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      in Soccer

      Brentford new boy Christian Eriksen’s partner Sabrina gave up career to become WAG, mum & best pal to Harry Kane’s wife

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      CHRISTIAN Eriksen is back in the Premier League, after signing for West Londoners Brentford.The 29-year-old playmaker hasn’t played since suffering a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 back in June.
      Sabrina, Chris and little Alfie in a recent InstagramCredit: Instagram
      But during that nearly fatal moment, his loyal love Sabrina Kvist Jensen – who leapt over the barriers to run to his side – thought it was the end.
      Peter Schmeichel said Sabrina believed her partner “had died” during the shocking Euro 2020 incident.
      The legendary goalie’s own son, Kasper Schmeichel, had to reassure mum-of-two Sabrina the Danish midfielder was still breathing after he collapsed.
      The 27-year-old, who has stood by his side for 10 years, moving around the world as his football career blossomed, was by his side when he woke in hospital.
      Sabrina sacrificed her own life in Denmark to move to London, ditching her hairdressing career to become a WAG when Christian signed for Tottenham in 2013.
      Christian is helped by medics after collapsing in Euros matchCredit: Reuters
      Terrified Sabrina climbs over the barrier to run to her manCredit: AFP
      After building a life in London, including a close friendship with Harry Kane’s wife Katie Woodland, she upped sticks again to followed him to Italy when he signed for Inter Milan last year.
      The couple, who met when Sabrina was 18, are as devoted as ever and despite Christian’s huge salary of £6.5m a year, they have always shunned the wild parties in favour of quiet dinners with friends and nights out at music gigs.
      The couple have shared romantic holidays in Dubai, Tanzania and Malaysia in recent years as well as rubbing shoulders with Danish royalty.
      While other WAGS spend their days in beauty salons and shopping in designer stores, Sabrina keeps a low key existence, looking after three-year-old Alfie and his sibling, born in January this year.
      Sabrina is comforted by Kasper Schmeichel after Eriksen’s collapseCredit: AP
      Chris and Sabrina met in 2012Credit: Instagram @chriseriksen8
      Quiet life in a £7m North London mansion 
      Born in Tommerup in Denmark, Sabrina was 18 and studying to be a hairdresser when she began dating Christian in 2012.
      When he signed for Tottenham the following year, she initially stayed in Denmark to complete her beauty course, before following him to London where she briefly worked for a clothing brand.
      Christian has admitted that adjusting to life as a premier league player in London was difficult for both of them.
      The couple work out in their private gymCredit: Instagram
      “You have to learn how to cope physically and mentally, but I can handle the pressure and the demands because I live seven days a week for my job,” he says.
      “That is very tough for my girlfriend. Of course I would like to go out in the city with her and friends, but it just doesn’t fit in with playing in England.”
      In 2016, Christian signed a new longterm contract with Spurs and splashed out on a mansion in a wealthy area in North London, where a five-bed house costs between £7m and £28m.
      Chris’s 26th birthday celebrations at home
      Snow in the garden of their North London houseCredit: Instagram
      Fine dining and a date with royalty
      Even before becoming parents, the couple shunned red carpets and glitzy parties for intimate meals with their closest friends, Harry Kane and Katie Woodland.
      Tottenham Striker Harry took the Danish player under his wing as soon as he joined the club and Sabrina and Katie became close friends very quickly.
      They bonded further over their pregnancies, with Katie giving birth to daughter Ivy just four months after Alfie was born, and both giving birth to a second child early this year.
      The couple dine out with Harry Kane and wife KatieCredit: eriksen.christian24/Instagram
      On couples’ nights out, before the couple moved to Milan last year, they choose high end London restaurants including Zuma, in Knightsbridge or Aqua Shard – where a steak costs upwards of £40.
      Sabrina and Christian also love live gigs, and were spotted singing along at a Major Lazer gig in London before the pandemic. The four friends recently got together for a Bruno Mars concert, in 2019.
      Although they swerve the limelight as much as possible, they do make exceptions for royals.
      In 2014, they met the Danish Queen Magrithe II at an official bash in their native country, posting a glamorous picture from the event.
      Chris wrote: “An absolute honour to meet the Queen of Denmark yesterday! A night to remember!”
      The couple after meeting the Queen of DenmarkCredit: Instagram
      Christian on the pitch with buddy HarryCredit: Rex Features
      Holidays in Dubai and a safari in Tanzania
      The couple like to travel and are adventurous in their destinations.
      In 2017, before Sabrina fell pregnant, they took an extended break in Tanzania, where they went on a luxury safari holiday, costing around £5000 a head.
      The couple were thrilled to see elephants, rhinos and lions as well as enjoying some downtown on stunning golden beaches.
      Other pre-lockdown trips have included Dubai, where they were pictured riding a camel, and Malaysia, where they stayed in Kuala Lumpur.
      The romantic pair have also taken breaks in Rome and Amsterdam, where they visited Christian’s old Ajax haunts.
      Chris pictured with an elephant in TanzaniaCredit: Instagram
      The couple on a camel in DubaiCredit: Instagram
      A short break to AmsterdamCredit: Instagram
      Beach destinations are a favourite getaway tooCredit: Instagram
      Romantic partner born on Valentine’s day
      With a birthday on Valentine’s Day, it’s not surprising Christian likes to get a little slushy on his Instagram posts.
      Every August he posts an anniversary picture, writing in 2017: “Five years with this incredible and wonderful person.”
      In December 2017, the couple announced they were expecting their first child with a cute shot of themselves cuddling, with Chris holding the scan pic and Sabrina wearing a shirt reading “coming soon.”
      He wrote: “Mum and dad to be. #proud” with a heart emoji.
      And fatherhood has made him even more romantic.
      On February 14, 2019, he posted a picture of Sabrina and Alfie with the message: “My birthday, Valentines and any other day of the year crew.”
      On holiday last year, he posted a picture of Sabrina kissing Alfie with the words: “Not enough love for these 2!”
      In 2021, Eriksen announced the arrival of baby number two – although the tot has never been publicly named.
      Sharing a picture of himself with Sabrina, Alfie and the newborn, he wrote: “Family of four.”
      The couple shared the birth of baby number two in JanuaryCredit: Instagram @chriseriksen8

