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      Chelsea could face Prem points deduction as leaked files raise questions over how Abramovich funded club

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      CHELSEA FC could face a points deduction after leaked docs revealed Roman Abramovich may have breached football rules.A string of secret payments by the Russian oligarch ex-owner allegedly helped fund the club’s success over more than a decade.
      Roman Abramovich may have breached ‘financial fair play’ regulations while Chelsea owner, new documents suggestCredit: Getty
      One secret payment appears to be linked to former coach Antonio Conte’s contract dealCredit: Getty
      The hidden payments allegedly may have helped fuel Chelsea’s success over more than a decadeCredit: AFP – Getty
      Leaked documents are said to reveal a hidden money trail worth tens of millions of pounds.
      Evidence suggests off-book funds, routed through offshore accounts belonging to Abramovich, could have broken “financial fair play” regulations.
      The transactions are alleged to have benefited Chelsea and questions are being raised over whether they were officially declared to football’s governing bodies.
      The beneficiaries appear to include an associate of former manager Antonio Conte, the former clubs of star signings Bertrand Traoré, Samuel Eto’o and Willian and various Chelsea FC officials.
      reda more on abramovich
      Experts said the transactions, uncovered by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, could lead to the Premier League imposing punishments such as a deduction of points or a large fine.
      Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, author of The Price of Football, said Chelsea’s huge spending meant the club habitually flirted with limits on financial losses.
      He said: “If there is proof that the club has used third party transactions to circumvent the profitability and sustainability rules then sanctions would be either financial or a points deduction.
      “The latter is more likely as any commission investigating a club’s circumstances will want to put out a deterrent that dissuades others from repeating such behaviour.”
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      Chelsea’s finances were already being examined by the Premier League as part of an investigation covering the period from 2012 to 2019.
      The west London club announced that “incomplete financial information” had been submitted while Abramovich was owner.
      Uefa, the governing body of European football, has already fined the club £8.6million over the admission, and the Football Association is also said to be investigating.
      The new documents – spanning a longer period – have sparked a fresh round of scrutiny over whether Abramovich repeatedly flouted football rules.
      The payments came to light after a major investigation known as Cyprus Confidential into 3.6million records.
      The alleged off-book payments link the signing of coach Antonio Conte and a business deal Abramovich made with an Italian football agent, Federico Pastorello.
      He signed a deal with in July 2017 with Conibair Holdings – an Abramovich-owned company registered in the British Virgin Islands.
      Conibair paid Pastorello – who is reportedly close to Conte – £10million for a 75 per cent stake in a US-based business fund.
      The same day, Chelsea announced that Conte had signed a new £9.6million-a-year contract.
      Another Abramovich owned company, Leiston Holdings, also paid £1million in 2013 to Bertrand Traoré’s ex-club, Association des Jeunes Espoirs de Bobo.
      The contract was signed two months after the full-back officially signed for the Blues.
      Other payments are said to be related to the signings of Willian and Samuel Eto’o in 2013.
      A further company owned by the ex-Chelsea boss made payments that appear to have benefited the owner of their former a club, Anzhi Makhachkala.
      After the payments were made the now defunct club, Chelsea signed Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o and Brazil forward Willian in two days.
      It comes after bombshell files also linked the oligarch to two men dubbed Vladimir Putin’s “wallets”, according to a BBC investigation.
      The dossier of uncovered documents revealed new evidence that reportedly links Abramovich to a secret £26million deal in 2010.
      The alleged covert deal saw a transfer of shares in Video International, a highly-profitable Russian advertising company, for less than they appeared to be worth.
      The transactions were allegedly made by companies owned by a trust connected with Abramovich to two members of Putin’s inner circle, who in return received millions of dollars in dividends.
      Read More on The Sun
      Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK and EU over to his links to Putin following his bloody invasion of Ukraine.
      He was forced to sell Chelsea FC last year after 19 years as owner.
      The leaked docs have raised questions over the signing of Brazil forward WillianCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Samuel Eto’o’s signing in 2013 coincided with an off-the-books payment to his former club, it is allegedCredit: PA
      The signing of midfielder Bertrand Traoré is also under scrutinyCredit: AFP or licensors
      Putin-linked billionaire Roman Abramovich owned Chelsea for 19 yearsCredit: Alamy More

