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    Arsenal favourites for top four spot ahead of Man Utd, West Ham and Spurs, says Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher

    JAMIE CARRAGHER reckons a Champions League spot is Arsenal’s to lose this season.The Gunners are among a host of clubs desperately battling it out for the Premier League’s fourth spot and qualification to Europe’s elite competition.
    Arsenal ground out a 1-0 win over Wolves on ThursdayCredit: Getty
    Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher rates the Gunners as favourites to finish fourthCredit: Sky Sports
    But while the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham are going backwards in terms of results, Mikel Arteta’s men ground out a 1-0 win against fellow contenders Wolves on Thursday.
    West Ham currently occupy fourth spot but they were held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester on Sunday afternoon.
    Arsenal have THREE games in hand over the Hammers and Carragher has backed them to leapfrog their London rivals.
    He told Sky Sports: “I think it will be tough for West Ham to get in the top four.
    “Arsenal, what a win that was for them away to Wolves. The games in hand, no European football.”
    Arteta’s side failed to qualify for ANY European competition this season after finish eighth last term.
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    United meanwhile face a huge Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid this month.
    Carra added: “You think about how long Manchester United will be in the Champions League, that could play a part. It feels like it will go to the wire.”
    Spurs also have three games in hand over West Ham but are currently struggling in eighth position.
    Antonio Conte’s men have lost three in a row and Wolves one place above them now look like the form team climbing up the table.
    ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blog More

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    Arsenal ‘not consistent enough’ to reach Champions League claims Rio Ferdinand as Man Utd legend points to lack of goals

    RIO FERDINAND believes Arsenal are ‘not consistent enough’ to qualify for the Champions League.And the former defender highlighted the club’s lack of goals as a key problem.
    Arsenal’s lack of goals could prove critical come the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
    Rio Ferdinand worries about their chances of finishing in the top fourCredit: BT Sport
    Mikel Arteta’s Gunners currently sit fifth in the Premier League table going into the weekend, a point behind West Ham with two games in hand.
    But they do not play because Chelsea are at the Club World Cup.
    That means the Gunners will be unable to add to their tally of just TWO goals in 2022.
    Bukayo Saka struck at Manchester City on New Year’s Day and Gabriel grabbed the winner at Wolves on Thursday.
    And Ferdinand reckons that will be their downfall come May in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
    The Manchester United legend told BT Sport: “Goals. Aubameyang has gone, not that he was banging them in when he was there, but he was a big player, the captain.
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    “I like Mikel Arteta and what he’s trying to do there.
    “Arsenal, great history, but in recent years, they have not shown you anything that will convince you that they’re going to be consistent enough to get into the top four.”
    Emile Smith Rowe is Arsenal’s top scorer in the league this term on eight, followed by Saka who has six.
    Ex-captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was tied-third on four but left for Barcelona on a free transfer on deadline day.
    That left just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as recognised centre-forwards at Arteta’s disposal.
    Laca, who has taken the armband, has three Premier League goals this term but Nketiah is still on zero – with all five of his efforts coming in the Carabao Cup.
    Arsenal can go away to big places now and fightMichael Owen
    Michael Owen, however, thinks there are plenty of reasons for optimism at the Emirates.
    Owen added: “This is the most positive I’d be if I was an Arsenal fan for a long time.
    “They are lacking a few good players, but they [vs Wolves] looked like they can go away to big places now and fight it out a bit more.
    “They got bullied a lot of times.
    “If you watched them at the start of the season – I was there against Brentford and it was the Arsenal of the last few years.
    “But now they have a bit of steel about them.”
    ⚽ Get all the latest Arsenal news, updates and transfer gossip with our live blog
    Mikel Arteta’s side sit fifth in the table going into the weekendCredit: Getty More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s amazing £6m penthouse is most expensive flat in Portugal close to bedsit he lived in as kid

