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      Former Chelsea wonderkid who snubbed Real Madrid transfer wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran is without a club after being released by League One side MK Dons.The midfielder, 30, was tipped to go to the very top of world football and attracted offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the age of 16.
      Josh McEachran made a total of 22 appearances for Chelsea, which included turning out for The Blues in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfielder told the Daily Mail back in 2017 that he turned down the offers because he “believed he was going to make it”.
      He said “When I made my (Chelsea) debut I thought, ‘Ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid,’ but looking back now maybe I should have (gone).”
      The midfielder had been involved with first team training at Chelsea from the age of 15 onwards, having been called up from the youth team by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
      But he would go on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea during his time at the club between 2010 and 2015.
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      The midfielder instead found himself bouncing between a number of clubs on loan, including Swansea City and Middlesbrough before joining Brentford permanently in 2015.
      He made 101 appearances for the Bees before moving on to Birmingham City in 2019, where he made just 10 appearances during an injury-hit stint.
      McEachran dropped down a league to join MK Dons in 2021.
      After initially only training with the club to gain fitness, McEachran earned a series of contracts and made 100 appearances for the Milton Keynes side.
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      But it was announced today that McEachran will be without a club going into the summer after MK Dons released their retained list.
      McEachran was one of nine players released by MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
      Their relegation was sealed on the final day of the League One season, and sparked angry scenes that saw supporters confront Dons owner Pete Winkleman. More

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      Former highly-touted Chelsea star who spent nine years at Blues unemployed at 29 after being released by TWELFTH club

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      JAMAL BLACKMAN has been released by Exeter City.The former Chelsea youngster joined the Blues as a 12-year-old and didn’t leave until 2021.
      Jamal Blackman made 41 appearances for Exeter CityCredit: Getty
      He was loaned out eight times during his stint in West London, before finally departing two years ago.
      Following permanent spells with Los Angeles FC and Huddersfield, Blackman signed for Exeter City last summer.
      The 29-year-old keeper made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Grecians before being let go this summer.
      On letting Blackman, Jack Sparkes and Jevani Brown go, manager Gary Caldwell said: “It’s never easy telling players their time at the club has ended.
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      “We thank everyone that has departed the club for their efforts this season and in previous seasons and we wish them all the best for their future careers.”
      Exeter came 14th in League One after losing boss Matt Taylor to Rotherham in October.
      Blackman progressed through Chelsea’s academy before earning a professional deal at Stamford Bridge.
      He was named in the Blues’ matchday squad on a number of occasions, but never made a first team outing.
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      Blackman represented England up to Under-19s level.
      He was subsequently loaned by Chelsea to Middlesbrough, Ostersund, Wycombe, Sheffield United, Leeds United, Vitesse, Bristol Rovers and Rotherham.
      The 6ft 6in stopper will now look for a new club ahead of next season.
      Blackman trained alongside Thibaut Courtois at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe ‘agrees £3m transfer to new club with medical to take place in next few days’

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      SUNDERLAND are closing in on the signing of Jude Bellingham’s brother Jobe.Like his elder sibling, Jobe Bellingham has caught the eye for Birmingham after rising through the club’s youth system.
      Jobe Bellingham is closing in on a move to SunderlandCredit: Rex
      He has enjoyed a breakthrough season at St. Andrew’s, making 23 appearances in all competitions.
      Now Bellingham, 17, looks set to move to the north-east with the Black Cats close to a deal.
      According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano Sunderland have had a £3million bid accepted by Birmingham.
      Bellingham has reportedly agreed to join and he is set to undergo a medical at his new club in the coming days.
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      The midfielder visited the Stadium of Light last weekend to watch Sunderland beat Luton in the play-off semi-final first leg – a tie they lost this week.
      Bellingham’s Blues team-mate Troy Deeney is convinced he can be as good as Jude after hitting the gym this season.
      He told Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast: “He’s put on 10 kilos this year, he’s going to be an absolute monster just like his brother is.
      “He is going to be unbelievably talented, you can’t deny that, but it is just going to take him a year or two longer than his brother.
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      “He’s in that shadow isn’t he? Wonderful kid, wonderful family.” More