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      Chelsea wonderkids who never made the grade and what happened to them including Charly Musonda and Josh McEachran

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      CHELSEA have developed a reputation for bringing through top-quality youngsters over the years.Since Roman Abramovich’s takeover in the early 2000s, a host of superstars have been brought through their ranks.
      Chelsea have brought through some world class talent but also some forgotten starsCredit: Getty
      They have included the likes of John Terry, Reece James, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori and many more.
      But what about those that are forgotten about after just a short stint in the first team?
      Many Blues hopefuls promise a great deal but are barely given a sniff of action before being moved on.
      Here are some of the Chelsea wonderkids that failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.
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      GAEL KAKUTA
      Gael Kakuta eventually exited Stamford Bridge back in 2015Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      The name will remain synonymous with off-field controversy at Stamford Bridge, but Kakuta was once the brightest young thing at the club.
      Chelsea were hit with a 16-month transfer ban by Fifa in 2009 for allegedly inducing Kakuta to break his contract with French club Lens in 2007.
      The move appeared to be worth it as Kakuta won Academy Player of the Year, finished top scorer for the youth side and won the U19 European Championship with France.
      When he made his first-team debut in 2009 after a four-month ban from Fifa, a Mail on Sunday article was headlined: “Chelsea’s new wonder boy worth all the fuss.”
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      A decade later, Kakuta signed with French club Amiens in what is the 13th professional club of his career and he returned to Lens after impressing on loan there.
      He went out on loan to six clubs during six years with Chelsea’s first-team before eventually moving on to Sevilla.
      There were a couple of years in China and a return to Spain before he switched to France.
      Embarrassingly, Kakuta was embroiled in a court case in 2014 when a broke former footballer masqueraded as him to fund a luxury lifestyle.
      Medi Abalimba was jailed after racking up huge bills in hotels and nightclubs pretending to be the ex-Chelsea star.
      JOSH MCEACHRAN
      Josh McEachran did not live up to the hype at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Back in 2010, a 17-year-old McEachran emerged as the brightest young talent in the Chelsea academy.
      The Blues fought off the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United to sign the teenager.
      McEachran was expected to evolve from starlet to star at Chelsea and, in turn, be the successor to Frank Lampard’s crown in midfield.
      Then England U21s boss Stuart Pearce said: “He’s got a really outstanding talent, similar to Jack Wilshere, and it bodes well for England.
      “If Josh and Jack were wearing Spanish shirts, you would revere them.”
      The arrival of Andre Villas-Boas to Stamford Bridge in 2011 brought an end to McEachran’s progression and he sought opportunities on loan.
      He was sent out to five clubs in three years, from Watford to Wigan, but struggled to settle at any.
      In 2015, he broke free of Chelsea’s loan army and joined Brentford on a permanent deal, a move which had highs and lows until his release in the summer of 2019.
      McEachran went on to join Birmingham City but only played eight Championship matches before he signed for MK Dons and then Oxford.
      BERTRAND TRAORE
      Bertrand Traore left Chelsea for LyonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The repercussions of Traore’s move to Chelsea in 2013 were felt at Stamford Bridge during Lampard’s reign.
      Lampard’s inability to make any signings upon taking over was due to the Blues being slapped with a transfer ban linked to Traore’s arrival back in 2013.
      His move to Chelsea was one of the key components in Fifa’s evidence as part of an investigation into the club’s signing of foreign players under the age of 18.
      Fifa said it found breaches in 29 cases out of the 92 investigated.
      In the end, Traore played just 16 times for Chelsea and departed for Lyon in an £8.8m move in 2017.
      And in France, he impressed scoring 21 goals in 87 games for the club.
      His return to form earned Traore a move back to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2020.
      SLOBODAN RAJKOVIC
      Slobodan Rajkovic departed Chelsea back in 2011Credit: Getty
      When a 16-year-old Rajkovic signed for Chelsea in 2005, it was seen as a giant coup.
      The centre-back, tipped to succeed John Terry in defence, had spent the previous summer at Arsenal’s youth camp.
      The majority of Europe’s big beasts were looking to sign the talented defender, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Monaco.
      A work permit stalled Rajkovic’s progression at Chelsea so he was sent to Holland on loan, to PSV, Twente and then Vitesse Arnhem.
      Villas-Boas gave the Serbian centre-back his first start for Chelsea, in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe Wanderers in 2011.
