Football

RIO FERDINAND has told Chelsea to fine Noni Madueke two weeks’ wages for his “disrespectful” act against Arsenal.The winger started his side’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, having cemented his status as a first-teamer under new boss Enzo Maresca.Rio Ferdinand has urged Chelsea to fine Noni Madueke two weeks’ wagesCredit: GettyMadueke stormed down the tunnel after being subbed off against ArsenalCredit: GettyBut Madueke struggled to make an impact down Chelsea’s right-hand side.Arsenal left-back Jurrien Timber made sure the England international was unable to dictate play when cutting inside.And Maresca decided enough was enough when he hauled Madueke off after the hour mark for Mykhailo Mudryk.However, Chelsea’s talented forward was not happy with the decision.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd instead of taking his place on the bench, Madueke stormed off down the tunnel in anger.Blues boss Maresca attempted to play down the incident by claiming it was a natural reaction.But former Manchester United star Ferdinand reckons Madueke’s actions were a sign of disrespect.And he feels the winger should be docked a fortnight’s wages to teach him a lesson.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSSpeaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the ex-England defender said: “You think Danny Welbeck or Tom Cleverley or Nani are going to storm off the pitch and throw their dummy out?“It’s a young team. Who are the experienced players who are going to go in there and say, ‘Woah, we don’t accept that here’.How Cucurella trapped Saka AGAIN with simple trick but Chelsea have critical Palmer problem“And I understand his thinking but at the same time, I don’t understand why you are doing that.“That’s where the manager comes in, I think the manager protecting him is mad.“And that’s why I couldn’t be in there because I couldn’t come out and play the game where you say, ‘Yeah he was in the wrong but…’“Fined, that’s a two-week fine.”Maresca certainly didn’t seem to have a problem with Madueke’s reaction, explaining after the Arsenal match: “The problem is when you change a player, they are never happy.“Probably the only way to be happy is after the Wolves game where he scored a hat-trick and we changed him, so he was happy. It’s not only about Noni, it’s about all the players.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It’s a good thing because they want to be there until the end. But in that moment, we thought in different ways, probably Pedro with Timber could be a little bit more aggressive.“And also with Misha, so it was a tactical decision, no more than that.”Chelsea ratings vs ArsenalRobert Sanchez – 6Still punches the ball clear when a catch would be much safer – and reassuring for the fans behind him.Malo Gusto – 6Went close with a header in the first-half. But was missing at right-back when Arsenal took the lead through Gabriel Martinelli’s 59th minute goal. The problem with also playing in midfield.Wesley Fofana – 7Strong challenges and now fully back from lengthy injury. Also went close to a goal in the second half when he pumped the ball just over.Levi Colwill – 6Forging a partnership with Fofana at the heart of defence. Got caught dangerously in possession by Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard but recovered.Marc Cucurella – 7Cracking tussle with Bukayo Saka. Despite being one of only three men on the pitch wearing gloves, including the keepers, Chelsea’s left-back is a formidable defender.Moises Caicedo – 6Enjoying a run of form at the moment that includes last weekend’s volleyed equaliser at Manchester United. Strong tackler and smooth through the gears in midfield.Romeo Lavia – 6A surprise package keeping £107million Enzo Fernandez out of the team. After a terrible run of injuries is forming some consistency. But any twinge is a scare and came off in the 66th minute.Noni Madueke – 6Called up to the latest England squad and is mobile and nippy. Also seemed a bit stroppy and went straight down the tunnel when subbed in the 66th minute. Perhaps needed treatment.Cole Palmer – 6Maybe the sore knee is still troubling him. Only trained yesterday for the first time in almost a week. But it hampered his impact on a disjointed London derby.Pedro Neto – 7Starting to make his presence felt after being relegated to the Conference League matches. Stunning powerful drive for the equaliser and full of energy. Nicolas Jackson – 6Feisty and fiery but went to ground too easily to win a couple of free kicks when he could have done more damage on his feet. Gives everything though. More

TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS has a cuddly dad… and a not-so-cute future father-in-law.The Southampton defender, who captained England Under-21s to Euros glory last year, has been handed his first senior call-up by Lee Carsley.Roy Keane’s daughter Leah is engaged to a new England starCredit: officialkeane16 / InstagramSouthampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis is hoping to win his first senior capCredit: GettyAnd that delighted his football-mad father Martin, who for many years dressed up as Stockport’s mascot Vernon Bear. Yet there is someone who will be much harder to please.Harwood-Bellis is engaged to Leah Keane, whose dad is intimidating former Manchester United star Roy.The defender’s uncle, Steve, is Stockport’s president and his twin sister Becky was a top basketball player, so here is a family which loves sport.Harwood-Bellis was with Manchester City from the age of six before joining Southampton on loan last term, with promotion triggering a £20million transfer clause.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAsked about his family, starting with his costume-wearing dad, Harwood-Bellis said: “He did it a few times to be fair, it wasn’t just once.“He must have been good at it. It was sad to see him stop.“My sister doesn’t play any more but she represented Great Britain. She was good at basketball. We’re a sporty family.”Harwood-Bellis, though, did seem slightly nervous when the subject of the father of his fiancee Leah was mentioned.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSHe said: “Yes, it’s something that is good and I take a lot of advice.”Although England travel to Greece today for tomorrow’s Nations League clash, Sunday will see England face Ireland at Wembley, with the game nearly sold out.Man Utd legend Roy Keane abruptly walks off as he is repeatedly teased by ice cream manHarwood-Bellis has been a mainstay for the Saints this seasonCredit: ReutersFormer Burnley boss Vincent Kompany was a huge inspirationCredit: AlamyThat match will be of particular interest to a certain former Manchester United and Ireland midfielder.But swerving the next question about Keane and the Ireland showdown, Harwood-Bellis said: “Everything is focused on Greece. “It’s a big game with the result at home last month as we lost. We want to go over there and get a result.”One man who has featured prominently in the centre-back’s career is Vincent Kompany.The Belgian was manager in his loan spells at Anderlecht and Burnley.And the 22-year-old star said: “I had the best part of a year and a half under him so he’s helped me massively. He helped me personally to grow as a player and a human being, as well.”Asked about the England call-up by interim boss Carsley, he said: “Lee rang me in the morning. I couldn’t quite believe it at first. It was a feeling of pride.“I was with my partner. Then I phoned my dad and he was very proud.“The fact I had played for England through the age groups and now I was in the seniors, all my family were delighted.“He [Carsley] always said, ‘If you are playing well at the top level  and doing the best you can, there will be a  highly-likely chance that you get called up’ — and he stuck to his word. So I’m really happy.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAlthough he will not be at either game, manager-in-waiting Thomas Tuchel will be watching from his home in Germany.Harwood-Bellis said: “It will be a big motivation for all the lads that there is a new manager coming in and they will be wanting to keep their places.” More

RODRI hopes to be back in action for Manchester City before the season ends.The Ballon d’Or winner, 28, has been sidelined since injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Arsenal on September 22.Ballon d’Or winner Rodri hopes to return from injury before the end of the seasonCredit: RexHe suffered an ACL injury against Arsenal in SeptemberCredit: EPAMan City boss Pep Guardiola said it would be the start of the 2025-26 campaign by the time the Spanish midfielder was fit again.But Rodri is aiming for Fifa’s Club World Cup, which takes place in the US in June and July.City’s talisman said: “The seasons are getting longer and this one has the Club World Cup.“It is good to have a challenge and I have it in my head to return this season — we’ll see when.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Prem champions hope to persuade Rodri to extend his Etihad deal, which runs until 2027.He joined City from Atletico Madrid in 2019 and has not ruled out a return to his homeland.Rodri added: “Renewal with City is not my priority right now. “I want to recover and we’ll see.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I have a contract and I’m very, very happy.“But I see the Spanish league and I’m not closing doors.”Inside Rodri’s humble lifeOne factor which could affect his decision is whether Guardiola stays beyond the end of his current deal next summer.Rodri said: “When I signed, I was told he would leave the following year… and we are still like that five years later.” More