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      Karim Benzema wins Ballon d’Or after firing Real Madrid to Champions League glory to complete amazing career turnaround

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      KARIM BENZEMA has finally won the Ballon d’Or after a stunning year in which he dragged Real Madrid to Champions League glory. The France star, 34, was instrumental in their European triumph and was handed the annual prize at a swanky Paris ceremony ahead of Sadio Mane in second and third-placed Kevin De Bruyne.
      Benzema was all smiles after finally winning the coveted trophyCredit: AFP
      The newly-crowned world’s best footballer’s hero Zidane watches on as he accepts the awardCredit: Reuters
      Benzema celebrates on stage with his mum and dadCredit: EPA
      Karim Benzema has joined this list of football legends after his Ballon D’Or win
      The award, based on a player’s individual achievements over a calendar year, comes after his outstanding performances in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
      He scored an incredible ten goals in seven games – including two hat-tricks – as Madrid pulled off one of the most dramatic and extraordinary wins in the competition’s history.
      And it is an incredible turnaround on a personal level with the ace involved in a sex tape blackmail scandal which saw him exiled from the French team and was only settled last year.
      After winning the award, and with boyhood hero Zinedine Zidane next to him, he told the cheering audience: “This prize in front of me makes me really proud.
      READ MORE BALLON D’OR NEWS
      “When I was small I never gave up. It was a childhood dream.
      “I had two role models in my life. [Zinedine] Zidane and Ronaldo as well. I always had this dream in my mind that everything is possible.
      “There was a difficult period where I wasn’t in the French team but I never stopped working hard. I never gave up. I always kept in my head this job of playing football.”
      After his speech, the star invited his mum and son on stage to share the moment with him.

      A victorious Karim Benzema arrived looking dapper ahead of his awardCredit: EPA
      Karim Benzema’s girlfriend Jordan Ozuna poses upon arrivalCredit: AFP
      Benzema’s distinguished career reached new heights last season after his superhuman efforts in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
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      It was Benzema’s heroics in the Champions League that made him the overwhelming favourite for this year’s Ballon d’Or honour.
      Before their victory in the final over Liverpool, Real Madrid appeared determined to make it as difficult as possible for themselves as they fell behind on aggregate in each of the second legs of the knockout games.
      But against Paris-Saint Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City, Los Blancos rallied every time and found a way to win.
      Benzema was key to both those improbable victories for Carlo Ancelotti’s sdie and Real Madrid’s La Liga title, with the Frenchman scoring 44 goals in all competitions.
      He has never previously even finished in the top three of the Ballon D’Or before this year.
      He takes the crown from Lionel Messi, who had won the previous two awards.
      And it means that Benzema is only the second player who is not Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the prestigious prize since 2008.
      Luka Modric also managed to break the pair’s stronghold over the Ballon d’Or when he won it in 2018.
      Benzema signed for Real Madrid in 2009 and has scored over 300 goals for the club.
      De Bruyne spoke of his pride in coming third in the Ballon d’Or – which is the first time a Man City player has achieved the feat.
      The 31-year-old attacking genius said: “Obviously it is nice to be in that list and to be nominated for it. I have been nominated quite a few times now, so it means you have been doing well consistently.
      “To be recognised as a player is always nice. If you are in that list, then it means a lot and after it is the people’s opinion. As a player, I thinkyou understand what you do good and what you do bad.”
      City also picked up the Club of the Year award in recognition of their overall achievements at various levels, while Thibaut Courtois won the Lev Yashin award for best keeper.
      Robert Lewandowski picked up the Gerd Muller prize for best striker, and Sadio Mane didn’t leave empty-handed with the kind-hearted Senegal ace winning the new Socrates award for services off the pitch.
      Barcelona starlet Gavi won the Kopa gong for best under-21 player in the world.
      The star-studded ceremony saw many of football’s finest, including Man City’s Kevin De Bruyne, turn up in sharp suitsCredit: EPA
      Sadio Mane’s brilliant season for Liverpool saw him finish second in the Ballon d’Or awardCredit: Reuters
      After an impressive season, PSG’s Kylian Mbappe could only finish sixthCredit: Reuters More

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      Chelsea Champions League winner looks unrecognisable with dyed blonde hair and bulked up physique

