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      Chelsea star Trevoh Chalobah ‘offered Champions League transfer’ with Blues exit in January ‘100 per cent confirmed’

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      TREVOH CHALOBAH has reportedly been offered a move to Borussia Dortmund.The Chelsea ace has not made a single appearance this season as he has been sidelined with a thigh injury.
      Trevoh Chalobah is reportedly wanted by Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      Chalobah, 24, could now be the latest Englishman to swap the Premier League for the Bundesliga.
      Dortmund have become known for signing young English players such as Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens.
      The German outfit were keen on signing Southampton defender Armel Bella Kotchap in the summer but took a “risk” not to.
      News outlet BILD, have now reported that the club are interested in making a move for Chalobah.
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      The report suggests that Dortmund have “set its sights” on the Chelsea ace in the winter window.
      Furthermore, Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Chelsea have decided to cash in on the defender and sell him in the window.
      In his CaughtOffside column, he wrote that the decision to move Chalobah on is “100 per cent confirmed”.
      Despite not playing this season, his exit will see the Blues look to sign a replacement.
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      Chalobah has made 63 appearances for the West London side while also turning out for the likes of Huddersfield Town and Ligue 1 club Lorient.
      Earlier this month, fans were split on whether or not Chalobah should be sold.
      The Blues, however, have been tipped with a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba.
      The Burkina Faso international is rated as one of the best defenders in Europe following his performances in Germany.
      He would not come cheap, having only recently extended his contract at the BayArena. More

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      Andriy Shevchenko reveals reason he flopped at Chelsea as former club record transfer apologises to fans

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      ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO has revealed the true extent of the injury hell which caused his Chelsea nightmare.The Ukrainian icon arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006 in a £30.8million deal but never lived up to expectations, scoring just 22 goals across two years.
      Andriy Shevchenko revealed the true extent of the injury hell which caused his Chelsea nightmareCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ex-Chelsea star has opened up in his book
      Injuries plagued his time at Blues and his new book, My Life, My Football, reveals how his body all but broke down.
      Shevchenko, 47, details how he arrived with an issue following the 2006 World Cup in Germany and things never got better with two hernia operations and a back injury.
      He said: “I would like people to understand my difficulties were due to physical issues.
      “The fans were great with me but sadly I never managed to show them my best. I was afraid I was going to have to retire from football.
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      “I felt bad for the people and the club. I’d have given the world to return the affection they were showing me. Instead, I was broken.”
      Shevchenko’s problems began before he even joined Chelsea.
      In Ukraine’s 3-0 World Cup quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Italy, Shevchenko suffered a knee injury.
      His hasty recovery left him tired at the start of his Blues career.
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      He said: “I did my best and gave my all: that was just my way. Still, I knew my motor wasn’t running as it ought to.
      “The newspapers criticised me heavily but only I knew the real problem: that accursed fatigue that had never lifted.”
      Things improved in early 2007. Chelsea won the League Cup but Shevchenko discovered a hernia.
      He played through the pain but missed the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool and the FA Cup final against Manchester United before having a summer op.
      He revealed: “During the operation, something didn’t go to plan. I didn’t get back to what I was before.”
      Shevchenko went into the next season still not right and in a 4-4 Boxing Day draw with Aston Villa — during which he scored twice — the failed surgery caused a herniated disc in his back.
      He added: “I lost all my strength. I was in a rich vein of form — the worst possible moment to suffer an injury.”
      Shevchenko worked his way back to fitness but said: “I was barely a shadow of the player I used to be.”
      The season ended in more despair, forced to watch the 2008 Champions League final defeat to Manchester United from the bench and then discovering on a US trip his hernia had returned and required more surgery.
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      The striker limped through pre-season but conceded defeat, requesting a move back to AC Milan to end his Blues time.

