’s worst start to a Premier League season since 1989.But the retired defender insists the team’s current woes under the Dutchman WERE NOT discussed in the meeting – and he was only consulted about plans to rebuild Old Trafford.READ MORE ON MAN UTDNeville was adamant, saying: “I’m not on the inside of it, no I’m not.”I went on Monday to meet them about the regeneration side.”When pressed if he gave his thoughts on footballing matters, he responded: “Not at all.”Not at all [did I talk about] footballing matters. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I went in with a couple members of the regeneration task force and basically spoke about that.”United’s hammering at the hands of Tottenham late last month and drab draws with FC Twente and Aston Villa have sparked more calls for Ten Hag to be relieved of his duties.But club legend Wayne Rooney insists the buck doesn’t just stop with the former Ajax gaffer.Roy Keane reveals he has ‘given up’ with Man Utd as he, Rooney and Neville lay into Ten Hag’s ‘disgusting’ flops The Plymouth Argyle manager said: “Something needs to change.”I’m not saying that’s purely the manager, but the performances and the lack of desire when you watch the players, it’s crazy.”I was there at the Tottenham game and that’s as bad as I’ve seen in Old Trafford for a long, long time.”Former United skipper Roy Keane shares Rooney’s thoughts on the team’s struggles, saying: “The players came out after the match and are going, ‘I think they wanted it more than us’.”I kind of gave up at that stage.”If that’s the noise coming out of the dressing room, then no wonder the manager is in trouble.”Ten Hag knows his head is on the chopping block but is confident his troops can turn things around.Erik ten Hag is confident of turning Manchester United’s fortunes aroundCredit: GETTYHe told Sky Sports “We are going to make a success from the season.”Nothing is easy, but this is nothing for me to panic about. We can sort [the problems] out, this team can sort this out.””I’m not thinking about it,” he said when asked if he’s worried about being sacked. “I’m not anxious.”We created a togetherness in the summer with the ownership and the leadership.”We made this agreement, and we were all behind it. We know the strategy [is to bring in] young players in a transition period.READ MORE SUN STORIES”They also know in May in all my last six seasons there were always trophies and that is what we are aiming for.”Manchester United will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Brentford to Old Trafford.Ten Hag’s five worst defeatsERIK TEN HAG has suffered some heavy defeats during his tenure as Manchester United manager.5. Copenhagen 4-3 Man Utd, November 2023The damaging defeat saw the Red Devils dumped out of the Champions League.4. Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth, December 2023It was the first time the Cherries had ever won at Old Trafford with the players being booed off.3. Brentford 4-0 Man Utd, August 2022Perhaps a sign of things to come, in Ten Hag’s second Premier League game, his side was dismantled by the Bees.2. Crystal Palace 4-0 Man Utd, May 2024The heavy defeat to the Eagles saw the Dutchman edge ever closer to the sack.1. Liverpool 7-0 Man Utd, March 2023Man Utd were embarrassed at the hands of their bitter rivals as they crumbled at Anfield as it was the club’s worst defeat in 92 years. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo text me listing every single trophy he’d won after I said he wasn’t in my top 10 players of all time

