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      David Beckham endorsements: From £115m lifetime Adidas deal to £150m to be face of Qatar World Cup

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      THE endorsements keep on coming for David Beckham.The England football legend, 46, has been announced as the face of the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
      David Beckham has made a fortune through endorsements though the yearsCredit: Adidas
      He will reportedly be paid a staggering £150million over the next decade to become the country’s ambassador.
      Ex Manchester United star Becks, said to be worth around £330million, has been an ad man’s dream over the years, even after retiring from the game.
      Here’s who has put their money in their pocket to get the former midfielder to peddle their products.
      ADIDAS
      Back in 2003, Beckham penned a lifetime deal with Adidas.
      It was later revealed that he was paid a whopping £115million by the German sport giants.
      At the time it was one of the biggest sponsorship deals in sport.
      Since then, that figure was surpassed when Adidas paid Beyonce for her Ivy Park range.
      In 2003 Beckham signed a lifetime deal with AdidasCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      England legend Beckham’s deal with Adidas is said to be worth £150mCredit: Adidas
      TUDOR
      Becks had a long-established relationship with watchmakers Breitling.
      And when they were bought by Tudor, he soon appeared with one of their smart timepieces on his wrist from 2017 – thus both getting their man.
      It’s never been revealed how much David earns from the deal, and it’s worth noting he also collects Rolex watches.

      Becks models Tudor watchesCredit: Splash News
      HAIG CLUB
      In 2014, Beckham helped create whiskey brand Haig Club.
      So, it made sense that they made him the global ambassador, where he travels around the globe promoting the brand.
      His stake in the business is believed to be worth £50million.
      Haig Club is part-owned by Beckham and now worth around £50mCredit: Handout
      EMPORIO ARMANI
      Famously, at the height of Posh and Becks fame, David modelled for the Italian designer, Armani.
      He posed in their undies in 2007 on a messy bed, and later admitted he stuffed socks down them to appear bigger down below.
      It was reported he was paid £20million for the privilege.
      Emporio Armani paid Beckham £20m to model pantsCredit: Handout
      The deal with Armani was signed in 2007Credit: Handout
      GILLETTE
      In 2004, Becks inked a deal with American shaving company Gillette that was said to be worth over £3million-per-year.
      Three years later he walked away from the deal, after reports he wanted to sign profit-share agreements for his sponsorship deals moving forward.
      Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Thierry Henry have all followed in Beckham’s footsteps.
      In three years with Gillette, Beckham made around £10millionCredit: Gillette
      KONAMI
      The Japanese video game maker signed up Becks as a PES ambassador in 2017 on a longterm contract.
      It means Beckham appears as a Legend player in the myClub mode of the Pro Evolution Soccer series.
      The value of the deal has never been disclosed.
      Konami signed Beckham up exclusively for PES 2018Credit: Konami
      PEPSI
      Pepsi have always had their fingers in the pie of football, after all they sponsor the Champions League.
      Becks’ association with the American soft drink company began in 1998, and he appeared in an ad walking down the tunnel after being subbed off, seeing a kid with a can of Pepsi in his hand and asking for a sip.
      After 10 years, they cut ties, but it was supposed to be worth £2million-per-year.
      [embedded content]
      KENT & CURWEN
      Back in 2015, fashion house Kent & Curwen relaunched, with Becks modelling their expensive clothing.
      But four years later, after the company reported an £18m loss, he walked away from the deal.
      He did have a stake in the brand until his departure.
      After a loss of £18m across three years, Beckham cut ties with Kent & CurwenCredit: Getty – Contributor
      SAINSBURY’S
      When the supermarket ditched Jamie Oliver in 2011, there was only one man they wanted.
      They secured Beckham on a reported £3.5million deal, as he took on an ambassadorial role.
      The Three Lions hero is still believed to be tied with Sainsbury’s, selling his deodorant range through them.
      Beckham replaced Jamie Oliver as a Sainsbury’s ambassador in 2011Credit: Sainsburys
      JAGUAR
      Getting a car sponsorship gives you a lovely company motor – hence Beckham added a limited edition £140,000 F-TYPE Project 7 to his extensive car collection with this one.
      His relationship with the luxury British car manufacturers started in 2014, and he supported several product launches in China.
      It is not known how much the deal is worth, or how long he will be Jaguar’s brand ambassador.
      However, for the sake of being first in line to receive a new fancy car you would do it for free.
      Beckham was picked by Jaguar to represent their brand in ChinaCredit: Alamy
      Beckham’s Inter Miami suffer fifth straight loss as under-pressure boss Neville calls for ‘investigation’ into VAR call More

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      Neymar may never win Ballon D’Or but Brazil have dazzling young talents in Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Lucas Paqueta

