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      Spurs legend Darren Anderton impressed with Aussie chief Ange Postecoglou – and sees Terry Venables comparison

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU’S fatherly approach to revitalised Yves Bissouma is reminding Darren Anderton of his own experience working with Terry Venables.Bissouma has looked like a man reborn this season compared to his injury-hit nightmare of a campaign under Antonio Conte last term.
      Yves Bissouma has been sensational so far under Ange PostecoglouCredit: Getty
      Abrasive and defensively-minded Conte never really took to the £25million signing from Brighton, making the Malian play safe when he did select him.
      But Postecoglou – whom Bissouma described as like “a dad” when speaking to SunSport in Perth this summer – has encouraged the midfielder to use his creative instincts.
      Bissouma had more touches than any other player in the Premier League during the opening weekend and was sensational in last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Manchester United.
      Spurs legend Anderton sees similarities to his own difficult early days when he first arrived from Portsmouth in 1992, only for man-manager expert Venables to get the best out of him.
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      The 51-year-old told SunSport: “Terry was like a second dad to me. 
      “I struggled when I first came to the club. He made me believe that it was OK.
      “I came off in one game and the game was still going on, but he came into the changing room and had a chat with me. He put his arm around me and told me it was going to be all right. To this day, I’ll always remember it.
      Darren Anderton spent 12 seasons at Spurs, winning the League Cup in 1999Credit: Getty Images
      Anderton with Terry Venables during their time together with EnglandCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “I read what Bissouma said about Ange being like a dad and that was really good to hear. 
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      “Especially for a player who has been there for a year and not played enough. He’s had an injury, he’s having a tough time. He was probably excited to come and then was like, ‘Oh my God, what am I doing?’
      “Now he has that belief and you see it in the first two performances. It’s amazing to see.”
      Postecoglou’s friendly manner was summed up by new signing Micky van de Ven this week who described the ex-Celtic chief as “a sweet and lovely guy”.
      The Aussie is still capable of giving the hairdryer treatment though, as was proven at half-time against West Ham and Shakhtar Donetsk in pre-season.
      But overall his approach by all accounts seems to be much more cordial than that of predecessors Conte and Jose Mourinho.
      Anderton, watching on TV from his home in California, can tell a difference.
      He observed: “As a footballer, you can sense when you watch games that things aren’t quite right and people aren’t happy. Fans do as well. You can tell by body language.
      “The start they’ve had under Ange has been really positive. Players have a new lease of life and are now playing well. 
      “Players are not all the same. We’re all young men who are all very talented and have come from being the best from wherever we were from growing up. 
      “You put them in the dressing room and have to somehow bring it all together. That’s the most difficult part of being a manager.
      “From what I hear from the club and from listening to some of the players speak, it seems Ange has that (ability).
      “That’s really refreshing, after watching what’s happened over the last few years where the managers have been more, ‘It’s my way or the highway’. It’s almost been a certain form of bullying at times.”
      Ex-England star Anderton said he was bored watching Conte’s Spurs but now is excited to get up early to watch his beloved Spurs play under progressive Postecoglou.
      Cherries have picked well in AndoniDARREN ANDERTON reckons old club Bournemouth will steer clear of danger this year – even if the sacking of Gary O’Neil was “unfair”.
      O’Neil, who has since taken over at Wolves, was replaced by Andoni Iraola.
      It was a shock appointment but Anderton rates the Spaniard highly.
      The 51-year-old, who ended his 18-year career at Bournemouth in 2008 and still owns a house in the area, told SunSport: “The decision was pretty unfair on Gary O’Neil. I thought he did a great job and really pleased for him that he’s now got a job at Wolves.
      “The new owners have taken the opportunity to get a top, top manager, in my opinion, which might take time which you don’t get in the Premier League.
      “I thought they played well in the first two games. It’s early days. 
      “I don’t think Bournemouth will be in relegation danger. They’ll be OK and he’s a manager who can take the club forward.”

