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      Chelsea star N’Golo Kante could have joined Middlesbrough after supporter spotted him while playing on holiday in 2013

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      N’GOLO KANTE could have signed for Middlesbrough in 2013 had the Teesside outfit listened to the advice of one eagle-eyed fan.Boro supporter Dennis Abbott called on the club to make a move for the Frenchman while he was on holiday in Normandy.
      A Boro fan called on the club to sign K’Golo Kante eight years agoCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Abbott watched Kante play for Caen in 2013 – two years before Leicester poached him from Ligue 1 in a £5.6million deal.
      And, having recognised his enormous talent, he immediately brought the midfielder to Boro’s attention.
      The fan labelled the Frenchman ‘an outstanding creative player’ in a tweet sent to the Teesside club.
      Abbott wrote: “Boro scouts, tell Tony Mowbray to check out Caen midfielder N’Golo Kante before Wenger gets him. Top top player.”
      The club acknowledged Abbott’s comment, saying it had been ‘passed on to scouts’.
      The fan continued: “That’s great. He’s an outstanding creative player, winning plaudits from media & players alike.”
      Rather dismissively, Boro replied: “Thanks Dennis – they’re going to look.”
      Fast forward to the present and Kante has won the 2018 World Cup and is a two-time Premier League winner – while also winning the Champions League last season at Chelsea.
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      He played the key role in Leicester’s miraculous Premier League triumph in 2016 – before moving to Chelsea for £30m later that summer.
      The Frenchman has since then won the Premier League again, the FA Cup and the Europa League title – cementing his reputation as one of the world’s best midfielders.
      And Boro fans are fuming they missed out on such a gem, with one joking: “Dodged a bullet here lads, I’m glad we ended up with Lee Tomlin instead.”
      Another tweeted: “Hey Boro, have ya fired the scouts yet?”
      A third wrote: “Can we get Tony Mowbray’s evaluation at the time?”
      Meanwhile one simply said: “This is mental to be honest.” More

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      in Soccer

      Antonio Rudiger restrained by Chelsea team-mates as Leeds clash descends into brawl after late penalty

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      THOMAS TUCHEL leapt to Antonio Rudiger’s defence for his part in Chelsea and Leeds’ big bust-up.The German had to be dragged away after steaming in to help team-mate Kai Havertz as tempers boiled over at the end of Saturday’s last-gasp 3-2 victory.
      Antonio Rudiger had to be restrained as he stormed into the barging match with Leeds starsCredit: Getty
      Antonio Rudiger was at the centre of a massive meleeCredit: AP

      No players were booked but both clubs may find themselves in bother with the FA for failing to control their players.
      Chelsea have already been fined £25,000 this season after they kicked off at Liverpool following Reece James’ red card.
      Boss Tuchel believes the scenes were triggered by Rudiger winning an injury-time penalty for Chelsea.
      He said: “Toni is an emotional leader and an aggressive leader on the pitch and he cannot not get involved if there are team-mates to protect or are in an argument. This is 100 per cent Rudiger.
      “Hopefully, with how I observed it there was no harm done.
      “I can understand their frustration because we have all been in this situation where you think have a point or you have equalised and then it slips away. You get angry and frustrated.
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      “Leeds are a strong team and they hate to lose like we do and they get heated up. I hope there were no bad things.”
      Chelsea’s dramatic late victory ended a frustrating week in which they twice threw away leads.
      Tuchel added: “I was confident we would get one more chance to turn things around.
      “You always need a bit of luck to get such a late goal but maybe it was our turn.
      “We needed this win desperately for the mood, for the belief, for the atmosphere and I am very happy how we got it.”
      Leeds were unlucky not to come away with at least a point.
      Boss Marco Bielsa said: “We deserved a draw, our performance merited it.
      “The performance helped us think we can recover the version that allows us to compete with the best.
      “Errors are part of the game, unless they are unjustified or impudent. I wouldn’t class either of those penalties as that.
      “The incident at the end was within the margin of what is tolerable.”
      Players from Chelsea and Leeds clashed after their dramatic matchCredit: Reuters More

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      in Soccer

      Fenerbahce forced to deny Attila Szalai to Chelsea is a ‘done deal’ and say there are ‘no’ transfer negotiations

