Football

BRIGHTON have banned some of the club’s own scouts from seeing the data they use to sign players.SunSport has learned that such is the secrecy surrounding the data has helped propel Brighton from League One to sixth in the Premier League, that even scouts tasked with identifying potential new signings have been denied access to it.Some Brighton scouts have been banned from accessing the club’s secretive transfer databaseCredit: PAA number of scouts are understood to have expressed surprise at being told they could not use Brighton’s databank and mathematical models after asking if it could be used to support their own old-school scouting reports.Brighton declined to comment, but club sources have indicated that the data system introduced by owner Tony Bloom is highly restricted.Brighton’s data operations are run by Jamestown Analytics, an offshoot of Starlizard, the betting and data company set up Bloom before he bought the club in 2009.As SunSport revealed last month, Jamestown were also working for Ipswich Town on recruitment until they were promoted to the Premier League this year, but Brighton’s deal gives them exclusivity in the top-flight so that contract was cancelled.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJamestown’s data experts have transformed Brighton from League One strugglers to a Europa League side last season, while the club have also become the Premier League’s market leaders in the transfer market.Brighton made record profits of £122million last year based on largely on the sales of Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella to Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea respectively.That figure does not include the £115m from Moises Caicedo’s transfer to Chelsea in the 2023 summer window.Brighton’s smart trading enabled them to fund an unprecedented £194m splurge on players for new manager Fabian Hurzeler this summer, which has been vindicated by their outstanding start to the season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBrighton are in the process of making major changes to their recruitment operations, with at least three full-time scouts leaving the club last week, as reported by the Daily Telegraph yesterday.The surprise changes to a system that has been functioning brilliantly are not thought to be related to tensions over scouts accessing recruitment data.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsBrighton sources insist that the club will still use traditional scouts and not be more reliant on data models in the future, but that they are making changes to improve their recruitment.The scouts who have left are understood to have received pay-offs, and will be replaced by new staff with different skill-sets operating in revised roles. More

HUMBLE Kobbie Mainoo has moved out of his mum and dad’s house into his own place after an incredible breakthrough at Manchester United.The 19-year-old midfielder burst onto the scene last season as he quickly established himself as a key man under former boss Erik ten Hag.Man Utd star Kobbie Mainoo has moved out of his mum and dad’s into a new houseCredit: GettyThe midfielder has become an important player for club and countryCredit: GettyMainoo, who made three appearances in the 2022/23 campaign, ended up playing 32 times in all competitions and even helped himself to five goals in the process.The teen’s fine form for United saw him win his first England cap earlier this year.And Mainoo, who now has 10 appearances for his country, was later rewarded with a spot in the Three Lions’ Euros squad before starting all four of their knockout games.The star is now in talks with United to potentially quadruple his current salary to £80,000-a-week.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut despite becoming one of the country’s most talked-about players, Mainoo has been living a humble life off the pitch.The ace has been living with his parents ever since breaking into United’s side.And with the third international break of the season already under way, Mainoo has only just moved into his own digs.GQ reports he has bought a “spacious family home” on the outskirts of Manchester, with Mainoo moved in “two or three days ago.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd just like any other teen, the youngster has made sure he can cope with only the barest of necessities — “a squidgy corner sofa, a TV and a PS5.”Mainoo is now focused on a return to action after being sidelined for over a month with a hamstring issue.Behind-the-scenes Man Utd documentary to show Kobbie Mainoo going back to SCHOOL as England star reveals key to successThe midfielder will be eager to play an important role under new boss Ruben Amorim.And Mainoo could be back for the Portuguese boss’ first game against Ipswich Town on November 24.Speaking before United’s weekend win against Leicester, former interim gaffer Ruud van Nistelrooy said: “Kobbie is progressing in his injury.“He’s making the right steps but it is not yet with the team. That needs a bit more time.”Man Utd ratings v LeicesterHere’s how SunSport’s Martin Blackburn rated the Red Devils.ANDRE ONANA – 7Stood tall when Ndidi went through on goal and a decent tip round the post from Ayew as Leicester tried to get back in it.NOUSSAIR MAZROUAI – 6Lucky to escape tackle on Buonanotte without any punishment. Supplied the cross from the left which led to United’s second goal.MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 6Made a key second half clearance when the Foxes were trying to find their way back into the game. Fairly comfortable afternoon for home defenders.LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 7Spent the first hour at centre half then showed his versatility by switching to left-back when Dalot was forced off.DIOGO DALOT – 6Did a steady job keeping the Foxes at bay but then taken off on the hour – presumably due to injury as United had to reshuffle their defence.CASEMIRO – 7Better from the veteran Brazilian who helped United take command of the game before getting the chance to put his feet up late on.MANUEL UGARTE – 6Great challenge on Soumare showed what he is all about and some signs he is finding his feet. Will be looking forward to arrival of former boss Amorim.AMAD DIALLO – 7Delightful backheel for Fernandes to curl home the opener and could have scored himself. The Ivorian has had a good week.  BRUNO FERNANDES – 8Presented with a shirt to mark his 250th appearance before the game and will be getting more plaudits for his performance here. Involved in all three goals.MARCUS RASHFORD – 5Given the nod to start ahead of Garnacho but did not do enough to justify the faith of Van Nistelrooy. No surprise when he was replaced by the Argentine on the hour.RASMUS HOJLUND – 5A largely ineffective afternoon for the Danish forward before he was subbed late on. Nothing wrong with his work-rate but does he have the quality Amorim will want? More