      MY LIFE, MY FOOTBALL by Andriy Shevchenko is available from https://backpagepress.co.uk/books/my-life-my-football

      Shevchenko is the current manager of UkraineCredit: EPA More

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      Toni Kroos lines up shock Premier League transfer with Tottenham leading six-horse race for Real Madrid legend

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      TONI KROOS is sounding out the possibility of finishing his career in England — if he fails to nail down a new deal at Real Madrid.The German midfielder is out of contract next summer and has always fancied a crack at the Premier League.
      Toni Kroos could leave Real Madrid for the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      If there are no talks with the LaLiga giants by Christmas, he could be available as early as the January window.
      Kroos, 33, wants to continue playing in the Champions League, and his representatives will sound out Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs.
      He previously worked with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, and champions City lost an experienced head when Ilkay Gundogan left last summer.
      Spurs is a likelier destination, with sources claiming Real would only seek a nominal fee for a player who has been at the Bernabeu since 2014.
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      Since his arrival at the club Kroos has helped them to win the Champions League four times among 19 major trophies.
      The midfielder has made 430 appearances for the club, scoring 28 goals and assisting 92 more in all competitions.
      Should Kroos join Tottenham he would be a different signing to what the club has made since the arrival of Ange Postecoglou.
      In the summer transfer window, the club focused on younger players such as Brennan Johnson and Micky van de Ven.
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      James Maddison, 26, was the most experienced outfielder brought into the club.
      The new philosophy has worked wonders at Spurs so far this season as they currently sit top of the Premier League table.
      After Spurs beat Crystal Palace on Friday, Postecoglou has now collected 26 points from his first ten Prem games.
      That record is better than anyone else, including the likes of Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger.
      Should Kroos join the club in January then he could offer vital experience to help the club maintain their challenge at the top of the table. More

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      Barcelona 1 Real Madrid 2: Unstoppable Bellingham steals the show in first Clasico with stunner AND dramatic late winner

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM scored a scintillating screamer AND a last minute winner in his first El Clasico to down Barcelona in their own backyard.Los Blancos were staring at their second defeat of the season after Ilkay Gundogan’s sixth minute opener.
      A Bellingham screamer levelled the scores in the 68th minuteCredit: Reuters
      And he was there to poke home the winner in the dying seconds of the gameCredit: Reuters
      Bellingham let out a cry of emotion after his second secured victory for MadridCredit: Getty