      The same year Rajkovic was sold to Hamburg in a £1.8m deal.
      His career never really ignited, making just 42 appearances for the German side in four years.
      Rajkovic spent three years with Italian club Palermo but was released after they finished bottom of Serie B.
      The boy once wanted by all briefly plied his trade in Russia with FC Lokomotiv Moscow but his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
      He then returned to his homeland to play for TSC Backa Topola, before he joined Hungarian side MTK Budapest.
      DOMINIC SOLANKE
      Dominic Solanke ended up finding success at BournemouthCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Jose Mourinho made it clear how much potential Solanke had at Chelsea.
      Back in 2014, in his second stint as Stamford Bridge boss, Mourinho named Solanke in a list of players who would be representing their countries in a few years.
      The now-Roma boss said: “In this moment, we have players who will be Chelsea players. And when they become Chelsea players, they will become England players, almost for sure.”
      Quite understandable given Solanke’s success in the youth ranks.
      He was England’s Youth Player of the Year in 2014, Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year the following season and earned his first-team debut aged just 17.
      Solanke was the prolific goalscorer who helped Chelsea to successive FA Youth Cups in 2014 and 2015, as well as a Uefa Youth League.
      But, at the age of 19, Solanke opted for a new beginning having not seen first-team opportunities come his way.
      He headed for Merseyside with Liverpool where he made 21 appearances in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team but only scored on the final day of the 2017-18 season.
      Bournemouth forked out a whopping £19m for him in 2019.
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      ISLAM FERUZ
      Islam Feruz left Chelsea in 2019Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Liverpool star Andrew Robertson once described Feruz, his then team-mate at Celtic, as the ‘golden boy’ of Scottish youth football.
      Feruz was plucked away by Chelsea in 2011, aged 15, to be another star at the club’s Cobham academy.
      But such promise didn’t translate into success for the striker as he was sent out on loan to Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian, Royal Excel Mouscron and Swindon Town.
      And when his contract at Chelsea came to an end in 2017 he was released.
      Over five years as a Blues player, having been sent on as many loans, Feruz made just 20 professional appearances and scored no goals.
      Chelsea deemed the striker, once the darling of Scottish youth football, to have lost his potential.
      He joined Radnicki earlier this year after a six-year hiatus from the game.
      KENEDY
      Kenedy is now back in Brazil having failed to make it at Chelsea
      The winger arrived in West London as a teen from Fluminense in August 2015 and soon scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup at Walsall in a 4-1 win.
      Later that season in March he needed just 39 seconds to break the deadlock in another win at Norwich and ended up making 15 Premier League appearances for the club.
      Hopes were high that his development would continue with a loan spell at Watford but he only managed to make one league appearance in a dismal stint at Vicarage Road.
      Kenedy then headed to Newcastle in what turned out to be an 18-month loan in January 2018 and he did gain some top-flight experience with 38 Prem appearances.
      Unfortunately for him that spell also led to him making history during a poor display against Cardiff.
      He became the first player since 2010 to play a full Prem first half without completing a single pass before his stoppage time penalty was saved by Neil Etheridge.
      Toon failed to make that move permanent and he then spent two seasons in Spain on loan at Getafe and then Granada.
      The Brazilian returned to his homeland on loan at Flamengo, before he signed for Real Vallodolid in 2022.
      CHARLY MUSONDA
      Charly Musonda played just seven games for ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Charly Musonda spent five years at Chelsea before he broke through and made his debut under Antonio Conte in the 2017 Community Shield against Arsenal – which the Gunners won on penalties.
      He went on to play seven times for the Blues – all of which came in the 2017/18 campaign.
      But Musonda departed Stamford Bridge in 2022 when he signed for Levante where he spent one season.
      He then joined Greek outfit Anorthosis on a three-year deal after Levante terminated his contract.
      BILLY GILMOUR
      Billy Gilmour won the Champions League at ChelseaCredit: PA
      Billy Gilmour was once tipped to be a star of the future in West London.
      He featured 22 times across the Blues’ two seasons between 2019 and 2021.
      And at the end of that spell he became a Champions League winner under Thomas Tuchel.
      However, he was then farmed out on loan the following season as he made 28 appearances for fellow Premier League side Norwich.
      Read More on The Sun
      And he departed Chelsea on a permanent basis in 2022 when Brighton signed him on a four-year deal.
      Gilmour went on to help Roberto De Zerbi’s men clinch European football for the first time in the club’s history. More

