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      Marco Silva wasn’t great for my career and was too impatient for success, but he’s good enough to reach Champions League

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      I’M NOT surprised that Marco Silva is proving to be a huge success at Fulham — as  he is one of the most ­infectious personalities I’ve ever met.Normally when you use that phrase you mean that someone is a bubbly character, the life and soul of the party.  But I don’t mean that about Silva.
      Troy Deeney praised Fulham boss Marco Silva’s work in the Premier LeagueCredit: PA
      At Watford, it was his relentless desire for success, to win at all costs and improve players individually which rubbed off on everybody.
      As club captain, you’re involved in internal club discipline — setting down rules and issuing fines for lateness and the like.
      But when Silva was my boss at Vicarage Road for six months or so, standards were so high that I barely even remember anyone getting fined.
      That is rare and it says a lot about what an excellent manager he was.
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      He certainly wasn’t backwards in b******ing players.
      And if you were a 17-year-old kid or a seasoned veteran, he would treat you exactly the same.
      But Silva had an incredible attention to detail.
      After every match, your own individual stats would be left at your spot in the training ground dressing room on the next working day, which is very unusual.
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      He wouldn’t often challenge you about them. But when any professional footballer sees a stat saying he’d only won 30 per cent of their heading duels, he makes damned sure that doesn’t happen again the next week.
      Silva was an extremely demanding boss but in a good way, you wanted to go and work for him. He was interesting and challenging.
       And I am not saying this because he was good news for my own career — if anything the opposite was true.
      I was injured in pre-season when he came in and I didn’t start many matches.
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      Troy Deeney and Marco Silva previously worked together at WatfordCredit: Rex
      He told me that I wasn’t his type of striker, that he ­preferred Andre Gray and Richarlison.
      But that sort of honesty is rare and I respected it. Most managers are nowhere near as honest. As it happened, I played a decent part in a few wins for him.
      The problem with Silva then, and this was five years ago,  was that his drive for success was perhaps too powerful.
      We made a flying start to that Premier League season and, very soon, news got out that Everton were after him.
      That whole situation could have been handled better by Marco and by the owners and results tailed off because of it. Eventually he was sacked but ended up at Everton anyway.
      The Everton saga was the one thing he wasn’t honest about publicly or internally at the club.
      Troy Deeney claims Marcio Silva wasn’t great for his career at WatfordCredit: AFP
      So when he took the Fulham job at the start of last season, I wasn’t convinced that he was well suited temperamentally to managing in the Championship. I wasn’t sure how long he would stick around.
      I think he has learned and matured since his Watford days in that respect, though.
      His Fulham side won the second tier in style, playing some great attacking football and now they are making a genuine challenge for Europe, and have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals.
      Fulham recruited really well last summer — Marco’s excellent knowledge of the Portuguese game helped them get Joao Palhinha for just ­£17million and he is outstanding in midfield.
      Then there’s Willian, who everyone thought looked out of shape and past it at Arsenal a couple of years ago but has  a new lease of life at Fulham.
      I’m sure Silva’s fitness coach, Goncalo Pedro,  one of the very best in the business,  has had a great impact on Willian.
      Marco Silva is pushing for European qualification with FulhamCredit: PA
      A lot of fitness coaches are like drill sergeants and they treat everyone the same in terms of the work they do.
      Not Goncalo. He would  listen, he would treat you like an adult and he would tailor individual fitness programmes for each player. These details matter in professional football.
       I’m sure Goncalo is playing a huge part in their success.
      It’s not just the new signings who are going well for Fulham, though. Players like Tim Ream and Bobby Decordova-Reid, who haven’t truly cracked the Premier League before, have improved immeasurably.
      That doesn’t surprise me because that is what Silva and his team do. They challenge people and make them better.
      Etienne Capoue had been Watford’s best player the previous season and we were all shocked when Silva dropped him and demanded improvement but Etienne responded brilliantly.
      I hope Silva stays at Fulham for four or five years and gets them into Europe because I believe he is capable of that, especially as the club are giving him what he wants in terms of investment.
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      Beyond that, I think he will end up as an elite Champions League boss, he really is that good.
      And just imagine how complimentary I would be about him if he had actually selected me to start very often! More

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      This season’s top flight bosses can be roughly divided into three categories – overachievers, underachievers and, meh

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      IF Antonio Conte can be shortlisted for Manager of the Month while resting up at home in Italy, imagine what he could achieve if he took the rest of the year off.We’ve all had a chuckle at the possibility of the ailing Spurs boss receiving the February award despite the only match he attended resulting in a 4-1 thrashing by Leicester.