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      THIS Chelsea Champions League winner has taken on a whole new look as he plays out the twilight of his football career.After six highly-successful years at Stamford Bridge, the 37-year-old is now playing in a totally different part of the world.
      This former Chelsea ace has bulked upCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The Champions League winner now sports blonde hairCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The Blues were privileged enough to have plenty of world class talents during their golden era of success – including the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba.
      And this expert goal-getter, who is now sporting a new blonde trim and more muscular physique, played with all of them.
      Chelsea signed him as a youngster all the way back in 2006 for an initial £9million from Feyenoord.
      During his time at Stamford Bridge he perfected the art of being a super-sub – always looking good for a goal off the bench.
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      His final game as a Blue came from the start, however, with his tenure culminating in the Champions League final victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in 2012.
      He played 254 times in total for Chelsea, scoring 60 times and laying on 45 assists.
      The skinny Ivorian was released in the summer of 2012, joining French side Lille on a free contract.
      He would go on to play two seasons in France, before heading to Hertha Berlin – where he stayed for six years, ahead of a spell with Botafogo in Brazil.
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      The Ivorian ace has been hitting the gym to bulk upCredit: INSTAGRAM
      The 37-year-old has embraced a new styleCredit: https://www.instagram.com/salomonkalou/?hl=en
      Our new-look Chelsea icon is… Salomon Kalou.
      After over a year out of the game following his Botafogo release, Kalou signed for Arta/Solar7 in Djibouti earlier this year.
      During his time with the East African country he has played with former Arsenal and Barcelona star Alex Song.
      If his Instagram feed is anything to go by, he appears to be having a great time.
      He has shared a number of pictures of himself working out in the gym, his body noticeably bigger and stronger than it was during his Chelsea days.
      He has also ditched his familiar short cropped haircut for a snazzier, bright blonde do.
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      Kalou is dating stunning Brazilian Karina Ferreira.
      The happy couple welcomed a baby boy into the world in August and Kalou showed he is still a true Blue, decking his child out in Chelsea clothing.
      Kalou clutches the Champions League alongside Didier DrogbaCredit: Getty
      He is dating stunning Brazilian Karina Ferreira
      The happy couple welcomed a newborn child earlier this year
      Kalou sports a snazzy jumperCredit: https://www.instagram.com/salomonkalou/?hl=en More

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      Ballon d’Or 2022 live stream FREE – how to watch tonight’s awards ceremony, UK start time, odds

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      THE BALLON D’Or 2022 is here live and direct TONIGHT!World football is reaching fever pitch for the announcement of the biggest individual prize in the game, and there is a way to watch it all unfold for FREE tonight.
      The Ballon d’Or trophy will be decided tonight
      Karim Benzema is the BIG favourite
      There will be a new twist as the winner will be chosen based on performances over a season as opposed to the calendar year.
      And Karim Benzema is the bookies favourite to win the prize by some distance.
      The Real Madrid superstar has odds as short as 1/33 to win the Ballon d’Or for the first time.
      Benzema finished the 2021-22 season with an incredible 44 goals in 46 games, and a further 15 assists to boot.
      He guided Real Madrid to the Spanish league title and the Champions League, which was their first since Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.
      Read more Ballon d’Or
      When is the Ballon d’Or 2022?
      The Ballon d’Or 2022 takes place on Monday, October 2022.
      It will start from 7.30pm UK time.
      What live stream is the Ballon d’Or on?
      You can watch all of the awards ceremony live on L’Equipe’s YouTube channel.
      Who are the nominees?

      Trent Alexander-Arnold – Liverpool
      Karim Benzema – Real Madrid
      Joao Cancelo – Manchester City
      Casemiro – Manchester United (formerly Real Madrid)
      Thibaut Courtois – Real Madrid
      Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United
      Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City
      Luis Diaz – Liverpool (formerly Porto)
      Fabinho – Liverpool
      Phil Foden – Manchester City
      Erling Haaland – Manchester City (formerly Borussia Dortmund)
      Sebastien Haller – Borussia Dortmund (formerly Ajax)
      Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur
      Joshua Kimmich – Bayern Munich
      Rafael Leao – AC Milan
      Robert Lewandowski – Barcelona (formerly Bayern Munich)
      Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City
      Mike Maignan – AC Milan
      Sadio Mane – Bayern Munich (formerly Liverpool)
      Kylian Mbappe – Paris Saint-Germain
      Luka Modric – Real Madrid
      Christopher Nkunku – RB Leipzig
      Darwin Nunez – Liverpool (formerly Benfica)
      Antonio Rudiger – Real Madrid (formerly Chelsea)
      Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
      Bernardo Silva – Manchester City
      Son Heung-min – Tottenham Hotspur
      Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool
      Vinicius Junior – Real Madrid
      Dusan Vlahovic – Juventus (formerly Fiorentina)

      What are the odds?
      Betfair have Karim Benzema as favourite for the prestigious trophy.
      Here is a list of contenders, courtesy of the bookmaker.

