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      Jamie Carragher rages at Chilwell for red card at Real Madrid as he tells Chelsea ace ‘let your goalkeeper do his job!’

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has criticised Ben Chilwell for pulling back Rodrygo and being sent off in Chelsea’s defeat to Real Madrid.Frank Lampard’s side went down 2-0 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night as goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio put the Champions League holders in control of their quarter-final tie.
      Ben Chilwell was dismissed for pulling back Rodrygo on Wednesday eveningCredit: Getty
      Jamie Carragher was critical of Chilwell following his sending offCredit: Getty
      Real led 1-0 when Chilwell was dismissed for preventing a clear goalscoring opportunity as he tugged Rodrygo down on the edge of the penalty area.
      The Blues’ ten men attempted to dig in after being reduced in numbers, but Asensio added a second for the Spanish champions with 16 minutes remaining.
      And Carragher insists Chilwell should have let Rodrygo run through and let him take his chance against Kepa Arrizabalaga.
      Speaking on CBS’ coverage, he said: “For me, [Marc] Cucurella is at fault but that [the sending off] is even more at fault. Don’t pull someone back and give a red card away.
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      “The reason you pay a goalkeeper is to do his job and to get you out of trouble defensively – that’s what he’s there for. Let him do his job.
      “You’re then down to ten men, he’s now going to miss the second leg, and it still would have been difficult for Rodrygo to score from there.
      “Going down to ten men could have completely taken them out of that tie.
      “There’s still a glimmer of hope, but defensively from Cucurella that was really poor and then Chilwell, the second part of it, his positional play and also getting the red card – let your goalkeeper do his job!’”
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      Carragher’s criticism of Chilwell came after he slammed Cucurella’s positioning in allowing Rodrygo to burst through the heart of the Chelsea back line.
      He said: “Look at the body position here of Rodrygo compared to Cucurella.
      “He is already on his way, Cucurella still hasn’t changed his body position to run back and on the far side, Ben Chilwell, when one of your centre-backs steps out the wing-back has to come in and fill that space.”
      He continued: “You can’t do everything you’d like to do as a defender [against rapid players]. You’d like to be tight and aggressive, but you’ve also got to remember who you’re playing against.
      “Rodrygo is lightning-quick, so you can’t go fully in. Cucurella doesn’t go fully in, he gives himself a couple of yards – which is okay – but his problem is he doesn’t react.
      “When the ball goes and [Rodrygo] spins, Cucurella is still like this [stood still]. He hasn’t changed the pace of the game and understood what is happening in that game.
      “You’ve got be on your bike and go. And even if you go early, the player might then stop and get the ball to his feet – no problem, you’ve still got your back five in position.”
      Interim boss Lampard has kicked off his second spell as Chelsea head coach with back-to-back defeats against Wolves and Real Madrid.
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      Next up for the West London outfit is a home game against Brighton on Saturday.
      They then host Real Madrid in the second leg of their European tie at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. More

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      Carlo Ancelotti’s genius tactics brutally expose Chelsea star as Real Madrid ‘eat him up’ for both goals

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      FANS claimed Chelsea full-back Reece James was “eaten alive” by Real Madrid’s tactics.Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo gave James a torrid night as Real saw off the ten-man Blues 2-0 in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
      Vinicius Junior leaves Reece James in his wakeCredit: Getty
      Vinicius Jr and Co gave Chelsea right-back Reece James a torrid eveningCredit: Alamy
      Real Madrid chief Carlo Ancelotti seemed to target James as a weak linkCredit: Getty
      Ex-Three Lions centre-back Rio Ferdinand insisted Vinicius showed the defender “no respect” and Glenn Hoddle blamed James for Real’s second goal at the Bernabeu.
      Fans piled in too, saying the Chelsea wideman “got no mercy” as Real swarmed onto him, both when he had possession himself and when a winger took him on.
      Bernabeu chief Carlo Ancelotti’s ruthless approach was praised, with one observer posting: “High intensity football….these guys are top top quality.”
      Another wrote: “Real Madrid players absolutely ate up Reece like a pride of lions to win back possession for the first goal.”
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      Karim Benzema’s tap-in and sub Marco Asensio’s clinical finish sunk Chelsea, either side of Ben Chilwell’s straight red card for impeding goalbound Rodrygo.
      And of Asensio’s decisive moment, ex-Chelsea manager Hoddle said: “Look at Reece James, he turns his back.
      “The ball is being played, you are down to 10 men. Someone has to switch them on and demanding they are on. They switched off. They were a man down.
      “You have one man less. You have to readjust. Someone has to move out to the edge of the box.
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      Armchair observers noted the way Real swarmed around Reece James

