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    Spain 5 France 4: Lamine Yamal stakes Ballon d’Or claim to set up Ronaldo clash as Spaniards see off epic late fightback

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    LAMINE YAMAL won the Battle of the Ballon d’Or as Spain sneaked into the Nations League final after a nine-goal thriller against France.All eyes in Stuttgart were on the mouthwatering duel between La Roja sensation Yamal, 17, and Les Bleus star Ousmane Dembele, 28.Lamine Yamal won the battle of the Ballon d’OrCredit: GettySpain survived a late comeback against France to get into their third Uefa Nations League final in a rowCredit: EPAOusmane Dembele blanked on a potentially crucial night for Ballon d’Or judgementCredit: AFPThe win sets up a final clash with Cristiano Ronaldo and PortugalCredit: Shutterstock EditorialBoth are in with a shout of winning the Ballon d’Or in three months time with 51 club goals in all competitions between them for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this term.Yet it was the Barca teenage superstar who grabbed the headlines with a stunning second-half double – now with 48 goal contributions in 57 games for club and country this campaign – alongside impressive strikes from Nico Williams, Mikel Merino and Pedri.Kylian Mbappe netted a 59th-minute spot-kick and a late comeback looked on the cards thanks to debutant Rayan Cherki’s 79th-minute attempt, an 84th-minute Daniel Vivian own goal and Randal Kolo Muani’s injury-time header.But Spain held on, facing Portugal in Munich on Sunday – their third Nations League final on the spin – and sets up a clash between Yamal and Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt also extends their unbeaten competitive run to 24 games, last losing in March 2023 – their longest streak for 15 years, back when they were world champions.France, meanwhile, were woeful, despite a fine attacking quartet of PSG Champions League-winning pair Dembele and Desire Doue alongside Real Madrid’s Mbappe and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.Both Yamal and Dembele were lively early on before Williams stung the roof of the net in the 22nd minute from a cute pass by Mikel Oyarzabal.Three minutes later, Oyarzabal was at the heart of things again as a one-two put Arsenal’s Merino through and he slotted past Chelsea target Mike Maignan.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIt could have been 3-0 before the break but for Dean Huijsen’s volley being ruled out for offside. Yamal added the third in the 54th minute, hauled down by Adrien Rabiot in the box.I sold Lamine Yamal trading card for life changing amount – my wife doesn’t think it’s a silly hobby nowAnother Barca starlet Pedri, 22, made it four less than a minute later with a dink over Maignan as Didier Deschamps’ men crumbled.Mbappe converted from the spot in the 59th minute following a tangle with Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, but it was short-lived thanks to a world-class finish from a tight angle by Yamal in the 67th minute – his sixth goal in 20 Spain caps. More

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      Crystal Palace closer than ever to being kicked out of Europe as Man Utd trick to stay in Europa League fails

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      CRYSTAL PALACE are facing complete EXPULSION from Europe next season after Uefa rejected a desperate ploy from club shareholders.The Eagles are facing the prospect of not playing in the Europa League, which they qualified for by winning the FA Cup, due to shareholder John Textor owning a stake in French outfit in Lyon.Crystal Palace are facing complete expulsion from Europe next seasonCredit: ALAMYOliver Glasner’s troops may not play any European footall due to shareholders John Textor and David Blizter owning stakes in clubs in the Europa League and Conference LeagueCredit: GETTYAmerican Textor also owns shares in Ligue 1 side LyonCredit: APLyon are also set to feature in the competition having qualified with a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season.Uefa rules prohibit anyone from “simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition.”The prospect of Palace dropping into the Conference League is also nigh-on impossible as other shareholder David Blizter also has a stake in Danish oufit Brondby, who are set to play in European football’s tertiary club competition next season.In a desperate bid to see the Eagles fly across Europe next season and comply with Uefa rules, Textor and Blizter offered to put their shares in a blind trust.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Uefa chiefs have REJECTED the offer, leaving Palace’s proposed European adventure next season in limbo.The proposal was rejected as Palace missed the registration deadline to submit it.Had it been approved, a blind trust would’ve seen a group of trustees take control of Textor’s shares in Palace for the 2025/26 season.English clubs aren’t strangers to utilising blind trusts so as not to fall afoul of Uefa rules.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJohn Textor is willing to sell his Palace shares to ensure they can play in Europe next seasonCredit: X / OLManchester City and Manchester United utilised blind trusts last season as sister clubs Girona and Nice both qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively.Palace held crunch talks with Uefa to try to resolve the potentially devastating issue earlier this week.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup finalAnd the meeting on the shores of Lake Geneva ended up in Textor putting his shares in the south London club up for sale.He told The Daily Mail: “Look, all of the UK knows that I don’t have decisive influence over Palace. It was a good meeting.”They listened and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t be trying to sell (his stake) if I did.”Textor, 59, added: “”We are trying to help separate it and sell.”We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA.”That’s about all I can say.” More