      Karim Benzema – 1/33
      Erling Haaland – 12/1
      Kylian Mbappe – 16/1
      Mo Salah – 25/1
      Virgil van Dijk – 25/1
      Robert Lewandowski – 33/1
      Kevin de Bruyne – 33/1
      Harry Kane – 33/1
      Vinicius Jr – 33/1
      Sadio Mane 33/1
      Cristiano Ronaldo – 40/1
      Trent Alexander-Arnold – 40/1
      Luis Diaz – 40/1
      Phil Foden – 66/1
      Joshua Kimmich – 100/1
      Dusan Vlahovic – 125/1
      Bernardo Silva – 150/1
      Riyad Mahrez – 150/1
      Joao Cancelo 250/1

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      Leaked footage shows Barcelona boss Xavi telling players to ‘defend like animals’.. before they throw away lead to Inter

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      BARCELONA players appeared to ignore the warnings and instructions of manager Xavi at half-time in their draw versus Inter Milan. The Catalan giants were 1-0 up at the break and footage has revealed what Xavi said to his side in the Nou Camp tunnel.
      Xavi stressed the importance of defending to his team at half-time but they went on to concede three timesCredit: EPA
      He shouted at his team to “defend like animals” and made them aware of the Inter goalkeeper playing long balls.
      However his directions seem to fall on deaf ears as Inter scored three second half goals as the match ended 3-3.
      Xavi said: “When (Andre) Onana – Inter’s goalkeeper – has the ball, you all have to come back and defend like animals.
      “It will happen. When Onana has it, they kick it long.
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      “They did it once already and you guys were stuck on the wing, god damnit. Come back to defend… come back.”
      Despite the warning Barcelona still conceded goals as a result of not defending the long range passes.
      Inter’s first strike by Nicolo Barella followed a direct ball into the box by centre-back Alessandro Bastoni.
      Their second netted by Lautaro Martinez also came from a long forward pass played up to the striker.
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      To frustrate Xavi the most, the move for the third goal scored by Robin Gosens started with a long boot up the field by goalkeeper Onana with the Barcelona defence caught up the pitch.
      The draw significantly dented Barca’s hopes of progressing in the Champions League as they now sit four points behind Inter in second place with two games remaining.
      They will need to get results versus Bayern Munich and Viktoria Plzen while hoping the Serie A side slip up.
      Barcelona face bitter rivals Real Madrid at the weekend in the El Classico as they look to respond from the disappointing draw with Inter. More

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      How Chelsea could line up vs Aston Villa with Reece James OUT injured but Hakim Ziyech in line for return to squad

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      REECE JAMES will miss Chelsea’s trip to Aston Villa on Sunday but Hakim Ziyech could return to the squad after illness.Chelsea academy graduate James, 22, went off injured in the 2-0 Champions League win over AC Milan on Tuesday.
      Azpilicueta could start with James nursing a knee injury
      James could miss the World Cup and will see a specialist this weekendCredit: Getty
      Ziyech is returning from illnessCredit: Getty
      However, the injury to the right-back’s knee could be worse than originally feared, according to the Daily Mail.
      And England international James could miss the World Cup as a result.
      Responding to the report, Blues boss Graham Potter revealed James is set to see a specialist over the weekend.
      Potter also said James “felt not too bad” on Thursday, and wants to avoid “looking into the doomsday scenario” until there’s official confirmation.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Regardless of James’ visit to the specialist, he will miss Chelsea’s trip to Villa Park.
      Chelsea head into the fixture unbeaten under Potter.
      The Blues are sat fourth in the Premier League, but are eight points off table-toppers Arsenal.
      James’ absence could allow Trevoh Chalobah to start his fourth game of the season as part of a back three alongside Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly.
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      The trio will protect Kepa Arrizabalaga in between the sticks.
      Cesar Azpilicueta could operate at wing-back, where James would typcially play.
      Ben Chilwell is continuing his return to regular first-team football in a boost to his World Cup chances.
      Potter could look to shake things up in midfield and go with Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
      N’Golo Kante remains out with a hamstring injury.
      Mason Mount will keep his place and in a twist, Hakim Ziyech could be handed a start, providing support to Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang.
      Ziyech missed the trip to Milan through illness.
      Alternatively, Marc Cucurella could start in the back three ahead of Koulibaly.
      San Siro goal-scorer Jorginho could keep his place, partnering Kovacic.
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      Armando Broja could be handed a rare start having scored in his last appearance against Wolves.
      And Christian Pulisic could come in for Ziyech if the Moroccan isn’t fit enough to start.
      Broja could be handed a rare start More