      Saturday’s lunchtime clash at Bournemouth, another of Anderton’s old sides, will kick off at 5.30am on the west coast.
      Yet it will be no chore to tune in as Postecoglou puts together the most attacking Spurs side since the one Anderton played in under Ossie Ardiles.
      That side in the early 90s involved a quintet dubbed the ‘famous five’ of Teddy Sheringham, Jurgen Klinsmann, Nicky Barmby, Ilie Dumitrescu and Anderton.
      He recalled: “Defensively we weren’t good enough but we were very close to being a very good team.
      “We had Teddy and Jurgen Klinsmann up front, Nicky Barmby in behind, Ilie Dumitrescu out left, me on the right. But then on top of that we had full-backs Ossie wanted to bomb on as well!
      “It literally was Sol, Stuart Nethercott and Colin Calderwood who would sit there as a central midfielder holding the fort.
      “I was a team player, I would run up and down all day and help. But, to be fair, Ilie Dumitrescu on the other side was not so willing to do that sort of thing! 
      “The balance wasn’t right. The balance in this team will be better. They will be better defensively, although still a little bit open like we saw in the Brentford game. 
      “But we’re going to dominate games and be entertaining to watch and that’s what you want.”
      Postecoglou’s revolution is, of course, happening without Harry Kane who was sold to Bayern Munich for £104million.
      Richarlison is still to score this term in the England man’s absence, but Spurs have not signed a new forward yet despite interest in Gift Orban and Brennan Johnson.
      Anderton added: “Richarlison will come good and he will score goals. 
      “I like him as a player, he would be a pain to play against. It’s not the be all and end all to see a top, top striker come in.
      “I believe there’s a really good chance of us getting back into the Champions League again. 
      “We’re only two games in, it will only get better. That’s the exciting part.
      “Harry has gone to Germany and I’m chuffed for him, he’s going to play in the Champions League and win the Bundesliga and score tons of goals.
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      “But as a Tottenham boy he obviously loves the club. I wonder how he’ll feel watching that style of football at the moment. 
      “I’m sure he’s happy where he is but I bet he wishes this style of football had been played the last four years.” More

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      How Mo Salah became the world’s most feared forward by sticking to a strict diet and strenuous exercise plan

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      MOHAMED SALAH has become one of the most feared forwards on the planet.The Egypt hotshot, 31, has scored a staggering 187 goals for Liverpool in 307 games, and got off the ground this season by netting against Bournemouth last weekend.
      Liverpool star Mo Salah follows a strict diet
      Salah is seen as a key man in Jurgen Klopp’s machine, as they chase a Champions League spot.
      Which is why the Reds are refusing to entertain advances from Saudi Arabia, as Al-Ittihad prepare to make him the world’s highest paid player.
      The ex-Chelsea forward has achieved greatness thanks to a strict diet and rigorous exercise plan, including 3am workouts during Ramadan.
      It’s that sacrifice that has seen Salah emulate Cristiano Ronaldo as one of football’s most chiselled stars.
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      Here’s how he did it.
      What Salah puts in his body daily is crucial to his success, although he allows himself a cheat day with pizza every so often.
      Speaking about his diet, the Egyptian told CNN, “Nutrition is so important, it’s part of the game.
      “It has helped with my recovery, allowed me to sleep better and helped my body adapt quickly.
      “My nutritionist says that because I don’t have any fat on my body, I can eat what I want. I also don’t drink so it’s fine.”
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      And it’s fair to say, the devout Muslim is usually very careful with his food.
      For breakfast, he will eat parathas – a puffy flatbread – with a glass of milk.
      If he’s still hungry, he will then go for a bowl of fruit.
      When it comes to lunch, Salah tends to load up on more calories. He enjoys lentils, vegetables, bread, chicken, and will finish with a bowl of yogurt.
      His favourite dish is an Egyptian speciality called kushari, which is made from rice, macaroni and lentils and topped with spiced tomatoes, chickpeas and onions.
      He revealed: “When I go back to Egypt, I call my friend from the airport to buy kushari for us to eat in the car.
      “I pull my hoodie over my head, jump into the car and then I’m eating it straight away.”
      Dinner is usually a light affair – with soup, salad and vegetables preferred. He’ll wash that down with a glass of fresh fruit juice without sugar.
      Salah’s dedication to his craft is shown by his obsession with working out.
      If he’s not training with the Reds, he’s doing additional sessions of weight training, bodyweight work, plyometrics, yoga, swimming and stretching exercises.
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      Light meals and plenty of vegetables are key to Salah’s success
      Egyptian speciality kushari is one of Salah’s favourite meals
      Pizza is Salah’s guilty pleasure
      “Normally, I get up early to go for training which starts either in the morning or in the afternoon,” Salah told ON Ent.
      “Then I come for recovery for almost two hours. Therapy for any injuries or specific massage so you mitigate any suffering of your body.
      “After that, I go to the gym here at the club which is optional for players. After training, I do stretching and recovery again.
      “Finally, I go to the pool at the club or with Makka [his daughter] at home. I finish all these activities around 7 or 8pm.”
      During Ramadan, Salah made sure he didn’t miss a single minute to sculpt his abs.
      He was up at 3am after fasting during daylight hours to hit the weights in his home gym.
      When Salah was at Chelsea, he cut a skinny figure.
      Even when he found his form on loan at Fiorentina before securing a move to Roma, he was certainly less defined.
      However, thanks to following a diet plan and exercising religiously, he has seen a remarkable body transformation.
      Today’s Salah is bursting out of his Liverpool shirt with bulging biceps and shredded abs.
      Often, he’s not afraid to show off his torso on Instagram to his adoring fans.
      And even his team-mates can’t help but take pictures of his incredible physique.
      Scotland international Andy Robertson shared a snap of Salah topless in a swimming pool back in 2021.
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      Hilariously, he joked that his pal had a ‘bit of body fat to lose’ in the photo.
      If that’s the case, then SunSport better jump on an exercise bike lively.
      Home workouts are very important to Salah
      Strenuous weight training is key to building up Salah’s biceps
      Additionally, Salah likes to swim in his spare time
      At Chelsea, Salah cut a slight figure
      When on loan to Fiorentina in 2015 he was far from the perfect athleteCredit: Rex
      Today, Salah is more ripped than everCredit: Reuters More

