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      Chelsea hero Malouda names Mbappe’s next club, predicts Pochettino’s debut season and reveals how Arteta can use Havertz

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      CHELSEA legend Florent Malouda insists it is “only a matter of time” until Kylian Mbappe joins Real Madrid… but could still move to the Premier League at some point.Mbappe has informed PSG he won’t trigger the option to extend his contract until 2025, which means he will be a free agent next summer and the French champions are not keen to lose him for nothing.
      Florent Malouda believes Kylian Mbappe will join Real Madrid if he leaves Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      Malouda, though, believes Mbappe could join the Premier League at some pointCredit: Getty – Contributor
      This stunning development has put Europe’s top bidders on high alert with Manchester United linked with an interest for the star striker who may cost more than €250million (£216m).
      However, Malouda believes Real are the France international’s likeliest destination if he decides to depart from Parc des Princes but it will all come down to a project that fulfils his ambitions.
      That is why the former winger believes the only Premier League team that could attract Mbappe is Manchester City as he aspires to win the Champions League in the near future.
      Malouda told SunSport, via Genting Casino: “For me, it is only a matter of time before he plays for Real Madrid. He has that desire to wear the white shirt because he liked the team when he was young. Eventually, I think he will try the Premier League, but right now, I don’t see any team apart from Manchester City that would attract him. It is not the right time for him to come to the Premier League.
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      “Everybody associated with PSG and France would love him to stay, but his priority is the sports aspect and the project. He wants a competitive project and PSG have to do their part. Kylian could play for any club in the world. This isn’t about money. He is looking for greatness and wants to find a club that can match his talents and give him the opportunity to win the Champions League.
      “He had the opportunity to go to Madrid and he extended his contract, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he found an agreement with PSG in the future. I would be very surprised if he left this summer. I think from his point of view, everything has always been clear: he wants PSG to give him a project that can fulfill his ambitions.”
      Malouda retired in 2018 after a celebrated career that saw him spend six years at Chelsea after his arrival from Lyon in 2007 and went on to win the Double in 2010 as well as the Champions League in 2012.
      The former France international still watches his former club and insists new manager Mauricio Pochettino will have his hands full after a disastrous campaign that saw the Blues finishing 12th.
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      The 43-year-old expects Pochettino to be under immense pressure and is adamant he can only hit the ground running if he wins over the dressing room.
      Malouda added: “He needs to rebuild a lot of things. He needs to rebuild an identity and a culture. He has already been studying what happened at Chelsea last season and has been talking to people at the club.
      “There were a lot of problems at the club last season, and you could tell that something was very wrong, the results and where Chelsea finished the league confirm that. He is the leader now and he needs to demonstrate that leadership from the first day. There are so many people that will be looking towards him, the players, the staff, the fans. They want to see Chelsea back at the top. He has to lead them with confidence.
      “He will understand the size of the job that he is taking on and he will know that he will be under pressure almost immediately. He has been doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes and he will know that having a good pre-season is the first step in the journey.
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      Malouda predicts Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino will be under tremendous pressureCredit: Getty
      “To get off to a good start, he will have to get the players on his side. He will need to completely believe in his methods and the targets that he will set. It’s a huge job, and he has experience, but he will need his players to support him and give everything from the first match of the season.”
      Pochettino has started by offloading players from Chelsea’s bloated squad and one of the club’s most notable departures is Kai Havertz, who joined London rivals Arsenal after a £65m deal.
      Malouda believes Havertz’s move to the Emirates signals at a new strategy by the Gunners with manager Mikel Arteta opting for players with experience of winning trophies, like Gabriel Jesus.
      The Frenchman doesn’t expect the Germany international to play as a No9, like he did last season for the West Londoners, but could instead feature as a “supporting attacking midfielder”.
      Malouda believes Kai Havertz will play as a “supporting attacking midfielder” at ArsenalCredit: https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1674138215266111501/photo/1
      Malouda said: “I think this is part of Arsenal’s strategy. They are looking to bring players into their squad that are a certain age with the experience of winning trophies.
      “You must also think that Mikel Arteta has a development plan for Kai Havertz and he will know exactly how he will use him to make Arsenal better. I think this is a signing that is similar to when Arsenal bought Gabriel Jesus last summer.
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      “I definitely don’t see him as a number nine. I see him as more of a supporting attacking midfielder who can play around the striker. He has the ability to make long runs and he is comfortable arriving in the box and timing his runs well. I think he needs to create things in the midfield.
      “I’m sure his game will be more suited to Arsenal than at Chelsea because Arsenal play with a lot of interchanging and movement between positions.” More