      But up stepped Madrid’s English golden boy with a world class strike from around 20 yards to level the score after 68 minutes.
      And then, in the dying seconds, Bellingham poked home Luka Modric’s miscontrolled touch in the box to silence Barca’s Olympic Stadium with his trademark outstretched celebration.
      In short, one of the best players on the planet currently single-handedly stole the headlines in the biggest game in world football. 
      It is now 13 goals in 13 games for Bellingham in Spain – remarkably, that’s more than Real Madrid royalty Zinedine Zidane ever managed in a single season.
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      And the scary thing is, he doesn’t look like stopping.
      Barcelona came into this one with a mounting injury list, but good news in the shape of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha returning to the bench.
      Meanwhile, Madrid looked to be starting with Vinicius Jr. down the middle and Bellingham in a high, left wing position.
      Barca started the stronger and were rewarded inside the first 10 minutes with Gundogan’s opener thanks to some slack Madrid defending.
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      The stats that tell the story of Bellingham’s El Clasico debut
      The Birmingham-born star thanked Madrid’s travelling fans after the final whistleCredit: Rex
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      Ilkay Gundogan opened the scorer for Barcelona in a shirt bearing the Rolling Stones logoCredit: Getty
      The Barca fans also showed off a large Rolling Stones Tifo – The Stones were sponsoring Barcelona for El Clasico due to a collaboration with SpotifyCredit: Getty
      And while the whole of England was cheering on Jude, Mick Jagger cut a dejected figure as his team for the day slumped to a 2-1 defeatCredit: ESPN
      The ex-Manchester City midfielder’s through ball found no one but Madrid’s back line stood and watched as Gundogan latched onto his own pass, powering through David Alaba before slotting past Kepa.
      He celebrated in Barca’s jersey which bore the Rolling Stones logo on it for the day – thanks to the club’s collaboration with Spotify.
      Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood were both in attendance to mark the occasion and were probably the only two Englishmen not cheering on England’s 20-year-old wonderkid for this game.
      A frustrated Bellingham dropped deeper to pick up the ball from Toni Kroos, yet the hosts did well to crowd him out in midfield.
      Madrid looked shaky. Kroos lost the ball outside his own box and Fermin Lopez struck the post with an effort.
      Bellingham looked desperate to make an impact, and so decided to use his brute force with some hefty challenges to try and inspire some attacking threat from his teammates.
      Instead, the game turned spiky, as Vinicius Jr had words with Barca boss Xavi by the technical area, the latter laughing it off with a playful slap of the Brazilian’s cheek.
      It wasn’t just the Catalan legend getting physical, as Andreas Christensen and Gavi both took turns to wipe out Bellingham whenever he got a sniff of the ball.
      Ancelotti responded after the break by bringing on Eduardo Camavinga to allow Bellingham more freedom to roam, yet Barca continued to defend the Englishman well while also forcing Kepa into a few good stops.
      Ancelotti shifted Bellingham around during the match to ensure he wreaked havoc on a Barcelona side that marked him tightly
      The man of the moment flashed his trademark celebration after his match-winnerCredit: Getty
      And pointed to the Real Madrid badge as he thanked Madrid’s travelling fansCredit: Reuters
      The introduction of Lewandowski was met with rapturous applause on the hour mark, while Ancelotti chucked on Luka Modric and Joselu.
      And then, the moment. Out of nothing, with the game slipping away, Bellingham picked up the ball on the edge of the box and decided to silence the Olympic Stadium with a screamer from around 20 yards into the top corner.
      No celebration. No outstretched arms. He simply ran back to the halfway line ushering his teammates to do the same, while pointing to the new badge he has grown to adore, and they adore him.
      With the visiting Madrid fans in rapture, the camera cut to a seriously dejected looking Mick Jagger in the stands.
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      Even Ronnie Wood’s words of comfort for Jagger couldn’t lift his spirits as it became clear the tide of the Clasico had emphatically changed.
      That equaliser rattled Barca, and lifted Real to be more decisive on the ball. All they needed was a moment, and they got it thanks to you-know-who in injury time. More

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      My dad won the Champions League and almost won Ballon d’Or – now I’m making my own way in Premier League

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      JUSTIN KLUIVERT’S smallest dream must be to emulate his famous dad’s goalscoring record in the Premier League.Kluivert senior – Holland strike legend Patrick – was far better known for his heroics with Ajax and Barcelona than his six-goal season for Newcastle.
      Justin Kluivert’s first target is to become a regular pick for the CherriesCredit: 2023 Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth
      Justin says dad Patrick is ‘proud’ of Kluivert Junior’s career so far
      Patrick Kluivert celebrates one of his six goals in 25 Prem games for Newcastle, the only English top-flight club he played forCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Justin, 24, insists he did not even look up his father’s Prem stats when he arrived at Bournemouth from Roma in June this year.
      And for now that’s just as well – because the twice-capped winger has started just four top-flight games so far.
      Kluivert Junior has also made three Prem appearances off the bench as he awaits his first goal.
      Former AC Milan, Valencia and PSG star Patrick – who was fifth in the 1995 Ballon d’Or won by George Weah – manages Turkish side Adana Demirspor.
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      And having won the Champions League with Ajax, as well as Liga at Barca, the 47-year-old is well-qualified to give his son some attacking tips.
      Justin heralded his summer move to the Prem by telling Sky Sports: “It’s funny because I’ve been through a lot of leagues and also some clubs that he played also, so that’s also nice.
      “And also in the Premier League, where he played a bunch, years back and now me also.
      “I know he’s proud of me and that’s very nice also to say that my dad played in the Premier League and now it’s my time to give my all for Bournemouth in the Premier League.”
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      The ex-Ajax ace, who had loan spells with RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia, confirmed he was in the dark over his dad’s tally at the Toon.
      Asked if father and son had bantered about Kluivert senior’s Prem record, he replied: “I haven’t, I haven’t.