      The pair announce Sabrina’s pregnancy onlineCredit: Instagram
      Sabrina joins her partner at a Spurs matchCredit: EPA
      Rocked by fake ‘scandal’
      The path of this true love was running smoothly until 2019, when false cheating rumours put a bump in the road.
      The couple were forced to rubbish online rumours that Sabrina had cheated on him with married team-mate Jan Vertonghen.
      The original tweet spreading the fake news read: “Christian Eriksen’s wife has reportedly been caught having an affair with his team-mate Jan Vertonghen.”
      But Christian stood by his partner, answering with a simple “Bulls***”.
      Chris posted this with the words ‘Not enough love for these 2’Credit: Instagram
      Christian shares a sweet moment with Alfie, threeCredit: chriseriksen8/Instagram
      The Tweet also claimed the Spurs squad were involved in a bust-up – with Harry Kane involved – attaching pictures of Jan Vertonghen sporting a black eye.
      But Jan replied with a series of emojis, including a heart next to Christian’s Twitter handle.
      The Sun revealed that the injury was instead from an ‘accidental’ training ground collision with Eriksen earlier this season.
      The vicious gossip would test any relationship but Christian stuck by his girlfriend as steadfastly as she has always stuck by him.
      Christian with baby Alfie in a Daddy shirtCredit: Getty – Contributor
      In the terrifying moment, when she thought she had lost him, Sabrina’s world looked like it was crumbling.
      But now, back in the Premier League, their future looks far more rosy.
      Peter Schmeichel says Denmark game shouldn’t have continued after Christian Eriksen collapsed on pitch More

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      in Soccer

      Liverpool transfer target Luis Diaz was discovered by Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama and went on to star at Porto