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      NEYMAR is the only Brazilian name on the list of candidates to win this year’s Ballon D’Or.But it would be an error to read too much into that statement.
      Neymar may never win the Ballon d’Or in his lifetimeCredit: Getty
      Firstly, because the whole award thing attracts more interest than it is truly worth.
      The quest to win the player of the year prize has almost certainly been an unnecessary burden that Neymar has had to carry.
      He was born into the era when it seemed like a Brazilian birthright – Romario, Ronaldo, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka all have a statue on their mantelpiece. 
      But, as Lionel Messi has always understood, these prizes are secondary, an acknowledgement of work well  in a collective context. 
      In a team sport as fluid as football, it would be unwise to give too much importance to individual gongs.
      Secondly because the absence of Neymar’s Paris Saint Germain team-mate Marquinhos is hard to explain. Is there a better centre back around? 
      Perhaps Marquinhos suffers from being so good in his own low profile way that his qualities are not shouting loudly.
      And maybe it is a waste for such a class defender to be playing for PSG.
      And thirdly because Neymar is not going to be on his own for long.
      The evidence of the last few days highlights that there is a new Brazilian generation ready to climb the heights.
      Eyebrows were raised a few years back when Real Madrid paid big money for Vinicius Junior, who at the time had not even made his professional debut for Brazilian club Flamengo.
      What seemed like a rash gamble has turned into a good piece of business. The pace of Vinicius terrifies defenders. If his finishing could still do with some improvement, that is hardly a surprise.
      The marriage of precision with pace will never be an easy one, and Vinicius moves so quickly that it can be hard to keep his head still when he closes in on goal.
      But he is getting better – which is a worrying thought for full backs everywhere.
      Vinicius Jr was a thorn in Barcelona’s side in el classicoCredit: Getty
      Vinicius was in full flight for Real Madrid as they won Sunday’s super-classico, while, in a very different way, his compatriot Rodrygo was another headache for the Barcelona defence.
      Without the bursting athleticism of Vinicius, Rodrygo is sleek, classy, clever, and increasingly willing to put in a full shift.
      He is a dazzling talent, and it will be fascinating to see how he develops.
      Brazil had a quick look at Rodrygo a couple of years back, but he has not been called into the national squad of late. Left footed winger Antony has been named in the squad, and did well off the bench in this month’s FIFA dates.
      Ajax is proving a good destination for a player who had a tendency to be infuriatingly individualistic, and he was on the scoresheet in Sunday’s win over PSV Eindhoven.
      Lucas Paqueta, meanwhile, did not score for Lyon at the weekend – he was on target in the Champions League in midweek – but is enjoying a fine year.
      Milan, his first European destination, was a predictable challenge.
      The tall left footed attacking midfielder is versatile and classy, but has had a lot of maturing to do.
      He has had to cut down on attacks of adolescent petulance – he turned up late for the game in midweek and was punished by spending the first half on the bench.
      But he is undoubtedly blossoming. Indeed, his understanding with Neymar is one of the triumphs of the Brazil side.
      Another triumph is the rarity with which they are conceding goals. It is hard to score against Brazil.
      A large part of that has to do with Marquinhos and the collection of fine keepers that Brazil have available.
      Lucas Paqueta at Lyon has shown his qualityCredit: EPA

      But some credit is also due to Eder Militao, who is pushing Thiago Silva very hard for a place in the starting line up.
      The Real Madrid centre back has wonderful recovery speed, and shut out Barcelona until stoppage time, when Sergio Aguero grabbed a consolation goal.
      Now that Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have moved on, Militao is getting solid game time and proving himself worthy of it.
      This is good news for Real Madrid, and good news for Brazil.
      Defence goes a long way to winning titles, and if Brazil can end a 20 year wait and land the Qatar World Cup, then the chances of a Brazilian receiving the Ballon D’Or are undoubtedly improved.
      Huge mob of furious Barcelona fans surround Ronald Koeman’s car outside Nou Camp after El Clasico defeat to Real Madrid More

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      Former Premier league star Thomas Gravesen lives in Las Vegas, is believed to have a £100m fortune and plays poker

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      WHAT a life!When former Everton and Real Madrid hardman Thomas Gravesen hung up his boots at the age of 33, even he could never have thought retirement would’ve gone so smoothly.
      Thomas Gravesen has been living it up since moving to Las Vegas
      Yet, 16 years since joining Real Madrid, the Danish international, who was famed for his tough-tackling that earned him the nickname ‘Mad Dog’, is now living a life of luxury in Las Vegas.
      He is astonishingly said to have made around £100m from investments and playing poker since he last kicked a ball.
      His riches mean that he lives in a mansion behind a private community, where his neighbours include the likes of Hollywood star Nicolas Cage and tennis legends Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf.
      And if that’s not all, Gravesen, now 45, has settled down in Sin City with a gorgeous Czech model… Jealous? You will be.
      MONEY, MONEY, MONEY
      Gravesen didn’t do too bad in the game financially.
      In fact, at the height of his fame – playing at the Bernabeu – he was reportedly earning £85,000-per-week in 2005.
      According to Danish tabloid BT, knowing he needed to plan for a life after football, Gravesen invested his wages into several financial businesses.
      And luckily, the Dane struck gold – making tens of millions when many of his investments came through.
      BT didn’t say what Gravesen gambled his money on, but they revealed he took his dosh and ran… to Las Vegas!
      Tough-tackling Gravesen earned around £85k-per-week at Real MadridCredit: EPA
      Gravesen is now reportedly worth around £100mCredit: Rex Features
      Gravesen took his new-found riches to Las Vegas and started playing pokerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      VIVA LAS VEGAS
      With money in his pocket and dollar signs in his eyes, ‘Mad Dog’ went to Sin City to start a new chapter in his life at the age of 37.
      And armed with a bank balance that would make your eyes water, he wasn’t going to do it half-heartedly.
      Danish tabloid BT claimed Gravesen took his newly made fortune to the casinos – where he enjoyed games of poker.
      But, because he’s not so well-known in the US, he was able to fly under the radar, and just appeared to be another high-roller.
      HIS ACCOMPLICE
      Gravesen moved to Las Vegas in 2013 with his stunning partner Kamila PersseCredit: Facebook
      Persse is known to join Gravesen at the poker tables in Las Vegas casinosCredit: Facebook
      Former model Persse is now a estate agentCredit: Facebook
      One of the reasons Gravesen is said to have moved to America was because of the love of a good woman.
      The man who once play-wrestled Ronaldo during training, knocking one of his teeth out in the process, fell in love with Czech-American stunner, Kamila Persse.
      BT reported that he followed her to the States, they married, and the pair are said to love the Las Vegas casino circuit, as well as the clubs and bars.
      Now 43, she regularly joins him in games of poker, blackjack and roulette.
      A retired model, Persse has since taken up real estate, working for an established US firm.WHERE’S HIS DIGS?
      The wealthy people of Las Vegas either live in a fancy penthouse at the top of a casino, or behind a private, gated community.
      The latter is how Gravesen likes it, who clearly likes to have his privacy respected.
      According to reports, Gravesen settled into Summerlin, an affluent area that lies at the edge of the Spring Mountains with Red Rock Canyon to the west.
      National Geographic Adventure named it the number one place to live and play in 2007.
      Gravesen lives in the exclusive Canyon Fairways gated community of Summerlin in Las VegasCredit: Luxury Homes Las Vegas
      Houses can cost as much as £4.5m in Canyon FairwaysCredit: Luxury Homes Las Vegas
      Gravesen has some fancy celebrity neighbours tooCredit: Luxury Homes Las Vegas
      Hollywood actor Nicolas Cage is said to live in the Canyon FairwaysCredit: Corbis – Getty
      And with the area boasting residents with an average annual income of £120,000, you can imagine a property there doesn’t come cheap.
      Gravesen’s home can be found behind the gated community of Canyon Fairways, which is surrounded by incredible golf courses, including  TPC Las Vegas, Tournament Players Club Summerlin and Angel Park Golf Club.
      Homes inside the compound can cost as much as £5m.
      NEED FOR SPEED
      With his wealth and lifestyle, you can imagine that Gravesen is riding a tasty motor.
      The biography, Mad Dog Gravesen: The Last of the Modern Footballing Mavericks claims he’s been spotted driving a Mercedes SLR McLaren.