      “I don’t know how much he has, I’m not sure, but of course I want more and that’s what I’m going for, for sure.”
      More than six doesn’t seem much of a goal target but as he takes time to adjust to the Prem this term it would be a magnificent seven if he pulled it off by next May.
      Kluivert, seen training with Dominic Solanke, Marcus Tavernier and Lloyd Kelly, only moved to the Vitality Stadium in JuneCredit: 2023 AFC Bournemouth More

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      Meet the team full of Premier League rejects including former Man Utd star Fred who are the best side in Europe

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      WHEN being asked who the best team in Europe are football fans would be likely to say the usual suspects such as Manchester City, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.However, right now, the best team on the continent are Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
      Edin Dzeko leads the line for FenerbahceCredit: Getty
      Dusan Tadic joined the club in the summerCredit: Getty
      Ex-Man Utd star Fred has featured in 13 of their 18 games so farCredit: Getty
      The Istanbul-based side have a 100 per cent record after 18 games in all competitions this season.
      This includes the league, Conference League group stage and Conference League qualifiers.
      During the incredible run, they have already scored 53 goals while conceding just ten.
      Such a record would lead many to imagine them to have a host of world-class talent in their ranks.
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      But the reality is a far more modest line-up.
      They are spearheaded by a number of Premier League rejects.
      They include ex-Manchester United star Fred, Chelsea flop Michy Batshuayi, former Manchester City ace Edin Dzeko and ex-Bournemouth forward Joshua King.
      Dusan Tadic, formerly of Southampton and Ajax, as well as ex-Liverpool and Rangers man Ryan Kent, also feature in the squad.
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      Dzeko, 37, leads the way for Ismail Kartal’s team with nine goals and seven assists.
      Attacking midfielder Sebastian Szymanski also has nine goals so far, with right wingers Irfan Can Kahveci and Cengiz Under on eight and six respectively.
      Tadic, 34, has six goals and four assists, while Batshuayi has hit the target four times for them in Europe.
      King also has four goals to his name spread across ten appearances, though he is set to be sidelined for nearly a month after suffering a second degree tear in his left ankle.
      Fred has featured in 13 of their 18 games so far, contributing four assists since his £13million transfer from Man Utd in the summer.
      The 30-year-old thought he had made an instant impact with a stunning debut goal before it was ruled out for offside.
      In goal is Dominik Livakovic, who was on the transfer radar of Man Utd and Nottingham Forest in the summer.
      Ex-wonderkid Emre Mor is also in the team, albeit in a far less prominent role – with the former Borussia Dortmund star appearing just once and not being registered in their Conference League squad.
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      They face Pendikspor and Trabzonspor in their next two league games.
      Their toughest tests will arrive in November and December, when they play Besiktas and Galatasaray.
      Michy Batshuayi has been on target four times this seasonCredit: Rex
      Joshua King also features but is currently injured after suffering an ankle injuryCredit: ANP More

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      What did Alejandro Garnacho say about Andre Onana?