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      Inside Wrexham’s ‘ridiculous’ season, from meeting King Charles to Will Ferrell randomly bowling into dressing room

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      OLLIE PALMER used to joke about being invited for a barbeque at Ryan Reynolds’ house, now he’s accepted an invite for one.The Wrexham striker, who dropped down two tiers from AFC Wimbledon to join the National League side in January last year, still has to step back every now and then.
      Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds have guided Wrexham back to the EFLCredit: PA
      Wrexham celebrated their league win with an open top bus paradeCredit: Getty
      Ollie Palmer, second left, cannot believe he is pals with Hollywood starsCredit: Getty
      King Charles visited the club this seasonCredit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun
      Reynolds also invited Hollywood royalty in the form of Will Ferrell to a gameCredit: Reuters
      Whether it’s meeting the King, seeing Hollywood royalty in the changing room or going to Las Vegas on Rob McElhenney’s card, the whole experience has been one wild ride.
      Palmer told SunSport: “You’ve just got to embrace it because it’s not normal. We’re very lucky.
      “When I was at Wimbledon we always used to joke.
      “It was my last week there and the cat was out of the bag and I’d chat to the lads and say: ‘Lads, if I’m not having a barbeque with Ryan Reynolds in the summer and playing two touch with him then something has gone wrong!’
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      “And lo and behold he’s invited me for a barbeque when he’s over here in a few weeks!”
      Reynolds and McElhenney have transformed the Welsh club since taking over in February 2021.
      From a club stuck in the National League they are now back in League Two after winning promotion in record-breaking fashion and, through their documentary ‘Welcome to Wrexham’, have gained international fame.
      For a group of lower league players, the experience has been life-changing and utterly surreal.
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      Following the promotion parade through the town earlier this month, where they were joined by the two owners on open top buses, the squad have since been sent on a trip to Vegas paid for by their bosses.
      Palmer said: “I’ve been before but I’ve not been when someone like Rob is booking everything and organising it.”
      After the trip to Vegas and before their astonishing US pre-season tour, Palmer wants to spend some time taking stock of just how bizarre the past year has been.
      He said: “I have to check myself because it’s not that normal, they’re both Hollywood stars but it is normal now.
      “They’re making the documentary and so many things that have happened that if you wrote it for a movie it would sound far-fetched.
      “Ben Foster’s save against Notts County in the 96th minute springs to mind. It was just ridiculous.
      “And why is Ben Foster even playing for Wrexham? You just think: ‘What is going on here?’
      “You just have to step back sometimes and that is what I’m trying to do now.
      Palmer added: “There have been so many ridiculous moments that I can’t talk about but there are two that stand out.
      “The King coming to the stadium to meet all the players and staff.
      “The other one, we had a game on a Saturday afternoon and Will Ferrell just bowled into the changing room and started cracking jokes at 2.15pm.
      “Luckily we’ve got very used to these sorts of things happening that it doesn’t become a distraction. If it happened at any other club out of the blue like that then it would be a distraction.”
      There will be more potential distractions this summer, with Palmer saying every player he speaks to wants to join the club – something the owners and manager Phil Parkinson must be wary of.
      But should they get that right, the target for next season is clear.
      Palmer said: “Without signing a single player we’ve got a squad that could get promoted out of League Two now.
      “I don’t think you can avoid that really. When you strengthen that squad you can’t deny we should definitely be fighting for that next season.
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      “The club is going to have to be careful with who they sign and why they are coming here.
      “Every Tom, Dick and Harry I know wants to come and sign for Wrexham, but are they coming for the right reasons? That is the manager’s job and he’s been great at that.” More

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      Shocking moment Man Utd star Amad Diallo is manhandled by Luton fan while taking throw-in for Sunderland

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      MANCHESTER UNITED loanee Amad Diallo was manhandled by a fan in the Luton section of supporters while he played in the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.The Red Devils loanee, 20, has spent this season with the Black Cats and racked up 42 appearances for the second-tier side.
      Amad Diallo tried to get the ball back from the Luton fansCredit: Twitter

      He received a punch in the back from someone in the crowdCredit: Twitter
      He contributed 14 goals and four assists for Tony Mowbray’s men, including a first-leg equaliser in Sunderland’s 2-1 win over Luton.
      But it was not enough to help the North East outfit back into the Premier League as they were beaten 2-0 in the return leg at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday evening – with Sunderland losing 3-2 on aggregate.