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      COLOMBIAN forward Luis Diaz looks set to a move to Premier League, in what has been a remarkable journey to the top.The 25-year-old Porto star was coveted by Tottenham in the past year, but now appears to be destined for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool in a mammoth £50million deal.
      Colombian star Luis Diaz has become one of Europe’s most sought after starsCredit: AFP
      Diaz grew up in the Wayuu tribe of indigenous peoples in the small village of BarrancasCredit: Getty
      As a kid, Diaz grew up in the small village of Barrancas in the Wayuu tribe of the indigenous people of Colombia.
      The ethnic group mostly live in the arid Guajira Peninsula close to the border with Venezuela, on the Caribbean coast.
      His opportunity to break out of his humble surroundings came at the 2015 Copa Americana de Pueblos Indígenas, a South American football tournament for indigenous people.
      There, he impressed World Cup legend Carlos Valderrama and went on trial at first division Atletico Junior before he was immediately sent to farm team Barranquilla FC.
      However, he had to be placed on a special diet to gain weight after suffering with malnutrition.
      But it didn’t stop Diaz from becoming a superstar at Porto, as well as top scorer at last year’s Copa America along with Lionel Messi.
      And recently, he became a father to a baby daughter with love of his life, Gera.
      Modest origins
      As a kid, Diaz would watch trains carrying coal zoom past his village gathered from the pits of Cerrejon and bound for Europe.
      It gave him hope and a dream to escape his modest origins for a different kind of life.
      He was one of 380,000 of the Wayuu people, the largest indigenous ethnic group in Colombia who populate the La Guajira region.
      Kicking a football about was his escape from reality.
      But, growing up in the Wayuu way of life had its pitfalls for an aspiring footballer.
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      Colombian legend Carlos Valderrama was impressed by Diaz at a football tournamentCredit: AFP – Getty
      The Wayuu people are the largest indigenous ethnic group in Colombia and populate the La Guajira regionCredit: Getty
      As fate would have it
      At the age of 17, Diaz appeared at a football tournament that hoped to find the next big thing from a pool of indigenous talent.
      The raw winger, a scrawny skinny teen at point nicknamed ‘Lucho’, was a breakout star – drawing praise from iconic Carlos Valderrama, who was in attendance.
      His weight, though, was a cause for concern.
      Figures from 2008-2016 showed that children of the Wayuu tribe have been neglected by the Colombian government through the years, with around 4,700 dying of malnutrition during that period.
      His coach for the tournament, the un-related John ‘Pocillo’ Diaz revealed his fears for the youngster.
      “For a moment, we thought it would be very difficult for him to perform because ‘Lucho’ seemed to have malnutrition problems,” he told the BBC.
      “He was very skinny and lost the duels with other players. But despite that, he managed to stand out among 400 candidates and make the 26-man squad.”
      Luis Diaz was instrumental in getting his country to the final of the competition in Chile, scoring two goals along the way, but suffered disappointment in the final when they were beaten 1-0 by Paraguay.
      Still, there was no chance he would be returning to his former life in Barrancas now.
      After starring at a competition for indigenous people at 17, Diaz was signed by Atletico JuniorCredit: Getty
      Chance to impress
      A trial at Atletico Junior saw him farmed out to second division Colombian team Barranquilla FC.
      He drew comparisons to his idol Ronaldinho thanks to his quick feet and trickery on the pitch.
      Luis was also incredibly likeable because of his humility and determination to get every ounce out of his ability.
      After just one season with Barranquilla, Atletico Junior welcomed him to their fold and he became a regular starter in 2018 – just three years after he was discovered.
      He scored 16 goals in his second campaign for the club, winning the country’s first division twice.
      In March 2019, Diaz made his international debut for his country as his rapid ascension in the game knew no bounds.
      Within months, he would finally achieve his dream and move to Europe.
      Diaz quickly outgrew Atletico Junior and was coveted by European clubsCredit: AFP
      Porto
      With a reputation of developing Colombian stars, including James Rodriguez, Radamel Falcao, Fredy Guarin and Jackson Martinez, Porto seemed the natural fit for Diaz after they registered their interest in the exciting player.
      So, he turned down moves to Cardiff City and Russian side Zenit St Petersburg to move to Portugal.
      He hit the ground running on the left flank, scoring 14 times in the 2019-20 season and 11 goals the season after.
      And he has continued to grow on the biggest occasion.
      At last year’s Copa America he drew plaudits for his swashbuckling displays as Colombia finished third.
      A spectacular overhead kick against Brazil, along with goals against Peru and Argentina saw him tie for the Golden Boot with the great Lionel Messi.
      Europe took note.
      Personal growth
      Diaz’s remarkable success story on the pitch has been coupled with joy in his personal life.
      He has been supported by girlfriend Gera Ponce, 22, as he became one of European football’s most desired stars.
      Diaz has continued his rapid rise at PortoCredit: AFP
      A spectacular overhead kick against Brazil in the Copa America alerted Europe’s clubsCredit: AFP
      Wag Gera has supported Diaz as he has continued his rapid ascensionCredit: Instagram / @gera25ponce
      To top it off, he became a daddy for the first time – welcoming a baby daughter last month.
      Seemingly, Merseyside is Diaz’s next destination on his voyage.
      This time, he won’t be making it alone. More

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      in Soccer

      Newcastle transfer target Bruno Guimaraes’ Wag Ana Lidia Martins is graduate who wows Instagram fans with bikini pics

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      NEWCASTLE United are reportedly close to signing Lyon ace Bruno Guimaraes.The Geordies are believed to have a tabled a bid of around £30million for the Brazil international – but face competition from Arsenal and Juventus.
      Ana Lidia Martins is the latest Brazilian Wag who could be headed to our shoresCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Beauty Martins is a nutritionistCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Newcastle transfer target Bruno Guimaraes and Martins have been dating since 2020Credit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Should the offer be accepted, and the defensive midfielder puts pen to paper on a no doubt lucrative contract, you can expect him to make the move with his long term girlfriend.
      Gorgeous Ana Lidia Martins, 24, has dated the football star since 2020.
      The Brazilian beauty is a nutritionist and currently works in France with clients.
      She also loves swimming in the sea, riding in private yachts, and shares her glam life to over 20,000 followers on Instagram.
      Football nut
      Ana comes from a football mad family.
      She grew up in Curitiba, where the beautiful game was always being watched in her home with her dad and mum both fans.
      After going through high school, she went to university and studied nutrition which she holds a degree in.
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      It’s not known exactly when she began dating Guimaraes, but Ana moved to France shortly after Bruno signed for Lyon from Athletico Paranaense.
      She has since settled in to life in Europe, enjoying breaks away and embracing snow and ski trips.
      But it’s in a bikini where she clearly feels the most comfortable.
      Glam holidays
      Ana loves to travel with Guimaraes and the pair live a jet-set lifestyle during preseason.
      Last summer they visited Cassis in South France together, and hired a boat.
      While, during the winter break they went to Courchevel – one of the world’s glam ski resorts.
      Guimaraes certainly felt loved up, posting an image in a cable car with Ana.
      He captioned the snap: “Great weekend with my life!! I love you my girl.”
      Martins loves to travel and visit cities like ParisCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Guimaraes and Martins went on a winter break away recently
      Last summer Martins showed off her bikini body on board a private yacht in CassisCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Martins shows her support for Brazil international GuimaraesCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      Martins often shares health and nutrition tips to followers on social mediaCredit: Instagram @analidiamartinss
      When she’s not travelling, Ana is a qualified nutritionist.
      She regularly gives her followers on social media advice and health and fitness tips.
      It certainly seems to be working for her. More

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      in Soccer

      Man City target Julian Alvarez is the heir to Aguero, was on Real Madrid’s radar aged 11 and fancies himself as a singer

