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      Chelsea starlet opens up on her World Cup history moment and hope to ‘win everything’ with WSL leaders 

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      WIEKE KAPTEIN fondly recalls the “crazy” moment she became the youngest player to feature in a Women’s World Cup for the Netherlands.Now the 19-year-old Chelsea midfielder has her sights on a new history-making target.Wieke Kaptein wants to help Chelsea achieve their goal of a first Women’s Champions League contest win for the clubCredit: GettyThe midfielder hopes to make football history with the Blues just as she did with the Netherlands at the 2023 Women’s World CupCredit: GettyKaptein is “learning a lot” from Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert (right) and skipper Millie BrightCredit: GettyThat is helping the WSL leaders to a first-ever Champions League triumph next year.It was on August 1st last year in New Zealand a month before sealing her four-year Chelsea switch  that Kaptein stepped out on to the pitch in the World Cup.Like Brazil icon Pele, the Dutch starlet was just 17 when she made her first outing in the game’s top international tournament.Reflecting on her substitute appearance in the Netherlands’ 7-0 group stage thrashing of Vietnam, Kaptein  who now has 14 senior international caps said: “It was crazy. Read More Football Stories”When coach Andries Jonkers told me I needed to come on in the 45th minute against Vietnam, it was a dream come true.”I was standing there smiling to myself and not even thinking that this is a World Cup game.”All I could do was laugh and enjoy everything that I did there. I was really honoured to be a history-maker.”I’d never experienced a Euros or World Cup at youth team levels because I couldn’t go and needed to stay at [old club] Twente.Most read in Football”The girls in the team helped me a lot because I was only 17.”Kaptein, who was born in Hengelo in the east of the Netherlands’ Twente region, is accustomed to breaking new ground as a teenager.She was just 15 when she signed her first professional football contract for Twente.Since embarking on her first full season at Chelsea this term, she has become a trusted option as a starter as well as from the bench, making four substitute appearances in her seven WSL games.Kaptein hopes that learning from Blues skipper Millie Bright and fellow midfielder Erin Cuthbert (right) can help her development.She added: “I’m learning a lot from Millie, from Erin and particularly all the players who have been here for a long time.”I’m honoured to be with them on the pitch every time.””I’ve developed myself a lot here since the beginning of my career at Chelsea. I’m looking forward to doing that again and again.”Along with attempting to claim an eighth WSL title, Chelsea are chasing Champions League glory under boss Sonia Bompastor.While a domestic trophy clean sweep is among their goals, Kaptein hopes 2025 will be the year they topple all their rivals in Europe.So far in the competition they have won every game, with Kaptein a starter in last Tuesday’s 2-1 victory away at Real Madrid.Kaptein has has scored three goals and provided three assists in 13 WSL and Champions League games this seasonCredit: GettyIn February, the Blues will discover who out of Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Wolfsburg will be their quarter-final opponents.READ MORE SUN STORIESKaptein said: “We want to win the Champions League this season and everyone wants to win the WSL again.”The other cup competitions are also prizes. We want to win everything.” More

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      Ben Chilwell facing six months on the sidelines as Chelsea have ZERO offers for £190k-a-week defender

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      BEN CHILWELL is facing another six months on the Chelsea sidelines as they have not had any offers for the England defender.Blues boss Enzo Maresca described Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka as “the first that want to leave” this week — but a move is proving difficult.Chelsea ace Ben Chilwell has received no offers ahead of the January transfer windowCredit: PAChilwell’s stint on the Chelsea sidelines may continue until the summerCredit: GettyChilwell signed a new four-year deal on around £200,000 a week last year before being exiled from the first-team squad by Maresca for tactical reasons this season.The star, who turned 28 on Saturday, is on wages that are too high for most Premier League and European clubs.Even previous suitors Brentford, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are not after a left-back next month.Chilwell has only played once this season and been an unused sub once, both in the Carabao Cup.Read More on ChelseaHe was not included in the Conference League squad with the rest of Maresca’s fringe players and that will not change for the knockout stages after Christmas.Maresca has sympathy for Chilwell but does not plan to change his stance.He said: “There are players that unfortunately they didn’t play a lot with us in all the competitions, like Chilwell, like Carney.“Probably they are the first that want to leave as they work every day, they train every day, they want to play games — and if they don’t play games they are thinking of leaving.Most read in Football“So we’re going to see if some of them are coming to knock on the door and say I want to leave. For each player it’s a different situation.”Chilwell joined Chelsea from Leicester in 2020 following a £50million deal.Chelsea’s Stellar Performance: Player Ratings vs Shamrock Rovers (1)The full-back has since amassed a total of nine goals and 12 assists in 107 appearances.The England international also won the Champions League as well as the Uefa Super Cup with the Blues in 2021. More

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      Fulham vs Southampton LIVE SCORE: Premier League latest updates as high-flying Cottagers host Saints

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      FULHAM welcome Southampton to Craven Cottage for a Sunday Premier League encounter.Diogo Jota’s late strike denied the Cottagers from securing three huge points against ten-man Liverpool last weekend.While the Saints were on the end of a 5-0 thrashing by Tottenham during their previous Prem match.Kick-off time: 2pm GMTLive stream: NOW TVTV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Sky Sports Premier LeagueFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow ALL the action from Craven Cottage with our live blog below… More