      Tottenham boss Antonio Conte is not in line for manager of the yearCredit: PA
      Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has turned things around at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta deserves recognition even if he doesn’t win the titleCredit: Getty
      But Conte won’t be in the mood for laughter as he recuperates from the pain of his recent gallbladder operation.
      And while the ailing Italian might not be in the running for the Premier League’s Manager of the Season award, there are plenty of other candidates quietly fancying their chances.
      It was supposed to be a three-horse race between Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, but that’s not how things have worked out.
      This season’s top flight bosses can be roughly divided into three categories – overachievers, underachievers and, meh, whatever.
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      Tuchel and Klopp are obviously among those who have failed to live up to expectations along with Graham Potter, David Moyes, Brendan Rodgers and the Southampton wrecking crew.
      And though Manchester City remain in the hunt to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, it’s still hard to argue that Guardiola has been at the top of his game this season.
      So by my reckoning that leaves us with six or seven candidates for the title of Britain’s top boss.
      Even if Arsenal don’t go on to win the League this season, no-one can deny that Mikel Arteta has done one hell of a job at the Emirates.
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      He might not be everyone’s cup of tea with his manic touchline behaviour but how many people genuinely expected him to be leading the title race this season?
      The same goes for Erik ten Hag, who has totally transformed Manchester United against all odds after so many years of Old Trafford mediocrity.
      Marco Silva has been another managerial miracle worker. 
      While everyone expected an immediate return to the Championship for newly-promoted Fulham, he has led the west London minnows to seventh place in the table and the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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      Chelsea boss Graham Potter has come under fire at Stamford BridgeCredit: Rex
      Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has stood out in the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex
      Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi have continued to defy football gravity as both their teams dream of a first European qualification.
      Eddie Howe might have the Saudi billions bankrolling his Newcastle ambitons, but he has handled the weight of Geordie expectations magnificently in taking the team from the relegation zone to the brink of Champions League qualification.
      And what about Steve Cooper at Nottingham Forest, who has had to deal with a volatile owner and an entire new squad of players, yet he is still keeping the club clear of the relegation zone?
      Since the Premier League’s managerial award was inaugurated in 1994, 24 of the 29 recipients have been the title winner.
      Klopp took the crown last year despite finishing a point behind City. But he did win the League and FA Cups and reach the Champions League final, so that was fair enough.
      But prior to that, the last time the judges looked beyond the Champions was in 2014 when Tony Pulis finished 11th at Crystal Palace – they had obviously got fed up with giving it to Fergie.
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      The LMA award has not been quite so elitist, with Joe Kinnear, Frank Clark, Danny Wilson, David Jones, George Burley, Steve Coppell and Chris Wilder among previous winners.
      And now we’re ready to add another unlikely name to the roll of honour. No, Antonio, not you. More

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      Chelsea missing Champions League won’t stop £50m-rated star joining as he admits he’s ‘flattered’ by interest

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      LILLE star Jonathan David reckons Chelsea’s recent poor form would not stop stars like him from joining the Stamford Bridge “project”.Graham Potter’s men are tenth in the Premier League, 14 points adrift of the top four.
      Graham Potter’s Chelsea are toiling in the Premier League tableCredit: REX
      But Lille and Canada ace Jonathan David reckons the Blues still have pulling powerCredit: Getty
      But Canada striker David, who has 15 Ligue 1 goals this term, will not pick his next club based on whether they are in the Champions League.
      The £50million-rated star, also a target for Manchester United, is open to offers.
      David said: “The Champions League is not a condition. Everyone wants to play in the biggest competitions in the world.
      “But the most important thing is always the project.
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      “I don’t know what the future holds but I am open to every possibility.”
      The 23-year-old counts Blues icon Didier Drogba as one of his childhood heroes — and how Chelsea could do with a proper centre-forward right now.
      David dreams of a move to the Prem, so it could be a perfect pairing.
      The striker said: “The atmosphere in England is good every week, every stadium is filled.
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      “These are the games you want to play, with an atmosphere like that. And there are a lot of top teams.
      “Growing up I looked at different players. Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba . . . these players.
      “And the Premier League is one of the world’s best leagues.
      “The most important thing, though, is to play for the team.”
      It’s unclear if Potter will be in charge of Chelsea come the end of the season given their torrid run of form.
      The former Brighton boss will hope his troops will be able to stop the rot at Stamford Bridge on Saturday against Leeds. More

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      ‘He wants to fight the world’ – Chelsea stars fear for Mason Mount after series of uncharacteristic flashpoints