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      MANCHESTER CITY are on the verge of signing Argentina superstar Julian Alvarez from River Plate.The Premier League giants will pay around £20million for the talented forward, 21, beating a host of Europe’s top clubs for his signature.
      River Plate sensation Julian Alvarez is set to sign for Man City, according to reportsCredit: Getty
      Rated as the best player to come out of South America since Neymar, Alvarez could have already been plying his trade in LaLiga.
      As a youngster Alvarez trialled with Real Madrid aged 11. However, rules permitted Los Blancos from adding him to their academy.
      Instead, he rose through the ranks in his homeland at River, won the Copa Libertadores, and was last season’s top scorer in the Argentine Primera Division.
      It’s not wonder he has been called the heir apparent to City legend Sergio Aguero, who recently retired.
      And he even fancies himself as a singer – recently joining his favourite band Los Caligaris on stage at a show in Buenos Aires.
      Early praise
      From a young age, growing up in the northern town of Calchin in the Argentinian province of Cordoba, Alvarez appeared to have a natural ability.
      He started out at his local club Atletico Calchin, before he embarked on a journey to find a professional club.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      Aged 11, Alvarez was training at Real MadridCredit: Instagram @juliaanalvarez
      After a trial with Boca Juniors, River’s fierce rivals, he went to Spain with Real Madrid keen on him.
      Back in 2011, he played in a youth tournament for them and scored twice. They were keen to keep tabs on him, but signing Alvarez would prove impossible.
      Also, with the issue of his family being settled in Argentina, Alvarez didn’t want to be separated from his bloodline.
      “I was playing children’s championships at Real Madrid, I was 11 years old but only at 13 Real Madrid could sign me definitively at the club,” he told Argentinian newspaper Clarin.
      “To do it at that time, my whole family had to move and we had to settle there. I went back to Cordoba.”
      With the support of his family, Alvarez rose through the ranks at River Plate
      River calling
      In 2016, Alvarez joined River Plate and played in the now defunct Generation Adidas Cup – a tournament that serves as a springboard for the stars of tomorrow.
      Spearheading their attack, it was no surprise River won the competition that year and in 2017.
      Already, there were glowing reports about the teenager being fed to first team coach Marcelo Gallardo.
      In 2018, he was handed his debut coming on as a substitute for the final half an hour in a 1-0 Primera Division win against Aldosivi.
      Just a few months later, he came off the bench against Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores final.
      Not only did he win plaudits, he also got his hands on his first piece of silverware as River saw off Boca 5-3 on aggregate.
      But it wasn’t until 2019 that Alvarez could celebrate his first goal in the famous red and white shirt – scoring in the 3-0 win over Independiente. A star was born.
      Alvarez forced his way into River Plate’s line-up in 2018Credit: Getty
      By 2020, Alvarez found himself regularly on the scoresheet for the Argentinian giantsCredit: Getty
      Gallardo made him a star
      Under the enigmatic Argentinian coach Gallardo, who draws comparisons to Pep Guardiola in South America for his coaching methods, Alvarez’s game has improved ten fold.
      In 2020, he became a goalscoring machine – scoring five goals in six Copa Libertadores group stage games.
      It was form that saw Alvarez force his way into the manager’s eleven as a main striker or playing on the flanks.
      But, his 14 goal contributions in all competitions came with a warning. Could he repeat his success? Or would he prove to be a one-season wonder.
      He didn’t just repeat it, he bettered it.
      Elevating his game to new heights, he was the Primera Division’s top scorer with a lethal 18 strikes in just 21 games last campaign.
      River Plate landed the title thanks to Alvarez’s goals and were indebted to the youngster.
      He was also handed the South American Footballer of the Year Award, joining the likes of Pele, Diego Maradona and Neymar.
      In 2021 Alvarez celebrated lifting the Copa AmericaCredit: Instagram @juliaanalvarez
      At this year’s World Cup, Alvarez is expected to be a big player for ArgentinaCredit: AFP
      Alvarez joined Los Caligaris on stage in Buenos Aires to singCredit: Twitter @golazoargentino
      His star has risen to the point where pop bands now want him as part of their act.
      Over the weekend, he joined popular group Los Caligaris at a concert at the Tecnopolis music venue.
      Watching them from the side of the stage, he was soon handed a microphone to help sing along to their hit Razon.
      At the Qatar World Cup 2022 in December, Alvarez is also expected to take centre stage and showcase his talents to a wider audience – having already helped his country win the 2021 Copa America.
      Should he excel, he will have City fans licking their lips in anticipation for his arrival. More

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      Football stars who have played as emergency goalkeeper, like Dani Alves, Harry Kane, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand

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      OUTFIELD football stars volunteering to become an emergency goalkeeper  was fairly commonplace in the 1970s and 80s, but these days it’s a rare sight.With at least one goalkeeper on the subs’ bench, the chances for an outfield player to pull on the gloves are few and far between.
      Who remembers when Harry Kane played in goal for Tottenham?Credit: AFP – Getty
      But every now and then, it still happens – and fans love it.
      Here are some of the most memorable times in recent memoryDani Alves for PSG v Sochaux, 2018
      Brazil hero Dani Alves showed no fear in going in goal for Paris Saint-Germain in 2o18.
      Standing at just 5ft 6ins, the usual full-back seemed almost eager to replace Kevin Trapp between the sticks after the goalkeeper was sent-off.
      It might be because the French giants were already cruising 4-1 in the Coup de France against Sochaux,.
      But he did have to face a dangerous free-kick immediately.
      That was blasted into the wall, and seconds later the whistle was blown.
      But while Alves’ spell in goal proved short, sweet and uneventful, other outfield players have had a much busier time of it when thrust in an alien position.
      Dani Alves didn’t have a lot to do when he took on the gloves for PSGCredit: Getty
      Harry Kane for Tottenham vs Asteras Tripoli, 2014
      Tottenham were coasting with the scoreline reading 5-0, and Harry Kane had already scored a hat-trick in the Europa League clash.