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      Kieran Tierney Celtic return hopes look OVER with Arsenal in talks over stunning transfer to Champions League side

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      REAL SOCIEDAD are front-runners to sign Kieran Tierney with negotiations ongoing with Arsenal for a season-long loan deal.SunSport understands Tierney is keen on the move to the La Liga side – who are also in the Champions League group stages – with the opportunity to get back playing regularly in one of the top five leagues in Europe.
      Tierney is heading out of ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Hopes of an emotional Celtic return look overCredit: PA:Press Association
      Boyhood team and first club Celtic had been named bookies favourites to secure a sensational return for the 26-year-old they sold for a record £25million in 2019.
      And talk rose to fever pitch after previous favourites Newcastle United, who had a long standing interest in the Scotland star, suddenly moved instead this week for Chelsea’s Lewis Hall on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

      However, while Tierney himself had left the door open for a stunning second spell in Paradise, and Celts boss Brendan Rodgers then refused to rule it out, it’s believed Real Sociedad are now in pole position for his signature.
      It’s understood the Hoops at no point have made any formal approach to the Gunners.

      The finances of even just a loan deal – with Tierney on a six-figure weekly wage and a seven-figure loan fee also required – always looked a huge, unrealistic ask for the Parkhead hierarchy who have still considered attempting an audacious swoop.
      But Real are now hoping to secure an agreement over the new few days.
      Tierney was pictured training alone earlier today and that sparked rumours he’d been banished by boss Mikel Arteta.
      But there was no truth in that with Arteta understanding of the player’s situation and desire to head out for regular action.
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      Arteta remains a big fan of FA Cup winner Tierney who was brought to Arsenal by predecessor Unai Emery.
      But the defender is now on the fringes of the Arsenal first team squad and there is a recognition of Tierney’s need to be playing regularly elsewhere.
      Tierney remains under contract with the Gunners until 2026.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      I won Champions Leagues with Cristiano Ronaldo and paid £4k to get my ex off reality TV show but now I’m unemployed

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      JESE RODRIGUEZ once paid more than £4,000 to eliminate his then ex-girlfriend from a reality TV show.The former Real Madrid winger won the Champions League twice with the Spanish giants, playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Jese Rodriguez won the Champions League twice with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty
      He later spent £4,300 to vote then ex Aurah Ruiz off Spanish Big BrotherCredit: Instagram @aurah.ruiz
      However, his life off the pitch has become far more newsworthy than his exploits as a footballer.
      Back in 2018, Jese paid €5,000 to eliminate Aurah Ruiz from the Spanish version of Big Brother.
      According to Sport Bible, he took revenge after their public break-up by texting in votes to remove her from the show.
      Aurah was eventually the ninth contestant to be evicted.
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      Their high-profile split had seen the Spanish model take Jese to court and accuse him of neglecting his duty as a father.
      In return, the ex-Spain under-21 star countersued her for slander and harassment.