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      Chelsea ‘could allow Armando Broja to complete Premier League transfer’ if Blues sign Victor Osimhem from Napoli

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      CHELSEA could allow Armando Broja to complete a move to a Premier League rival to help them sign Victor Osimhen.The Napoli striker has emerged as a key target for the Blues as they look to solve their striker conundrum.
      Chelsea could allow Armando Broja to join another Premier League clubCredit: Alamy
      Broja’s sale would boost Chelsea’s pursuit of Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
      Osimhen has even hinted at a move to Stamford Bridge, with Broja’s potential exit paving the way for his arrival.
      According to Football London, Chelsea are willing to sanction his sale to boost their chances of signing Osimhen.
      The departure of the Albanian international would free up more funds for their pursuit of the Napoli man.
      West Ham could reignite their interest in Broja if Chelsea are prepared to sell him, the report adds.
      READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS
      David Moyes previously had a £30million bid rejected in 2022 after Broja’s impressive loan spell with Southampton.
      However, he later ruptured his cruciate ligament, only returning from the injury after the start of this season.
      Another knee injury since has limited the 22-year-old to just five appearances this term.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly confident they can sign Osimhen, with the forward out of contract at Napoli in 2025.
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      The Nigerian finished as the top scorer in Serie A last season as he fired his side to the title.
      Osimhen himself hinted at a potential move to Chelsea this week during an interview with John Obi Mikel.
      Appearing on the Obi One podcast, he explained: “I don’t have a favourite Premier League club, but I have two shirts: Chelsea and Manchester United.
      “Many of my friends are Chelsea fans, a few Manchester United. The Premier League is the most popular league for any African player, it’s a great league.” More

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      Chelsea fans say ‘hell nah, we good’ as they and Newcastle are linked with £55million former target

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      CHELSEA are ready to re-enter the race to sign Barcelona star Raphinha, according to reports.The Blues tried to buy him in 2022 before he agreed to join the Catalan giants in a £55million move from Leeds.
      Raphinha has been linked with a move to Chelsea and NewcastleCredit: Getty
      Raphinha previously revealed that he rejected Chelsea because it was his dream to play for Barca.
      But into just his second season with the club, the Brazilian could already be put up for sale.
      Raphinha got ten goals and ten assists in 50 games last season but has since lost his place in the starting XI following injuries, suspension and underwhelming performances this term.
      And reports state that Barcelona could look to cash-in on him if his form does not soon improve.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Chelsea and Newcastle are both open to signing Raphinha should be become available.
      The 26-year-old caught the eye of several top clubs during his two seasons in the Premier League with Leeds.
      But Chelsea fans are not thrilled by the speculation linking them with him signature.
      Raphinha often plays on the right-wing and Cole Palmer has already excelled in the position.
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      One supporter said in response to the reports: “We don’t need him anymore.”
      Another added: “Hell nah, we good.”
      A third reacted: “We have a superb squad. Give these young lads a chance to prove themselves.” More

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      World-class Raheem Sterling has got his mojo back and is starring for Chelsea – surely he should be in the England squad

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      HE has won ten major trophies and been crowned Footballer of the Year.He has starred for all of English football’s three most successful clubs of the past decade —  Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea.
      Rejuvenated Raheem Sterling celebrates his goal for Chelsea against Man CityCredit: Getty
      Goalscorer Sterling has got his mojo back this seasonCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      He has played in a World Cup semi-final and the last European Championship final, where he was included in Uefa’s team of the tournament.
      He is the only current player, other than Harry Kane, to have scored 20 goals for England.
      In Sunday’s epic 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge, he tormented his former England and City team-mate Kyle Walker — perhaps the finest right-back in the world — to show that he remains very much a world-class talent.
      At 28, he is at a peak age, so why has Raheem Sterling not made a single England squad this year?