      But despite scoring a treble in the thrashing, Kane may be remembered for a blooper when he went in goal.
      Hugo Lloris was shown a straight red card for bringing down Tasos Tsokanis in the dying moments, and Kane took on the gloves.
      He then proceeded to let Jeronimo Barrales’ poor free-kick squirm under his body, and the Greeks had finally got on the board at 5-1.
      Speaking to ITV 4 after the thrashing, Kane said: “It was a great night until I went in goal.
      “In fairness I think I’ll leave that to the keepers from now on.”
      This was the moment Harry Kane conceded a tame goal when he donned the goalie glovesCredit: AFP – Getty
      But Harry Kane could be forgiven, he had earlier banged a hat-trick in the Europa League tieCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      John Terry for Chelsea vs Reading, 2006
      The game will be remembered with horror by fans of both these clubs, and the wider footballing world.
      With less than 20 SECONDS on the clock, Reading striker Stephen Hunt collided with Chelsea keeper Petr Cech when going for the ball, and the keeper suffered a serious head injury.
      Carlo Cudicini was introduced to replace him, but ended up being stretchered  off on the stroke of full-time.
      The Italian left the pitch in a neck brace and Chelsea’s ‘captain, leader, legend’ John Terry went in goal.
      He saw out the rest of the game without conceding.
      But the game will be remembered for the horror injury that means Cech has to wear a protective helmet to this day.
      John Terry was forced in goal when Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were both injuredCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea legend didn’t concede a goal as Chelsea defeated ReadingCredit: Reuters
      Rio Ferdinand for Man United vs Portsmouth 2008

      Back in 2008 Man Utd and England legend Rio Ferdinand took the goalkeeper gloves when United were in dire straits.
      Edwin Van der Sar had gone off injured in the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Portsmouth.

      Then sub keeper Thomas Kusczak was sent off and Ferdinand’s first job was to save a Sulley Muntari penalty.
      Although he guessed the right way, the Ghanaian’s spot-kick sneaked in past his out-stretched hand.
      That goal 12 minutes from full-time dumped the Red Devils out of the famous old competition.
      Rio Ferdinand came so close to saving Sulley Muntari’s penaltyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Man United were dumped out of the FA Cup by Portsmouth – but it wasn’t Rio’s faultCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Glenn Hoddle for Tottenham vs Man United, 1980
      The midfield maestro actually played in goal THREE times during his career with Spurs -and remarkably was never on the losing side.
      As a footballer, Hoddle could clearly do no wrong.
      Back in 1980, Spurs keeper Milija Aleksic collided with Man United striker Joe Jordan, suffering a broken jaw, and Hoddle was thrust the gloves.
      Time and time again he won the aerial duel with a bustling Jordan, while Spurs tried their best to prevent shots being peppered at him.
      The FA Cup game went into extra-time with the score tied at 0-0.
      But with just two minutes of time remaining Spurs forward Ossie Ardiles curled home a beauty, ran to celebrate with Hoddle, and the game was over.
      Glenn Hoddle played in goal three times for Spurs, and was never on the losing sideCredit: YouTube
      Niall Quinn for Man City vs Derby, 1991
      Centre forward Niall Quinn had already scored once against Derby for Manchester City, and he looked a good bet to add some more goals to his name.
      But then No1 Tony Coton was sent off, it was 6ft 4in  Quinn, who donned the gloves in the time of need.
      And it couldn’t have gone better.
      The Irishman saved Dean Saunders’ penalty and City went on to win the game thanks to his goal.
      Niall Quinn donned the goalkeeper gloves – then saved Dean Saunders’ penaltyCredit: Alamy
      Niall Quinn had earlier scored his 20th goal of the seasonCredit: Alamy

      David Webb for Chelsea vs Ipswich, 1971
      Chelsea were left in a right pickle for their league clash against Ipswich.
      Regular No1 Peter Bonetti was injured in the previous game, and with his understudy John Phillips also out with injury, club official tried desperately to recall Steve Sherwood from his Christmas break in Yorkshire.
      But he got stuck in traffic on the M1, so the gloves were passed to David Webb – to play the FULL game in goal.
      He had replaced Bonetti between the sticks in the previous game against Coventry – and obviously impressed enough.
      Incredibly, the defender kept a clean-sheet on the mudbath of a pitch, and Chelsea won 2-0.
      David Webb was swapped from defence to goalkeeper for Chelsea – and it didn’t turn out too badCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cosmin Moti, for Ludogorets vs Steaua Bucharest, 2014
      Cosmin Moti will go down in Ludogorets folklore for single-handedly making history.
      The Bulgarians were playing Steaua Bucharest in a Champions League play-off, and with the teams set to head into a penalty shoot-out, tied at 1-1, Ludogorets keeper Vladislav Stoyanov was sent off.
      Centre-half Moti took over in goal – and ended up being the hero.
      He scored his side’s first goal in the shoot-out, then saved two Steaua penalties to send the minnows into the Champions League for the first time in their history.Keys of Ludogorets, surely?
      Cosmin Moti could barely believe he had led Ludogorets into the Champions LeagueCredit: EPA
      The defender first scored a penalty, and then saved two of the opposition’s to go down in the record booksCredit: EPA More