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      “You’ve got players turning their back, walking towards the post, turning his back on the play when the ball is played. You can’t have that.”
      And former Manchester United hero Ferdinand said: “Vinicius Junior showed no respect to Reece James tonight.
      “Whenever Vini had the ball, he went straight at James. He will do the same at the Stamford Bridge. He and Rodrygo play wide and high.”
      Vinicius’ slippery skills were also given full credit.
      One fan posted: “I love James but there’s absolutely no player Vini can’t skin 1v1 if given 90 minutes and isolated. ” More

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      Rio Ferdinand orders last minute tweak to BT Sport set as Man Utd legend refuses to disrespect Real Madrid

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      RIO FERDINAND made a last-minute request to BT Sport to change their set at Real Madrid.The pundit was joined at the Bernabeu by Glenn Hoddle, Joe Cole and presenter Jake Humphrey.
      Rio Ferdinand refused to step on the Real Madrid badgeCredit: Instagram @rioferdy5
      Joe Cole agreed with his colleague that it would be disrespectfulCredit: Instagram @rioferdy5
      But he was unhappy with BT Sport producers after they placed the pitchside set in an awkward position.
      The desk the pundit team stand at was centered in a position that meant Ferdinand and his colleagues would have been forced to step on the Real Madrid badge.
      Ferdinand was shocked and demanded a change, with Cole in agreement.
      He said in Twitter video: “I think we need to have a conversation here Coley…what are they asking us to do mate?”
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      Cole responded saying: “They’re asking us to stand on the Real Madrid badge. You can’t do that man!”
      Ferdinand then clarified they were having the set re-organised, adding: “This is where we meant to stand. We need to speak to the floor manager and have a word, we can’t do that. We’re going to roll it up so we don’t stand on the badge.”
      It comes just a day after Joao Cancelo avoided stepping on the Manchester City crest on his return to the Etihad.
      The defender is still under contract with the Citizens and did not want to offend the club, despite being on loan at Bayern Munich.
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      His introduction to the match in the second half was even greeted with boos by the City faithful, some of whom are unhappy with him leaving the club in January.
      Cancelo informed the club of his desire to leave in January following a spat with manager Pep Guardiola over playing time. More

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      Chelsea fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti would get into their starting XI after Real Madrid boss’ keepy-uppy masterclass

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      CHELSEA fans believe Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti deserves to be in their starting line-up more than some of their stars.Ancelotti led Real to an easy 2-0 victory over the Blues in their Champions League quarter-final clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

      Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti showed some stunning skillCredit: Getty
      Fans believe Ancelotti deserves a place in Chelsea’s starting line-upCredit: Getty
      The Italian tactician watched Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio fire Los Blancos at a position of strength ahead of next week’s second-leg at Stamford Bridge.
      But fans watching from home also got to see some skill from the 63-year-old head coach, who dazzled them with a stunning keepy-uppy masterclass.
      Ancelotti got a magnificent touch as the ball flew out for a free throw with his swanky leather shoes.
      The ex-Bayern Munich boss then put together four kip-ups like they were nothing with his left hand in the pocket of his expensive suit.
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      Social media users took to Twitter and quickly pointed out that the Real boss showed more skill than all the Chelsea players, who put together hapless performance and lost Ben Chilwell to a red card.
      One fan tweeted: “Chelsea is so BAD that even Carlo Ancelotti started playing football.”
      Another posted: “Super sub appearance from Don Carlo today!”
      A third commented: “At the age of 63 Carlo Ancelotti is still a better footballer than any Chelsea player.”
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      This fan said: “Ancelotti has more swag than any Chelsea player.”
      And that one wrote: “In summer he might get signed by Chelsea as a playmaker.”
      Ancelotti coached Chelsea for two years and won the double in 2010 before his departure in 2011. More

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      Arsenal sent blunt warning as Rodri reveals Man City are out to clinch historic Treble as they close gap on title rivals

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      RODRI has warned ­Manchester City’s rivals that his team have the right mentality to win the Treble.Pep Guardiola’s hopes of landing the big three — Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup — have been boosted significantly over the last few days.
      Rodri has sent out an ominous warning to Arsenal ahead of Man City’s run-inCredit: Getty
      First, Prem leaders Arsenal dropped two vital points at Anfield on Sunday, meaning defending their domestic crown is now back in City’s own hands.
      Then on Tuesday evening, Rodri’s stunning opener set the ball rolling on a thrilling 3-0 win over Bayern Munich — which saw them plant one foot in the Champions League semi-finals.
      City’s next challenge comes against Premier League relegation strugglers Leicester on Saturday — and the Spanish midfielder claims their full focus must be on the Foxes.
      Rodri said: “We don’t value any competition over another. We are alive in all three — and will fight until the end for all of them.
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      “Our aim is to go game by game, we don’t think beyond that. We are now back to the Premier League and an intense battle for the title — but our mentality is to win everything.
      “Of course, it would be very special to win our first Champions League.
      “We are on the right path and, if we continue like this, we will have chances at the end of the season.”
      If they are to scoop the lot, City may have to win as many as 15 more matches over the next eight weeks.
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      In the next ten days they face Leicester in the Prem, Bayern in a quarter-final second leg and Championship outfit Sheffield United in an FA Cup semi-final.
      Boss Guardiola has always maintained that winning the three major trophies in one season is close to impossible for an English side.
      But defender John Stones, who almost played alongside Rodri in midfield against Bayern, says that is their target.
      He explained: “We always set high standards for ourselves and try to push for every competition we are in. That’s been happening the seven years I’ve been here.
      “We fight for everything. My goal is to win all three that we’re in.”
      Of all the three still open for City, it is no secret that they would love to win the Champions League for the first time.
      Stones added: “The dream is alive. We take it one game at a time and there’s a lot of steps to get to the final.
      “We have to take those small steps and do the job that is in front of us to eventually get there.”
      While City will take a three-goal lead to Germany next week, they plan to attack Bayern in the Allianz Arena rather than looking to hold what they have.
      Stones added: “It’s never over and that’s the mentality we come with.
      “It’s a great result and sets us up for the next leg but we know we need to go there and get a result again — because this competition throws curveballs.”
      Rodri was on the scoresheet was the Cityzens thumped Bayern Munich on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      Bernardo Silva — scorer of City’s second goal on Tuesday — said the heartbreaking defeat at Real Madrid in last year’s semi-final shows they can take nothing for granted.
      The English side had a 5-3 aggregate lead heading into injury time in the Bernabeu but crashed out in dramatic fashion, losing 6-5 over two legs after extra time.
      Bernardo says that is a major warning ahead of Wednesday’s second leg in Germany.
      The Portuguese ace said: “It’s not over because we’ve had a lot of experience in this competition that shows us what ­happens in the first game doesn’t matter.
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      “It’s a very good advantage for the second leg. But as an example, the game against Real Madrid last season — everybody said it was over and then in the last five minutes everything changed.
      “If you want to win this competition you have to be smart, you have to be ready for every type of occasion.” More

