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      ‘We need to be respectful’ – Man Utd loanee Amad Diallo asks Sunderland fans to change chant about him

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      SUNDERLAND loan star Amad Diallo has asked fans at the Stadium of Light to change their chant about his manhood due it’s “lack of respect”. The Manchester United youngster, 20, has begun to flourish in the North East, becoming a fan favourite.

      Diallo asked Sunderland fans to be respectful and stop chanting their new song, which includes a line about his manhoodCredit: Getty
      But according to talkSPORT reports, a section of Black Cats supporters ignored his request against Millwall on Saturday.
      Early on during the game, the chant – which includes a line about the size of his manhood – could be heard from the stands.
      Diallo had previously stated: “Sunderland fans, I’ve had an amazing time so far and I love your energy.
      “Hearing you sing my name is incredible, but we need to be respectful.
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      “Let’s change the song and keep the noise.”
      Sunderland went on to hammer the South London club 3-0 as they move into the Championship’s top half.
      Fans were pleased with the victory but had mixed emotions over the song.
      One fan tweeted: “Before the game: Sunderland urge fans to stop singing the Amad Diallo chant. 20 seconds in: it gets sung.”
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      The Man Utd star said he loves the energy from the Sunderland fans and hearing them singing his name is ‘incredible’Credit: Getty
      Another added: “Some of the comments on here are embarrassing. Lad has been class for us so far.
      “Asks for a tiny bit of open minded thinking and understanding and people are abusing him. Get a grip man.”
      Former Atalanta youngster Diallo cost the Old Trafford club £37million to sign nearly two years ago.
      The starlet scored just one goal in nine competitive games for United.
      And he also struggled during a loan spell at Rangers last term.
      But the Ivory Coast international is starting to find his feet at the Black Cats.
      And that can only bode well for Sunderland, Man Utd and Diallo. More

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      From Ajax to Millwall, how Zian Flemming is bringing some Dutch courage to the Lions’ play-off push

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      ZIAN FLEMMING is adding some Dutch courage to Millwall’s attempt to finally make it to the promised land. Dubbed the ‘Bermondsey Bergkamp’, the 24 year old is already a fan favourite down at The Den since his £1.7m club-record move from Fortuna Sittard in the summer. 
      Flemming is raring to go again in the Championship after scoring a hat-trick against Preston before the World Cup breakCredit: Focus Images
      SunSport’s Frankie Christou speaking with Flemming at Millwall’s training ground ahead of their clash with SunderlandCredit: Startraks
      Flemming’s eight Championship goals – including a hat-trick away at Preston before the World Cup break – has Millwall in with a chance to move up to 4th tomorrow with a win at Sunderland. 
      And after snubbing European clubs to join the Lions, the Amsterdam-born attacker believes Gary Rowett’s side are ready to stay in the playoffs.
      He told SunSport: “Millwall are a club with authenticity with raw crowds. 
      “It is an old club with passionate fans and you can see it at the training ground and the stadium. 
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      “It is all just simple and I feel like it is a club built on passion and hard work.
      “I joined because there was a solid foundation of 8th- and 9th-placed finishes and the plan is to make that step into the top six and I am part of that plan. 
      “With my help and the other signings, as well as the rest of the team, I want to get in the top six.”
      The Amsterdam-born attacker was coached by Bergkamp alongside the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Donyell Malen in Ajax’s academy. 
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      The comparisons with Arsenal legend Denis Bergkamp come from Flemming also not being considered a traditional number 10.
      Yet, despite having a football education most other Championship players could only dream of, Flemming’s physical nature has seen him thrive in just five months in England. 
      Flemming explained: “When you leave Ajax you realise how special it was, but I was a kid just enjoying myself. 
      “Bergkamp was my gaffer at the U12s. I knew his name but I was too young to really know him. 
      “So when he became our gaffer our parents had to tell and show us how big he is. 
      “We needed some education because it was before our time. 
      “I have seen a lot of his goals because luckily we have YouTube.
      “He is a different kind of player who was extremely stylish and technical, whereas I am more physical and goal oriented.” 
      Flemming starred in Ajax’s academy before winning the second division with Jong AjaxCredit: Getty
      He was a fan favourite at Dutch side Fortuna Sittard before moving to Millwall in the summerCredit: Getty
      Despite a fast start to life at Millwall, it was not all plain sailing for Flemming after growing issues halted his progress as a teenager. 
      But after fighting his way back into Ajax’s second side, he adopted his famous arm flex goal celebration which sees him adopt Millwall’s ‘We Fear No Foe’ mantra by paying homage to UFC bruiser Nate Diaz. 
      He said: “I was not growing but at 17 I started growing quickly which caused problems with my body. 
      “In the end I was not able to train for some weeks. I was struggling for like two seasons in a row. 
      “I grew like 20cm and when I got back I tried to do what I was doing before but I could not do it. 
      “I had to learn how to use my body again. I worked hard on my coordination. I was ready to go again but they kept picking other players. 
      “When I finally got my chance and started scoring I started doing the celebration symbolising Nate Diaz in the UFC. 
      “I remember his face was all bloodied and he won. So I saw it as a metaphor and a symbol for me.” 
      Flemming’s fighter mentality was also moulded by his decision to leave Ajax’s prestigious academy to kickstart his career. 
      After excelling in Ajax’s second team, scoring 10 goals in 21 appearances as the side won the Dutch second league for the first time, he secured a free transfer to Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in 2018.
      A tough start saw him loaned back down to the second division where he became NEC Nijmegen’s top scorer which secured a permanent move to Fortuna Sittard.
      He notched 12 goals and seven assists in his debut season, leading the club to an 11th-place finish before signing off last year with a final-day goal to keep them up. 
      Flemming said: “I could tell there was no space to move up to the first team at Ajax, so it was logical to make that step because otherwise you are just stuck in the second team. 
      “Being in the second division was a step up to the real world because it is very physical but I was still at Ajax. 
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      “At my other clubs I had to think more defensively, because at Ajax you would always have possession.
      “But my mindset has not changed, I want to be the whole package. My main focus is scoring goals.” More