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      Cole Palmer admits Champions League winners’ medal means nothing to him and he ‘doesn’t feel like he won it’

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      COLE PALMER is already a Champions League winner.But to the ambitious young star, the medal he picked up as a non-playing substitute in Manchester City’s 2023 triumph over Inter Milan doesn’t mean a lot.Cole Palmer won the Champions League win Man City in 2023Credit: AlamyDuring what turned out to be his final season at City, he made his only start in the competition in a dead rubber group game against Sevilla.For the rest of the campaign, including the final in Istanbul, he sat on the bench as a no doubt frustrated observer.Palmer, now 23, said: “I always say, I don’t feel like a Champions League winner, if I’m being honest.“It doesn’t really mean anything to me.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“People say it, but I weren’t involved.“Obviously I played in the group stage and stuff like that, but it’s not the same, is it?“I’ve not threw the medal away! I’ve still got it, but it’s not like I feel like I’ve won it.”Palmer thoroughly earned the winner’s medal he received for Chelsea’s Conference League triumph last month.Most read in FootballPalmer helped Chelsea win the Conference League this seasonCredit: GettyThe midfielder’s second-half masterclass earned him the Player of the Match awardCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe gave a second-half masterclass as the Blues came from a goal down to beat Real Betis 4-1 and become the first club to complete a full set of Uefa trophies.But it’s a competition that Palmer and Chelsea hope to have left behind for good. ‘To do what-‘ – Cole Palmer left confused as he’s asked to name his Premier League Mount RushmoreFor the club’s status and bank balance, the victory over Nottingham Forest that guaranteed a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence, was far more important.Palmer said: “Everyone at Chelsea wanted to be in the Champions League.“No disrespect to the Conference League or whatever, but Champions League is the biggest competition.“We finished well. We had some tough games“We had that little spell in the season where we weren’t too great.”Everyone was saying they’re not gonna get Champions League and that.“So to get it was good. Getting that at Forest was a relief”Chelsea celebrated a return to the Champions League after a win over Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League seasonCredit: AlamyBut Palmer’s display against Betis will have been something of a relief to him, even if he would not put in quite those terms.It was a timely return of the Cole Palmer who had made himself into one of the world’s biggest young starsBecause after picking up where he had left off in his stunning debut season for the Blues, scoring and creating goals for fun, the second half of the 2024/5 campaign was a tough one.As the run of games without a goal or even an assist grew longer and longer, it looked like Palmer was feeling the pressure.His spectacular transformation from City youth player to Chelsea’ main man created expectation, and he was not living up to it.Even the famously cool young man was just a little concerned.Palmer said: “I know myself players will go through it. I’m not stupid.“But then you go into Chelsea and you do that from a jump, and then you go into a dip, you just think, ‘What’s going on?’.“I don’t mind. Obviously I did mind, but I didn’t think it was the end of the world.“I just think it was one of them things when things weren’t happening for me.“I went on a bit longer than I thought it would go on. But I spoke to people about it and they explained it was going to happen.“But they said that when I get out of it, I’ll be an even better player than what I was before I went in it.”Which would be great news for Chelsea and for England.Although Palmer is very much the Blues’ key man, at international level he has a fight on his hands to be the creative hub of the team.Which feels even stranger because he is one of only four England players to have scored a goal in a major final.For most of Euro 2024, Three Lions fans were crying out for Palmer to be given more of a chance to inject some life into Gareth Southgate’s struggling team.And when he was brought on in the final against Spain, he grabbed a brilliant equaliser.Palmer recalled: “An occasion like that if you think about it, it might get the better of you. So I just try not to.“I was just getting ready to come on like all the other games I came on, try and make an impact.“I thought, ‘It’s the final, the last game, we’re losing, I’ve got nothing to lose’. Well, we did, the biggest game of our career, but you know what I mean.“So yeah, that’s what I was trying to do.“At the time, I didn’t really realise how big that goal was. It was only when the tournament finished and I went home and looked back.”But it’s about looking forward now, for Palmer, Chelsea and England.Real Madrid star and Champions League winner Jude Bellingham is the man in possession of the No 10 role for England.If both he and Palmer start Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra, the Chelsea man could find himself out wide.But at least next season, he will be playing in the same European competition as Bellingham and the biggest stars of the game.And trying to earn a medal for real.Palmer scored England’s only goal in the Euro 2024 finalCredit: AFPDELAP BREAKOUTCOLE Palmer is delighted that former Manchester City team-mate Liam Delap has opted to join the Blues.The pair, who grew up together in the City Academy, will be reunited at Stamford Bridge after the Blues confirmed they had completed a £30m deal with Ipswich for centre forward Delap.Palmer said: “I’m excited to play with him. I was messaging him asking If he was coming and that.“I played with him at Under 18s, 21s. We went to the first team together.Read More on The Sun“He’s a great striker, one of the best in the Premier League. You can see from last season.“So I think he’ll help us a lot and hopefully score lots of goals.”Chelsea have confirmed the £30m signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich TownCredit: GettyDelap and Palmer came through the ranks at Man City togetherCredit: Alamy More

