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      Pochettino identifies Chelsea as PSG’s ‘team to beat’ in the Champions League in snub to Man Utd and City

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      PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino has identified defending European champions Chelsea as the ‘team to beat’ in the Champions League. In doing so, the former Tottenham manager failed to mention last year’s finalists Manchester City, as well as Manchester United who now have Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Reigning champions Chelsea are the team to beat – claims PochCredit: Getty
      Pochettino believes Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the Champions League this yearCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      The Paris Saint-Germain chief also said, on paper, his side are one of the favourites.
      However, despite signing megastars such as Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos this summer, PSG need to ‘turn into a team’ before they get their hands on the Champions League trophy.
      Pochettino said: “It’s possible that Chelsea and ourselves are the two teams to beat on paper, looking at our squads, but Chelsea are the holders so they’re the team to beat especially after strengthening their squad.
      “We’re not a team yet. We are a club that has recruited many players this summer.
      “There are some big names but we have to turn into a team. We know that we’ll be judged at the end of the season on our results.
      “The pressure is there for all the clubs and we know that for a number of years, the Champions League is PSG’s main objective.”

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      PSG last came close to Champions League glory back in 2020, but they lost the final in Lisbon 1-0 to Bayern Munich.
      And the Parisians kick-start their group stage campaign on Wednesday night against Belgian side Club Brugge.
      Group stage rivals Manchester City also play tonight, facing RB Leipzig at the Etihad.
      Lionel Messi leaves PSG team-mates for dead as Pochettino sets up ‘most unfair mini game team of all time’ More

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      Arsenal refuse to give up on Houssem Aouar transfer and ‘will target Lyon midfielder next summer’

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      ARSENAL have not given up on the prospect of signing Lyon’s Houssem Aouar and are plotting a move next summer, reports say.The 23-year-old will not leave Lyon this winter, and will remain until next summer.
      Aouar has picked up two assists in five league games for Lyon this termCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      According to Todofichajes.com, Aouar has decided to stay and help Lyon fight their way back into the Champions League this term.
      And although a move away to the Premier League failed to materialise this summer, Arsenal have not given up hope in signing the young midfielder.
      A move could materialise next summer with Arsenal plotting an offensive.
      The Gunners are, however, one of many clubs chasing Aouar.
      The report states that Aouar has multiple offers on the table from a host of top European clubs.
      And if Arsenal fail to secure European football, it could make it hard to persuade Aouar to join next summer.

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      If Arsenal are to try and land Aouar next summer, they’ll need to turn their fortunes around in the league.
      As it stands after four league games played, the Gunners sit 16th after a poor start.
      Arsenal lost their first three league games to newly promoted Brentford, London rivals and European champions Chelsea, and defending Premier League champions Manchester City.
      The Gunners got their first win of the season last weekend, beating promoted side Norwich 1-0 at the Emirates.
      Boss Mikel Arteta was relieved to see his team get points on the board, and hailed the difficult start as ‘the best 10 to 15 days’ he’s had in football.
      He said: “I must say, it’s probably been the best 10 to 15 days I’ve ever had since I’ve been in football. I’m not saying they were the easiest, but probably the best.
      “You have to find a purpose for why you do what you do and why you’ve made the decision to be a football player or a coach. It’s all made sense in the last week or so.

      “It’s about the relationship we have built. It’s about the level of trust that everybody at the club has.
      “It’s about connections and emotionally how players react, how everybody in the team – and I’m talking about every department at the club – supports and tries to improve and be positive around the situation.
      “You have to win football matches but, for me, that’s an absolute joy to watch, how everybody has been behaving around the context that we had around us.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from The Emirates
      Max Aarons says Arsenal players and fans both ‘tense’ during Norwich clash More

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      Sky Sports slammed for removing Copa America AND Champions League from Messi honours as Neville hails rival Ronaldo

