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      World’s most valuable players revealed as Jude Bellingham leapfrogs Erling Haaland… but lags behind Lamine Yamal

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      Arsenal move for Benjamin Sesko ‘hijacked by Saudi big-spenders Al-Hilal and they want deal to happen TODAY’

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      Man Utd transfer target Viktor Gyokeres ‘furious at Sporting after U-turn on £84million release clause’

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      ‘He battered me’ – Ex-Everton hardman Duncan Ferguson reveals current England star beat him up in training fight

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      DUNCAN FERGUSON has revealed he was “battered” in a training fight by a current England player.The former striker built a hardman image during his career and it is a reputation he is still known for.Duncan Ferguson challenged one of his players to a boxing fightCredit: ReutersAnthony Gordon got the better of the ex-Everton bossCredit: GettyFerguson handed Gordon his Everton debut while in interim chargeCredit: GettyFerguson has previously fought off intruders in his own home and picked up nine red cards, often for thuggery, but one England star got the better of him.The Scot fought Anthony Gordon in a boxing match while the pair were at Everton.Ferguson was a big admirer of the youngster and handed Gordon his Everton debut while interim manager, but he wanted to teach the winger a lesson to persuade him to quit sparring – one of his big hobbies.But after donning the gloves to take on Gordon, Ferguson was taught a lesson of his own – not to challenge the quick and nimble winger.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFerguson revealed the incident in his book, Big Dunc: The Upfront Autobiography.He said: “I made sure Gordon got his debut at Limassol, I then gave Anthony his second game against Leicester,’ Ferguson wrote.”I loved his appetite to improve, he wanted to learn and practice, practice, practice.”He was as fit as a fiddle and took diet seriously but was still going to different boxing gyms and sparring. ‘You have to stop,’ I told Anthony, “You can’t go to them, you’ll get hurt”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”He battered me once in the Finch Farm gym. I had a pair of boxing gloves on, he didn’t. And I didn’t do it again. “Anthony’s a bright lad, knows what he wants and is dedicated and lightning quick.”Duncan Ferguson gets public apology from non-league club after he’s caught on camera throwing drink away More

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      Arsenal and Liverpool have ‘HUGE advantage’ in title race says Thomas Tuchel as he tips Man City and Chelsea to struggle

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      ARSENAL and Liverpool have a “huge advantage” in next season’s Premier League title race — according to Thomas Tuchel.The England boss reckons the upcoming Club World Cup could seriously affect the chances of Manchester City and Chelsea.Thomas Tuchel feels Liverpool and Arsenal could benefit from not playing in the Club World CupCredit: GettyLiverpool stars will get a full pre-seasonCredit: GettyArsenal will be amongst the favourites to win the titleCredit: GettyThe Fifa tournament in the US begins this weekend and the final is on July 13, just five weeks before the start of the new Prem season.Chelsea and City stars will go on holiday after the Club World Cup and have no pre-season before the domestic campaign kicks off.Tuchel, preparing for the friendly with Senegal at the City Ground in Nottingham, said: “It will have a huge impact and it will give Liverpool and Arsenal a huge advantage next season to not be there.“It will be a very nice experience for the players who are there to play this tournament for the first time so there are mixed feelings about it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I have decided not to worry too much because why should I? No one knows the outcome of it.“We will deal with the effect when the effect comes.”Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is set to start for the Three Lions tonight despite being involved in the Club World Cup.Tuchel added: “If you go and ask the players, you would get 25 who say ‘I want to start’.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“The clubs are concerned and I get that after a long season.”Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson could win his third England cap against Senegal.’They looked bored’ – Roy Keane slams England’s ‘poor attitude’ as Thomas Tuchel admits ‘I didn’t like’ Andorra effortJude Bellingham missed training yesterday to attend a family funeral but is set to be on the bench.Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney will have to wait to see if he gets any action after failing to feature in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Andorra.Tuchel said: “He has every chance to play.” More

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      Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn’t be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed

