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      Chelsea ‘in talks with LAFC over Aubameyang transfer’ after striker is axed from Champions League squad

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG may be set to leave Chelsea for Los Angeles FC, reports suggest.Aubameyang has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge and was even axed from the Blues’ Champions League squad.
      Chelsea ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be on his way to Los Angeles FCCredit: Getty
      According to Relevo, the West Londoners have entered talks with LAFC regarding a potential deal for the striker.
      The transfer window has just opened in the MLS as it runs from January 31 until April 24.
      The Gabon international returned to the Premier League only last summer and reunited with former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
      However, new owner Todd Boehly axed Tuchel soon after and the 33-year-old soon fell out of favour under his successor Graham Potter.
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      Aubameyang fell even further down the pecking order during Chelsea’s January transfer spree and has since been linked with a move away.
      According to Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan are looking to re-sign the Gabonese star in the summer.

      The same report suggested that Milan are the “best positioned club” for his signature.
      Aubameyang fuelled rumours of a move to San Siro by jetting off to Milan with his family soon after he was cut from the Champions League squad.
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      Aubameyang has only managed a mere three goals and one assist in 18 matches across all competitions this season.
      Potter has shaken things up after a busy transfer window, which saw a whopping eight new players coming in.
      The arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix has created even more competition for a place in Chelsea’s attack. More

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      Man City starlet Rico Lewis’s weekly wages set to rise by 400 per cent – but Haaland still earns more in one afternoon

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      MANCHESTER CITY wonderkid Rico Lewis will see his wages skyrocket by a whopping 400 per cent.Lewis, 18, has hit the ground running ever since his senior City debut in August during a Premier League clash against Bournemouth.
      Manchester City wonderkid Rico Lewis will see his wages rise by 400 per centCredit: Getty
      But Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland makes more in an afternoonCredit: Getty
      Manchester City ace Rico Lewis now makes £25,000 per week
      The right-back also made history by becoming the Citizens’ youngest ever Champions League scorer with a goal in the 3-1 victory over Sevilla during his full debut in the competition.
      City are set to reward the England Under-19 international with a bumper new deal that will see him earn £25,000 per week.
      That means the defender will be bagging an approximate £1,300,000 per year.
      Lewis, who has been on £5,000 per week, will now be making more than fellow young star Cole Palmer, who is the senior squad’s lowest earner with £20,000 per week.
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      Of course, the full-back is miles off City’s highest earners with the likes of Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne bagging more in just one afternoon.
      Haaland – the second highest earner – makes £19,500,000 per year, which means he pockets over £53,000 per day.
      And top earner De Bruyne, who is on £20,800,000 per year, earns almost £57,000 per day.
      But Lewis is definitely on the right path as he has already amassed 18 appearances across all competitions this season.
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      The teenage sensation is also often being preferred by manager Pep Guardiola ahead of Kyle Walker.
      Lewis also started ahead of the now-departed Joao Cancelo, who joined Bayern Munich on loan last month.
      And the England youth ace’s continued selection contributed in Cancelo’s departure. More

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      Champions League winner looks totally unrecognisable 25 years on from lifting cup after ripped body transformation

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      THIS former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace looks amazing for 48-years-old.Back in 1998, the ex-Brazilian international was a Champions League winner with the Spanish giants.
      Can you guess who this former Brazil international is?
      He’s bulked up since his playing days
      He made 85 caps for his countryCredit: Instagram zr11
      He regularly uploads fitness videosCredit: Instagram zr11
      He won five major European league titlesCredit: Instagram zr11
      During his illustrious playing days, he won two Copa Americas and finished runner-up at the 1998 World Cup.
      The versatile left-back-turned midfielder made 85 Brazil appearances and scored six times for his country.
      He also lifted one LaLiga and the Champions League with Real.
      He also claimed four Bundesliga titles in six years at Bayern spread over two stints in Germany.
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      But can you guess who it is?
      It is, of course, ex-midfielder Ze Roberto who enjoyed a stellar career as a player.
      However, he never looked this buff and has clearly been working out religiously since retiring from the game in 2017.
      He has since stunned fans on social media, showing off his hench body transformation akin to a bodybuilder.
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      The Samba star uploaded an Instagram video of himself during a training session in the park during the coronavirus lockdown.
      Now a personal trainer, he gave an insight into how he was able to outlast so many of his former team-mates.
      He told local media in the past: “I have no vices. I don’t drink alcoholic beverages, I don’t smoke, I eat very well, I sleep well.
      “I have my family, which is my greatest security.
      “I think those are important factors to reach the age I reached and still continue playing at a high level.”
      And back in 2020 he even claimed he has a better physique than the ripped Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo.
      He told TyC Sports: “Today I would say that I have a better physique, because I played until I was 43-years-old.
      “If he does [play until then], I will say it is him.”
      Although with Ronaldo revealing he plans to keep playing into his 40s Ze Roberto may well be forced into making the admission.
      That’s of course former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid ace Ze RobertoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/fcbayern/
      Ze Roberto claims he even has a better physique than Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Instagram / @cristiano
      Ze Roberto pictured in action for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup
      In 1997 Ze Roberto was playing for Real Madrid More

