More stories

  • in

    Why Rodrygo ‘REFUSED to play against Barcelona’ with Real Madrid star ‘in rift involving Bellingham and Mbappe’

    REAL MADRID star Rodrgyo is refusing to play for the club after a huge rift with team-mates, according to shock reports.The 24-year-old’s days with the Spanish giants are numbered and he will be sold this summer.Rodrygo is refusing to play for Real MadridCredit: APThe ‘media frenzy’ around Jude Bellingham has taken the spotlight away from himCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHe has also been left ‘angry’ by the signing of Kylian MbappeCredit: Shutterstock EditorialRodrygo was an unused substitute as Real Madrid lost 4-3 to their bitter El Clasico rivals Barcelona on Sunday.The defeat proved costly with them now seven points behind Barca with three games to go at the top of the LaLiga.Departing Carlo Ancelotti would have liked to name his strongest starting XI for the clash – but Rodrygo does not want to play for the club anymore.Bombshell reports from Spanish outlet Marca claim the winger feels “displaced” at Real Madrid.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe “media explosion” around Jude Bellingham and the signing of Kylian Mbappe last year has frustrated him.Rodrygo wanted to be the club’s main man alongside Vinicius Junior and is “angry” about having the spotlight taken away from him.It has supposedly led to a “rift” forming between the two Brazilians.There is no suggestion that Bellingham or Mbappe have done anything wrong.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut Rodrygo’s relationships with his team-mates have reportedly “deteriorated significantly”.Xabi Alonso will replace Ancelotti in the dugout this summer and he is ready to show Rodrygo the exit door.Carlo Ancelotti named Brazil coach as former Chelsea boss makes history after leaving Real MadridClub chiefs do not want him around and he is likely to leave.Alonso could convince him to stay but is set to build around Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius and Trent Alexander-Arnold.Rodrygo, who has scored 68 goals and got 50 assists from Real Madrid in 267 games, has a contract at the Bernabeu until 2028.His departure could spark a Premier League transfer battle as Arsenal and Manchester City have previously been linked with him.Rodrygo’s relationship with his team-mates has ‘deteriorated’Credit: Getty More

  • in

    Former Arsenal wonderkid and nephew of Red Dwarf star left unemployed aged 24 after he’s released

    FORMER Arsenal wonderkid Tyreece John-Jules has been released by Crawley.The striker left the Gunners permanently last year and penned a one-year deal with the Red Devils.Tyreece John-Jules has been released by League One side CrawleyCredit: RexThe striker spent 15 years at Arsenal before leaving in 2024Credit: Getty – ContributorBut he struggled for form in front of goal this season as Crawley were relegated from League One.John-Jules, 24, made 27 appearances in all competitions but failed to find the net.He is now on the search for the third permanent club of his career, having previously spent 15 years at Arsenal after joining aged eight.John-Jules has made 80 appearances at League One level, in loan spells playing for Lincoln, Doncaster, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich and Derby County.READ MORE IN ARSENALHe also played for Blackpool 11 times in the Championship, again failing to score.After that he helped Ipswich and Derby in their promotion campaigns from League One, although a serious hamstring injury cut short his spell at the Rams.Crawley shared their gratitude towards the players leaving the club and wished them well for the future, with Sonny Fish and Jasper Sheik also let go.John-Jules was previously highly thought of at Arsenal but failed to make a senior appearance in six years after signing professional terms in 2018.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSHe did make 58 appearances for the Gunners’ Under-23 and Under-28 teams, scoring 35 goals, and was part of the U18s side that finished runners-up in the 2018 FA Youth Cup.John-Jules is also the nephew of actor Danny John-Jules, who is best known for playing Cat in comedy show Red Dwarf.Danny John-Jules, top left, was a star of hit comey Red DwarfCredit: AlamyChampionship club could be left without a stadium as EFL deadline looms More

  • in

    Real Madrid ‘yet to make formal offer to Trent Alexander-Arnold’ despite wanting Liverpool star to join within weeks