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      Napoli’s amazing resurgence with Serie A leaders the highest scorers in Champions League and winning fans for their play

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      FORGET Arsenal, Man City or Real Madrid.There’s a new sheriff in town and they have become the perennial entertainers in their domestic league and the Champions League.
      Napoli’s fans are toasting new heroes, including Giacomo RaspadoriCredit: Getty
      Napoli are unbeaten in their first 13 games in both Serie A and the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli have blitzed all before them in devastating fashion to go 13 games unbeaten in both competitions with a brand of free-flowing, heavy-metal football that Jurgen Klopp would be proud of.
      The German manager got a flavour of what they offer at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last month, as Liverpool were humbled 4-1 – with three goals coming in a first half massacre.
      And the Naples giant’s’ amazing start is even more of a surprise, given they had a summer of upheaval.
      All change
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      The Camorra would have been watching with bated breath at what the upcoming season promised.
      Especially after losing legends like Dries Mertens, who plundered 148 goals for the club, Italian international Lorenzo Insigne and star midfielder Fabian Ruiz.
      Serie A’s best centre back of recent years, Kalidou Koulibaly also left for the bright lights of the Premier League and Chelsea. You could forgive Napoli’s faithful for feeling pessimistic.
      Some £72million was made from player sales, with just £61million of that reinvested into the team.
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      The most expensive signing came in the form of South Korean defender Kim Min-Jae for £16million, who had the unenviable job of filling Koulibally’s giant boots.
      Cameroon midfielder Frank Anguissa was added from Fulham for £13million.
      Steady Uruguayan full-back Mathias Olivera was snapped up from Getafe for £9million.
      There was also a nod to the future, with Georgian talent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 21, and Giacomo Raspadori, 22, added for creativity and firepower.
      What happened next no one could have seen.
      Start as you mean to go on
      The season’s opener gave a taste of what was to come, as Verona can testify.
      Spalletti’s side smashed five away from home – with the old guard of Victor Osimhen, Piotr Zielinski and Stanislav Lobotka all running riot.
      Led by Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s frightening attack has scored three goals or more in eight of their 13 matches in all competitionsCredit: Rex
      A 6-1 demolition of Ajax had Europe take noteCredit: Getty
      It was helter-skelter football, played at a 100mph. But it worked.
      What has followed has been goal blitz after goal blitz. In their first 13 matches, they’ve scored three goals or more in a game eight times.
      In Serie A they sit pretty at the top of the pile with seven wins and two draws from their nine games. They are the league’s top scorers with an impressive 22 strikes.
      While in the Champions League, they’ve won four from four – scoring 17 goals along the way. That too is the highest goal tally of any of their rivals.
      At the turn of the month, Europe took note after they demolished Ajax 6-1 at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
      Fabio Capello, who was watching the game as a pundit for Italian TV, was impressed.
      “Napoli just gave a football lesson at the Johan Cruyff Arena,” he told former Alessandro Costacurta on Sky Sport Italia.
      “A lesson to the Dutch, who taught the rest of us how to play!”
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scores Napoli’s fifth in the rout of Ajax in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Napoli’s fans hold on to the memory of Diego Maradona, but could have new heroes to saviour with their current teamCredit: Rex
      Even the press in Holland couldn’t help summon up the spirits of the two clubs’ favourite sons, Diego Maradona and Cruyff.
      “Napoli’s spectacular game in Amsterdam would certainly have enchanted Maradona, Cruyff would have without doubt been very disturbed by Ajax’s performance, which became the laughing stock of Europe,” De Telegraaf wrote.
      A nod to the gaffer
      Napoli’s free-flowing attacking football has been guided by Italian tactician Spalletti.
      Before a world of false nine’s, the 63-year-old famously played a system without a striker at Roma – getting the best out of Francesco Totti who prospered in a free role.
      Man Utd’s legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson was a fan, and even utilised Wayne Rooney in a similar role after being inspired by Spalletti’s tactic.
      But, he is yet to win the Scudetto in his 28 years in the game. Two Russian Premier League titles with Zenit Saint Petersburg during a five-year spell haven’t silenced the doubters.
      Coach Luciano Spalletti has drawn praise for building attacking teamsCredit: Getty
      Napoli have scored more goals than any other team in both Serie A and Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      Buy of the season
      Comparisons to Maradona from Napoli’s tifosi aren’t handed out quickly.
      However, in Georgian midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia they’ve found a new talisman who is already a contender for buy of the season.
      Snapped up for just £9million from Dinamo Batumi, who had him for a short spell after he was allowed to suspend his contract with Russian side Rubin Kazan, he won Italy’s player of the month in August.
      The 6ft winger scored his first Champions League goal in that Ajax massacre and has five in nine Serie A matches this season.
      With an air of unpredictability, blistering pace and skill – Kvaratskhelia has been given the label the ‘Georgian Maradona’.
      While, Spalletti has already waxed lyrical about his talent.
      Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has undoubtedly been Serie A’s best player this seasonCredit: Getty
      Will Napoli’s stars be celebrating in front of their own supporters at the end of the season?Credit: Getty
      He said: “He is able to control any ball and make it clean, he has this very shy way of doing things, he never wants to be the centre of attention, but when he plays football, he is so confident.”
      Italy hero Alessandro Del Piero added: “Watch out for Kvaratskhelia. He is unpredictable and talented, he seems to be made to play in Europe.”
      With 17th placed Bologna up next, Napoli fans will no doubt expect another goal glut on Sunday. And they will, no doubt, live up to their new tag as ‘Europe’s Entertainers’. More

