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      Forgotten Arsenal flop set for Emirates return after injury nightmare with Sevilla unlikely to trigger transfer option

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      ARSENAL flop Albert Sambi Lokonga is set for a summer return to the Emirates after suffering his fourth injury of the season during his loan stint at Sevilla.Lokonga, 25, joined the Andalusian outfit in July for the 2024-25 campaign in a deal that includes a £10.25million buy option.Arsenal flop Albert Sambi Lokonga is set for a summer return to the EmiratesSevilla are not keen to trigger Lokonga’s release clause amid his loan stint due to injuryAccording to The Mirror, however, the LaLiga giants are unlikely to trigger that option due to persistent hamstring issues that have limited the midfielder to just 21 appearances across all competitions.That poses as a blow for the Gunners, who wish to raise funds to bolster their transfer budget for the summer market.Had that figure been met, the North Londoners would have also inherited a 25 per cent sell-on clause.The same source suggests Sevilla tried to negotiate a lower release clause.Read More on ArsenalHowever, chances of a permanent deal are growing slimmer after yet another injury setback Lokonga’s contract with Arsenal runs out in 2026, which means the Premier League giants will be determined to offload him one way or another this summer.That is because – as per the same source – there is no way back for the ex-Anderlecht star into Mikel Arteta’s first team.Nevertheless, the loan deal with Sevilla is paying off as it’s the Spaniards who are covering Lokonga’s wages.Most read in FootballBack in February, the player stated his desire to stay at Sevilla after turning down multiple offers from other clubs last summer.Lokonga said: “I feel very good. I’m growing. I feel better with each game. How Arsenal can outsmart PSG in Champions League semi-final”After leaving Anderlecht, Sevilla is the club where I feel very, very good. “I want to stay but it’s not just my decision. It’s early days and we’ll see each other at the end of the year.”Lokonga also had two uneventful loan stints at Crystal Palace and Luton Town these past couple of years.The Belgian has made 39 appearances for Arsenal since his arrival in 2021. More

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      ‘I’ve lost the fight’ – Barcelona star Wojciech Szczesny loses smoking battle and tells fans ‘don’t do what I did’

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      BARCELONA goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has revealed that he has “lost his battle” with smoking in an open interview.Szczesny has earned the nickname ‘Szczesny fumador’ [smoker Szczesny] from fans since signing for Barcelona this summer.Wojciech Szczesny has opened up on his battle with smokingCredit: RexThe 35-year-old shot-stopper has had a season to remember between the sticks for Barca, after a spectacular retirement U-turn that saw him return to the pitch just days after calling it quits.But despite the light-hearted chants from his new supporters, Szszesny has warned against the dangers of his negative habit.Speaking to ESPN, he said: “There are some parts of the game where I believe I can be a perfect example for young people or, in fact, for my teammates.”And there are some things in my career that you better not follow. In a few aspects, I fail at [being an example], but I try to be the best version of myself, and I try to give the correct example to my teammates, to young kids who watch us.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But mentioning the subject of smoking, please do not follow me and don’t do it. I’ve lost the fight. “When I was very young, I created a habit that is very negative for me, and I know it is. I just lose against it. So for anybody watching: Don’t do what I did.”His smoking habit landed him in hot water back in 2015 during his days at Arsenal’s No.1.Szczesny was accused of smoking in the showers after a 2-0 defeat to Southampton, a match in which he was at fault for both goals.Most read in FootballSzczesny was caught smoking in the showers after a 2-0 defeat to Southampton in 2015Credit: PA:Press AssociationCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Polish international was slapped with a £20,000 fine and was dropped for their next game.Discussing that incident in the past, he said: “Back at that time I was smoking regularly and the boss [Arsene Wenger] knew it very well.Szczesny reveals he was fined £34k for being 113 seconds late for training “He just didn’t want anybody smoking in the dressing rooms and I knew that also.”Because of the emotion of the game, I had a cigarette after the game when the team was still in. “I went in the corner of the showers, so it was at the other end of the dressing room and nobody could see me, and I lit one up.”Somebody saw me, it wasn’t even the boss himself, and just reported it back to the boss. I saw him a couple of days later, he asked me if that was true and I said, ‘Yes’. He fined me and that was the end of it.”He then said, ‘Look, you’re going to be out of the team for a little bit’ but there was no big bust-ups or big confrontations. I was very professional about it.”I was fully expecting to be back in the team a few weeks later but we had a good run of form and David Ospina, who came in goal, played really well for those few games. He stayed in.”That meant I was waiting and trying to win my place back in the team, or trying to convince him that I was still the best goalkeeper at the club by going out on loan. That sounds strange but sometimes it’s the best way of doing it.”Szvzesny has impressed on his return to action More

