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      Sunderland’s Charlie Wyke outscoring Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland in 2021 – only Robert Lewandowski has more goals

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      CHARLIE WYKE is outscoring Lionel Messi – now there’s a sentence Sunderland supporters never expected to read!
      The big striker was mocked by the Black Cats faithful before embarking on a superb 2021.

      Charlie Wyke is the second top scorer in Europe this season

      This year, only Bayern Munich goal machine Robert Lewandowski has outscored him in Europe’s top five leagues and the EFL.
      Wyke has netted more than the likes of Messi and Dortmund sensation Erling Haaland so far this year.
      The Sunderland striker headed home his 25th goal this season in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Rochdale.
      Wyke’s tally matches the Black Cats feats of Darren Bent and Kevin Phillips more than ten and 20 years ago.

      And it has put him in with Europe’s elite.
      It is not just Wyke who is heading up in the world.
      Head tennis has created legends at Sunderland — and they may have been rescued by a new one.
      The two-a-side head tennis battles in the groundsman’s shed at the old Charlie Hurley training ground were the making of the Peter Reid team that transformed the club  in the late 90s as they moved to the Stadium  of Light.

      And when Sunderland’s new owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus  met the players for the first time, he insisted on a game with boss Lee Johnson and his backroom staff.
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      Charlie Wyke netted his 25th goal of the season against Rochdale on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      His assistant Jamie McAllister revealed Louis-Dreyfus has been a regular at their training base since taking charge  last month. McAllister said: “We have seen him a lot. He has been excellent.
      “He’s  been in most days and you can see his hunger and love for the game. He’s very focused with a  clear plan of where he wants to take the club.
      “He is easy to talk to and he is even joining in head tennis. He is all right as well, he beat us the other day.

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      “It’s exciting times at Sunderland, with great vision. He wants to lift the club, take it to the next level.”
      The Black Cats have won six of their last seven and are now five points behind leaders Hull in fourth with two games in hand.
      Dion Sanderson, who scored the first against Rochdale, has been impressed by Louis-Dreyfus. He said “He’s a nice person. He had a chat with all of the lads together and it was good vibes from him. So far, so good.”

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      Man Utd, and Bayern Munich target Max Aarons confirms transfer approaches – and Norwich star reveals how you say surname

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      MAX AARONS almost had more talking to do off the pitch than on it as his Norwich  recorded a seventh straight victory.
      The Canaries right-back spoke to the media after the table-toppers’ latest success and ended up discussing a range of subjects including club, country — and even how to pronounce his surname.

      Max Aarons is being monitored by some of Europe’s top sidesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Mind you, the England Under-21 international is probably used to being the centre of discussion.
      Late last summer Barcelona made a move for him and he has continued to attract lots of interest.
      Fellow giants Bayern Munich are a long-term admirer, while Manchester United have watched him.
      And last month a SunSport exclusive revealed Roma had a huge bid turned down by Canaries supremo Stuart Webber.

      Aarons, 21, said: “Stuart said there was an offer and we all sat down and spoke about it.
      “We decided it wasn’t the best fit at that time. I didn’t want to let it become a distraction and neither did anyone from the club.
      “As soon as it was there we spoke about it and then it was done and it was straight on to getting more wins.
      “As a player you expect to be in the loop. It is about you, so it’s important for everyone to be on the same page.”

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      Aarons is targetting an England place at the Under-21 European ChampionshipCredit: PA:Press Association
      Aarons has also emerged as a target for Jamaica.
      But he said: “I’m fully focussed on England Under-21s at the moment. We’ve got big European Championship coming up.
      “I had a few  family members from Jamaica messaging me, and I just had to say, ‘Listen, I haven’t heard anything’.

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      “It’s Dad’s side of the family. My cousin Rolando, who is at Huddersfield, is in the process of maybe making a decision.”
      Aarons also cleared up how his surname should be pronounced.
      He said: “Air-uns, that’s how everyone says it in my family.”

      Paul Lambert insists nothing could convince him to replace Neil Lennon as manager at former club Celtic More

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      Wigan set for takeover by Bahraini-funded group Phoenix 2021 in £3m deal – ending their administration hell

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      WIGAN ATHLETIC are set to be taken over by Bahraini-funded group Phoenix 2021 – and backed by solid Middle East cash.
      The League One strugglers should finally emerge from their administration nightmare after a deal was agreed at around £3 million to pay their bills in full.