    REAL MADRID are yet to make a formal offer to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold early, according to reports.The Liverpool star confirmed last week he is set to leave the club.Real Madrid are yet to make an offer to sign Trent Alexander-Arnold earlyCredit: Shutterstock EditorialHe will join Real Madrid upon the expiration of his contract at the end of next month.But the Spanish giants are hopeful of completing the switch before June, when the Club World Cup starts.They were rumoured to be plotting a £1million bid for Liverpool to consider, but according to Sky Sports such an offer is yet to be made.Real Madrid are understood to have spoken to Liverpool following Alexander-Arnold’s leaving announcement, and the two clubs discussed his early release.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTime is running out for the two clubs to agree a deal with the expanded Fifa tournament beginning on June 15.Real hope a fee of £1m will get the deal over the line but Liverpool could play hardball and demand an additional £500,000.And if no deal is agreed, the Reds will continue to shell out £175,000-a-week to cover Alexander-Arnold’s wages until June 30.Real Madrid’s first game in the US is against Saudi side Al-Hilal on June 18 and they could register the England star between June 1 and 10 or between June 27 and July 3, for the knockout stage.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAlexander-Arnold, 26, has just two matches left as a Liverpool player.He will say goodbye to Anfield on May 25, Liverpool’s last game of the season against Crystal Palace. Andy Robertson pays tribute to ‘best friend’ Trent Alexander-Arnold after he is booed by Liverpool fansAnd he will hope for a warmer reception after being treated to boos against Arsenal on Sunday.The defender came on as a second half sub to a hostile atmosphere, and almost every touch he made was greeted with boos and jeers from the home stands. More

  • in

    Arsenal looking to raid Chelsea for Andrey Santos but could miss out to PSG in transfer battle for wonderkid

    ARSENAL are planning a shock move for Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos, according to reports.The 21-year-old midfielder has spent the season on loan at the Blues’ sister club Strasbourg.Andrey Santos is a shock target for Arsenal this summerCredit: GettySantos has been described as one of Ligue 1’s “big revelations” this term with ten goals and five assists in all competitions.And he has even captained the side managed by Liam Rosenior on several occasions as they make a late push for Champions League qualification.Reports from Le 10 Sport in France claim he has caught the eye of Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.The Gunners are said to be “hard at work” to get a deal over the line.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut PSG, who tried to sign Santos when Chelsea did in 2023, remain strong contenders.It is currently unclear what the player’s future holds amid other reports suggesting that he will be given the chance to impress Enzo Maresca in pre-season and at the Club World Cup.Chelsea signed the Brazilian from his native Vasco da Gama when he was just 18 for £18million.He is yet to make an appearance for them, having spent another year in his homeland and half a season on loan at Nottingham Forest.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSantos managed just two games for Forest before being recalled early.But his form since for Strasbourg has seen him earn his first senior cap for Brazil.Inside Chelsea’s Strasbourg talent factory as angry fans fight identity crisis And his boss Rosenior has praised him highly, saying: “He’s Brazilian but he doesn’t play like one. He’s so smart and his stats are through the roof, in terms of scoring goals, winning duels.”He plays like he’s 32 years. There were other players that had a worthy cause to be captain, but I felt that Andrey was the right choice.”Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

  • in

    Chelsea ‘ready to pay £5million penalty’ to send Jadon Sancho BACK to Man Utd as he’s handed transfer lifeline

    CHELSEA are ready to pay a £5million penalty NOT to sign Jadon Sancho, with the winger reportedly set to move to Germany.Sancho joined the Blues on loan this season but has not exactly set the world alight.Jadon Sancho is attracting interest from clubs in GermanyCredit: GettyHe has had some memorable moments but four goals and ten assists in 40 games means Chelsea are not too concerned about keeping him on.In fact, the west London club are set to refuse to meet their obligation to make his loan permanent, and will pay Manchester United a £5m penalty as a result, report The Mirror. The Red Devils are still keen to move Sancho on however, with Ruben Amorim seeing no way back for the 25-year-old.Fortunately for Sancho there are some options available to him.READ MORE ON CHELSEAHis former club Borussia Dortmund remain interested while The Mirror claim Bayer Leverkusen could also make a move.Both German clubs may baulk at his £250,000-a-week wage demands, but United are hopeful a deal could be struck as they now value him at less than £20m.Sancho moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for £73m almost four years ago, and he has just one year left to run on his contract.Leverkusen could sign Sancho to reinforce their attacking options with key star Florian Wirtz attracting attention.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSManchester City have been tipped to make a move for the Germany international.Real Madrid could also try and poach him, although Wirtz has reportedly said he would only leave to join Bayern Munich.Stamford Bridge erupts in brawls as Chelsea are accused of ‘most serious breach of stadium security in recent memory’ More

  • in

    ‘I thought I was minutes away from lights out’ – Rio Ferdinand breaks silence on horror bug that put him in hospital