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      A FORMER Real Madrid forward says Cristiano Ronaldo messaged him with a list of his trophies after snubbing the Portuguese icon from his all-time top ten.Antonio Cassano seems to have a vendetta against one of the greatest footballers ever.Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at criticism from a fellow ex-Real Madrid forwardCredit: GettyThe Portugal superstar has won the Ballon d’Or five timesCredit: AFPAnd in a shock verdict, he snubbed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner from his list – behind the likes of Lionel Messi, Pele, Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff and the ‘original’ Brazilian Ronaldo.But those public comments did not go down well with the former Manchester United forward, 39, who personally reached out to Cassano to set the record straight. Speaking on the BSMT podcast, Cassano, 42, said: “I said Ronaldo is No1, the Brazilian. “Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t make my top five, or even top ten, because for me the quality of a player is another thing.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”Next thing, I finish the work I was doing and I get a text message from a +34 number, that’s Spain. It’s a list of all the trophies, goals and statistics.”Then he sends me a voice note, telling me, ‘You disrespected me, don’t do anything like that again. You only scored 150 goals, you only won four trophies.’ Perfect.“So I answer him. I say, ‘Dear Cristiano, listen to me. You think I disrespected you, I just don’t like you as a player. What’s the problem?’“He went to the trouble of messaging me, imagine.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSCassano – who claimed he could have been as good as Lionel Messi or Neymar – came through at Bari before playing for some of Europe’s top clubs including Roma, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Inter Milan.The forward also racked up 39 caps for Italy and two league titles – a LaLiga with Los Blancos and the 2010-11 Serie A during his time at AC Milan. Inside Cristiano Ronaldo’s former Cheshire home on sale for £5m with seven bedrooms, padel courts, pool and guest barnBut despite his highly-controversial and mediocre career compared to the illustrious achievements of Ronaldo, that has not stopped him from launching multiple personal assaults on the Al-Nassr man.Cassano also blasted CR7 as “selfish” and only thinking about “goals and records”.He then likened Ronaldo to Filippo Inzaghi and David Trezeguet for simply being a good goalscorer – not a “genius” footballer. In September 2022, Cassano told the Portugal legend to “do yourself a favour” and “stop” his career by retiring.And two years later, he piled in again by insisting Ronaldo “doesn’t know how to play football”.He added: “He could score 3,000 goals, I don’t give a f***.Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophy cabinetSPORTING CPSupertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002MANCHESTER UNITEDPremier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09FA Cup: 2003–04League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09FA Community Shield: 2007Champions League: 2007–08Club World Cup: 2008REAL MADRIDLa Liga: 2011–12, 2016–17Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14Supercopa de España: 2012, 2017Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18Super Cup: 2014, 2017Club World Cup: 2014, 2016, 2017JUVENTUSSerie A: 2018–19, 2019–20Coppa Italia: 2020–21Supercoppa Italiana: 2018, 2020AL-NASSRArab Club Champions Cup: 2023PORTUGALEuropean Championship: 2016Nations League: 2018–19″[Gonzalo] Higuain, [Sergio] Aguero, [Karim] Benzema, [Robert] Lewandowski, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Luis] Suarez knew how to link-up with the team.”They knew how to do a lot of things, unlike Ronaldo whose only objective has always been to score.”However, Ronaldo is not the only target Cassano has taken aim at.He also suggested Erling Haaland was simply a goal machine who does not understand how to play the beautiful game, either. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut his comments about compatriot Jorginho prompted an awkward encounter on the beach between the pair. That is because Cassano publicly laughed off legitimate suggestions that Jorginho was in the running for the Ballon d’Or after winning the Champions League and Euros in 2021. Antonio Cassano appears to have a personal gripe against RonaldoCredit: GettyHe told the story when he appeared on a podcastCredit: YouTube More

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      Agonising wait for George Baldock’s exact cause of death after it ‘took 5hrs’ for footballer’s body to be found in pool