      And Diallo’s evening was made even more difficult when he received physical abuse from someone in the crowd.
      After the ball went off for a throw-in, the young forward attempted to retrieve the ball.
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      But the Luton fans kept hold of it to stall him.
      He then received forceful contact in the back from one individual who had launched himself forward to attack the Sunderland man.
      Luton have been approached for comment.
      Reacting to the clip on social media, one person said: “Lifetime ban.”
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      Another added: “Shouldn’t be too hard to identify and ban the mug tbh.”
      And a third replied: “Why would you do that?”
      Diallo is set to return to Man Utd in the summer.
      He has not featured for the club since December 2021, with a disappointing loan spell at Rangers preceding his time at Sunderland.
      Diallo scored 14 goals for Sunderland this seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Luton 2 Sunderland 0 (agg 3-2): Hatters step closer to reaching Premier League for first time after incredible comeback

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      NINE years ago Luton were in the National League — but they are now just one game away from the Premier League.The Hatters blew apart Sunderland on a memorable night at Kenilworth Road which saw fans pour on to the pitch to celebrate at the end.
      Tom Lockyer celebrates scoring his Luton’s second goalCredit: Rex
      Trailing 2-1 from their semi first leg, the Hatters turned this tie on its head with first-half headers by Gabe Osho and Tom Lockyer, both from corners.
      This was incredibly the first time Luton had won a play-off game . . . at their eighth attempt.
      The Black Cats struggled every time Luton won a corner or swung a ball into their box — and froze in the Hatters’ intimidating cauldron.
      It is incredible to think the next competitive game this old ground will host could be in the top flight.
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      This performance epitomised everything Luton have been about — showing a hunger, desire and workrate that so many teams fail to match.
      And they chewed up their opponents with two almost identical goals that will have had Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray tearing his hair out.
      First they wiped out Sunderland’s slender first-leg advantage within 10 minutes.
      Jordan Clark’s corner was fired in. Alex Pritchard got out-jumped by Tom Lockyer and the ball fell to Osho, who fired home with keeper Anthony Patterson all over the shop.
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      Boss Rob Edwards gave a fist pump before turning to the crowd and giving the fans a waving gesture to pump up the volume even louder.
      Yet the Hatters had scored first in all three of their previous games against Sunderland but had failed to win.
      And Sunderland were appealing for a penalty from a corner of their own.
      Amad Diallo’s cross fell deep to Pierre Ekwah — but as he sent the ball across goal it struck Amari’i Bell on the arm. It would have been harsh had it been given.
      Luton almost grabbed a second when Alfie Doughty found space down the left. His cross was fumbled by Patterson and Elijah Adebayo and then Carlton Morris saw their efforts cleared off the line by Luke O’Nien.
      The Hatters were causing chaos in the Sunderland backline.
      Morris saw a header saved by Patterson and then the ball eventually was worked left to Adebayor and his cross was nodded just wide by Lockyer.
      The hosts continued to pour forward. Adebayor cut the ball back to Morris, who fired wide.
      Gabriel Osho opening the scoringCredit: Reuters
      Gabriel Osho celebrates opening the scoreCredit: Getty
      And the Hatters were 2-0 up and ahead in the tie for the first time three minutes before the break.
      Doughty’s inswinging corner was headed clear but he picked it up to send in another peach of a delivery for Lockyer to nod home from eight yard.
      From the kick-off, Luton missed a sitter after a howler from Patterson.
      With the ball rolled back to his keeper, he somehow contrived to give the ball away to the Luton ace, who had time to take a couple of touches and pick his spot. But he hit it first-time horribly wide.
      It was a huge let-off for the Black Cats.
      Sunderland finally registered a shot on target when Clark cut in but his drilled shot was comfortably kept out by Ethan Horvath.
      Luton won two corners in quick succession. First Doughty’s cross was met by Clark’s header and it was cleared off the line and away for a corner — and then Osho nodded over.
      Adebayor had a great chance to add a third when he was put through but just as he was about to pull the trigger Aji Alese managed to get in a last-ditch tackle.
      Patrick Roberts tried to get things going with a solo run down the other end but he ended up shooting wastefully wide from the edge of the box.
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      Cody Drameh had a great chance to add a late third as he broke down the right after a late Sunderland attack — but he rolled the ball wide with keeper Patterson scampering back.
      Luton are going to Wembley — and whoever gets through tonight between Boro and Coventry, they will have their work cut out against this lot.
      Tom Lockyer doubling Luton’s leadCredit: Rex
      The Hatters blew apart Sunderland on a memorable night at Kenilworth RoadCredit: PA More