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      Cost of sacking Ange Postecoglou revealed with Tottenham forced to pay out millions on top of £2m Europa League bonus

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      THE cost for Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou has been revealed.The Aussie boss made good on his promise that he “always wins things” in his second season by lifting the Europa League trophy to end the club’s 17-year trophy drought.The cost of sacking Ange Postecoglou has been revealedCredit: AlamyDaniel Levy will reportedly need to fork out around £4m to give Big Ange the bootCredit: PAThat is on top of the £2m bonus Postecoglou earned for winning the Europa LeagueCredit: GettyHowever, a 17th-placed finish in the Premier League backed up by 22 defeats – the most ever by a team not to be relegated – means Postecoglou is in a perilous position over his job.Should chairman Daniel Levy opt to give Big Ange the boot, the decision will see the 59-year-old manager take home a compensation package worth around £4million.And according to The Telegraph, that is ON TOP of the £2m bonus Postecoglou collected for winning the Europa League and getting the north London club into the Champions League next season.Postecoglou has two years remaining on his Spurs contract, with the terms of his exit being decided before he signed his contract to take him to the capital from Celtic.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe report adds that the manager has now returned from holiday and should be receiving clarity over his position in the near future.He appeared to hint he wanted to stay at Tottenham’s trophy parade after he declared: “All the best TV series, season three is better than season two.”However, that decision will come down to Levy.While sacking Postecoglou will take around £4m on its own, the total cost of then appointing a replacement could see Spurs splash out roughly £10m.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBrentford’s Thomas Frank is understood to be among the leading candidates for the position, along with Fulham boss Marco Silva.While there is the headache over the future of the first-team coach, behind the scenes the club are also going through a major shake-up.Postecoglou unrecognisable in amazing throwback video as first club share emotional 3-minute tribute after Europa LeagueLevy, 63, has lost his right-hand woman in executive director Donna Cullen, who has left after 20 years of service.Elsewhere, Ryan Mason has also left the club to further his managerial career by taking up the vacant position at Championship side West Brom.They are set to be the first two of many departures this summer, which may include Postecoglou.The shake-up also includes the appointment of Vinai Venkatesham as CEO, who previously served bitter rivals Arsenal in the same role.Sources add these moves could be the prelude to majority owners Enic pumping fresh funds into the club.Tottenham ratings: Bissouma dominates Europa League final as occasion gets to UdogieBRENNAN JOHNSON was Tottenham’s hero as they finally ended their 17-year trophy drought in the Europa League final.Despite being without James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for the clash in Bilbao, Spurs came up with a massive win against Manchester United.Johnson scored the goal as he helped bundle in from a corner in a tussle with Luke Shaw to send fans into dreamland.But Spurs also owe a huge thanks to Yves Bissouma who was totally dominant in midfield.At the other end, Destiny Udogie struggled to get up to the pace of the match as he was up against Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.Spurs had just three shots, only 27 per cent of the ball, and completed a mere 115 passes over 90 minutes.But it didn’t matter, as United never really looked like finding a leveller to take it to extra time.SunSport’s Henry Tomlinson gave his ratings for the Tottenham players… More