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      GEORGE Baldock’s body was found in his pool five hours after he died – as an agonising wait has begun to learn the footballer’s cause of death.The defensive ace, 31, was found dead in his swimming pool at home in Athens on Wednesday night.Baldock was playing for Panathinaikos FC this yearCredit: RexBaldock’s body was pulled from the bottom of his poolCredit: LNPEmergency services tried to revive the defenderCredit: ReutersTributes have been laid for ex-Sheffield United playerCredit: GettyA half-empty bottle of vodka and two glasses were found next to the pool – with police now investigating whether another person was present at the time.Forensic scientists who conducted the autopsy on Baldock at Athens’ University Hospital believe he was dead for five hours before he was discovered.A large amount of water was found in Baldock’s lungs by the boffins – leading police to believe he likely drowned.A police source told the Sun: “There were no bruises or cuts on his body. Read more in football”When he was removed from the bottom of the pool and turned round water gushed out of him, suggesting, of course, that he had drowned.”But it remains unclear why the water got into his lungs in the first place.Cops said it would be ” several weeks, if not months” before the full autopsy and toxicology results were released.According to Greek media, Baldock’s wife – who lives in England – was trying to contact the former Sheffield United star and had began to worry.Most read in FootballAfter failing to track him down, she then told the owner of the house in Glyfada to check the property.The full-back, who joined Athens side Panathinaikos from Sheffield United this summer, was found at the bottom of the pool by his landlord who jumped over the fence to get into the home.George Baldock’s heartbreaking summer farewell message to Sheffield Utd fans re-emerges after star found dead aged 31The Greece international, who was born in Buckingham but qualifies for the team via his grandmother, was found wearing swimming trunks and was pulled out of the water by emergency services.They tried to resuscitate him but sadly could not revive him.The emergency service (EKAV) doctor deemed that Baldock’s death had occurred at least an hour before he was found by the landlord.Authorities will check camera footage, although early findings show there is no indication of foul play.Police are investigating whether other people were present at the time of his deathCredit: RexEmergency services tried to resuscitate the player but could not save himCredit: LNPThe autopsy is expected to come out on Friday or Saturday while the toxicology results will take a longer time.Tributes flowed to Baldock following the news of his death.Baldock’s family later released a statement saying: “as a family we are in shock at this terrible loss.”The football clubs he played for also released touching tributes.Panathinaikos said: “We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George.”The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”Former side Sheffield United also paid tribute.They said: “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.READ MORE SUN STORIES”The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.”The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George BaldockBy Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports ReporterIT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?'”At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.”You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.”Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.”And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.”Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.Baldock celebrates a win against ReadingCredit: Getty More

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      ‘Who sanctioned that’ fumes Arsenal legend as he rips into Man Utd’s ‘bag of Revels’ transfer failures and £80m flop

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      PAUL MERSON has launched a scathing attack on Manchester United’s transfer business under Erik ten Hag.The Arsenal legend was flabbergasted with United’s pursuit of Antony after ripping into the Brazilian’s £85.5m move.Paul Merson has slammed United’s recruitment business under Erik ten HagCredit: GettyThe Arsenal legend singled out Antony’s move to Old Trafford in particularCredit: GettyErik ten Hag’s future is in the balance after the Red Devils recorded their worst ever start to a Premier League season.United sit 14th after picking up eight points from seven games and have scored ONE goal at Old Trafford in the Prem this season – on the opening day 1-0 win over Fulham.The Dutchman’s future was discussed by club executives on Tuesday but there has been no communication on the outcomes of that near seven-hour meeting.Despite a £180m summer outlay on Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, Merson took aim at the transfer strategy.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSSky Sports presenter Rob Jones asked Merson: “If United have been a bag of Revels for two years now, that’s surely evidence that Ten Hag is not the man to take them forward?”This sparked a classic Merson rant: “Man Utd have to be patient. And the only way to be patient is having a plan. And the plan is going to take time.”I mean Man Utd have to start walking again before they can start running and they definitely can’t start sprinting yet. And this is what everybody thinks. “The one thing that would worry me more than anything is who has come into that club and you’ve gone ‘wow he was a major success’.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I mean Antony was £80m, have you picked up yet? Or have you fallen over?”I thought you’d fall over when I said £80m. I mean that just sums it all up. “I’m looking at the players they’ve bought like the boy Rasmus Hojlund. I like Hojlund, the centre-forward, but he’s a young kid.Roy Keane blasts ‘don’t bloody say it you fool’ in furious rant at Eriksen after Man Utd star’s controversial comment “You can’t put a young kid into Man Utd up front in a struggling team and say ‘go on mate go and get me 20 goals a season’.”You can’t do it. For me it’s so wrong. And that’s me sitting on the outside. I just don’t know what they’ve done.””I mean £80m – who sanctioned that?”And I don’t want to be horrible, I watched him in Holland, he goes down the wing, he cuts in and bends it into the far corner. He done it every week in Holland.”You come to the Premier League and every single full-back is an international. And they work you out and won’t show you on that foot.” “United can’t even say ‘do you what we will swallow one here and get £40m for him – they won’t even get that.”In the midst of his passionate display, Merson also claimed that United legend Gary Neville would be perfect to bring in to oversee recruitment.He added: “Gary has been at that club all his career, and he knows football from the inside out.READ MORE SUN STORIES”You put someone like him in charge, even Rio Ferdinand, someone like that or even both of them together, and you go ‘right, we want to build this club- what players should we be bringing in?’”The Red Devils admitted that they overpaid for Antony, 24, who joined from Ajax in 2022. More

