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    Villarreal set to wait and snatch Ben Brereton Diaz up on free transfer when Blackburn contract runs out in summer

    VILLAREAL are ready to wait for Blackburn forward Ben Brereton Diaz’s contract to run out.Unai Emery’s old club are keen on the Chile international and will hold on until the summer, when he could go for free.
    Ben Brereton Diaz is attracting interest from La Liga side Villarreal.Credit: Getty
    Brereton Diaz, 23, is happy to see out the season and bid for promotion at Rovers, while owners Venkys will price him out of the market in January.
    But Villarreal fancy their chances of landing Brereton Diaz ahead of Premier League rivals — including West Ham and Tottenham — at the end of the campaign.
    The La Liga side are currently ninth in the table after an inconsistent start to the season.
    The club has lost its manager Emery as he left for the Premier League and Aston Villa last month.
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    Brereton Diaz shot to prominence in 2021 when he changed national allegiance from England to Chile, despite playing for the Three Lions under 19s and under 20s side.
    The striker was born in Stoke-on-Trent and played for Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in his youth career.
    His first taste of professional football came at the City Ground, but he left for Rovers on loan in 2018, and the Lancashire club made the move permanent in 2019.
    Since moving to Ewood Park the striker has become one of the best forwards in the Championship.
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    Last season the forward scored 22 goals in 37 appearances in the league and has continued his form into this campaign, having already netted ten goals in 22 games in all competitions.
    This includes a crucial goal against West Ham in the Carabao Cup game at the London Stadium in mid-week.
    The forward produced a moment of magic in the closing stages as he curled the ball into the top corner to take the game to penalties, which his side would go on to win and progress to the next round. More

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    Brazil legend Roberto Carlos spends his time watching West Brom and Birmingham in Madrid

    THE LEGENDARY Roberto Carlos lined up alongside some of the greatest footballers of all-time – but these days he cannot get enough of the Championship.And the 49-year-old Brazilian and Real Madrid icon even revealed that West Brom and Birmingham are the teams that he has been tuning into the most.
    Brazil legend Roberto Carlos loves tuning in to watch the ChampionshipCredit: Getty
    The 2002 World Cup winner moved to the Bernabeu in 1996 from Inter Milan and spent 11 years with the LaLiga giants.
    He was at the club during their Galactico era and played alongside the likes of Zinedine Zidane, compatriot Ronaldo, Luis Figo and David Beckham.
    Carlos loved his time in the Spanish capital and still lives there despite going on to play abroad for the likes of Fenerbahce in Turkey, Corinthians in his homeland, Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia and a stint in India with Delhi Dynamos.
    But despite the current Champions League holders being on his doorstep, the iconic free-kick taking full-back loves nothing more than tuning in to watch the Baggies in England’s second tier.
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    He explained his love of our game during an interview with The Telegraph.
    After naming a host of recent televised matches that he had watched from the Premier League or Championship, he listed both West Brom and Birmingham among the teams he has tuned in to.
    Carlos said: “Your domestic league is amazing.
    “I watch everything here.”
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    Carlos also had his say on England’s chances at the World Cup as he heaped praise on both Harry Kane and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
    He added: “Kane is a good player too. You have a good team, not just in terms of names but in terms of players who have trained well and are ready to play at a World Cup – or to play for the Brazilian national team.
    “I’d say those two [Kane and Alexander-Arnold], but there are more. There’s a lot of quality [in the team]. You have a lot of quality.” More

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    Barcelona and Brazil legend Dani Alves says game against MIDDLESBROUGH ‘changed his life’ before third World Cup aged 39

    DANI ALVES has picked out a match against Middlesbrough as one of the defining games of his illustrious career.The Brazilian icon has played in over 1,000 games for club and country… and a clash against Boro stands out as one of his top five.
    Dani Alves jostles for possession with Mark VidukaCredit: Getty
    Alves celebrates Sevilla’s Uefa Cup victory with his team-matesCredit: Getty
    Alves’ Sevilla side defeated Steve McClaren’s men 4-0 in the 2006 Uefa Cup final.
    Chatting to FourFourTwo as part of their “Games That Changed My Life” series – Alves said: “Winning a European trophy was a great achievement for the club and me personally.
    “Sevilla had been waiting for a major title for about six decades, and this was the perfect reward for excellent work from a talented squad.
    “The final wasn’t as easy as the result suggests – we hit three late goals.
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    “The opener came in the first half after I crossed for Luis Fabiano to head in.
    “I had a chance to score in the second half, but their keeper (Mark Schwarzer) saved well.
    “That day brings great memories. Our team had brilliant harmony and we deserved to be champions.”
    Sevilla took the lead on the day through Fabiano, before a late Enzo Maresca double and another from Frederic Kanoute put some gloss on the scoreline.
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    Alves also named Barcelona’s 2011 Champions League final victory over Manchester United, his senior debut for Bahia, and a Confederations Cup outing with Brazil.
    The 39-year-old has the opportunity to add more special occasions with his national team, after being named in their squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
    Alves will have a third crack at World Cup glory, having been part of their teams in 2010 and 2014.
    He is in there alongside the likes of Neymar, Casemiro and Richarlison – as well as surprise call-up Gabriel Martinelli.
    Dani Alves is going to the World Cup aged 39Credit: Getty More