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      BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past.But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the England and Arsenal star has returned from hamstring surgery focused only on the present.Buyako Saka was ‘worried’ about his future after having surgery just before ChristmasSaka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in DecemberAnd it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign —  that began with a Euros final loss for England and ended trophyless for his club — behind him.Saka, 23, said: “I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended.“But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.”The Londoner went under the knife on December 24 after sustaining the injury three days prior in a 5-1 win at Crystal Palace.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIn typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day.He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for  self-reflection.The Gunners talisman said: “I had gone from five years straight playing football, either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops.“You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn’t have even paid attention to when I was playing.“On that note it was nice and I’ve come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I’m trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally.Arsenal star Bukayo Saka’s glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion AwardsSaka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid“The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I’ve got what I’ve got and I need an operation.“You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’ as players came back from this injury and weren’t the same.“After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I’ve come back in a good place.”Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Arsenal assistant coach Carlos Cuesta during his time sidelined.It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger.He added: “It’s a really good book. It’s about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future, just being in the moment.You start to think, ‘Am I going to be the same?’Saka“Sometimes I can think, ‘Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?’ Or, in the past, ‘What could I have done to prevent injury?’“But all that is not necessary. It’s only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body.“One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what’s necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.”Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin’s, having had surgery at 5am the previous day.He claimed it took him “ten minutes” to get to the dining room for dinner.So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy “to get after him”, as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a “good and funny experience”.On Tuesday against Senegal at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, Saka hopes to ­feature for the first time under Thomas Tuchel, who he describes as “demanding and intense” on the grass but “relaxed and nice” off it.Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich chief Tuchel has been brought in with the sole remit of winning the World Cup next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate.The German has won all three of his games, without conceding a goal, but underwhelmed with performances,  especially in Saturday’s drab 1-0 victory over Andorra in Barcelona.And Saka admits England sometimes have a motivation issue against the smaller nations.Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas TuchelArsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England againBut the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most.He added: “Every player is different and I can’t answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more.“In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game.“It’s not easy at times but we need  to find that and get these games over the line.Read More on The Sun“The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It’s job done.“The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then  perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.”Saka’s Premier League stats this season More

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      Belgium 4 Wales 3: De Bruyne breaks Welsh hearts after thrilling three-goal comeback and controversial VAR farce

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE broke Wales hearts on a night of World Cup qualifying chaos in Belgium.The out-going Manchester City star scored an 88th-minute winner to inflict Craig Bellamy’s first defeat as Dragons boss and dent their automatic qualification hopes.Kevin De Bruyne grabbed Belgium’s winner against WalesCredit: GettyThe departing Manchester City magician stormed in at the back post late onCredit: GettyBut where do you start to sum up this seven-goal thriller – which included an epic three-goal comeback by Wales and was dominated by several poor refereeing decisions and lengthy VAR checks?There were two first-half penalties awarded by referee Irfan Peljto – one for each side and both looked harsh.Then Romelu Lukaku had an 80th-minute goal ruled out following a five-minute VAR check – during which both managers were booked – because the ball went out of play in the build-up.On a night of mayhem in Brussels, the Dragons fell 3-0 down inside 27 minutes through goals by Lukaku from the penalty spot, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku as the hosts ran riot in the first half.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpirited Wales came roaring back through goals from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson.Yet De Bruyne had the final say with a classy finish when the star midfielder was left unmarked at the back post.It left the visitors floored as Bellamy tasted a loss for the first time in ten matches since he became boss last July.Wales now trail North Macedonia by a point in Group J in their quest to reach the finals in USA, Mexico and Canada next summer with the Belgians only three points behind with two games in hand.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTo compound Bellamy’s frustrations, the 45-year-old, who spent two years at Anderlecht, is due to return to Belgium for a friend’s wedding later this week.Pre-match, Bellamy had hailed his first 12 months in the Wales job as the “best year” of his life.World Cup winner and one-club legend rolls back the years with stunning goal from halfway line But, after Spurs legend Jan Vertonghen received a heartfelt farewell from the Belgian public, Bellamy’s Dragons were left furious by the award of Lukaku’s 15th-minute penalty.De Bruyne’s shot hit the arm of Brennan Johnson from a short distance but Bosnian ref Peljto pointed to the spot.A lengthy VAR check did not overturn what looked to be a harsh decision and Napoli striker Lukaku slotted home his 89th international goal.Wales were rocked and failed to recover as Belgium cut them to ribbons in a dangerous attacking display.Tielemans doubled the hosts’ lead on 19 minutes when the Aston Villa midfielder, captain for the night, hit the top corner with a side-footed finish.It was a slick team move from Rudi Garcia’s men with De Bruyne, Leandro Trossard and Maxim de Cuyper involved before Tielemans was left unmarked to beat Karl Darlow.Wales almost halved the deficit instantly but David Brooks missed a glorious chance before Ben Davies forced Nottingham Forest keeper Matz Sels into a scrambling save.De Bruyne rolled an effort past the post but Manchester City wideman Doku made no mistake when he cut in on his left foot and fired past Darlow despite the Leeds stopper getting a hand to his shot.Wales, who had never won on Belgian soil, were handed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time when Sels was deemed to foul Chris Mepham when he clattered into the defender trying to punch a high ball away.It appeared another harsh call by ref Peljto and Wilson scored from the spot by sending Sels the wrong way for his 14th Dragons goal.Read More on The SunTrossard and Lukaku wasted chances to put the game to bed and Wales netted a second on 51 minutes when Wilson set up Thomas to slot home.Wales were in dreamland when Johnson headed home from Thomas’ centre before De Bruyne scored his 31st Belgium goal in his final act before he was substituted to crush Bellamy and Co.Youri Tielemans helped Belgium march into a commanding leadCredit: GettyWales got a penalty on the stroke of half-timeCredit: EPAHarry Wilson converted his spot kick to give Wales a lifelineCredit: GettySorba Thomas rolled in Wales’ second to cut the deficit to oneCredit: GettyBrennan Johnson headed in a dramatic equaliserCredit: EPARomelu Lukaku thought he had restored Belgium’s advantageCredit: ReutersWales immediatel appealed to the ref as VAR took five minutes to rule it outCredit: ReutersWales did their trademark silly team photo before kick-offCredit: GettyLukaku scored from the penalty spot to get things goingCredit: GettyCraig Bellamy and the Welsh team were left heartbrokenCredit: Reuters More