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      Do away goals count in Championship play-offs?

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      THE away goals rule had for decades been the most common way to decide a two-legged tie in football.It was introduced by Uefa in 1965 and was a feature of competitions until 2021. But is the rule used in the EFL play-offs?
      Luton are in the Championship play-offsCredit: Getty
      Do away goals count in the EFL play-offs?
      Away goals do not count double in the EFL play-offs.
      The Football League did use the rule but chose to abolish it in 1999.
      This decision was made after an initiative by then-Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks.
      Sheepshanks’ Tractor Boys lost via the rule in 1997 and 1999 despite finishing higher than their opponents in the league on both occasions.
      What is the away goals rule?
      The away goals rule is the most commonly used way of deciding football matches played over two legs.
      If the scores are level after 90 minutes at home and 90 minutes away then, rather than go to penalties, the team that scored most goals in the away game goes through.
      The idea is to reward away teams who choose to play attacking football.
      Do away goals really count double?
      That expression is supposed to be the law, but it’s really more of a figure of speech.
      It simply means that away goals are the first decider for a tied two-leg match.
      If anything, it is like an extra half a goal for the team that scored more away from home.
      Which competitions use the away goals rule?
      The Champions League and the Europa League, as well as all South American competitions abolished the away goals rule in 2021.
      The League Cup did use away goals after extra time in the semi-finals but abolished the rule in 2018, with teams playing penalties after 90 minutes. More

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      Wrexham release ELEVEN stars including ex-Prem player days after Vegas promotion party with Foster’s future in limbo

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      WREXHAM have released 11 players ahead of their return to the Football League.The Red Dragons secured promotion to League Two last month with a 3-1 win over Boreham Wood at the Racecourse Ground.
      Wrexham have released 11 playersCredit: PA
      Foster’s future at the club is uncertainCredit: Getty
      They finished the season on a total of 111 points – a new record for the National League.
      But a number of players are now set to leave Wrexham, despite the club’s historic campaign.
      Ryan Austin, Malik Dijksteel, Jake Hyde, Rory Watson, Tom Jenkins, Dan Jones, Louis Lloyd and Will Mountfield have all been released as well as former Burnley goalkeeper Kai Calderbank-Park and ex-Norwich defender Reece Hall-Johnson.
      Harry Lennon is also set to depart.
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      The 28-year-old recently confirmed his intention to retire due to several injury issues.
      The future of former Manchester United and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster is also uncertain.

      Wrexham officials are set to hold talks with the 40-year-old to establish whether he will continue at the club or return to retirement.
      Mark Howard, Anthony Forde and Paul Mullin – who has scored 38 goals for the Red Dragons this season – have had their contracts extended by a further year.
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      Wrexham’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny were keen to treat the first team to an epic promotion party in Las Vegas earlier this month.
      The duo covered all the costs of the extravagant holiday, according to star striker Mullin.
      Prior to the trip, the 28-year-old told GQ: “It became a thing where if we won the league, we’d get a holiday. So we’re off to Vegas.
      “Ryan and Rob told us to leave our cards at home, they’re sorting the lot.
      “They sent us a full itinerary just now.
      “Part of me doesn’t want to go, I might be dead by the end of it.
      “But I’d never go to Vegas by my own accord, so I’m buzzing for it.”
      The Wrexham stars enjoyed dinner at the exclusive Hakkasan restaurant one evening before a party, where they received an incredible reception. More