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      FANS slammed Sky Sports for removing Lionel Messi’s Copa America and Champions League honours as Gary Neville hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT.The pundit was dragged into the age-old debate regarding the two iconic football figures.
      Sky Sports omitted two of Lionel Messi’s biggest career achievements off his honours listCredit: Sky Sports
      Lionel Messi won the Copa America with Argentina only two months agoCredit: Reuters
      But viewers hit out at the error-strewn graphic Sky displayed on their Monday Night Football coverage.
      Comparing the pair’s career achievements, it said Messi had zero international titles to his name.
      That is despite the fact the Paris Saint-Germain forward led Argentina to the Copa America crown THIS summer.
      To make matters worse, the graphic suggested Messi had three Champions League winner’s medals – clearly forgetting one of his triumphs in 2006, 2009, 2011 or 2015.
      And Messi supporters were further aggrieved to see Ronaldo was credited with two international honours – therefore counting the inaugural Uefa Nations League as a major title for Portugal.
      The Argentine’s 2008 Olympic gold medal was also omitted.

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      Gary Lineker, an ardent Messi fan, quickly pointed out the error.
      He sarcastically tweeted: “To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it.”
      Another commented: “Ignoring Messi’s Copa America and Olympic Gold Medal and considering Nations League… Seriously.”
      A third added: “And if they’re including the nations league as a major tournament then the Olympics should be there too. Ronaldo is brilliant but Messi is quite comfortably the greatest player to play the game.”
      Neville and sparring partner Jamie Carragher were analysing Ronaldo’s two-goal return for Manchester United ahead of Everton vs Burnley.
      And the Portuguese superstar’s former team-mate said: “I just feel with the international goals records, the Champions Leagues and the variety of goals that he’s scored, it takes me to think that he is the greatest football player of all time.
      “He does make the [United] team better… he makes them more likely to win the title than three weeks ago.
      “Something inside me tells me that I don’t think he’ll quite make them the team that will make them win the title this season.”
      Carragher was having none of it though.
      He fired back: “No one is not a huge fan of Ronaldo or Messi. Ronaldo is not the greatest player of all time.

      “It doesn’t matter how a ball goes in the net… Messi’s got a better goal record than Ronaldo. He’s also a playmaker, Messi can run a game – Ronaldo can’t.
      “Ronaldo can maybe do things that Messi can’t but Messi takes you to a place where you can’t actually believe what you’re seeing.
      “Ronaldo does things other players can do… Messi does things we’ve never seen before.”

      Messi breaks down in tears celebrating Copa America win with Argentina fans after beating Pele’s record with hat-trick More

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      PSG slammed by DJ Snake for using his song as entrance music instead of iconic Phil Collins hit

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      DJ SNAKE has hit out at Paris Saint-Germain after they shuffled their stadium playlist.The celebrity fan was unimpressed after the Ligue 1 heavyweights dropped their traditional Phil Collins entrance track – even though they replaced it with one of the DJ’s own hits.
      Paris-born DJ Snake is a huge PSG fanCredit: Getty
      Phil Collins’ track has been played by PSG for nearly 30 yearsCredit: Reuters
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      PSG have taken the field to the sound of Collins’ 1985 hit ‘Who Said I Would’ for almost 30 years.
      But in recent weeks the Paris club have dropped the song in favour of DJ Snake’s ‘Intro Mixed’.
      The DJ has claimed the bespoke track was initially only intended for the video to announce the arrival of superstar Lionel Messi last month.
      But PSG then used it as walk-on music for their first home game against Racing Strasbourg and again last Saturday against Clermont.
      Now the Paris-born DJ has taken to social media to voice his anger at the change.
      “I provided a soundtrack for (Lionel) Messi’s presentation video,” DJ Snake tweeted in a message to PSG fans.

