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      Chelsea star Melanie Leupolz forced off with nasty injury as blood streams down her face and fans fume at ref

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      CHELSEA star Melanie Leupolz was forced off with a nasty injury during her side’s dramatic Champions League quarter-final clash with Lyon this evening.Leupolz’s face was severely bloodied after a clash with Danielle van de Donk.
      Melanie Leupolz was severely bloodied during her side’s Champions League clashCredit: AFP
      The German required four minutes of on-field treatmentCredit: Getty
      The incident occurred during the 65th minute of the tense second leg at Stamford Bridge.
      Play was allowed to continue after Leupolz and ex-Arsenal star Van de Donk collided, despite the Blues star clutching her head on the ground.
      When the game was finally halted by the ball going out of play, Leupolz rolled over to reveal a significant amount of blood streaming from her face.
      The German star required four minutes of treatment before the game could resume.
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      And she was eventually replaced by Welsh international Sophie Ingle in the 71st minute.
      One fan was left furious by the officials’ handling of the incident.
      They wrote on Twitter: “Leupolz will remember this game after that!
      “Nose absolutely streaming with blood & the ref reluctant to stop the game & telling her to get up! Been pulling this c**p the whole game!”
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      Leupolz, 28, was eventually replaced by Sophie IngleCredit: AFP
      Others winced at the amount of blood on Leupolz’s face.
      One wrote: “Horror film jump scare when Leupolz lifted her head from the turf there.”
      A second tweeted: “Holy lord Leupolz just got absolutely clattered in the face.”
      Another added: “How did the referee take so long to pause the game?
      “Leupolz down holding her head and is now bleeding like crazy from her nose.”
      Chelsea went into the match leading 1-0 from last week’s first leg at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium, courtesy of Guro Reiten’s goal.
      They were pegged back on home soil this evening, however, with Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles levelling the tie for Lyon on 77 minutes.
      When Sara Dabritz scored Lyon’s second 20 minutes into extra time, it looked for all the world that the French side would advance to the semi-finals.
      But Maren Mjelde’s 128th minute penalty sent the tie to a penalty shoot-out, with goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger the hero as the Blues triumphed 4-3 on spot-kicks.
      Lyon celebrate Vanessa Gilles’ leveller on the nightCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea make Mason Mount transfer fee demands as Liverpool and Bayern Munich look to snap up Chelsea star

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      CHELSEA have revealed their transfer demands to sell Mason Mount, reports suggest. Amid ongoing speculation surrounding a new contract, Mount has been linked with the Stamford Bridge exit door.
      Thomas Tuchel could ask Bayern Munich to sign Mason Mount after his transfer fee was revealedCredit: Getty
      Mount is entering the final year of his deal at ChelseaCredit: Alamy
      The likes of Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Manchester United have been tipped to sign the Englishman.
      However, it now appears Chelsea have shown their hand in terms of what they want if they are to sell him.
      According to The Athletic, Chelsea have set a £70million price tag on Mount.
      This is despite the 24-year-old entering the final year of his deal this summer.
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      The report states interest from Liverpool is thought to be “serious”, while Thomas Tuchel could lobby Bayern chiefs into pushing for a move.
      Tuchel and Mount enjoyed a good working relationship while at Chelsea together.
      This included Mount setting up Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the Champions League final under Tuchel and Mount’s best output for goals and assists in a single season in his career so far.
      Indeed, SunSport took a look at how Bayern may line up after Tuchel has got his hands on some of his own players in the summer transfer window.
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      After the Blues announced losses of £121m in the latest financial year, a mass clearout is expected to occur, with Mount one player touted to lead the exodus.
      It comes as Todd Boehly and Co look set to try and navigate potentially tricky financial waters given the club’s likely loss of Champions League football.
      Tottenham are the latest team to emerge as a shock party interested in a transfer, though Spurs fans have laughed this off. More

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      Steven Gerrard reveals Jurgen Klopp had ‘two or three pints and a couple of smokes days before Champions League final’

