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      Who is Man Utd chief Dave Brailsford and how does he know Sir Jim Ratcliffe?

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      SIR DAVID BRAILSFORD is the right hand man of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and both men will be looking to decide the future of  Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag.The cycling expert has become something of a sports performance guru in recent years and is now Ratcliffe’s go-to lieutenant. Dave Brailsford became principal of Team Sky in 2010Credit: PA:Press Association Sir Dave Brailsford was in the stands for Manchester United’s Premier League game against Aston Villa on Boxing Day 2023Erik Ten Hag’s Man Utd future – latest updatesHe has been head of cycling outfit Team Ineos and led Great Britain to an astounding 14 Olympic medals in Beijing back in 2008 and then Team Sky and then Team Ineos to seven Tour de France titles.But more recently, he was seen leaving a very important meeting with Ratcliffe in which the future of Ten Hag as United boss will have been discussed after the Red Devils’ poor start to the season.Who is Dave Brailsford?Dave Brailsford is originally from Derby and his parents moved to Snowdonia in North Wales when he was a child, because his father loved hiking and climbing in the mountains.He went to a Welsh-speaking school called Deinolen, where he grew up speaking first-language Welsh with his fellow pupils and friends.When he went home he spoke English with his family.He told Diary of a CEO: “That left me challenged, I wanted to be the same as all my mates, part of the tribe. I wasn’t fully immersed in it… I never got the full sense I belonged there, so I was on the outside, I guess.”His mother still lives in the village.He left Ysgol Brynrefail at 16 and after racing for an amateur cycling team for four years, he went to Chester University and studied Sports and Exercise Sciences and Psychology.Later, he went on to Sheffield Hallam University and studied business.Brailsford was initially introduced to British Cycling as an advisor in 1997.He swiftly moved his way up the ladder to become programme director and eventually performance director in 2003.Team GB won two gold medals in cycling at the 2004 Olympic games, and that success continued to grow in 2008 and 2012 under Brailsford.In 2010 he was scouted as Team Sky’s manager – eventually resigning from Team GB in 2014. Brailsford with Team Sky’s Chris Froome, who won the Tour de France four timesCredit: Getty – ContributorWhat is the Team Sky manager’s ‘marginal gains’ philosophy?The two-time Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award winner is famous for reinventing British cycling – focusing on technology and psychology.He also developed a ‘marginal gains’ philosophy for British Cycling.In 2012 he explained: “The whole principle came from the idea that if you broke down everything you could think of that goes into riding a bike, and then improved it by 1%, you will get a significant increase when you put them all together.”He added: “If what you’re trying to achieve is a chore, then that’s a challenge, if I re-frame that into a positive, you’ll stick with it.”We’ll be more willing to make a change if we feel good about ourselves.”Marginal gains came from economics, marginal costing, I was reading about that and incremental gains.”Actually if you aggregate all these marginal gains, you get a big gain.”How does Sir Jim Ratcliffe know Dave Brailsford?The billionaire added Dave Brailsford to his team after his takeover at Old Trafford as he looks to build a world-class line-up behind the scenes.Brailsford has a remarkable record at improving sports teams over the years, with the most obvious improvements coming in British Cycling.The pair have already worked alongside each other in the past, back in 2019 they partnered up following Ineos’ takeover of the Sky cycling team. Sir Jim Ratcliffe (L), Chris Froome (C), Brailsford (R)Credit: GETTYWhat does Dave Brailsford know about football?Brailsford has been involved in elite sport for 25 years and after building a hugely successful Olympic cycling program and then a superb road cycling team, he has started to dip into other sports.He has been involved with the Sir Ben Ainslie’s sailing team under the Ineos brand, which has the goal of winning the Americas Cup.Ratlciffe has also got him involved in OCG Nice, which is also owned by Ineos. He was pictured during the signing of Wales and ex-Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey in 2022.He has also revealed conversations he had with legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.Brailsford said: “What Alex Ferguson did ever so well, there’s always a challenge with teams and generations who grow together, they come together and they have two, three, four years of amazing success with a group who have bonded together.”And you start to get to the end of that and at what point do you bring young talent in?”And let some of the more established talent go, there’s a transition. He did that ever so well.”We met and chatted a couple of times about that. When I was younger, he’d pop over to the velodrome and we’d sit there and chat. That was always one of the big things I wanted to ask him.”What are you watching, what are you seeing, why are you doing this? What are you seeing that makes you think it’s the right time to change and bring that youngster in here?”And he’d say that people get a bigger voice, they get a bigger standing in the dressing room, they might start to say ‘I’m not sure about that gaffer’ and they have an influence, they’d be a celebrity in the media and other things going on.”Definitely sooner rather than later, off you go, you’ve got to change it.”He was a master at it.”What did Dave Brailsford said about the Bradley Wiggins controversy?Team Sky were recently cleared of an investigation into the contents of a jiffy bag carried by cyclist Bradley Wiggins.A suspect package was sent to Sky in 2011 to treat Wiggins, but UKAD recently confirmed no sufficient evidence of the contents of the bag was found.Brailsford backed his rider throughout the saga, in 2016 he told the Guardian: “There’s a rider, there’s a doctor. They agree to visit a consultant. The consultant’s report is pretty categorical in saying there is an issue here and I recommend the following medication.“That then goes to the anti-doping authorities. They say yes, we agree with this. Or they can say no. There are different steps to this process that should give us confidence. I believe in that process. I still do.” Brailsford and Sir Bradley Wiggins on the Team Sky bus together in Italy in 2011Credit: Getty – Contributormost read in sport Is Dave Brailsford married?He has a partner Lisa Buckle, are directors of his company Brailsford Ltd.Asked if he was good at relationships, he said: “Unfortunately, that’s something I’d say I’m not that good at.”They have one daughter, Milly, together.He said of his daughter: “I absolutely adore her, I love her to bits. Since she’s been born I’ve always been involved in sport.”At some point soon I’d like to stop and spend more time together, that would be nice.”When I think ‘why am I doing all of this?’ I think I’d like her to be happy. I’d like her to have whatever she can have really. It’s a tough balancing act, that one.”What happened with Dave Brailsford’s cancer scare?Brailsford was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, then he had a heart issue that required surgery.He said: “I’d like to have a period where I just switch off. I haven’t had a holiday in a long time, I’ve had health issues too, I’ve had a heart issue this year and I’ve had cancer.”I would like to have some time out and learn the colour of life.”That was a real shock, I wasn’t expecting that at all.”I train hard and ride my bike a lot and I’m very fit. I started to get these bouts of fatigue.”Like somebody had literally taken by battery out and I just couldn’t function. I did a test and my PSA had gone up, I thought ‘I should go for another check’ and I did.”I thought it was quite a big deal at the time and I moved on.”I like the mantra tough times don’t last, tough people do and that’s it. Done.”You realise you’re not here forever. Then you think ‘what’s important, is it likely to come back? How much time have I got left?'”What happened with his heart surgery?When the pandemic was coming to a close, Brailsford’s father was unwell in hospital in France and he went to visit him.He was given open-heart surgery and given a stent.Brailsford said: “My dad was very ill, I went to the Alps, to visit the hospital.”As I was riding my bike, I was getting a pain in my throat, when I started to push it hurt a lot.”I went out for a ride with a friend of mine. I said ‘blimey I think I’m going to have to stop’.”I went for a CT scan of my heart. The guy said ‘David you have a big problem’. My left artery was completely blocked, they wouldn’t let me leave.”They pretty much operated straight away. That was more of a shock than the cancer was. It was a different sensation, I have to admit.” More

