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      Mauricio Pochettino wins first trophy of his career just TWELVE DAYS into PSG reign after years of Tottenham heartbreak

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has won the first trophy of his managerial career just THREE GAMES into his reign as Paris Saint-Germain boss.
      After losing in the League Cup and Champions League final at Tottenham, the 48-year-old has started off in the best possible way in France.

      PSG celebrate after beating Marseille in the in the Trophee des ChampionsCredit: AFP or licensors

      PSG striker Mauro Icardi reacts after scoring against MarseilleCredit: EPA

      Les Parisiens side beat bitter rivals Marseille 2-1 in the French Super Cup at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
      Argentine striker Mauro Icardi put PSG ahead going into the break, before Neymar doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
      Former West Ham ace Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back for Marseille four minutes later, but they were unable to stage a dramatic fightback.
      The win will come as a much-needed relief for Pochettino who has finally won a first trophy 12 years into his managerial career.

      In fact, the silverware come just TWELVE DAYS into his spell at PSG… after 2003 trophyless days with Spurs.
      Since taking charge of Espanyol in January 2009, silverware has eluded Poch from his spell in Spain, to his stints at Southampton and Spurs.
      He suffered heartbreak in the League Cup final in 2015 when Chelsea beat the North Londoners 2-0 at Wembley.
      And Pochettino was then reduced to tears in 2019 when Liverpool emerged victorious in the Champions League final after winning 2-0.

      Spurs also narrowly missed out on the Premier League crown to the Blues in 2017 when they finished in second spot.
      The year before they infamously finished third… in what appeared to be a two-horse race in Leicester’s stunning title success.
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      ⚠️ | QUICK STATEspanyol – 1406 days, 160 matches, 0 trophiesSouthampton – 493 days, 60 matches, 0 trophiesTottenham – 2002 days, 293 matches, 0 trophiesPSG – 12 days, 3 matches, 1 trophy 🏆Mauricio Pochettino wins the first trophy of his managerial career!#TDC2020 #PSGOM pic.twitter.com/nF42iZgTe5
      — SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) January 13, 2021

      Mauricio Pochettino has won the first trophy of his managerial careerCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Neymar scored what turned out to be the winning goal at Stade Bollaert-DelelisCredit: AFP or licensors

      Pochettino suffered heartbreak at Tottenham in both the League Cup and Champions League finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And they also came close to winning the FA Cup in both 2017 and 2018 when they reached the last four of the competition.
      PSG’s win will also be a weight off Poch’s shoulders following their draw against Saint-Etienne in his first game in charge, before they beat Brest on Saturday.
      The former PSG defender will also be relieved that Neymar found the back of the net on his return to the side.
      On as a second half substitute, the Brazilian winger was making his first appearance since December 13 after injuring his ankle.
      He put on a convincing display, which was rewarded with a goal from the spot after Icardi was brought down in the area by Yohann Pele.

      Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of PSG ends in a draw at St Etienne More

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      Mauricio Pochettino wins first trophy of his career just TWELVE DAYS into PSG reign after years of Spurs heartbreak

      by

      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has won the first trophy of his managerial career just THREE GAMES into his reign as Paris Saint-Germain boss.
      After losing in the League Cup and Champions League final at Tottenham, the 48-year-old has started off in the best possible way in France.

      PSG celebrate after beating Marseille in the in the Trophee des ChampionsCredit: AFP or licensors

      PSG striker Mauro Icardi reacts after scoring against MarseilleCredit: EPA

      Les Parisiens side beat bitter rivals Marseille 2-1 in the French Super Cup at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.
      Argentine striker Mauro Icardi put PSG ahead going into the break, before Neymar doubled their lead from the penalty spot in the 85th minute.
      Former West Ham ace Dimitri Payet pulled a goal back for Marseille four minutes later, but they were unable to stage a dramatic fightback.
      The win will come as a much-needed relief for Pochettino who has finally won a first trophy 12 years into his managerial career.

      In fact, the silverware come just TWELVE DAYS into his spell at PSG… after 2003 trophyless days with Spurs.
      Since taking charge of Espanyol in January 2009, silverware has eluded Poch from his spell in Spain, to his stints at Southampton and Spurs.
      He suffered heartbreak in the League Cup final in 2015 when Chelsea beat the North Londoners 2-0 at Wembley.
      And Pochettino was then reduced to tears in 2019 when Liverpool emerged victorious in the Champions League final after winning 2-0.