      The couple’s relationship did not end there, though, with a sex scandal in 2020 seeing him sacked by PSG.
      Jese was the subject of claims he had cheated on Aurah with a model pal and had been caught in the act by his partner.
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      PSG sacked Jese in 2020 amid a sex scandalCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Aurah claimed to have caught Jese cheating with a model palCredit: instagram @aurah.ruiz
      The pair later reconciled and tied the knot last summer after Jese popped the question earlier in 2022.
      However, that was only after she was forced to deny rumours she ran him over.
      His wild life has also included a pop career under the stage name Jey M and a spell with Stoke.
      Jese joined the Potters on loan from PSG in 2017 but managed just one goal in 13 appearances.
      The 30-year-old is currently without a club after leaving Sampdoria earlier this summer.
      Aurah and Jese’s relationship has included court cases and sex scandalsCredit: instagram @aurah.ruiz
      Aurah has since reconciled with Jese and they tied the knot last yearCredit: Instagram @aurah.ruiz More

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      Unemployed Champions League hero back in Chelsea training after eight years in shock move

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      RYAN BERTRAND is training with Chelsea’s loan development group, eight years after leaving the London club. The 34-year-old is without a club after his contract expired with Leicester City this summer.
      Ryan Bertrand won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012 and is now back training with the Blues after eight years awayCredit: Getty
      He spent the last two years of his career with Leicester CityCredit: Getty
      And according to Fabrizio Romano, Bertrand is now training with Chelsea’s loan development squad in the hopes of finding himself a new home.
      He is said to be considering interest from England, Europe and the Middle East as he looks to take the next step in his career.
      The full-back spent the last two years with Leicester, but only managed four appearances for the foxes in the Premier League after struggling with his fitness.
      He picked up a nasty knee injury which saw him undergo surgery and spend over 500 days away from the pitch.
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      Bertrand will be hoping he can return to the high levels that he set earlier in his career.
      The Englishman represented his country 19 times on the International stage and has also won an array of club trophies.
      During his time at Chelsea he won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup.
      He actually made his European debut during The Blue’s 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich.
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      And became the first Champions League player in history to make their competition debut during the final.
      He later earned himself a move to Southampton where he made an impressive 240 appearances scoring eight goals and registering 20 assists. More

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      When is the Champions League group stage draw? Stream FREE, TV channel, start time as Man Utd and Arsenal await fate

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      THE return of the Champions League is fast approaching and all the usual European powerhouses are keen to find out their group stage opponents. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City capped off their historic Treble win with victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final last year.
      Manchester City won the 2022/23 Champions LeagueCredit: GETTY
      City will be keen to make it back-to-back wins in the huge European tournament next campaign.
      Elsewhere, Premier League sides Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle will also take part in next season’s Champions League.
      The Toon will feature in the prestigious competition for the first time since the 2002/03 season.
      When is the Champions League group stage draw?

      The Champions League group stage draw will take place on Thursday, August 31.
      The draw is set to begin at 5pm UK time.
      The Grimaldi Forum in Monaco will host.

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      What channel is the Champions League group stage draw on and can it be live streamed FREE?

      The Champions League group stage will be live streamed for FREE on the UEFA.com website.
      TNT Sports are also likely to broadcast the draw.

      What are the Champions League seedings?
      Pot 1

      Manchester City
      Sevilla
      Barcelona
      Napoli
      Bayern Munich
      Paris Saint-Germain
      Benfica
      Feyenoord

      Pot 2
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      Real Madrid
      Manchester United
      Inter Milan
      Borussia Dortmund
      Atletico Madrid
      RB Leipzig
      Porto
      Arsenal

      Pot 3

      Shakhtar Donetsk
      Red Bull Salzburg
      AC Milan
      Lazio
      Red Star Belgrade
      One ‘League Path’ winner

      Pot 3 or 4

      Celtic
      Real Sociedad
      Two ‘Champions Path’ winners
      One ‘League Path’ winner

      Pot 4

      Newcastle
      Union Berlin
      Lens
      Two ‘Champions Path’ winners

      Newcastle secured Champions League football by finishing fourth last seasonCredit: Reuters
      When does the Champions League group stage start?

