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      Fans in hysterics at Kasper Schmeichel’s ‘excellent use of the backstroke’ as Morgan Rogers scores hat-trick for Villa

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      CELTIC goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel went viral after the Champions League clash with Aston Villa following a hilarious stunt.Villa punched their ticket straight into the last 16 after beating the Hoops 4-2 at Villa Park on Wednesday and finishing eighth in the league phase.Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel came up with a creative attempt to stop Aston VillaCredit: https://x.com/footballontntSchmeichel did the backstroke as he tried to deny Morgan Rogers a hat-trickCredit: https://x.com/footballontntSchmeichel’s unorthodox attempts were in vain as Celtic lost to VillaCredit: RexRogers sent Villa straight into the Champions League’s last 16Credit: GettyThat was thanks to Morgan Rogers’ hat-trick, which he completed during stoppage time.Dane Murray got careless in Celtic’s backline and was dispossessed by Ollie Watkins who burst into the visitors’ box.That was when Schmeichel, 38, was called into action as he lunged towards Watkins.The England international, though, managed to dribble past the ex-Leicester ace.Read More on FootballThe Danish star tried to follow up and came up with a very creative method.The Celtic keeper actually started crawling on his back leaving fans in hysterics due to its resemblance to the backstroke.One fan tweeted: “Incredible use of the backstroke by Kasper Schmeichel here.”Another wrote: “Nice move, definitely impressive.”Most read in Champions LeagueCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSA third posted: “That’s mint.”A fourth said: “Can anyone clip Schmeichel doing the back stroke?”Shock moment Aston Villa & Celtic fans clash before Champions League showdown as FLARE launched towards home supportersAnd a further comment read: “Kasper the backstroke pro.”Schmeichel’s unorthodox method proved to be fruitless as Watkins set Villa team-mate Rogers up to score his third goal in the first minute of stoppage time.Who faces who in the Champions League?Here’s a look at the ties across the competition…Teams who finished from ninth to 24th in the Champions League league phase will play off to decide who reaches the last-16. PLAYOFF ROUNDAtalanta vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeBorussia Dortmund vs Sporting Lisbon or Club BruggeReal Madrid vs Celtic or Man CityBayern Munich vs Celtic or Man CityAC Milan vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSV vs Feyenoord or JuventusPSG vs AS Monaco or BrestBenfica vs AS Monaco or BrestWinners of playoff ties will then face the teams who finished in the top eight of the league phase in the last-16…LAST 16Liverpool vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestBarcelona vs PSG/Benfica/AS Monaco/BrestArsenal vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusInter Milan vs AC Milan/PSV Eindhoven/Feyenoord/JuventusAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityBayer Leverkusen vs Real Madrid/Bayern Munich/Celtic/Man CityLille vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club BruggeAston Villa vs Atalanta/Borussia Dortmund/Sporting Lisbon/Club Brugge More

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      ‘It’ll become so toxic’ – Gary Neville pinpoints exact date he thinks Tottenham will sack Ange Postecoglou

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      GARY NEVILLE has predicted the exact date he thinks Tottenham will sack Ange Postecoglou.The beleaguered Aussie boss is suffering a dismal season in the dugout, losing eight of his last 10 league matches.Gary Neville reckons he knows when Ange Postecoglou will be sacked by SpursCredit: GettyNeville fears Big Ange could fall short in two key fixturesSpurs sit 15th in the table with just seven wins and 13 defeats from 23 games.And their latest loss was a dismal 2-1 collapse at home to lowly Leicester.Postecoglou appears to be clinging on ahead of a tough run of fixtures.But there are two games which are set to be crucial in deciding his future.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOn February 6, Tottenham will look to defend a 1-0 lead in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.Just three days later they then take on Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa in a tough contest.Postecoglou has maintained he “always wins a trophy in the second season.”But defeat in both of those competitions would see him with just the Europa League to play for.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd Neville reckons should Tottenham lose to both Liverpool and Villa, Daniel Levy will pull the trigger on Big Ange’s time in north London.Neville told The Overlap: “I think if he loses the second leg of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool, and he goes out the FA Cup to Villa away, I think it will become so toxic that Daniel Levy will act.Ange Postecoglou gives Tottenham fan death stare in tense tunnel confrontation after Leicester defeat“If they’re out of the cup competitions I think he will act.“If they’re in the cup competitions I think he might [stay].“[Levy] can’t do it now before the cup games, the fans will kill him.”Wayne Rooney, who was left Plymouth Argyle in December, continued: “Some managers you look at, they annoy you.“But with Postecoglou, I love how honest he is. We had it with Louis van Gaal, sometimes you can be too honest and it comes back to kill you.“With Ange, injuries have absolutely killed him. I don’t think it’s just about trophies [for fans], the fall-off this season is what no one has seen coming.“If Spurs were consistently now in the top four and getting to semis and finals, I would have thought they would be quite pleased.” More