      And carrying a price tag of almost £400,000, you can bet he’s careful with it zooming along Nevada’s freeways.
      Only 2,157 Mercedes SLR McLarens were made, and each one was bespoke to the buyer’s needs.
      Able to hit a top speed of 208 mph, it also shows Gravesen’s need for speed.
      Gravesen is said to drive a £400k Mercedes SLR McLaren around Las VegasCredit: Alamy
      Gravesen has made £80m playing poker, according to reportsCredit: Rex Features
      Barcelona stars Pique and Vidal win £500k in pro poker tournament with £25k buy-in More

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      Cesc Fabregas’ stunning Wag Daniella Semaan is 12-years older, a mum of five and has been called Queen of the Wags

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      SHE is the gorgeous Lebanese-born mother of five who is married to ex-Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas.Daniella Semaan is one hell of Wag, turning heads wherever she goes with her sultry looks and enviable figure.
      Stunning Daniella Semaan turns heads wherever she goesCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      Age is nothing but a number for Daniella Semaan and Cesc FabregasCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      The glamorous Wag was dating the Chelsea star for seven years before he popped the question back in 2017.
      But Daniella also has a feisty side that would appeal to any red-blooded male. So, what is it that charmed the Blues star?
      She’s 12-years Cesc’s senior…
      EITHER Cesc is a big fan of Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate or he has a penchant for the older lady.
      Beautiful Daniella is 46-years-old, but she certainly doesn’t look it at all with a body to die for.
      It’s easy to see how Cesc, 34, fell for her charms and she’s definitely a sophisticated gal, who likes to be wined and dined.
      And if you’re into star signs, she was born on June 4 which makes her a Gemini.
      Geminis are famed for being talkative, passionate, witty and independent, so Cesc certainly has his hands full.
      Daniella Semaan loves the luxurious things in lifeCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      Daniella Semaan is one of the most fashionable Wags aroundCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      A mother-of-five…
      DANIELLA and Cesc began their love affair in 2011 and since then they’ve had three children.
      First to come along was their daughter Lea.
      They added Capri to their brood in 2015, and Daniella gave birth to their third kid, Leonardo back in 2017.
      Daniella also has two children from a previous relationship with ex-husband Elie Taktouk, called Maria and Joseph.
      Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan have had 3 kids togetherCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      Controversially met…
      DANIELLA and Cesc first set eyes on each other in Japanese restaurant Nozomi in London’s super-wealthy Knightsbridge area.
      She revealed how she approached his table to ask for an autograph for her football-mad son, Joseph. The pair soon swapped numbers.
      However, according to reports and who you believe, Barcelona’s wags have a different story to tell.
      Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan met in a fancy Knightsbridge restaurantCredit: GC Images – Getty
      Daniella Semaan has a body to die forCredit: Fame Flynet
      They said that Daniella hip-swayed towards Cesc’s table with a hand-written note with her number on it, left the piece of paper on his table and sashayed away.
      But, according to her millionaire London-based businessman ex-husband Taktouk, she was still married at the time.
      Taktouk also alleged that he and Daniella were trying for a baby.
      It was alleged that Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan had an affairCredit: Splash News

      There was a legal battle…
      IT ALL got a bit messy for Daniella, Cesc and her ex-husband.
      Taktouk suggested Cesc and Daniella had an affair in a court battle over the proceeds of their 13-year marriage.
      He also said Daniella lied to a judge by claiming Cesc didn’t fund her extravagant lifestyle.
      Things got messy for Daniella Semaan and Cesc Fabregas in a legal divorce battleCredit: Reuters
      Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan show their love for one another at the Nou CampCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Taktouk wanted a reversal on an order that said he must sell the home they shared.
      He was left further furious when he listed the home and a bid of £5.4m was made on the property by a company belonging to Cesc, which he rejected.
      Cesc and Daniella won their legal battle in the end, the Belgravia flat was sold and she was awarded £1.4 million.
      Ex-husband Elie Taktouk was forced to sell the pair’s Belgravia flat after acrimonious court case
      Cesc Fabregas and Daniella Semaan are one of football’s most glamorous couplesCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      Don’t mess with her…
      SUPERMODEL, and former squeeze of Leo DiCaprio, Bar Refaeli felt Daniella’s wrath back in 2012.
      The Israeli stunner was hanging around Barcelona’s star players, attending the Nou Camp regularly and tweeting about it.
      Bar even posed with players including Fabregas, Pique, Messi and Xavi in snaps she shared online.
      Barcelona’s famed Wags were in uproar, but only Daniella spoke out to save the day.
      She tweeted: “Some models obsession about certain player is becoming ridiculous… some respects please !”
      And Daniella had the support of then Barca midfielder Thiago’s girlfriend Julia Vigas, who shared Daniella’s tweet.
      Now, if that isn’t girl power we don’t know what is.
      Daniella Semaan stood up for wag Antonella Roccuzzo against Bar RefaeliCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan
      Daniella Semaan shows off her enviable figure in a stunning bikiniCredit: Instagram @daniellasemaan