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      CHELSEA stars fear team-mate Mason Mount’s on pitch discipline is suffering because of his contract stand-off.The frustrated midfielder was booked for the second time in three games during his sub appearance in the dismal defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.
      Mason Mount has struggled to find his best form this seasonCredit: Getty
      He is also suspended for next week’s crunch Champions League last 16 tie at home to Borussia Dortmund.
      Dressing room insiders say they are worried that homegrown Mount is suffering as talks on a new deal with the club have stalled.
      Negotiations are at a standstill and Mount has not played a full 90 minutes for Chelsea in the last eight matches.
      The latest brush with the law was for showing dissent towards ref Stuart Attwell while his boyhood team crumbled against their fiercest opposition at White Hart Lane and were sunk 2-0.
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      It is the fourth Premier League booking of a season which started with so much promise for Mount and Chelsea but is now disintegrating fast.
      A dressing room source told SunSport: “You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to make the link between Mason’s frustration and his contract situation.
      “If you are a player that was born and bred at Chelsea and then find yourself on the bench or always among the first players to be subbed it is going to get to you.
      “Maybe he is not playing well. But who is in that team?”
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      Mount, 23, is banned for next Tuesday’s return match against Germans Dortmund because has three bookings in the Champions League this season.
      The last was for becoming embroiled in a shoving match having only come on with 19 minutes of the game to go.
      Discussions about a new deal for Mount began before last summer but have dragged on and show no sign of a breakthrough.
      It is a fresh headache for beleaguered Chelsea boss Graham Potter who is trying to manage an mammoth 33-man squad after making eight signings in January alone.
      Form is in critical condition too with the team tenth in the Premier League. They have won only two of the last 15 games and scored one goal in the last six matches.
      Mount has been with Chelsea since he was six years old and has been a key player.
      He provided the assist for Kai Havertz to score the winning goal in the 2021 Champions League final and has won the Club World Cup and Super Cup. He now has less than 18 months remaining on his contract.
      Club chairman Todd Boehly has made an offer of a new one but it was rejected. 
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      Mount is currently paid significantly less than players like striker Pierre-Emrerick Aubameyang, who only joined Chelsea last summer.
      The source added: “At the moment, Mason looks like he wants to fight the world when really he just wants to win things. With Chelsea.” More

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      I won it all with Barcelona and starred in the Premier League but now I’m carving out a shock career in new sport

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      A FORMER Barcelona star who played with Lionel Messi is now pursuing a different sporting journey.The ex-striker even graced the Premier League for four years in a career that took him around the globe.
      Bojan Krkic won the Champions League twice with BarcelonaCredit: Getty – Contributor

      He won LaLiga four times between 2008-2011 and the Champions League twice in 2009 and 2011.
      After that he joined Ajax on loan for a season where he won Eredivisie before a permanent move to Stoke followed.
      Most recently the 32-year-old played for Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he was released in December.
      Since then the man in question, Bojan Krkic, has continued to pursue his other sporting love – gravel cycling.
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      He revealed it was love at first sight when it came to the sport and he loves to get out on the trail whenever he can.
      Bojan is also part of a new cycling brand called Guava which was founded in Barcelona, with former team-mate Andres Iniesta also a part of the project according to AS.
      Speaking about the new venture, Bojan said: “I think that when I enter this project it will be to stay and that I continue to be linked to cycling.It is a good way to combine sport and social activity.
      “I could participate soon to be in some races. I’m going to prepare for it.
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      I have always liked the bike, even as a means of transportation, but for about five years I have loved gravel. Whenever I can, I go out to do my routes.
      “Regarding soccer, it also serves as training, because as it has no physical impact it allows you to travel many kilometers without damaging the body.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo told me quitting Liverpool for Bayern Munich was a ‘great step’, says Sadio Mane

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      SADIO MANE has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo told him that leaving Liverpool for Bayern Munich last summer was a “great step”.The Senegal superstar, 30, quit Anfield after six years in 2022 having helped the club win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
      Sadio Mane has revealed what Cristiano Ronaldo told him after he completed a summer transfer to Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Ronaldo saw Mane in Mallorca and described the transfer as a ‘great step’Credit: Getty
      He joined German champions Bayern in a £35million transfer, which he says ex-Manchester United star Ronaldo described as a “great step”.
      Mane came across Ronaldo, 38, in Mallorca before this season started.
      Speaking to BILDSport, Mane said: “That says everything about the Bundesliga and underlines what I’ve already said: I think you underestimate the Bundesliga here.
      “The recent performances in the Champions League prove that.
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      “I met Cristiano Ronaldo in Mallorca before this season after my move was completed. 
      “He congratulated me and told me: ‘A great club. This is a great step for you.'”
      Mane has had a good start to life at Bayern, scoring 11 goals in 24 appearances.
      The attacker made his return to action in the 3-0 win over title rivals Union Berlin at the weekend.
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      Mane missed last November-December’s World Cup and had missed Bayern’s last nine games due to a leg injury.
      Ronaldo meanwhile, made another career move.
      The five-time Champions League and Ballon d’Or winner left Man Utd before the World Cup after having his contract ripped up.
      Ronaldo then joined Saudi side Al Nassr, where he has scored eight goals in five games.
      The Portugal captain was also named Saudi League’s February Player of the Month. More

