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      Chelsea’s greatest EVER XI named by artificial intelligence with Premier League flop boss and no-nonsense right back

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      CHELSEA’S greatest EVER starting XI has been revealed by artificial intelligence.The Blues endured their worst-ever Premier League season following Todd Boehly’s takeover, but have a cabinet full of trophies to look back on and remind them of better times.
      AI has named Chelsea’s greatest ever xiCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Including names such as Eden HazardCredit: Getty
      Numerous club legends have emerged from those victories, and now Perplexity AI has named the best of the bunch.
      In goal is Petr Cech, arguably the best goalkeeper the Premier League has ever seen.
      The 41-year-old made 494 appearances for Chelsea, helping to win four Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the Champions League.
      The first star in the defence in front of him is Serbian bruiser Branislav Ivanovic.
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      The three-time Premier League winner made 377 appearances for the club, being famed for his no-nonsense approach to defending.
      At the core of the defence, the first is a star who exemplified the art of defending in former captain John Terry.
      After emerging through the Blues youth team, the Englishman enjoyed a trophy-laden 17-year career at Stamford Bridge.
      His successes included five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and lifting the Champions and Europa League across 715 appearances.
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      Partnering him is French World Cup winner Marcel Desailly.
      The former Milan and Marseille star played at Chelsea for six years, appearing in 221 games and winning four trophies.
      Completing the defence is Ashley Cole, who joined from Arsenal in 2006 and went on to make 337 appearances over his eight years at Stamford Bridge.
      In midfield, Claude Makelele partners Frank Lampard for a rekindling of the 2005 team which conceded just 15 goals to see Chelsea lift their first Prem title.
      Lampard was one of the poster boys of the Roman Abramovich era as a player, but did not have a great time as a manager in either of his spells.
      Luckily his legacy as a player remains intact, following 648 appearances for the club and netting a club-record 211 goals, all the while winning 13 trophies.
      Meanwhile, Makelele was with Chelsea for five years, helping the club win back-to-back league titles in 2005 and 2006.
      The xi includes stars such as Gianfranco ZolaCredit: Alamy
      Blues legend Peter Osgood was immortalised in a statue outside of Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      On the wings for this team are Gianfranco Zola and Eden Hazard.
      Between them, the pair played 662 games and netting 188 goals in that time.
      Zola won the club’s Player of the Year award in 1999 and 2003, with Hazard doubling this haul with his four wins in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2019.
      Up front, Didier Drogba is paired with Peter Osgood – the only name from before the Premier League era to make it.
      The former was a final specialist, putting in starring performances to help the club win its first Champions League and a number of FA Cups.
      His 164 goals put him fourth in the club’s all-time scorer rankings.
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      Osgood was a star who came far before his listed team-mates as he played for the Blues throughout the 1960s.
      And his tally of 150 strikes put him joint fifth in the standings. More

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      Bayern Munich’s seven-man transfer exodus revealed with four ex-Premier League stars on chopping block

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      BAYERN Munich are set for a brutal summer transfer clear out as they look to back Thomas Tuchel’s vision for the club.As many as seven players are deemed surplus to requirements with former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane heading up the list.
      Thomas Tuchel will be ruthless ahead of the upcoming seasonCredit: Getty
      Getting rid of Sadio Mane is the club’s top priorityCredit: Getty
      Tuchel replaced Julian Nagelsmann as Bayern boss in March and was dropped into a season full of upheaval.
      Despite the club securing the league title on the final day of the season, CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić were both sacked.
      It is understood the new regime will give Tuchel free reign to swing the axe and bring in players he wants.
      According to German outlet Bild, Sadio Mane is a top priority to be sold – despite only arriving last summer.
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      The winger has not lived up to expectations since joining from Liverpool to replace Robert Lewandowski – scoring just seven times and returning five assists in 25 Bundesliga games.
      His frustration boiled over following Bayern’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter final in April.
      The winger was suspended by the club after he punched team-mate Leroy Sane and despite having his suspension overturned, was not able to nail down a place in the XI.
      The club have lost patience with the Senegalese star and deem him surplus to requirements.
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      Sane could also follow Mane out of the exit door, with Thomas Tuchel willing to listen to offers for him and fellow German international Serge Gnabry.
      Gnabry fuelled rumours of a return to Arsenal when he said “once a Gunner always a Gunner” when asked if he still follows his former club at the Spanish Grand Prix.
      The club are also keen to cash in on World Cup winning right-back Benjamin Pavard amid reported interest from Barcelona, Manchester United and Liverpool.
      Bayern are understood to be holding out for a £25million fee for the French international.
      Rounding out the seven-strong list are former Manchester United loanee Marcel Sabitzer, right-back Bouna Sarr and goalkeeper Alexander Nubel.
      Bayern hope the cash raised from the sales will help fund a move for top summer target Declan Rice – who is also attracting interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
      West Ham are reportedly holding out for a £100m fee. More