      Queen of the Wags…

      WELL, we’re calling her that because she’s certainly use to life’s luxuries.
      Back in Barcelona, when she first began dating Cesc, Daniella was often seen zooming around the most prestigious streets of the city in his Ferrari.
      She was a well-known shopper and all the designer stores in the Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona’s answer to Bond Street, knew her.
      Her particular favourite shop was Chopard, where she would often buy expensive jewellery.
      Daniella Semaan knows how to live like a WagCredit: Instagram @cescf4bregas
      Lady in red… Daniella Semaan is fiery and feistyCredit: Dan Kennedy – The Sun
      However, it wasn’t all plain-sailing with the wags… just ask Andres Iniesta’s missus, Anna Ortiz.
      At their 2012 wedding, Daniella turned heads in a cleavage-revealing purple silk dress that was slashed to the hip.
      There were whispers that she had tried to steal the limelight from the bride, but it all blew over quickly.
      Daniella Semaan and Cesc Fabregas got engaged after 7 years togetherCredit: Reuters
      And finally…
      DANIELLA isn’t popular online. In fact, she was once a target for a hate campaign in her native Lebanon.
      In a spiteful war she’s had on Twitter with someone calling themselves Doctor Lebanon, she’s been labelled a “gold-digger” as well as a “soulless cougar” in several nasty attacks.
      Daniella Semaan is a hate-figure for cyber trolls in LebanonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Daniella Semaan landed the man of her dreams in Cesc FabregasCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The cyber troll appears to have intimate knowledge of Daniella, having grown up near her in the small village of Miziara.
      Whoever Doctor Lebanon is, it takes a brave mortal to take on this tough chick.
      And they’d certainly have Fabregas to answer to too.
      Cesc Fabregas claims only two players were on his level at end of Arsenal career and reveals he cried after losses More

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      Man Utd star Harry Maguire could have been an accountant but has still made a fortune with his ‘massive head’

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      Manchester United captain cost an astronomical figure.But, the mind-boggling figures should be no problem for Harry Maguire who could’ve traded a football career for being an accountant, according to his former teacher.
      Maguire became the most expensive defender in the world after signing for United in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
      But Maguire, nicknamed slab-head, could have been an accountant, his former teacher revealedCredit: PA:Press Association
      The burly 6ft 4in defender was a revelation at Leicester City and one of the first names on the team sheet for England, but when he was a kid he was a numbers whizz.
      So good in fact that Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer splashed out £85million to bring him to Old Trafford.
      Maguire, 28, attended St Mary’s Catholic High School in Chesterfield, where he excelled with his studies.
      “He was a remarkable pupil who always came in and worked very hard,” Sue Cain, deputy headteacher at the school told the Derbyshire Times.
      “He was never in any trouble and he had such a good attitude. He did everything you asked him to do and he never questioned why. He was a popular lad.”
      The brainy centre half ended up scoring high grades in his exams, including in maths which is where Cain believed he had a future.
      “He got A* and A grades in his GCSEs,” she revealed.
      “I think he would have gone on to study business or maths and probably have been an accountant.”
      In the end, the Sheffield-born star chose football, even though he showed promise at cross-country running, rugby and table tennis as a pupil.

      A keen runner as a kid, Harry Maguire, left, shone at school sports dayCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      Maguire, second row first from the right, was a brain box at schoolCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      His former PE teacher, Martin McKee said he was destined to become a footballer.
      “He could really dominate a game from central midfield,” he divulged.
      “He had an aura about him. He could dribble around everyone if he wanted to.”
      FAMILY AFFAIR
      Level-headed Maguire might’ve left the school 10 years ago, but he’s still very much part of their fabric.
      He returns regularly, giving talks to the boys about his experiences and presented his former teachers with a signed shirt.
      It’s the same school his brother Laurence, who plays for Chesterfield, attended. Their sister, Daisy, 19, was also taught at St Mary’s.
      Football in the Maguire clan is a family trait. Another brother Joe, 27, was last seen playing for non league side Buxton FC.
      But it’s Harry who’s earning all the plaudits now and he’s had to work hard to get where he is today.
      As a youngster he looked up to the likes of John Terry and Rio Ferdinand, knowing that he had to work hard on his distribution to be taken seriously in the modern game.
      On his last trip to the school, Maguire presented a signed shirt to former PE teacher, Martin McKee and Deputy Headteacher, Sue CainCredit: Glenn Ashley Photography
      As a teenager, Maguire starred for boyhood club Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      At The Blades, Maguire won their Player of the Season award three years in a rowCredit: PA:Press Association
      HE ACHIEVED HIS DREAM
      He fulfilled a childhood dream by playing for Sheffield United, where he came through their youth system.
      In his first full season, he helped the Blades into the playoffs as they attempted to gain promotion from League One.
      A heartbreaking penalty shootout loss in the final to Huddersfield Town in 2012 dampened his spirits slightly.
      However, Maguire’s contribution was well-received, and he was named both their Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year during a remarkable nine month spell.
      Sporty Maguire launches a shot put during sports practiceCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      Maguire’s presented with a house awardCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      Soon, Maguire was playing in the Premier League with Hull CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maguire scored his first Premier League goal against MiddlesbroughCredit: Reuters
      For the next two years, he was crowned Player of the Year as his star continued to grow.
      PREMIER LEAGUE REGULAR
      In 2014, Steve Bruce, a commanding centre half in his day, decided to splash £2.5m on the promising talent.
      That’s where Maguire continued a trend of rising to a tougher challenge.
      In 2016, he made his Premier League debut with Hull City – becoming a regular when Marco Silva took charge.
      Harry Maguire become an England hero at the World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Fearless defender Maguire helped England reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty – Contributor
      It was a tumultuous season for The Tigers, who in the end were relegated, but for Maguire, personally, it was another landmark.
      Showing his leadership qualities, he captained the East Yorkshire side to victory against Middlesbrough in April 2017 in a 4-2 win.
      He also scored his first Premier League goal – a bullet header – that’s become something of a trademark.
      In 2017, Leicester City secured Maguire’s services for £17m, which had some experts in the game questioning his transfer fee.
      But Maguire instantly became a hero on the pitch with the Foxes. His heart and desire earning him the Players’ Player of the Season, as well as Fans’ Player of the Year in his first season.
      Goals from headers have become Maguire’s trademarkCredit: Reuters
      Leicester City paid £17m for Maguire’s services in 2017Credit: Reuters
      A fearless competitor, Maguire’s a hard grafter on the training pitchCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Maguire modelled his distribution on the likes of John Terry and Rio FerdinandCredit: Getty – Contributor
      His commitment to the cause – Maguire played every minute of the 2017-18 campaign – was adored by his supporters.
      HE’S NOT VERY SHOWBIZ
      Off the pitch, Maguire lives his personal life privately.
      He does have a glamorous Wag in tow, the beautiful Fern Hawkins – a physiotherapy graduate – who rose to fame after she was seen cheering him on in Russia from the stands.
      The pair regularly pose for loved-up selfies on social media, but Maguire is normally one to shun the limelight and glitzy life.
      In 2019, they became parents for the first time – and Maguire shared a snap of his daughter Lillie Saint on Instagram.
      A year later they added Piper Rose to their family.
      Fern Hawkins is Harry Maguire’s stunning girlfriendCredit: Instagram
      Every inch a Wag, Hawkins shares snaps of her glamorous life on social mediaCredit: Instagram
      Hawkins rose to fame cheering on Maguire from the stands at World Cup 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Despite sharing some snaps on social media, Maguire does like to keep his private life personal
      Maguire got engaged to Hawkins in 2018Credit: Instagram @_fernhawkins
      In 2019 Maguire shared an image of his daughter on social mediaCredit: Instagram @_fernhawkins