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      Tottenham are just famous for being famous, like Gemma Collins – they should not be part of Premier League’s Big Six

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      SHOULD Son Heung-min end up lifting the Europa League trophy for Tottenham, it will only start the argument —  not finish it.Win their first silverware since 2008 and some will claim Spurs are back among the Big Six, others may say English football’s ultimate fancy Dans never went away.Tottenham’s place in the Big Six comes with question marks that won’t go even if they win the Europa LeagueTottenham are famous for being famous — like Gemma CollinsAll while it’s a reasonable shout to suggest they should never have been in it in the first place.Spurs did well to overcome Eintracht Frankfurt in the last eight. A cracking achievement, given how hopeless they are on the home front this season.Monday night’s soulless surrender to Nottingham Forest came just four days after a stirring victory in Germany.The European quest is impressive of late and hopefully they’ll go all the way and bring the trophy back next month.Read More on FootballIf they do, it will finally end an agonising wait for glory stretching back 17 years — about the same time as it takes to walk from the ground to Seven Sisters Tube.The 2008 League Cup final success over Chelsea is a fast-fading and flimsy claim to historical fame.Because that came almost a decade after they had bagged the same trophy. North London’s original football club have never been serial winners.Tottenham try to play aesthetically. They have employed a few skilful  players — David Ginola, Glenn Hoddle, Paul Gascoigne. But, ultimately, they are famous for being famous — like Gemma Collins.Most read in FootballSo what exactly is it that makes so many people within the game class them as members of the so-called Big Six?And in an age of fluid wealth, when clubs can be transformed overnight with foreign investment, maybe it’s time to dismiss the  idea of an elite enclave.How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League titleDefining the size of a football club has no universal measure.It’s genuinely surprising that as football lurches towards total automation, some smart-arse has not conjured up a Stephen Hawking-style algorithm to calculate it to ten decimal places.Capacity of ground multiplied by number of honours, then dividing that by length of time between trophies is one possibility.Money in the bank, times international players, minus number of losses squared, all over position in the league table?Football today bears no resemblance to the 1980s. Back then it was easier to work it out as money didn’t muddy the equation so much. Life was simpler.Along with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton, Tottenham were in a league of their own. It’s not so clear-cut now.Behind the competitionThey have a lovely, big ground.  Stamford Bridge is tiny by comparison — but Chelsea are now by far the most successful club in London.Newcastle are awash with Saudi cash and winning this season’s Carabao Cup means they have won as much as Tottenham since 2008. Aston Villa are waking up from a decades-long coma.They entertained us in the Champions League this season and are fighting hard to get back in it.Manchester City were poor neighbours of United for donkey’s years. Eddie Large was their most famous fan.Yet this season is a write-off, even though they may yet win the FA Cup and qualify for a 14th successive campaign in the Champions League.They have billions locked away in their Arab owners’ vaults  and have amassed four Premier League titles on the trot. The Etihad isn’t the biggest mind.ResentmentThere’s been just two seasons since 2010 when Spurs finished outside the top six. Yet they are 16th and every match at their enviable new ground is tainted by resentment towards the ownership.They will lose more league games this season than they will win.Even if Son does get his hands on that Europa League trophy, three cups in 26 years is hardly massive. Relegated Leicester have won bigger things — the title and FA Cup — in the past decade.It’s mind-bogglingly complex working out  who is the biggest and the best.Maybe it’s easier switching the sums around and instead of going mad deciding who is in the Big Six, work out who isn’t. The Tottenham conundrum is much simpler then.MARESCA CAN’T WINENZO MARESCA copped it from some fans for not joining in the post-match celebrations of Chelsea’s win at Fulham.Even though he had just been booked for overdoing it on the touchline when Pedro Neto smashed home the winner moments earlier.There is a palpable distance between the Chelsea supporters and the reserved Italian.I’ve yet to hear them sing his name and there is a feeling that whatever he does, they will never completely warm to him.With Chelsea trailing at half-time on Sunday, Maresca was forced to take the long walk past the away end at Craven Cottage and was roundly labelled a “w*****” by a noisy minority.I don’t blame him for not wanting to attend the post-match party and salute those who, 45 minutes earlier, were giving him such stick. It seems he cannot win, despite having just won.Meanwhile, over at all-but-relegated Ipswich, boss Kieran McKenna’s name was lustily cheered when read out before they were thumped 4-0 by Arsenal. It seems he cannot lose, despite losing a lot.ROCKET’S LAUNCHEDLEAST surprising result of the week is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s demolition of arch-adversary Ali Carter at snooker’s World Championship.The Rocket rocked up to the Crucible, typically out of form and playing the wounded animal, claiming he would be lucky to  pot even one red ball.A crushing 10-4 triumph later — having won five frames in   succession — and O’Sullivan is in the balls, as they say. And into the last 16.He is someone who changes his mind on a daily basis whether or not he wants to pick up a cue. But he has seven world titles dating back to 2001.O’Sullivan  turns 50 in December — and  there is a serious belief that he will be enjoying his eighth world crown, having surpassed the haul of his other great baize nemesis, Stephen Hendry.ENI’S WRIGHT JIBE IS JUST WRONGTHE BEST broadcasters choose their words carefully.Eni Aluko has not with her surprising attack on Ian Wright for “dominating” punditry in women’s football.Ex-Chelsea star Aluko says:  “If we had a situation where there was an equal opportunity for broadcasters and coaches that there is in the women’s game  but that’s not the case. I can’t dominate the men’s game.”No, she can’t but maybe that’s for individual reasons rather than sexism. Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan will be sharing the biggest presenting gig in football with Mark Chapman on Match of the Day from next season.Read More on The SunThat’s two women and one man hosting the country’s flagship highlights show  covering the biggest men’s league in the world, with a vast audience.Genuine question . . . am I missing something here? More

