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      Chelsea star Reece James gives injury update after being taken off in win at AC Milan amid England World Cup concerns

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      CHELSEA star Reece James is keeping his “fingers crossed” in hope that his injury against AC Milan in the Champions League isn’t serious.James, 22, went down twice at the San Siro on Tuesday until he was substituted on 62 minutes leaving Blues and England fans anxiously waiting to find out the extent of the damage.
      Chelsea star Reece James picked up an injury against AC Milan in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      James issued an injury update ahead of the 2022 World CupCredit: Getty
      The right-back took to Twitter after the match and admitted he doesn’t know how bad things are but thanked the fans for the support they have shown.
      James tweeted: “Fingers crossed it’s not a bad one. Love for all the messages, I appreciate you all.”
      Chelsea manager Graham Potter appeared confident that the England international will be available for selection soon.
      But the West Londoners will have to wait “24 to 48 hours” for a full injury update.
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      Potter said: “We’re hoping he’ll be OK. We’ll need 24 to 48 hours. We’ll know more after that.”
      James’ injury didn’t cost Chelsea as they picked up a comfortable 2-0 victory over Milan thanks to goals by Jorginho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      However, England manager Gareth Southgate will anxiously be waiting for an update just six weeks before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
      Southgate has already found himself with somewhat of an injury crisis in defence.
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      Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker is facing a race against time to recover from groin surgery.
      Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold also picked up a knock during Sunday’s 3-2 loss at Arsenal. More

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      Pep Guardiola gives hilariously blunt reaction to reporter when asked why Man City are yet to win the Champions League

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      PEP GUARDIOLA gave a hilariously blunt reaction when asked why Manchester City are yet to win the Champions League.The two-time champ with Barcelona led City to the 2021 final before losing to Chelsea.
      Pep Guardiola was hilariously blunt when asked about Man City’s Champions League chancesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      But many are tipping the Premier League holders to finally break the curse this term.
      City look almost unstoppable after a fine summer transfer window, with Manuel Akanji a rock in defence and Erling Haaland already netting 20 goals.
      However, last night saw a rare blip occur as they were held to a 0-0 draw in Denmark by FC Copenhagen.
      City missed a penalty and had a man sent off as they dropped a rare two points.
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      After the match, Guardiola was asked by a reporter why it was so hard to win Europe’s top prize.
      Smiling wryly as the question was delivered, Pep responded in a flash: “Because [Real] Madrid is always there.”
      The Spaniards have the most amount of European Cup wins with 14, and landed their latest last season with victory over Liverpool in Paris.
      They produced a stunning comeback to deny City an all-English final in May’s second-leg semi.
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      But Guardiola is adamant he and City are NOT “obsessed” with becoming champions of the continent.
      He added: “It’s not about that. I would like to win it, it’s not an obsession, it’s a dream, a target we can do. 
      “I’m completely aware how good the opponents are and how difficult this competition is. 
      “I said many times, maybe people don’t believe me or think I’m making an excuse, I didn’t come here to win the Champions League.
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      “I’m the first to want it, [but] it was the same in Munich. In Barcelona we won it twice, I wanted to win four! 
      “The 30 or 40 seasons where I’m a manager, I want to win every single Champions League, [but] I don’t feel a failure when we don’t win it.” More

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      Chelsea fans all say the same thing as Reece James pockets Blues transfer target Rafael Leao in Champions League AGAIN

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      CHELSEA fans are all in agreement after watching Reece James pocket AC Milan star Rafael Leao for the second time in a week.The Blues right-back put in a player of the match display at Stamford Bridge and was brilliant again in the reverse fixture at the San Siro on Tuesday.
      Reece James expertly kept Rafael Leao out of both games against ChelseaCredit: AP
      James was forced off in the second-half in worrying scenesCredit: Getty
      That was until he had to be replaced just after the hour mark by Cesar Azpilicueta through injury.
      James jarred his knee and limped off, sparking concerns that he may be sidelined for the World Cup, which gets underway next month.
      But yet again in the Champions League, James was superb in keeping Chelsea transfer target Leao, 23, quiet.
      And Blues fans are now all saying Leao should secure a move to Stamford Bridge after being unable to get the better of James.
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      One wrote on Twitter: “Rafael Leao if you can’t beat Reece James just join him man, join him. It’s simple!!”
      Another said: “Leao should come to Chelsea just so he doesn’t have to face James again.”
      And a third added: “If I was Leao I’d join Chelsea just so that I wouldn’t have to play against Reece James anymore.”
      Leao was a summer transfer target for Chelsea as new owner Todd Boehly came in and splashed the cash.
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      AC Milan technical director Paolo Maldini even confirmed the Blues had made a verbal offer for the winger.
      Boehly and Co are said to be expected to reignite their interest in Portuguese ace Leao when the transfer window reopens in January.
      But reports suggest they could have a battle on their hands to secure his signature.
      Paris Saint-Germain are now believed to have entered the race to sign Leao.
      The French champions see him as a perfect replacement for Lionel Messi, who has been linked with an emotional return to Barcelona. More