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      Chelsea transfer signing Dylan Williams moves from Derby with blessing of boss Wayne Rooney who gave him debut aged 16

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      CHELSEA have completed the signing of Derby left-back Dylan Williams for an undisclosed fee.The Blues have added the 18-year-old wonderkid to a depleted squad, with the belief he can add cover in the wing-back spot for long-term absentee Ben Chilwell.
      Dylan Williams has completed his move to Chelsea from Derby CountyCredit: Instagram @dylanrwilliams_
      Exciting full-back Williams has a burst of pace and loves to get forwardCredit: Rex
      It is a move that completes a remarkable rise for the teenager, who only made his debut for the Rams in 2021 aged 16 in a FA Cup tie against Chorley.
      Since then, he has appeared in Wayne Rooney’s first team and earned rave reviews.
      It was with Rooney’s blessing that Williams signed a deal with the West London giants, who couldn’t stand in the way of the youngster’s Premier League dream.
      But his story didn’t begin Derby… it started initially in the Black Country.
      Youth career
      Explosive defender Williams was on the books at Wolves and developed at their academy, before moving to Derby in 2020.
      In his first year at Moor Farm the teenager turned heads for his pace and versatility.
      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      He linked up with the U18 side, starring in wins over Sunderland, Middlesbrough, and Blackburn.
      Within months, he was promoted to the U23’s where he continued to develop and became a regular.
      Williams particularly impressed in matches against Premier League 2 academy teams Leicester City and Manchester United, which made Rooney sit up and take note.
      A first team debut was imminent.
      Cup debut
      When Derby County’s squad was decimated by a coronavirus outbreak last season, fourteen players from the club’s academy were forced to make their debut against Chorley in the FA Cup third round.
      It was no surprise the game ended in a defeat for the inexperienced Championship side, losing 2-0 to the minnows.
      But, it did give Williams blooding into the first team.
      And he was one of the few that did impress, not giving up until the final whistle after being thrown in at the deep end.
      Aged just 16 Williams made his debut for the Rams against Chorley in the FA CupCredit: Rex
      Williams continued to impress in the first team and made nine appearancesCredit: Getty
      He made his second appearance in the Carabao Cup tie against Salford City that Derby won 5-3 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw.
      Fans were certainly impressed by his performance, commenting on social media how he had grown into the game and wasn’t scared of bombing forward.
      Williams went on to appear a further seven times in the first team.
      ‘My decision’
      At a press conference before the Rams faced off against Nottingham Forest, Derby boss Rooney addressed the speculation about the future of Williams.
      The England legend admitted the club were in talks with a Premier League giant who wanted to buy him.
      Rooney revealed he spoke with Williams and made the decision for the club to allow his talent to pursue a dream opportunity.
      “We have agreed a fee with a Premier League club, still getting finalised as we speak, for Dylan Williams,” Rooney said.
      “It is one where I felt I couldn’t deny him the opportunity, so that is my decision, not an administrator’s decision.
      “It was my decision after speaking to the player, I felt I couldn’t deny a young lad an opportunity of going to play in the Premier League.
      “I actually don’t know what the fee is, that has been agreed between the other club and the administrators.
      “I took control of it and said I wanted to speak to the player and see what his feelings are, and it is a massive opportunity for the player, which I understand.
      “Hence the fact I was happy for him to leave the club for a new venture somewhere else.”
      Williams is now expected to link up with Chelsea’s academy teams, where he will familiarise himself with the superb Cobham facilities.
      Wayne Rooney revealed he couldn’t deny Williams a move to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
      Williams is expected to be blooded into Chelsea’s academy teamsCredit: Instagram @dylanrwilliams_
      And he took to social media to document his next chapter.
      “Wow. I am absolutely delighted to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he wrote on Instagram.
      “Thank you so much for everything the staff and players have done at Derby County. I cannot wait to get started at Chelsea.” More

