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      Axed Chelsea boss Graham Potter in running for Man Utd job should Sir Jim Ratcliffe get rid of Erik ten Hag

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      GRAHAM POTTER is waiting on Napoli to make an official move — but keeping an ear out for Manchester United to call.The Serie A champs want to speak to Potter about becoming their new boss, with Antonio Conte also in the running.
      Ex-Brighton chief Graham Potter has an eye on the Napoli job but could also be in contention at Man Utd if Erik ten Hag is eased outCredit: PA
      Ten Hag is under pressure as the Red Devils are only in mid-tableCredit: Rex
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is being linked to Potter as the Ineos owner’s sidekick Sir Dave Brailsford is a big fans of the ex-Seagulls chiefCredit: AP
      Potter is still well regarded by the Italians for his work at Brighton despite a nightmare spell at Chelsea.
      Napoli won the title under current Italy boss Luciano Spalletti but have slumped since Rudi Garcia took charge.
      But Potter is also a possible candidate for United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team takes charge if the Red Devils’ owners-in-waiting decide to get rid of Erik ten Hag.
      Ratcliffe’s sidekick, Sir Dave Brailsford — who is set to be the football face of the takeover — is a Potter fan and wanted him at French side Nice.
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      The Ineos owner – Britain’s richest man – has agreed a £1.35billion deal for a 25 per cent share of the club.
      And, despite recent delays, the 70-year-old still hopes to formally arrive at Old Trafford in time for the January transfer window.
      Ratcliffe is the only contender to seriously invent in the Red Devils after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his takeover bid.
      But if Potter, 48, did come in it would be seen as a big gamble.
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      Aftre successful spells in charge at Swansea and the Seagulls he lasted only eight months at Stamford Bridge.
      Notorious spending sprees only appeared to make his plight worse.
      And he departed the Bridge with their lowest points-per-game return of any Chelsea manager.
      In total he lost 11 of his 31 games in the hotseat.
      And a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa as he left on April 2 this year with the Blues 11th in the Prem.
      Ten Hag has endured a frustrating season so far with United suffering their worst league start since 1989, after losing four of their first seven games.
      Old Trafford could be set for big changes when Ratcliffe moves inCredit: PA More

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      Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star David Luiz stretchered off in tears in worrying scenes after falling to floor off the ball

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      DAVID LUIZ was left in tears after being stretchered off following an off the ball injury. The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender suffered the knock during Flamengo ‘s 2-0 victory over Cruzeiro.
      David Luiz was left in tears after being stretchered off following an off the ball injuryCredit: Premiere
      Luiz suffered the knock during Flamengo ‘s 2-0 victory over CruzeiroCredit: Premiere
      Luiz – taken off in a stretcher – was left in tears and it was later revealed he suffered a sprain to his right ankle.
      The Brazilian had a scan but the possibility of a fracture was ruled out.
      A club statement read: “Athlete David Luiz underwent tests after suffering a serious sprain in his right ankle.
      “The procedure ruled out the possibility of a fracture and the defender will continue treatment in CT.”
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      Luiz will miss Flamengo’s next two games.
      The centre-back left England in 2021 to return to his homeland.
      Luiz initially joined Arsenal from rivals Chelsea, having won the Premier League and Champions League in West London.
      At the Emirates, he lifted the FA Cup in 2020 but left a year later when his contract expired.
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      He stated to the Daily Mail at the time: “Both of us decided to split. I came for two years and the aim was to win something, which I did.

      “Now, I think the club has a different project for the long term. They have different ideas.
      “My idea is to win, win, win as soon as possible.” More

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      Shock clash revealed as Premier League’s likely Christmas Eve TV game risking huge fan backlash

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      PREM chiefs are considering playing a match on Christmas Eve for the first time in nearly 30 years.Chelsea’s trip to Wolves, initially scheduled for December 23, is understood to be the game under discussion.
      Wolves vs Chelsea is the fixture likely to be moved to Christmas Eve this yearCredit: AFP
      Sky Sports are believed to be pushing for a match on the day before Christmas to be part of their festive TV offer to fans.
      It would be the first time a top flight game has been played on December 24 since Leeds beat Manchester United 3-1 at Elland Road in 1995.
      But the idea has already brought a backlash from Chelsea fans and supporters of the Molineux outfit.
      Chelsea’s recent decision to end the subsidy for fans travelling to away matches has added to the frustration of Blues fans.
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      And there is also the likelihood of pushback from West Midlands Police ahead of a night when their resources are likely to be stretched thin patrolling the streets and ensuring revellers are safe.
      Prem bosses were due to announce the full list of December and January fixture switches on Friday.
      Instead the League only announced the seven matches moved from the 3pm Saturday slot on December 2, which include Manchester United fans facing ANOTHER 8pm away match, this time at Newcastle.
      The Prem said: “The remaining December and January fixtures will be announced early next week.”
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      Manchester City’s home game with Spurs will be the main event over that weekend in the 4.30pm Sunday slot.
      Four games – Bournemouth versus Aston Villa, Chelsea’s match with Brighton, Fulham’s trip to Liverpool and West Ham against Crystal Palace will be 2pm starts on December 3 because of European commitments the previous Thursday. More