      Wigan caretaker boss Leam Richardson could soon see financial stability off the pitch for the second-bottom League One clubCredit: Rex Features

      Talal Mubarak Al Hammadi is lined up to be chairman, with a British group of advisers headed by former chief executive Mal Brannigan and computer expert Tom Markham.
      The source of the cash has been verified by the EFL who were keen to be sure that the money was clean during extensive tests.
      Phoenix 2021 is based in Manchester but owned by a Gibraltar firm Europa Point Sports and wealthy former investment banker Abdulrahman Al Jasmi also has a ‘significant interest’ in the background.
      Europa Point already have a football team while Al Jasmi has years in the financial world in the middle east – but Al Hammadi will be the ‘face’ of the group.

      Talks have been going on for months but only came to a head when Wigan failed to do a deal with a Spanish group.
      Meanwhile, Celtic are reportedly closing in on Wigan striker Kyle Joseph, 19.
      The Scotland Under-19 star has also been linked with Tottenham, Arsenal and Rangers.
      But the Daily Mail suggest the Hoops are set to tie up a pre-contract deal with the London-born ace.

      Joseph has made a huge impact since making his Latics debut in October.
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      He grabbed his first goal in the win at Sunderland in December.
      And he soon impressed the ever-increasing number of scouts with a hat-trick against Burton.
      If Joseph moves, Wigan will be entitled to compensation, although his contract expires in June.

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      Chelsea ace Luke McCormick wanted by Millwall in summer transfer with 22-year-old impressing at Bristol Rovers

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      CHELSEA midfielder Luke McCormick may have played his way into a move to Millwall.
      McCormick has caught the eye on a loan spell at League One Bristol Rovers and the Lions hope to tie up a deal for him in the summer.

      Chelsea’s Luke McCormick could be set for a move to the Championship in the summerCredit: Rex Features

      The 22-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge before going into the last year of his deal.
      That should see a switch across London to join Gary Rowett’s Championship outfit.
      A short spell with Shrewsbury in 2019 saw the midfielder make his debut in senior football.
      McCormick has played 30 games on loan at Rovers this campaign but missed Saturday’s defeat to Hull through suspension.

      Gas boss Joey Barton backed the youngster to bounce back after earning a second yellow against Burton for kicking the ball away.
      He said: “Macca’s obviously very disappointed, but he’s a young player and he’s here on loan to learn lessons, and that will be a lesson he will learn and carry on into his career.
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      “It’s disappointing, but we win together and we lose together. He’ll be superb for us between now and the end of the season and I’m sure he will turn in performances that will go some way to making up for that error.”

      Meanwhile, Millwall are set for another year in the Championship while sat firmly in mid-table with 11 games to go.
      A defeat to Blackburn on the weekend left the capital club 11 points off the play-off places but 14 clear of the drop.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Chelsea stars have dozens of footballs launched at them by machine powered by an electronic car More

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      Celtic ‘closing in on Kyle Joseph transfer with Scots set to beat Tottenham to 19-year-old Wigan youngster’

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      CELTIC are closing in on a deal to sign Kyle Joseph from Wigan, reports say.
      The Scotland Under-19 international’s contract expires in June and he has plenty of clubs interested in signing him on a free.

      Celtic are closing in on a deal to sign Kyle Joseph from WiganCredit: Rex Features

      As a result, he has not extended his contract, instead choosing to explore his options.
      According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are set to conclude a pre-contract which will bring the forward to Scotland.
      Tottenham and Arsenal were among those linked with the teen, who has five goals in 16 games so far this season.
      Joseph has made a huge impact for Wigan since making his debut for the club in October.

      He grabbed his first for the Latics in the win at Sunderland in December.
      And he impressed the ever-increasing number of scouts by firing a hat-trick against Burton shortly afterwards.
      If Joseph decides to move, the Latics will be entitled to compensation for the striker.
      Rangers – on the verge of a first league title since 2011 – were also said to be in for the youngster.

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      The Ibrox side are now 21 points clear of the Hoops in the Premiership table.
      And with Celtic only having 21 total points left to play for, anything less than a win over Dundee United would end the title race.
      Already Rangers fans have started the party while Rangers players were filmed dancing in their dressing room.

      Watch Steven Gerrard dance with his Rangers players as they celebrate closing in on title More

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      Puscas shares a name with a legend but wants to be a hero in his own right by rifling Royals into the Premier League

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      GEORGE PUSCAS shares a surname with one of football’s greatest icons.
      But the Reading striker does not like to draw parallels with the Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas because he is from Romania.

      George Puscas celebrates his goals for Reading and Romania by simulating shooting a rifle

      Hungary legend Ferenc Puskas was one of the greatest footballers of all time

      Yet while he is not proud to be a namesake of a man seen as a God by bitter rivals in a neighbouring country, he loves what the names means.
      Puscas, back in his native land, means “Rifleman.”
      He said: “To be honest, I am Romanian and have nothing to do with his name. I’ll do it my way. I’ll be the Romanian Puscas.
      “The name back home in Romania means rifleman.”