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      Inside story of ‘lazy’ Liverpool boss Arne Slot’s journey from sleepy Dutch village to verge of Premier League title

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      ARNE SLOT is 90 minutes away from leading Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th title — in his debut season as Kop chief.A point against Tottenham on Sunday will also crown him as the first Dutch manager to win English football’s most prestigious trophy.Arne Slot is on the verge of winning the Premier League in his first season as Liverpool bossCredit: GettySunSport’s Rob Maul visits Bergentheim, Netherlands where Arne Slot grew upCredit: The SunThe man born in the tiny village of Bergentheim in Holland’s Bible Belt nearly 47 years ago is being hailed as a better boss than Anfield legend Jurgen Klopp.But in his early playing days, a teenage Arne was nicknamed “Miss Slot” — accused of being an unfit, lazy and slow footballer who refused to get his shirt dirty.FC Zwolle’s coach at the time, Jan Everse, was one of the most important people in Slot’s early life.But he admits their relationship did not start well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEverse, now 71, told SunSport: “Nobody could play with one touch like Arne.“But his physicals . . . he wasn’t quick. The way he ran, it looked lazy.“If the weather was bad, if the field was muddy, he was always clean. You could put his shirt in the closet.“If you gave him the ball, almost every time, something happened. He had a very good technique.Most read in FootballSlot was considered ‘lazy’ during his days at FC ZwolleCredit: The SunSlot (third from left, bottom row) spent seven years at FC ZwolleCredit: GettyCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But I was honest with him. I said, ‘Arne, you’re one of my best players but your problem is your opponent is always the best player’.“You’re going to play for Zwolle if you’re the best player and your opponent is less. But I don’t see it.’A brilliant failure’ – Incredible footage of Arne Slot’s craziest coaching idea resurfaces from his playing days“You have to do a lot about your fitness. You are too easy, too lazy.”Everse branded the 17-year-old attacking midfielder “Juffrouw Slot” — translated as “Miss Slot” — because of the way he played and how “he never made a big tackle”.The coach, capped twice for Holland’s 1970s Total Football team, added: “Then he started training.“In the beginning we didn’t have a very good relationship because he wasn’t playing.“So he was angry at me — but he was clever enough to understand why. He is using that now.“I’m sure I changed Arne’s mind on how to behave as a footballer.“He was too easy. When he was injured he thought, ‘When I’m fit again, I’ll immediately play’. But he waited for 1½ years.“He had the patience. I saw him practise and said to my assistant, ‘Wait a few months and Arne will be the player we want’.”Jan Everse coached Slot at FC ZwolleCredit: GettySlot listened and understood he needed to get fitter, to be more athletic, more dynamic.And once he established himself in Everse’s starting XI, he was never dropped again.Slot has also defied the sceptics who thought he would struggle to emerge from Klopp’s shadow.His Reds are a massive 12 points clear of nearest challengers Arsenal and can wrap up the title with four games still to play.Villagers in Slot’s home town will be glued to the telly on Sunday to hopefully watch his crowning.He has a strong work ethic, is disciplined and can make players better. He lets them do what they are good at.Bert NijenhuisVV Bergentheim ChairmanBergentheim, population 3,500, stands next to the busy Emmen-Zwolle train line and is dissected by a canal.It consists of two churches, one supermarket, a couple of primary schools and is home to local football team VV Bergentheim, where Slot learnt to play the game in the 80s.He would walk a mile or so to the Sportpark Moscou via the only bridge in the village and played there until he was spotted, aged 12, by Zwolle scouts.He joined Everse at Zwolle. But, for many years, it was his dad, Arend, who was the community’s most famous son.The former headmaster, considered to be a better player than his son, was a member of the Dutch amateur team that went close to qualifying for the 1976 Montreal Olympics.These days Slot Sr watches Liverpool on TV and is an honorary member of VV Bergentheim, where his portrait is displayed in the immaculate boardroom.Slot started his football career at VW BergentheimCredit: The SunSlot grew up in BergentheimCredit: The SunBert Nijenhuis, 66, has been the club’s chairman for seven years and played with Arend all those decades ago.And he revealed: “We’re all really proud of Arend’s boy. Arne’s smart, knowledgeable, tactically very strong and has a big football heart.“He also has a strong work ethic, is disciplined and can make players better. He lets them do what they are good at.“His father is his coach. Arne used to sit in the team meetings as a little boy and listen to his dad.“We’re modest people in a down-to-earth village. But there is much respect for what Arne is doing now.”I don’t think Arne would want a statue – he’s a humble manBert NijenhuisSome locals have raised the prospect of building a statue for Slot Jr in the village once he is crowned as a Premier League champion.But Nijenhuis replied: “A statue? In 1945, many people died in the war for our freedom.“Those kinds of people deserve it. We honour those people. I don’t think Arne would want a statue. He’s a humble man.“He used to go to the church in this village with his father, mother, sister and brothers.“From the Bible, you learn how you can handle this world.”Nijenhuis also revealed how a 12-year-old Slot was fascinated by the parable of the Good Samaritan.He recalled: “That story had the most impact on him. A good story to have respect for each other. Don’t make war, make peace.“When Arne listened to the preacher, he was impressed with that story. That got him in his heart. That’s Arne — both feet on the ground.”VW Bergentheim chairman Bert Nijenhuis spoke about Slot’s time with his first clubCredit: The SunA look inside the trophy room at VWBergentheimCredit: The SunSome locals have raised the prospect of building a statue for SlotCredit: The SunEverse, who was left-back for Feyenoord and Ajax until injury cut short his career, always believed Slot would fare better in English football than his countryman Erik ten Hag — who was sacked by Manchester United in October after struggling to turn them into a Premier League force again.Everse said: “Arne’s clever, counting to ten before he says something. He knows exactly what to say.”However, Slot was sent off, hit with a two-game ban and fined £70,000 after his X-rated rant at ref Michael Oliver at the end of an explosive 2-2 Merseyside derby draw with Everton in February.The FA revealed Slot had accused Oliver of “f***ing giving them everything” before blasting: “If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you.”Nijenhuis admitted: “That is the one time his emotions got the better of him. But that’s not Arne. He is always calm.” And Everse added: “He has a good philosophy. I know because it was my philosophy.“You have to prepare players for the match so they’ll never be surprised by anything.“You have to train your mind because you play football with your head.”Slot’s coaching style was developed as an assistant at Cambuur and AZ — where they finished second behind Ajax — between 2016-2020.Guiding Dutch giants Feyenoord to the 2022 Conference League final (which they lost to Jose Mourinho’s Roma) and then winning the 2023 Eredivisie title, breaking the Ajax monopoly in his home country, put Slot firmly on Liverpool’s radar.And Everse predicted Slot would be an instant success on Merseyside — even though he was replacing German serial trophy winner Klopp.Everse added: “At the beginning of the season, I said, ‘He’s a better coach than Klopp’.“You need luck. Arne, as we say in Holland, has the luck on his a**e. Every good coach is lucky.”Sometimes when Slot — who has children Joep and Isa with wife Mirjam — visits his parents, he pops in to coach kids at VV Bergentheim’s football clinic.Read More on The SunThe next time he does, it will almost certainly be with a Premier League winners’ medal tucked in his pocket.The final word went to Nijenhuis, who said: “Our big wish is Liverpool will play Bergentheim here. It’s almost impossible but it would be great.”Slot was handed two-match ban and a £70,000 fine for his foul-mouthed rant at Micheal OliverCredit: ReutersSlot’s Liverpool have waltzed to the titleCredit: Getty More