      “I found out, like you, that it was used as intro music for the players’ entrance when it’s not appropriate.
      “I didn’t want to harm the club by speaking out on this subject, but I can’t accept this situation as a supporter and you know the love I have for our colours.”
      Collins’ track has been used by the club for 29 years and is a firm fan favourite.
      The singer himself has seen his health deteriorate in recent years so that he can no longer hold drumsticks to play.
      But the Ligue 1 leaders insist they have no intention of retiring his song for good.
      Lionel Messi moved to PSG from Barcelona last monthCredit: Getty
      “It was not a mistake. We are very attached to this song, I hear it, and our will is not to eliminate it from all our games,” PSG director Fabien Allegre told Le Parisien.
      “But why couldn’t we have (the Pet Shop Boys’) Go West or the Phil Collins song when the players arrive for warm-up?
      “I received a lot of positive feedback from people who enjoyed the song.
      “We will make adjustments, but let’s not prevent the club from continuing its journey by remaining in the past.”
      Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More

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      Sky Sports slammed for removing Champions League AND Copa America from Messi honours as Neville hails rival Ronaldo

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      FANS slammed Sky Sports for removing Lionel Messi’s Champions League AND Copa America honours as Gary Neville hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as the GOAT.The pundit was dragged into the age-old debate regarding the two iconic football figures.
      Sky Sports omitted two of Lionel Messi’s biggest career achievements off his honours listCredit: Sky Sports
      Lionel Messi won the Copa America with Argentina only two months agoCredit: Reuters
      But viewers hit out at the error-strewn graphic Sky displayed on their Monday Night Football coverage.
      Comparing the pair’s career achievements, it said Messi had zero international titles to his name.
      That is despite the fact the Paris Saint-Germain forward led Argentina to the Copa America crown THIS summer.
      To make matters worse, the graphic suggested Messi had three Champions League winner’s medals – clearly forgetting one of his triumphs in 2006, 2009, 2011 or 2015.
      And Messi supporters were further aggrieved to see Ronaldo was credited with two international honours – therefore counting the inaugural Uefa Nations League as a major title for Portugal.
      The Argentine’s 2008 Olympic gold medal was also omitted.
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      Gary Lineker, an ardent Messi fan, quickly pointed out the error.
      He sarcastically tweeted: “To be fair, it’s such a long time since Messi led Argentina to victory in Copa America, they’re entitled to forget it.”
      Another commented: “Ignoring Messi’s Copa America and Olympic Gold Medal and considering Nations League… Seriously.”
      A third added: “And if they’re including the nations league as a major tournament then the Olympics should be there too. Ronaldo is brilliant but Messi is quite comfortably the greatest player to play the game.”
      Neville and sparring partner Jamie Carragher were analysing Ronaldo’s two-goal return for Manchester United ahead of Everton vs Burnley.
      And the Portuguese superstar’s former team-mate said: “I just feel with the international goals records, the Champions Leagues and the variety of goals that he’s scored, it takes me to think that he is the greatest football player of all time.
      “He does make the [United] team better… he makes them more likely to win the title than three weeks ago.
      “Something inside me tells me that I don’t think he’ll quite make them the team that will make them win the title this season.”
      Carragher was having none of it though.
      He fired back: “No one is not a huge fan of Ronaldo or Messi. Ronaldo is not the greatest player of all time.

      “It doesn’t matter how a ball goes in the net… Messi’s got a better goal record than Ronaldo. He’s also a playmaker, Messi can run a game – Ronaldo can’t.
      “Ronaldo can maybe do things that Messi can’t but Messi takes you to a place where you can’t actually believe what you’re seeing.
      “Ronaldo does things other players can do… Messi does things we’ve never seen before.”

      Messi breaks down in tears celebrating Copa America win with Argentina fans after beating Pele’s record with hat-trick More

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      Chelsea and Tottenham joined by Barcelona in Franck Kessie transfer race with AC Milan ace available for FREE in summer

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      BARCELONA have reportedly joined Chelsea and Tottenham in the race to sign AC Milan star Franck Kessie.The Ivory Coast midfielder is one of Barca boss Ronald Koeman’s potential midfield targets alongside Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo.
      AC Milan star Franck Kessie has been linked with a move away from the club in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Kessie, 24, is yet to agree a contract extension with the Serie A giants and could leave the San Siro on a free transfer at the end of the season.
      Koeman is in the process of a major squad rebuild after a number of big departures including captain Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain this summer and has highlighted the midfield as a key area.
      Cash-strapped Barca are also rumoured to be tracking Foxes playmaker Tielemans, 24, but Kessie would represent a cheaper option due to his contract situation.
      Spurs and Chelsea have also been linked with a swoop for Kessie in the January transfer window.
      Kessie rejected Milan’s latest contract offer of £5.5million including bonuses over five years, according to Tutto Sport.
      The Ivorian has established himself as a key player at the Rossoneri following his switch from Atalanta in 2019.