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      STEVEN GERRARD has revealed Jurgen Klopp enjoyed a few pints and a couple of smokes with him at the pub just days before Liverpool’s Champions League final last season.The Reds came up short against Real Madrid in Paris 10 months ago as Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike handed Carlo Ancelotti’s men a 1-0 victory.
      Steven Gerrard has discussed his unplanned meeting with Jurgen Klopp in a local pubCredit: Getty
      Gerrard has praised Klopp for the warm and friendly reception he gave himCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But in the week leading up to the clash, Gerrard bumped into Klopp at the pub – a fortnight after the German’s team had added the FA Cup to the Carabao Cup they won earlier in the campaign.
      The England midfielder has now spoken in depth about the coincidental meeting, praising the Liverpool manager for his warm welcome.
      And he also confirmed the pair shared a lengthy stint in the pub together as they discussed several topics.
      Speaking to the Anfield Wrap, Gerrard, who was Aston Villa manager at the time, said: “He was walking the dog. I was sitting outside with one of my friends having a couple of pints.
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      “I shouted over to wish him good luck, because he had a final days later. I thought he’d be in the zone.
      “He said to me: ‘No, no, no. Go the bar and get me a pint’. So we get him a pint.”
      The Liverpool legend continued: “He ended up having two or three, he had a couple of smokes, his dog waited patiently, and we had a good craic for probably over an hour.
      “About football, about life in Liverpool, his plans for the future.
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      “He was just really great company to have and it was different from a football environment, it was Jurgen in his plain clothes, his dog walking gear. 
      “He was fantastic with my mate, he made him feel part of the conversation and I think that just sums the man up.”
      Gerrard was sacked by Villa five months after his meeting with Klopp.
      And the Liverpool head coach has also come in for criticism this season as the Reds struggle for consistency.
      They sit five points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham in the Premier League table, albeit with two games in hand.
      Their defences of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup ended in disappointment.
      And earlier this month they were also eliminated by old foes Real Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions League. More

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      Man Utd could be forced to MISS OUT on Champions League even if they get top four if Jim Ratcliffe secures £6bn takeover

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could miss out on the Champions League even if Jim Ratcliffe takes over and they finish in the top four.Fans already knew rival bidder Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani might need to prove he has no influence on PSG should he buy out the Glazers.
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns Nice and in one scenario that could mean Man Utd battling it out with the French club for a Champions League spotCredit: PA
      Manchester United’s owners the Glazers, including Joel and Avram, could yet remain at Old Trafford in some capacityCredit: AFP
      But the new revelation is a further blow to both takeover hopes and what comes after that.
      The issue stems from Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, owning Nice.
      Under Uefa rules, that would mean if United and the French top-flight club both finish in Champions League qualification spots, only the side finishing higher could be allowed to enter the competition.
      So if Nice come third in Ligue 1 and United finished fourth in the Premier League, then Ratcliffe’s Frenchmen would make it.
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      The Red Devils’ future remains up in the air, though.
      And Nice are currently seventh – 13 points behind Lens in third.
      United, meanwhile, are favourites to cling onto a top three place in the Prem.
      But the dilemma leaves Ratcliffe facing two tricky scenarios.
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      The biggest obstacle of course is that the Glazers are reportedly holding out for around £6nillion to sell up.
      The other issue is whether the Ineos boss would consider offloading Nice – to focus on the Red Devils and end potential hurdles like Champions League qualification. More

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      Borussia Dortmund ‘have secret plan to keep Jude Bellingham’ in transfer blow to Man Utd, Chelsea, City and Liverpool

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND reportedly have a “secret plan” to keep hold of star player Jude Bellingham.The England international is one of the most sought after talents in European football with a host of clubs interested in signing him this summer.
      Borussia Dortmund are reportedly planning a new contract for Jude BellinghamCredit: Getty
      Sides such as Chelsea, Man City, Man United, Liverpool and Real Madrid have all been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
      However, they could all be set for disappointment in their pursuit of Bellingham as Dortmund are determined to keep him at Signal Iduna Park.
      According to the German media outlet Bild, Dortmund are hoping to keep hold of him for one more season.
      The club are planning to offer him a new contract that would see his salary increase by 150 per cent up to £13million for the year.
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      The outlet also claims that his contract would include a release clause of £131m.
      This would allow the 19-year-old to leave the club to potential buyers while also guaranteeing the Bundesliga side a large transfer fee.
      This means that interested clubs would have to wait another year to sign the former Birmingham City prospect.
      The report suggests that Real Madrid are currently the favourites to sign Bellingham.
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      The LaLiga side are looking for replacements for veteran duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, with both contracts expiring at the end of the current season.
      However, Dortmund could be boosted in their hopes of keeping Bellingham should the veterans sign new deals at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. More

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      Tottenham stars back decision to axe Conte and bring in Stellini as Spurs hold talks with Nagelsmann over vacant job