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      ‘Are you alright?’ – Gary Neville stunned as Wayne Rooney admits he STILL wants to manage and reveals unusual next step

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      WAYNE ROONEY left Gary Neville absolutely gobsmacked by revealing his intention to return to management.Wazza was given his marching orders by Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle last December after just seven months in charge.The sacking was Rooney’s SECOND of 2024, a year which started off with Birmingham City handing him his P45.Wayne Rooney was sacked by Plymouth Argyle last December following a disastrous runCredit: REXThe 39-year-old was given his marching orders by Birmingham City 11 months earlierCredit: GETTYWazza stunned former team-mate Gary Neville by revealing he still wants to manageCredit: SKY SPORTSBut the Manchester United legend isn’t giving up hope of becoming a successful manager, saying during the latest episode of the Stick to Football Podcast: “I would like to go back in.”Rooney’s admission stunned former team-mate Neville, who proceeded to ask him: “Are you alright?””No I would do,” Rooney continued. “But it’d have to be the right club. Certainly the right club.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSWazza, however, is in no rush to return to the dugout.England’s former all-time leading goalscorer said: “I’m not in a massive rush to go back in.”There are different things that I’m looking at to try and get involved with as well.”Unless something was absolutely the right thing to do, [then I’m not rushing back in].”Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again.Rooney, 39, is well aware that his recent track record will likely put clubs off giving him a job.So much so he’s willing to DROP DOWN to Under-21 level to further cut his teeth and prove himself worthy.Inside Wayne Rooney’s woeful spell at Plymouth as Manchester United legend AXEDHe said: “I’d have no problem dropping to an Under-21 team or going in there as a coach.”I’m still young enough to learn and devlop.”I’m not naive enough to think [I’ll go straight into another job]. I know how the game works.”Despite the current bleak nature of his managerial prospects, Rooney has no regrets about his forays into the dugout.He said: “I’ve had some great experiences. Good ones, bad ones. So I think you’ve always got that to fall back on.”Whatever happens in the future, you’ve always got that to fall back on.”But I’m definitely looking, as well, to try and expand and do different things and enjoy my kids more, enjoy my family more and enjoying doing stuff with them.”Certainly while I’ve got this time off.”Rooney joined Birmingham City in October 2023 following a brief stint with DC United in the MLS. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut he was sacked by the Tom Brady-owned club after winning just two of his 15 games in charge.Plymouth offered Roo a return to management last May, although the club decided to part ways with him after the slipped to rock bottom of the Championship table. More

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      Sergio Aguero takes up new sport aged 36 and Man City legend will compete against Brooklyn Beckham

