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    Meet Conor Gallagher’s stunning Wag Aine May, who is a model and the Chelsea loanee star’s travel buddy

    CHELSEA star Conor Gallagher has been a revelation on loan at Crystal Palace this season.The energetic midfielder, 22, has seven goals in all competitions for the Eagles as his stock continues to grow.
    Meet stunning Wag Aine May KennedyCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Kennedy and Chelsea’s on loan star Conor Gallagher have been together for three yearsCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    23-year-old Aine May is a model and dancerCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Back in November, he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad – making his debut for his country against San Marino.
    While ex Blues boss Frank Lampard is reportedly interested in reuniting with his former player at new club Everton.
    Watching from the wings is his stunning Wag, Aine May Kennedy.
    The Irish beauty, 23, is a professional dancer and model.
    She regularly shares her glam lifestyle on Instagram, where she has over 32,000 followers.
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    Absolute Cork-er
    Aine May was born and raised in County Cork, Ireland.
    However, the bright lights of London, and the lure of pursuing a career as a professional dancer brought her to England’s capital.
    The blonde bombshell’s good looks soon saw her signed up as a model.
    Aine May represents Pulse Model Agency, and has participated in numerous fashion shoots.
    But, as a girl about town living in Chelsea, she’s certainly happier living the life of a Wag.
    She often posts snaps on Instagram hitting up the fashion boutiques of Sloane Street, including Dior.
    And Aine May and Conor, who have been in a romance for over three years, also love a date night at a fancy restaurant.
    Gallagher and Kennedy regular enjoy date nights at posh London restaurantsCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Aine May loves shopping at Sloane Street’s fashion boutiquesCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Irish beauty Aine May was born in County CorkCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Glam Aine May looks every inch a footballer’s WagCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    The two have posted photos enjoying meals in hotspots like Harry’s Dolce Vita in Knightsbridge.
    Travel, though, seems to be their favourite hobby.
    Travel buddy
    Conor and Aime May are regular travellers.
    Most recently, they enjoyed a romantic break away in Paris, where they took in tourist sites like the Louvre Museum and posh eaterie Cafe de Flore.
    While last summer, they took a trip to Portugal to top up their tans in The Algarve.
    Last summer, Gallagher and Kennedy enjoyed a break away in PortugalCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Aine May showed off her bikini body to her Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Aine May has over 32,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Will Aine May be cheering Gallagher on at Stamford Bridge next season?Credit: Instagram @ainemaykennedy
    Aine May showed off her enviable bikini body in a variety of Insta shots that surely tantalised fans.
    When she’s not enjoying the sun at a far away destination she has been seen in the stands at Selhurst Park cheering on her beau for Palace.
    The questions is, though, will she be supporting her man at Stamford Bridge next season or Goodison Park? More

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    Chelsea star Thiago Silva needs to shine in the Champions League to show his critics in Brazil and play in the World Cup

    ON TUESDAY Chelsea begin the defence of their Champions League title in the knock out phase with a first leg at home to Lille.Thiago Silva is a valued and uncontroversial member of the team.
    Chelsea star Thiago Silva has starred for the BluesCredit: EPA
    The same is not entirely true when the subject is the Brazil side preparing for this year’s World Cup.
    And the penalty he committed against Brazilian side Palmeiras in the final of the Club World Cup has added fuel to the fire.
    One of Brazil’s leading TV commentators, Andre Henning, was outraged that – once again – Silva gave away a needless penalty for hand ball, and went to social media to register his protests.
    Henning is not a fan of Silva, his disenchantment mainly based in the 2014 World Cup, where the centre back was undeniably a disastrous captain.
    One of the strongest images of the tournament comes from when Brazil’s second round match against Chile went to a penalty shoot out.
    Instead of playing a captain’s role, Thiago Silva sat on a football on his own, crying his eyes out. It was clearly too much for him – leading Andre Henning to doubt the player’s mental strength.
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    But there is another, more technical issue of relevance to Brazil’s World Cup build up.
    At Chelsea, Silva has been consistently excellent – operating in the middle of a back three.
    Coach Thomas Tuchel knows him well. The pair worked together at Paris Saint Germain. Tuchel is aware that Thiago is now 37 and, inevitably, not as quick as he used to be.
    So the amount of space that he has to cover has been reduced. To the left of him, the speed of Anthony Rudiger is a vital part of the Chelsea back line.
    The club are understandably concerned at the prospect of losing Rudiger – hence their interest in Eder Militao, Real Madrid’s Brazilian centre back whose game is based on recovery speed.
    But Brazil do not defend with a back three. They play two centre backs. One of them is Marquinhos, the immaculate PSG defender who was – surely unwisely – dropped from the team in favour of Thiago Silva on the eve of the last World Cup.
    ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
    Brazil paid a price for leaving out their quickest defender when they came up against Belgium in the quarter final.
    This time, then, there is no doubt about it. It is a case of Marquinhos plus one. An outside candidate to fill the role is Gabriel Magalhaes, who has emerged as a defensive leader with Arsenal and who also has the benefit of being left footed.
    But the battle seems to be between Silva and Eder Militao.
    There is no point in asking Andre Henning who he favours – and some in Brazil agree with him. But not everyone, and, probably, not coach Tite. 
    And so Silva needs to shine in the knock out stages of the Champions League – not just to help Chelsea retain their title, but also to boost his chances of rounding off his international career with one last crack at the World Cup in Qatar.
    Manager Thomas Tuchel understands how to get the best out of SilvaCredit: Getty
    In Brazil Silva has his critics and has been questioned for a World Cup spotCredit: AFP More

