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    Chelsea fan favourite FORGETS he plays for Chelsea and has to be reminded halfway through interview

    CHELSEA loanee Levi Colwill forgot he was still a Blues player after helping Brighton clinch Europa League football.The centre-back, 20, joined the Seagulls on loan at the beginning of the season and has thrived under Roberto De Zerbi.
    Levi Colwill has been on loan at Brighton this seasonCredit: Reuters
    But he is set to return to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season – where European football will not be on offer as Chelsea have succumbed to a bottom half finish in the Premier League table.
    However, Colwill, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City or Liverpool, had to be reminded he would be returning to the Blues when speaking to The Athletic.
    “I forgot for a minute,” he said after remembering he was heading back to Chelsea in the coming months.
    It goes to show just how much he has enjoyed his time on the South Coast – where he has made 23 appearances in all competitions.
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    And he could not speak more glowingly about the set-up at the Amex.
    He added: “Amazing. When Roberto came in [last September], he just changed things.
    “His mentality as a manager is world class and he is definitely going to be one of the best managers in the world — if he’s not already.
    “That’s what you need at a club like this, that’s what you need to take us to the next level. I never realised how good the players are and he’s come in and playing the style — oh, it’s amazing.
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    “It fits everyone in the changing room. That’s why they are all playing outrageous football.”
    De Zerbi has admitted he would like to work with Colwill for another “two, three, four years”.
    But Chelsea are expected to recall him at the end of the season, with Blues fans buzzing to see what he can do in West London.
    On social media, one said: “Make him a bloody starter next season!!”
    Another added: “We need him. I can see the star potential in him. Let him compete with Badiashile and see how he fares.”
    And a third replied: “Play him and give him a bumper contract.”
    Colwill’s deal with Chelsea runs until 2025. More

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    Mourinho and Mkhitaryan among EIGHT Man Utd flops in European finals as fans say ‘not bad for bunch of deadwood’

    MANCHESTER UNITED may not have found themselves in a European final this season, but eight of their former employees have. The Red Devils have a long list of ex-players that have gone on to be successful elsewhere and this season that list could grow.
    Former Manchester United star Romelu Lukaku is part of Inter Milan’s Champions League final team after he was loaned out by Chelsea
    SunSport takes a look at the eight players and managers that have booked themselves a chance at European glory this season despite flopping during their time in Manchester.
    ROMELU LUKAKU
    Lukaku has secured his place in the Champions League final for Inter Milan as they take on Manchester City in Istanbul.
    United fans will be hoping that their former front man can do the business as their noisy neighbours try and equal their 1998/99 treble winning season.
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    Lukaku was unable to impress at Old Trafford after his £75million move from Everton back in 2017.