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      Man Utd’s 51-year streak over, goal-shy Arsenal and Moyes a Champions League manager? Last season’s most bonkers stats

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      THE 2025-26 Premier League season has officially started.Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton have handed over their shares to Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland.Kai Havertz managed nine goals in the Premier League – but no one reached ten for ArsenalCredit: GettyCaoimhin Kelleher’s penalty heroics made him a Liverpool record breakerCredit: GettyLamine Yamal has as many LaLiga titles as Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Shutterstock EditorialAnd the Prem confirmed the new top flight got underway on Wednesday – 73 days before the next ball is kicked in the competition. But that also means the 2024-25 campaign has finally reached its conclusion.So what better time to reflect on some of the most bonkers stats of the season?Here are some of our favourites…READ MORE ON FOOTBALLFor the first time in 101 years, no Arsenal player reached double figures for goals in the league.Kai Havertz managed nine, one more than Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.Arsenal missed out on the Premier League title to Liverpool. And the Reds won the league despite adding just one player to their squad – and that man, Federico Chiesa, started just one match.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSticking with Liverpool, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher now holds the record for the most penalty shootouts won (four) and most shootout penalties saved (six) in the club’s history – despite only featuring for the Reds 67 times.Jonny Evans’ impending exit from Manchester United will mean the 2025-26 season is set to be the first since 1974-75 where the squad has no players who featured under Sir Alex Ferguson – a whopping 50 years ago.Premier League reveal new ball for next season after major brand change United’s nightmare campaign saw them lose to Tottenham in all four of their meetings, including the Europa League final.Incredibly, wins over the Red Devils accounted for 15 per cent of Spurs’ victories across the season.On the other end of the spectrum, Tottenham lost 22 Premier League matches.That is the most defeats of any team in a 38-game Prem season who have avoided relegation.The season, though, ended in glory for Spurs with the triumph in Bilbao, which means they now have more European trophies than Barcelona in the last nine years.Barca lost in a barnstorming Champions League semi-final to Inter but did pip rivals Real Madrid to the LaLiga title.Lamine Yamal was one of their standout players and at 17, he now has two LaLiga winner’s medals – after making his debut aged 15 near the end of the successful 2022-23 campaign. That is as many as Cristiano Ronaldo collected in his nine seasons with Real Madrid.Tottenham won the Europa League but domestically lost 22 league gamesCredit: AFPEverton’s form under David Moyes was enough for Champions League qualificationCredit: Shutterstock EditorialJonny Evans’ departure marks the end of a 51-year streak for Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyYamal delivered a staggering 43 goal involvements this season across all competitions, with 18 goals and 25 assists. But his tally of nine LaLiga goals was beaten by Jorgen Strand Larsen (14), Jarrod Bowen (13), Kevin Schade (11) in the Premier League – and matched by Tomas Soucek, Harvey Barnes, Alex Iwobi and Iliman Ndiaye.Back in England, Chelsea had the youngest average age of starting XI across the season at 24 years and 36 days.Lastly, from David Moyes’ return to Everton to the end of the season, the Toffees would have finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League.And here are a few more Premier League belters from our friends at Opta…Bryan Mbeumo’s strike after 38 seconds against West Ham saw Brentford become the first team in Premier League history to score in the opening minute in three consecutive games.Brentford 5-3 Wolves was the first ever Premier League match to produce eight different goalscorers, all of a different nationality.Manchester City became the first reigning English top-flight champions to lose five games in a row in all competitions since Chelsea in March 1956.At Wolves, Justin Kluivert became the first player in Premier League history to score a hat-trick of penalties, with teammate Evanilson also the first to win three spot-kicks in the same match.Read More on The SunRuud van Nistelrooy became the first manager ever to win consecutive Premier League games that were for and against the same side (3-0 vs Leicester with Man Utd, 3-1 with Leicester vs West Ham).West Ham 2-0 Leicester was the first ever Premier League game to see three players appear on their birthday (February 27 – Tomas Soucek, Alphonse Areola and Boubakary Soumare).Justin Kluivert scored a hat-trick of penalties against WolvesCredit: GettyTomas Soucek scored on his birthday against Leicester in FebruaryCredit: Getty More