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    Real Madrid ‘submit final Erling Haaland transfer bid’ with Man Utd, City and Chelsea all in hunt for Dortmund striker

    REAL MADRID have submitted a ‘final offer’ for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland, reports say.The Spanish giants are leading the chase for Haaland, 21, despite Premier League clubs also fighting for the Norwegian international’s signature.
    Haaland’s entourage have closed a preferential agreement with Madrid representatives following ‘final bid’, reports sayCredit: Getty
    And Spanish outlet Sport say the striker’s representatives have been in talks with Madrid after they tabled a formal offer.
    The goalscoring machine is managed by super-agent Mino Raiola and it is said that a meeting in Monaco took place on Friday to discuss the bid.
    And it could be the end of the road for Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City, with an agreement reportedly now in place that will ‘block other negotiations’.
    Pep Guardiola’s side were said to be among the favourites to land the hot shot.
    While the Red Devils were also hopeful of finally bringing him to Old Trafford after monitoring Haaland for years.
    But the player himself has supposedly said he wants to play in Spain.
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    Los Blancos will be desperate to land Haaland after their hopes of signing fellow strike sensation Kylian Mbappe hit a snag this week.
    The PSG forward, who is out of contract in the summer, had seemed destined to move to Madrid this summer.
    But reports in Spain suggested Mbappe had changed his mind after scoring the winner against them in the Champions League on Tueaday.
    The 23-year-old has insisted that his future is not yet decided.
    But it is claimed he is temped by a shock switch to Liverpool instead. More

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    Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney ready to move on from John Terry ‘Stud-gate’ row after now Derby boss received FA warning

    WAYNE ROONEY says he has drawn a line under his John Terry ‘Stud-gate’ row after receiving a warning from the FA over the controversy.In a no-holds-barred Amazon documentary, Rooney confessed he switched to the longest studs legally possible ahead of a 2006 clash between Manchester United and Chelsea because he ‘wanted to try and hurt someone’.
    Wayne Rooney has drawn a line under his ‘Stud-gate’ controversy with John TerryCredit: Getty
    The Utd legend admitted to wearing the longest legal studs against Chelsea in 2006 as he ‘wanted to try and hurt someone’Credit: Rex
    John Terry left the stadium on crutches following a challenge with Rooney and the FA stepped in to ask the Derby County boss for his observations.
    However Rooney was let off with a warning after the Rams boss wrote to explain why his comments had been misinterpreted.
    He explained his comments centred around his mood in the build-up to the game – but did not apply to the Terry tackle which he insists was a fair 50-50 challenge.
    “I am happy it is over and done with. I obviously gave my response to the FA,” Rooney said.
    “They have given me a warning, that is it, the matter is put to bed. We move on from that.
    “I came out and spoke my mind about what I was feeling at that period of time in my life.
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    “But it was a feeling rather than something I was acting upon. 
    “You can clearly see me and John have gone for a tackle and that was it.
    “The comments got reported by someone and the FA had to look at it. 
    “I got a warning and that is it. The matter is done.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford More

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    Chelsea’s modest prize money for winning Club World Cup revealed as a fraction of earnings for Champions League victory

    CHELSEA earned a cool £3.68million for being crowned world champions. The Blues saw off Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal 1-0 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
    Roman Abramovich and Cesar Azpilicueta pose with the Club World Cup trophy in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    And they followed that up with a nervy 2-1 victory over Palmeiras after extra-time yesterday.
    Those two wins saw them lift the Club World Cup to complete their incredible honours list.
    And with the tournament a Fifa event, there was a decent £3.68m cheque to accompany the trophy on the plane back to London.
    It may be a fraction of the £75m Chelsea earned for winning the Champions League in May.
    But it is a significant boost for three-and-half hours of work in Abu Dhabi – and on the £1.8m the winners of the FA Cup receive.
    Kai Havertz will have an argument to receive his fair share of the cash after burying his pressure penalty in the 117th minute – thanks to some genius work by Cesar Azpilicueta.
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    The man who has bankrolled Chelsea throughout their recent success, owner Roman Abramovich, was in the stands to cheer his team on – and then joined in the celebrations.
    Manager Thomas Tuchel shared what they said to each other on the pitch after full-time.
    The German revealed: “I said, ‘It is for you and it is your club. Your input and passion that made it possible.’
    “The trophy is for him.”
    HAVERTZ THE HERO
    Havertz admitted he was the third-choice option to take the crucial spot-kick but both Jorginho and Romelu Lukaku were off the pitch.
    Havertz told Channel 4: “It’s amazing. After champions of Europe, we are now champions of the world. It sounds better.
    “I was nervous [taking the penalty], I have to be honest. It’s a big penalty. It’s just crazy. It was good I kept the nerves. I am very happy.
    “I was the third penalty taker but I was the only one left on the pitch.
    “My team-mates gave me trust. I dreamed always as a kid of this. This is an amazing feeling for me.”
    Kai Havertz slotted his penalty away to secure the victoryCredit: Getty More