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      Top flight clash ABANDONED with children left in tears after riots break out in stands and chaos continues outside

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      AN Eredivisie match was abandoned last night following rioting in the stands.Heracles Almelo and FC Groningen were level at 1-1 during the second half.Fans clashed in the upper tierCredit: X @VoetbalUltrasThe chaotic scenes occurred at Heracles vs GroningenCredit: X @thecasualultraChildren were seen crying in the standsCredit: ESPNBut following ugly scenes in the crowd, referee Rob Dieperink was forced to suspend the contest.In footage captured and posted online, hooded figures in the away section of the stadium could be seen clashing with home supporters.Further clips appeared to show fans trying to smash panels beneath them.Heartbreaking images showed children in tears as the horrible scene unfolded.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne Groningen supporter is claimed to have fallen from the upper tier.Reports in the Netherlands suggest that they were conscious and taken to hospital.Speaking to ESPN, Heracles General Manager Rob Tuessen reportedly said: “We cannot continue the game due to a breach of public order.”Luka Kulenovic had given the home side a 20th minute lead.Most read in FootballCops got involved in the ugly incidentCredit: RexPlayers were taken off the fieldCredit: RexDamage was caused to the stadiumCredit: RexRomano Postema went on to level from the penalty spot five minutes into the second half.Groningen were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark, when Marco Rente was shown a straight red card.Non-league clash suspended with players taken off pitch as advertising board sparks safety fearsIt is not yet known whether the match will be resumed at a later date, or if it will be replayed entirely.A short statement posted on Heracles’ website read: “Dear supporters.”We deeply regret what happened in the away section on Saturday evening during the match between Heracles Almelo and FC Groningen, which resulted in the match being definitively abandoned.”If you would like to contact the club about this, you can send an email to info@heracles.nl with your name and telephone number.”When more information becomes available, we will share it.”Groningen have not posted a statement on their website.READ MORE SUN STORIESBut a tweet on their official X account read: “The match has been definitively stopped.”More information will follow about how this match will be played out.”The game had been level at 1-1Credit: Rex More

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      Leicester make shock transfer swoop for Argentina U20s captain Valentin Gomez and hope to agree bargain deal

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      LEICESTER  are making a shock move for the young Argentinian centre-half Valentin Gomez.The Foxes hope to agree a bargain deal around £8million for the Velez Sarsfield defender.Valentin Gomez, right, is a transfer target for LeicesterCredit: GettyRuud van Nistelrooy wants to stamp his mark on his Foxes squadCredit: GettyGomez, 21, has been a first-team regular for a couple of seasons.Velez Sarsfield finished top of the 2024 Primera Division, well clear of both River Plate and Boca Juniors.Gomez was also captain of the Argentina Under-20s national team, for whom he has racked up seven caps.Now Leicester want to bring the 5ft 11in ace over to England to bolster their push to avoid relegation.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLRuud van Nistelrooy has stuck with experienced duo Conor Coady and Jannik Vestergaard as his first-choice centre-half pairing since taking over from Steve Cooper.That has seen Wout Faes and Caleb Okoli dropped to the bench while young academy graduate and England U20 star Ben Nelson is on loan for the season at Oxford United. Leicester found their summer business limited after promotion due to the possibility of a points deduction for Profit and Sustainability Rules breaches. However, with their lawyers getting the Foxes off the hook and Van Nistelrooy in the dugout, the Dutchman will be keen to bring in some faces of his own.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSunSport revealed Miguel Almiron could be a loan target.The Newcastle attacker is out of favour at St James’ Park.Leicester stars party in nightclub next to ‘Enzo I miss you’ sign hours after Chelsea loss on night before Cooper sackedAnd that has prompted interest from Leicester as well as fellow strugglers Crystal Palace and Wolves – plus Marseille and Stuttgart overseas. Van Nistelrooy could also raid his former club Manchester United with another swoop.SunSport understands 20-year-old midfielder Toby Collyer could be the subject of a loan bid from Leicester when the transfer window reopens. Jannik Vestergaard and Conor Coady have been the first-choice pairing under Van NistelrooyCredit: GettyGomez, right, helped Velez Sarsfeld win the Argentine top flightCredit: AFP More

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      Oli McBurnie lined up for swift transfer return to England as Burnley and Blackburn battle it out for Las Palmas striker