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      MANCHESTER United’s Alejandro Garnacho and André Onana have hit the headlines following a tweet celebrating the keeper’s match-day heroics on social media.The episode has resulted in the FA speaking to Garnacho — but what did the winger say about Onana?
      Alejandro Garnacho and teammate Andre Onana in an image shared on Instagram by OnanaCredit: Instagram
      What did Alejandro Garnacho say about André Onana?
      Alejandro Garnacho is being spoken to by the FA over a deleted social media message congratulating his Manchester United team-mate Andre Onana, it’s understood.
      Onana secured United’s 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen with a match-winning penalty save in stoppage-time in their Champions League group game on October 24, 2023.
      After their victory, Garnacho posted a snap of himself and other United players celebrating the keeper’s heroics on X, formerly Twitter — including two gorilla emojis.
      Despite Alejandro quickly deleting the post, the FA were made aware of it and have since liaised with the 19-year-old to investigate the matter.
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      While there is no suggestion of racism behind the message, it is likely the winger will be hit with a suspension if the FA adopt the same approach they have in the past.
      The FA has previously punished footballers over controversial social media posts that were deemed offensive — even when the meaning was unintentional.
      But Onana has since taken to social media to defend his young teammate.
      Over two Instagram stories, he wrote: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
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      “I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength.
      “This matter should go no further.”
      Garnacho also shared Onana’s defence of him on his Instagram.
      Who is Alejandro Garnacho?
      Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra was born on July 1, 2004, in Madrid, Spain.
      His father, Alex Garnacho, is Spanish, and his mother, Patricia Ferreyra Fernández, is Argentinian — meaning Alejandro is eligible to play international football for both Spain and Argentina.
      Having been involved in the youth setups at Getafe and Atlético Madrid, Garnacho joined the Manchester United Academy in 2020, with the Reds paying the Spanish side a reported fee of £420,000.
      Alejandro signed his first professional contract with United in July 2021, and has since worked his way through the ranks into the first team.
      Though he represented Spain at youth level, Garnacho has opted to play his international football for Argentina.
      In March 2022, he was called up to represent the South American country in their two World Cup qualifiers that month.
      The Argentina international is being tipped to become one of the top wingers in world football.
      Who is André Onana?
      André Onana was born on April 2, 1996, in Nkol Ngok, Cameroon.
      He joined the Barcelona La Masia youth system from the Samuel Eto’o Academy in Cameroon in 2010.
      The keeper signed for Ajax in 2015, making 214 appearances for the Dutch giants and winning three Eredivisie titles.
      In July 2022 André joined Inter Milan on a free transfer, winning the Coppa Italia, Supercoppa Italiana and reaching the Champions League final in his sole season at the club.
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      In 2023 Manchester United signed Onana for an initial £43.8million.
      Since making his debut in 2016, André has made over 30 appearances for the Cameroon national team. More

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      Man Utd star Andre Onana breaks his silence after teammate Alejandro Garnacho shares ‘controversial’ social media post

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      MANCHESTER United star Andre Onana has broken his silence on Alejandro Garnacho’s controversial social media post.The Cameroonian goalkeeper, 27, came to United’s rescue with a late penalty save against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
      Andre Onana’s penalty heroics helped United to a vital win on WednesdayCredit: EPA
      The late penalty save sparked jubilant scenes within Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Alejandro Garnacho is facing a probe into a social media postCredit: Alamy
      It allowed his side to hold on to a vital 1-0 win, sparking jubilant scenes among players and fans alike at Old Trafford.
      Argentine winger Garnacho later took to X, formerly Twitter, and posted a snap of the players celebrating with Onana following the penalty heroics – captioned with two gorilla emojis.
      He swiftly edited and then deleted the post, but the FA has been alerted and are liaising with the 19-year-old as part of a probe into the matter.
      There’s no suggestion of racism behind the message, but he may face a suspension if the FA adopt the same approach they have in the past.
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      However, Onana has now taken to his own social media to defend the teenager.
      Over two Instagram stories, he said: “People cannot choose what I should be offended by.
      “I know exactly what @garnacho7 meant: power and strength. This matter should go no further.”
      The comments were shared by Garnacho on his own Instagram account.
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      But the FA is understood to have sought Garnacho’s observations on the original post.
      Speaking about the post today, United manager Erik Ten Hag said: “We are talking with the FA. I can confirm that and want to emphasise we are together.
      “We are United and you see that in the post of Andre Onana.”
      It comes after Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani was suspended for three games for writing “Gracias Negrito” to a friend while playing for United in 2020 – after the footballing body found it a racial term.
      Cavani asserted the message “was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend” following an apology.
      But he was slapped with a £100,000 fine and made to complete face-to-face education.
      A year earlier, Manchester City’s Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva was handed a one-match ban and £50,000 fine after he posted an image of the popular Conguitos chocolate bar, which has long been accused of racist undertones.
      The Sun has approached Manchester United for comment.
      Onana came out in defence of his teammate on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      Onan’a post was shared by Garnacho on his own InstagramCredit: Instagram
      Onana also posted a photo of the pair celebrating together with a fist-bump emojiCredit: Instagram More