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      Snooker icon Ken Doherty reveals moment he swore at Sir Alex Ferguson and had to apologise to legendary Man Utd boss

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      SNOOKER legend Ken Doherty had an embarrassingly awkward conversation with Manchester United’s iconic manager Sir Alex Ferguson after winning the World Championship.Doherty, 55, won his only world title in 1997 by defeating Stephen Hendry at the Crucible and became the toast of Ireland as he returned home for an open-top bus parade in Dublin.Ken Doherty had an embarrassing conversation with Manchester United legend Sir Alex FergusonDoherty was forced to apologise to Ferguson after replying to him with the F-wordFerguson still invited Doherty at Old Trafford to showcase his trophyThe Darlin’ of Dublin’s triumph also caught many other esteemed figures’ attention and was thus invited to showcase his trophy in another momentous occasion.Crafty Ken received an unexpected phone call from snooker fan Ferguson, 83, who offered him the opportunity to present his title at Old Trafford on the last match of the 1996-97 Premier League season.However, the phone call went completely south as the Irishman suspected it was a prank from one of his mates and proceeded to drop an F-bomb to one of the greatest managers of all time.Doherty told The Daily Star: “I got a phone call a week later. I didn’t recognise the number, the voice went [does an impression of Ferguson], ‘Kenny, do you fancy coming and parading that trophy around Old Trafford?’Read More on Man Utd”I told him to f*** off! I thought it was one of my mates winding me up.”Ferguson, who is known for not suffering fools, issued a stern response that forced the snooker great to immediately back track and apologise.Doherty continued: “He said again, ‘Kenny, it’s Alex Ferguson here, I’m not going to ask you a second time’. “So I had to apologise. Not many people have said that to him and got away with it! But he saw the funny side. He loves snooker.”Most read in FootballThankfully, the Old Trafford visit went much better than the phone call as Doherty showcased his trophy to a beaming Man Utd crowd, who were celebrating their own Premier League triumph.And the snooker great received the star treatment from Ferguson, who introduced him to the likes of Eric Cantona, David Beckham, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.I told Rio Ferdinand to tell Sir Alex Ferguson to f*** off and the Man Utd legend’s reaction was pricelessDoherty added: “He [Ferguson] showed me around the place. It was the last match of the season and they were picking up the Premiership trophy.”Walking out on the pitch with the trophy, my legs were like jelly. I met all the players. “Cantona came up to me, shook my hand and said, ‘Congratulations Mr Doherty, welcome to Old Trafford’. “Beckham, Scholes, Giggs, Keane, they couldn’t wait to have a look at the trophy and look at the names on it. It was amazing.” More

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      Pep Guardiola and wife Cristina ‘giving each other a second chance after Man City boss ‘spent Easter in Barcelona’