    RIO FERDINAND has opened up about the health issue that left him hospitalised last week, revealing he thought he was close to “lights out”.The former Manchester United defender spent days in hospital and was forced to miss his punditry duties with TNT Sports.Rio Ferdinand has opened up about the health issue that left him hospitalisedCredit: PAThe former defender shared an update from his hospital bed last weekCredit: https://x.com/rioferdy5Ferdinand, 46, was set to provide analysis of Arsenal’s visit to Paris Saint-Germain before acting as co-commentator as United reached the Europa League final.Instead he was forced to watch on from a hospital bed and updated fans on his condition by sharing a photo of himself with his thumbs up.That was the aftermath of a serious ordeal for the former England defender, who had been suffering from a horrific stomach bug.The “crazy” illness left Ferdinand vomiting while he also experienced migraines and vertigo, making him feel like the “lights were out”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said on his show, Rio Ferdinand Presents: “I had a mad virus. I thought lights were out at some point, I thought it was gonna happen. I thought I was minutes away from lights out, seriously.”I was in my house, I was in my bed like this [pained expression] and I couldn’t even open my eyes.”Then, the headache I had… I don’t get migraines or nothing else so I don’t know what they’re like. I thought my head was in a vice and my eyes were going to pop out.”Then, I was being sick, projectile vomiting in the toilet, I got back to bed and I was having vertigo. I was holding onto the sheets, I didn’t know where I was. It was crazy.”Most read in FootballFerdinand also revealed he went into a state of panic after doctors told him he would need a brain scan.He was even offered an ambulance, making the ex-England star even more nervous.Rio Ferdinand calls out Roy Keane and Gary Neville’s takes on Man Utd vs Man City Ferdinand continued: “I had to go to hospital and the doctor even said to me, “Do you want an ambulance”? So that’s when I knew.”He went, ‘We’re going to get your brain scanned’. I thought it was a virus or a flu or something so when he mentioned brain scan and the ambulance, the panic was nuts.”I went to hospital and I was in there for a few days. I couldn’t even enjoy the hospital food. The soup and the ice cream normally does wonders.” More

  • in

    Diehard Crystal Palace fans spend HUGE sum to get home from US holiday for FA Cup final before flying BACK out

    THIS pair of diehard Crystal Palace fans have spent £20,000 to get home from a US holiday for the FA Cup final before flying back out. The side’s Wembley clash against Manchester City on May 17 falls three days into Mark and Anna Newlands’ ten-day trip to New York. Mark and Anna Newlands have spent £20,000 to get home from a US holiday for the FA Cup final before flying back outCredit: David HartleyThe pair say the club is in their DNA – so they have to be there for the finalCredit: David HartleyThe couple booked it months ago for a cousin’s birthday before the Eagles got to the final. So they have bought flights to get back the day before and will return to the US the day after. Mark said they would miss the big birthday but their relatives understood. The retired risk manager, 61, from Newbury, Berks, said: “The club is in my DNA. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”We have to be there. “I’m not bothered if this is sensible or not. It’ll be worth every penny.” Anna, 62, is just as devoted to the South London club and did not hesitate when Mark suggested the plan. The pair, pictured at the semi-final win over Aston Villa, hope it will be third time lucky after Palace lost their two previous finals. Most read in FootballThe couple’s son James, also a Palace season ticket holder, is attending the final although he is not on the New York trip — while their daughter Alice will stay in the Big Apple. Crystal Palace fans earn club an FA charge within 30 SECONDS after engulfing Wembley in smoke by sneaking in flaresHow the couple will fly from the US to watch Crystal play in the FA Cup final – then jet back More

  • in

    England ace Phil Foden reveals surprise new hobby after shunning nights out on the town

    ENGLAND’S Phil Foden says he shuns the nightlife to relax with board games and nature.The Manchester City ace, 24, relishes home life at his country mansion and fishing lake.Phil Foden says he shuns the nightlife to relax with board games and natureCredit: MEN MediaThe England star is a fishing fanaticHe said: “I love sitting in my garden and looking at all the wildlife.”Winding down allows him to go fishing with son Ronnie, six. He said: “I started with my dad, so it’s nice to pass it on.”And Phil’s private chef cooks for fiancée Rebecca Cooke, mum to their three kids. Read More on FODENFriends join them some evenings.The midfielder added: “We love to play Ludo and board games. “I like to chill and relax really.”He said the family enjoy zoo trips and hiring bouncy castles.Most read in FootballInstead of a footballer off-season trip to Marbella or Ibiza, Phil will be in France “where the fish are a little bigger”.‘They should be ashamed’ – Pep Guardiola slams Man Utd fans for sick chants aimed at City ace Phil Foden’s mumFoden on the pitch for Man CityCredit: Getty More