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      People are only just realising how to watch the Champions League for FREE

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      PEOPLE are only just realising there’s a way to watch Saturday’s Champions League final for FREE.Manchester City will take on Inter Milan in Istanbul this weekend after storming past Real Madrid in the semis.
      People are finding out the Champions League final will be shown for freeCredit: AP
      Pep Guardiola’s side have already scooped the Premier League and FA Cup this term.
      And they are looking to become just the second English side in history to complete an incredible Treble.
      European games in the UK, ranging from Champions League to Europa League and Conference League, have all been shown on BT Sport this season.
      A subscription is required to watch all the continental action in full.
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      However, tonight’s Europa Conference League final between West Ham and Fiorentina, plus the Champions League final, will both be shown for free.
      All European broadcasters are required to make the showpiece events completely accessible.
      And so BT Sport will show both finals on both their YouTube channel and app without any subscription or fee required.
      Twitter user HLTCO confirmed: “For anyone who is unaware, broadcasters of European finals are required to show them free to air.
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      “So even if you don’t have a BT Sport subscription, you can watch tonight’s UEFA Conference Final & Saturday’s Champions League final free of charge on the BT Sport YouTube channel.”
      It means fans who feared they would miss out on the two finals can now relax knowing they will be available for free.
      One supporter said: “I didn’t know they had to be free. All those finals I could have watched over the years.”
      Another declared: “Excellent! Didn’t know that.”
      One noted: “Oh wow, thanks for letting me know, I’ve missed out on about 7 years of European finals.”
      Another added: “I had no idea about this, thanks for sharing.”
      Other fans were less impressed though, with one saying: “Funny how BT Sport don’t advertise this.”
      Another added: “Cheers for tweeting this after the Europa League final.” More

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      Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway

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      FOOTIE ace Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway.The Norwegian striker took advantage of a couple of days off following Saturday’s FA Cup final win over Man United to jet to his hometown of Byrne.
      Footie ace Erling Haaland prepares for Saturday’s Champions League final by feasting on his favourite Chinese takeaway
      While there the 22-year-old goal machine popped into Chinese restaurant Wen Hua House which has been a haunt of the Haaland family ever since Erling was a youngster.
      He happily posed for pictures with owner Hui Zhu Wang after enjoying sweet and sour chicken and Peking duck.
      The City ace has previously signed autographs for fans during visits and donated signed shirts to the eaterie, delighting locals and tourists alike.
      Haaland is not the only City player who loves Chinese food.
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      Earlier this season Jack Grealish told how he loves to gorge on a slap up £52 takeaway from posh Chinese restaurant Wings in Manchester after a game along with a side of chips.
      Grealish told fans earlier this season: “Yeah I love Chinese man. After every game I get one. I go to Wing’s in Manchester, I usually get a takeaway.
      “I have Singapore chow mein, I have egg fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, salt and pepper prawns, and then curry sauce.
      “And then mix it all in, and have a big free for all in there.”
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      City can win the treble on Saturday if they beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final. More

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      Tickets for West Ham’s European final being sold for 50% more than those for Man City’s Champions League clash

