France Ligue 1

ARSENAL outcast William Saliba has admitted that he was ‘hurt’ by his lack of opportunities with the Gunners.
The Frenchman arrived in North London last summer, having spent a year on loan at Saint-Etienne following his £27million switch in 2019.

William Saliba has joined OGC Nice on loanCredit: Reuters

But boss Mikel Arteta froze him out, not even naming him on the bench for a Premier League game – or in his 25-man Europa League squad.
Saliba, 19, found himself limited to Under-23s football, before being loaned out to Nice earlier this month.
Speaking to TF1, he said: “I really, really, really didn’t think that I would be transferred for €30m, to think that I would arrive, where people were expecting a lot from me, the fans excited about me and you find yourself in the reserves.
“To play zero, zero nothing in the Europa League or the league. I was in the squad once in the League Cup. It hurt me, it affected me.

“I don’t think I left too early. When you feel ready you have to go. I don’t think I left too early. These things happen. I believe in myself.”
Saliba has been ever-present since joining Nice, and hasn’t ruled out returning permanently in the summer.
He said: “I am just focused on doing the absolute most and best possible for the next six months. After that, we will see.”
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Saliba, 19, was limited to reserve team football at ArsenalCredit: Rex Features

Saliba was included on the substitutes’ bench for the League Cup tie against Leicester City, as well as the Community Shield.
He made six appearances for the Gunners’ Under-23s in the PL2, as well as two outings in the EFL Trophy.
The clash with AFC Wimbledon didn’t go well, however, as he was shown a red card in a dismal 3-0 defeat.
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ON-LOAN Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Garissone Innocent collapsed and was rushed to hospital during a Ligue 2 match – after the opposition goalkeeper was also knocked unconscious and required a brain scan.
Innocent, 20, was playing for Caen in their clash against Chambly on Saturday night.

Caen goalkeeper Garissone Innocent suddenly collapsed when standing alone in his penalty areaCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

The 20-year-old Frenchman was rushed to hospital where he regained consciousness and stayed overnightCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

With nobody near him in the 86th minute, the Frenchman suddenly fell unconscious in his penalty area in worrying and distressing scenes.
He was treated on the field by medics before being stretchered off and taken to the hospital, where he woke up and remained overnight in a ‘stable condition’.
French news outlet Ouest-France reported Innocent had a tachycardia attack, an abnormal electrical impulse in his heart, causing him to lose consciousness.
Coach Pascal Dupraz said: “He had trouble speaking and breathing. I hope everything’s going to be okay.

“These are scenes you don’t expect to see on the pitch. All my thoughts are with him.”
The club tweeted on Sunday morning to say there was ‘reassuring news’ while PSG sent their best wishes to their academy graduate.
Caen right-back Hugo Vandermersch went in goal for the remaining minutes with the away side already making all five substitutions as they ended the 4-2 defeat with nine players.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Chambly goalkeeper Xavier Pinoteau had been hurried to hospital in the first half.

He was knocked out after a 32nd-minute tackle by Caen’s American winger Nicholas Gioacchini, who received a red card.
Pinoteau regained consciousness and was put on a drip for the journey before having a brain scan.
Chambly wrote on Twitter: “Following his shock to the head during the match against @SMCaen, our goalkeeper Xavier Pinoteau is doing well.
“And that is the essential point. He remains in the hospital for a follow-up scan tomorrow or Tuesday.
“We would like to highlight this evening the SAMU 60 [French emergency services] which, with its rapid interventions, has probably avoided the worst. Well done, and THANKS to them.”
Pinoteau said: “I thank everyone for the many messages of support and sympathy that I have received since yesterday.
“A big thank you to the SAMU, the doc and the rescuers for their efficiency and their kindness! PS: I haven’t said my last word!”

Chambly stopper Xavier Pinoteau was also hospitalised after a red-card tackle from Nicholas GioacchiniCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

Pinoteau needed rapid treatment after being knocked out in the first halfCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

He was awake when placed on a drip for the trip to the hospital where he needed a brain scanCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

Innocent is on loan at the second-division side from Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Icon Sport – Getty

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ANGEL DI MARIA could stay at Paris Saint-Germain as CHEF, if his wife has anything to do with it.
The Argentine’s contract is set to expire at Parc des Princes this summer.

Di Maria’s wife Jorgelina has urged him to stay in ParisCredit: Getty – Contributor

The Argentine could link up with his compatriot Lionel MessiCredit: AFP

Spurs are rumoured to be interested in bringing Di Maria, 32, back to England.
But with his compatriot Lionel Messi, 33, being linked with a summer switch to the French capital, wife Jorgelina Cardoso is urging him to stay with the club – in any capacity.
He said: “My wife told me ‘if Leo comes, we stay and at the very least you can stay on as a cook.’
“That tells you everything. […] It would be the best. I couldn’t ask for anything more in football.”

On the prospect of finally linking up with his international team-mate at club level, he added: “I always had the dream of playing with Messi in a club team.
“Every time we go to the Argentine national team, it seems very short.
“I always had the dream of playing with him, having him by my side every day.
“I had, at one time, chances to go to FC Barcelona, but it was not possible.