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      Mohammed Kudus’ agent slams ‘ridiculous’ Chelsea transfer chiefs for bizarre summer bargaining tactic

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      MOHAMMED KUDUS’ agent has slammed Chelsea for their “ridiculous” bargaining tactics.The Blues were linked with the Ghanaian ace during the summer transfer window.
      Mohammed Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax for £38mCredit: Getty
      Kudus, 23, agreed personal terms with the West Londoners, and is even claimed to have spoken with Mauricio Pochettino.
      The move fell through, however, because Chelsea would not offer Ajax more than £17million – less than half of the £38m fee he eventually went to West Ham for.
      Speaking to RMC Sport about the Blues’ bizarre pursuit, Kudus’ agent Jen Mendelewitsch said: “We reached an agreement with Chelsea, we agreed the contract with Chelsea but the deal was not done.
      “He talked with the coach but in the end it didn’t happen because Chelsea made a ridiculous offer to Ajax.
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      “There was no counter offer.
      “Chelsea did this with lots of players this summer, making very low offers to clubs knowing that they would not be accepted.”
      Mendelewitsch then revealed why she thinks the Blues behaved so strangely.
      She added: “The truth is that they were completely focused on the transfer of (Moises) Caicedo which took up all their energy.”
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      Kudus, 23, is yet to start a Premier League game under Hammers boss David Moyes.
      But he managed to bag his first goal from the bench last time out, netting a last minute equaliser against Newcastle.
      The attacker has started both of West Ham’s Europa League matches so far this term, scoring against Backa Topola.
      After that match, Moyes lifted the lid on his plan for Kudus, saying: “We’re getting used to us and we’re still getting used to him, as we’ve said about a lot of our new players who have come to the Premier League.
      “We’re going to give Mo the opportunity to settle in, but he made a good contribution on Thursday night.”
      Kudus, 23, bagged his first Prem goal last time outCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea fans hail ‘huge’ deal as club secretly trigger clause in youngster’s contract to fight off Barcelona interest

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      CHELSEA have triggered a secret clause in Ian Maatsen’s contract, according to reports.The club have taken the decision to extend the 21-year-old’s deal by one year, tying him down to 2025.
      Ian Maatsen has extended his contract at Chelsea after the club triggered a secret clauseCredit: Getty
      Reports from the Evening Standard claim Maatsen has rejected two contract offers in recent weeks and Chelsea have therefore activated the extension clause.
      This comes after supposed interest from Barcelona with the Catalan giants considering making a bid for him in January.
      Maatsen’s longer contract could force Xavi’s side to pay more for the Dutch left-back.
      He spent last season on loan at Burnley and the newly-promoted side saw a loan offer with an obligation to buy worth £31.5million accepted over the summer.
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      However, Maatsen rejected the transfer as he hoped to force his way into Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
      But he has played just 83 minutes in the Premier League this season amid competition from Ben Chilwell, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella.
      Consequently, Maatsen is reportedly considering his future at Stamford Bridge.
      Chelsea fans are delighted the club has taken up the option to add a year to his contract.
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      One said: “Huge, hopefully we can tie him down on a long-term deal soon.”
      Another added: “Smart move.”
      More wondered: “Does this mean he will get game time or are they trying to protect his value and sell?” More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva hints at summer transfer exit and emotional return to former club

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      THIAGO SILVA has hinted at a return to Fluminense next year.The Chelsea star was part of the Brazilian club’s academy as a teenager, before representing them as a pro between 2006 and 2009.
      Thiago Silva has less than a year remaining on his Chelsea contractCredit: Getty
      Silva, 39, will be out of contract at Stamford Bridge in June.
      Having been in West London since 2020, the defender has hinted at one final transfer and an emotional reunion.
      Asked about a possible return to Fluminense, Silva told TNT Sports: “This is a long-standing relationship, right? But I’d rather keep quiet now.
      “I have a family, I have children. So we have to think about that too.
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      “It’s about seeing where to finish off this beautiful career.”
      Silva has been a key man since joining Chelsea on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
      He helped the Blues win the Champions League in his first season, and has also won the Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
      With Fluminense he won the Copa do Brasil in 2007.
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      Despite his advancing years, Silva remains a regular at Chelsea.
      He has played every minute of their Premier League campaign thus far under Mauricio Pochettino.
      Silva clearly still backs his ability to shine at the highest level.
      After learning that his EA Sports FC 24 rating had gone down from 86 to 84, the former AC Milan ace slammed the game’s creators.
      He told the official Premier League YouTube channel: “They’re not watching football, they’re watching the games like this [with their eyes closed].”
      Silva, 39, played for Fluminense earlier in his careerCredit: AFP More