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      Man City star’s son racks up 1 million Instagram followers in 24 hours after cute Champions League final celebrations

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      PHIL Foden’s four-year-old son Ronnie has become a social media sensation thanks to his Champions League final celebrations – amassing an incredible 1m Instagram followers in just 24 hours.Ronnie Foden delighted City fans by dancing on the pitch with his dad and other City teammates including Erling Halaand and Jack Grealish after the Blues completed the treble in Istanbul earlier this month.
      Phil Foden’s four-year-old son Ronnie has become a social media sensation thanks to his Champions League final celebrations
      Ronnie Foden celebrated with his dad and mum, Rebecca, as City won the Champions League Final in IstanbulCredit: Rex
      Now Ronnie – nicknamed “El Wey” which means “The Dude” in Spanish – has been given his own social media page.
      And his adorable posts have already led to a huge following.
      One sees Ronnie dancing on a table in a £200 designer Off White hoodie while in another he build sandcastles with his England ace dad while on holiday in Mykonos.
      A source said: “Ronnie is a real extrovert and loves all the razzmatazz that comes with being the son of one of the most famous footballers in the world.“
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      He is a very happy kid and loves watching his dad play footy.”
      In comparison Wayne Rooney’s son Kai has built up 120,000 Instagram followers since starting his account in April 2022 while Romeo Beckham has 3.6m.
      His older brother Brooklyn has more than 15m. More

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      Incredible Scott Carson record convinced Man City stars they ‘couldn’t lose’ Champions League final, jokes Gundogan

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      ILKAY GUNDOGAN knew Manchester City “couldn’t lose” the Champions League because of… Scott Carson.Gundogan, who just left the Premier League winners for Barcelona as a free agent, captained City to a stunning Treble triumph last season.
      Ilkay Gundogan has left Manchester City for Barcelona after winning the TrebleCredit: AP
      Gundogan knew Manchester City would win the Champions League because of Scott CarsonCredit: Getty
      The midfielder shone bright in the final when the Citizens beat Inter Milan 1-0 at Istanbul’s Ataturk Stadium.
      That was the same venue for Liverpool’s 2005 comeback win over AC Milan, where Pep Guardiola’s reserve keeper Carson was a sub.
      And Gundogan, whose grandfather was from Turkey, said: “I couldn’t have dreamed of a better ending than having the final in Istanbul.
      “When we got on the bus over to the hotel, I was sitting near Scott Carson.
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      “He said, ‘Every time I come to Istanbul, I leave with a Champions League trophy’. With Scott in the squad, we couldn’t lose!”
      Gundogan arrived at the Etihad on crutches in 2016 but departed feeling like he is “flying in the clouds”.
      The German — Guardiola’s first signing at City — admits telling his gaffer he was leaving is one of the hardest calls he has ever made.
      Eyebrows were raised when Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund for £20.4million when he was struggling with a dislocated knee.
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      Seven years, 304 appearances, 60 goals, five Prem titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, one Champions League and “hundreds of unforgettable moments” later, the Treble-winning captain leaves a bona fide City legend.
      Gundogan, 32, insists it was “Barcelona or nothing” after sealing his move, 16 days on from lifting the Champions League trophy.
      And he said: “None of this would have been possible without Pep.
      “There are times he is so demanding of how we play and so intense that it can be a bit difficult, mentally.
      “But once everyone gets on the same page it almost feels effortless.
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      Carson’s record on Champions League Finals motivated Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      “One of the hardest calls I had to make was to Pep, telling him I was going to leave. All I could do was to say ‘thank you’.
      “When I hurt my knee at the end of the season with Dortmund and I had to get surgery, I was so worried City would pull out of the deal.
      “But Pep called me and said, ‘Don’t worry, it doesn’t change anything. We want you here. We will wait for you no matter how long it takes’.
      “I can only imagine what the fans thought when this guy with the funny name arrived for a lot of money and he was limping around on crutches at the unveiling.
      “Well, all I can say is . . . I came here limping on one foot but I leave like I am flying in the clouds.”
      A midfielder of impeccable timing, Gundogan saved his best for when it mattered most. His two goals off the bench in May 2022 completed a dramatic final-day comeback against Aston Villa to pip Liverpool to the title.
      Carson was in the squad when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005Credit: PA:Press Association
      And he scored six goals in his final seven games for City last term — including a double in the FA Cup final win over rivals Manchester United.
      Even when they were eight points behind Arsenal in the title race, Gundogan “knew we would win the league”.
      Since Gundogan’s Dortmund side lost to Bayern Munich in the 2013 final, the midfielder admits the Champions League had been his “obsession”.
      He added: “It seriously haunted me for ten years. Every decision I made in my career since that has been about lifting that trophy. That’s why I came to City.”
      Chelsea pipped City in the 2021 final before Gundogan was left sulking in his room after being benched in last year’s semi-final defeat to Real Madrid.
      So what changed? For Gundogan, it was not all about the signing of goal machine Erling Haaland.
      Speaking to the Players’ Tribune, he continued: “I really have to credit our wives and partners for bringing us a lot closer together this season.
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      “They organised barbecues in their group chat and it made a big difference.
      “This has been the closest team I’ve ever been part of, and that’s part of why we lifted the Champions League.” More