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      Eagle-eyed fans spot Kylian Mbappe message on PSG manager’s notebook hours after striker ‘demanded transfer’

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      FOOTBALL fans have spotted an interesting Kylian Mbappe-related message on the back of PSG manager Christophe Galtier’s notepad.The cameras cut to the French coach during his side’s 1-1 draw with Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
      Reports emerged on Tuesday stating Mbappe wants to leave PSGCredit: Getty
      The back of Galtier’s notepad read “Kylian pref (the right)”Credit: GET FRENCH FOOTBALL NEWS TWITTER
      And some keen-eyed viewers watching the match realised that a note on the back read “Kylian pref (the right)”.
      The short message is thought to relate to a social media post Mbappe shared after PSG’s goalless draw with Reims at the weekend.
      He posted a picture of himself with the hashtag “pivot gang” – something Get French Football News say relates to him not wanting to play up front on his own.
      So Galtier’s note appears to relate to Mbappe wanting to be on the flank as oppose to playing through the middle.
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      And it comes just hours after reports that the French international wants to leave the Ligue 1 champions in January.
      According to Marca, the relationship between Mbappe and PSG is “completely broken” and there is “no turning back”.
      Journalist Daniel Riolo of RMC said: “He is in a negative spirit to the point that he himself says he will leave PSG in January if there is an opening.
      “But in any case at the end of the season, it’s over. He’s fed up!”
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      PSG’s sporting director Luis Campos then came out and denied those reports.
      He told Canal Plus: “I am with Kylian Mbappe every day. He has never talked to me about leaving in January.
      “It’s not a statement from the player, it’s [from the press], and to have such information before a match like this is very serious.
      “That’s why I’m here, to deny and say clearly that Kylian Mbappe has never spoken to me or to the president [Nasser Al-Khelaifi] to leave PSG in January.”
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      Mbappe scored from the penalty spot as PSG took the lead against Benfica on Tuesday evening.
      But Benfica then got a penalty of their own in the second half and Joao Mario tucked it away to earn the Portuguese side a point in the French capital. More

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      Graham Potter succeeds where predecessors failed as he guides Chelsea to famous Champions League victory over AC Milan

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      GRAHAM POTTER is less than a month into his Chelsea reign but he has already achieved what Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel could not – a win in Italy.Chelsea had not won in Italy for 19 years before Potter’s side rocked up at the San Siro.
      Graham Potter guided Chelsea to a famous win at the San SiroCredit: Getty
      Jorginho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were the goalscorers on an historic nightCredit: Getty
      And the Blues had never tasted victory in the famous old ground before tonight.
      But from the moment Fikayo Tomori brought down Mason Mount for a 21st-minute penalty, the result did not look in doubt.
      Jorginho tucked home the spot-kick and Tomori was sent for an early bath, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang adding a second later in the first half.
      Mount was the architect again but credit must go to Potter, who was questioned for resting Aubameyang and a host of other stars in the win over Wolves at the weekend.
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      Potter arrived at Stamford Bridge with a reputation for playing football that was easy on the eye but Brighton were criticised for lacking killer instinct.
      The same cannot be said of his Chelsea side who were professional throughout and never looked like surrendering their lead with the home side registering just one shot in target.
      They even kept their cool when another former Blue, Olivier Giroud, tried to provoke a reaction out of Reece James immediately after the penalty.
      It is now three wins from four for Potter – a considerable turnaround given Tuchel’s final game was the embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb at the beginning of last month.
      Chelsea dominated at the San Siro
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      Since then Potter’s side have conceded just two goals and beaten Italian champions Milan twice – by an aggregate scoreline of 5-0.
      That is no mean feat, particularly given Chelsea’s shocking record in Italy.
      Prior to tonight the Blues had gone seven games without a win in the country – last tasting victory against Lazio under Claudio Ranieri in 2001.
      As reigning Champions League champions Chelsea were beaten 3-0 by Juventus in Turin in 2012 before crashing out of the group stages.
      Ancelotti took his double-winning side to Inter Milan for a Round of 16 tie in February 2010 and lost 2-1 at the San Siro, having lost the first leg 1-0 at home.
      Even under Italian Conte Chelsea fared no better and were thrashed 3-0 by Roma in October 2017.
      Potter lacks Champions League experience – he had never even been to a game prior to the visit of RB Salzburg – but you would not think it watching his team.
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      Chelsea bossed possession and completed more than 700 passes and would have had a third goal had Conor Gallagher found the right side of the net after rounding goalkeeper Ciprian Tătăruşanu.
      All in all, a night to remember for Potter and plenty of room for optimism for the West Londoners. More