      After years spent being accused of showing excessive loyalty, Gareth Southgate is adamant that he isn’t holding a grudge against Sterling — who left the World Cup to tackle a domestic emergency and then turned down a call-up for England’s internationals in June.
      England are rightly among the favourites to win next summer’s Euros in Germany and, as Southgate states, they have depth in wide areas, but they would surely be a stronger proposition with Sterling in the squad.
      It was significant that Sterling should produce perhaps his finest performance in a Chelsea shirt against former club City on Sunday.
      A poacher’s finish for Chelsea’s second, a brilliant run and pass in the build-up to their equalising penalty, a gorgeous dribble which included a nutmeg of Jeremy Doku, a crunching tackle to dispossess Jack Grealish.
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      Doku and Grealish, by chance, are the two men who have replaced him on City’s left flank. So it would be easy to suggest Sterling played like a man with a point to prove to City boss Pep Guardiola and Southgate.
      More accurately, here was a player rediscovering his mojo, adapting to a new status as a rare senior pro in Mauricio Pochettino’s young Blues side.
      Sterling developed significantly under Guardiola, particularly in his technique and temperament in front of goal, and he was one of the first names on City’s team-sheet until 2021.
      But during City’s run to that year’s Champions League final — where they lost 1-0 to Chelsea — Sterling was benched for five successive knock-out matches, only to be restored for the final  and dominated by his current Blues captain Reece James.
      That summer, while tearing it up at the Euros, scoring three goals, as well as registering an assist and winning the decisive penalty in the semi-final against Denmark,  Sterling expressed dissatisfaction with his lack of big-match game time at City.
      Sterling was superb for England at the last European ChampionshipCredit: Getty
      Grealish was then purchased for £100million and, a year later, Sterling was allowed to join Chelsea — who floundered in chaos, while his former club won the Treble.
      It was easy to imagine Sterling’s career had entered terminal decline but recent performances, particularly in last month’s hammering of Burnley and against City, suggest otherwise.
      Pochettino enjoyed an extraordinary record of nurturing England internationals at Southampton and Spurs.
      Between 2013 and 2017, the majority of England debutants had played for Pochettino.
      That roll call consisted of Kane, Walker, Kieran Trippier, Dele Alli, Danny Rose, Eric Dier, Harry Winks, Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason, James Ward-Prowse, Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Jay Rodriguez, Calum Chambers and Rickie Lambert.
      At Chelsea, Levi Colwill has already progressed to full England honours and Cole Palmer  — also excellent against his former club City — will do the same after a maiden call-up to Southgate’s senior squad yesterday.
      Carney Chukwuemeka  and Noni Madueke  may be next on that list while existing England internationals James, Conor Gallagher  and Ben Chilwell  will all benefit from Pochettino’s tutelage.
      But Sterling’s return to form might be as important as the emergence of any of them.
      Southgate has many options on the left wing — including Marcus Rashford, who is struggling at Manchester United, and Grealish, who has never enjoyed Sterling’s level of consistency in an England shirt.
      If David Cameron can return to the cabinet seven years after running away from Brexit and austerity, surely a comeback for Sterling isn’t too much to ask?Dave Kidd
      Sterling was injured for England’s first post-World Cup squad in March, then mutually agreed with his manager not to join up for two internationals in June, as he sought to recover from a tough season.
      This autumn, he has been omitted from all three squads, sparking belief that Southgate is willing to go to Germany without him.
      But if David Cameron can return to the cabinet seven years after running away from Brexit and austerity, surely a comeback for Sterling isn’t too much to ask?
      TAYL AS OLD AS TIME
      THE home support throughout Chelsea’s breathless 4-4 draw with Manchester City, frequently bombarded ref Anthony Taylor with chants of ‘Taylor, you’re a c, Taylor, Taylor, you’re a c’.
      At the final whistle, a giant flag was flown from Stamford Bridge’s West Stand, bearing the words ‘NO TO HATE’.
      The Premier League, where levels of entertainment are rivalled only by levels of hypocrisy.
      SO FOURTUNATE
      I’VE been reporting on football matches for three decades but never experienced a madder week than this last one, covering Tottenham 1 Chelsea 4; FC Copenhagen 4 Manchester United 3 and then Chelsea 4 Manchester City 4.
      Twenty goals, five more disallowed at Spurs, three red cards, five penalties, late drama and endless controversy.
      They often say it’s the greatest job in the world, trying to capture all this lunacy with on-the-whistle deadlines.
      Only if you’re an adrenaline junkie with a strong ticker.
      Spurs’ Eric Dier scores one of the goals ruled out by VAR during their defeat by ChelseaCredit: Getty
      NO VAR FOR GAR
      FEW people articulate opposition to VAR more persuasively than Gareth Southgate.
      After the Tottenham v Chelsea debacle, the England boss said: “I was bored watching it.
      “I was at the game and it just kept stopping. So never mind the players. What about the fans?
      “It’s sucking the enjoyment out of goals and the ball-in-play time was incredibly low, even though we had 21 minutes of added time.”
      And last month Southgate said: “I’m sitting in the stadium next to people.
      “I’m lucky as I normally get a free ticket but other people pay a lot of money and haven’t got a clue (what’s happening during VAR checks) or are on the phone to someone at home asking what’s going on.”
      Keep speaking up, Gareth. One day somebody in charge might actually listen.
      HE’S NO O’NEILY MAN
      IT’S time to stop feeling sympathy, and start feeling pure admiration, for Gary O’Neil.
      O’Neil was pitied when Bournemouth sacked him after he steered the Cherries well clear of relegation.
      He was pitied for taking over a Wolves squad which had lost many of its best players.
      And he has been pitied as the victim of several VAR blunders.
      But wins over Man City, and Spurs, confirm the belief that the understated O’Neil is an outstanding manager with a big future.
      Kieran Trippier argues with a Newcastle fan at BournemouthCredit: Rex
      LONG TRIPP NO EXCUSE
      GOOD on Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier for confronting moaning fans after their 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth during a major injury crisis.
      Supporters who feel entitled to results and seem to want medals just because they choose to make 700-mile round trips, are tiresome in the extreme.
      ERIK ONE HAG
      ‘ONE-NIL to the Arsenal’ was the soundtrack to several trophy successes for George Graham’s Gunners.
      One-nil to Man United is the new theme tune under Erik ten Hag with five wins by that scoreline already this season.
      Read More on The Sun
      Whether it earns them any more silverware is a different matter.
      ENDO STORY, REDS
      PRESUMABLY after Liverpool’s Wataru Endo escaped a red card for a horror challenge on Brentford’s Christian Norgaard, the Anfield club are no longer threatening an ‘escalation’ of their dissatisfaction with refereeing standards? More