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      MAN City boss Pep Guardiola and his wife Cristina are reportedly giving things another go after spending Easter together in Barcelona.The pair announced their shock split in January after 30 years together – with divorce proceedings commencing the following month.Pep is not giving up on his marriage to Cristina, sources sayCredit: GettyThe pair pictured in 2023 in Istanbul, married in 2014Credit: GettyCristina moved back to Barcelona in 2019 while Pep continued his work with Manchester CityCredit: GettyBut, following a three-day trip to Barcelona over the Easter break, the couple are now believed to be “giving each other another chance,” according to Catalan newspaper El Nacional – as sources claim that “all is not lost in their marriage”.The pair appeared to start drifting back in 2019, when fashion entrepreneur Cristina moved back to Barcelona to focus on her business interests.But it was Pep’s decision last November to renew his contract with Manchester City until 2027 that reportedly expedited their split.Now, the manager has pledged to visit Barcelona once a week in between fixtures, a source told El Nacional.read more football newsMaria Lapiedra claimed the decision was to prevent them going weeks without seeing each other.The report also states that the couple – who share three children – are still wearing their weddings rings.The rescue operation appeared to kick off last month – amid reports that Pep had returned to the family home in Barcelona for a secret visit.The 54-year-old caught a private jet from Manchester just hours after his team’s 3-1 win against Plymouth in the FA Cup.Most read in FootballA source said: “They spent three nights together in Barcelona, both staying at the family home.“Pep went out on Monday to the dentist and Cristina went to her fashion shop in the city centre.Watch hilarious moment Pep Guardiola tells fan ‘your wife is going to kill me’ after bizarre tattoo stunt “They met up again at the shop and spent three hours there before returning to the house to spend the evening together.“Pep left for Manchester on Tuesday morning.”Pep and Cristina met in 1994 but didn’t marry until 2014 – tying the knot at an intimate ceremony on the outskirts of Barcelona.They had spent the majority of their marriage living separately when Cristina decided to move back to Barcelona with one of their daughters, Valentina.Their other two children, Maria and Marius, remained in the UK with Pep.The pair continued to make things work long distance until their split in December of last year.However, they insisted that things would remain amicable throughout divorce proceedings – and that they would even share the same legal team.Sources said in February that they had already agreed the initial terms of a multi-million pound settlement agreement – which would be finalised in a matter of weeks.Respected Spanish journalist Lorena Vazquez, who broke the story of their split, revealed: “They want it above all to be friendly for the sake of their children.”As you can imagine money is not going to be an issue and they have already agreed the initial terms to make sure this separation is the most cordial possible.”They have a very good relationship, so much so that the same lawyer is arranging the whole thing.”The divorce is on the way and is being left in the hands of people with their absolute trust.”Read More on The SunManchester City declined to comment.Pep’s decision to renew his contract with the club is believed to be a major factor in their splitCredit: AlamyThe manager has made several trips back to Barcelona in a reported attempt to rectify their marriageCredit: AlamyThe couple with their daughter Maria at Wimbledon last yearCredit: APPep kissing Cristina Serra after winning the UEFA Champions League 2022/23 finalCredit: Getty More

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      Jamie Vardy’s incredible career saw him win Golden Boot in non-league AND Prem as magical 13-year Leicester spell ends