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      FENERBAHCE have denied that it is a ‘done deal’ for Attila Szalai to join Chelsea.The Blues are looking for defensive reinforcements with Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all out of contract in June.
      Fenerbahce have denied Attila Szalai’s move to Chelsea is a ‘done deal’Credit: Getty
      The Blues have been linked with a transfer switch to Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP
      Although he wants to keep them, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is taking no chances and is already searching for replacements.
      That has led to speculation that the Premier League side were preparing a move for Fenerbahce’s Szalai, 23.
      And that talk intensified yesterday when the Hungarian international’s national manager Marco Rossi claimed it was already a ‘done deal’.
      When asked if any of his players looked set for a big-money move in 2022, he said: “It’s hard to name just one player but right now I see very well Attila Szalai, who plays for Fenerbahce… I think he is joining Chelsea.
      “Clearly, he has been followed by important clubs in Spain, but apparently his move to Chelsea is a done deal.”
      Fenerbahce were furious about those remarks and the speculation, leading to them issuing a statement last night.
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      It read: “The allegations regarding the transfer of our player Attila Szalai, which have been made public in the last few days, based on foreign press and social media, do not reflect the truth.
      “Our club has not made any transfer negotiations regarding our successful football player Attila Szalai.
      “Our player continues his work completely concentrating on the goals of our team. We present it to the public.”
      @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);}
      Szalai has won 21 caps since making his senior international debut for Hungary in 2019.
      Reports suggest he would cost in the region of £20million.
      He is one of a number of defensive transfer options Chelsea could look at. More

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      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel slams injuries to FIVE first-team stars as Blues drop more points in 3-2 loss at West Ham

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has confirmed Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz picked up injuries in Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham on Saturday.The Blues dropped from first to third in the Premier League table after the Hammers came from behind twice to win late on at the London Stadium.
      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has provided injury updates on a number of his players following the defeat at West HamCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      And in a further blow for Tuchel, he lost two more first-team players as Havertz was withdrawn at half-time following a challenge from ex-team-mate Kurt Zouma.
      Meanwhile Alonso was forced off in the 72nd minute after experiencing pain in his back.
      The Spanish left-back had been deputising in the absence of Ben Chilwell, who is out for at least six weeks with a knee injury.
      Chelsea were also without midfielders N’Golo Kante (knee) and Mateo Kovacic (hamstring) for the clash against the Hammers, along with centre-back Trevor Chalobah (hamstring).
      Tuchel then revealed in his post-match press conference that Italy star Jorginho has been battling with his own problem.
      He said: “Kai has huge pain, Marcos Alonso has back pain, so it’s another two substitutes due to injury.
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      “I have no idea when N’Golo Kante will be back and we’re missing also Mateo Kovacic for five or six weeks.
      “Also Jorginho is playing with a hip pain since many days and you can see it.”
      Tuchel also slammed his side for giving away ‘easy goals’ against David Moyes’ men, though refused to blame goalkeeper Edouard Mendy for the defeat.
      Mendy gave away a penalty in the first half after hauling down Jarrod Bowen, while he was caught out at his near post for Arthur Masuaku’s freak winner.
      Discussing his team’s performance, Tuchel remarked: “I don’t see that our performance dipped. I think the performance was enough to win the game but we gave easy goals away.
      “We made big mistakes against Manchester United and again today, and if you do that at this level you cannot expect to get results.
      “We are not good enough in the details at the moment. We need to care about the details, not start asking big questions or doubting the big picture.
      “Without the big mistakes there was a big chance we win this game.

      “Edouard is going through a rough period.
      “OK his decision-making was not on the highest level with the first goal but we brought him to an awkward situation. He could have saved it but he did not.
      “We are far, far away from blaming anybody but we need to admit that we are making too many crucial mistakes at the moment.”
      Tuchel slams mistakes as Chelsea surrender Prem top spot after West Ham loss but refuses to blame Mendy despite blunders More

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      Chelsea given easier run at Aurelien Tchouameni transfer after Juventus pull out of race for Monaco star

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      CHELSEA have been given a boost in their quest to sign Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni after Juventus reportedly pulled out of the race.The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from the principality in 2022 following an impressive start to the season.
      Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move to Chelsea next yearCredit: Getty
      Valued at £42million by the Ligue 1 outfit, Tchouameni has chipped in with two goals in 22 games for Niko Kovac’s men.
      His fine form saw him called up to the France senior side in August, with the player since being capped on seven occasions.
      Thomas Tuchel is understood to be a huge admirer of the ex-Bordeuax man, as he looks to lure him to Stamford Bridge next summer.
      Tchouameni, who is tied down at Monaco until 2024, has also been claimed to be on the radar of Juventus and Real Madrid.
      But according to Calciomercato, the Old Lady have decided against securing his services to give the Blues an easier run at landing him.
      They state that the Serie A side have deemed him as too expensive, with the club only open to signing him on loan, while Monaco will only allow him to move on a permanent deal.