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      TICKETS for West Ham’s European final were last night being sold for 50 per cent more than those for Manchester City’s Champions League clash.Hammers supporters hoping to see their team win the Europa Conference League on Wednesday face paying at least £1,500 online for a seat in their side’s end.
      West Ham fans heading to the final in Prague face paying at least £1,500 online for a seat in their side’s endCredit: PA
      Even West Ham superfan Chesney Hawkes, who was invited by the club to perform at the live fan zone in the Czech Republic’s capital, is having to barter for a final seat
      City fans — whose team could complete the Treble — can get a ticket for their final for £925 from the same website, Livefootballtickets.com.
       West Ham take on Italian side Fiorentina at Prague’s Fortuna Arena, which has a capacity of just 19,370.
      Even West Ham superfan Chesney Hawkes, who was invited by the club to perform at the live fan zone in the Czech Republic’s capital, is having to barter for a final seat.
      The One and Only singer, 51, said: “We still don’t even have tickets yet. We are hoping the club are able to help us out but if we have to pay, we will pay.
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      “A friend of ours paid four-and-a-half grand for some tickets — it’s getting crazy.
      “I spoke to another guy who has paid a couple of thousand. There will probably be more people in the fan zone than in the stadium at this rate.”
      Manchester City face Italian side Inter in their big final in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday.
      Pep Guardiola’s men are set to become only the second English club in history to scoop the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles in one season — matching the 1999 feat of rivals Manchester United.
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      Man Utd star who played 57 times this season hints at shock transfer exit as he reveals ‘I want to be important’

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      FRED has hinted at a shock exit from Manchester United by insisting that he wants to be an “important” player.The midfielder featured 57 times for the Red Devils last season, helping them to a Carabao Cup trophy and Champions League spot.
      Fred has hinted at an exit from Manchester UnitedCredit: AP
      However, Fred has been linked with a move to Fulham and was spotted talking to manager Marco Silva after the win against the London side at the end of the season.
      The Brazilian has one year left to run on his contract at Old Trafford and this could be one of the last chances the club have to cash in on him.
      While Fred may not be one of the stars at Manchester United, he has played a big role this season.
      He played 2,275 minutes in all competitions, the 13th most in the United squad.
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      His most recent minutes came in the FA Cup final defeat to Manchester City.
      After the game, Fred admitted that he is still not sure over his future, but is happy at the club.
      He said: “I still don’t know, I have to talk with my family, I still have one year left in my contract here. 
      “Now it’s holidays’ time and a good opportunity to rest. I’ll talk to my staff, to the club and see what is everyone’s decision.
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      “I do have to talk with [Erik] Ten Hag as well, he’s the manager and the conversation has to involve everyone.
      “We have to see how next season will plan out. I want to be important, I want to help the team, so we’ll see.
      “But I’ve always been and still am very happy at Manchester United.
      “Of course, I always want to be playing, to be helping my team and gladly I started and I think we played well.” More

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      Man Utd icon Rio Ferdinand hilariously blames Arsenal for City’s Treble hunt and says ‘you folded like a pack of cards’