    JOSE MOURINHO
    The former United boss has managed to take his Roma team all the way to the final of the Europa League where they will take on Sevilla.
    Mourinho’s squad has impressed in Italy after an unsuccessful term in charge of Tottenham Hotspur.
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    The special one previously managed to win the Europa League with Manchester United in his first season with the club, but after consequent poor seasons he was sacked in 2018.
    Jose Mourinho was Manchester United manager for two and a half seasons winning one Community Shield and one Europa League
    HENRIKH MKHITARYAN
    Mkhitaryan is also playing at Inter Milan and will line up for a Champions League final.
    The Armenian’s time in Manchester was uninspiring and he eventually moved to Arsenal in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez.
    Henrikh Mkhitaryan has managed two goals in 12 Champions League appearances this season for Inter
    NEMANJA MATIC
    Mourinho has made a habit of signing his old players and Matic falls right into that category.
    The towering midfielder is also part of Roma’s Europa League final team.
    Matic spent five years at Man U and left for Rome last summer after his contract expired.
    Nemanja Matic made 189 appearances for Manchester United following his transfer from Chelsea
    CHRIS SMALLING
    Smalling is another former United player who plays for Roma and will be part of the Europa League final squad.
    However the Englishman made the move to Italy before Mourinho after a successful loan with Roma in 2019.
    He spent 10 years in Manchester, but never quite lived up to the expectation that was put on him.
    Chris Smalling has been a huge part of Roma’s team since he arrived at the club
    MATTEO DARMIAN
    Darmian struggled to adapt to the Premier League and was an unsuccessful signing for Man United back in 2015.
    The Italian now plies his trade in his home country with Inter Milan and will be part of the Champions League final as a result.
    The full back even thanked his former side in an interview with Sky Sports after Inter reached the final.
    He said: “I have to say thank you to them [United] because if I’m the player and person that I am, it’s also because of them. I just have to say thank you, but now I’m an Inter player and I give everything for Inter.”
    Matteo Darmian won the league with Inter in 2021 after spending the season on loan
    ALEX TELLES
    Telles is currently on loan away from Man U at Sevilla and will be gearing up to take on Roma in the Europa League final.
    The full-back has had an uninspiring time in Manchester and has been linked with a permanent move away from the club this summer.
    Alex Telles cost Man Utd for £15million from Porto, but he failed to impress in his 50 appearances
    DAVID MOYES
    Moyes was handed the impossible task at United of taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson, but it’s the near impossible he has now pulled off with West Ham.
    The experienced manager has guided the Hammers to the Europa Conference League final where they will take on Fiorentina.
    David Moyes is hoping to win a European title and keep West Ham in the Premier League in the same season
    Manchester United themselves have managed to land in two domestic finals this season.
    Erik ten Hag’s side won the Carabao Cup back in February and will be hoping to add the FA Cup to their haul in June.
    This hasn’t stopped fans from poking fun at the club for so many of their ‘flops’ going on to make it into European finals.
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    One took to Twitter to have their say, they wrote: “Not bad for a bunch of deadwood.”
    Whilst another joked: “Too many former United players in European finals this year. Wonderful.” More

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    Jose Mourinho seen celebrating dark arts gamesmanship from ex-Man Utd duo as Roma reach Europa League final

    JOSE MOURINHO was seen enthusiastically cheering on his team engaging in football’s dark arts as Roma reached the Europa League final.The Italians saw out a nervy goalless draw away at Bayer Leverkusen to progress 1-0 on aggregate.
    Mourinho was left particularly impressed at his players’ attempts to run down the clockCredit: BT Sport
    The experienced Nemanja Matic was right at the centre of Roma’s game management tactics
    Tammy Abraham and Jose Mourinho embraced at full-time as Roma reached another European finalCredit: Getty
    It was vintage Mourinho stuff as he bids to make it back-to-back wins in Europe.
    The legendary boss’ favourite moment of the night appeared to come when Nemanja Matic attempted to run down the clock.
    The former Manchester United star went down with cramp inside the Leverkusen box near fellow ex-Red Devils ace Chris Smalling, frustrating the German side even more.
    While Leverkusen keeper Lukas Hradecky tried to help Matic stretch, centre-back Edmond Tapsoba had a more direct approach.
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    The defender attempted to drag the lanky Serbian off the ground but Matic would barely budge.
    Tapsoba was then booked for his troubles.
    The camera cut to Mourinho banging his hands together and nodding aggressively in approval.
    Fans were loving the fact that the 60-year-old was up to his old tricks again.
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    One said: “Love it!”
    While another added: “He gets the job done and sometimes you have to admire a mastery of the dark arts.”
    Roma ended the game with no shots on target and only 28 per cent of possession.
    Edoardo Bove, who emerged from the youth academy this season, did enough damage with his goal in the first leg to help Roma squeeze through.
    Having won the Europa Conference League a year ago, Mourinho’s side are now set to face Europa serial winners Sevilla.
    Roma will likely need victory to get into next season’s Champions League with Mourinho’s side now six points off Serie A’s top four with three games remaining. More

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    Ex-Man Utd flop Angel Di Maria leaves Juventus fans fuming after embarrassing howler in Europa League KO

    ANGEL DI MARIA embarrassed himself with a wayward chip shot during Juventus’ semi-final exit from the Europa League.The Italian giants fell at the final hurdle as they were knocked out by Sevilla, losing 3-2 on aggregate.
    Damn the Di Maria miss is worse than i thought, never realized Kean was that open.I still think because Di Maria doesn’t have a right foot it’s hard for him to pass or even shoot properly from his left in this position. pic.twitter.com/FewK2p1QK4— Hannah (@JuventinaHannah) May 18, 2023

