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      ‘Shy’ Chelsea transfer target Neymar tipped to succeed in new sport and bring along huge fanbase

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      NEYMAR has been tipped for a successful career after football once he hangs up his boots. The PSG star, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks, came under fire last week over his off-pitch activities.
      Injured Neymar faced criticism last week over a trip to McDonald’sCredit: Rex
      The 31-year-old was spotted at a poker tournament and later at a McDonald’s only hours after PSG’s first-leg Champions League home defeat to Bayern Munich.
      But poker pros believe he might well have a future in the card game after he left them impressed with his ability.
      Players at the European Poker Tour spoke to RMC Sport about Neymar – who eventually finished 49th in that tournament – potentially making the switch.
      Poker professional Julien Sitbon expressed his excitement for the idea.
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      He said: “We’re talking about Neymar what! The notoriety he has… 
      “Every time he is on a trip, there are bodyguards and people who are there to watch out for him.
      “He’s someone who plays a lot of hands, so I would describe him as rather aggressive. Afterwards, I didn’t play him enough to know if he was aggressive or passive, but he plays a lot of hands.
      “But I think he is focused because he is a competitor. In everything he does he wants to be good. He likes poker, sure, so I think he’s trying to be focused to perform as well as possible.”
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      Fellow competitor Thomas Eychenne said he thinks Neymar’s football experience can help, but surprisingly branded the Brazilian “shy” and “introverted”.
      He said: “He has the potential. He has the mind of a competitor because he played at the highest level in football.
      “I found him rather introverted. He is not someone who will talk a lot and be very open. But I can understand it, he is extremely in demand.
      “I will say that he is someone who is shy in his appearance. In the sense that he tries not to be seen too much.”
      Kylian Mbappe appeared to criticise his teammate as he told journalists that PSG stars had to “eat and sleep well” following the McDonald’s pictures.
      But he denied that the jibe was aimed at Neymar.
      Chelsea are one of a number of clubs linked to the ex-Barcelona forward, who is now in his seventh year in Paris. More

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      I almost quit football to help my father sell fish at the market and now I am linked with a £90m transfer to Chelsea

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      THIS footballer almost quit the beautiful game to help his father sell fish at their local market.But it’s a good thing he didn’t give up on his dreams.
      This Chelsea-linked star almost quit the game to sell fish with his dadCredit: Instagram @rbleipzig
      That’s because he’s now being tipped for a stunning £90million move to Chelsea.
      The Blues have been splashing the cash left, right and centre under Todd Boehly.
      The American has handed out more than £600m on stars including Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez.
      And there could yet be more incomings this summer.
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      One area which has been a cause for concern is defence.
      But Chelsea could be presented with a saviour in the shape of RB Leipzig and Croatia star Josko Gvardiol.

      The versatile centre-back, who can also play on the left, is one of world football’s top prospects.
      Gvardiol, 21, has already clocked up 74 appearances for RB Leipzig and scored his fourth goal in last night’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Manchester City.
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      Josko Gvardiol has become a star for RB Leipzig and CroatiaCredit: PA
      The ace put in several admirable performances at the World Cup too, leading his country to a third-place finish.
      And Gvardiol is now being strongly linked with a £90m switch to Stamford Bridge.
      But things could have turned out differently had he decided to follow through on initial plans to quit football.
      Gvardiol admits he was looking to pack things in four or five years ago after warming the bench for Dinamo Zagreb’s youth side.
      The defender endured a tough upbringing in the Croatian capital, waking up daily at 4am to help his dad sell fish at the market.
      And Gvardiol almost stepped away from football to partake in the family trade full-time.
      I was frustrated and, at one moment, I was thinking to leave footballJosko Gvardiol
      But after soon getting his break in the team, the star’s stunning progress saw him blitz into Zagreb’s senior squad.
      Gvardiol told the Times: “I was 16 or 17 and still on the bench in the youth teams. I was frustrated and, at one moment, I was thinking to leave football.
      “[Selling fish?] By the way, I hate fish. Imagine being 16 years old and there’s only fish to eat every day at home. I want to try something else.
      “I don’t know what happened but then afterwards I started to play and they finally saw something in me, my quality, and in one year I moved to Dinamo Zagreb’s second team.
      “In six months I was in the first team with [now-RB Leipzig team-mate] Dani Olmo.”
      Gvardiol also revealed he could have joined Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds before opting for Leipzig instead.
      Gvardiol scored in last night’s 1-1 Champions League draw with Man CityCredit: Getty
      He said: “I had two options, Leeds and Leipzig. Bielsa was the coach and my goal in my career is to play in the Premier League.
      “[But] I knew I needed to take a few steps more before I get there one day.”
      Gvardiol almost saw his dream come true last summer when Chelsea made a late move.
      But Leipzig rejected the bid after telling Gvardiol he was too important to sell.
      The ace added: “My agent called me and saw that Chelsea is extremely interested. Of course you definitely think about a serious offer from a huge club like Chelsea.
      “Leipzig said they didn’t want to sell me, in the end I really struggled with that decision but we didn’t make an agreement.
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      “It is what it is, I am here and fine with this because my idea had been to stay here, one season wasn’t enough.
      “This is my second, even one more season would be great but we will see.” More