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      I won the Champions League more times than Lionel Messi, but now I have no club and I’m only 30… these things happen

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      A SERIAL winner, a 38-cap international, boasting more Champions League titles than Lionel Messi and still in his prime years.Also… unemployed.
      Lionel Messi has won three Champions League titles – fewer than a recently-released former LaLiga rivalCredit: AFP
      Once upon a time, the skilful midfielder was one of the most-sought-after stars in Europe.
      The Spain star, still only 30, is one of the most-decorated players in world football.
      And yet, at the conclusion of the January transfer window, he finds himself without a club.
      The man in question: former Real Madrid maestro Isco.
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      Part of Valencia’s talent factory of the 00s, Isco made his name at Malaga before securing a massive move to Real Madrid in 2013.
      In nine years at the Bernabeu, the midfielder contributed to over 100 goals in 353 games.
      Isco won a staggering five Champions League crowns, as well as three LaLiga titles until he departed in 2022, joining Sevilla.
      The 2012 Golden Boy was once on the radar of every Premier League “Big Six” side.
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      Isco won four Champions League crowns with Real Madrid during his nine-year stayCredit: AFP or licensors
      Isco lasted just four months – playing only 14 LaLiga matches – at SevillaCredit: AP
      But interest cooled in his later Los Blancos years, with Sevilla taking a chance on him in August 2022.
      After just four months and only 14 LaLiga games, his contract was terminated.
      On deadline day, Isco was on the brink of a free transfer to Bundesliga high-flyers Union Berlin.
      But the deal collapsed as the club cryptically claimed: “We have our limits.”
      Fabrizio Romano has since revealed the “deal collapsed because financial conditions of the deal changed after the medical tests.”
      According to Spanish pundit Anton Meana, the late shock is a blessing in disguise for Union Berlin.
      Meana brutally claimed: “I think Isco would have been a problem for Union.
      “I don’t think Isco is up to that level of football, I don’t think he suits the Bundesliga, and even less so Union Berlin.
      “I think that Union have come out of this winning from all of the noise this generated on social media.”
      As a result, Isco currently finds himself unemployed.
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      He has been linked with a move to Turkey – with the transfer window open until February 8.
      But for now, the man who was one of Spain’s brightest young talents faces the very real possibility of being tossed on the scrapheap. More

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      Surprise Chelsea star is AXED from Champions League squad as three new transfers signings make list and four miss out

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      PIERRE EMERICK-AUBAMEYANG has been axed from Chelsea’s Champions League squad – and then jetted straight to Milan.The Gabon striker, 33, is left out in order to accommodate the club’s recent arrivals.
      Chelsea have named their Champions League squadCredit: Reuters
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been axed from Chelsea’s Champions League squadCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s record January transfer outlay led to them bringing in EIGHT new players in.
      However, Uefa rules mean that they are only able to include three of their signings in their Champions League squad for the knockouts.
      Chelsea forked out a whopping £107m upfront with a potential further £4m to follow in add-ons to Benfica for Enzo Fernandez.
      And the most-expensive player in Britain has been included along with Mykhailo Mudryk and Joao Felix.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Therefore that means that fellow new boys David Datro Fofana, Noni Madueke, Andrey Santos, Gabriel Slonina and Benoit Badiashile have all missed out.
      Jorginho’s deadline day exit to Arsenal did free up one place in the squad – which was only initially a 24-man one for the group stages.
      But another player also had to be omitted to make room for the trio which has led to Aubameyang being left out.
      However, despite his lack of match action under Graham Potter, the former Barcelona man was still expected to get the nod in favour of Hakim Ziyech.
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      The winger saw a deadline day switch to PSG fall through and he was the favourite by many to be a casualty.
      But the 29-year-old is in – causing more frustration for Aubameyang.
      The striker only moved to Stamford Bridge in September but has scored just three goals and started nine matches since Potter took over.
      And he appeared to take the latest snub badly as he was pictured in Milan with his brother on Friday night – which his teammates were facing Fulham.
      Chelsea face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League last-16 with the first leg taking place in Germany on February 15.
      Fernandez, Mudryk and Felix have all featured in the competition already for their previous employers but are all available to play for the Blues. More