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      TOTTENHAM stars are backing the gamble to put popular coach Cristian Stellini in charge of their Champions League hunt.Some of the squad were glad to see the back of manager Antonio Conte, who left the club on Sunday night.
      Julian Nagelsmann is linked with the Spurs jobCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Antonio Conte has left Spurs after blasting the players and ambitionsCredit: Rex
      The fiery Italian yesterday appeared to aim a dig at his former chiefs via a goodbye statement.
      He thanked “everyone at Spurs who appreciated and shared my passion and my intense way of living football as a coach”.
      It came after ripping into his players for being ‘selfish’ in an explosive final press conference at Southampton, on the back of his team surrendering a 3-1 lead to draw.
      Despite the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Luis Enrique and former boss Mauricio Pochettino being free agents, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is sticking with Conte’s former No 2 Stellini until the end of the season.
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      The 48-year-old is well-liked among the squad and was seen as a calm head when stepping in during Conte’s absence earlier this season.
      His task now is to keep their place in the top four, with fifth-placed Newcastle just two points behind them — and with two games in hand.
      Stellini oversaw the vital 2-1 Champions League win in Marseille in September when Conte was serving a touchline ban.
      He also helped secure wins against Manchester City, Chelsea and West Ham while his boss was recovering from surgery.
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      Spurs have already spoken to sacked Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann — and Levy will now assess other options.
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      Some players grew tired of Conte’s training and the way he put the blame on them in public.
      Spurs’ internationals will start arriving back at Hotspur Way tomorrow and begin preparations for their next Prem match at Everton on Monday.
      Meanwhile, the preliminary hearing in the Court of Turin regarding whether there should be a criminal trial into allegations of malpractice at Juventus was supposed to begin yesterday — but has been postponed until May 10.
      Spurs’ managing director of football Fabio Paratici is one of the defendants and is waiting to discover if his 30-month suspension will become a global ban.
      Cristian Stellini is taking charge of SpursCredit: PA More

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      Tottenham under pressure from Real Madrid to appoint Nagelsmann with Spanish side approaching ex-Bayern boss years ago

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      TOTTENHAM could have competition in the race for Julian Nagelsmann as it emerges that Real Madrid are reportedly big admirers of the boss. A managerial merry-go round appears to have been sparked in Europe in recent days after Bayern Munich surprisingly sacked their manager and replaced him with Thomas Tuchel.
      It ended unhappily for Nagelsmann at Bayern – and his sacking could spark a frenzied manager hunt in EuropeCredit: Getty
      The development came as Spurs finally parted company with Conte on Sunday evening.
      Meanwhile, speculation continues to link Ancelotti with the Brazilian international job.
      If Spurs are considering Nagelsmann as Conte’s replacement, it appears possible that Madrid may be in the hunt as well.
      The Times reports that Spurs “might have to move fast” to land the highly-rated coach.
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      The 35-year-old coach was on the radar of Real Madrid after they sacked Julen Lopetegui in 2018 but Nagelsmann remain focused on Hoffenheim, the German club where he made his name as a coach.
      He said in 2021: “I received a call, 2 years ago, from Real Madrid, they wanted to know me and my philosophy better. If they call me again in the future, the decision might be different.
      “Back then, I didn’t have time to prepare, learn Spanish and lacked the experience.”
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      Nagelsmann is one of the many names who has been linked to Tottenham.
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      The German reportedly owns a replica of the club shirt and is an admirer of the club.
      And it may not just be Madrid that Spurs have to compete with if they do go for the coach.
      Following their last-16 Champions League exit, Christophe Galtier is believed to be under pressure at PSG.
      While Simone Inzaghi of Inter Milan and AC Milan’s Stefano Pioli are both under pressure in Italy after underwhelming seasons.
      Cristian Stellini has been given the Spurs job until the end of the season. More

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      Ten best players Tottenham almost signed including Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Virgil van Dijk