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      Chelsea could LEAVE Stamford Bridge despite £70m boost, as renovated ground would be smaller than ALL London rivals

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      AS with most things involving Chelsea, even the plan to develop their Stamford Bridge stadium has been a soap opera.Former chairman Ken Bates first mooted the idea back in the 1980s, when he famously dubbed his club ‘The Manchester United of the South’ to much derision.
      Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly faces a dilemma over whether to splash out on a huge revamp of Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      The Bridge capacity has plunged from its original 100,000 to 40kCredit: Rex
      Back then Stamford Bridge was infamous for its vast open terracing, concrete bench seats and the Shed End – a much-loved but dilapidated slab of sloping concrete almost in a different postcode to the pitch as it was so far away.
      There has been a slow and steady makeover of the club’s ancestral home in West London in tune with their rise in status.
      But politics and in-fighting have got the better of a succession of owners wanting to turn it into a truly global stadium.
      Deposed Russian Roman Abramovich even got as far as releasing drawings of his vision to transform Chelsea’s home ground before his reign was hit by the wrecking ball of the Ukraine war last year.
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      In its original form Stamford Bridge had a capacity of 100,000. Today’s ground is barely 40,000. It is smaller than Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham’s grounds in the capital alone.
      And that is why securing the rights to a sliver of land behind the West Stand is a key moment in a saga that has been running almost as long as EastEnders.
      Even so, Chelsea’s new ownership led by American chairman Todd Boehly and his pals from Clearlake Capital cannot make up their minds what to do.
      The 1.2 acres of land due to come into their possession early next year was advertised for sale so the board of directors decided to snap it up because somebody else would.
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      But that doesn’t mean the bulldozers will be moving in next week to demolish the outdated Stoll Building and pave the way for Chelsea to eventually live in a state-of-the-art 65,000-plus seater arena worthy of world class football.
      An option to move away completely to nearby Earls Court remains on the table as much as expanding ‘The Bridge’. Both plans are being studied with equal consideration.
      Any plan to build on site requires permission from the Chelsea Pitch Owners. A group of 13,000 fans plus a few connected celebrities who own the freehold to the ground.
      Chelsea are engaged in consultation with them and are mindful of the constraints of building on their existing home.
      Even with full renovation, experts estimate that Stamford Bridge could only accommodate 60,000 when full to the brim.
      There is much more room just 1.5 miles up the road at Earl’s Court where a much bigger stadium could be built while Chelsea see out their time at Stamford Bridge – their home since 1905.
      The current ownership is mindful that their rivals’ grounds are getting bigger and bigger.
      It’s no coincidence that Spurs’ stunning new 61,000 ground has been picked for games at Euro 2028.
      Arsenal’s Emirates hosts concerts, even West Ham’s vacuous London Stadium puts on baseball in the summer.
      Liverpool are expanding capacity to 61,000, Aston Villa’s atmospheric Villa Park is to undergo expansion. The Etihad – home to Treble winners Manchester City – is being redone.
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      Chelsea’s imminent acquisition of the piece of land between them and Fulham Broadway Tube station is just the first stage of what will still be a lengthy process.
      Boehly has tried to build a new team at his club in just over a year but building a stadium is a much slower process.
      Boehly’s Bridge revolution has struggled on the pitch but arguably faces even bigger problems off itCredit: Getty More

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      We live in the shadow of Stamford Bridge… we’re being made homeless in £80m Chelsea FC deal – we’re disgusted

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      VETERANS have slammed the sale of their homes to Chelsea FC’s home Stamford Bridge.Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, have said they’ll refuse to leave when given their marching orders.