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      British footballers who had a crack at Serie A including Beckham, Gascoigne, Souness, Smalling, Ramsey and Abraham

      by

      AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES is the last British footballer to have a crack at Serie A.The Arsenal midfielder joined Roma on-loan until the end of the season this month, and is the second English star to line-up for Jose Mourinho’s side – with Tammy Abraham joining from Chelsea last summer in a £34million move.
      Ainsley Maitland-Niles has gone to Serie A on loan at RomaCredit: Getty
      Tammy Abraham signed for Roma in a £34m move from Chelsea last summer
      The England international is believed to be on £80,000 a week for five years – the same as he was on at Chelsea.
      And it is understood Chelsea inserted a £68m buy-back clause into the deal – which can be triggered in two years’ time.
      Here SunSport examines the British players who have have walked the path before Abraham by trying to boss Serie A.
      FIKAYO TOMORI
      Tomori joined AC Milan on loan in January as he looked for more regular football having been frozen out by Chelsea.
      Milan made the deal permanent in June – paying the Blues £24m for the centre-back.
      The 23-year-old impressed in his first five months at the San Siro, where he made 22 appearances and even scored a goal.
      His early-season form in 2021-22 earned him a recall to the England senior squad, too.
      Fikayo Tomori has been with AC Milan since January and made the move permanent in June
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      AARON RAMSEY
      Ramsey’s Italian job could be over.
      The former Arsenal midfielder, who joined Juventus in 2019, is being linked with a moved back to the Premier League – with the likes of  Newcastle, Wolves and Tottenham said to be in the hunt for the Wales star’s services.
      He hasn’t quite hit the heights in Serie A as he did with the Gunners on our shores, and he’s certainly not the first British footballer to try and crack Italian football.
      Aaron Ramsey has failed to light up Serie ACredit: Getty Images – Getty
      ASHLEY YOUNG
      In January 2020, Young left Manchester United for Inter Milan, in what seemed quite a strange move.
      In the twilight years of his career (he’s now 36) the winger turned full-back didn’t appear to have much left to offer.
      However, he enjoyed a renaissance in Milan under Antonio Conte – helping end the club’s long wait for the Serie A title.
      He moved back to Aston Villa in the summer of 2021.
      Ashley Young’s Inter Milan won the 20-21 Serie A titleCredit: Getty
      CHRIS SMALLING
      Smalling, 31, enjoyed a successful loan at Roma in the 2019-20 season, so the club decided they had to retain his services.
      They even paid Manchester United a whopping £14m to secure a deal for the centre-back.
      However, last season his fitness was called into question.
      He suffered with knee and thigh injuries and even had food poisoning, which saw him play just 21 games.
      And this season things are not much better, missing much of the season with a hamstring problem.
      Chris Smalling has had mixed fortunes at RomaCredit: EPA
      RAY WILKINS
      To consider Butch’s success, you need only look back to 2018.
      His premature death, at the age of 61, saw former clubs Chelsea and Man Utd go into mourning and pay tribute to their former midfielder – and AC Milan were no different.
      Team-mate Franco Baresi held up a Milan shirt with Wilkins’ name on the back and laid a wreath while the players wore black armbands at the San Siro.
      Wilkins spent three years in Milan and set a British record when he moved from Old Trafford in 1984 for £1.5m.
      Former Chelsea and Man United midfielder Ray Wilkins was a huge success at AC MilanCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “It was an immense time for me,” Wilkins recalled.
      “The game was played more like an international than a league game, like a game of chess where you had to pit your wits against the best.”
      Despite not winning a trophy in his three years at the club, Wilkins was one of the big success stories of British exports to Italy.
      Milan’s website remembers him as ‘a serious and meticulous professional’ known for his ‘exemplary correctness’ and ‘extraordinary tactical intelligence’.
      Franco Baresi paid tribute to Wilkins at the Milan derby after his death in AprilCredit: Getty – Contributor
      PAUL INCE
      The Guv’nor spent two years on the blue and black side of Milan.
      Like Wilkins, Ince is remembered as a success for his time at the San Siro after making a £7.5m move from United in 1995.
      But Ince’s start in Italy wasn’t quite so smooth as there were rumours of a return to the Premier League just five months after arriving.
      Ince, who lived by the picturesque Lake Como, later revealed that he may well have gone back to England had Roy Hodgson not taken charge.
      The England international brought energy to the Inter midfield alongside Nicola Berti as the two men dominated the centre of the park.
      Paul Ince had a difficult start at Inter but is still adored by fansCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Ince is remembered as a hero by the Inter fans, especially after helping the club reach the Uefa Cup final in 1996.
      Sadly for the England man, it ended with the all-too-familiar feeling of defeat in a penalty shoot-out.DAVID PLATT
      If it wasn’t for that stunning volley in extra time of England’s Italia 90 quarter-final, Platt may have never made the move.
      The following year he was signed by Bari from Aston Villa in a deal worth £5.5m and immediately immersed himself in the Italian culture.
      “I wanted to become an Italian, speak like an Italian, to live and eat like an Italian,” Platt once said.
      It took just a few months for him to be fluent in the language.
      Despite Bari being relegated, Platt was a success in the side and earned a move to Juventus.
      His stay in Turin wasn’t so fruitful and he ended up joining Sven Goran Eriksson at Sampdoria where he enjoyed his best period, with 17 goals in 55 appearances.
      Platt was so highly regarded, he ended up returning to be the club’s manager in 1998, but that didn’t work out quite so well.