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      Jurgen Klopp lands first job since Liverpool exit with unique release clause if major role becomes available

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      JURGEN KLOPP has landed his first job since leaving Liverpool in the summer.The legendary Reds boss left Anfield after almost nine years in charge.Jurgen Klopp has landed his first job since leaving LiverpoolCredit: GettyKlopp explained fatigue was the driving factor behind his resignation, and now he has taken a new job – but he is not a manager.Instead the 57-year-old will be the new Global Head of Football at Red Bull.Klopp has signed a long-term deal but will not begin in his new job until January 1 2025.However he could cut short his contract thanks to a special clause that would allow him to leave if Germany came calling.Klopp has been linked to the German national team job in the past and has made no secret of his desire to become manager one day.In 2023 he said: “It’s not completely out of the question that I’ll be the national coach at some point.“But it has to fit. And so far it hasn’t. And if I end the contract in Liverpool, then nothing will definitely be done for a year.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAt Red Bull Klopp will be tasked with advising their teams, including RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.Most read in FootballHe will be responsible for guiding playing philosophy and the development of young players, as well as advising on transfers and managerial appointments.Jurgen Klopp bids emotional farewell to Anfield on final day as drops huge hint he might RETIRE after leaving LiverpoolIt is a role previously held by former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick, with RB Leipzig going from the German regional leagues to the Champions League during his tenure. More