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      RIO FERDINAND has claimed that Arsenal are at fault for allowing Manchester City a chance to win a historic treble.The Citizens are on the cusp of emulating Manchester United’s treble win in 1999 as they take on Inter Milan in the Champions League final on Saturday.
      Rio Ferdinand has blamed Arsenal for helping Man City’s hunt for a trebleCredit: Getty
      Man City beat United in the FA CupCredit: Alamy
      City have already picked up the FA Cup and Premier League titles, beating their cross-city rivals at Wembley Stadium 2-1.
      Pep Guardiola’s side lifted the league title by catching Arsenal as their form dropped in the critical stage of the season.
      And Ferdinand has hilariously pointed that as the reason City can complete a treble.
      After being told by Arsenal fan John Beya that it was United’s job to stop city in the FA Cup, Ferdinand fired back.
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      He said on the VIBE with FIVE podcast: “It was your job, you were ahead 93 per cent of the time.
      “You was in a prime position to do that, and you folded like a pack of cards.”
      On the final against City, Ferdinand delivered a scathing summary.
      He added: “It was over before it started.
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      “I didn’t have any genuine belief that we could win it. It is a 50/50 on the day but it weren’t a real 50/50.
      “They are the better team, they have been together for a far longer period, they are in a rich vein of form.”
      Ferdinand then praised Man City captain Ilkay Gundogan after the German midfielder netted a brace in the final.
      He said: “The person that I think needs talking about is the captain, Gundogan.
      “I think he’s been immense. We talk about [Erling] Haaland, rightly so. We talk about [Jack] Grealish, rightly so. We talk about [Kevin] De Bruyne, rightly so. [John] Stones recently as well, all rightly so.
      “But Gundogan, when it’s mattered, he has come up trumps, either with goals, performances, the control of games, the pace and tempo goes through him and Rodri a lot of the time.
      “And he defines what everything’s good about this team.
      “He’s calm under pressure, never seems like with a hair out of place. He’s just there, man!” More

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      Champions League Team of the Season ahead of Man City vs Inter Milan final including Erling Haaland and Vinicius Jr