    CRISTIANO RONALDO bought the most expensive flat ever sold in Portugal after paying £6million for the property that includes a gym and indoor swimming pool.The dazzling penthouse is located next to the Eduardo VII Park, close to the neighbourhood where Ronaldo spent some of his humble beginnings.
    Ronaldo bought the most expensive flat ever sold in Lisbon for £6mCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    Cristiano Ronaldo lives with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in ManchesterCredit: Refer to Caption
    Ronaldo’s new pad is located next to the Eduardo VII ParkCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    Local media report the Man Utd star got the flat in the Portuguese capital in July in 2020Credit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    Local media report the Juventus star got the flat in the Portuguese capital in July in the summer of 2018  but news of its purchase has only recently surfaced.
    According to PrimeTimeZone, it is the most expensive apartment ever sold in Portugal.
    The national skipper is said to have beaten off bids from two other millionaires as he splashed the cash on the 3,100 square feet flat in the Avenida de Liberdade area of the city.
    Inside includes a spa, a swimming pool, a gym, as well as three large bedrooms.
    It comes after he recently sold a mansion for £2m to his former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe, located in the Geres area of northern Portugal.
    Ronaldo had the mansion built from the ground up ten years ago during his first stint at Manchester United.
    He used the property in his homeland when he wanted to enjoy some privacy, however, the site has since become a tourist spot for football lovers.
    Ronaldo lives with his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez in Manchester after the Portuguese icon made the switch from Turin back last summer.
    Before that, he resided in a stunning home in Madrid. His neighbour Elizabeth, better known as Betty, could not be more complimentary of the way he lives his life.
    She said: “A lot of silence, no parties. I’ve never seen cars pass by our private road.
    “I often see him at the wheel of a Rolls-Royce. We see him pass every day, with tinted windows. But in the garage of his house he also has sports cars, like a Lotus.
    “He has a beautiful indoor pool and a small garden. and well taken care of with colourful flowers.
    “I see Cristiano Junior often wandering with his skateboard, up and down the street that leads to our homes, always with the bodyguards behind.
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    “Like the mother, Georgina, also followed by a babysitter who helps her with both cars – one double for the twins and one individual.”
    But in an interview with Piers Morgan, the 36-year-old opened up about his early struggles as a young boy living in Lisbon, playing for the club’s academy.
    The multi-millionaire revealed he used to wait outside a McDonald’s restaurant because he was too poor to buy burgers for himself, and was helped by a group of women who handed out food to Ronaldo and his hungry friends.
    Inside includes a spa, an indoor swimming pool, a gymCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    The Lisbon flat has three large bedrooms for Ronaldo to enjoyCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    Man Utd forward Ronaldo is said to have beaten off bids from two other millionaires for the flatCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties
    Ronaldo, who recently sold a stunning mansion for £2m to his former Real Madrid team-mate Pepe, can enjoy rooftop swims in his Lisbon flatCredit: Golders/Vanguard Properties More

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    UFC legend Khabib names his five favourites to win Champions League but snubs holders Chelsea

    FOOTIE-mad UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov has named his favourites for this year’s Champions League – but he’s snubbed current trophy holders Chelsea.The retired MMA fighter turned promoter is an avid fan of the beautiful game and does his utmost to attend big matches when he can.
    UFC legend Khabib has named his five contenders to win this year’s Champions LeagueCredit: INSTAGRAM
    But the Russian has snubbed current holder ChelseaCredit: GETTY
    The topic of who would win this year’s Champions League was put to the Russian last Friday after Eagle FC’s inaugural American event in Miami.
    And the self-confessed Real Madrid fan tipped some familiars clubs to be in contention to win Europe’s elite club competition at the end of the season.
    Nurmagomedov, 33, told the assembled media: “There are several teams.
    “It happens that some people start the season weakly, but then gain momentum, it happens the other way around.
    “I don’t know how it will be. But if I had to choose, I would list Liverpool, Manchester City, PSG and Real Madrid as my favorites.
    “And, of course, you should never forget about Bayern. Here are the five commands.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}LATEST IN SUN BINGO AND VEGAS.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
    “Now PSG will play with Real Madrid. It’s very difficult to choose.”
    Last May, Nurmagomedov revealed his encyclopedic knowledge of Europe’s premier club competition by correctly naming the winners of the tournament for the last 16 years.
    He told UFC flyweight and AKA team-mate Manel Kape: “2005, Liverpool. 2006, Barcelona. 2007, Milan.”
    When Kape tried to interrupt him, Nurmagomedov said: No “listen, brother. 2008, Manchester United. 2009, Barcelona.
    “2010, Inter. 2011, Barcelona, 2012, Chelsea. 2013, Bayern Munich. 2014, Real Madrid. 2015, Barcelona.
    “2016, 2017, 2018, Real [Madrid]. 2019, Liverpool. 2020, Bayern Munich.”
    After Kape told coach Javier Mendez that the former UFC lightweight champion only knew about ‘results’, Nurmagomedov said: “No, no, no if you don’t know nothing about football you don’t know how to play.
    Retired MMA star Khabib has an encyclopedic knowledge of modern-day Champions League historyCredit: GETTY
    “You have to understand the game.
    “Please Manel. Please. Coach, listen, if you don’t know nothing about the sport, how do you know how to play the sport? How? This is impossible.”
    The knockout stages of the Champions League will get underway a week on Tuesday, with PSG and Sporting Lisbon facing Real Madrid and Manchester City in the first leg of their respective last-16 ties.
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    ‘Never surrender’ – Sevilla targeting first LaLiga title since 1946 with Anthony Martial transfer statement of intent