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      Fans fear for England star’s Champions League medal after he is spotted with Salt Bae on holiday

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      FANS were all left saying the same thing after Phil Foden was spotted alongside Salt Bae.The celebrity chef sparked controversy at the Qatar World Cup final after entering the pitch following Argentina’s shootout win over France.
      Phil Foden posed alongside Salt BaeCredit: Instagram @philfoden
      Foden helped Manchester City complete the TrebleCredit: Getty
      But fans warned Foden following Salt Bae’s actions at the World Cup finalCredit: instagram
      Salt Bae – real name Nusret Gokce – was seen snatching the Jules Rimet to perform his trademark sprinkle, biting a winner’s medal and pestering stars including Lionel Messi for a selfie.
      The 39-year-old subsequently landed himself a ban from other major sporting events as Fifa launched its own investigation into how he was able to gatecrash the final.
      Despite this, he was spotted in attendance at the Champions League final in his homeland of Turkey earlier this month.
      And weeks after Manchester City’s Treble achievement, Foden was spotted posing for a picture alongside the viral chef.
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      The pair could be seen holding up three fingers together, gesturing the three trophies won by City, with Foden captioning the post: “Nice to see you my friend 🤝.”
      However, fans rushed to the comments to warn Foden, 23, about a potential ulterior motive.

      One fan quipped: “Surprised he didn’t rip the Champions League trophy out of your hands in Turkey!”
      A second fan remarked: “Did he also touch the Champions League trophy?”
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      “He wants to carry the Champions League cup💀,” declared a third.
      A fourth joked: “Now he is going to steal your Champions League medal.”
      While another fan scoffed: “Did he charge you 69 grand to sprinkle salt over his fillet?”
      Despite his less-than-glowing reputation among sports fans, Salt Bae defended his actions in Qatar, but admitted he was embarrassed by the incident.
      In an interview with The Times, he said: “It was a combination of my love of Argentina and my excitement.
      “I love Argentina, I’ve lived there. I went to support them. Many of [the team] have come to the restaurant. I didn’t feel a stranger.
      “It was a special moment. I can’t do anything about the reason I was there, but I would never, ever step on the World Cup pitch again.
      “There were two billion people watching the World Cup… how many people are speaking about me? Five billion. The whole world.
      “I didn’t go on the pitch with the purpose of advertising, I just felt like it. Then it was a bit of a surprise.
      “There were at least another 1,000 people on the pitch but when they show the video they make out it was just me.
      “I never, ever wanted to overshadow anything. I didn’t like the attention. I didn’t kick anyone, steal anything.”
      Salt Bae’s restaurant empire stretches across the globe, with his Nusr-Et chain in London once being the second most expensive place to eat in the world.
      But many have slammed the food for being “overpriced”, with punters being charged £1,000 gold-plated steaks and $99 (£78) milkshakes.
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      This included food critics at his recently closed burger chain dubbed the “worst restaurant in New York City”.
      Regardless, the food influencer has amassed a whopping 52.3million followers on his Instagram account – just over two million shy of Foden’s and Man City’s accounts together which add to 54.5m. More

