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      West Ham’s Europa Conference League win is bad news for Man City’s Treble hunt as terrible omen revealed

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      WEST HAM’S Europa Conference League triumph has thrown up a bad omen for Manchester City.David Moyes’ men clinched the Hammers’ first major trophy in 43 years on Wednesday evening after they beat Fiorentina 2-1 in Prague.
      West Ham won the Europa Conference League trophy on Wednesday eveningCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      The Hammers’ triumph has brought to light a stat that Man City fans will not want to seeCredit: EPA
      The victory was a historic one for the East London outfit, but has foreshadowed an ominous stat for Pep Guardiola’s side.
      The last time West Ham claimed a European trophy was in the 1964/65 season.
      That was the Uefa Cup Winners’ Cup after they beat 1860 Munich in the final.
      In the same campaign, Inter Milan claimed the European Cup for the second successive year.
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      Man City face Inter in the Champions League final on Saturday.
      And the omen from 58 years ago does not bode well for the Premier League winners.
      Man City are seeking to win Europe’s premier competition for the first time in their history.
      Yet despite not having won it before, they head into the clash with Inter as the overwhelming favourites.
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      And if they manage to clinch victory, they will become just the second English side to secure the Premier League-FA Cup-Champions League Treble.
      Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United achieved the feat in 1999, but it has not been completed since.

      Man City moved one step closer to the Treble by beating local rivals United in the FA Cup on Saturday – winning 2-1 at Wembley.
      They had already scooped a third successive Premier League title and fifth in six years earlier this month. More

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      Man Utd legend Peter Schmeichel claims a Champions League club were on verge of signing son Kasper back in January

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      PETER SCHMEICHEL has claimed that his son, Kasper, was on the verge of joining Bayern Munich.The Manchester United legend revealed the information during an appearance on live television.
      Kasper Schmeichel almost left Nice last JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      His father Peter Schmeichel revealed he was in talks with Bayern MunichCredit: .
      Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash against PSG back in March, Peter told CBS Sports Golazo “It could have been my son [playing against PSG].
      “On they very same day that they signed [Yann] Sommer they were also in talks with my son.”
      Bayern were in the market for a new goalkeeper in the January transfer window following an injury to Manuel Neuer.
      It seems as though their options were dwindled down to two, Yann Sommer and Kasper Schmeichel.
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      In the end, the Bundesliga giants opted for the Borussia Mönchengladbach stopper over the former Leicester City star.
      This meant that Schmeichel would see out the season with Ligue 1 side Nice, along with other former Premier League stars such as Ross Barkley and Aaron Ramsey.
      While Sommer played his part in Bayern’s 1-0 victory over PSG at the Parc des Princes.
      After a poor start in France, Nice and Schmeichel finished the season in the top half of the table in ninth. The shotstopper recorded 11 clean sheets and the team only conceded 32 goals, making them the second meanest defence in Ligue 1.
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      However, the 36-year-old hasn’t made many friends in France – because of his reported training regime away from the rest of his team-mates.
      Schmeichel, who only joined the club last summer, could be set to move again – with L’Equipe saying his team-mates are also frustrated with his lack of leadership. More

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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