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      Champions League winner looks unrecognisable as he launches own branded wine

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      FOOTBALL fans have been left dumbfounded after a former Champions League winner announced his new wine venture – but it had nothing to do with his role as wine salesman.The Czech Republic international started his career with Banik Ostrava before earning a big move to Serie A in 2000.
      A former Czech Republic and AC Milan star has launched a new wine ventureCredit: Instagram @jankul18
      The 45-year-old looks completely unrecognisable from his playing daysCredit: Instagram @jankul18
      The ex left winger joined Italian giants Napoli after impressing for his country at Euro 2000.
      He went on to make 51 appearances and scored eight goals during his two-year spell in Naples.
      That led to a stint on loan at Udinese, which eventually turned into a permanent move and three seasons with the Italian side.
      West Ham had been linked with our mystery ace – but he spent three years with Udinese as a host of Europe’s top clubs started circling.
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      Eventually, in the summer of 2005, he was snapped up by AC Milan and he went on to enjoy huge success at the San Siro after converting to left full-back.
      And the pinnacle was undoubtedly the 2007 Champions League final.
      He started in defence for Milan as two goals from Filippo Inzaghi sealed a 2-1 victory over Liverpool.
      The man we are talking about is none other than the now 45-year-old Marek Jankulovski.
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      And he continued to enjoy success at Milan as they lifted both the Fifa Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup later that year.
      His performances in 2007 also earned him the Czech footballer of the year accolade.
      Jankulovski and Milan then celebrated winning the Serie A title in 2011 but that would prove to be his final campaign at the club.
      He returned to boyhood club Banik Ostrava that summer but the fairytale comeback ended in disappointing fashion.
      Marek Jankulovski won the Champions League with AC MilanCredit: AFP
      He won 78 caps and scored 12 goals for Czech RepublicCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The Czech icon made his debut against Hradec Kralove in October but managed to play just eight minutes after coming off the bench as he suffered a knee injury.
      That turned out to be his last professional game as he announced his retirement due to injury in February 2012.
      The 78-capped national hero did manage to pull on the boots again 12 months later in front of a packed crowd for a farewell match that had been arranged by the club.
      Jankulovski was employed as a consultant by Banik and also started work in his homeland as a pundit for Champions League matches.
      He was then named as Banik’s sporting director in June 2018 but left the role two years later.
      Now he has a new job away from the pitch as he shared his news on Instagram – and his followers could barely believe that it was him as he looks completely unrecognisable from his heyday.
      Standing in front of a huge barrel of wine and holding a bottle of it, he captioned the snap with: “Italy, wine and football.. Introducing WINE LEGEND – Marek Jankulovski. Many thanks to winemaker Fabio for including me in the selected company of champions for whom he exclusively produces wines. Info on where you can order wine will be added soon.”
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      One response read: “He has aged like a fine wine.”
      While another wrote: “It took me a while to work out who this was.” More

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      The Man Utd line-up that could win the Champions League next season, with midfield overhaul and lethal Serie A striker

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could be set for a big overhaul in the summer that could fire them to Champions League success.Erik ten Hag won his first trophy with the club yesterday and he could be heavily backed when the transfer window opens.
      Manchester United could spend big on Victor Osimhen and Declan Rice
      Erik ten Hag could be allowed to spend heavily this summerCredit: Alamy
      Success in the Carabao Cup could provide a platform for a very productive season for United, who are also competing for the title, FA Cup and Europa League.
      But next season they could have another target in mind – the Champions League.
      And to achieve that aim Ten Hag could be given the funds to bring in a top quality striker.
      Wout Weghorst was signed as a temporary solution in January but the Red Devils have since been linked with Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen.
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      Both would command significant transfer fees with Napoli striker Osimhen believed to have a £107million release clause.
      But the two strikers would guarantee goals – Kane has 20 in all competitions this season while Osimhen has 21.
      United are also planning to bolster their midfield and could finally land Declan Rice this summer.
      West Ham are still demanding a significant fee for the England star, believed to be around £100m, while Arsenal are also threatening to pip United to the midfielder.
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      United are also considering a move for the in-demand Jude Bellingham, with Frenkie de Jong a backup option.
      Ten Hag has also been keen to upgrade his right-back since his arrival despite the improved form of Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
      Dutch pair Denzel Dumfries and Jeremie Frimpong have been linked in the past and United could try again for the pair this summer. More