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      Jobe and Jude Bellingham can be just third brothers to join exclusive club as he follows brother’s footsteps to Dortmund

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      FOR a kid so determined to escape his brother’s shadow that he refuses to wear his surname on his shirt, it seems a strange career move.But Jobe Bellingham’s transfer to Borussia Dortmund — the club where brother Jude emerged as a world-class talent — is intriguing.Jobe Bellingham is on the verge of signing for Borussia DortmundCredit: GettyThe midfielder is following in the footsteps of brother JudeCredit: INSTAGRAM @judebellinghamJude Bellingham played for Dortmund between 2020 and 2023Credit: GettyThe pair could become the third set of brothers to play for EnglandCredit: INSTAGRAM @judebellinghamDortmund have clearly seen enough in the younger Bellingham to shell out the second-highest transfer fee in the club’s history. This is no ordinary Jobe.A fee of up to £33million is a serious investment for a 19-year-old who has never played top-flight football.And given that Dortmund are certainly no mugs when it comes to player recruitment, we can be assured that there is no sentimentality attached to it.This thing has not been designed to be season two of a reality show called ‘The Bellinghams’.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe younger Bellingham — who has worn ‘Jobe’ on his back ever since joining Sunderland from Birmingham two years ago — is a serious prospect who played a major role in securing the Black Cats’ return to the Premier League following an eight-year absence.And after sealing his move to the Westfalenstadion, he is heading straight to the Club World Cup in the United States, where he might end up playing against Jude and Real Madrid.It is natural that Jobe should wish to forge his own path. After all, who wants to go through life being known as their big brother’s little brother?But with the Bellinghams, there are far too many similarities to make that prospect a realistic one.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSJude was the youngest debutant in Birmingham’s history, aged 16. Jobe became the second-youngest, just a couple of months older than his brother had been.Jude was the Championship’s Young Player of the Year in 2020. Five years on, Jobe has won the same accolade.Jobe Bellingham takes swipe at Sky Sports pundits in live TV interview before awkward moment with panel at WembleyAnd now both have moved to Borussia Dortmund as teenagers.There are differences, too.While Jude started off as a more defensive midfielder and has advanced to play as No 10 or a ‘false nine’, Jobe began as an attacking midfield player and has settled back into a box-to-box role.It is therefore possible, perhaps even as soon as next year’s World Cup, to envisage the two Bellinghams playing together for England.Since the start of the 20th Century, only two pairs of brothers have represented England at senior level.Those are Bobby and Jack Charlton, who won the World Cup together in 1966; and Gary and Phil Neville, wonderfully referred to in Jaap Stam’s autobiography as “busy c***s . . . who never stop whingeing”.So this would be quite some company for the Bellingham family to share.Not that the duo’s father, Mark, needs any convincing that his family are something special.Having one Bellingham in the England squad has its problems. Having two might be a real struggle.There are already special measures in place for Jude, the finest English talent of his generation, when it comes to his lack of media interviews on England duty.More significantly, there are times when he can be a law unto himself around the squad.This is not ideal for Thomas Tuchel and might affect Jobe’s prospects of promotion from the Under-21s.Still, should he hit the ground running at the Club World Cup and then flourish in the Bundesliga, Jobe