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      Timo Werner flopped at Chelsea because he ‘didn’t feel the love’, claims Arsenal legend Thierry Henry

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      TIMO WERNER flopped at Chelsea as he “didn’t feel the love,” Thierry Henry claims.Revitalised Werner destroyed Celtic for RB Leipzig on Tuesday.
      RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner showed the self-belief he lacked at Chelsea as he sunk Celtic with a goal and an assist on TuesdayCredit: Rex
      Ex-France frontman Thierry Henry believes Timo Werner is one of those players who needs to feel lovedCredit: PA
      And Arsenal strike legend Henry could see the difference since last season as the Germany frontman fired the opener and teed up Emil Forsberg’s clincher in a 2-0 Champions League win at Parkhead.
      Henry told CBS Sports: “I will call it confidence. 
      “You have players who don’t care if you put your arm around them. They will come, execute and leave.
      “Then you have some players that need to feel the love. 
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      “They need to feel maybe that they are going to play for 90 minutes.”
      Henry even believes there’s no way Werner would have shown the same swagger for the Blues during his two-year stay in the Premier League
      He explained: “The best example is the second goal.
      “First and foremost on the first control, Timo Werner would never have put that ball down at Chelsea, and then he would never have seen Forsberg.
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      “He would have rushed it trying to do something, over-thinking it and overdoing it. 
      I saw it before – he was calm before and he is calm again.
      “Sometimes you go to some places, they don’t show you that love.
      “I’m not saying he didn’t have it, but if he didn’t feel it like he felt it at Leipzig, then you aren’t going to be at your best and you won’t take the right decision.” More

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      Newcastle may be forced to cash in on Bruno Guimaraes amid Real Madrid transfer interest, says Dan Ashworth

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      NEWCASTLE chiefs admit they may cash in on superstars like Bruno Guimaraes to fund their title dreams. The Brazil midfielder signed from Lyon for £35million in January but revealed “conversations” with Real Madrid during the summer. 
      Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as a supporters’ hero in Newcastle’s rise to sixth place, but might have to be sold to boost resourcesCredit: Getty
      Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth admits ‘at some stage’ the big-spending Magpies could lose special talent Bruno GuimaraesCredit: Getty
      Fan favourite Bruno, 24, is loving life on Tyneside but has made it clear he expects Champions League football soon. 
      And Magpies transfer chief Dan Ashworth said: “I absolutely do not want to sell Bruno. 
      “He is a top player and a really important part of the journey. 
      “But, at some stage, you have to trade as one of the things around Financial Fair Play. 
      READ MORE ON NEWCASTLE
      “We have to be able to generate some money to reinvest and go again. 
      “You can never control when a club or an opportunity comes knocking for a player that maybe has an aspiration they have always wanted to do. 
      “It might be a certain city in the world, it might be a club or it might be a country. 
      “I can’t lie and say we’ll never have to sell a player and that we’ll always be able to hold onto our top talent. 
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      “You have to sometimes make a pragmatic decision and go, ‘Okay, we’ll do that because that’s a way of reinvesting in the football club’. 
      “Ultimately, at what level do you sell him?”
      Newcastle have jumped from 19th to sixth over 12 months of Saudi ownership, spending more than £200m on transfers along the way. 
      And Ashworth knows breaking into the Champions League is key for the Magpies to be able to keep their best players. 
      He added: “As a rule of thumb, I would like to think we’ll be able to hold onto our top talent in order to drive our ambitions for driving up the league and competing for cups. 
      “The Premier League is the most attractive league in the world. 
      “That gives you a fantastic start and if you are playing in Europe and you have the size and aspiration, it’s possible.”  More