CONOR GALLAGHER only played five of the 100 games Thomas Tuchel managed for Chelsea – and was sent off in one of those.Yet he made enough of an impression on the German in their brief time together that Tuchel’s appointment as England boss could be good news for the midfielder.Conor Gallagher could be set for a new starring role with EnglandCredit: GettyNew Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel is a huge fan of the midfield supremoCredit: GettyGallagher only featured a handful of times during Tuchel’s Chelsea reignCredit: RexThe ace is loving life in Spain with Atletico MadridCredit: EPAGallagher spent most of Tuchel’s Champions League-winning reign at Stamford Bridge out on loan, first to West Brom and then Crystal Palace.But Tuchel was always a fan of the industrious midfielder, seeing similarities to Chelsea great N’Golo Kante for his energy.Tuchel pushed for a new deal for Gallagher before his axing in September 2022 – and showed interest in signing the Londoner when bossing Bayern Munich.It all bodes well for Gallagher’s international prospects, even if the Atletico Madrid man will be taking nothing for granted.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGallagher, who has 19 caps, is in Lee Carsley’s squad again for this week’s Nations League clashes against Greece and Republic of Ireland.He has made just one sub appearance under the outgoing interim boss, so will be hoping for more action when Tuchel’s reign kicks off in the new year.By then, Gallagher will have hoped to have fully got to grips with his new life in Madrid after an up-and-down start so far.Put in a situation by Chelsea where if he did not sign a relatively short-term deal of two years plus an option of a further season – relative to the massive contracts the Blues have handed out under Todd Boehly, at least – he would be bombed to the reserves, Gallagher opted for the climes of sunny Spain.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAtletico made their interest known during the Euros, where the 24-year-old became convinced of the move after chatting with La Liga winner and ex-Rojiblanco Kieran Trippier.After some late drama which saw Gallagher fly over to Madrid, then back to London, then back to the Spanish capital, Atletico eventually sealed the £36million deal.Five things you may not know about Thomas Tuchel from younger Brazilian girlfriend to former modelling careerGallagher left Stamford Bridge as a fan favouriteCredit: GettyTuchel is forever enshrined in Chelsea history after his Champions League triumphCredit: APIt added to their mega-money recruitment drive this summer, which also saw them splash £88m on Julian Alvarez, and that has heaped on the pressure after the team’s inconsistent start to the season.Off the pitch, Gallagher and his girlfriend Aine May Kennedy have settled in well, wasting no time to move out of a hotel and into a house.Freddy, their cream-coloured chow chow dog who looks like a fluffy little bear and has his own Instagram account, joined the pair out in Madrid in September.Gallagher quickly earned a canine-themed nickname himself with the Atletico supporters, who have branded him “Pitbull” for his all-action approach and relentless running.It is a moniker he enjoys and was particularly relevant to his outstanding display in September’s 3-0 home win over Valencia, where he won nine duels, all four of his tackles and became the first Englishman to score for the club for 101 years.That great start was followed up a week later with another goal and good performance in the 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.Gallagher played a key role as Atletico beat PSG in the Champions LeagueCredit: EPABut then came a tougher period in October as he came in and out of a team who were thumped at Benfica and lost at home to Lille in the Champions League.That poor run culminated with Gallagher being subbed off at half-time in the dreadful 1-0 loss at Real Betis.That defeat drew criticism, particularly after the huge summer spend, with skipper Koke insisting the club must not lose its hard-working DNA despite “the millions that have been spent” and boss Diego Simeone admitting he needed to get more out of the new signings.Mario Suarez played for four years at Atletico under Simeone and had two stints at the club – so knows what it is like to handle the supporters’ expectations.The former Spain international, 37, told SunSport: “This year is a lot of pressure on them because they spent a lot of money on signings, including Gallagher.“The people are demanding this year a lot of the team. They want them to fight.Mario Suarez feels the best is yet to come from GallagherCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe ace has been backed to shine under Diego SimeoneCredit: AFP“In England, people show more respect in the street. You can go more on the street and the people don’t tell you nothing. They respect when you are with your wife and your kids.“Here in Spain it’s different. If you beat Real Madrid, they will tell you they love you and if you lose, some people can bother you.“He’s a player with character and he has to handle that pressure. I think he can do it.”Atletico appear to have turned a corner, having won the last four games, including a smash-and-grab 2-1 victory at Paris Saint-Germain which Gallagher started.The chance to work with Simeone was a huge reason behind Gallagher’s decision to sign.But the Argentine does not speak English and Epsom-born Gallagher is only at the start of his journey to learn the Spanish lingo, mainly using online apps at this point.Former Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been Gallagher’s translator in SpainCredit: Getty Images – GettyFormer Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has also been helping Gallagher settle inCredit: GettyIt means ‘El Cholo’, as Simeone is known, has to use a translator to speak to his combative midfielder.English-speaking Cesar Azpilicueta and Alexander Sorloth have helped Gallagher’s integration – along with a certain Fernando Torres, now manager of Atletico’s B team.Simeone has also used Gallagher in a number of positions, from a holder to an attacking, box-to-box midfielder.Suarez, who was out of his comfort zone linguistically with stints in China, Italy and with Watford, added: “It’s true to not speak the language perfectly is tough.“But the great players do it. He will need some time, maybe more time than others, but Kieran Trippier managed it in an amazing way, so I think Conor can do it.“He has to adapt to Spanish football. It’s more tactical than English football, which is more box-to-box, more intensity, less possession.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Simeone is like you see on the touchline. He puts intensity into everything he does. He’s a very demanding coach, in the training, the matches.“Conor is a Simeone type of player. He gives 120 per cent in every action, he fights for every ball, with a lot of intensity and energy.” More