Di Maria has been linked with a summer move to SpursCredit: Reuters

Di Maria wed Jorgelina in 2011Credit: Instagram @jorgelinacardoso26

“It seems that there is another chance, but my contract is ending here.
“I don’t know what could happen, but I would love it, and I would be very happy.
“I had the chance to play with Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe.
“Playing with Leo… I could retire happily.
Di Maria has started all five games since new boss Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival earlier this month.
In total he has made 22 appearances this season, scoring four goals and laying on ten assists.

Angel Di Maria nutmegs Mauricio Pochettino in PSG training and sends ex- boss tumbling to the ground in hilarious style More

FURIOUS Marseille fans have stormed the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus Centre training ground ahead of tonight’s match, leading to 25 arrests and clashes with police.
The French giants are set to take on Rennes at Stade Velodrome this evening.

Furious fans have taken to the streets in protest

The action sparked dangerous scenes

Andre Villas-Boas’ side performed admirably last season, raising hopes of one of France’s sleeping giants.
But following four consecutive defeats, as well as Villas-Boas’ admission that he has not been offered a new contract, fans have taken to the training ground to voice their angst.
Banners appeared around the city this morning, voicing their displeasure at the team and its management.
And things were ramped up a notch this afternoon, when around 150-200 fans forced their way into the training ground.

RMC report that firecrackers and some bombs were let off.
And they even set fire to a tree.
The incident has prompted 25 arrests, while local police ‘strongly condemn’ the ‘unacceptable violence’.
Cops eventually gained control of the scene, although fans left messages including: “(Jacques-Henri) Eyraud out… Eyraud leave…

Fans set the streets ablaze

Boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that his team are ‘awful’Credit: AFP or licensors
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“The board are sons of b****es.”
Earlier this week, boss AVB said: “It looks like the end. I think it’ll all be over in June.
“I’m demanding nothing because looking at where we are it wouldn’t be right. And I think everyone agrees with that.”
The former Spurs and Chelsea manager, 43, then admitted that the club could do with a clear out of personnel… including himself.
He added: “I can’t see an extension materialising, we’re 13 points off the top.
“The place needs a clear-out including myself, unless I get 10 straight wins maybe not.
“But I’m responsible for the results and right now they’re awful.”
Key midfielder Morgan Sanson was sold to Aston Villa this week for £15.5million.

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MAURICIO POCHETTINO was hilariously sent tumbling to the ground after he was nutmegged by Angel Di Maria during training a PSG training session.
The former Tottenham boss took charge of the French champions last month and enjoyed almost instant success.

Angel Di Maria embarrassed boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham training

The winger nutmegged the ex-Spurs boss during a training exercise

And Poch’s momentum sent him flying forward onto the turf

Di Maria then raced off and slid onto the turf himself in celebration

Despite a recent battle with coronavirus ruling him out of action, the Argentinian is now back in the thick of things with his star-studded squad.
But he learned a painful lesson about just how good his players earlier today after he was sent flying.
Poch was taking part in training and was in the middle of a circle of his men as they played keep-ball while he attempted to steal possession.
However, ex-Manchester United winger and compatriot Di Maria decided to delve into his box of tricks and embarrass the gaffer.

As Pochettino sprinted towards him, he slotted the ball through the 48-year-old’s legs, but the South American’s momentum carried him forwards before he lost his balance and went tumbling.
The cheeky Di Maria could not resist rubbing it in further as he shared the footage on to his Instagram page.
Poch is now back following a period of isolation after he tested positive for Covid-19 on January 15.
That forced him to miss their victory over Angers but he returned for last week’s 4-0 demolition of Montpellier.

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Poch got off to a flyer in the French capital as he won the first trophy of his managerial career just THREE GAMES into his reign.
After losing in the League Cup and Champions League final at Tottenham, he lifted the French Super Cup at Stade Bollaert-Delelis following a 2-1 win over Marseille.
PSG travel to Lorient this weekend looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table, where they are currently just in front of Lille on goal difference.

Several success stories have come from January transfers More

MAURICIO POCHETTINO was hilariously sent tumbling to the ground after he was nutmegged by Angel Di Maria during training a PSG training session.
The former Tottenham boss took charge of the French champions last month and enjoyed almost instant success.

Angel Di Maria embarrassed boss Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham training

The winger nutmegged the ex-Spurs boss during a training exercise

And Poch’s momentum sent him flying forward onto the turf

Di Maria then raced off and slid onto the turf himself in celebration

Despite a recent battle with coronavirus ruling him out of action, the Argentinian is now back in the thick of things with his star-studded squad.
But he learned a painful lesson about just how good his players earlier today after he was sent flying.
Poch was taking part in training and was in the middle of a circle of his men as they played keep-ball while he attempted to steal possession.
However, ex-Manchester United winger and compatriot Di Maria decided to delve into his box of tricks and embarrass the gaffer.

As Pochettino sprinted towards him, he slotted the ball through the 48-year-old’s legs, but the South American’s momentum carried him forwards before he lost his balance and went tumbling.
The cheeky Di Maria could not resist rubbing it in further as he shared the footage on to his Instagram page.
Poch is now back following a period of isolation after he tested positive for Covid-19 on January 15.
That forced him to miss their victory over Angers but he returned for last week’s 4-0 demolition of Montpellier.