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      Kevin De Bruyne hands Man City huge injury blow as it is revealed he will MISS start of next season

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      KEVIN De Bruyne will miss the start of next season in a huge blow to Manchester City.The midfielder picked up an injury during the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
      Kevin de Bruyne was injured during the Champions League finalCredit: Getty
      City were able to cope without their talisman as Rodri fired in the winning goal to complete the club’s historic Treble win.
      But for De Bruyne, 31, he had to watch from the sidelines as he was unable to continue in the match.
      Now it seems the injury is worse than first feared as the Daily Star have reported that he has suffered a Grade Three hamstring tear after undergoing scans.
      The report has insisted that he will not need surgery but will miss the 2023/24 curtain-raiser against Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley Stadium.
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      It is thought that he will still be absent for City’s first Premier League game against Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted Burnley at Turf Moor.
      The club’s medical department however are “optimistic” that the Belgian international will be able to feature on the bench for the European Super Cup against Europa League winners Sevilla.
      The report claims that De Bruyne has been ordered to rest up before beginning his rehab during pre-season next month.
      He has been doing just that during his summer break as he has been relaxing with his wife while on holiday.
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      De Bruyne is set to miss the start of next seasonCredit: Getty
      The midfielder and his Michele Lacroix soaked up the sun in Saint-Tropez, France.
      He did not attend team-mate Aymeric Laporte’s wedding, instead opting for a trip to Ibiza with Ilkay Gundogan and Nathan Ake.
      Last season, De Bruyne played a crucial role for City as he netted nine goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions. More

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      Chelsea icon Cesar Azpilicueta ‘seals Inter Milan transfer’ after agreeing two-year deal and return to Champions League

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      CHELSEA icon Cesar Azpilicueta has reportedly sealed a transfer to Inter Milan after agreeing a two-year deal.The move will see the Spaniard make a return to the Champions League, with the Blues not in Europe next season.
      Cesar Azpilicueta is set to join Inter Milan on a free transfer from ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Fabrizio Romano reports that Azpilicueta has agreed personal terms with the Italian giants and will join on a two-year deal.
      He is now set to complete a free transfer, with Chelsea happy to cancel his contract a year early to allow him to leave for the Champions League runners-up.
      It means Azpilicueta’s 11-year stay at Stamford Bridge will come to an end this summer.
      The 33-year-old joined the club from Marseille for £7million in 2012 and has made over 500 appearances in blue.
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      He has also won two league titles and the Champions League amongst nine major honours during that time.
      Azpilicueta had looked set to leave Chelsea last summer after entering talks with Barcelona, only to instead stay and sign a new deal.
      Chelsea are looking to trim their squad in order to make room for new signings as Mauricio Pochettino overhauls his side.
      Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Hakim Ziyech all look set to depart, with several Saudi Arabian clubs said to be interested.
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      N’Golo Kante has already finalised a move to the Middle East, joining Al-Ittihad on a free transfer.
      As for incomings, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Christopher Nkunku this week, having signed an agreement for the Frenchman before the end of the season.
      The club also remains in talks to sign Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Moises Caicedo. More