will thrust himself into serious England contention.Tuchel is not well blessed with central midfielders, to such an extent that 34-year-old Jordan Henderson — a close confidant of Jude — is back in a starting berth.Dortmund has become a finishing school for young English talent, from Jadon Sancho to Jude Bellingham to Chelsea target Jamie Gittens and now to Jobe. And while Sancho’s career prospects continue to nosedive after a poor loan spell at Chelsea, it is worth remembering the trailblazing nature of his move to Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2017.And that Sancho returned there for a decent loan move last season and started in the Champions League final at Wembley.It was Sancho, and his representatives, who spotted a career path largely untrodden by English kids — the idea that, with Premier League clubs stockpiling global talent, their best chance of breaking into regular top-flight football was to move abroad.What seemed revolutionary then is becoming increasingly common.For Sancho, and then for Jude Bellingham, becoming a star player at one of European football’s greatest stadiums in the Bundesliga was far preferable to struggling for game time at a Premier League club.So it should be little surprise that Jobe has followed suit.His family name will be a help, rather than a hindrance, when it comes to winning over those fanatical supporters who make up Dortmund’s Yellow Wall.Whether he decides to wear that name on his back is a different matter.Burn’s frightHOW will we know if England can defend before next year’s World Cup?Thomas Tuchel’s men haven’t had to do much defending during his first three matches.And they are not scheduled to face any elite opposition before the tournament in America — the clash with Senegal and a Wembley date with Wales are the only friendlies currently slated.With Gareth Southgate’s defensive stalwarts either going or gone, most of what’s left doesn’t look world class.Watching Dan Burn struggling against Andorra, then witnessing Portugal, Spain and France’s attacking quality in the Nations League, made Tuchel’s aim of ‘putting another star’ on England’s shirt — by winning the World Cup — sound distinctly silly.Thomas Tuchel’s England have not been tested defensivelyCredit: ReutersIt’s Mad worldTHIS column’s new favourite referee has to be Bobby Madley, after the EFL official broke ranks and admitted he “hates” VAR for taking the emotion out of football.Madley was axed as a top-flight ref for online silliness in 2018 and so maybe has less of a vested interest than other refs when he speaks about using tech in decision-making.Many other refs agree with Madley, yet they are duty-bound to pretend VAR is a force for good — as it is also a “jobs for the boys” scheme, allowing more refs to earn more money from the game.Big missBIG ANGE POSTECOGLOU may have been the last of the “Big” men to manage in the English game.And at least the big Aussie, like Big Sam Allardyce and Big Jack Charlton before him, was actually big.I’ve met Big Ron Atkinson and Alex “Big Eck” McLeish and they are not really very big at all.And as for former Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe “Big Phil” Scolari, he was barely even medium-sized.Being FrankGiven that the job spec for the Spurs hotseat must now say “do not prioritise cup competitions”, it’s no shock Thomas Frank is set to succeed Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou.Since reaching the top flight in 2021, Frank’s Brentford have won just one FA Cup tie.Read More on The SunThomas Frank boasts a poor FA Cup recordCredit: PACharity caseTHERE will be another celebrity ‘Soccer Aid’ football match on TV next weekend — and you won’t find many better causes than Unicef.But these games are so awful to watch that many of us would rather make big donations in order to guarantee they don’t show it  on TV. 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