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      AHEAD of Manchester City and Inter Milan’s clash in Saturday’s Champions League final, it’s time to take a look back at the players that shone in this year’s competition.The list is naturally dominated by the players’ of the two finalists – particularly City who will look to win a historic treble.
      Onana has kept clean sheets in 75% of his UCL games this seasonCredit: Getty
      But, there are one or two surprises to keep an eye out for.
      Andre Onana
      The basis of a successful team starts with a goalkeeper.
      And while Ederson has been a huge part of City’s Champions League success this season – it’s hard to look past the influence Onana has had on Inter’s unlikely run to the Champions League final.
      The goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet in 75% of his Champions League games this season and his passing out from the back has been crucial for Simone Inzaghi’s side.
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      His performances for Inter this season mean Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are set for a bidding war to secure his services this summer.
      John Stones
      Stones has been a revelation as a defender-midfielder hybridCredit: Getty
      Securing the right-back spot for the side is John Stones, although his position as a midfielder-defender hybrid means he only ever really appears there on paper for Pep’s team.
      His performance alongside team-mate Kyle Walker in the second leg of their semi-final clash with Real Madrid was crucial in keeping superstar Vinicius Jr quiet.
      Stones was able to step into midfield to help control the game when City had possession which has become a trademark since his positional tweak.
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      He put in a man of the match performance in City’s first leg quarter final 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich and has kept four clean sheets in his seven Champions League appearances this season.
      John Stones was outstanding against Real Madrid
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      Ruben Dias
      Dias has been a stalwart for City in the Champions League this season, starting 11 of their 12 games.
      He’s helped the Citizens keep seven clean sheets during this season’s campaign, including in 3-0 and 4-0 victories against Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively.
      Dias is one of the first names on the City team sheetCredit: Getty
      The defender has played down City’s favourites tag ahead of the final, saying: “A final will always be tight – no matter who is playing against who.
      From our experience, you are only favourites when you step out onto the pitch and show who you are.”
      Alessandro Bastoni
      Partnering Dias in defence is Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni.
      The defender, 24, is an Inter supporter and turned down the opportunity to reunite with former manager Antonio Conte at Tottenham last season to fight for trophies with his boyhood club.
      He has been a crucial part of Inter’s run to the final and has helped Inter keep eight clean sheets in 11 Champions League appearances this season.
      Inter’s run to the final has been a dream come true for BastoniCredit: Rex
      He has even managed to rack up three assists – which is testament to his ability as a ball playing centre back.
      Federico Dimarco
      Dimarco isn’t one of Inter Milan’s star names, but his lung busting runs from left wing back are crucial to how Inter Milan create chances.
      Ostensibly a defender, his role in the team is often to drive the team forward in an attacking sense.
      Dimarco has been a surprise package this seasonCredit: Getty
      Like Bastoni, DiMarco is a Milanese born Inter supporter and his five assists in ten appearances for Inter in the Champions League have been vital during their route to the final.
      Speaking ahead of the final, SempreInter.com report that he told the Champions League magazine: “Playing in the Champions League final is not something that happens every day. Especially for Inter, who have won it three times.
      “Every boy dreams of playing these matches,”
      Rodri
      It’s hard to make an argument for a midfielder that has been better than Rodri in the Champions League this season.
      His passing and ability to set a game’s tempo is a cornerstone of City’s game and he’s the lynchpin of their midfield.
      Rodri is the lynchpin of the City midfieldCredit: Getty
      He also scored one of the finest goals of this year’s tournament when he opened the scoring in City’s 3-0 quarter final first leg victory over Bayern Munich.
      Bernardo Silva
      Despite finding himself playing at left back at one point this season as Pep tweaked his XI – Bernardo has again proved himself as one of the first names on City’s team sheet.
      The midfielder has notched three goals and one assist for the Citizens in the Champions League this season – all of them coming against City’s toughest opponents.
      Silva has starred when it’s really mattered for CityCredit: Getty
      Silva was the key man in the rout of Real
      Silva bagged a goal and an assist as City swept Bayern aside in the quarter finals.
      But it was against Madrid in the semi-finals that Silva was able to really steal the show.
      He earned man of the match as he scored two goals in City’s incredible 4-0 rout over Madrid.
      Kevin De Bruyne
      Rounding out an all Manchester City midfield is a man that is surely already a City legend.
      That would be confirmed beyond any doubt if City were to complete the treble on Saturday.
      A treble would cement De Bruyne’s legendary statusCredit: Getty
      The midfielder has consistently been outstanding for the Sky Blues in the Champions League this season, bagging himself two goals and an incredible seven assists en route to the final.
      He will be looking to avenge his 2021 Champions League final ended in misery against Chelsea.
      He was forced off the pitch after 59 minutes with a broken eye socket, nose and concussion.
      Asked whether City need to win the Champions League for their own legacy De Bruyne said: “It depends who you ask, Will it help? Yes. But one 90 minutes doesn’t define a career.
      “‘I am on around 700 games. One 90 minutes out of 700 doesn’t define my career. But obviously it helps.”
      “‘I want to win the Champions League and I want to win the Treble. We should enjoy next week and hopefully we can perform the best we can.”
      Rafael Leao
      Preventing the team of the season from being an all City-Inter affair, Rafael Leao comes into the forward line.
      Although predominately operating off the left, we’ve squeezed him on the right of a front three.
      Leao proved he was Milan’s talismanCredit: AFP
      Milan will be delighted to have tied the forward to a new five year deal as he proved himself as the undoubted star of the side.
      His six goal contributions were crucial in Milan reaching the semi-final against rivals Inter – with his ability to relieve pressure through his long distance dribbles being a particular asset.
      Had he been fully fit for the all-Milan semi-final, Milan might have packed more of a punch against Inter.
      Erling Haaland
      Perhaps the easiest choice on this list, there’s no surprise as Erling Haaland heads up the team.
      The City forward is this year’s top scorer with 12 goals in the Champions League this season – averaging an incredible 1.43 goals per 90.
      Haaland is the Champions League top scorer this seasonCredit: Rex
      The midfielder memorably grabbed five goals in a 7-0 drubbing of RB Leipzig in the round of 16.
      He also returned in both legs against Bayern Munich.
      His 12 goals in the Champions League are part of a return of 52 goals in 52 games in all competitions this season.
      Vinicius Junior
      Despite City’s trouncing of Real Madrid in the semi-final, Vinicius Junior had a fine individual campaign in the Champions League final.
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      Vinicius Junior has proved himself as one of the world’s finest players this seasonCredit: Alamy
      The Brazilian forward bagged seven goals and five assists across Madrid’s 12 games played.
      While it will likely be forgotten due to City’s 4-0 victory in the second leg, his goal in the first leg 1-1 draw was a cracker. More