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      Central midfielder Kessie had previously spent two seasons on loan at Milan had bagged 30 goals in 185 club appearances.
      He has been heavily linked with a move to one of the two London-based Premier League giants this summer.
      It was suggested Spurs would be keen to do a swap deal for Kessie with Milan involving their unsettled French midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, 24.

      Spurs are believed to have already held talks with Kessie’s agent but Chelsea are reportedly ready to match any offer on the table.
      And big-spending PSG are also said to be considering a swap deal for Kessie.
      The Ligue 1 giants are reportedly willing to exchange either Mauro Icardi or Leandro Paredes.
      Lionel Messi tipped to return to Barcelona and retire after winning Champions League with PSG by Riquelme More

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      Chelsea trail Juventus in Tchouameni transfer chase but Serie A giants fear France role will hike up Monaco star’s price

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      JUVENTUS are leading the race to sign Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni but could see his price tag go up, reports say. Chelsea have been among the clubs interested in the French midfielder, who signed for Monaco in 2020.
      Juventus are leading the race to sign Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni, according to reportsCredit: Rex
      But according to Tuttosport, Juve are the front runners in the pursuit for 21-year-old Tchouameni.
      He made 42 appearances last season, including 36 in the league and was even voted Ligue 1 young player of the year.
      Tchouameni’s impressive form earned him a call up to France’s first-team, debuting in a World Cup qualifier at the start of the month against Bosnia.
      He followed it up with two more appearances in games with Ukraine and then Finland.
      Tchouameni’s emergence in Didier Deschamps is said to have clubs fearing his price tag could now rocket.
      His international team-mate Paul Pogba was quick to praise his midfield partner and the maturity he has showcased.

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      Manchester United’s Pogba told RTL: “Very, very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man.
      “It’s a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy.
      “A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
      “We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side.”
      Dimitar Berbatov reviews the unfair football stories of Premier League fans More

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      Marseille physio banned for NINE months for punching fan during mass brawl in Nice game as Ligue 1 come down hard

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      A PHYSIO has been banned for NINE months after punching a fan during a mass brawl between Marseille and Nice in August.Marseille employee Pablo Fernandez is alleged to have hospitalised a pitch invader after video footage surfaced online.
      A Marseille physio appears to punch a fan
      Chaotic scenes unfolded during the game between Nice and MarseilleCredit: AFP
      As reported by Goal, Fernandez has been suspended for the rest of the current season for appearing to punch a random fan in the chest.
      The alleged incident occurred during Marseille’s chaotic trip to Ligue 1 rivals Nice in August.
      A brawl started between Marseille players and Nice fans after ex-West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet was struck by a fan’s bottle.
      The Marseille star launched the object back into the Nice supporters and his reaction saw dozens of thugs enter the playing surface.
      Among the chaos, a man wearing an orange bib – alleged to be Fernandez – ran towards the hooligans and decked one of them.
      The man thought to be Fernandez then ran away from the situation and it’s not clear why he lashed out on that particular fan.

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      Rumours suggested the physio could be banned for YEARS for the alleged punch, which left the fan needing hospital treatment.
      It’s not clear at this stage whether Fernandez will face criminal charges or what Marseille’s internal punishment will be, if any.
      Both teams have received various punishments for the unsavoury scenes witnessed at the Stade de Nice on August 22.
      Nice have been docked a point for their role, with the suspension of a further point penalty put in place to deter future misdemeanours.
      They have also been ordered to play their next two games behind closed doors after hosting Bordeaux without fans on August 28.
      One of those games will be the replay of the Marseille clash – a match Nice were leading 1-0 until the shocking brawl unfolded.
      Two Marseille players have also received punishments, with defender Alvaro Gonzalez handed a two-game ban for provoking fans.
      And Payet has been given a suspended one-game ban for throwing the bottle back into the crowd.
      Nice fans storm the pitch to attack Marseille players during clash More