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      Chelsea blow in Josko Gvardiol transfer hunt as RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose reveals plans for star after Man City draw

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      CHELSEA have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol.The Blues have targeted Gvardiol for several months and tried to sign him in January.
      RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose said Josko Gvardiol is going nowhereCredit: AP
      Chelsea are believed to be favourites to land the centre-back but could face a big obstacle with Leipzig keen to keep him.
      And after Gvardiol scored against Manchester City in the Champions League Round of 16 manager Marco Rose issued a hands off warning.
      He told suitors the Croatia international is going nowhere despite his desire to play in the Premier League.
      Rose said: “Joško Gvardiol will be a RB Leipzig player next season as well. I am the coach and I am asking for that. He is happy here.
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      “He said he wants to play in the Premier League, but he didn’t say when.”
      Gvardiol revealed he wants to follow Leipzig team-mate Christopher Nkunku wherever he plays, and he is set to join Chelsea this summer.
      The centre-back also spoke about his collapsed move to Stamford Bridge last summer, saying he struggled with the decision not to let him leave.
      He said: “My agent called me and said that Chelsea is extremely interested and, of course, you definitely think about a serious offer from a huge club like Chelsea.
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      “Leipzig said they didn’t want to sell me.
      “In the end I really struggled with that decision but we didn’t make an agreement. It is what it is.” More

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      Chelsea undergoing huge training ground rebuild with Todd Boehly introducing luxury ‘chillout room’ for stars

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      TODD BOEHLY is splashing out on a luxury ‘chillout room’ for his Chelsea stars while they battle a crisis on the pitch.The chairman and manager Graham Potter are overseeing a multi-million-pound upgrade of their five-star Surrey training complex.
      Co-owners Jonathan Goldstein, left, and Todd Boehly, right, sandwich Chelsea manager Graham Potter at the training ground to be revampedCredit: Getty
      Chelsea want to add a more relaxing off-pitch feel to their training centre in Cobham, SurreyCredit: Alamy
      The Blues are planning a costly overhaul of the whole centreCredit: Rex
      In addition to a comfy lounge area there is a gym, pool and rehab centre.
      Specialist interior designers have been recruited to decorate the walls with motivational phrases.
      But Potter wants the whole area to be more ‘flowing’ to make his pampered players — who are currently struggling down in tenth in the Prem — feel happier and more relaxed when they come into work.
      The  new players’ lounge will include soft furnishings and possibly even video games.
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      At present the Blues have nowhere to go and hang around the medical centre before training starts.
      Work on the project began in secret during the World Cup with Boehly also spending a considerable sum improving facilities for the women’s team.
      The short-term priority, however, remains improving the mood and form ON the pitch.
      The Blues have won just two of their 11 games since the World Cup.
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      And the Evening Standard say technical director Christopher Vivell met Potter plus his staff for a “strategy meeting” at the Cobham training ground.
      All the indications are, though, that Boehly and Co remain fully behind Potter.
      Soft furnishings are likely to be added to the indoor facilitiesCredit: Alamy
      Co-owner Todd Boehly is already improving facilities at CobhamCredit: Alamy More

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      ‘Never say never’ – Napoli chief reveals Man Utd and Chelsea transfer target Victor Osimhen could leave for ‘crazy’ fee

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      NAPOLI’S president has admitted that star man Victor Osimhen could leave if they receive a “crazy” transfer offer.Nigerian star Osimhen, 24, has fired Napoli 15 points clear at the top of the Serie A table in their pursuit of a first title since 1990.
      Victor Osimhen continued his stunning scoring streak against Frankfurt on TuesdayCredit: Getty
      And he further strengthened his blossoming reputation and continued his scoring streak for the Italian side against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League last night.
      Osimhen opened the scoring in the first half as Napoli beat 10-man Frankfurt 2-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
      That took his tally to 20 goals for the campaign and will surely have seen interest in him soaring.
      Recent reports have emerged suggesting Man Utd are preparing to launch a staggering £107million transfer bid.
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      Such a deal would equal the current British transfer record set by Chelsea’s acquisition of Enzo Fernandez in January – with the Blues also keen to land the hitman.
      Liverpool are another club believed to be looking at launching a mega move for him.
      But Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has so far remained defiant over the possibility of a sale and wants to keep him.
      But now, when quizzed about the futures of both Osimhen and fellow star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, he has admitted that the pair could leave this summer in a huge boost to the circling Premier League clubs – but reiterated that he hopes to hold on to them both.
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      De Laurentiis said: “Kvara and Osimhen? It won’t be difficult to keep our best players, we’re good with contracts — but never say never in case of crazy proposals. I think they will stay for a long time.”
      Osimhen left Lille for Napoli for £62.4m in 2020 and has scored 42 goals in 70 Serie A appearances since.
      He remains under contract until 2025 but no talks over an extension are believed to have yet taken place.
      The Red Devils lost Cristiano Ronaldo in December but brought in Wout Weghorst on-loan to bolster their forward line.
      Erik ten Hag is looking to bring in a new striker this summer for the long-term and has identified Napoli’s Osimhen as his No1 target. More