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      Edin Dzeko returns to Turkey just days after Champions League final heartbreak for transfer after leaving Inter Milan

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      EDIN DZEKO has agreed to join Turkish giants Fenerbahce on a two-year deal.The 37-year-old started in Inter Milan’s Champions League final clash with Manchester City in Istanbul but was unable to guide the Serie A side to victory.
      The striker has left Inter Milan after Champions League heartbreakCredit: Rex
      Edin Dzeko has returned to Turkey to sign for FenerbahceCredit: Fenerbache
      Dzeko’s contract was left to expire after he rejected Inter’s offer of a one-year extension.
      The Bosnian striker arrived back in Istanbul overnight, where he will sign his contract with Fenerbahce.
      Dzeko scored 31 goals in 101 appearances for Inter over the past two seasons.
      He scored 14 goals in 52 appearances last term as Inter won the Italian cup and reached the final of the Champions League under Simone Inzaghi.
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      The former Manchester City frontman will earn around £3.5m plus add-ons, and a substantial signing-on bonus.
      Inter have already drawn up a list of replacements which reportedly includes Arsenal ace Folarin Balogun.
      Romelu Lukaku is one potential option having returned to Chelsea following the conclusion of his loan spell at Inter.
      But bitter rivals AC Milan are also reportedly preparing a shock move to sign the Belgian ace.
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      Across Dkezo’s four seasons at City he won five trophies, scoring 72 goals between 2011 and 2015.
      The striker played an essential role in City’s first Premier League triumph, scoring the stoppage-time equaliser that made the victory over QPR possible on the final day. More

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      Chelsea’s huge transfer clearout means just THREE of their 2021 Champions League winners could be left next season

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      INCREDIBLY just THREE of Chelsea’s Champions League winners from 2021 could remain at the club next season.The Blues famously beat Manchester City 1-0 in Lisbon to lift the iconic trophy for the second time.
      Chelsea won the Champions League with this starting XI in 2021Credit: AFP
      But little more than a year later, the manager for that memorable night, Thomas Tuchel, was harshly sacked.
      And now barely any of the Kings of Europe heroes are left either in a dramatic two years for Chelsea.
      Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022 and continues to oversee a major overhaul of the playing squad – splashing out more than £600million on transfers last season.
      But with the waves of new players coming in, plenty of others have passed through the Stamford Bridge exit door – or could be about to as part of the clearout of the bloated squad and to avoid FFP breaches.
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      Edouard Mendy started in goal in the final but is on the brink of joining Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
      Of the three centre-backs, Antonio Rudiger was released and joined Real Madrid last year while Cesar Azpilicueta is a transfer target for Tuchel’s Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
      Thiago Silva is staying put for at least 12 more months at Chelsea while wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell remain key cogs.
      The entire midfield and attack, though, have either been sold or look set to move on.
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      Jorginho signed for Arsenal in January while his midfield partner from that night, N’Golo Kante, secured a free transfer to Al-Ittihad that will see him get paid a whopping £86m.
      Timo Werner returned to RB Leipzig last summer while matchwinner Kai Havertz is strongly linked with following Jorginho to the Emirates for £65m after agreeing personal terms.
      Mason Mount, meanwhile, has rejected all contract extensions and could be about to head to Manchester United.
      Amazingly, 11 of the 12 subs could also be playing their football away from Stamford Bridge in 2023-24.
      Willy Caballero, Marcos Alonso, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma, Emerson, Billy Gilmour and Olivier Giroud have all already left.
      Mateo Kovacic is close to completing his switch to Manchester City while Hakim Ziyech is another man heading to the Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi was loaned out last year and could be targeted by a Saudi outfit, too, while Christian Pulisic is surplus to requirements and will likely move on.
      That leaves Kepa Arrizabalaga as the only substitute seemingly with a future at Chelsea after winning his place between the sticks back from Mendy – although even he is not guaranteed to stay if Boehly signs another goalkeeper.
      The likes of Hakim Ziyech, Mateo Kovacic and matchwinner Kai Havertz could all leave this summerCredit: Reuters More