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      Fans all say same thing as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is LEFT OUT of AC Milan’s Champions League squad list

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      FANS have all said the same thing after Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed out on AC Milan’s Champions League squad.The legendary striker, 41, is still on the books of the Italian champions despite failing to make a single appearance this season due to a knee injury.
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic has not made the cut for AC Milan’s Champions League squadCredit: Getty
      It was hoped Ibrahimovic was on the verge of recovering in time for the second half of the campaign.
      But it appears the Swede remains some way off a return after he was once again axed from Milan’s squad for Europe.
      This prompted a mass reaction online from fans, who suggested that Ibra may be “finished” as a result.
      One said: “Zlatan is finished, he should retire already.”
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      Another declared: “Wrong. Zlatan has left AC Milan out of his list.”
      One noted: “Damn bro really fell off.”
      Another added: “Zlatan should stop forcing it, he’s made his point. He should go back to Stockholm and enjoy.”
      Indeed, reports from Italy claim Ibra could call it a day at the end of the season following a magnificent career.
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      Ibrahimovic wasn’t the only Milan star to miss out on Pioli’s Champions League squad, with the Serie A champs playing Tottenham in the next stage.
      Full-back Sergino Dest has been dropped after a disappointing loan spell from Barcelona.
      He’s been replaced by Malick Thiaw, a 21-year-old German centre-back signed from Schalke last summer.
      And there is also no place for crocked goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who is still struggling with injury.
      But because he is sidelined, the Frenchman could yet be added to the squad 24 hours before the Spurs match. More

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      Karim Benzema and Eder Militao BOTH go off injured for Real Madrid two weeks before Liverpool Champions League clash

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      REAL MADRID have suffered a DOUBLE injury scare ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Liverpool.Los Blancos, who defeated Jurgen Klopp’s side in last season’s final, face the Reds again in the first leg of the last-16 at Anfield on February 21.
      Karim Benzema has provided Real Madrid with an injury scareCredit: Getty
      Defender Eder Militao also came off injured for the Champions League holdersCredit: Getty
      However, they could be sweating on the fitness of their talisman striker Karim Benzema.
      The French star limped off in tonight’s LaLiga clash with Valencia.
      And defender Eder Militao was also forced off during the same game.
      Brazilian Militao was forced off after just 36 minutes at the Bernabeu after falling to the turf in agony.
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      Initial reports are claiming that he has damaged his right groin or that it could be a potential adductor injury.
      But it will be French striker Benzema that will have boss Carlo Ancelotti feeling the most anxious.
      The 35-year-old, who was forced to pull out of his country’s World Cup squad through injury, pulled up after accelerating clear of the defence on the hour mark.
      He then left the field with appeared to be a right hamstring problem.
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      Despite the double blow, Madrid were still able to close the gap at the top of the table.
      Second half goals from Marco Asensio and Vinicius Junior sealed a 2-0 win over Valencia.
      They now trail leaders Barcelona by five points after 19 matches. More

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      Kylian Mbappe suffers heartbreaking injury and will miss PSG clash with Bayern Munich in Champions League

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE is set to miss PSG’s huge clash with Bayern Munich in the Champions League due to injury. The French star sustained a thigh strain during yesterday’s 3-1 win at Montpellier.
      Mbappe was seen hobbling after the game against Montpellier yesterdayCredit: AFP
      He now faces three weeks on the sidelines and will miss some crucial games, according to Get Football News France.
      By far the biggest is PSG’s last 16 game against Bayern with the French giants still chasing their first Champions League trophy.
      It has become almost an obsession for Paris Saint-Germain but they have fallen short repeatedly over the last few years.
      Mbappe, widely seen as among the world’s best players, would have been as a key factor in overcoming the German opponents.
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      But with only 12 days until the first leg at the Parc des Princes, PSG boss Christophe Galtier may now need to rethink his plans.
      Mbappe also faces missing league games against Toulouse, Monaco and Lille while a cup game at Marseille next week may also be beyond him.
      There are also questions over Neymar’s fitness after he missed the game against Montpellier.
      Between them the pair have contributed 34 goals in all competitions this season.
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      PSG and Bayern’s game is one of several mouth-watering games in Europe’s top competition set to take place later this month.
      Liverpool also take on Real Madrid in a repeat of last year’s final, while Dortmund take on big-spending Chelsea.
      The Europa League is also set for one of it’s biggest knockout games ever. More