      But don’t be fooled into thinking he’s all showbiz now. After all, we’re talking about a man who once reported for England duty with two carrier bags full of his stuff that trended on Twitter. That picture got him a rollicking from his mum.
      “I’ve seen the picture on Twitter with the bags. It was just full of boots and shin pads and dirty stuff which I’ll give the kit man,” he said at the time.

      “I’ll try and get some better luggage in future. My mum mentioned it. She sent me a text later on saying ‘what’s with the bags?’”
      Should he move to Old Trafford, he can certainly ask Paul Pogba for some luggage advice.
      However, it’s hard to imagine modest ‘slab-head’ being affected by a big-money transfer to start splashing the cash on designer luggage.
      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer comments on defence void without Maguire as Lindelof and Bailly try to fill void More

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      Meet Amanda Staveley, Newcastle takeover leader and former model who rejected Prince Andrew’s marriage proposal

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      AMANDA STAVELEY has led the Saudi Arabia-backed consortium trying to take over Newcastle United since 2017.Finally, the mega-connected businesswoman has been successful – with the £300m Toon takeover now completed.
      Businesswoman and former model Amanda Staveley led the Saudi-based takeover of NewcastleCredit: Camera Press
      Staveley met Prince Andrew in 2001 and they dated for two yearsCredit: Rex Features
      Staveley, herself, and her PCP Capital Partners firm are set to take a 10 per cent stake in the club as part of the deal, and she will take her seat on the board.
      But behind-the-scenes, the Yorkshire-born financier, 48, is battling a crippling brain disease that can lead to dementia.
      She was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease in 2013, for which there is no cure.
      And before she made her foray into the football world, Amanda was courted by ‘Randy Andy’ Prince Andrew.
      However, two years later the former blonde model, who stands 6ft tall in heels, turned down his hand in marriage because she didn’t want to become a Royal.
      THE MEETING PLACE
      In 2000, Staveley launched Q.ton – a health club, gym, restaurant and conference centre in the Cambridge Science Park for £10million.
      A year later, Andrew, then a UK trade ambassador, went to the science park with King Abdullah of Jordan, one of its many investors, and met Staveley for the first time.
      Immediately besotted by her beauty and intelligence, Andrew took her number and they began dating.
      The relationship was beneficial for both parties – Amanda was introduced to Andrew’s contacts book, while he reportedly enjoyed inaugurating her into his inner circle.
      According to reports, she called him “Babe”, while he sent her racy jokes in text messages and emails.
      Andrew soon became entranced by Staveley reportedly sending her racy text messagesCredit: Camera Press
      Andrew loved introducing Staveley to his high-society friendsCredit: Rex Features
      Andrew was so entranced by his new love, Staveley was invited to Buckingham Palace and Sandringham, while she also helped decorate his home in Windsor Great Park.
      The Queen and Prince Philip were believed to be delighted for Andrew, and gave Staveley their seal of approval.
      However, he couldn’t get her down the aisle. In 2003, she politely declined his marriage proposal.
      “Andrew’s a lovely man and I still care for him a great deal,” she told the Daily Mail.
      “But if I’d married him, my independence would have disappeared.”
      HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE
      In 2013, Amanda was diagnosed with Huntington’s disease – a degenerative disorder that affects people later in life.
      When the cruel illness takes effect, sufferers’ brain functions begin to slowly decline and mood swings, memory loss, as well as involuntary body movements are just some of the symptoms she could face.
      She was told by doctors that the disease is dormant, but could be triggered through stress and pressure at work.
      Amanda discovered she had inherited the Huntington’s gene from her mum Lyne – a former champion show-jumper – when she was tested before starting her own family at 37.
      In 2011, Staveley married Iranian businessman Mehrdad GhodoussiCredit: Robert Shack Photography
      Staveley suffers from Huntington’s diseaseCredit: Rex Features
      She credits husband Ghodoussi for being patient with herCredit: Avalon.red. All rights reserved.
      “The stress brings on the onset of the disease, and the disease is fatal,” she revealed to the Mail on Sunday.
      And she is the first to admit it has made her difficult for her husband, Mehrdad Ghodoussi, who she married in 2011.
      “I have the most incredibly patient and loving husband. I didn’t want to get married when I found out about the disease – but he said he didn’t care, and that we would find the best medical care available.”
      Although, rather strangely, Huntington’s made Amanda better with numbers when she was a City dealmaker with Barclays bank.