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    Southampton in talks to make Nathan Jones new boss as talks begin with Luton over taking over from Ralph Hasenhuttl

    SOUTHAMPTON will open talks with Luton Town boss Nathan Jones over replacing Ralph Hasenhuttl.Championship club Luton have now confirmed that permission has been granted for the Premier League side to speak to the Welsh boss following their game at his former club Stoke City on Tuesday night.
    Nathan Jones is the frontrunner to take over at St Mary’s StadiumCredit: Steve Flynn/News Images
    Ralph Hasenhuttl was dismissed after a poor start to the seasonCredit: PA
    In a statement, they said: “Luton Town can confirm that permission has been granted to Southampton to speak to Nathan Jones about their managerial vacancy following the Hatters’ match at Stoke.
    “We would like to place on record that the Premier League club have approached the board in the correct manner, for which we are grateful,
    “The whole situation is extremely amicable with Southampton and with Nathan.
    “We would also like to urge all supporters travelling to Stoke to show him and the team your support on what we hope will be yet another memorable away day.”
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    The Saints axed Hasenhuttl, 55, with the club in the bottom three after their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday.
    Fans rounded on the Austrian, who arrived in 2018, with loud boos at full time and chants of: “You’re getting sacked in the morning”.
    Assistant Ruben Selles will take charge of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday, with the Saints hoping to have
    Jones in post for their Premier League visit to Liverpool on Saturday – their final game before the World Cup break.
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    Jones, 49, is in his second stint at Luton, having left the club for a rotten spell as Stoke boss before returning to Kenilworth Road in 2020.
    The former Brighton defender kept the club up on the final day of the 2019/20 season and guided the Hatters into the Championship play-offs last term, losing to Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals.
    Hasenhuttl’s No2 Richard Kitzbichler has also left the club, having been the only coach to survive an overhaul of backroom staff during the summer. More

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    Sunderland out to rescue Bradley Dack from Blackburn misery as they eye January free transfer for attacking midfielder

    SUNDERLAND boss Tony Mowbray wants to rescue Bradley Dack from his misery at Blackburn.Mowbray is after a deal for the attacking midfielder, who is struggling for starts under Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson.
    Bradley Dack has regularly been a sub this seasonCredit: Rex
    Dack, 28, is out of contract in the summer and Blackburn may let him go in January to take his wages off their payroll.
    Mowbray signed him for Blackburn and kept backing him despite a couple of serious knee injuries.
    The Black Cats are in the market for extra forwards after their campaign was disrupted by the loss of Ross Stewart and Ellis Simms due to injury.
    Dack joined Blackburn from Gillingham in 2017.
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    His 18 goals and nine assists during his first season helped fire Rovers out of League One and back to the Championship.
    He netted another 15 during his maiden second-tier season – before two separate cruciate ligament injuries hindered his progress.
    Dack has played in 11 of Blackburn’s 20 league games so far this term, starting just three.
    He was an unused substitute as Tomasson’s side beat Huddersfield 1-0 yesterday.
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    After the Ewood Park triumph, the Rovers boss told the BBC: “I’m delighted.
    “We were a little bit disappointed to come in at half-time still leading 1-0 – we could have done it a little bit better, and we knew how difficult it would be, to be patient and take chances, because we were playing against a wall.
    “We spoke about a couple of solutions at half-time and came out very strong, created a couple of chances immediately and had a goal disallowed that probably should have killed the game.
    “In the end when you are only leading 1-0 it can be tough, and it was tough in the last period, but big credit to the players and the fans, because that spirit they have, and togetherness they had in defending, and another clean sheet, is great to see.”
    Dack, 28, has been engaged to Olivia Attwood since 2019Credit: Splash More

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    Leeds front of the queue for Birmingham wonderkid George Hall as Prem sides line up January transfer scramble