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      Chelsea star Levi Colwill could become fourth player to withdraw from England squad due to injury

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      CHELSEA star Levi Colwill could become the fourth player to withdraw from the England squad.The defender, who missed the Blues’ 4-4 draw with Manchester City due to a shoulder injury, reported at St George’s Park on Monday to be assessed by England’s medical team.
      Chelsea star Levi Colwill may withdraw from the England squadCredit: Getty
      Colwill could become the fourth player to withdraw from England’s squadCredit: Getty
      Colwill’s injury is not thought to be a serious one, though the Chelsea academy graduate may be withdrawn as a precaution.
      The former Brighton loanee made his England debut in the 1-0 friendly win over Australia last month.
      Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, Tottenham’s James Maddison and Brighton defender Lewis Dunk have all already withdrawn due to injury.
      Gareth Southgate’s squad met at St George’s Park on Monday ahead of their qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia and the FA said that “further assessments” over fitness would take place.
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      Jude Bellingham is another who could drop out with the Real Madrid midfielder also struggling with a shoulder injury.
      The Three Lions have called up three replacements so far, with Cole Palmer and Rico Lewis earning first senior calls and moving up from the Under-21s.
      Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has also been added to the squad for the first time.
      England are still fairly well covered at centre-back should Colwill have to return to Chelsea.
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      Konsa will join Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi and Fikayo Tomori in the squad.
      Manchester City’s John Stones is absent after picking up an injury during the Champions League win over Young Boys.
      Southgate’s side have already secured their place at Euro 2024 but will see out the qualification stage by facing Malta at Wembley on Friday before travelling to North Macedonia next Monday. More

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      How Chelsea won big as £40m Cole Palmer dazzles while £125m Mason Mount and Kai Havertz toil at Man Utd and Arsenal