      “It’s actually very useful because I’ve never needed a calculator,” she said.
      “The Barclays guys were always shocked that I could do complicated financial models in my head. I thought I was just good with numbers – it turns out I was sick.”OVERCOMING ADVERSITIES
      Before she could count the likes of Simon Cowell and Sir Philip Green as mates, and was whisked around in a chauffeur-driven £250,000 Rolls Royce Phantom, Staveley had to overcome adversity as a teenager.
      Incredibly, she was accepted at Cambridge University aged just 16 – after completing her A-Levels in one year.
      But Amanda had to drop out after suffering a number of setbacks.
      Staveley has accrued a wealth of £120m and can count on mates including Sir Philip Green and Simon CowellCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Aged 16 Staveley was accepted to Cambridge UniversityCredit: Rex Features
      Her dad Robert Staveley, a north Yorkshire landowner who founded the Lightwater Valley theme park, suffered a heart attack.
      And her mum’s Huntington’s illness reared its ugly head, and she had her own personal issues to deal with too.
      “When I got to university my dad had a heart attack, my mum was very ill with Huntington’s, and I also had an eating disorder,” she said.
      “I was educated at a girls private school – Queen Margaret’s in York – and I found being educated with men at university very tough. I had a psychologist, I was sectioned, my weight dropped and I didn’t know how to cope.”
      MAKING CONTACTS
      At the age of 23, Staveley managed to convince a bank to lend her £180,000 to set up her own restaurant.
      Stocks was launched in the village of Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, where Amanda took on the role of chef and waitress – often working till 4am to make sure she was prepped for the next day.
      But, despite her long hours, it didn’t deter her from studying for her City exams with ambitions to become a financial adviser, as well as fulfilling modelling duties for extra cash.
      With its proximity to the Newmarket Racecourse, Stocks became a haunt for the flat-racing fraternity.
      Members of the Dubai-ruling family, the Maktoums, who own the Godolphin Stables, were regulars.
      Arab princes and dotcom tycoons from ‘Silicon Fen’ – a nickname given to a region of Cambridgeshire which is home to a cluster of high-tech businesses, were also customers.
      Staveley’s first business venture was Stocks restaurantCredit: 2008 AFP
      Over the years Staveley built up an enviable contacts bookCredit: PA:Press Association

      And with such high-prestige clientele, Staveley was well-placed to pick up an enviable contacts book when she finished her studies.
      Since her Stocks days, she has amassed a personal fortune worth around £120million, has a home in Dubai and a luxury apartment on Park Lane.
      Soon, she may just add a Quayside penthouse overlooking the Tyne to her property portfolio.
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      in Soccer

      Naby Keita: Liverpool midfielder grew up in poverty in Guinea, playing football barefoot and supported Reds as a kid

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      HE wore a Liverpool jersey as a kid, but Naby Keita can’t have imagined he would be putting on a Reds shirt for real in a Premier League match while growing up in Guinea.The midfielder joined Liverpool in a £52.75 million deal from RB Leipzig three years ago.
      Naby Keita has gone from the slums to the high-lifeCredit: Instagram @keitanabydeco
      Naby Keita in action for Liverpool at Atletico Madrid this weekCredit: Alamy
      A box-to-box midfielder with great control, a tireless runner and the ability to find the back of the net, the 26-year-old is blessed with talent.
      But despite being born with a natural ability and steely determination to make it as a footballer, his pathway wasn’t always the easiest.
      Growing up in the poor and politically unsafe surroundings of Conakry in Guinea, Keita would play barefoot in the streets, dodging traffic and occasionally getting bumped by cars.
      It’s that grounding that has made Keita the competitor he is, hungry to reach the top no matter what stands in his way.
      As a kid, Keita grew up a Liverpool fanCredit: Instagram @keitanabydeco
      Keita first played for Horoya AC in Guinea

      “We played with whatever we could and I would have nothing on my feet, or sometimes, play with old, damaged shoes,” he told Goal.
      “I didn’t have boots and treasured football shirts that were given to me. All that has helped me be better prepared for anything now as a professional and I’m also not scared of anything on the pitch.
      “I was quite small and so I had to fight for everything: the chance to play, for the ball, to get respect and that’s why not even cars could stop me.
      “It’s where the aggression in my game, which is so important for my position, comes from.”
      Growing up in Conakry was hard for many Africans, including these refugees from Sierra LeoneCredit: AFP – Getty
      Conakry residents sort through garbage at an open-air dumpCredit: Reuters
      When Keita was 13-years-old, Guinean army officers attempted a coupCredit: AFP
      His mum Miriam and dad Sekou were sure their son was destined to become a pro, especially since he would kick anything that moved.
      “She has told me that anything that would fall from the table, whether it was a bottle of water or an orange, I would dribble with it,” he laughed.
      “Whatever was on the floor that I could kick, I would entertain myself with it. No matter where she would take me, I would do this.”
      Aged nine, he joined Horoya AC – a local team in the area, where he was recognised as the best player in his community.
      After a series of rejections, Keita signed for FC Istres aged 18Credit: Getty – Contributor
      French fans instantly took to Keita because of his lung-busting displaysCredit: EPA
      Young Keita was advised by African scouts to move to Europe, because that was his best way of getting noticed. But he wasn’t so sure.
      It was only when he started watching the Premier League on TV when he was 12-years-old that he knew he wanted to play at the highest level.
      “It was impossible to do that at home, so it was clear that I would have to test myself in Europe,” he revealed.
      “I was determined to become a footballer, not only because I loved the game, but so I could provide for my family.”
      Ironically, Keita has already worn a Liverpool shirt. His mates all followed the club religiously and his father is a big supporter.
      “My father is a huge fan!,” he claimed.
      “As far back as I can remember, he has been talking about them. Before I even knew what Liverpool was as a kid, he was mad about them.
      “Of course, when he found out about their interest and when the deal for next season was done, he was delighted.
      “He wanted to speak about Istanbul, Steven Gerrard and every other big game or player of the club.”
      As soon as he was old enough, Keita headed to France aged 16 where he embarked on several unsuccessful trials to prove his worth.
      He admitted he questioned whether or not he’d make it after he was rejected by various clubs, including Lorient.
      Street player Keita also confessed that he struggled to understand what coaches wanted from him when he was trying to showcase his skills.
      “I did wonder if I would ever make it. It was such a tough time,” Keita said.
      “You have your dream within touching distance, then it falls through and you have to start from the beginning again.
      “I was never exposed to the professional side of the game.
      “I didn’t grow up in an academy, everything I knew was from the street. I would get the ball, I would run with it, show some skill to beat a player and score.
      Keita made it the hard way, without any experience of academy footballCredit: Instagram @keitanabydeco
      “During these trials, coaches were asking me to do things I’d never heard of! They were using football terms that I couldn’t understand and giving instructions that I had no clue about.
      “I didn’t know about tactics and when I was rejected that is what I was told.”
      The first club to take a shine to Keita were cash-strapped Le Mans who wanted to sign the African schemer when he was 18.
      But, they couldn’t push through a deal because they were on the verge of bankruptcy. And then, fate stepped in.
      From rags to riches, Keita shows off his Gucci tracksuit on InstagramCredit: Instagram @keitanabydeco