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      Every Premier League club summoned to emergency summit as Manchester City email ramps up war with footie chiefs

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      IF Premier League bosses thought they might get the chance to draw breath in the aftermath of the latest legal case with Manchester City, they were wrong.Instead, an email from City’s senior lawyer to the other 19 top-flight clubs has underlined just how deeply the battle lines have been drawn.Man City have sent a strong email to the other 19 Prem clubsCredit: GettyPrem chief Richard Masters has been seemingly targeted by the championsCredit: GettyAnd legal counsel Simon Cliff’s target seems to be Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.City blame the Prem’s chief executive of a competition for the fact they are currently sitting in a London “courtroom” denying the “115 charges” of alleged financial rule-breaking.Abu Dhabi-backed City’s other legal fight with the Prem was over the league’s rules on commercial deals involving clubs’ owners — with the verdict announced in an explosive 175-page document on Monday.And by accusing Prem bosses of “misleading” the other 19 clubs in their overview of the ruling by the three-man Arbitration Tribunal headed by Lord Dyson, City were demonstrating, once again, that they do not care about “playing nice”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe majority of their rule challenges were deemed to have failed by the tribunal.But the club insist their wins were far more substantial — and have effectively undermined the Prem’s entire rulebook.According to Cliff — whose arguments in the email are being vehemently and emphatically denied by the Prem — the Associated Party Transaction rules voted into place against their wishes in February are now utterly redundant and simply no longer apply.Cliff, described the league’s own summary of the decision as “misleading” and ­containing “several inaccuracies”.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd he wrote: “The Tribunal declared the APT rules to be unlawful.“Manchester City’s position is that this means all of the APT rules are null and void.Manchester City challenging the Premier League and its entire rulebook in a court case with millions of pounds of damages on the line“While it is true that Manchester City did not succeed with every point it ran in its legal challenge, the club did not need to prove the APT rules are unlawful for lots of different reasons. It is enough that they are illegal for one reason.”By telling other top-flight clubs City were at their disposal to “assist members with their understanding” of the ruling and offer “clarifications” of a “peculiar” reading of the decision.Cliff knew exactly what he was doing. The game is afoot.City believe they can now use the questions being asked around Prem boardrooms to effectively chip away at club support for Masters.Questioning their competence AND integrity is all part of that campaign.The demands in the Prem rulebook say that all clubs behave “in utmost good faith” towards the league and each other, which is being used by City as a two-edged sword.But there was a more direct attack, too.The competition’s response to the this week’s judgement suggested that all that was required was a tweak of “a small number of discrete elements” of the rules.It insisted the main framework of the regulations remained valid. ­SunSport has been told that the Prem stands by all of its arguments since the judgement and that the arbitration panel’s ruling underpinned the concept of the APT regulations.While the 20 clubs have been summoned to attend a meeting next week — a direct result of the case outcome.However the emergency talks are being described as a “discussion” over how the rules could be changed to ­comply, with no actual vote on ­proposals planned.During the arbitration process, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton acted as witnesses for City.Meanwhile, written statements to support the Prem were provided by Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, Brentford, Bournemouth and Fulham.There is understood to be considerable anger at the tone of Cliff’s email with counter-accusations being made that City’s claims do not hold water.READ MORE SUN STORIESYet that does not diminish City’s position that they have been vindicated and that the Prem has suffered a brutal defeat.Even if it is not directly related to the ­separate ongoing case, expected to reach a finish in March.Man City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher. More

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      England to wear rarely-seen kit against Greece in nod to iconic ‘David Beckham game’ 23 years ago