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      JAMIE VARDY is the glittering success story of the English football pyramid, a star that went from non-league to Premier League and captured fans’ hearts along the way.Vardy, 38, has announced that he is calling it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester City in an emotional video following the Foxes’ relegation from the top flight.Jamie Vardy has announced he is leaving Leicester CityCredit: GettyThe venomous bagsman has graced the Champions League, won the Premier League, lifted the FA Cup and played 26 times for the England national team.But even he wouldn’t have expected to hit those heights when he was kicking about with Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood in his early days.OWL ASPIRATIONSSome kids grow up wanting to be Lionel Messi, David Beckham or Thierry Henry – playing at the top level and winning trophies and individual accolades.But Vardy’s idol growing up was someone much closer to home, Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy, a boyhood Owls fan, revealed in his autobiography: “I didn’t want to be anybody else. Once I had a ball at my feet, which was every spare moment of the day, I became the legend that played upfront for the club I loved.”I idolised David Hirst because he did exactly what I wanted to do – score goals for Sheffield Wednesday.”Vardy was a huge Sheffield Wednesday fan as a kidFOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPSVardy’s dream to be a Wednesday star almost came true when he signed for the club as a youngster.The striker impressed former Owls academy director Clive Baker in a trial at Middlewood, the club’s training ground in Hillsborough, and earned himself a place in their youth set-up.Most read in FootballBut those dreams were then snatched away from him at age 15, when the academy coaches at Wednesday axed him – a decision that almost saw him hang up his boots.He revealed: “It was 2002 when I was fired from the Sheffield Wednesday Academy at the age of 15.”At a meeting at the end of the season with my coaches, I was told that I was not kept because I was too small… it was terrible.“From there, I stopped playing football for almost a year. At the weekend, I did everything and anything but not football. I said to myself: ‘There’s no point in continuing, I’m not made for that.”Vardy during his days with the Sheffield Wednesday academy Jamie Vardy reveals best XI he’s played with at Leicester with huge snub to England stars and entire current squadA NON-LEAGUE RETURNAfter a year away from the game, Vardy returned to the pitch with his ambition reinstated and his eyes on achieving something.This time he joined local team Stocksbridge Park Steels, where he played U18s football before making the step up to the first team in 2006.At 19 years old – the age most future stars are making their Premier League debuts – Vardy was playing in the eighth tier of English football.And he was doing it while balancing a job at a carbon fibre factory, supplementing his £30-per-week wages with the football club.His time with Stocksbridge was a far cry from the top flight, and Vardy even found his career being hampered by police intervention following an altercation outside a nightclub in 2007.Despite pleading his innocence claiming he was defending a friend who was deaf, he was found guilty and was forced to play in an ankle tag.In some games he could only play 60 minutes as he had to get home to ensure he didn’t miss his 6pm curfew.A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONVardy spent four years in the Steels first team, scoring 66 times in 107 games.Naturally, he was attracting the interest of teams in the leagues above him as a result.Crewe Alexandra took him on trial, but turned him down after just one week.Closer to home, Rotherham presented a contract to him but Vardy chose not to accept it.Finally he landed on a switch to Halifax Town, who signed him for just £15,000 in 2010.Vardy spent just one year with Halifax, netting 26 goals in 37 games and winning the club’s Player of the Year.He helped fire the Shaymen to the title, earning himself a switch to Conference Premier club Fleetwood Town for the following campaign.Jamie Vardy scoring a goal for Halifax TownCredit: Halifax CourierWHO VAR YA?It was the biggest step in Vardy’s career so far, he was climbing up the divisions and earning a reputation as an establishes goalscorer.But just because some people were starting to talk about him, didn’t mean everyone knew his name – including his team-mates.Vardy’s former Fleetwood strike partner Gareth Seddon told The Guardian: “I’d never heard of him. At first some of the lads were like: ‘Why have we signed this lad? From a few leagues below?’”Then, in his first game, he was unbelievable. And we were just: ‘That’s the reason he signed!’”I’ve never played with anyone as quick, I’ve been a professional for 18 years – he kind of glides across the pitch.”He’s got nothing to him, yet he was aggressive, and has energy. We did the bleep test and he just went and went and went. We were like: ‘Frigging hell!’”It was at Fleetwood where Vardy earned his first Golden Boot award, scoring 31 goals in 36 matches in his first season for The Fishermen.After playing Blackpool in the FA Cup, Tangerines manager Ian Holloway offered Fleetwood Town £750,000 for his services, which they turned down because they wanted £1million.Vardy was signed for Fleetwood Town after his