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      Wanda Nara, 38, ‘dating PSG star and most eligible bachelor, 26,’ who was team-mates with ex-husband Mauro Icardi

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      MAURO ICARDI’s ex-wife Wanda Nara has reportedly found a new man – and he used to be team-mates with her former husband.The 38-year-old married Icardi in 2014 but endured multiple break-ups and reconciliations.Wanda Nara has reportedly found love after her split from Mauro Icardi (pictured)Credit: Instagram @mauroicardiThe super WAG was in attendance at the CL final and sent out this snap to her 17.5m followersCredit: instagram @wanda_naraWanda has been single since splitting from Icardi last yearCredit: INSTAGRAMNara and the Galatasaray striker finally split for good last summer.And after a spell of enjoying single life, Nara has been linked with a new flame. The Wag-turned-agent was in Munich last Saturday to watch the Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan.Spanish journalist Yani Latorre claims Nara is seeing PSG’s “most eligible bachelor” Achraf Hakimi, 26, – a former team-mate of Icardi.READ MORE ON SPORTLAM host Yani Latorre claimed, via the Daily Star: “I have the name of the PSG player [Nara is dating].”He’s PSG’s most eligible bachelor. She knows him from Mauricio’s time at PSG.”It seems she is with Hakimi.”Wanda stayed where the PSG players and their families are [in Munich]. She participated in the intimate celebration at the hotel. Most read in Football”[She] was recording for MTV in Italy. They sent her a plane ticket, a hotel reservation, and a ticket to the stadium – someone from PSG.”Nara took over the duties of her husband’s agent, and helped mastermind a loan move from Inter Milan to PSG in 2019. Wanda Nara risks Instagram ban as Mauro Icardi’s ex-wife poses naked to promote new singleThe couple announced they had split in 2022, only to get back together.But last summer, Nara opened up about the end of their relationship, with the pair now heading for divorce.Nara told America TV: “For personal and health reasons, I tried once more, but it didn’t work. Let everyone talk. I’ve saved my silence for the last. “I know how hard endings are and what they cost. There are things on TV and the internet that aren’t true, but I accept it as part of the bad and who I am.Nara has been linked with PSG star Achraf Hakimi – a former teammate of IcardiCredit: Getty”I decided to end it, but Mauro and I will still be a family. It wasn’t a mistake to try more when there was love. “I regret nothing. These years were the best of my life, but now I must be alone.”There is no villain or third party. Our relationship was always stronger than it seemed from the outside. “My priority has always been my children, and now more than ever. Thank you for your respect.”Hakimi began his career at Real Madrid and is the captain of Morocco.He joined PSG in 2021 and has played 168 times for the Ligue 1 giants, scoring 23 goals.The star is currently single after divorcing ex-wife Hiba Abouk in 2023. Read More on The SunHakimi was married to the Spanish actress for three years.The couple have two sons, born in 2020 and 2022. Wanda has been single since splitting from Icardi last yearCredit: InstagramThe Argentine is a model and TV presenterCredit: InstagramShe boasts almost 18 million followers on Instagram aloneCredit: Instagram @wanda_naraWanda acted as Icardi’s agent during their time togetherCredit: Instagram @wandanara More