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      As a result, Juve will now look to bring in other targets – notably Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic.
      Speaking to L’Equipe recently, Tchouameni declared that he isn’t paying attention to rumours over his future.
      He said: “My father called me, we talked about everything and he told me that I was on the front page of Marca. I went on Twitter and saw for myself.
      “I told him it was cool, but what does it actually matter? It doesn’t. The front page of Marca will not define me or allow me to perform well in matches.
      “It’s not real life, but it is the media world, the football business. They talk about me today but tomorrow, they’ll be talking about another.
      “In the dressing room, they put the cover up and laughed’ ‘Oh, you’re leaving us already?’.
      “It’s flattering, but I don’t wake up in the morning thinking about it.

      “When I started in Bordeaux, the media were already wondering every summer if Aurelien Tchouameni was going to move to a bigger club.
      “In 2018, they were already talking about Juventus or Milan.
      “I know for a fact that what is true in October is not necessarily what’s true in June. If I start to think that I’m going to leave, it will show directly in my performances on the pitch.”
      Chelsea stars Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso compete in bake off but Blues skipper cooks up ‘complete disaster’ More

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      Cesar Azpilicueta recalls nightmare of facing Cristiano Ronaldo 11 years ago when he played for Spanish side Osasuna

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      IT is more than 11 years since Cesar Azpilicueta played against Cristiano Ronaldo.And the Chelsea captain will be keen to avoid a repeat of what happened when they met in LaLiga back in May 2010.
      Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid against Cesar Azpilicueta of Osasuna in 2010Credit: AFP
      Azpilicueta said: “I played against him when I was at Osasuna and he was at Real Madrid.
      “I don’t remember the score. Maybe in the Bernabeu we lost!”
      Indeed they did. Osasuna took an early lead but Ronaldo  equalised after twisting an equally fresh-faced Azpilicueta this way and that, then firing in a low shot.
      The score was 2-2 by  half-time and remained that way until Ronaldo headed an 89th-minute winner.
      More recently, in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup, Azpilicueta was watching from the Spain bench when Ronaldo completed a hat-trick with a late free-kick equaliser for Portugal in a 3-3 draw.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has kept up that happy habit of grabbing crucial late goals since rejoining United.

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      Azpilicueta added: “He’s a player that can be dangerous at any time, so we have to be very careful.
      “He has a great ability to find spaces, he can shoot right and left and he’s a very good header of the ball.
      “We are lucky to be in the best league in the world, playing against very tough opponents. Every day you face different challenges.
      “To be part of the era where we have faced Cristiano and Messi is great but you always have to be on your toes because they are very dangerous.”

      Chelsea captain Cesar AzpilicuetaCredit: Signathon
      Tuchel yells out the nickname of Chelsea captain Azpilicueta wrong before Pulisic steps in to correct new boss More

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      Chelsea star Reece James is no traditional right-back, he’s incredibly close to becoming a complete all-round superstar

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      WHEN Gareth Southgate was asked about his apparent obsession with right-backs, after selecting four in his initial Euros squad, the England boss gave an interesting answer. “You feel you are looking at four right-backs,” replied Southgate, “I just see four good footballers.” 
      Reece James is becoming a complete, all-round footballer – not just a right-backCredit: Getty
      He might have added that Reece James, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier are four of England’s finest.
      And the more you watch James as he emerges into world-class status, the greater you understand the wisdom of Southgate’s words. 
      James is no traditional right-back, nor even a typical right wing-back.
      The 21-year-old Chelsea man is close to becoming a complete all-round footballer.
      Having produced a defensive masterclass to pocket Raheem Sterling in the Champions League final victory over Manchester City, James is this season’s leading goalscorer for the Premier League leaders.  
      When team-mate Christian Pulisic was asked whether James could remain top scorer, he replied: “Honestly, the way he strikes the ball, I wouldn’t be surprised. 