      Spurs also narrowly missed out on the Premier League crown to the Blues in 2017 when they finished in second spot.
      The year before they infamously finished third… in what appeared to be a two-horse race in Leicester’s stunning title success.
      FANCY A PUNT? TODAY’S BEST ODDS BOOSTS FROM THE UK’S LEADING BOOKIES

      ⚠️ | QUICK STATEspanyol – 1406 days, 160 matches, 0 trophiesSouthampton – 493 days, 60 matches, 0 trophiesTottenham – 2002 days, 293 matches, 0 trophiesPSG – 12 days, 3 matches, 1 trophy 🏆Mauricio Pochettino wins the first trophy of his managerial career!#TDC2020 #PSGOM pic.twitter.com/nF42iZgTe5
      — SofaScore (@SofaScoreINT) January 13, 2021

      Mauricio Pochettino has won the first trophy of his managerial careerCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Neymar scored what turned out to be the winning goal at Stade Bollaert-DelelisCredit: AFP or licensors

      Pochettino suffered heartbreak at Tottenham in both the League Cup and Champions League finalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And they also came close to winning the FA Cup in both 2017 and 2018 when they reached the last four of the competition.
      PSG’s win will also be a weight off Poch’s shoulders following their draw against Saint-Etienne in his first game in charge, before they beat Brest on Saturday.
      The former PSG defender will also be relieved that Neymar found the back of the net on his return to the side.
      On as a second half substitute, the Brazilian winger was making his first appearance since December 13 after injuring his ankle.
      He put on a convincing display, which was rewarded with a goal from the spot after Icardi was brought down in the area by Yohann Pele.

      Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of PSG ends in a draw at St Etienne More

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      Neymar returns to PSG training after month out injured for first session with Pochettino in boost to new manager

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      NEYMAR returned to Paris Saint-Germain training to hand new manager Mauricio Pochettino a huge boost.
      The Brazilian star, 28, has spent a month on the sidelines since being carried off on a stretcher in tears in December.

      Neymar was stretchered off after an ankle blow in DecemberCredit: Reuters

      The former Barcelona man damaged his ankle in a challenge that earned Thiago Mendes a red card and is only now returning to the fray.
      Thomas Tuchel was brutally sacked on Christmas Eve with PSG appointing former Spurs boss Pochettino to take over.
      Argentine Poch captained the club in his playing days and previously spoke of his ‘love’ for the French capital.
      And he will be delighted to welcome his marquee player back from injury with his side one point and place behind league leaders Lyon, although it is feared Wednesday’s game against Marseille will come too soon.

      The club are likely to take their time easing Neymar back into competitive action and won’t take any risks with his fitness.
      With only two training sessions before Marseille, Neymar has a better chance of featuring in Saturday’s league game with Angers.
      In further good news for Poch, Presnel Kimpembe and Leandro Paredes are also both back out on the training paddock after knocks.
      The ex-Southampton manager has vowed to deliver a new footballing philosophy as he aims to land an eighth league title in nine years at the Parc des Princes.

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      On Friday, he said: “PSG’s goal is to win games. There are no other objectives.
      “We also have an idea, a footballing philosophy and a structure that will lead us to victory.
      “We know we have to adapt to the circumstances, we have a lot of injuries at the moment. I hope to recover the injured players quickly, to continue the work started.
      “We have to adapt, and above all analyse and listen to the players and the medical staff who were there when we arrived.
      “You have to work for the club, and that means thinking about people. We will try to improve every aspect that can be improved, but we must pay attention to the players and their needs.”

      Doctor gives detailed break down of Neymar’s injury against Lyon More

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      Man City boost in Messi transfer chase as PSG ‘cannot afford £135m-a-year wages of Barcelona star, Neymar and Mbappe’

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      MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly been handed a boost in their quest to prise Lionel Messi away from Barcelona on a free transfer.
      The 33-year-old is free to negotiate with other clubs having entered the last six months of his contract at the Nou Camp.