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      Club World Cup winner will be given special shirt design to wear for FOUR YEARS

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      THE winner of the Club World Cup will wear a special badge for the next FOUR YEARS.Manchester City and Chelsea head Stateside for the most-expensive Fifa club competition – which starts on June 14.The winner of the Club World Cup will wear a special badge until 2029Man City were granted special permission to wear a golden Fifa Club World Cup badge for the last two seasonsAnd the inaugural champion of the expanded competition will keep the gold logo until 2029.That’s because the winners will be reigning champs for four years until the second edition in 2029.The exact badge design has not been released yet, but it will likely mimic the golden crest Man City have been wearing since 2023.As well as that, the winner will bank an eye-watering £100million.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPep Guardiola’s side added a gold plate to their blue jerseys after winning the old version half-way through the season in December 2023.But City were then granted unprecedented permission to wear it AGAIN this season as they’re still technically the reigning champions.The Club World Cup was replaced by the Fifa Intercontinental Cup in 2024, with Real Madrid claiming the trophy.This year’s new-look 32-team competition will see Madrid and Atletico Madrid fly the flag for Spain in 10 days’ time.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe other European teams include Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg.Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Porto, Benfica, and Juventus make up the rest of Europe.Man City drop Jack Grealish transfer hint as they launch stunning new kit for Club World CupLionel Messi’s Inter Miami were awarded the host country spot after winning the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield.Madrid, City and Champions League winners PSG are favourites to win the golden gong on July 14.Meanwhile, Gary Lineker has agreed a deal with a new broadcaster for the Club World Cup after leaving the BBC.He has joined DAZN that will see his The Rest Is Football Podcast broadcast highlights. More

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      Inter Milan ask Cesc Fabregas for permission to speak to Cesc Fabregas as they target next manager

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      INTER MILAN have asked Cesc Fabregas for permission to speak to… Cesc Fabregas.The humiliated Champions League finalists have seen boss Simone Inzaghi leave in a shock exit, ahead of an expected moneybags move to Al-Hilal.Inter Milan want to speak to Como manager and co-owner Cesc FabregasCredit: Shutterstock EditorialIt comes after coach Simone Inzaghi left the clubCredit: EPAAnd the Italian giants face a mad rush to get a new boss in place – with the Club World Cup beginning in less than TWO WEEKS.Top of their wishlist, according to reports in Italy, is Arsenal legend Fabregas, who has impressed in charge of Serie A minnows Como.The ex-Barcelona midfielder is the manager of the club, who finished tenth in their first season this campaign after achieving promotion last season.But Fabregas, 38, is also Como’s CO-OWNER – alongside Thierry Henry and the mega-rich Indonesia-based Djarum Group.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThat means an approach to the board to open discussions with Farbegas with have to go through the World Cup-winner himself.The Spaniard has already reportedly turned down a job offer from German side Bayer Leverkusen after they allowed Xabi Alonso to leave to join Real Madrid.While Roma were also said to be keen, before turning their attention onto legendary Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini instead. Sky Sport Italia claims Fabregas is “tempted” by the offer, but is yet to give any indication over a decision.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKFabregas would face a rebuilding job at Inter after they were mercilessly swept aside in a 5-0 thrashing to PSG in Saturday’s Champions League final.The scale of the task has seen Inzaghe, who led the club to two Champions League finals, one Serie A title, two Coppa Italias and three Italian Super Cups, be tempted to take the money in Saudi Arabia instead.Cesc Fabregas like you’ve never seen him before as mild-mannered ex-Arsenal star explodes in fiery dressing room rantA club statement read: “The Club and Simone Inzaghi’s paths separate. This is the decision taken by mutual agreement after the meeting that took place a few minutes ago.”Inzaghi’s management at Inter will be remembered by fans, players, managers and employees as being characterised by great passion, accompanied by professionalism and dedication.” More

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      Chelsea pair were like ‘Mr and Mrs’ and ‘drove each other mad’ in rows over moisturiser… but arguments HELPED squad