success with HalifaxCredit: AlamyHis immediately impressive form had bigger clubs knockingCredit: GettyFOR FOX SAKEFleetwood finally got that £1m when a Championship Leicester City came knocking to try to freshen up their front line in 2012.But even after his sensational form in the lower leagues, fans still weren’t convinced.One supporter took to social media to write: “Leicester have signed non-league striker Jamie Vardy for £1m. What has football come to. Jesus Christ!!” How silly he would be made to look.Although, the angry fan did appear correct for a brief period as Vardy struggled to adapt to life in England’s second tier, scoring just five goals in 29 games in his first season.He revealed: “When you step up the leagues, the defenders are better at reading the game, better positioned, not as slow as everyone thinks a centre-half should be and that’s when I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.“I was realising that certain stuff I was doing the year before at Fleetwood wasn’t working. For myself and probably for people that were watching as well, it wasn’t good enough.”Vardy struggled in his first season as a Leicester playerCredit: Getty Images – GettyTHE 5000/1 SEASONVardy was determined to succeed despite a shaky start to life with the Foxes.His second campaign at Leicester saw him score 16 league goals as the club were promoted into the Prem, sealing Vardy’s gritty rise from the depths of the football pyramid to the top.Leicester narrowly avoided relegation during their first season back in the big-time, 2014/15, as Vardy managed just five league goals.Little did he know that he and his team-mates were about to embark on one of the greatest achievements in English football history when Leicester overcame 5000/1 odds to lift the Premier League the following season.Vardy scored an astonishing 24 league goals in the 2015/16 season as Leicester pulled off a miracle to become champions – while he set the record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games.That title meant Vardy would play Champions League football less than ten years after he had been balancing a factory job with his £30-per-week non-league contract.In the seasons that followed Vardy turned down an offer to sign for Arsenal in order to stay with Leicester after building a legacy with the club that had taken a risk on him all those years ago.Staying put also saw him win the Premier League golden boot in the 2019/20 season after scoring 23 goals as Leicester finished in the European places again.As well as winning the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021.Vardy helped Leicester win the Premier League in 2016Credit: PA:Press AssociationHe won the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021 tooCredit: APThe striker was the Premier League top goalscorer during the 2019/20 seasonCredit: GettyCAUGHT LION?It was no surprise that England would come knocking at some point and Vardy was just as impressive on the international stage as he was at club level. Aged 28, Vardy wore the Three Lions on his chest during a friendly against Ireland.He would go on to earn 26 caps and score seven goals, representing England at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.However, there was trouble in paradise when his involvement in the national team sparked the ‘Wagatha Chrstie’ drama between his wife Rebekah and England team-mate Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen.Rebekah Vardy was accused of leaking stories about Coleen Rooney’s life to the media, something that ultimately ended in a high-profile libel trial.The trial swept the nation with Vardy and Rooney both supporting their wives at court.Vardy’s time with England led to drama involving teammate Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty Images – GettyRebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney were entangled in a libel trial at High CourtCredit: PAVardy supported his wife during the trialCredit: PAEND OF AN ERAVardy never turned away from Leicester as he cemented his legacy as a club legend.That included sticking with them after their relegation from the Premier League in 2023, helping them bounce straight back up from the Championship with 18 goals during the 2023/24 season.But after the Foxes fell back down to Championship this season – in a dire record-breaking relegation campaign – Vardy has finally decided to call it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester.The striker is on the brink of 500 appearances for the club, scoring 198 times and registering 69 assists.In an emotional video Vardy announced that he will be leaving Leicester at the end of the season.He said: “It’s something that I’ve thought about and spoken about with my family. I think it’s time.”I’ll be devastated on the day when it is the last [game], but good things, they come to an end.”It’s going to be one of those emotional days. Who knows which way that can go.”If you ask anyone, I’m not really an emotional guy.”Nothing like that ever comes across with me, but when you’ve been somewhere for so long, and it is time to say goodbye, you just never know what your personal reaction is going to be.Read More on The Sun”I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs.”It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about it, but I think the timing it right.”Vardy leaves Leicester with a stunning haul of achievementsCredit: GettyThe striker will go down as a club legendCredit: AP More