    BIRMINGHAM teen George Hall is wanted by Prem clubs — and his lack of game-time is encouraging them to pounce.Leeds head the hunt for the midfielder, 18, and may try their luck in January when he could be available to buy.
    George Hall battles with Taylor Richards during a clash with QPRCredit: Getty
    Hall expected to get regular games this season and that was the main reason he stayed with Blues and signed a new deal.
    But local lad Hall has struggled for starts recently and that has put his top-flight suitors on alert.
    Birmingham have signed new players in midfield and that is holding back the England youth starlet who could now be sold to raise funds.
    Hall made his senior Blues debut during a 2-1 Championship defeat to QPR in January.
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    One further appearance followed last term, and he has been more involved this time around.
    He has made 15 outings this term under John Eustace, although only five have come from the start.
    Hall was an unused substitute as Blues won 2-1 at Stoke yesterday.
    Goals by Scott Hogan and Harlee Dean put Eustace’s men in a strong position, before Lewis Baker pulled one back from the penalty spot.
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    The win put Blues, expected to struggle going into the season, up to 11th place.
    Manager Eustace told the BBC: “It was a magnificent performance from the lads without the ball and I’m really pleased with the performance.
    “The spirit in the camp is fantastic and the way they got through that 95 minutes together was fantastic, I’m really proud of them.
    “This is such a tough place to come and play any football, the wind and rain, the fans are right on top of you and the atmosphere is very hostile.
    “The most important thing was that we came here, we were competitive and we looked after each other. It’s a fantastic win.” More

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    ‘Different class’ – Passionate Rotherham fan goes viral after giving player his jumper to dry ball before throw-in

    A Rotherham fan has gone viral for allowing a player to dry the ball for a thrown-in using his jumper.The Millers were up against Norwich in the Championship and defender Wes Harding wanted to launch a long throw-in into a crowded penalty area.
    The fan managed to get Wes Harding to turn around as he took his jumper off
    The Rotherham man then dried the ball on it before chucking it back to him
    The defender wanted to dry the ball for improved grip and was seen wiping it on his shirt before looking around for a towel.
    But one fan came to the rescue quickly stripping off and chucking his brown jumper at him.
    Harding wiped the ball on his clothes before passing it back with a small smile on his face.
    The clip has gone viral on social media amassing over one million views in a matter of hours.
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    Fans loved it, one commented online: “Would of been some story if they scored off it.”
    Another said: “Proper support.”
    More reacted saying things like “things you love to see” and “different class”.
    Some claimed he certainly forced Harding to launch a long one with a supporter joking: “Imagine if he took a short throw.”
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    Some believe he should be rewarded for his passion, one wrote tagging Rotherham’s official social media page: “Give the man a signed shirt.
    “That’s supporting your club and going above and beyond.”
    Rotherham went on to lose the game 1-2 which leaves them 17th in the Championship table just a point off the relegation zone.
    As for the Canaries, they are up to fourth place. More

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    Middlesbrough 1 Bristol City 1: Chuba Akpom secures point for Michael Carrick in Man Utd legend’s first home match

    MICHAEL CARRICK cannot wait for more after a rollercoaster first week in management despite being held by Bristol City in his first Middlesbrough home match.Andreas Weimann landed an early sucker-punch but Chuba Akpom, with his third goal in three under the Manchester United legend, ensured a share of the spoils.
    Michael Carrick has endured a rollercoaster first week in the dug-outCredit: Rex
    Chuba Akpom scored his third goal in three under the Man Utd legendCredit: Rex
    Carrick, 41, has four points from his first three games but heads to Blackpool on Tuesday full of confidence after watching his side dominate here.
    He said: “We did enough performance wise to win the game but I can’t really ask much more of the lads, they’ve done ever so well and limited them to not a lot.
    “The performance was very good – but points are what make the difference and I’m not swerving that by any stretch.
    “But at this stage, third game in, we can definitely look forward and be positive with what we’ve done so far.
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    “We have two away games coming up before the break and we go into them looking forward to both.”
    It was almost an explosive start at his new home but Hayden Hackney blasted over and Riley McGree was denied by goalkeeper Max O’Leary.
    The Riverside faithful were roaring – but it was the Robins that were rocking in the tenth minute with their first attack.
    Weimann received the ball down the left and burst infield past Isaiah Jones before meeting a one-two with Tommy Conway at the back to break the deadlock.
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    The hosts were winded, and City could have been celebrating a second if Nahki Wells had not headed Conway’s cross the wrong side of the woodwork.
    Boro regrouped but both McGree and Marcus Forss were thwarted by O’Leary.
    McGree once again found the City goalie unbeatable before the post came to the Irish stopper’s rescue from a Forss strike.
    But Boro started the second period with a bang as Akpom stabbed home McGree’s cross from close-range.
    O’Leary’s leg prevented Akpom a second and McGree’s rocket almost did seal a win in additional time – but once again the outstanding O’Leary produced a great stop.
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    City boss Nigel Pearson said: “Our players gave us an awful lot of effort and we got a fighting point.
    “I think we defended our box with a lot of resilience. They had a number of free-kicks and set plays towards the end which we had to show a lot of commitment in terms of dealing with and we came through that with credit.” More