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      CHELSEA’S transfer business has been heavily criticised since Todd Boehly took over as owner in May last year. But just 11 games into his Blues career, the club seem to have made one of the signings of the summer in Cole Palmer.
      Cole Palmer has impressed since joining ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Kai Havertz has failed to show his best form at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Mason Mount has not yet scored for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Chelsea bought the attacking midfielder for £40million after selling struggling duo Mason Mount to Manchester United and Kai Havertz to Arsenal for a combined fee of £125m.
      Palmer has more than filled their boots and is making an attack that struggled for goals last season exciting to watch.
      The 21-year-old has already found the back of the net four times and registered the same amount of assists in Chelsea blue this campaign.
      He has recently been the bright spark in victories over Burnley and Tottenham, while also impressing against Arsenal.
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      In the 4-4 thriller at Stamford Bridge versus Manchester City, Palmer was superb and came back to haunt his former employers by converting a last-gasp penalty to earn Chelsea a point.
      He is showing Pep Guardiola why he would no longer wait to get more first-team opportunities and he is proving that Chelsea have upgraded.
      The Man Utd man has struggled with injuries this term, playing eight matches and just 401 minutes in the Premier League.
      But Mount is yet to show his new fans his best form, failing to get a goal or assist.
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      Palmer’s stats are far more impressive than Havertz’s and Mount’s this term
      He has also created just five chances, which is nine fewer than Palmer has managed and he averages one less per 90.
      Mount isn’t playing as far forward as his rival and has won plenty more tackles and duels.
      He’s also completed way less passes in the opponents’ half than Palmer, highlighting that he is being used in deep build-up by Erik ten Hag.
      But Mount is yet to settle into the role and has completed far fewer passes, averaging 20.65 in comparison to Palmer’s 42.1 per 90 minutes.
      It’s a similar story for Havertz, who only has one penalty goal and one assist since joining Arsenal for £65m.
      He’s created nine chances to Palmer’s 14 and has completed one dribble showing he can’t carry his side up the pitch with weaving runs like the Chelsea man can.
      It’s also a damming read for Havertz as he has had 19 more touches in the opposition’s box than the Englishman but is struggling to get shots on target with one only testing a keeper this season.
      The ex-Bayer Leverksuen man is like Mount impressing in the tackle and winning duels when deeper.
      But the ex-Chelsea duo are both no longer viewed as goalscorers or creative forces by their managers.
      In fact, both Mount and Havertz are yet to create a big chance for their new teams.
      And this is no surprise after the Arsenal man created only five big chances and the United midfielder just three last term when at Chelsea together.
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      Palmer’s creativity and ability to produce high up the pitch has led to Gareth Southgate giving him his first senior England call-up.
      And Mauricio Pochettino’s exchange of Mount and Havertz for a more direct attacker is paying off.
      Palmer is far more effective per 90 than Mount and Havertz More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea cult hero offers to ‘broker’ Victor Osimhen transfer and tells Napoli star ‘I’m gonna make that happen’

      by

      JOHN OBI MIKEL has offered to “broker” Victor Osimhen’s transfer Chelsea.The cult hero has put himself forward to help secure the services of his fellow Nigerian.
      John Obi Mikel has offered to ‘broker’ Victor Osimhen’s move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Osimhen has been strongly linked with the Blues in the past, with Chelsea still pushing to sign the 24-year-old.
      Mikel is willing to step in and push through the deal, though, after speaking to Osimhen on his Obi One podcast.
      He told the Napoli striker: “Next season, I know you’re gonna come to Chelsea.
      “I’m telling you, I’m gonna be the agent to broker that deal. I’m gonna make sure that happens. We are crying out for someone like you — since Didier Drogba left the club.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 appearances across two spells with Chelsea, winning the Premier League golden boot twice.
      He also won 16 major trophies with the club, including the Champions League and four league titles.
      Osimhen is a long-term target for a number of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.
      The Blues are understood to be keen to step up their pursuit and have been “increasing pressure” on Napoli to complete a deal.
      Most read in Football
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      It is hoped Osimhen can solve the club’s striking woes and replace Nicolas Jackson in attack for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      Osimhen is currently out of contract in 2025 despite firing Napoli to the Serie A title last season as top scorer with 26 league goals.
      He has continued his form this term, scoring six goals in eight Serie A matches before a hamstring injury sidelined him in October. More