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      Stunning Wag claims Mauro Icardi warned her that Wanda Nara was having an affair with her footie husband

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      SIMONA GUATIERI has claimed that she was warned by Mauro Icardi that her husband was having an affair with his ex-wife.The Italian model and television personality was married to former Lazio star Keita Balde but they split earlier this year.Simona Guatieri was married to footballer Keita BaldeCredit: INSTAGRAMTheir marriage ended earlier this yearCredit: INSTAGRAMSimona claimed that Balde had an affair with Wanda NaraCredit: INSTAGRAM @wanda_naraMauro Icardi warned her of the affairCredit: Instagram @wanda_naraThe couple first started dating in 2017 before tying the knot in 2022 while Balde was at Spartak Moscow.Simona has spoken out since their breakup in which she insisted she is “happy” with the decision despite having help from a psychologist.She claimed that Icardi warned her that Balde, 29, and his ex-wife Wanda Nara, 37, had a “secret meeting” in Dubai while he was contracted to the Russian club.She told Fanpage: “I should have returned to Moscow, but I didn’t go back because I found out about the meeting.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIcardi, 31, admitted that he warned Simona in an interview with Spanish paparazzi.He said: “You keep posting photos from when you got married and he invites Wanda to Dubai.”I’m sorry to see you posting everything like this, I’m telling you from the bottom of my heart.”I just informed a poor, conscious cuckold that her husband hasn’t stopped writing to my wife (we’re not divorced) for a while now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”I also have the messages, photos and everything he has sent her in private Instagram messages because my own wife sent them to me.”Icardi and Balde had crossed paths during their careers as they both played for Inter Milan during the 2018/19 campaign.Wanda Nara flaunts curves in tiny black bikini as she shows off new short hair and fans call her ‘too perfect’Simona is an Italian model and television personalityCredit: Instagram @simonaguatieriShe has 184K followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @simonaguatieriSimona released a message directed at Balde in which she stated that he had “destroyed” a family.She said: “You left with the wife of someone who played with you, you did the worst you could and you left.”For me the marriage is over. I will always have a bad taste in my mouth. It is a family that has been destroyed.”It was necessary to maintain the balance for the children’s growth. I say with presumption that I did not deserve all this.”She continued: “I dedicated myself to him, I was honest.”I always thought about the home, about the children. I stopped working for him.”Balde has tried to reconcile with Simona but she refused.She added: “I don’t know if he did it out of fear of the consequences or if he realized he had done something stupid.”But something inside me had broken. I think he has the wrong people around him.”Icardi and Wanda were married for ten years before their marriage officially ended in 2023.Balde was once one of the most promising footballers in Italy as he broke through in Rome.During his time at Lazio he was linked with moves to Manchester United in a mooted £26million move 2017.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe spent time in Barcelona during his youth career but was kicked out of La Masia for a practical joke in which he put an ice cube in a teammate’s bed.During his loan spell at Inter, he reportedly suffered an injury while filming a satirical TV show in a prank that went wrong.Balde was highly-rated when he broke through at LazioCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Inter MilanCredit: AFP More

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      Wayne Rooney reveals Mikel Arteta is COPYING his set-piece tactics as he exposes Arsenal scoring identical goal to Derby