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      Chelsea fans all blame Todd Boehly for Real Madrid loss after wild pre-match prediction

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      CHELSEA fans can’t believe Todd Boehly predicted a 3-0 win at Real Madrid – as they blamed the 2-0 DEFEAT on the club owner.Boehly’s pre-match tip stunned supporters before the Champions League quarter-final first leg – and afterwards they were even more convinced he was clueless.
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has predicted that the Blues will beat Real Madrid easilyCredit: Twitter @elchiringuitotv
      The American businessman told fans to “have a lot of faith” – but many supporters lost theirs in him as reigning champs Real sunk the ten-man Blues.
      Karim Benzema tapped a 21st minute opener before Ben Chilwell picked up a straight red for tripping goalbound Rodrygo just before the hour.
      Chelsea battled well enough in interim boss Frank Lampard’s second game back and offered more goal threat than in Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Wolves.
      But Marco Asensio’s sharp finish on 79 minutes leaves Real in command for next Tuesday’s return leg.
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      One fan posted: “You can’t blame the managers at @ChelseaFC . The blame is solely with Todd Boehly. Running Chelsea like it’s a game of Fifa. A squad packed full of the same players (midfielders), and no strikers. Boehly suggesting they’d win 3-0. Embarrassing.”
      Another noted his prediction and added: “Shame on you.”
      A third wrote: “Nah this is extremely bad… Todd just wants to ruin our club.”
      And a fourth said: “Todd Boehly really said we’re going to win 3-0 just to watch us get completely and utterly outclassed by Madrid.”
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      Boehly’s earlier assessment was labelled “satire”.
      But a more optimistic supporter joked: “Todd Boehly actually meant 3-0 in the 2nd leg. Not tonight.”
      Boehly made his prediction after he was spotted spotted coming out of a restaurant in Madrid and was asked by a reporter for his scoreline verdict.
      He replied; “Chelsea is going to win.” When asked by how much, he said “3-0.”
      Separately, Boehly told Sky Sports: “I tell the fans – have a lot of faith.
      “We look at this as a long term process, we have a lot of work to do. We’ve lot of faith about the future. Our future is bright”.
      Fans immediately went into shock mode.
      One said: “He’s so crazy. Real Madrid are gonna win 4-0.”
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      Another reacted: “He must be joking.”
      And he was warned – accurately: “That is going to age horrendously.” More

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      Man Utd told exactly how much it’ll cost to secure Jude Bellingham transfer with Liverpool out of race for Dortmund star

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City will have to pay as much as £130million to land Jude Bellingham.Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old superstar, but Real Madrid remain in the hunt.
      Man Utd and City are tipped to be the main Prem contenders for Jude Bellingham, with Liverpool baulking at the asking price for the England aceCredit: Getty
      Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag could target major summer signings in midfield and attack for what he hopes will be a Champions League campaignCredit: EPA
      City are interested and United could also move if their takeover is completed in time for the summer window.
      Dortmund have not given up hope of keeping Bellingham for another season.
      But if he does decide to go, the Germans believe the £138m deal they did with Barcelona for Ousmane Dembele in 2017 is a yardstick for how much they should get for the young Englishman.
      French forward Dembele was just 20 — a few months older than Bellingham is now — when he moved to the Nou Camp for the enormous fee.
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      Any price in that region would smash the current British record, Chelsea’s £106m splurge on Enzo Fernandez in January.
      The numbers involved in the deal have forced Liverpool to back away, particularly as they are almost certain to miss out on the Champions League riches next term.
      What money they do have needs to be spent on several areas rather than blowing it all on one signing.
      City’s transfer funds will be focused on strengthening the midfield this summer, with Ilkay Gundogan expected to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
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      There is also a question mark over Bernardo Silva while talisman Kevin De Bruyne turns 32 this summer.
      City have shown in the past they are not afraid to break transfer records — splashing out what was then a British high of £100m on Jack Grealish in the summer of 2021.
      Their hopes of signing Bellingham have been boosted by Liverpool walking away but they are wary of Madrid.
      City do have a good working relationship with Dortmund, though, having signed Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji from them last summer. More