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      ENGLAND will look the part as they call on the spirit of David Beckham against Greece.Lee Carsley’s Three Lions are giving a rare revival to the all-white kit worn by Becks against the Greeks in 2001 – a clear nod to the 115-cap legend’s most iconic and important international goal.David Beckham notched one of his most famous goals the last time England faced Greece 23 years agoCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEngland’s stars are preparing to face Greece in the Nations League on ThursdayCredit: PAThe midfielder was already captain and on his then-home turf of Old Trafford when he arrowed a stoppage-time free-kick into the top corner.That majestic moment which still gives Becks “goosebumps” rescued a 2-2 draw and took the late Sven Goran Eriksson’s men to the 2002 World Cup.Now England will swap blue shorts for white at Wembley on Thursday night.Meanwhile, Greece will play in all-blue, just like they did 23 years ago.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLIt comes as Carsley plots to make it three wins from three Nations League games.His interim stint is likely to extend to six matches in the same tournament – with the permanent job very much his to lose.In fact, the former England Under-21s boss could virtually assure his appointment with an NL double this week – victory over Greece and then in Finland on Sunday.The 50-year-old is treating each batch of two Nations League matches like a mini-competition in itself.Most read in FootballBecks’ last-gasp strike sent the Three Lions to the 2002 World CupCredit: ReutersFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “I definitely don’t feel like it’s an audition. “I have really enjoyed the challenge. I’m seeing it for what it is, three camps, three windows.”Dominic Solanke handed first England call-up in seven years as Lee Carsley leaves Jarrod Bowen and Harry Maguire out Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa and Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White have all pulled out of Carsley’s squad.But current skipper Harry Kane has got the all-clear after his second injury scare for Bayern Munich in two weeks.Maybe that’s an omen – given how it all went right in white for one of his legendary predecessors as England captain last time out against the Greeks. More

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      Meet the artist inspired by Disney who creates gold-plated Mickey Mouse statues starting at £8k for Real Madrid’s stars

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      NOT many can say they are the personal artist to Real Madrid’s elite.And only one can say that they all love his incredible statues that pay homage to Disney favourite, Mickey Mouse.Former footballer Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejia has become the go-to sculptor for Real Madrid’s starsCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaLuka Modric is just one of the stars who has commissioned Juan Pablo Restrepo MejiaCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaBoxing legend Canelo Alvarez is also a clientCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaColombian artist Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejía is making a killing from his sculptures that start at around £8,000.Luka Modric, Antonio Rudiger and Federico Valverde are just some of the Los Blancos stars who have commissioned Juan Pablo to create art work for them.While boxing legend Canelo Alvarez wanted a gold-plated piece for his Mexican home.It was a journey that stemmed from his artistic background, athough he could have taken a different journey.Read more football newsHow we got hereJuan Pablo played football in his homeland, alongside James Rodriguez and Juan Fernando Quintero at Envigado’s youth teams.But he was at university when he realised his calling in a discussion with his professor, who asked him what he wanted to do.He revealed he didn’t want to follow a career in his chosen degree of civil engineering.Instead, he wanted to be an artist. It was something Juan Pablo had grown up around all his life – coming from a family of painters who taught him the way.Most read in FootballHe told Marca: “I learned to wash brushes, the best classical and abstract techniques, sculpture, from framing a frame, painting it, sanding, filling a background.”First footballer who bought from himMarcos Llorente takes delivery of a gold Mickey Mouse statue from Juan Pablo Restrepo Mejia Spain international and Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia was the first LaLiga star to show an interest in Juan Pablo’s work.Then Marcos Llorente asked the sculptor to create a piece to sit in the entrance of his home.It was through Llorente, who has since established his name at Real’s cross town rivals Atletico, that Juan Pablo became Real Madrid’s artist in residence.”He’s a great brother, he was the link that brought us closer to the rest of the boys on his team,” he said.Soon, after seeing the art at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, everyone wanted a piece – with prices starting at around the £8,000 mark.”He showed them the work he had done and we ended up getting to Luka Modric, who is one of my idols,” Juan Pablo continued.” Luka, (Andriy) Lunin, (Federico) Valverde, Lucas Vázquez, (Antonio) Rüdiger, they all have a piece of work.”I made sure their work was very personal, I chose the colours for each one that they most identified with.”Amusingly, when France midfielder Eduardo Camavinga saw Fran Garcia’s art work at the training ground, he wanted one too… but, he had one hilarious request.Camavinga was passing by and said, ‘Wow! What is that? Fran García’s. I want one too, but I want it to be super colourful. Mine has to be the most colorful of all,” Juan Pablo laughed.Marcos Llorente, formerly of Real Madrid, was the sculptor’s first clientsCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaFederico Valverde shows off the piece he commissionedCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaPlayers have to be patient for the piecesJuan Pablo is inspired by Mickey Mouse and has created versions of Pinocchio too.He began painting, but soon became intrigued with the idea of sculpting.However, footballers expecting a quick turnaround on their orders will be disappointed.”The manufacturing time depends a lot on the material. I work with bronze, carbon fibre and resin,” he said.”In bronze it takes me three months.”The more colourful pieces can take up to years to create. Juan Pablo explained: “The creation of the work, the idea as such, takes me about two and a half years.”Camavinga will have to wait six months or so. But I already told him and he told me ‘I wait, but colourful, colourful.'”The art pays homage to Mickey Mouse and starts at around £8,000Fran Garcia signs a shirt for Juan Pablo after receiving his pieceread more sport featuresIn terms of Walt Disney’s royalties for his work, Juan Pablo revealed: “Each country can have a permit with the brand. They didn’t know it was going to be scaled that way, but I did the right things and I have the brand’s permit.”And that’s not all…Alongside his work for football’s elite, Juan Pablo can also count Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez as one of his clients.The middleweight icon, naturally, wanted gold-plated pieces made.His work with Alvarez also led him to work with the WBA, who Juan Pablo is now the official artist for.”Every time there is a world champion they use one of my pieces to give them a detail and I am also in charge of making the legendary belts of the boxing organisation,” Juan Pablo revealed.READ MORE SUN STORIESCanelo Alvarez shows off his stunning gold plated artworkCredit: Instagram @juanpablorestrepomejiaCanelo has invited Juan Pablo to his home to decorate his Mexico ranchJuan Pablo has since become a celebrity in his Colombian homelandCanelo has even invited his new favourite artist round to his ranch in Mexico to decorate parts of his home.You can bet it will all be tastefully done. More