      The Guinean was recommended to former Hibernian midfielder, Frederic Arpinon, who was Sporting Director for FC Istres, based in the South of France.
      Keita was subsequently offered a trial and he instantly impressed. He was signed up immediately and the move began his ascent in the game.
      Within a year, he found himself at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg playing alongside Sadio Mane, and teamed up with him at Anfield once again.
      “He helped me with everything – the language, making friends, understanding the club and the city,” he said.
      It’s been a meteoric rise for Keita since 2012Credit: AFP – Getty
      Now earning big money, Keita can afford to kit himself out in designer outfitsCredit: Instagram @keitanabydeco
      “Salzburg improved me as a player and I learnt so much there, I got a really tactical education.
      “Sadio was important for me, he still is! To me, he’s my big brother. He really likes to learn new things, to improve and to push himself and we are the same in this way. He’s a good example for me.”
      Should Liverpool be worried about Naby Keita’s disciplinary record ahead of next summer’s move? More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s teachers at Orchards Academy knew he was destined for the top

      by

      RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK is realising his potential in the heart of the Chelsea midfield.The Blues star, 25, excelled against Brentford as the Champions League holders held on for three points, and has become one of the first names on Thomas Tuchel’s teamsheet.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek attended Orchards Academy in Kent from 2007
      His form wouldn’t have gone unnoticed at Orchards Academy in Swanley, Kent, where Loftus-Cheek went to school from the ages of 11-16.
      SunSport dropped into the mixed secondary institution, approximately 15 miles southeast from Central London to find out more on the national team’s new hero.
      Humble, focused and determined, we learned he was always destined to become a footballer, according to his former tutors who have watched his steady-rise from Chelsea youth player to first team starter and England international.

      As a pupil at Orchards Academy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek excelled at number of sports
      A natural-born athlete, Loftus-Cheek could’ve gone into a number of sports professionally, including tennis, Head of PE Stuart Nicholson revealed.
      Nicholson, 45, taught his young protege for six years, helping him grow as a man and as a sportsman on the field.
      Loftus-Cheek was already on Chelsea’s books by then, but that didn’t stunt his determination in conquering all at sports day in 2009.
      Nicholson told SunSport: “As a young man, he was impressive. But on the football pitch, he was incredible.
      At sports day, Ruben Loftus-Cheek was form captain and was victorious
      “Ruben was a wonderful footballer from the first time I saw him, he had natural ability.
      “First time I met him, he was already associated with Chelsea, who I believe he joined when he was eight or nine.
      “He played for a local team in Swanley and was scouted very early and everyone could see in those days he had exceptional talent from day one.
      “He played a few times, but he didn’t play every game. Most of the time he was training with Chelsea.
      Orchards Academy’s Head of PE Stuart Nicholson taught Ruben Loftus-CheekCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “But when he did play, he played with a very successful team. In that year group, he played with a good standard of boys.
      “Many of those went on to play semi-professional and at a good standard locally.
      “But they weren’t just good at football. They were all-rounders, good at cricket and cross-country.