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      TOTTENHAM have endured a frustrating time trying to become one of the Premier League’s top sides.Spurs have regularly finished in the top four and even reached a Champions League final but have not been able to claim a trophy since 2008.
      Antonio Conte has found life hard at Tottenham
      The managerial likes of Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte have all found it impossible to break that duck.
      One factor behind this has been players brought into the club, while there have been successes, there have also been many that have flopped.
      However, if the club had managed to complete deals for some of the players that there were reportedly close to signing, then Spurs might have had a bigger trophy cabinet by now.
      Here is a list of ten players that Tottenham missed out on.
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      Cristiano Ronaldo
      Spurs turned down the chance to sign Cristiano Ronaldo before he joined Man UnitedCredit: AFP
      The five time Ballon d’Or winner was suggested to Spurs by former club striker and talent spotter Ronny Rosenthal.
      However, he revealed that they like rivals Arsenal, they “didn’t follow up” the interest.
      Ronaldo eventually joined Man United and would go on to enjoy one of the most successful careers in football.
      Kylian Mbappe
      Spurs scouted Kylian Mbappe when he was at MonacoCredit: AFP
      Spurs are believed to have scouted the France World Cup winner following his impressive substitute appearance against them for Monaco in the Europa League in December 2015 as a 16-year-old.
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      However, the report claims that the North London side realised that the attacker would be out of reach.
      He would join PSG in a £160million transfer in 2018.
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      Virgil van Dijk
      Virgil van Dijk was a back up option for SpursCredit: Rex
      The Liverpool star was a backup option for the club when they signed Toby Alderweireld in 2015, while he was still at Celtic.
      While the Belgian defender was a good servant for the club, he did not hit the heights that Van Dijk has shown.
      The Dutchman went to Southampton before moving on to Liverpool, where he has won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League.
      Samuel Eto’o
      Samuel Eto´o was linked with a move to Spurs when he was 21Credit: AFP
      Eto’o was linked with a move to Spurs during his time at Real Mallorca but like many English sides, they opted not to take a punt on the promising 21-year-old.
      The Cameroonian proved his doubters wrong as he became one of the most prolific forwards in Europe following a transfer to LaLiga giants Barcelona.
      Now retired, the striker boasts a trophy cabinet that features four league titles and three Champions League trophies, among many other awards.
      Rivaldo
      Rivaldo choose AC Milan over SpursCredit: Getty
      In 2002, Spurs were looking for a statement signing and Brazil’s World Cup winner Rivaldo was available on a free transfer.
      But despite trying their best to convince him to come to the Premier League, the midfielder opted for Serie A giants AC Milan.
      Manuel Auset, Rivaldo’s close friend and lawyer at the time, added: “Tottenham offered him the chance to play in the Premier League and there was a meeting with me, an agent and Mr Levy. Then we went to Milan, spoke about it there, and reached an agreement.”
      Luis Suarez
      Liverpool swooped in for Luis SuarezCredit: PA
      Former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp admitted that the ex-Liverpool star was on the club’s radar and that he was “liked a lot”.
      However, after not quite fitting the desired striker role, Tottenham missed out on Saurez as he made the move to Anfield.
      Redknapp said: “I wasn’t looking for a left-winger as such and before I’d had a chance to do much with him, he’d moved to Liverpool. Not that I’m saying we would have definitely got him.”
      Eden Hazard
      Eden Hazard would go on to score the goal that stopped Tottneham’s title challenge in 2016Credit: Reuters
      Former Chelsea star Hazard was close to becoming a Spurs player after a meeting with ex-first-team coach Clive Allen when he was still at Ligue 1 side Lille.
      Allen has revealed that he was “confident” that a deal would happen at that Hazard would have moved to White Hart Lane.
      Allen said: “The chief scout and I met with Hazard and he was keen to come to Tottenham at the time but, in the end, he decided to join Chelsea.”
      Sadio Mane
      Sadio Mane proved to be too expensive for SpursCredit: Alamy
      Another player that Spurs were outbid for, Sadio Mane was a top target for the club in 2016.
      However, Liverpool came in for the exciting attacker with a £34m bid and a salary offer of £90,000 per week, which proved to be enough to complete the deal.
      Spurs would later sign Newcastle star Moussa Sissoko for £30m, but were able to pay the fee in staggered payments.
      Jack Grealish
      Tottenham tried to sign Jack Grealish while he was still at Aston VillaCredit: AFP
      Tottenham tried to sign the England and Man City star while he was still at Aston Villa.
      The club are believed to have submitted an offer of £25m, thinking that Villa’s financial woes would convince them to sell, but the club stood firm.
      The West Midlands side would eventually sell their star a couple of years later, in a £100m deal to the Citizens.
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      Paulo Dybala
      Paulo Dybala scored a knockout goal against Spurs in the Champions League in 2018Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Another gut-wrencher for Spurs fans came in the summer of 2019, when they thought their club had agreed a deal worth around £65m for then Juventus superstar Dybala.
      The move fell through after no agreement could be found regarding the player’s image rights and he remained in Turin until he left for Roma three years ago. More