      David Platt immersed himself in Italian culture after joining Bari in 1991Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Platt played for three Italian clubs and his biggest success came at SampdoriaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      PAUL GASCOIGNE
      Mainstream English interest in Serie A began with Gazza.
      His £5.5m move from Spurs to Lazio saw millions of English people follow the Italian game and led to coverage on Channel 4.
      Gazzetta Football Italia was born out of the England man’s move.
      Gascoigne is remembered fondly in Italy and his iconic celebration, with arms outstretched after scoring an 89th-minute equaliser against rivals Roma, will never be forgotten.
      But Gazza’s time in Serie A saw him struggle with injury problems.
      In three seasons at Lazio, he managed to play in only 47 games and score just six goals.
      Failing to learn the language saw Gazza struggle to settle and he ended up moving to Rangers in 1995.
      Recently, however, he kept a host of young Italian fans riveted by his antics in their version of I’m a Celebrity.
      Paul Gascoigne made Italian football popular among the English but his time in Serie A was plighted by injuriesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      DAVID BECKHAM
      Becks loved Milan so much he went there twice.
      Two years after leaving Real Madrid for LA Galaxy, the former England captain headed on loan to the San Siro and was a hit in the red and black of AC Milan.
      Beckham was back on the continent and competing at the top again but his sojourn was seen as a money-maker in Milan.
      Then vice-president Adriano Galliani said: “Football today is about full stadiums and sponsors, and superstars like Beckham fill them up. With him, Kaka and Ronaldinho, it will be a dream team.”
      It was a star-studded squad but they won nothing.
      Beckham scored twice in 18 appearances in his first season but played just 11 games the following campaign.
      David Beckham was on loan at AC Milan twiceCredit: Getty – Contributor
      ASHLEY COLE
      A contender for the Premier League’s greatest left-back, it didn’t quite work out for Cole in Rome.
      The former Arsenal and Chelsea man’s most memorable moment from two years at Roma was actually off the pitch.
      A team photo appeared to show Cole physically separate from his team-mates, with subsequent stories of how he was isolated.
      In an interview with Soccer AM, Cole explained the snap: “I’m on the end [of the line] and my friend next to me Urby Emanuelson was stood next to me – but he leaned forward.
      “I’m so hot and tired and stood there like this [Cole slumps]… I had friends there, I had great friends.”
      Cole’s contract at the Stadio Olimpico was terminated by mutual consent in 2016 after just 16 appearances for the club.
      Ashley Cole’s time at Roma is memorable for this incredible team photo
      Ashley Cole’s contract at Roma was terminated by mutual consent in 2016Credit: Reuters
      JOE HART
      It was meant to be his revival.
      After being dropped by new Man City boss Pep Guardiola, England’s former No1 headed to Torino on loan to revive his career.
      But the move didn’t go so well.
      In Hart’s first game he was blamed for Atalanta’s equaliser when his punch from a corner fell to an opponent who scored.
      And it all ended in acrimony when Torino’s president criticised the keeper for his performances and mentality.
      Urbano Cairo told Tuttosport: “There’s too much being said about Hart.
      “Since this has been happening, his performance levels have dropped. This is already the third time we concede a goal this way and that’s a bit too much.”
      Joe Hart tried to revive his career with a loan move to TorinoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      GRAEME SOUNESS
      Rewind three decades and Graeme Souness’ move to Sampdoria saw the club rise to a greater status in Italy.
      The Scot marshalled the midfield and dominated each game in his two years at Samp in the mid-80s.
      Unlike many of the Brits abroad, Souness lifted the Coppa Italia in his first season at the club with a win over AC Milan after he’d scored in the first leg.
      Souness remembered Samp as a welcoming club.
      He told Football Italia: “We had a great President in Paolo Mantovani and he treated everyone like his own son. It’s a lovely club in beautiful city.
      “I was lucky enough to be there and I can honestly say it was one of the best times in my career.”
      Graeme Souness thrived in Italy and won the Coppa Italia in his first year at SampdoriaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      LEE SHARPE
      After struggling with injuries, Leeds boss David O’Leary loaned Sharpe out to Sampdoria.
      The former Man Utd midfielder was joining David Platt – the club’s boss – and looking to revive his career.
      But an issue with Platt’s coaching badges meant he was replaced by Luciano Spalletti, and Sharpe’s opportunities nose-dived.
      “I’d had a while out with a cruciate knee injury,” Sharpe said.
      “I wasn’t properly match-fit. So they put me on a training programme and in matches I was getting half an hour here and an hour there.
      “But after four or five weeks Platty ran into difficulty because he didn’t have his coaching badges and it all fell away really.”
      Lee Sharpe’s loan move from Leeds didn’t work out after a change of managementCredit: Reuters
      IAN RUSH
      Did he say it or didn’t he?
      The prolific Welsh striker’s two years at Juventus are remembered for a controversial quote that Rush denies ever saying.
      “I couldn’t settle in Italy, it was like living in a foreign country,” he was claimed to have said.
      Speaking to FourFourTwo in 2016, Rush said: “I didn’t actually say Italy was ‘like living in a foreign country’.
      Ian Rush’s time in Italy is remembered for a controversial quote he claims he never saidCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “No one has ever seen a direct quote from me saying that. I’m blaming Kenny Dalglish.
      “When he re-signed me, a reporter asked me, ‘Why have you come back?’ Kenny quipped: ‘He said it was like playing in a foreign country.’ He’s got a lot to answer for!”
      Rush was welcomed to Turin by 5,000 adoring fans but went on to score just seven goals in 29 appearances.
      He remembered the Old Lady as ‘the right club at the wrong time’.
      Tammy Abraham talks about joining new club Roma in £34m transfer from Chelsea More