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      SERGIO AGUERO is lining up a stunning switch of profession and will face off against Brooklyn Beckham.The Premier League icon and Manchester City’s record goalscorer is gearing up for an intensive boot camp… in motorsport.Sergio Aguero is set to embark on a stunning career changeCredit: GettyBrooklyn Beckham has also been signed up for the seriesCredit: GettyIt will see 11 stars get behind the wheel of the world’s fastest electric carCredit: EPAAguero, 36, is among the highest profile stars set to compete in Formula E’s new Evo Sessions.The event is a motorsport first that will give 11 stars from the world of sport, tech and entertainment the chance to get behind the world’s fastest electric car, the GEN3 Evo.The race car is capable of reaching 60mph in just 1.82s – 30 per cent faster than a Formula One car.To prepare for the event, Aguero, Beckham and their co-stars will undergo a six-week intense training camp before a track event at the Miami International Autodrome on March 5-6.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis camp will include simulator sessions, physical conditioning, driver coaching, hardware customisation and engineering briefings, allowing them to experience the challenges motorsport drivers face.Following the event’s conclusion, a full feature-length documentary will be released later this year.Six stars have so far been announced to the public, with five more to be named in due course.The stars set to compete have a combined reach of over 300 million followers, and will be embedded within Formula E teams for their preparations.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBeckham has revealed his own excitement about the project.In a statement he said: “I’ve been lucky enough to get behind the wheel of a Formula E racing car, but this event will be truly eye opening on what it takes to be an elite racing driver. Start of F1 races will look very different in 2025 with major change for first time in over a decade”It will uncover the world-class ability of the drivers and teams alike and highlight the raw skill and ingenuity we have in the championship.”Aguero has previously shown his enthusiasm for motorsport by attending Grand Prix races and competing during the Virtual Grand Prix series alongside F1 stars during the 2020 lockdown.Details of how to watch the series will be announced in due course.Speaking about the session, Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds said: “The initial reaction when I presented the concept of ‘Evo Sessions’ to our teams and partners was, ‘this is wild!’ – which is when I immediately knew we had to bring it to life.”We wanted to do something that has never been done before in motorsport; something that would give audiences and our fan base a unique perspective into the world of a Formula E driver, through the eyes of some of their favourite online personalities…”It will uncover the world-class ability of the drivers and teams alike and highlight the raw skill and ingenuity we have in the championship.”Stars competing in Formula E Evo SessionBrooklyn Peltz Beckham, entrepreneur (UK)Sergio Agüero, former Premier League, La Liga and Argentina football player (ARG)Cleo Abram, tech content creator (USA)Lucien Laviscount, actor (UK)Emelia Hartford, actress and record-breaking car builder (USA)Vinnie Hacker, social media content creator and model (USA) More

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      England women’s hero Chloe Kelly releases bombshell statement slamming ‘negative behaviour towards her’

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      ENGLAND women’s hero Chloe Kelly has released a bombshell statement slamming her own club’s “negative behaviour towards her.”The Manchester City star has featured just six times in the league this season.Chloe Kelly has released a statement slamming Man City for not letting her leaveCredit: RexThe Euro 2022 winner is wanted by Man Utd ahead of tonight’s deadlineCredit: ReutersKelly, 27, has seen game time dry up despite being an important figure in past campaigns.And she has now declared she is eager to leave City ahead of tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline.The ace netted England’s winning goal in their Euro 2022 final win over Germany.Sarina Wiegman’s team will look to defend their trophy this summer in Switzerland.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Kelly is worried that a lack of minutes at City will seriously hurt her chances of making the squad.It’s reckoned that rivals Manchester United are weighing up a late loan swoop, with Kelly’s City contract not expiring until June.Now, the winger has issued a lengthy statement slamming her club for leaving her on the sidelines all season.Kelly claims that being told “whom I can and can’t join” has affected her “mental wellbeing” in the process.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd she has begged City to let her go so she can “be happy again.”Kelly said: “A message from me. For a long time, I’ve tried to work through professional challenges privately, not commenting publicly, but with my situation increasingly being debated in the public domain, I feel it’s time to be open and transparent, and you heard it from my perspective.Chloe Kelly attends the MTV EMAs 2024″A key lesson I have learned in my life is that, while I can’t control someone’s negative behaviour towards me, I can control how long I am prepared to tolerate it.”From day one, I’ve felt so much love from my team-mates and the fans. With my contract expiring in June, I’ve accepted my future is not at this club beyond then.”With the Euros fast approaching, this summer is a huge one and I want to be in a position to give it my best shot to represent my country. Something which has always filled me with such pride and it is a true honour to do so.”However, to be dictated whom I can and can’t join with only four months left of the football season is having a huge impact on not only my career but my mental wellbeing. The situation has dragged on for too long, it’s disappointing and not right.”I’m at a pivotal point in my life and my career is so important to me, and [it] is very disappointing that the sport we love can make you feel this way, especially after there’s been so much growth in our sport.”This is why I’m posting this, because I want to make you all aware that we as players dedicate our lives to our sport and our clubs but our dreams can be crushed while we live in silence.”I am human and I have and will give everything to the game that I love. Ultimately, I just want to be happy again.” More

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      What do Tottenham need to guarantee qualification to the Europa League last 16?