    SEVILLA are really living up to their club motto “Never Surrender” this season.The Spanish side, who recently signed Anthony Martial from Manchester United, sit just four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid and are on the hunt for their first title since 1946. 
    Sevilla signed Manchester United forward Anthony Martial on loan for the rest of the seasonCredit: Getty
    Sevilla have won a record six Europa Leagues so are no strangers to success in that arena.
    But with ten points separating themselves and defending champions Atletico Madrid in fourth, there is a belief that with Julen Lopetegui at the helm, the current squad can smash through their glass ceiling. 
    The club’s general business manager Jorge Paradela said: “This is a club who have become top ten in UEFA rankings. 
    “We are a club who challenge the status quo. 
    “This is a team who never surrenders and a team who encourages our fans to aim at the highest goals and break barriers.
    “We have demonstrated we can achieve more with less.” 
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    And they definitely have done more with less this year with last season’s top scorer Youssef En-Nesyri ruled out since September and the squad being decimated by injuries and Covid. 
    Only crisis-club Barcelona have used more than Sevilla’s 31 players in La Liga this season. 
    But that has not stopped them from keeping pace with galacticos Madrid. 
    It is important that we show to the world that Seville is here and they have to come with us Ivan Rakitic
    Their defensive record of 16 goals conceded from 22 games is only bettered by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in Europe’s top five leagues. 
    Top clubs have usually snapped up Sevilla’s top players with the likes of Dani Alves and Ivan Rakitic going to Barca or Jesus Navas or Alvaro Negrado joining Manchester City. 
    But football director Monchi has recently developed a stubbornness in the transfer window after rebuffing Chelsea’s £50million bid for Jules Kounde last summer and more recently not allowing Diego Carlos to join Saudi-rich Newcastle. 
    And the signing of Martial on loan for the rest of the season is a statement of their intent. 
    Director of football Monchi is responsible for all transfers at the club
    Sevilla rejected bids as high as £30million from Newcastle for defender Diego CarlosCredit: Getty
    Monchi revealed: “We haven’t changed our policy 
    “Sevilla cannot change the way it works. The reason why players have not left is because they are at the right level in the squad. 
    “Kounde, one of the best defenders in European football, the fact he plays for us speaks for itself.” 
    Club captain Ratikic, who returned to the city after six years at Barca, says he was surprised with how much Sevilla improved during his time away. 
    The Croatian midfielder said: “When I came back here I was really surprised at what the club did in the last years. 
    “There are even more possibilities to go even bigger. 
    “Players the club can sign are now different from seven or eight years ago. Big players now want to be a part of us. 
    “The signing of Martial is there to show to the football world that Seville is going in the right way. 
    “It is important that we show to the world that Seville is here and they have to come with us.” 
    Watch Sevilla FC and the LaLiga title run-in exclusively on LaLigaTV, available via Premier Sports and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
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    Man City star Kyle Walker slapped with THREE-GAME Champions League ban for kick at RB Leipzig striker Andre Silva

    KYLE Walker will miss Manchester City’s next THREE Champions League games after Uefa hit the England defender with their maximum ban.Walker was sent off for a shocking kick from behind on Leipzig’s Andre Silva as the Etihad side lost their final group match.
    Walker has received the maximum punishment from UEFACredit: AFP
    The incident saw the defender come steaming in from behind before making a brutal swipe at the 26-year-old’s legs.
    He got no contact on the ball and Pep Guardiola said: “I hope he learns from this. It was a red card, definitely.”
    The moment of madness cost City a draw or even a potential win.
    It meant the England full-back faced an automatic one-match suspension, although City were hoping to limit the damage.
    But after assessing the incident Uefa’s control and disciplinary body imposed the three-game ban.
    City have the right to appeal and could see the punishment reduced, potentially to two matches but are understood to be likely to accept the decision.
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    As it stands, though, Walker will miss both legs of the last 16 tie with Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon and the first leg of the quarter-finals if City go through.
    In other disciplinary decisions, Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers was given a one match ban – suspended for one year – after being adjudged responsible for the late start to the second half of the Foxes’ Europa League defeat at Napoli, with the club fined £8,300.
    Manchester United received a similar fine for a pitch invasion during their draw with Young Boys.
    UEFA fined the Red Devils over £8000 after three men stormed past security before invading the pitch at Old Trafford.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Sun Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);} More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo’s wages ‘will plummet from £480k a week to £360k if Man Utd fail to qualify for Champions League’