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      WAYNE ROONEY revealed Mikel Arteta is COPYING his set pieces.Arsenal have been hailed for their potent approach to dead-ball situations. Wayne Rooney reckons Mikel Arteta could be nicking his set-piece tacticsCredit: YouTubeArsenal boss Arteta is reaping the rewards of Nicolas Jover’s inputCredit: GettyIn fact, no team can match the Gunners’ tally of 23 goals from set pieces and 16 from corners in the Premier League since the beginning of last season. But Rooney hinted Arteta could be nicking his tactics – after exposing Arsenal for scoring an identical goal to his Derby side nearly four years ago. Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast about the importance of set pieces, Plymouth boss Rooney said: “Set pieces are so important, the amount of matches won or lost by them is huge. “One of the coaches does it then I come in with some weird ideas.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”The Arsenal one they scored with, I did that four years ago against Middlesbrough and we scored from it.”Rooney was likely referencing Gabriel Magalhaes’ header against Manchester City.At the Etihad last month, a cluster of Arsenal players started beyond the back post and flooded the six-yard box, allowing the defender to storm in from the penalty spot and nod into the back of the net.But the positioning of the players struck a familiar chord for Rooney.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBecause when managing Derby, the Rams found the net in very similar fashion at home to Middlesbrough in a 2-1 win in February 2021. Again, at an inswinging corner from the right, the attacking side positioned a host of players way out at the back edge of the area.Roy Keane reveals he has ‘given up’ with Man Utd as he, Rooney and Neville lay into Ten Hag’s ‘disgusting’ flops And as Martyn Waghorn gave the signal, the Derby men split and four of the five ran at different angles towards the goal, causing chaos for the Boro backline. Defender Lee Buchanan made the first contact at the back post.Although unlike Gabriel, he teed the ball up across the goal as team-mate Lee Gregory headed in. Arsenal have employed Nicolas Jover as their set-piece coach and are reaping the rewards of a dedicated member of staff for a crucial part of football – both offensively and defensively.It did not work out so well at Wolves, though, who sacked their first set-piece coach Jack Wilson this week following the 5-3 defeat at Brentford.Since his summer arrival from Manchester City, winless Wolves have conceded from dead-ball situations in five of their seven Premier League matches and scored from one as they sit rooted to the bottom of the table. Rooney also referenced another of his custom set pieces, where he got a player to stand on the four corners of the penalty area and three in the D and all charged towards the mixer. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd he suggested it nearly paid off with a goal last weekend when Plymouth beat Blackburn in dramatic fashion. But then Morgan Whittacker grabbed a 97th-minute winner as the Pilgrims picked up their third victory of the season to sit 14th in the Championship table. Gabriel scored from a corner at the EtihadCredit: GettyArsenal set up for the dead-ball situation by overloading the back postCredit: YouTubeIt is virtually identical to the way Derby scored against Middlesbrough in February 2021Credit: dcfc.co.ukLee Gregory nodded in after the ball was headed back across the face of goalCredit: dcfc.co.uk More

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      Everton fans say ‘I feel sick just looking at it’ as new pictures of Bramley Moore Dock stadium go viral

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      A FRESH video of Everton’s new stadium has emerged on social media, leaving some fans with one key concern.The Toffees are set to move into the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock next summer.A new video of Everton’s stadium has been revealedCredit: X/EvertonStadiumIt showed the steepness of the standsCredit: X/EvertonStadiumSome fans have suggested it seems too highCredit: X/EvertonStadiumIt will host 52,888 fans on a match day when finally completed.But after seeing a new clip of the ground on social media, some have expressed one potential concern.The height and steepness of the stands has become a topic of conversation among some supporters.One person took to social media to write: “Don’t think I wanna be that high up.”Read More in FootballAnother commented: “I feel sick just looking at how high it is. Wonder if they provide binoculars.”A third joked: “My nose is bleeding just looking at it 😂.”While a fourth wrote: “Looks like a nice steep incline – great for atmosphere. Bad for vertigo!”The new stadium is estimated to cost a whopping £760million.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRecently, a commemorative fan wall was announced as part of the ambitious project.Dubbed ‘The Originals’, it will pay tribute to legends of the club and those who have captured the spirit of the Toffees on and off the pitch.Everton’s £760million new stadium close to completion as incredible new video of ground is revealed More