      Veterans live in the shadow of Stamford BridgeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Those living in Sir Oswald Stoll Mansions in Fulham, London, previously said they’d refuse to leave if given their marching ordersCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he would refuse to leaveCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Now, the sale of their homes to the football club has been confirmed.
      The Premier League giants have purchased the majority of a 1.2 acre site next to Stamford Bridge from the Stoll Foundation.
      One of the youngest veterans, former army man Matthew Bignell, 36, told Sun Online he was “deeply disappointed” by the move.
      He added: “It’s a huge shame. There’s too much emphasis on the money they’ll gain and not enough on the homes they’re losing.
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      “They’ve made dozens of veterans homeless. It’s not good enough.”
      He previously told how veterans would refuse to leave their homes after the sale.
      He added: “We have to look into what we can do to fight back against this decision. We’re not sure making that many veterans homeless in the short term will really help in the long-term.”
      The military pensioners are furious over a deal that has seen Chelsea purchase the 1.2-acre area of land for £80m.
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      It comes amid its £2billion planned expansion.
      But it means the 100 veterans and war widows living inside the 1915 block will have to be rehoused – something many are fighting.
      Veteran Sean Kennedy, 51, has lived in his flat since 2013.
      He added: “It’s disappointing but not unexpected this has happened. The charity’s quality of care has never been very strong.
      “Now I have to find somewhere else to live and I’m overwhelmed. I’m too stressed to fight back, there’s nothing I can do.
      “It’s not surprising, we live next to Chelsea FC. They have the power and the money to do this.”
      Most of the tenants are over the age of 60, with some claiming they won’t be able to physically manage moving out.
      Alan Parmenter, 67, who served in the army between 1971 and 2004, is “absolutely disgusted” by the plans.
      He previously said: “We’ve done nothing wrong. There’s a lady across the way who is 94. It’ll kill them.
      “I can’t physically move out. The lift doesn’t work. I’m not going to be able to move anything.”
      He added that he just wants “a peaceful life” and is too old to move.
      Colin Tiso, 57, suffers such severe PTSD from his time fighting in the first Gulf War he can’t leave his one-bed flat.
      He added: ” Because of my PTSD I struggle to leave my flat and I’m getting treatment for that. My anxiety is overwhelming. Whenever I get the newsletters with information about the plans I completely shut down. For me as an army veteran I’m scared. 
      “Leaving the flat terrifies me. If I can’t leave the flat then moving is going to be traumatic.”
      Another tenant, Neil Ingram, 62, said it felt “like a tsunami coming our way”.
      He added that the £7,800 the tenants will get in statutory home loss payment is “not a lot of money”.
      He added: “I’m concerned. It feels like a tsunami coming our way. It’s not a lot of money but some people are happy with that.”
      Mark McFadden, who spent 17 years in the army, said residents “don’t know when we’re leaving” and “don’t know where to go”.
      The Sir Oswald Stoll Foundation, set up to support veterans returning from the First World War, provides ex-service men and women, and their spouses, with a home.
      The Fulham mansions is the original site Sir Oswald, a successful theatre magnate, donated to house veterans in 1916.
      Since then the charity has expanded to sites in Acton, Hounslow, Chiswick and Aldershot, Surrey.
      The charity, which listed its “comprehensive income” at £597,000 in 2022, now claims it doesn’t have enough funds to refurbish the Fulham site “to necessary Government housing standards”.
      It would cost “a minimum of £10million, funds the charity simply does not currently have”, according to consultation documentation.
      It added: “The overall thermal efficiency and insulation of properties in Fulham is often very poor, many tenants complain of their homes being cold and say they are unable to afford their heating bills.”
      Meanwhile, Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity’s CEO, is paid between £80,000 and £90,000, according to its latest accounts.
      Three other members of staff at the charity earn between £60,000 and £70,000.
      The club has promised not to take possession of it until 2025 at the earliest.
      Stoll Chief Executive, Will Campbell-Wroe, says: “The veterans are the heart of this organisation and we continue, as we have always done, to act in the best interests of the charity and its beneficiaries. The Chelsea FC ownership group’s offer enables us to limit uncertainty for residents and offer support over a longer period of time.
      “The site at Fulham is just not fit for purpose for the long term and while this is a difficult time for our residents, it is something we must do, to enable us to support veterans now and in the future.
      “We are enhancing our robust support programme for our residents during this process and our commitment to them will continue to be at the forefront of all we do at Stoll.” 
      Residents will not have to leave their homes straight away; the offer includes a leaseback period, meaning that the land would be temporarily given back to Stoll after completion of the sale, according to the charity.
      This will allow the charity to support residents to move to alternative, suitable accommodation, it said.
      Stoll’s Board of Trustees expects completion to take place in early 2024. 
      The Sun revealed previously that the Blues have committed to a massive redevelopment of their current home that ended fears they would relocate to a new stadium.
      American owner Boehly, who bought the Premier League outfit last year for £4.25billion, made promises to the stadium freeholder to expand the ground rather than move the club to a new location.
      Now Chelsea want to build a new 60,000-capacity ground to keep up with their rivals commercially with the new owners hoping for a staged rebuild of the Bridge, with the stands replaced and upgraded one by one.
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      Chelsea FC refused to comment when approached by Sun Online.
      Sean Kennedy, 51, moved into the block of flats in 2013. He’s a Royal Air Force veteran after three years of service in the 1990sCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Will Campbell-Wroe, the charity’s CEO, is paid between £80,000 and £90,000, according to its latest accountsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More