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      Why is the Championship returning when the World Cup hasn’t finished?

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      THE 2022/23 Championship season will soon be put on hold for the Qatar World Cup, but games will resume before the competition has reached it’s conclusion.England supporters will be hoping their side can go all the way this year, having fallen short at the semi-final in 2018, and then the final at the Euro’s.
      Ismaila Sarr was a part of Senegal’s team for the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The vast majority of footballers that play in the country who will feature at this year’s tournament will predominantly play in the Premier League.
      However, there will be a few representatives from England’s second division.
      Why is the Championship returning when the World Cup hasn’t finished?
      The English Football League has agreed that the Championship will have a break in matches lasting almost a month between November 13th and December 9th.
      This period will include the World Cup group stage along with the opening round of knockout games. But then, the Championship season will restart.
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      An official statement from the EFL read: “Match round 16 in the Championship, set to take place on Saturday, November 12, will be the final round of fixtures played ahead of the call-up period for the tournament, which begins on Monday, 14.”
      “The Championship will resume on December 10 2022 following the culmination of the World Cup group stages, whist League One and League Two futures will continue as normal.”
      Tim Krul saves a penalty to win in a shootout during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Quarter FinalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      It is thought that players from the English second tier are less likely to be called up to their countries and have a lower chance of progressing further past the group stages.
      However, a number of Championship players could well be on show in Qatar this year, based on their involvement during the recent international breaks.
      These include Watford’s Ismaila Sarr, Netherlands goalkeeper Tim Krul and former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen.
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      Ex-Huddersfield boss David Wagner looking for manager’s job in Spain after turning down former club and Wigan

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      DAVID WAGNER is keen on a job in Spain after turning down roles in England.The ex-Huddersfield boss was linked with his old club and Wigan, but  fancies Spain now after leaving Young Boys.
      German manager David Wagner fancies managing in Spain after turning down at least two jobs in EnglandCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The German, 51, has also previously been linked with West Brom.
      He launched his managerial career with Borussia Dortmund reserves.
      And when Huddersfield took a chance on him in 2015 he rewarded them with the most famous season in their modern history two years later.
      The Terriers went up to the Premier League for the first time ever.
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      Huddersfield stayed up the next term but he departed in 2019 when they were bottom of the Prem.
      Next came 16 troubled months with home country club Schalke after being handed a three-year contract.
      Schalke set a new club record of 16 winless matches in the second half of the 2019-20 season.
      Two shocking defeats to take the run to 18 at the start of the following campaign then led to his sacking.
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      Bayern Munich beat Schalke 8-0 and Werder Bremen triumphed 3-1.
      Wagner took over at Young Boys in the summer of 2021.
      He guided them to a 2-1 home victory over Manchester United in a Champions League group game.
      But failure to earn Young Boys a fourth league title in a row cost him his job in March this year and he hasn’t worked since. More

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      Millwall keen on Dylan Levitt transfer as Wales World Cup star shines after leaving Man Utd for Dundee United