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      My Arsenal fan uncle was buried in a Chelsea kit after huge mix-up – it can’t be changed now

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      AN ARSENAL fan was buried wearing the colours of rivals Chelsea after his grieving partner picked out the wrong shirt.His family decided to send off the Gunners fanatic in his beloved team’s colours.
      Linda Daly revealed that her Gunner uncle was buried in a Chelsea shirt after a bizarre mix-up
      David was buried in a 2003 Chelsea away shirt after undertakers said it was too late to change itCredit: E
      But his girlfriend handed undertakers a Chelsea shirt apparently bought for the dead man as a joke.
      Journalist Linda Daly – who lives in Dublin – revealed the foul-up on social media.
      She wrote: “My uncle David, a lifelong Arsenal fan, died on Saturday.
      “As a nod to his beloved team, we decided to bury him in a Gunners jersey. His girlfriend carefully selected the least-worn top from his collection.
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      “Today, we arrived at the funeral home. David is being buried in a Chelsea jersey.
      “In her defence, it was an away Chelsea jersey from about 2003 – when Emirates was their sponsor.
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      “Someone must have bought it for him as a joke. Apparently, they can’t change him now.
      “But honestly, this turned a very sad situation into a hilarious one today.”
      One follower told her: “The shirt was bought for him as a joke, the person who got it has played the long game for the best pay off ever.”
      Another added: “He’s probably somewhere watching saying ‘over my dead body!”
      David’s family wanted the lifelong Gunner to be buried in an Arsenal shirtCredit: Getty More

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      Abramovich would have sacked Potter THREE times slams ex-player with Chelsea record now worse than Nathan Jones’

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      TONY CASCARINO is convinced that Graham Potter would have been AXED as Chelsea boss if Roman Abramovich was still the owner.The Englishman has struggled to improve the club’s fortunes this season as they have dropped into 10th place in the Premier League.
      Graham Potter is under pressure at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Tony Cascarino thinks he would have been sacked if Roman Abramovich was still in chargeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Blues are currently 11 points off Tottenham in 4th spot, having only won once in their last five league games.
      In fact, Potter’s run has been so poor that his overall record at Chelsea is worse than sacked Nathan Jones’ torrid time at the helm of Southampton.
      Potter has only won 28.3 per cent of his games as Chelsea manager, while Jones managed a win percentage of 35.71 thanks to success in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.
      Things are not going much better away from the league as Chelsea are 1-0 down in their Champions League tie against Borussia Dortmund.
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      The Blues have also been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, by Man City on both occasions.
      And Cascarino believes that he would have been sent packing from the club if the owner was not Todd Boehly.
      Although he did suggest that the American’s patience might be running out after a big spend in January.

      In his column for The Times, he wrote: “If Roman Abramovich was still the Chelsea owner, Graham Potter would have been sacked on three different occasions by now.
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      “His side’s first-half performance in the 1-0 home defeat by Southampton was abysmal, and losing to the Premier League’s bottom club is simply unacceptable.
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      “Even with Toddy Boehly’s ownership group now running Chelsea, I cannot see Potter being afforded much more patience.
      “The club have spent more than £500 million since last summer, bringing in some of the best talent around.
      “Their squad is so deep that when I am at Stamford Bridge for a game, I sometimes bump into players not in the matchday squad that would walk into the starting XI of most teams in the country.
      “Boehly is clearly in a hurry to get Chelsea competing for titles again, so why would he be content to allow mediocrity under Potter?
      “I would not be surprised if the head coach was dismissed this week.” More

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      N’Golo Kante on brink of signing new Chelsea contract as midfielder returns to training after long injury lay-off

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      N’GOLO KANTE is on the brink of signing a new Chelsea contract, according to reports.The news comes as the French midfielder makes his long-awaited return to first-team training in a double Blues boost.
      N’Golo Kante is eyeing up a return to Chelsea action and a new contractCredit: Getty
      Kante’s current Stamford Bridge contract expires at the end of the season in just four months’ time.
      But according to The Telegraph, talks between Chelsea and his representatives have been successful.
      And now Kante, 31, is close to putting pen to paper over an extension – just as Thiago Silva did earlier this month.
      The former Leicester man will therefore leave the likes of Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and even Liverpool disappointed, with the European giants both interested in a free transfer swoop.
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      Kante, who is said to be settled in London after his 2016 move from the King Power, has won every trophy available in his six-and-a-half seasons at Chelsea except the Carabao Cup.
      The 53-cap star earns a reported £290,000 per week at Chelsea after signing his latest contract in 2018.
      He has made 262 Blues appearances, chipping in with 13 goals.
      But the World Cup winner is yet to feature under Graham Potter, despite the ex-Brighton manager replacing Thomas Tuchel in September.
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      His two appearances this term came at Everton and against Tottenham in August but has been out of action since due to his hamstring injury picked up in that 2-2 draw that forced him out of the World Cup.
      The report adds that Kante warmed up with his team-mates on Tuesday morning as part of the preparations for Sunday’s trip to Spurs – although he did not take a full part in the training session. More