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      TOTTENHAM started their Europe League campaign in blistering form but have tailed off recently to add jeopardy to qualification. The North London club were the competition’s high-flyers, winning three from three, but in recent months have dropped points in three out of their last four.Ange Postecoglou is under increasing pressure at TottenhamA win in their last outing to equally out-of-sorts Hoffenheim has made the path towards a guaranteed place in the knockouts more simpler. Ange Postecoglou’s side currently sit sixth in the league phase on 14 points – just one ahead of the perilous play-off positions.The Lillywhites, who are on the hunt for an elusive trophy, host Swedish side Elfsborg for the final league game. But, what do they need to qualify?READ MORE on SPURSWhat do Spurs need to guarantee qualification to the Europa League last 16?Just like fellow last 16 hopefuls Manchester United, a win on Thursday would assure qualification for Spurs.The introduced eight-game ‘Swiss model’ has scrapped the traditional 32-team group stage of Europe’s top club competitions for a 36-team league phase.The top eight automatically qualify for the last 16 and are joined by the winners of a playoff tie between ninth to 24th.According to Opta’s supercomputer – which simulates the 2024-25 UEL league phase 50,000 times to work out team’s Europa League knockout likelihood – Spurs have a 92.6 per cent chance of a top-eight finish.Most read in FootballHow to watch Spurs vs Elfsborg Spurs’ final league phase game against Elfsborg will be shown live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK.Fans will also have the option to stream all the action on discovery+ which is available to download via any compatible mobile device or tablet.Kick-off for the huge match and all Europa League games is scheduled to get underway at 8pm GMT on Thursday, January 30.Alternatively, tune in to SunSport’s comprehensive live blog for all the action as it happens. More

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      What do Man Utd need to guarantee qualification to the Europa League last 16?

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are on the brink of finalising their place in the next stage of the Europa League.United secured a late 2-1 win over Rangers last week and currently sit fourth on 15 points in the league phase of the competition.Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage time goal against Rangers grabbed an all important three pointsCredit: GETTYThe win against Rangers was significant as it ensured the Old Trafford club gained breathing space between them ninth-placed Galatasaray.Although not enough to confirm straight qualification, their trip to Romanian giants FCSB on Thursday puts fate in Ruben Amorim’s side’s hands.FCSB are also inside the top eight with a host of teams vying for a one of the eight seeded spots, including sixth-place Tottenham and the aforementioned Rangers in 13th. What do Man Utd need to guarantee qualification to the Europa League last 16?Simply put, a win would see the Red Devils progress into the last 16 as one of the four best sides. READ MORE ON MAN UTD United are already guaranteed at least a place in the play-offs with their current point tally. But victory would allow them the chance to finish second, third or fourth – as long as results in either Roma’s clash with Frankfurt and Athletic Club vs Viktoria Plzen go their way.Despite being one of the three unbeaten sides in the competition, the Reds can’t catch table toppers Lazio.According to Opta’s supercomputer – which simulates the 2024-25 Europa League phase 50,000 times to work out team’s Europa League knockout likelihood – United have an 89.8 per cent chance of a top-eight finish.Most read in Europa LeagueHow to watch FCSB vs Man UtdUnited’s final league phase clash against FCSB will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.Fans will also have the option to stream all entire action on discovery+ which is available to download via any compatible mobile device or tablet.Kick-off for the huge match – and all other Europa League games – is scheduled to get underway at 8pm GMT on Thursday, January 30.Alternatively, tune in to SunSport’s comprehensive live blog for all the action as it happens. More

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      Cole Palmer is in same bracket as Chelsea icon – but my celebration is better than his, says Blues hero David Luiz