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      MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett is keen to sign Dundee United’s Welsh midfielder Dylan Levitt.The former Manchester United prospect, 22, has gone to Scotland for regular games.
      Tangerines’ midfielder Dylan Levitt is on the radar of Championship side MillwallCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Levitt could be sold in the window if the offer is right.
      He would be interested in a crack at the Championship — but for now is focused on the World Cup in Qatar.
      Levitt was outstanding on loan for his Scottish Premiership club last season.
      And his total of six goals plus one assist in 29 games persuaded the Tangerines to make the deal permanent in the summer.
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      He was also the fans’ player of the year.
      And his displays this season have caught the eye of more scouts south of the border – although his team are bottom of the top flight.
      He was at Old Trafford from the age of eight.
      But although he made his senior debut in a Europa League clash with Astana in 2019/20 he never came close to a consistent breakthrough.
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      Finally he moved to Scotland’s elite division.
      And when the Tangerines bought him for an undisclosed fee they hailed it as a substantial coup. More

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      Burnley star Ashley Barnes in hilarious X-rated interview on BBC after scoring in heated Blackburn derby

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      BURNLEY star Ashley Barnes gave a hilarious X-rated interview after scoring twice in Sunday’s heated derby against Blackburn Rovers.The two promotion hopefuls clashed looking for bragging rights in the East Lancashire derby.
      Ashley Barnes gave an X-rated talk after Burnley’s 3-0 derby win over BlackburnCredit: https://twitter.com/secondtierpod/status/1591846131000303616
      Barnes scored twice as Burnley earned bragging rights againCredit: Rex
      It was the first meeting between the pair since 2017, with that and the previous three games won by Burnley.
      As a result, Rovers were out to inflict revenge.
      But they instead endured a miserable outing at Turf Moor as Vincent Kompany’s men ran wild.
      Barnes’ brilliant brace sandwiched an effort from Anass Zaroury to send Burnley top of the Championship table.
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      And afterwards, the veteran striker gave a hilariously rude interview to BBC Sport as he struggled to contain his emotions.
      Barnes, 33, said: “Amazing. Every goal is special but to score against the b******s there is amazing.”
      Barnes, who hails from Bath in Somerset, is certainly an honorary Lancashire man, having played for Burnley since 2014.
      He has 48 goals in 263 games for the Clarets, and is proving to be a key player for new boss Kompany despite his age.
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      Fans certainly found Barnes’ interview funny, with one saying: “Rivalries such as this one are very intense.
      “It doesn’t surprise me that a player who’s been at Burnley for years has said that.”
      Another laughed: “He hadn’t scored in the league before today and might not score again but Barnesy is a Claret legend.”
      One added: “Superb. Love it.” More

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      Canada’s World Cup star Jonathan Osorio interested in transfer to England in January from Toronto

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      CANADA World Cup star Jonathan Osorio has his sights on a move to England after the tournament.Osorio is a legend for Toronto in the MLS but his contract is up and he aims to impress in Qatar.
      Osorio is eyeing a move to the EFLCredit: AFP
      Even at the age of 30 Osorio has interest both in the EFL and abroad — with his main priority a crack at the English game.
      Osorio has signed up with American-based English agent Matt Higgins in a bid to test the market.
      The midfielder kicked off his professional career with Canadian Soccer League side SC Toronto in 2012.
      During his debut season he became one of the club’s top goalscorers and earned the CSL Rookie of the Year award.
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      In 2013 he joined MLS side Totonto FC after training with the club’s academy.
      He has since scored 57 goals and assisted 34 in 318 appearances for the Reds.
      Toronto finished 13th in the MLS Eastern Conference last season – seven points above Wayne Rooney’s DC United.
      Osorio recorded 13 goal contributions in 23 league games, making him one of Toronto’s most influential players.
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      But, he now has his sights set on a successful World Cup campaign with Canada.
      The Maple Leafs are in Group F along with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco. More

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      Crystal Palace starlet Malcolm Ebiowei wanted by Hull on loan transfer as Rosenior looks to link up with 19-year-old

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      HULL boss Liam Rosenior wants to sign old boy Malcolm Ebiowei on loan from Crystal Palace.Rosenior worked with the 19-year-old winger at Derby County and would like to take him for the second half of the season.
      Malcolm Ebiowei is a loan target for HullCredit: Getty
      Palace are prepared to let Ebiowei go for the game time.
      But they may also want to sign an extra wideman on loan to make up for the loss.
      Ebiowei joined Crystal Palace in the summer after leaving the Rams.
      He forced his way into the first team at Pride Park during the second half of the campaign.
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      Ebiowei has came off the bench twice in the Premier League this season.
      He has also been a sub twice in the Carabao Cup, and saw his penalty saved in Wednesday’s shootout defeat to Newcastle.
      SunSport exclusively revealed in the summer that Ebiowei snubbed Manchester United in favour of signing for Palace.
      And now new Hull boss Rosenior is targeting the teenager to help fire his side up the Championship.
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      Rosenior took over the Tigers earlier this month after Shota Arveladze was sacked in September.
      His side are currently 20th in the Championship following today’s home defeat to Reading. More