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    Mentor Didier Drogba calls on Romelu Lukaku to learn from him and build on Club World Cup goals to become Chelsea hero

    DIDIER DROGBA has backed Romelu Lukaku to finally become a Chelsea hit.Lukaku has been a disappointment since his £97.5million return to the club from Inter Milan but scored the first goal – his tenth of the season – in Saturday’s 2-1 Club World Cup final success over Palmeiras.
    Romelu Lukaku helped Chelsea win the Club World Cup against Palmeiras on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    Drogba, 43, who won a host of medals with Chelsea, is a close friend and mentor of the Belgian with the duo having had one year together at Stamford Bridge in 2011.
    Chelsea ambassador Drogba, who was in the UAE, said: “I hope he learned something from me.
    “He’s a goalscorer, he’d done that before and he’s having a difficult moment.
    “But bouncing back with this kind of trophy will bring his confidence back.
    “His goalscoring record is unbelievable. Can he believe in himself more? Yes. I think this goal will help him a lot.
    “Is it a turning point? Yes, I hope. We all hope for that because it is important for the club.
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    “He put himself under a certain amount of pressure by coming back to the club where he started.
    “It is difficult and you come back because you want to prove a point, but he’s winning and I think he’s going to make it.”
    Drogba led Chelsea to their first Champions League success in 2012 – scoring in the final against Bayern Munich – while he also won both the Premier League and FA Cup four times.
    The Ivorian still speaks regularly with Lukaku and he was encouraged with the performance against the Brazilians before he was substituted by Thomas Tuchel.
    Lukaku enraged Chelsea and was forced to apologise in an interview when he criticised the club and Tuchel.
    Drogba said: “He took his responsibility to talk and put a bit more pressure on himself but he delivered here, scoring an important goal. 
    DIDIER DELIVERS
    “Obviously, every player always has something to prove and will always want to do better but he’s there, it was a big game, he scored the goal to give us the lead and I’m happy with this performance.
    “When we have the time to speak, I give him some advice, but after that it’s his career.
    “He’s in charge of the attacking players, so he has to find the ideas and make it his own story.”
    Chelsea are still sweating on the ankle injury sustained by Mason Mount.
    He left the stadium on crutches and looks set for a spell on the sidelines but the club must wait for the scan results to discover the extent of the damage.
    Lukaku headed in nine minutes after half-time to break the deadlockCredit: Getty
    Didier Drogba etched his name into Chelsea history with his 2012 Champions League final exploitsCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea star Romelu Lukaku posts cryptic message on Snapchat just two months after controversial interview in Italy

    ROMELU LUKAKU has posted a cryptic message on Snapchat just two months after slating Chelsea in a controversial interview.The Belgian has been heavily criticised in recent weeks, but was back on the scoresheet as his side narrowly beat Al-Hilal on Wednesday.
    Romelu Lukaku posted this cryptic messageCredit: SNAPCHAT
    The Belgian scored against Al-Hilal on WednesdayCredit: Getty
    Chelsea’s 1-0 triumph, however, doesn’t appear to have lifted his spirits.
    On a plain black backdrop, Lukaku, 28, wrote: “If you have to force it, then it probably doesn’t fit.”
    Sources close to the player insist that the message is ‘not football related’.
    But given his previous Sky Italia interview, it has set tongues wagging.
    Lukaku was dropped for a game in early January after his damning comments came to light.
    He blasted boss Thomas Tuchel’s tactics, before admitting that leaving Inter Milan was a ‘mistake’.
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    His strike on Wednesday was just his second goal since the comments, with the first having come against non-league Chesterfield.
    Lukaku has bagged just five goals in 16 Premier League outings this term, since his injury-hit £97.5million switch back to Stamford Bridge.
    Tuchel’s assistant Arno Michels claimed that the Blues picked Lukaku against League One Plymouth Argyle to try and get him going last weekend.
    But the move backfired, with the striker lumbering against EFL defenders.
    Lukaku is likely to start tomorrow as the Blues chase Club World Cup glory.
    And he will be watched on by boss Tuchel, after the German recovered from Covid-19 in time to join his team in Abu Dhabi.
    Thomas Tuchel beams as he greets his playersCredit: Getty More