    Angel Di Maria has been known in the past for his impressive chips
    Juventus lost 2-1 on the night, but it could have been different had Di Maria put his side ahead early in the first half.
    The 35-year-old was through on goal with a golden opportunity to score and chose to try and chip the ball over Sevilla goalkeeper Bono’s head.
    The attempt was terrible and saw the ball go wayward leading to absolutely nothing.
    To make matters worse Di Maria, who endured one awful season at Manchester United, had the option to square the ball to Moise Kean in the middle, but chose to go for glory himself.
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    The squandered opportunity set the tone for Juventus’ evening as they struggled to find the back of the net, scoring just once from 17 attempts on goal.
    Juventus fans weren’t happy with Di Maria’s shocking effort and took to social media to vent their frustration with the World Cup winner.
    One wrote: “Di Maria should retire with that miss.”
    While another pointed out the option to pass to Kean, they said: “Damn the Di Maria miss is worse than i thought, never realized Kean was that open.”
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    Another fan added: “Sill being haunted by that terrible Di Maria chip attempt.”
    One other fan suggested not trying to chip the keeper would’ve been a better option.
    They said: “Dunno why Di Maria tried the chip rather than pick a corner and place the shot”
    Juventus’ exit from the Europa League now means they will finish the campaign without a single trophy. More

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    Tottenham fans in tears as two former flops combine to send Sevilla into the Europa League final

    TOTTENHAM fans were left in tears after two ex-stars combined to send Sevilla into the Europa League final. The competition specialists saw off Juventus in the semi-final with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

    Erik Lamela and Bryan Gil left Tottenham fans in tearsCredit: Reuters
    It came after Lamela headed home Gil’s cross to send Sevilla into the Europa League finalCredit: Reuters
    The tie had gone into extra time but the combination of former Spurs stars Erik Lamela and Bryan Gil proved to be the difference.
    Gil, who is on loan from the North London outfit, picked up the ball on the left-hand side.
    He then dribbled towards the byline, beating his defender before whipping a cross into the penalty area.
    Lamela then guided a header towards the bottom corner to put Sevilla into the lead and send them to the Europa League final.
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    Upon seeing the goal, Spurs fans took to Twitter, with many left upset by their success at another club.
    One fan said: “We basically gave Sevilla £25m and the winner in a Europa League semi-final 😭😭.”
    A second declared: “[Antonio] Conte has blood on his hands for neglecting Gil. Was phenomenal today.”
    “Gil with a perfect cross to Lamela with a perfect header, you can’t write it,” remarked a third.
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    A fourth typed: “I swear every player leaves us and almost instantly wins something. [Tanguy] Ndombele, now potentially Gil and Lamela…”
    Another added: “Only Tottenham Hotspur could pay a club £21m for them both to play together in a European semi-final and be involved in such an important goal 🤦🏽‍♂️.
    “Unbelievable bit of business that one! Can’t see why Spurs have declined 👀🤷🏽‍♂️.”
    Lamela, 31, joined Spurs in 2013 for £30million. He was one of the “magnificent seven” stars the club brought in to replace superstar Gareth Bale.
    However, 257 games later and with just 37 goals and 47 assists, Lamela was shifted out to Sevilla on a free transfer in 2021.
    Gil was a highly sought-after prospect from Sevilla when Spurs splashed £25m on him in summer 2021.
    But the turbulent atmosphere around the club regarding managerial changes saw him struggle to settle in.
    Having so far failed to score a goal for Spurs, he has since been on two loan moves – both back to Spain – with his latest transfer seeing him return to his former club. More

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    Mourinho breaks down in tears as Roma reach Europa League final with ‘Chris Smalling on the bench’ hailed for triumph

    JOSE MOURINHO broke down in tears after leading Roma to the Europa League final as he praised defender Chris Smalling for making the difference.The Serie A side earned a goalless draw away at Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday evening to clinch a 1-0 aggregate victory.
    Jose Mourinho was visibly emotional after the final whistleCredit: Reuters
    Roma celebrated a second European final in as many yearsCredit: Getty
    They will now meet Sevilla in the final on May 31 as they bid to add to last season’s Europa Conference League title.
    And Mourinho, 60, singled out former Manchester United centre-back Smalling, 33, after the game despite him only coming on in the 78th minute.
    The Portuguese coach said: “It was played on details. If we hadn’t had Smalling on the bench, we probably wouldn’t have gotten this draw.
    “We lost Spinazzola, then Celik, if we hadn’t had him (Smalling) at that time, it would have been very hard.
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    “The boys gave everything, this match is the result of our work, our experiences, our tactical mastery and the fact of having known how to stay in the game.
    “We are a fantastic team.”