      The 24-year-old loves celebrating his goals by simulating firing a rifle and he was doing just that on Tuesday as he scored on his first start against Blackburn after a three-month lay-off with a hernia injury.
      And with Brentford losing four out of their last six games, the Royals are only six points behind the second automatic promotion spot.
      Puscas – who needed an operation – told SunSport: “It’s been a few tough months. I was doing all the treatments but it wasn’t getting better.
      “I had to do the surgery but now I’m feeling fit and good.

      “We’re looking of course towards second and achieving great things.
      “But we don’t look at the table every day so if we simply take it step by step we’ll see where it takes us.”

      Puscas would love to play in the Premier League.
      Had history taken a different course, he might have been there already.
      For aged just 16 Arsenal brought him over to London for a one-week trial after scouts flew to Romania to watch him playing for Bihor Oradea.
      He said: “Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team.
      “They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      “Arsenal said they would wait a year before signing me for their academy so I went home and in that time Inter Milan offered me a contract without trials.
      “At that age, you just see them both as big clubs and Inter wanted me at that moment so I went there.”
      Puscas got his Serie A breakthrough at the San Siro under the management of former Manchester City Premier League-winning coach Roberto Macini.

      Arsenal had been following me since I was just 15 playing for my local team. They called and invited me to London. I trained with them and even did a session with Arsene Wenger coaching. I did well.
      George Puscas

      He said: “Making my debut under him was my favourite moment.
      “Mancini was a great coach. He was a striker and used to stay with me after training to teach me a lot of things.
      “It was my first experience moving to another country. I met all the big footballers who were there and got a lot of help from people like Javier Zanetti, Rodrigo Palacio and Esteban Cambiasso.”
      It is no wonder with the superstars at Mancini’s disposal that Pucas only made seven appearances for Inter and ended up being loaned out to Bari, Benevento and Novara.
      He was eventually sold to Serie B Palermo in 2018 and enjoyed a great season football-wise, making 33 outings and scoring nine goals.
      But the club were first docked 20 points for financial irregularities before the authorities relegated them two divisions to Serie D.

      George Puscas celebrates his winner against Blackburn with the creator Lucas Joao
      Inter exercised their buy-back option before promptly selling him to Reading on a five-year deal in August 2019.
      Puscas quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite at the Madejski Stadium for his hard-working performances.
      And now pairing up with 20-goal Luas Joao up front, the Royals certainly have the firepower to cause anyone in the Championship a serious threat.
      He said: “I enjoy playing with Lucas. We find each other well on the pitch. He deserves his 20 goals.
      “But all the team are good. It is because of everyone that we as strikers get our chances.”
      Puscas is one of the characters in the Reading dressing room. He even broke into the club’s training ground during the first lockdown – just so he could train on his own.
      Boss Veljko Paunovic revealed how the Romanian is always entertaining the players in their WhatsApp group by posting funny messages and videos.
      Puscas laughed: “I like to keep the atmosphere nice because I know there’s a lot of pressure here.
      “All the things I text and videos is to put a smile on everyone’s face.
      “At the end of the day, we do our best. We might lose one game but must keep going and think about the next one.
      “I’m always close to the players because we believe we can achieve big things.” More

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      In-form Bradford City star Callum Cooke hoping to stir-up League Two promotion mix in budding partnership with Andy Cook

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      TOO many chefs may spoil the broth – but a Cooke and a Cook partnership is stirring up the League Two promotion mix nicely.
      Bradford City have enjoyed a remarkable turnaround over the past two-and-a-half months since Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars took charge.

      Callum Cooke and Bradford City are flying high in League TwoCredit: Getty

      The playmaker and on-loan striker Andy Cook are developing a telepathic understandingCredit: Bradford City AFC and Thomas Gadd Photography

      The Bantams looked to be stuck in a relegation battle before an incredible run of 33 points in 14 games catapulted them into the play-off picture.
      Tuesday’s victory over Mansfield was the club’s fifth-straight win and they head to Bolton on Saturday just four points off their sixth-placed rivals.
      One of the star men in their revival has been playmaker Callum Cooke, 24.
      The former Middlesbrough and Peterborough ace, who tasted European Championship joy with England U17s in 2014, also seems to be developing a telepathic understanding with on-loan striker Andy Cook.