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      Lionel Messi looks stone-faced as he watches Mbappe net for PSG hours after ‘demanding January transfer’

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      LIONEL MESSI looked on stony-faced in the stands as Kylian Mbappe scored for PSG – hours after reportedly demanding to leave.Messi’s smiling and contented demeanour alongside wife Antonella appeared to change dramatically with Mbappe’s penalty opener in Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions League home draw with Benfica.
      Lionel Messi looked on blankly when Kylian Mbappe netted, while wife Antonella Roccuzzo arguably reacted even more harshlyCredit: Getty

      Kylian Mbappe celebrates his penalty but Benfica fought back to draw, leaving PSG waiting to seal a Champions League KO spotCredit: Alamy
      The Argentinian legend sat motionless as he stared forward with glazed eyes and Antonella looked down sternly at her watch.
      It’s claimed PSG are willing to let “fed-up” Mbappe depart in January.
      And Real Madrid were immediately linked with a “secret deal” – which might deter Liverpool from bidding.
      Messi missed the tie with a calf injury as PSG failed to land the win that would have sealed a place in the Champions League knockout stages.
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      Mbappe seemingly put the French champions on the way with a confident spot-kick on 39 minutes after Rafa Silva fouled Juan Bernat.
      But midway through the second period Silva was the victim as Marco Verratti impeded him, enabling Joao Mario to level from the spot.
      Meanwhile, Mbappe’s future remains unclear amid conflicting claims.
      He’s said to believe he made a “mistake” in signing a new three-year contract in May.
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      But PSG sporting director Luis Campos says Mbappe, 23, has “never talked about leaving” in the next transfer window.
      Many fans on social media, though, are hoping the French World Cup winner leaves – and that Cristiano Ronaldo joins PSG to finally link up with fellow GOAT Messi.
      Messi and wife Antonella looked on happily for much of the gameCredit: AFP More

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      Composed Jorginho nets penalty for Chelsea despite having LASER PEN shone in his eye by AC Milan fans

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      CHELSEA midfielder Jorginho tucked away a penalty despite having a LASER PEN shone in his eye before stepping up against AC Milan.The Blues came into the clash at the San Siro just six days after beating the Italian giants 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
      A laser was shone in Jorginho’s face before he stepped up to take the penaltyCredit: PA
      Jorginho still dispatched the spot kick to give Chelsea the leadCredit: Getty
      And they were given the perfect start to the return fixture when Fikayo Tomori was sent off in the 18th minute for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.
      The English centre-back brought down Mason Mount inside the penalty area and Milan were punished with a red card and the award of a spot kick.
      Jorginho stepped up to put Chelsea ahead, but just seconds before he took the penalty a laser was shone into his eye by a home fan.
      However, it did not have the desired effect.
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      The Italian sent Ciprian Tatarusanu the wrong way to give the visitors an early lead.
      Reacting to the laser being directed at Jorginho, one social media user said: “Jorginho has ice in his veins.”
      While another joked: “That’s not a laser from the crowd, Jorginho has just got laser focus.”
      Jorginho’s penalty gave Chelsea the initiative as they took control with a man advantage.
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      And 11 minutes before half-time Graham Potter’s men were coasting as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled their lead.
      Chelsea then saw out the second half to secure a 2-0 win – making it seven points from four Champions League games.
      Since Potter took over from Thomas Tuchel last month, Chelsea are unbeaten in five matches and have won their last four. More

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      Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Real Madrid 1 LIVE SCORE: Champions stay top as Rudiger’s late equaliser spares Madrid’s blushes

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      A LAST-GASP header by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger rescued a 1-1 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk after the Ukrainian side had taken the lead in the Champions League on Tuesday.Shakhtar went ahead one minute into the second half in Warsaw when Bogdan Mykhaylichenko found Oleksandr Zubkov unmarked in Real’s box and the midfielder nodded home into the bottom right corner.
      Antonio Rudiger equalised for defending champions Real MadridCredit: AP
      However, Rudiger levelled five minutes into stoppage time by taking advantage of a neat pass from midfielder Toni Kroos to deny Shakhtar a famous victory.
      The draw did at least stop Real from immediately advancing to the knockout stage, although Carlo Ancelotti’s men can secure their spot in their next group game at RB Leipzig on Oct. 25.
      Real hold a four-point lead in Group F over second-placed Leipzig, who won 2-0 at Celtic.
      Shakhtar slipped one place down to third, on five points.
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      See how the match happened below…

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