      “Ruben, himself, was very good at table-tennis, long-distance running and tennis.
      “I think he had the potential to go into any sporting area he chose, but I think football was the one for him.
      Stuart Nicholson revealed Ruben Loftus-Cheek was an all-round sportsmanCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He was so dedicated, you could see that from 12-years-old, to be the best he could be.
      “Ruben was the form captain and his form group, unsurprisingly, won at sports day.
      “He received the trophy because he was the captain.
      “It wouldn’t have been just him, his classmates participated too, but he was certainly the top man in terms of the athletics events he was in.”
      When Loftus-Cheek did turn out for his school team, he was literally head-and-shoulders above the rest. He didn’t quite fit his now 6’3″frame, but he wasn’t far off.
      Nicholson recalled one performance that had a teacher from a rival school purring about his pupils’ skills.
      “We played a school from Bromley away in the Kent Cup and I remember Ruben really stood out.
      “It was an early round and his performance was incredible. He was playing this team almost entirely on his own.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek recently visited Orchards Academy to greet staff and their pupils
      “The opposition’s PE teacher came up to me and asked me questions about who this boy was that he’d just seen because he was incredible.
      “I don’t think he gave away a pass once in that game, and we were playing a school that was bigger and had a better football reputation.
      “The opposing teacher couldn’t quite believe what he had witnessed.
      “He played central midfield for us back then.
      “He was always very athletic and extremely fit. At times he’d play passes that people didn’t even see.
      Orchards Academy is in Swanley, KentCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He was a level beyond everyone else on the pitch. He’d see things on the pitch that other people, including myself, couldn’t see.
      “But after a few seconds of the ball going into that area, you would realise. He was four, five, six steps ahead of everyone.”
      In 2010, Loftus-Cheek was selected for the England under-15s team – a dream for any football-obsessed teenager.
      However, when Nicholson pulled the aspiring footballer out of the classroom to share the good news, Loftus-Cheek was remarkably calm when told of his achievement.
      The school football pitch which Ruben Loftus-Cheek showed off his skillsCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      It was almost like he had expected it to happen.
      “On one occasion, when he was selected by the England under-15s team, I got notification via an email from the English Schools’ Football Association,” Nicholson explained.
      “I was ecstatic for him, so I went to see Ruben in class, got him out of the lesson to tell him the incredible news.
      “I shook his hand and said congratulations. He was quite nonchalant, he accepted it, but seemed to know it was going to happen.
      PE teachers (from left-to-right) Mr. Wheeler, Mr. Nicholson, Miss Haworth and Mr. Halsey are all delighted by Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s progressCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He always knew he had a chance of making it professionally, I’m sure of that.”
      Nicholson praised Loftus-Cheek for setting an example for students at Orchards Academy who fantasise about becoming a Premier League star.
      He also confessed it’s inspiring for all the teachers too.
      “It gives everybody a lift in the school.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek likes to return to Orchards Academy for sports day to hand out trophies
      “Everyone is always talking about his achievements.
      “And that’s not only the pupils, the staff get a lift too. It shows the students what they can achieve.
      “I know he was exceptionally gifted, but fundamentally he’s just a normal young man who has worked hard and has gone to the top.”
      Now that Loftus-Cheek has made it, you could be forgiven for thinking becoming a professional and earning a vast salary would’ve meant he lost touch with his roots.
      Happy to stay in contact with teachers at the Orchards Academy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek signs autographs for the pupils
      But that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, he regularly visits the school, often to attend his favourite event – sports day – to hand out medals to the kids.
      “Ruben comes back for things like sports day to give out trophies,” Nicholson revealed.
      “He stays in contact with the school, knows the developments we’re going through and is always interested in what’s going on.
      “The pupils went on a school trip to Barcelona and he asked how that was and how well the football teams are doing.
      Boys at Orchards Academy couldn’t believe their luck when Ruben Loftus-Cheek dropped into their schoolCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He also joked about wishing he got the chance to go to Barcelona during his time here.
      “Our Year 10 won the local cup and he came in to present them with their trophies too.
      “Then, he spent half an hour taking pictures with the guys and signing autographs.
      “In the afternoon, he hung out with the teachers and after school he played football with the boys in the playground.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek worked his way into the England squad after impressing Gareth Southgate in friendly matchesCredit: Reuters
      “The boys really loved it because they got to play with an England and Premier League footballer.
      “It was a special moment for them they’re never likely to forget.”
      Construction teacher Paul Gregory, a devout Chelsea fan, also spoke of his delight in seeing a former pupil come of age.
      The 54-year-old echoed Nicholson’s feelings that Orchards Academy couldn’t have a better member of their alumni than Loftus-Cheek.
      Construction teacher Paul Gregory called Ruben Loftus-Cheek an outstanding pupilCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He was an outstanding pupil,” Gregory said.
      “What I liked about him was he was always immaculately dressed, always cared about how he looked and his appearance.
      “He was really helpful with other students, as well as being a really nice kid.
      “I taught woodwork to his really close friends more than him, but they’d all turn up together to class and he was a genuine lad.
      “And being a Chelsea fan, I always used to talk to him about the academy there to see how he was getting on.
      As a Chelsea fan, Paul Gregory had reason to cheer on Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s rapid riseCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He is a fantastic role model for these kids, and the fact he came back and spent hours with the kids, signed every single autograph speaks volumes for him.
      “My son comes to the school and he had a kickabout with him in the playground.
      “And the kids here need that sort of role model, especially in this school, because we are in an unprivileged area.
      “They need that someone to focus on, someone that will help them aspire to be something.”
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek is the perfect role model for kids at Orchards Academy, Paul Gregory revealedCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      Gregory, who used to coach the school football team, respects the amount of hard work Loftus-Cheek put in to get where he is today.
      He was particularly pleased when he saw his former pupil find the net in a FA Cup against Scunthorpe back in 2016.
      “When he scored his first goal for Chelsea, my wife and my son were all watching the game on the TV.
      “We all cheered, we knew him and it was a great feeling to see someone achieve something like that from such a small school.
      When he made his debut against Germany, Ruben Loftus-Cheek gave Ilkay Gundogan the run aroundCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “I know how much effort he put in, I live locally and would see him running around town or kicking a ball around.
      “He’s a great example of getting through to the kids that if you try hard enough, you can get there. That’s exactly what Ruben did.”
      PE teachers Molly Haworth, 28, and Connor Halsey, 27, hope that Loftus-Cheek’s success rubs off on their current students.
      They were also wowed by his down-to-earth attitude.
      Molly Haworth and Connor Halsey hope Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s success rubs off on their studentsCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “He came in to the school recently and all the kids got an instant buzz from him being there,” Molly revealed.
      “He didn’t know then he was going to the World Cup in 2018, but we were sure he was going to get picked.
      “He seemed quite laid-back about it all, but I think deep-down he was a bit nervous about it.
      “When he was walking around the school, he was very cool and chilled out. He spoke a lot about Chelsea and Crystal Palace and enjoying his football.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek excelled on loan at Crystal Palace from 2017-18Credit: Reuters
      “He grew up round the corner, so he’s just like one of these kids.
      “Their aspirations were encouraged because he was just one of them once upon a time.”
      Connor continued: “He’s very humble.

      “He’s very relaxed, very down-to-earth. It was like we weren’t even sitting in a room with a Premier League footballer when he was with us in the staff room.
      “The kids obviously knew about Ruben coming to Orchards Academy because he comes back regularly for sports day.
      Despite reaching the lofty heights, Ruben Loftus-Cheek has remained humble and down-to-earthCredit: Reuters
      “But you can see the boys who knew who Ruben was were really spurred on by meeting him and what he had to say.
      “Hopefully, they can achieve what he did with that same drive and determination in the future.”
      Before we head out the school gates, our heads dizzier than parents of a star pupil getting glowing references at a parents’ evening, we’re grabbed by Catherine Yelding.
      Catherine Yelding revealed he was a favourite among the girls at Orchards Academy, but he focused on his footballCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun
      “I knew Ruben all the way from first year to 16-years-old,” the 54-year-old, who works in student support told us,
      “He was always a really lovely boy, quiet, academic and just really well behaved. He wasn’t a show-off and had a cool, calm, collected personality.
      “I think the girls liked him, but he just had his mind on his career and getting his course work done. He was always very focused.”
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