      The hotshot, who was ineligible to face his parent club in midweek, has found the net three times in five appearances since his arrival in January.
      Cooke said: “Him and Danny Rowe know my game now where I always look to play on the front foot and go forward.
      “I got both assists for big Andy Cook against Cheltenham a few weeks ago. The second one I just played it with the outside of my foot instinctively for him to pounce on, so it’s vital to have that understanding.
      “I have a good understanding with him and Rowey, but it’s important to have it with everyone.

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      The attacker and his fellow Bantams are now looking up for promotion after their poor startCredit: Getty

      Cooke has scored three goals and grabbed eight assists this seasonCredit: Rex Features

      “Playing No10, you can go a long while without the ball, so it’s up to the lads behind me to get me on it, and to be fair they are finding me in my favourite position in the pockets between the midfield and defence and that’s where I can hurt other teams.”
      Bradford sacked club legend Stuart McCall in December after a run of six-straight defeats left them third bottom.
      Cooke, who was being deployed as a defensive midfielder at the time, insists he always believed the squad had the quality to turn things around but both himself and his team-mates just needed to be let off the leash.
      Cooke said: “I played like a No4 in a quarter-back position to try and get on the ball and start the attacks.
      “I don’t have a problem with that as it’s good to get that extra knowledge of different positions but to get the best out of me I think I need to play as an attacking midfielder.
      “I didn’t say anything as I was just glad to be playing games after not getting anywhere near as many games as I wanted at Peterborough.
      “I’ve now got eight assists and three goals, which is not too bad considering I was playing further back and we still have a lot of games left.  I just want to keep building on that.”

      Cooke and his Bradford team-mates have won their last five matchesCredit: Rex Features

      The former Peterborough and England youth star hopes to continue that run against BoltonCredit: Rex Features
      He continued: “I always thought we were capable of going on a good run as we have really good players but it is remarkable. We are in a really good place but it is all down to hard work in training.
      “We all know this squad has talent but it was a case of taking the shackles off us and since that has happened we haven’t looked back.
      “We are taking it game-by-game but we know as players we could be on the cusp of something really special with this massive club.”
      The next hurdle for Cooke and his fellow Bantams are the division’s other in-form side Bolton, who have risen to sixth following their own six-match winning run.
      But the Trotters hold no fear as the star said: “We are the two form teams in the division and for the neutral it will be a fantastic game.
      “We go into it fearing nobody. We beat Cheltenham who are top of the league, but we’ve taken points off other teams in the play-offs as well.
      “We know that on our day we are capable of beating anybody. It should be an interesting game and one we are all looking forward to.”

      On-loan Andy Cook has scored three goals in five games since his arrivalCredit: Getty Images
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      Leyton Orient star Adam Thompson breaks ankle, refuses stretcher and gets bus back from Grimsby eating fish and chips

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      LEYTON ORIENT star Adam Thompson was hailed by fans after brushing off a broken ankle to enjoy fish and chips on the team bus.
      The defender was forced off in the opening minutes of the O’s 1-0 win over Grimsby on Tuesday after a horror clash of heads.

      Leyton Orient defender Adam Thompson cut his head and broke his ankle against GrimsbyCredit: Rex Features

      Thanks for all the messages, really appreciate them. Will work hard and be out there as quick as I possibly can BUT absolutely buzzing for the lads and gaffer on the win tonight !! Let’s keep this going ! Celebratory fish and chips on the way home for the 3 points ! pic.twitter.com/VPTlTqNhOM
      — Adam Thompson (@adam__thompson) March 2, 2021

      During the collision, the 28-year-old cut his head wide open and suffered a broken ankle but shunned a stretcher to hobble off.
      His replacement Dan Happe ultimately settled the contest at Blundell Park as the O’s picked up three points for the first time since January.
      And Thompson made sure he was celebrating with the rest of his teammates as he was pictured on the team bus later.
      The January arrival shared a picture of his ankle strapped up while tucking into fish and chips.

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      He tweeted: “Thanks for all the messages, really appreciate them. Will work hard and be out there as quick as I possibly can BUT absolutely buzzing for the lads and gaffer on the win tonight !!
      “Let’s keep this going ! Celebratory fish and chips on the way home for the 3 points !”
      One fan replied: “Come back stronger mate!”

      Another added: “Keep eating that omega 3 and you’ll be back in no time.”

      Orient’s 1-0 win against rock-bottom Grimsby moved the club up to 13th in the table in interim manager Jobi McAnuff’s first game in charge.
      He said: “It feels very good. It’s been a busy few days, in terms of getting the news that I was going to be manager and then getting ready for the game.
      “There’s been a lot going on, but the boys have been absolutely first class, as the staff have as well helping out behind the scenes.”

      Own goal wins depressing Leyton Orient goal of the month competition, beating two penalties More