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      LANCASHIRE rivals Burnley and Blackburn are in a battle to bring Oli McBurnie back from Spain.Clarets want a striker and will offer a loan deal for the Scot, 28, who left Sheffield United for Las Palmas in the summer.Burnley and Blackburn are trying to bring Las Palmas ace Oli McBurnie back from SpainCredit: GettyMcBurnie stood out with Sheffield United in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFPHowever, Rovers are also keen on a similiar plan involving McBurnie.The striker had spent his entire career in Britain before moving to LaLiga.The ex-Scotland international started out at Leeds’ academy before moving to Bradford.After three years in the Bantams’ youth squad McBurnie earned a senior call-up in 2013, which led to two loan stints at Chester.Read More on FootballAfter two years the forward moved to Swansea, who also loaned him out to Newport County, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley.The Scot ultimately settled at Sheffield United in 2019 where he enjoyed five successful years.McBurnie amassed a total of 29 goals and seven assists in 159 appearances with the Blades.The attacker helped Chris Wilder’s side finish ninth in their return to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season.Most read in FootballAfter Sheffield United’s relegation in 2021 he helped them return to the Prem in 2023.McBurnie left in July for Las Palmas where he has registered two goals and three assists in 16 appearances.Moment Rangers-daft frontman Oli McBurnie bags assist against Real Madrid two months after Ibrox side could have signed him for FREEMeanwhile, Burnley have also enquired about ex-West Ham attacker Said Benrahma, 29, who is struggling for game time at Lyon. More

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      Marcus Rashford out of Man Utd squad AGAIN for Bournemouth clash.. days after being dumped by girlfriend

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      MARCUS RASHFORD has again been left out of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United matchday squad.The forward, 27, will not feature as the Red Devils take on Bournemouth this afternoon.Marcus Rashford has been dropped by boss Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyRashford has now been left out entirely for three matches in a row, not even making the bench in United’s last two games against Manchester City and Tottenham.His most recent appearance came in the 2-1 Europa League win over Viktoria Plzen on December 12, where he was hauled off for eventual matchwinner Rasmus Hojlund after 56 minutes. Asked about Rashford after Thursday’s 4-3 defeat at Spurs, Amorim said: “We are better with Marcus Rashford, that is simple, and we will try different things to push Marcus to the best levels he showed in the past.”This kind of club needs big talent and he’s a big talent, so he just needs to perform at the highest level and that is my focus. I just want to help Marcus.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Nothing has changed. We believe in Marcus. Marcus is a player of Manchester United, so there’s no change.”Per the MEN’s Tyrone Marshall, Rashford is in attendance at Old Trafford this afternoon.Earlier this week, Rashford gave an unauthorised interview during a surprise visit to his old primary school.He said: “Personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSunSport understands that some members of United’s squad were left unhappy with Rashford’s interview.Last month, The Sun reported that Rashford had been going on dates with Love Island star Grace Jackson.Ian Wright’s impassioned defence of Marcus Rashford against fans ‘desperate to see him fail’Yesterday it was revealed that Grace has ended their relationship.A source said: “Grace realised that Marcus wasn’t serious about her and has unfollowed him on Instagram.“She realised there was no future so she has decided to cut ties.“When the opportunity arose to take part in Love Island All Stars this winter Grace jumped at the chance, she is still young in her career and is keen to maximise the exposure to help with her modelling work and net campaign deals.“If she finds love on the show that’s a bonus, especially since she didn’t meet a suitable match in the summer.“As far as she is concerned it’s Marcus’ loss, she is putting her best foot forward and can’t wait to enjoy some winter sun in gloomy January.”Rashford is under contract with United until the summer of 2028.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Red Devils could allow the forward to move on loan to a team outside the Premier League in January.Teams in Spain, France and Germany are all monitoring Rashford’s situation ahead of next month’s transfer window.Rashford, 27, had been on dates with Grace JacksonCredit: GETTYWhy Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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      Premier League cult hero Charlie Adam SACKED by Fleetwood after disastrous run of results

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      FLEETWOOD TOWN have sacked Charlie Adam following a disastrous run of form.The Premier League cult hero leaves the club 18th in League Two, having not won a game since November 9.Charlie Adam has been sacked by Fleetwood TownCredit: RexAdam, 39, was appointed as Fleetwood boss in December 2023 in what was his first job in management.He was unable to keep the club in League One as they suffered relegation.He has now been hit with the axe following a poor start to the season.A statement read: “Fleetwood Town can confirm Charlie Adam has left the club with immediate effect. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”All at Fleetwood Town would like to thank Charlie for his hard work and commitment.”The club will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.”Owner Jamie Pilley thanked the former Liverpool and Stoke City star for his work.He said: “I’d like to personally thank Charlie for his commitment and professionalism over the last 12 months.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“He’s been a pleasure to work with but recent results meant we felt a change was necessary.“I wish him well for the future.”Non-league clash suspended with players taken off pitch as advertising board sparks safety fearsCharlie Adam helped Blackpool reach the Premier LeagueCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The TimesHe won the League Cup with LiverpoolCredit: Keith Campbell – The Sun GlasgowHe spent seven seasons at Stoke CityCredit: GettyAdam’s last game in charge saw Fleetwood beaten 2-0 at Barrow AFC.The result means that the club sit just eight points above the relegation zone.Adam will be best remembered for his playing career as he was a part of the side that helped Blackpool reach the Premier League in 2010.He left the Seasiders after they were relegated in a transfer to Liverpool.During his time at Anfield, he would win the League Cup in 2012 before leaving for Stoke City later that year.He would go on to have spells at Reading and Dundee before hanging up his boots in September 2022.Who are these famous footballers? More