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      DAVID LUIZ did not bat an eyelid when Enzo Maresca poured cold water on Chelsea’s title hopes.The Brazilian defender claimed club legend and Mr Ego Jose Mourinho would be saying exactly the same if he were in the Stamford Bridge dugout right now.David Luiz has heaped praise on Chelsea star Cole PalmerCredit: GettyTitle-winner Luiz reckons his tongue-out celebration is better than Palmer’s ‘cold’ oneCredit: GettyLuiz ranks Palmer alongside former Chelsea teammate Eden HazardCredit: GettyBut Luiz, who is desperate to manage in the Premier League one day, claims if anyone is to ignite a title challenge for the Blues next season, it will be “world class” Cole ‘Cold’ Palmer.Chelsea were second in the Premier League and just two points shy of pace-setters Liverpool when the boss played the safety card in mid-December.Yet his side has foundered since,  winning only ONE of their last seven games and slipping to sixth.Some thought the Italian’s assessment smacked of a loser’s mentality and has contributed to their dip. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Luiz, who won both the Champions League and Premier League in West London, told SunSport: “I don’t think it was a lack of ambition.“Enzo’s there every single day. He knows more than everybody Chelsea’s level. We cannot be here pointing at him and judging what he has to say.“He is just trying to be honest but, inside his head, there’s a lot of ambition and he wants to win titles.“It’s just that it’s not the right moment. Of course, Mourinho never said anything like that but he’d say the same at the moment.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“Maresca is doing a great job, the team is starting to have a great philosophy to play football again. “And if they continue this way, soon Chelsea is going to come back and start to fight for titles again — next season they will challenge with Liverpool, City, Arsenal.Fan spot classy gesture from Chelsea star Nicolas Jackson to Man City newbie Abdukodir Khusanov after horror debutLuiz helped Chelsea win their first Champions League in 2012Credit: GettyHe then won the Europa League a year laterCredit: Getty“Chelsea chose the right young players with a lot of talent with great quality.”Samba star Luiz, 37, who now plays for Fortaleza in his homeland, made no mystery of how highly he rates Palmer.He compared him to Blues legend and former team-mate Eden Hazard and tipped the England star to be the driving force behind Chelsea’s return to glory.Luiz, who also played for Arsenal, said: “Cole, like Eden, is on another level, he’s a world-class player.“He took a tough  decision to leave Man City and it was the right one for him.“Everybody can now see the amazing player that he is.  I’m enjoying seeing him play.“He’s intelligent and intelligent players are difficult to defend.“He’d have played in my 2012 and 2017 teams — for world-class players there’s always a place.”Luiz’s final trophy at Chelsea was another Europa League in 2019Credit: GettyHe has just left Brazilian side Flamengo after four yearsCredit: GettyBut Luiz joked that Palmer’s shoulder- rubbing ‘cold’ celebration is no match for his own tongue-out celebration.He said: “Mine was better because you didn’t see it that much, while he’s scoring every single week!“In my time, Chelsea fans had to wait for up to ten or 20 games . . . so I go for mine!”Luiz’s star-studded Chelsea teams used to gun for glory every single season — but now the club’s main aim is to finish in the top four while looking to get their hands on the low-rent Conference League.Luiz said: “It’s a different period. Chelsea are in transition now while in my time the club was stabilised in every department and everything was in the right position, so it was easy to fight for the titles.“Each time a player arrived he was able to do everything in the short period and was ready to help the team.“Now it’s a totally different moment and it’s never easy when you change everything and restart a club.“There’s been a big change in Chelsea. When you change Roman Abramovich for another president, the ambitions change. “But the new owners are just trying to put everything in the right way, the club is heading in the right direction and, for sure, Chelsea will come back.”Luiz reckons Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo are showing their classCredit: GettyHe has leaped to the defence of misfiring striker Nicolas JacksonCredit: GettyThe ex-Paris Saint-Germain star has credited fellow South Americans Moises Caicedo, 23, and 24-year-old Enzo Fernandez for going from dead-men walking to finally living up to their multi-million price tags.He said: “I love a lot of players at Chelsea but in particular Caicedo. He has some amazing qualities, he’s powerful.“He didn’t start well but he had the personality to keep going, keep fighting and now he’s started to show his class.“Enzo is another top player, a world-class one. But sometimes when collective results are good, then everybody judges individual  performances in a different way.“Enzo is fantastic and at Chelsea he has many examples to follow to continue to improve.”Luiz also leapt to the defence of Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson, with the calamity pair enraging the Stamford Bridge faithful every now and then.He said: “In every club around the world always supporters are not going to be happy with two or three players. This is normal.“But I think Jackson and Sanchez are amazing players — and they will prove that to Chelsea fans and give good things soon.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Fans deserve amazing players who play well and I hope they can both repay their faith. “The moment that you sign for  Chelsea, you already have the potential to be a great Premier League player.” More