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      Cole Palmer: Chelsea star named England Player of the Year despite just TWO career starts as fans say team-mate ‘robbed’

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      FEW players have amassed such staggering stats in the Prem so quickly as Cole Palmer.And now it can be said few have won such a prestigious honour at international level from such little action.Cole Palmer took the Three Lions’ individual award for 2023-24Credit: GettyPalmer’s peak England moment so far was a goal as sub in the Euro finalCredit: GettyChelsea’s attacking midfielder has been named England player of the year – after just two starts since his Three Lions debut in November 2023.Many fans found the award jaw-dropping – reckoning runner-up Jude Bellingham or third-placed Bukayo Saka should have won it.Yet the honour, for 2023-24, was decided BY SUPPORTERS.Palmer has won nine caps – including five off the bench at the Euros when playing just 145 minutes in Germany as England reached the final.READ MORE TOP STORIESHis peak moment so far was a spectacular strike off the bench in that showpiece clash, an equaliser that offered brief hope before Mikel Oyarzabal fired a deserved late winner for Spain.In all, for the Three Lions, Palmer has scored twice in nine matches, albeit seven of those appearances coming as sub.In contrast, Arsenal winger Saka has been a consistent menace for England, while Real Madrid midfielder Bellingham often reached lofty heights in the past year, despite a mixed Euro 2024. However, at Prem level, Palmer has notched 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 matches.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThat includes a blistering start to this term, netting six times and teeing up five goals in seven games.It means Palmer’s England nomination has divided fans – many believing the 22-year-old should have been used more by now-departed England boss Gareth Southgate, but also wondering how their fellow supporters rewarded him above big-name regulars.Dominic Solanke handed first England call-up in seven years as Lee Carsley leaves Jarrod Bowen and Harry Maguire out One said: “Bukayo Saka was robbed. What did Cole Palmer do that Saka didn’t?”Another wrote: “How is this possible when he didn’t even start in any single match in Euros??? England led by politics and PR games again.”A third posted: “Weird as he barely played at the Euros. I’m not saying Palmer isn’t a good player but for a year we’ve had the Euros he can’t be the POTY when Southgate rarely played him.”And a fourth insisted: “Saka did a better job than Cole Palmer, he should be getting the men’s Player of the Year Award for 2023-24. If for any reason Saka wasn’t the right person, the next persons that come to mind are Bellingham & Harry Kane. This is ridiculous.”But a few fans looked to the Palmer who could be set for a wonderful winter at club and international level – rather than the one who had to rely on England cameos over the last 12 months.Such supporters argued he was “the best player in the world!!!!” and a “Generational talent”. More