      Barcelona legend Lionel Messi could leave the club on a free transfer this summerCredit: The Mega Agency

      And while potential suitors will not have to pay a transfer fee for the six-time Ballon d’Or winner, his hefty wages could prove to be too much for some.
      Paris Saint-Germain are known to be huge admirers of the forward, with Mauricio Pochettino desperate to secure his Argentine compatriot’s services.
      Real Madrid centre-back Sergio Ramos – who is also out of contract at the end of the season – has allegedly been told that Les Parisiens want to sign both him and Messi.
      However French football expert Julien Laurens believes that while PSG will look to nab him, his salary could be a problem due to having Neymar and Kylian Mbappe on their books.

      Speaking on Sky Sports News’ Transfer Talk podcast, he said: “With Financial Fair Play, the pandemic and how much PSG have been affected like all other big clubs, I don’t know how, just at the payroll level, you could have Neymar, let’s say on €30million-a-year (£27m), Messi on €60m-a-year (£54m) and Mbappe potentially with a new contract on the same amount as Neymar.
      “Only those three would be around €150m (£135m), just their salaries, every year.
      “Financially, it’s not possible. But they seem to say that they are going to try. But I don’t think it’s realistic.”
      Barcelona presidential candidate Agusti Benedito revealed last week that Messi will ‘most likely’ depart the Blaugrana this year.

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      PSG may not be able to afford Lionel Messi’s wages due to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s hefty salariesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Messi – who has chipped in with 14 goals in 21 games in all competitions this term – recently addressed the club’s difficult situation following their poor start to the campaign.
      He told Spanish TV station La Sexta: “Today I am fine. It is true that I had a very bad time during the summer and before, because of how the season ended.
      “Then came the burofax [transfer request]. But now I feel good and wanting to fight for everything we have ahead.
      “I’m excited even though the club is going through difficult times. These are difficult times, as for everyone.
      “The club is really bad, very bad, it will be difficult to get back to where we were.”

      Watch as Lineker tells spine-tingling story of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic rivalry in BT Sport advert More

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      Christopher Maboulou dead at 30: Ex-Ligue 1 star dies after suffering heart attack during kick-about with pals

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      CHRISTOPHER MABOULOU died of a heart attack on Sunday while having a kick-about with his pals.
      The former French top-flight star, 30, made 29 Ligue 1 appearances for Bastia.

      Christopher Maboulou was rushed to hospital but could not be saved

      He also played for Chateauroux, Nancy, Evian and Greeks PAS Giannina.
      Maboulou is well known in France for his superb goal scored against a Marseille side managed by Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa in 2014.
      The Paris-born ace was called into the Congo national squad in 2018, but remained an unused sub.
      He was a free agent after being released by Evian last summer.

      But tragedy struck on Sunday as Maboulou was enjoying a friendly game of football at Montfermeil, the Paris suburb where he was born.
      He collapsed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital but could not be saved.
      Maboulou previously took an enforced two-year break from football when doctors diagnosed cardiac problems in 2011.
      He recovered sufficiently well to land a top-flight move to Bastia three years later.

      The Corsican club said: “We have sadly just learned of the tragic death of our former player Christopher Maboulou.
      “We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. May he rest in peace.”
      Chateauroux tweeted: “Christopher was a child of our club. Football was his life.
      “It was while playing the sport that he loved so much that he left his favourite playground.”
      Former Chateauroux president Michel Denisot added: “My thoughts go out to the family and friends of the club’s former player Christopher Maboulou. RIP.”

      ⚫️ Le Sporting Club de Bastia vient d’apprendre avec tristesse le décès tragique de son ancien joueur Christopher Maboulou…À sa famille, ses amis et ses proches, l’ensemble du club présente ses plus sincères condoléances.Ch’ellu riposi in pace 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BetCHg2IYg
      — SC Bastia (@SCBastia) January 10, 2021 More

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      Arsenal outcast William Saliba shows Gunners what they’re missing after winning Man of the Match in second game for Nice

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      ARSENAL loanee William Saliba has shown the Gunners what they’re missing with a Man of the Match display in his second game for Nice.
      Saliba, 19, joined Nice on loan on Monday for the remainder of the 2020-21 season, and has been thrown straight into Ligue 1 action by his new side.