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Poch got off to a flyer in the French capital as he won the first trophy of his managerial career just THREE GAMES into his reign.
After losing in the League Cup and Champions League final at Tottenham, he lifted the French Super Cup at Stade Bollaert-Delelis following a 2-1 win over Marseille.
PSG travel to Lorient this weekend looking to strengthen their position at the top of the table, where they are currently just in front of Lille on goal difference.

Several success stories have come from January transfers More

FORMER Chelsea and Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas admits his reign at Marseille will likely end in June.
The 43-year-old’s side have endured a ‘disastrous’ slump in his second campaign in charge after being dumped out of the Champions League and slipping to sixth in Ligue 1.

Andre Villas-Boas admitted he expects to Leave Marseille in JuneCredit: AFP

Speculation over his future has been mounting with his contract ending at the end of the season.
And he admitted today that unless his players dramatically improve over the next few months, an offer of an extension looks unlikely to be offered.
The Portuguese said: “It looks like the end. I think it’ll all be over in June.
“I’m demanding nothing because looking at where we are it wouldn’t be right. And I think everyone agrees with that.”

Marseille are currently on a three-match losing streak and face Rennes at home tomorrow.
AVB guided the club to second-place in the French top-flight last term.
But he has amazingly claimed the whole club needs a ‘clear-out’ – including HIMSELF!
Villas-Boas added: “I can’t see an extension materialising, we’re 13 points off the top.

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Several success stories have come from January transfers

“The place needs a clear-out including myself, unless I get 10 straight wins maybe not.
“But I’m responsible for the results and right now they’re awful.”
AVB has endured a rollercoaster 11 years since beginning his management career at Academica.
He began coaching by working under Jose Mourinho at Porto, following him to both Chelsea and Inter Milan.
He then secured the Blues job for himself after leading Porto to a Primeira Liga, Portuguese Cup and Europa League treble.
But his reign only lasted 40 games before he was sacked – receiving a record £13.3m pay-off.
He then took charge of Tottenham in July 2012 but was axed in December 2013 and has since ventured to Russia and China before ending up in France.

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MAURICIO POCHETTINO is confident that Kylian Mbappe will remain at Paris Saint-Germain for ‘many years to come’.
And the former Spurs boss also poured cold water over claims that he rejected Real Madrid – while opening the door to the LaLiga champions’ skipper to join him at Parc des Princes.

Pochettino, 48, is confident of keeping Kylian Mbappe at the clubCredit: Reuters

The Argentine sat down with Spanish paper Marca

Pochettino, 48, returned to management earlier this month with the French giants, winning four of his first five games in charge.
And as he gets his feet under the table, he has given a wide ranging interview with Spanish paper Marca.
Among the topics covered was superstar forward Kylian Mbappe, whose contract expires in 18 months.
Despite his precarious contractual situation, as well as reports suggesting that PSG could sell to Real Madrid or Liverpool, Pochettino is confident of retaining his star man.

He said: “There are a lot of rumours, but I think he will be at PSG for many years to come, and that’s the club’s hope.
“We are counting on him for as long as we are here. It’s true that he has to make a decision [on his future], but he seems happy and very committed to this project.”
And on Mbappe’s quality, Pochettino gushed: “Who doesn’t love Kylian? we say to each other.
“He makes himself loved, with his smile, his face and his energy. At the age of 19 he was a world champion [with France], impressive things have happened to him, but he is special and different, with a lot of emotional intelligence.

Mbappe, 22, has netted 14 goals in 17 Ligue 1 outings this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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“He has a lot of potential to develop but he is already [someone for the] present, not just the future. It’s a challenge and a good thing to work with this kind of talent, it makes you a better coach.
“You give this type of player a solution and he gives you five back.”
Rumours were rife that Pochettino was in the frame to replace Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.
But the Argentine has revealed that this was not the case.
He continued: “This is not the case, although there was a lot of talk at the time.
“We have a lot of respect for the teams that may have been interested in our staff.
“It wasn’t like that and of course I have been approached by clubs, but the one we received with love was from PSG. And this is the ideal project.”

Pochettino has poured cold water on rumours he rejected Real MadridCredit: EPA

PSG have been linked with Real Madrid defender Sergio RamosCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Quizzed more specifically over whether he turned down Florentino Perez, he added: “Of course, that never happened. Clubs are always above the individual and anyone who can say such a thing is out of place.”
PSG have been linked with Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, 34, whose contract expires this summer.
And Pochettino admitted that the Spaniard would be welcome to join him in the French capital.
He said: “After one month [at PSG] I am finding players with great leadership.
“The great [players] are able to play and coexist in different projects and cultures, but I am very respectful.
“PSG’s strategy has been the same for years, ever since we signed Ronaldinho: to look at market opportunities and bring in those who can improve what we have.
“We will see in the coming months. Here, Ramos would find a great club with the obsession to always win. PSG are one of the biggest [clubs] in the world.”

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