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      England ace Jill Scott becomes a millionaire after her earnings skyrocket following I’m A Celeb win

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      ENGLAND footie star Jill Scott has become a millionaire after banking a record amount.Company records reveal that she earned nearly £720,000 last year, more than doubling her assets.England ace Jill Scott has become a millionaire after banking a record amountCredit: PAJill was crowned jungle queen on ITV’s I’m a CelebrityCredit: Rex featuresEquity in Jill Scott 8 Ltd shot up from £477,479 to just under £1.2million for the year to May 31.Jill, 37, also made two payouts to herself of £50,000 and £300,000.The Sunderland-born ace has cashed in since the Lionesses won Euro 2022.Jill was crowned jungle queen on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity months later and is captain on Sky’s A League of Their Own.READ MORE ON JILL SCOTTShe also runs ­coffee shop Boxx2Boxx with her ­fiancée Shelly Unitt in Manchester.A source said: “Jill had a hugely successful playing career.”Since she’s hung up her boots she’s reaping the rewards.”In June Jill told how she had enjoyed the opportunities which have come her way since hanging up her boots.Most read in FootballShe said: “Since retirement, life has been totally different for me.”I have had to adjust to this work-life balance, which feels quite strange!Watch moment England legend Jill Scott awkwardly silences Daniel Sturridge for not winning Premier League”But I’m very much a person of simple pleasures.”As long as I get that fix of seeing family and friends, I’m good.” More

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      Real Madrid release statement as Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta retires leaving fans stunned after career-long rivalry

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      REAL MADRID have released a club statement paying tribute to Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta.The former midfielder, 40, broke down in tears as he confirmed his emotional retirement on Monday.Andres Iniesta was a thorn in Real Madrid’s side for many yearsCredit: Getty – ContributorIniesta battles with Gareth Bale, who last year also retiredCredit: Getty – ContributorIniesta is widely regarded as one of Barcelona’s greatest ever players, appearing 674 times for his boyhood team before leaving in 2018.Following his Barca exit, he spent five years with Japanese side Vissel Kobe.When his game time began to dwindle in Japan, Iniesta spent one final season with UAE side Emirates before hanging up his boots.The former Spain star was part of an all-conquering Barcelona side in his pomp – winning nine LaLiga titles, four Champions Leagues, six Copa del Reys and three Club World Cups.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDespite his incredible contribution to their biggest rivals, Real Madrid took the unusual move to pay tribute to him in a somewhat formal club statement.It read: “Following Andres Iniesta’s announcement that he will retire from professional football, Real Madrid CF, its president and its Board of Directors wish to express their recognition, admiration and affection for one of the great legends of Spanish and world football.”Andres Iniesta has contributed to the greatness of the sport with his football and his values, beyond the numerous titles he has won during his career.”His iconic goal in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa will remain forever in the memory of all Spanish fans.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Real Madrid wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage of his life.”The statement points to Iniesta’s dramatic winner against Germany in the 2010 World Cup final.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersIn total he played 131 times for his country, winning two European Championships in addition to the World Cup.While the bulk of Iniesta’s success came in Europe, he also won a J.League title, Emperor’s Cup and Japanese Super Cup with Vissel Kobe.In an incredible retirement video, Iniesta received praise from his former coaches including Pep Guardiola, Louis van Gaal and Luis Enrique.Guardiola even revealed that during his early days at Barcelona, Iniesta gave him the “boost of energy to keep going” and that he will “always be grateful” to the midfielder.Iniesta this week confirmed his emotional retirementCredit: Reuters More