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      CHELSEA need brotherhood, shower gel and plenty of moisturising cream to get back to the summit of football.Legendary Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel believes dressing room chemistry is the key to success on the pitch. And he can see it brewing in the current squad.Chelsea legends John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou had a funny feudMikel and Kalou’s friendly feud created morale in Chelsea’s dressing roomHe was part of the all-conquering Chelsea team which landed title after title, cup after cup during his 11 years at Stamford Bridge.But small details are behind big wins and Mikel revealed how his bizarre relationship with Salomon Kalou epitomised the strong bonds between the players of the time.Together they won the Champions League, Premier League and four FA Cups when team spirit was the fear factor which often made the difference in key games.Mikel, 38, said: “It is very important, the friendship between your teammates in the squad, because It brings you guys together. Read More on Chelsea“The chemistry is there, not just the chemistry on the pitch, the chemistry outside the pitch because you already know your partner, your team-mates. “You know what they like and what they don’t like. How to approach them in terms of when they’re not performing,“How do you get them to wake up? Do you go to them? Do you scream at them, or is it like a quiet word you need to have and get them to keep going?“So that relationship is very important. And of course, Salomon Kalou, what can I say about the guy? Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“Listen, we were Mr and Mrs at the football club, we were called Tom and Jerry.“He drives me mad, a guy I absolutely love. I can never say a bad word about Salomon Kalou.Here is why Liam Delap is the perfect striker for Chelsea “He never bought his own shower gel, his own cream, he always went to my locker and nicked mine. “I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.“Sometimes it’s fine to use it, but please, return it to my locker. He didn’t.“And when I go to him and ask where’s my cream? He says, ‘buy another one’. I’m like, ‘what? Why don’t you buy yourself your own cream?’“He just drove me mad. But then on the pitch, when you’re that honest and open with each other, on the pitch, you know each other so well, right and it helps so much. “I’d love to see the players create that friendship, that chemistry between each other. Looking at this team squad, They’re young but I can see a little bit that they have that.Mikel insists the current Chelsea team need a similar dressing roomKalou and Mikel had some hilarious exchanges“I need to see a bit more. It’s so important to create that atmosphere.”Where Mikel won, lost and partied alongside superstars like John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, modern day Chelsea is about building reputations through ambitious young players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and soon-to-arrive Liam Delap.Mikel said: “We enjoyed good times together. We went out to central London every time we won a trophy. We celebrated quite heavily because we were successful and were given a licence to go out and enjoy ourselves.“That brought that chemistry together because every year, every other year, we had something to celebrate. We were always winning something. So we were always having a massive party come the end of the season. That brought us together.“They have to win trophies in order to be able to bring that chemistry in the squad.”New Chelsea have started the process by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League. But the post-match party was tame by previous standards, mainly because a lot of the players are now on international duty before travelling to next week’s Club World Cup.I’d finish having a shower and I go to my locker trying to get my cream, it’s not there. Salomon Kalou’s nicked it.John Obi MikelThe month-long tournament in the US Club World Cup railroads through the traditional summer. Mikel said: “It’s silverware to be won and we want to go out and compete to win it. “We have to talk about the prize money as well.  Almost £100million. That puts you in a great advantage in terms of in the summer, transfer window, bringing in players, strengthening your squad. There’s a lot there for these players to think about.“I know we players talk about having a rest, which we should. But we actually don’t rest when we go on holidays.“We fly back to our different continents where we’re from, countries where we’re from.“And then we go back after a week or a few days, playing locally with the local teams where we grew up from, kicking the ball about, playing five-a-side, ten-a-side games.“You don’t want to rest for two, three weeks without doing anything. When you come back for pre-season, it takes you even longer to get in shape.“During the summer, you’re looking at yourself thinking, I need to get back into it. You start running, you start playing football and make sure you come back, so that it doesn’t take you a long time to get back into shape. We all did that. I get it, I understand. Read More on The Sun“The Club World Cup, for the teams involved, it’s a great opportunity, a great way for those teams to keep their players fit, keep them ticking over, knowing that when the season starts, they are almost half there.”John Obi Mikel was speaking ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Watch all 63 games live on DAZN for free.  More