    CRISTIANO RONALDO’S wages will drop by 25 per cent if Manchester United fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to reports.The Red Devils star currently earns £480,000 a week at Old Trafford – which works out as nearly £25million a year.
    Ronaldo’s wages could be slashed if Man Utd do not secure Champions League footballCredit: EPA
    But, according to The Athletic, if Ralf Rangnick’s men do not finish in the top four or win the Champions League then his wages could fall to £360,000.
    However, the report also adds that Man Utd sometimes have “more tapered agreements for individual players” so Ronaldo could avoid the significant wage reduction.
    United currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, two points behind fourth place West Ham.
    They secured a much-needed 3-1 win over Brentford on Wednesday evening.
    But before that a defeat to Wolves was followed up by a disappointing 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.
    And Rangnick’s side face stiff competition if they are going to qualify for the Champions League next season.
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    West Ham, Arsenal and Tottenham are all gunning for fourth – assuming Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea fill the top three spots.
    If United do miss out on the top four then they will have to win the Champions League to qualify for the competition next season.
    They have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the last 16.
    United travel to Spain for the first leg on February 23, before hosting Diego Simeone’s side in the second leg on March 15.
    Only four players have scored more times in Europe’s elite competition than Ronaldo so far this season.
    The 36-year-old has netted six times in five Champions League appearances.
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    Those strikes include vital late goals against Atalanta and Villarreal.
    In all competitions, Ronaldo has managed 14 goals in 22 games for the Red Devils.
    But he has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford if Champions League football is not secured for the 2022-23 campaign.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Chelsea’s Champions League clash at Lille set to be moved to neutral venue after France’s Covid crackdown

    CHELSEA’S Champions League game at Lille and England’s Six Nations showdown in Paris look set to be moved to a neutral country after the French government vowed a Covid crackdown.In a surprise move, French government sources have briefed that any athlete coming to compete in the country will have to be vaccinated to be allowed to enter a sports arena.
    Chelsea are set to travel to Lille in MarchCredit: AP
    But the match is set to be moved to a neutral venue due to a Covid crackdown from the French governmentCredit: REX
    That would immediately impact France’s scheduled Six Nations against Italy, Ireland and England.
    But it also would prevent Chelsea’s unvaccinated players from taking part in the Champions League last 16-second leg in March.
    And it means Novak Djokovic, who landed in Dubai yesterday after being booted out of Australia, faces being barred from the French Openas well.
    Uefa is currently drafting a new “Annex J” to the current Champions League regulations, to apply for the knock-out phase of the competition.
    That will be specifically designed to deal with ongoing Covid situations across Europe in a bid to ensure the tournament remains on schedule, with a final draft due before the end of this month.
    But precedent suggests that clubs will be entitled to select all eligible players and that local rules preventing them from doing so will see matches moved.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    Chelsea are understood to have a handful of unvaccinated members of their first-team squad and the Stamford Bridge outfit will have the right to argue that being prevented from selecting them is a breach of regulations and natural justice.
    The law change would also impact the glamour tie between PSG and Real Madrid, with the French champions due to host the first leg on February 15.
    But there will also be an issue for England rugby union coach Eddie Jones.
    It is understood that at least five members of his likely Six Nations squad – including Exeter centre Henry Slade – remain unvaccinated and have indicated they will not be jabbed.
    That will put pressure on Six Nations organisers to step in, a situation which would be all the more pressing were March 19 showdown, due to be played at the Stade de France, a title decider.
    The change of heart by the French was a major surprise after it had been signalled the country was ready to lift its current strict Covid regulations and grant an exemption for sport.
    Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu hinted on January 7 that a “health bubble” would be created for major sporting events, although it was unclear how that would apply to individual sports such as the French Open tennis at Roland Garros.
    But the new clampdown would appear to apply to all sport, making a further blow to Djokovic after his Aussie Open visa row and eventual deportation.
    The French government’s decision could wreak havoc with the Six NationsCredit: AFP
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