      The Champions League group stage will begin on Tuesday, September 19.
      The group stage will last for 12 weeks.
      The final match day of the group stage will begin on Tuesday, December 12.

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      Champions League group stage schedule
      Here is the full schedule of the Champions League group stage:

      Matchday 1: 19/20 September 2023
      Matchday 2: 3/4 October 2023
      Matchday 3: 24/25 October 2023
      Matchday 4: 7/8 November 2023
      Matchday 5: 28/29 November 2023
      Matchday 6: 12/13 December 2023 More

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      Former Man City manager backs NEWCASTLE to win the Premier League over his old club in shock prediction

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      NEWCASTLE are going to stun Manchester City and win the Premier League title this season.That is according to former City manager Stuart Pearce, who is confident the Magpies will end his former club’s reign of dominance and lift their first league trophy since 1927.
      Stuart Pearce predicted Newcastle will beat Manchester City for the Premier League titleCredit: Rex
      Pearce is very impressed with Newcastle manager Eddie Howe’s workCredit: Rex
      Pearce believes Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will struggle without Kevin De BruyneCredit: Getty
      The Toon have been on the rise since their £300million takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund in 2021 as they finished fourth in the Premier League last season.
      Pearce believes in Eddie Howe’s side due to the recent recruitment and the excitement at St James’ Park after the club qualified for this season’s Champions League.
      The former Newcastle star believes Pep Guardiola will also struggle without Kevin De Bruyne.
      De Bruyne has been sidelined with a hamstring injury that could rule him out until the New Year.
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      The Nottingham Forest legend believes the playmaker’s absence will also affect last season’s top goalscorer Erling Haaland’s performances.
      And the former England international insists this Saturday’s Premier League clash between Newcastle and City will be a major indicator of who could lift the trophy in May.
      Pearce told talkSPORT as he stunned Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour with his prediction: “To be honest with you, I think they win the league this year. I’m gonna stick my neck out.
      “With the recruitment they’ve done, how they’ve sort of gone in, how things are at Newcastle.
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      “I’ve been up there a couple of times last year and the place is absolutely rocking.
      “I think, if they keep everyone fit and have a good run of it [Newcastle could win the Prem].
      “And I think this game on Saturday evening could be an indicator of whether they have got credentials.
      “To be fair, I think with Manchester City losing De Bruyne for a length of time, I think that will impact directly on Haaland as well.
      “I think that will hurt them a lot, so that’s probably why I’m looking at Newcastle.” More

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      Saudi Pro League ‘to demand WILDCARD for winners to enter the Champions League from NEXT season’

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      SAUDIA ARABIA are reportedly eyeing up a groundbreaking “wild card” entry into the UEFA Champions League. It comes as a stream of past winners of the world’s biggest club competition head to the Saudi Pro League following lucrative offers.
      Officials in Saudi Arabia are set to request ‘wildcard’ entry to the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane and Neymar are now plying their trade in Saudi Arabia.
      It is all part of a huge financial investment by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in not only football but sport in general.
      And now they are setting their sights on participating in European football.
      According to Corriere dello Sport, the leaders of the Arab federation will formulate a very specific request to UEFA.
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      Saudi authorities want the Pro League winners to have a shot at the Champions League from next season.
      They plan to propose a wild card entry that would allow the Saudi domestic league champions to participate in Europe’s top club competition.
      The Champions League format is changing in the 2024-2025 season, from its current 32 team system to one that will include 36 teams.
      The biggest change will see a transformation from the traditional group stage, to a single league phase that includes all participating teams.
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      Each team will play four additional games for a total of five home ties and five away ties – although unlike a traditional league system, not everyone will play each other.
      The top eight will qualify automatically for the round of 16 – while those placed between ninth and 16th will be entered into two-legged play-offs.
      The think tank at Jeddah will request to be allowed entry into the new Swiss-style format.
      Whether UEFA will accept the offer is yet to be seen, with resistance from various stakeholders expected.
      But if this proposal gets the green light, it could potentially see the likes of Ronaldo, Benzema, and Neymar play in Europe once again. 
      Moreover, this would further enhance the profile and prestige of the Saudi Pro League on a global scale.
      The revamped competition also means it’s likely a fifth Premier League club will compete.
      The Champions League will undergo huge changes next seasonCredit: AP More