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      “He helps the team in so many ways. The sky’s the limit for him.”
      James has already notched five goals and five assists in all competitions – with Mohamed Salah the only other Premier League player to achieve that feat. 
      Even Roberto Carlos, with his famed Hollywood free-kicks, never scored more than five league goals in a season. James has four by November. 
      But then even Brazil’s Galactico left-back didn’t possess James’ finishing prowess from open play. 
      As Joe Cole noted, after another bravura display from James in Tuesday’s 4-0 demolition of Juventus, the Londoner has ‘the technique and composure of a top striker’.
      Mastering the wing-back role is perhaps the toughest in football – it demands speed, stamina and the intelligence to decipher when best to use those attributes, as well as crossing and one-on-one defending.  
      But James has more even than that in his locker – he is a lethal finisher too.
      When last month’s visit to Newcastle was goalless after 65 minutes, James settled the contest with a cushioned right-foot take-down and a thumping left-foot finish, followed by a banger with his right. 
      Against Juve, James forced two fine saves from Wojciech Szczesny before he chested down and rammed home Chelsea’s second. 
      Thomas Tuchel demands his wing-backs play exceptionally high – initially preferring a specialist winger Callum Hudson-Odoi at right wing-back. 
      So this is unlikely to be a one-off purple patch for James. 
      Those who’ve worked with James, from a loan spell at Wigan to international level, speak of a ceaseless desire for all-round self-improvement. 
      Reece James is in staggeringly good form in defence and, particularly, in attackCredit: Reuters
      There have been blips – Bayern Munich’s electric wideman Alphonso Davies toasted James in a 3-0 Champions League home defeat early last year – and it would be fascinating to see those two youngsters go at it again.
      And there was a red card for England last autumn when James uncharacteristically lost his head at the final whistle of a home defeat by Denmark.
      Full-backs have long been under-appreciated in England. None have ever been voted PFA Player of the Year.
      And Ashley Cole, perhaps England’s greatest full-back, never received due respect – although he wasn’t as complete a player as James promises to be. 
      Back to Southgate, then – and an admission that plenty of us have fallen into the trap of believing the caricature of boring old defensive-minded Gareth.
      England’s last two proper games, against Hungary and Albania, proved team-sheets can often be deceptive. 
      With James absent against Hungary, Southgate sent out a flat back-four and five attacking players, yet England spluttered to a 1-1 draw. 
      But when he reverted to a 3-4-3 against a supposedly-decent Albania, England were five-up by half-time, with James rampant. 
      This will surely be the template for next year’s World Cup – with Walker in a back three, James at wing-back, and Alexander-Arnold a back-up. 
      England reached the Euros final without Ben Chilwell featuring, and with James only used in the goalless draw with Scotland. 
      Now, that Chelsea duo are threatening to become an English version of Carlos and Cafu or France’s outstanding 1998 World Cup-winning duo of Lilian Thuram and Bixente Lizarazu. 
      As Southgate said, we must stop thinking of James as merely a right-back. 
      Thomas Tuchel reacts to Chelsea’s stunning 4-0 victory over Juventus More

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      ‘What possessed him?’ – Chelsea joker Rudiger appears to BITE James’ head in goal celebration to leave fans in stitches

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      CHELSEA centre-back Antonio Rudiger appeared to bizarrely BITE Reece James’ hair after celebrating N’Golo Kante’s strike against Leicester.The 28-year-old, who is known to be a joker in the Blues dressing room, reacted in baffling fashion after Kante put the West London outfit 2-0 up at the King Power Stadium.
      Antonio Rudiger left fans it stitches after biting Reece James’ hair following N’Golo Kante’s goal
      German centre-back Rudiger opened the scoring against the Foxes at the King Power StadiumCredit: Reuters
      Rudiger had put the visitors in front with a looping header in the 14th minute, before Thomas Tuchel’s side scored their second just before the half hour mark.
      And the German went overboard while celebrating, as footage appeared to show him looking to take a chunk out of James’ barnet.
      Fans were left in stitches by the defender’s actions, as one user tweeted: “DID I JUST SEE RUDIGER BITE REECE JAMES HAIR AHAHAHAH.”
      Another commented: “Why Rudiger bite James head like shawarma.”
      A third added: “Antonio Rudiger biting Reece James on the top of his head is EXACTLY why Chelsea need to give him what he wants?”
      Meanwhile one posted: “Rudiger biting Reece James’s head as a sign of affection, standard Rudiger.”

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      One then stated: “Why is Rudiger biting Reece James lmao he’s a mad man.”
      Another said: “Rudiger is weird man. What possessed him.”
      Bookmakers Paddy Power joked: “It’s been a decent half of football, but the highlight, without any doubt, has to be Rudiger biting Reece James in the head during the goal celebrations.”
      Rudiger is facing an uncertain future at Chelsea with the player in the final year of his contract.
      German giants Bayern Munich are said to be eyeing up a move, with boss Julian Nagelsmann apparently drawing up a mega-contract worth £400k-a-week.
      Real Madrid are also known to be admirers, while free transfer specialists Juventus have also registered their interest.
      And Rudiger reportedly feels Chelsea’s latest contract offer is a ‘slap in the face’ after the Blues fell short of his wage demands by £60,000-a-week.
      Chelsea legend Ashley Cole hopes Hudson-Odoi will rethink England U21 snub after youngsters break into senior team More