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      Chelsea player ratings: Ben Chilwell ‘celebrates’ new contract with disastrous red card but Kepa Arrizabalaga impresses

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      CHELSEA are facing a Champions League exit after losing 2-0 to Real Madrid tonight.The Blues also ended the game with 10 men as Ben Chilwell was sent off, just days after penning a lucrative new contract.
      Ben Chilwell was sent off as Chelsea lost 2-0 at Real MadridCredit: AP
      Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio were on target for the hostsCredit: Getty
      And Frank Lampard’s side have it all to do in next week’s second leg at Stamford Bridge.
      It was certainly not the impact he was hoping to make upon his return as Chelsea boss, having lost to Wolves at the weekend.
      But who put in a strong performance at the Bernabeu?
      And did anyone have a game to forget?
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      Here, SunSport’s Anthony Chapman delivers his Chelsea player ratings…
      KEPA ARRIZABALAGA — 7
      Made several decent stops to prevent Real from bagging more.
      Kept his nerve in a hostile environment and showed why he’s won back the No1 spot.
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      WESLEY FOFANA — 4
      Got an early yellow card for a silly foul.
      Was given a headache by Vinicius Jr throughout the match and was not his usual reliable self.
      THIAGO SILVA — 6
      Had a good battle at the back with Karim Benzema.
      But instant return from injury showed as he struggled to match the pace of Real’s attack.
      KALIDOU KOULIBALY — 5
      A physical presence on occasion, but Real’s clever runs sometimes gave him headless chicken vibes.
      Chelsea can definitely find an improvement on him this summer.
      REECE JAMES — 6
      A few dangerous drives down the right flank early on.
      But ended up having to help out Fofana as Vinicius Jr’s influence grew.
      N’Golo Kante had a very quiet night by his standardsCredit: AFP
      N’GOLO KANTE — 5
      Appeared rusty as he failed to match Luka Modric’s midfield energy.
      Didn’t make his impact on the game felt.
      ENZO FERNANDEZ — 6
      Looked to dictate play early on as he found plenty of space.
      But influence quickly wore off as Real’s intense press clicked into action.

      MATEO KOVACIC — 5
      Quiet return to former club from the Croatian.
      Put together some tidy passes but lack of attacking threat meant Blues were always short in the final third.
      BEN CHILWELL — 3
      Was very quiet as he was pegged back by Federico Valverde and Dani Carvajal before getting a straight red card in the 59th minute.
      Not the performance he was expecting after signing new contract.
      Joao Felix struggled to make an impact on his return to MadridCredit: Getty
      JOAO FELIX — 5
      Quiet game by his standards on a mixed return to Spanish capital.
      Some clever turns and dribbles but wasted a glorious chance to score in the opening minutes and must improve finishing.
      RAHEEM STERLING — 6
      Spurned several good chances to get on the scoreboard tonight.
      Had some good time on the ball and did help stretch Real’s defence with some darting runs.
      SUBS:
      Marc Cucurella (for Koulibaly, 54′) – 5
      Spaniard struggled to impress and was at huge fault to leave Chilwell exposed for red card but made one or two decent blocks later.
      Kai Havertz (for Felix, 65′) – 5
      Completely isolated as he tried to hold ball off but never really laid a glove on Real’s defence.
      Trevoh Chalobah (for Sterling, 65′) – 6
      Tough ask coming on to keep Real’s attack at bay, but academy man did himself proud.
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      Conor Gallagher (for Kante, 76′) – N/A
      Mason Mount (for Silva, 76′) – N/A More