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      West Ham star Mohammed Kudus lined up to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr as £120m transfer clause emerges

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      AL-NASSR are prepared to bid £85.5m for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, according to reports.Transfer expert Ben Jacobs claims the winger’s release clause is £120m for Saudi clubs – £35m more than for Premier League clubs.Al-Nassr are prepared to bid for Kudus for the second transfer window in a rowAl-Nassr are confident, however, that West Ham will sell for lessThe Saudi Pro-League club previously made an approach for Kudus in January after Brighton rejected their £76.9m bid for Kauru Mitoma and are not certain that he will take this second offer.Mitoma, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz have been named as other Premier League targets.Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax for £38m in 2023 after scoring 18 goals and collecting seven assists in the 2022/23 season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet he hasn’t enjoyed the same form in his second season in England that he did in his first.Kudus managed 28 goals and assists in all competitions in 2023/24 but this season has only six in 30 games and hasn’t scored since December.This mirrors the form of the club as West Ham currently sit 17th with the oldest average squad age in the Premier League (28.5).Manager Graham Potter will want to make big changes to his squad in the summer and the club are facing numerous departures. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile there is doubt over whether Kudus will want to move, the money that he could generate despite his downturn in form will be attractive.The Hammers drew with doomed Southampton last Saturday – but will look to improve on that performance as they travel to the Amex to face Potter’s old club Brighton on Saturday.Last weekend the London club drew with Southampton who are the first Premier League club to be relegated with seven games remaining.Hilarious moment Newcastle Utd ballboy snubs West Ham star Mohammed Kudus as he asks for his seat for iconic celebrationThe Ghana winger has been on a run of poor form this season More