    Roma had not reached a European final in more than 30 years before Mourinho’s arrival at the club.
    Now they are one game away from back-to-back European titles.
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    Mourinho has a 100 per cent record in his five European finals to date.
    But he will have to overcome six-time winners Sevilla if he is to maintain that streak.
    Roma are also relying on a Europa League triumph to secure Champions League qualification.
    They sit sixth in Serie A, six points adrift of the top four with just three games remaining. More

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    AZ Alkmaar 0 West Ham 1 (1-3): Fornals’ late strike ensures Hammers go through to first major European final in 47 years

    A GOAL that will last a lifetime in the hearts of West Ham fans.At the end of what was a gritty, ballsy, nerve-wracking, heroic and at times dull and tedious, backs-to-the-wall Moyes-ball display in Alkmaar, Pablo Fornals broke free and found the bottom corner.
    Pablo Fornals scored deep into injury time to send West Ham into the Europa Conference League finalCredit: Rex
    The Hammers players celebrated in front of their travelling fansCredit: Getty
    There were jubilant scenes in the away endCredit: Getty
    It sparked delirium in the away end. David Moyes and the rest of the visiting dug-out sprinted onto the pitch and danced and jived.
    Ugly scenes followed. A group of Hammers supporters behind that dug-out – including family members of the players – were attacked by a large group of AZ Alkmaar ultras.
    Riot police entered. Said Benrahma and Flynn Downes tried to climb over the hoardings to try and protect their own in what, briefly, were frightening times.
    Thankfully, the situation was defused quickly, as Rice ushered his heroic team-mates over towards the more heavily populated end of travelling fans for a sing and a jolly.
    Nothing was going to take this moment away from them. West Ham are in a European final.
    Last season’s Europa League semi-final heartbreak against Eintracht Frankfurt was as thrilling and dramatic as they come.
    Red cards, accusations of corruption, ball boys being used for target practice, all at West Ham’s expense as dreams were crushed and hopes dashed.
    Moyes insisted they would lick their wounds and learn their lessons. Twelve months on, in the Europa Conference League, they have finally avenged those painful memories.
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    The European Cup Winners’ Cup final days far back in the club’s tattered history books have been desperately clung to for some time.
    In 1965, Bobby Moore lifted that title. In 1976, Sir Trevor Brooking came agonisingly close.
    On June 7, 2023, Declan Rice has the opportunity to etch his own name into that book. Now all that is left is to finish the job in style.
    Moyes unashamedly sacked off their weekend loss at Brentford by resting the majority of his key stars with Premier League survival all but secured.
    His strongest XI were well rested for the trip across the North Sea, only for a rude 2am awakening on the day of this clash following a trademark piece of Euro tomfoolery.