      Saliba was voted Nice’s Man of the Match in their 1-1 draw at Metz

      Despite 10 months without competitive football, the 19-year-old was voted their best player on the pitch in the 1-1 draw at Metz on Saturday.
      The France youth international beat new team-mates Amine Gouri and Youcef Atal to the award.
      Nice took an early lead through Gouiri’s penalty but were made to settle for a point when Metz captain John Boye equalised in the 79th minute.
      Starting in the middle of a back three, Saliba impressed throughout, but he may have underlined Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s concerns after losing his man in the build-up to Metz’s equaliser.

      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates
      He did make up for that mistake with a last-ditch intervention on former Manchester City youth player Thierry Ambrose in injury time to ensure the spoils were shared at the State Saint-Symphorien.
      The performance was in stark contrast to his debut on Wednesday, in which the former Saint-Etienne man received a 12th-minute yellow card as Nice fell to a 2-0 defeat to Brest.
      Saliba will be tasked with shoring up Nice’s backline during his stay on the Cote d’Azur, as Adrian Ursea’s side bid to better their current position of 13th in Ligue 1.

      Arsenal signed Saliba for £27m in 2019 but he remained with Saint-Etienne on loan last season before linking up with the Gunners in the summer.
      However, he was soon frozen out of the first-team by manager Arteta, amid concerns over his defensive positioning.
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      Arteta felt Saliba needed another ‘transitional year’ to develop after seeing his 2019-20 campaign disrupted by injury and then Ligue 1’s cancellation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Nice have already expressed an interest in keeping Saliba beyond the end of this season.
      Club president Jean-Pierre Rivere said: “Let’s let him rediscover enjoying being on the pitch, playing.
      “At the end of the 6 months, we’ll see – today he’s owned by a club called Arsenal. Everyone in June will come together and decide. 
      “A door is always open in life. When you have a situation where parties can talk, the doors are open. We are not there yet.”

      Arteta says Saliba has made massive improvements but will play when there is space More

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      Man Utd face Romain Faivre transfer battle with PSG as they line up swoop for 22-year-old Brest midfielder

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly set to go toe-to-toe with Paris Saint-Germain in pursuit of Romain Faivre.
      The Brest midfielder, 22, has been one of Ligue 1’s surprise standouts in 2020-21 after a move from Monaco.

      Romain Faivre (left) took on Paris Saint-Germain in a 3-0 defeat on the weekendCredit: AFP or licensors

      Les Pirates paid around £450,000 for Faivre last summer and a sale would reap a pretty profit for the Brittany club.
      According to Le10Sport, a whole host of clubs are taking an interest in the player.
      United and PSG are named as two contenders, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently adding a new wide-man to his squad in Amad Diallo.
      Mauricio Pochettino got a good look at Faivre on Saturday night as the youngster played 90 minutes in his first win as Les Parisiens boss.

      In 19 appearances for Brest, he has notched four goals and three assists.
      That includes a winner against old club Monaco in October and a late equaliser from the spot away to high-flying Lyon.
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      Brest have already moved to keep Faivre from interested parties, extending his contract to 2025 on Christmas Eve.

      January may be a quiet month at Old Trafford with Ecuadorian wonderkid Moises Caicedo one of few players linked.
      Marcos Rojo and Sergio Romero have been told they can leave the club ahead of their contracts expiring in June.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Solskjaer confirms Man Utd will not extend Rojo and Romero’s contracts More

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      Longest running transfer sagas that still drag on from Perisic to the Prem, Ronaldo back at Man Utd to Dost to Newcastle

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      IT’S January and that can only mean one thing – the football transfer rumour mill has kicked back into overdrive.
      For the most part, market gossip is a fun distraction from match action and a glimpse into a club’s spending plans.

      Will Cristiano Ronaldo ever return to Old Trafford?Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      However, some rumours come up time and time again, refusing to go away.
      Granted, occasionally these sagas do actually come off. Gareth Bale did actually return to Tottenham. Antoine Griezmann did actually sign for Barcelona.
      But for all of these proper endings are dozens of non-starters that become jokes in their own right, just ask Leandro Damiao and Tottenham.
      Here, SunSport details the long-running rumours that continue to this day – and show little sign of going away.