    Alkmaar fans let off a cluster of fireworks outside the Hammers hotel in the hope it would ultimately be the difference against a nemesis of an opponent in Moyes.
    The Scot led Everton to a 3-2 Uefa Cup victory here back in 2007, ending the Dutch side’s 32-game and 30-year unbeaten home run in European competitions going back to 1977.
    Since then, at a fortress of a ground surrounded by a moat, Alkmaar have never lost here to an English team, and headed into this clash unbeaten in their last 25 home Euro outings.
    It is why scenes before kick-off at the AFAS Stadion were ones of pure continental delirium, techno trance blasting from the speakers with flares and smoke aplenty in the stands.
    This home support were hoping to witness their side reaching only a second major European final in their history – the last coming back in 1981 only to lose to Ipswich Town.
    Michail Antonio was at the thick of the funCredit: Reuters
    Mark Noble was in tears on the pitch after the full-time whistleCredit: Alamy
    In response, the Alkmaar players started brightly, in the only way they know how under 50-year-old London-born coach Pascal Jansen – ultimate possession-centric football.
    In the first leg, Alkmaar enjoyed over 60 per cent of the ball for large parts only to be let down by a lack of cutting edge – as well as conceding a barmy second-half penalty.
    There were early feelings of déjà vu as West Ham sat back and soaked it all up. Perhaps for the first time in this competition, they were in no rush to go toe-for-toe.
    This was evidenced by Alphonse Areola in the 11th minute. The French keeper was given a telling off for time-wasting from a goal kick.
    West Ham were dropping worryingly deep. Jarrod Bowen at several points was at right back. Moyes remained calm, knowing the counter was where his boys could hit back.
    Having scuppered two chances to do so, Lucas Paqueta almost executed perfectly on the third attempt, cutting inside and curling a shot on to the base of the post.
    The hosts were beginning to get frustrated, yet their obsessive patience was slowly paying dividends as Vangelis Pavlidis sparked a move down the left.
    A scuffed cross trickled past the six-yard box. Nayef Aguerd was then dutifully on hand to block Yukinari Sugawara’s subsequent shot.
    Fornals let out all the emotions after his strikeCredit: Getty
    West Ham knew a draw in Holland would be enoughCredit: Reuters
    There was no injury time at the end of the first half. Just as well for Jansen, who clearly used the extra time to rev up his side and encourage them to take the handbrake off.
    They did just that from the get-go. Milos Kerkez darted into the box but his dangerous cross failed to find a teammate before Sven Mijnans forced Areola into a smart stop.
    The chances kept coming. West Ham were living life on the edge, and Aguerd’s heart was in his throat after bringing down Pavlidis in the box. It looked stonewall, but not to VAR.
    The bombardment was briefly interrupted by Rice’s long-range attempt being palmed away by Mat Ryan. In response, Pantelis Hatzidiakos stung the hands of Areola.
    Moyes was agitated. This time last year he watched his men unravel emotionally on a night to forget. This time around, they remained in control but were flirting with the devil.
    Heads were in hands in the visitors’ dug-out as Bowen and Aguerd fluffed chances to end Alkmaar’s hopes of a comeback once and for all.
    The nerves were kicking in. An overhit cross saw Thilo Kehrer flick the ball towards his own goal as Areola scrambled to clear it off his line.

    Rice adjusted his captain’s armband and rallied the troops with a fist-bump. They were so close they could taste it before Fornals stormed forward and clinched it.
    Let’s say it again. West Ham are in a European final.
    Declan Rice will lead his West Ham side out in a European finalCredit: Rex
    David Moyes roared his men on from the sidelinesCredit: PA
    AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Mat Ryan punches clear to safetyCredit: Rex
    It was a nervy end for the travelling Hammers fans before the late goalCredit: Getty More

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    Jose Mourinho bizarrely claims Roma have ALREADY WON this year’s Europa League in dig at rivals and Uefa

    JOSE MOURINHO has claimed Roma have already won the Europa League ahead of their semi-final clash with Bayer Leverkusen.Roma won the first leg 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico last week.
    Jose Mourinho claims Roma have already won the Europa LeagueCredit: Getty
    They are targeting their second successive European final after winning the inaugural Europa Conference League last year.
    Mourinho has his sights set on the trophy but he believes his side are theoretically champions already.
    That’s because they are the only side that started the competition still remaining – Leverkusen, Sevilla, and Juventus all dropped down from the Champions League.
    Mourinho said: “If I did not have the ambition of trying to win, it would be very easy for me to say now that we have already won the Europa League.
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    “Because if the Europa League is for the teams that started this competition, then Roma have won.
    “However, that is just theory, our objective is to win.
    “I want to make very, very clear my respect for Bayer Leverkusen as a team, but there is greater value for a side built to play in the Europa League and has had 14 games in the Europa League rather than a team that made the investments to play in the Champions League group phase.”
    Mourinho has revitalised his career at Roma and his success has seen the Portuguese linked to Paris Saint-Germain.
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    But he dismissed the speculation as he revealed he cannot consider his future while Roma chase European glory.
    He added: “No, I don’t want to talk about that. There is a game to be played tomorrow, which isn’t even the Final, so the focus is on that.
    “I am not even thinking about the Final, let alone about my future.” More