      Cristiano Ronaldo to Man Utd
      As Real Madrid have found since Ronaldo left for Juventus two years ago, replacing the Portuguese forward is really hard.
      Manchester United have enjoyed Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie’s best efforts but, in recent years, an all-conquering world-class forward has been missing at Old Trafford.
      So why not bring back Ronaldo?
      It is no surprise that the 35-year-old has been endlessly linked with his old team, with Patrice Evra once claiming a 2013 return was on the agenda and talk of a possible return in virtually every window since.

      Ivan Perisic to the Premier League
      The phrase ‘Spurs linked with Perisic’ could could have been a headline at any point in the last decade.
      But, reports on the continent believe it could FINALLY be happening with the winger currently plying his trade at Inter Milan.
      As a decent attacker for various European clubs, yet one who is oddly plausible and seemingly affordable, Perisic has refused to budge out of gossip columns.
      Arsenal, Chelsea and, in particular, Manchester United have all been touted for a move that stubbornly continues to not happen.

      Ivan Perisic has long been talked up for a move to EnglandCredit: EPA
      Bas Dost to Newcastle
      Good news for Newcastle fans came last month when Dutch marksman Dost completed a move to Club Brugge.
      It meant this month would not feature a refresh of the rumours linking the Toon with the striker.
      Dost has made a career out of scoring a mountain of goals for well-known clubs that nonetheless miss out on entering the elite, making him a natural target for Newcastle.
      If the 31-year-old starts hitting the net in Belgium, you can guess what will happen next.

      Bas Dost was once a very familiar name to Newcastle fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Kalidou Koulibaly to Man City
      The following fees have been reported on in Manchester City’s pursuit of Napoli star Koulibaly: £54million, £59m, £67.5m, £72m, £81m, £90m and £110m.
      The actual amount of money City have handed the Italian club: £0.
      Staunch Napoli chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is as a tough negotiator who will not give ground in negotiations.
      And yet he admitted in September that he regrets turning down one mega offer: “I was incorrect not to sell Koulibaly for £110m.”
      It means the talk of a deal continues to this day.

      Kalidou Koulibaly has made himself into one of the world’s top defenders at NapoliCredit: Sportphoto24/Giuseppe Maffia
      Neymar to Barcelona
      Neymar was unveiled as Paris Saint-Germain’s world record signing from Barcelona three years, five months and two days ago.
      The first report of him heading back to the Camp Nou landed roughly three years, five months and one day ago.
      Football fans, pundits and journalists worldwide have long struggled with the Brazilian’s plan of leaving one incredibly massive club to sign for one slightly-less incredibly massive club.
      Indeed, Neymar himself appeared to want a return in 2019 before a complex deal collapsed, with there still talk of a deal today.

      Barcelona were caught out by PSG’s shock £198m move for Neymar in 2017Credit: AFP or licensors
      Paul Pogba to Juventus
      Manchester United’s relationship with Pogba has always been complicated.
      As a world record capture four-and-a-half years ago, the midfielder has struggled to consistently hit the form he showed at Juventus.
      The Old Lady, along with Real Madrid, have constantly been touted for an ambitious swoop to return the player to his natural home ever since.
      Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has only fuelled the rumour mill.

      Paul Pogba’s Man Utd future continues to be cast in doubtCredit: EPA
      Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid
      We’ve all seen the picture of a young Kylian Mbappe, sat in his bedroom, his walls plastered with posters of Cristiano Ronaldo playing for Madrid.
      It is inevitable therefore, that the PSG forward would cut ties with the club who has helped turn him into a world superstar and sign for Los Blancos.
      Many in Spain see it as the natural order of things, especially with French icon Zinedine Zidane in charge at the Bernabeu.
      Alas, Mbappe has still not signed a new PSG contract and the only acts that can end this rumour are him signing for Real or retiring.

      Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival in Paris may help tempt Kylian Mbappe into stayingCredit: Reuters

      Lionel Messi to Man City
      Manchester City’s interest in Messi did not start when they tried to take advantage of last summer’s contract saga.
      Nor did it begin with Pep Guardiola’s arrival as coach.
      No, it’s been claimed that City owner Sheikh Mansour vowed to sign Messi after taking over the club in 2008.
      12 years on, at the very least, this epic tale will find its conclusion when the out-of-contract Argentine either commits to Barcelona or heads for pastures new in the summer.

      PSG and MLS have also been linked with Lionel MessiCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Neymar sensationally admits he wants to he wants a reunion with Lionel Messi next year More