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    When you’ve had a few punches in the face you have to fight back, says Leicester star on brink of Premier League return

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    WOUT FAES swapped tears of despair for joy after Leicester edged towards the brink of the Premier League.The Belgian defender was crestfallen when the Foxes’ relegation to the Championship was confirmed last May.Wout Faes (left) and his Leicester team-mates react as relegation was confirmedFaes in action in a thumping 5-0 win over Southampton at the King PowerFaes congratulates Tuesday’s hat-trick hero Abdul FatawuCredit: RexFaes, 26, scored the second goal when Leicester beat West Ham 2-1 on the final day of the season – but Everton’s win at Bournemouth condemned the Foxes.But Tuesday’s 5-0 thumping of Southampton means Faes & Co could be promoted as early as Friday without kicking a ball if Leeds lose at QPR.But regardless Enzo Maresca’s men can do it themselves by either drawing at Preston on Monday if Leeds also draw in West London or simply win.Faes said: “It was a huge win. You could see with the fans and players afterwards there was a lot of emotion.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“It’s normal because it hurts every player and person who was involved with Leicester City.“So if we can get back straight away, we have the team for it. This club is ready for it. We belong in the Premier League. Hopefully we can achieve that as soon as possible.”Faes admits he and his team-mates were feeling the mounting pressure after they tossed away a once SEVENTEEN-point cushion over third place.The found themselves recently outside the top two altogether after six defeats in ten league games.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut back-to-back home wins over West Brom and Southampton has them virtually racing towards the finish line with their arms held aloft.And Faes said: “When you’ve had a few punches in the face you have to fight back and that is what the squad is doing.What is FFP? How Financial Fair Play is affecting Man Utd and Arsenal in January transfer window“Of course, it was hard. I felt the pressure from other teams.“It’s a relentless league. You can see everyone is struggling. We’ve struggled for a moment but it’s then about bouncing back. It’s about then keeping faith in what you do and believe in.“There are of course voices in the dressing room – there is the gaffer and players. But you have to show it on the pitch.“And that’s what we’ve done and produced a great performance against a very good side.”Faes wants another crack at the Premier League as he believes there is unfinished business.He said: “We all have. This is a good team, has a good manager and if we can add a few players too, it’ll be nice!”READ MORE SUN STORIESEnzo Maresca was delighted with the performance on Tuesday against SouthamptonThe 13-cap defender hopes to be part of the Belgium squad going to Euro 2024 but has vowed he will allow himself to party at the end of the season regardless.He said: “We have a few days and I’ll most definitely be celebrating!” More

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      Leicester shrug off FFP woes as they send chief scout to Brazil despite Premier League points deduction worry

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      LEICESTER are checking out the Brazilian market despite doubts about promotion and their FFP issues.City sent top scout and former defender Sean St Ledger to South America as they seek bargains for a potential Premier League return.Leicester boss Enzo Maresca wants to unearth some hidden gems in BrazilCredit: GettyFoxes manager Enzo Maresca is keen to improve the quality of his squad after they blew a 17-point lead in the Championship in recent months.Former head of recruitment Steve Walsh famously discovered Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante.And now Italian Maresca believes Brazil could be the place to find some hidden gems for a good price.Leicester have only ever had one Brazilian play for the club.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLWinger Tete joined on loan for the second half of last season but, despite scoring on his debut away at Aston Villa, could not help keep the East Midlanders in the top flight. Leicester signed Harry Winks, Conor Coady, Stephy Mavididi, Mads Hermansen, Tom Cannon and youngster Arjan Raikhy in the summer.But their financial woes saw frustrated Maresca prevented from bringing anyone else in during the January transfer window. Leicester remain just about on course for an immediate promotion despite six defeats in their last ten league games.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThey are currently second on 88 points, one behind leaders Ipswich but with a game in hand on the Tractor Boys.However, they have lost their last two matches 1-0 away at Millwall and Plymouth – but have been boosted by dips in form by rivals Ipswich and Leeds, too. Harry Winks voices his disappointment as Leicester blows 17-point lead as Leeds overtake Foxes in table To make matters worse for Leicester, they are in financial disarray off the field which may well land the club a points deduction should they get promoted. The Foxes broke deficit limits for 2022-23 but launched a legal case accusing the Prem and EFL of “unlawfully conspiring” over the charges and asking for an injunction against a penalty being imposed before the end of the season.The EFL wanted to throw the book at the King Power side over their Premier League charge for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules.However, a ruling means the EFL do not have the authority to do so – meaning it will be down to the Premier League to sanction Leicester.And that means should Maresca’s side get over the line in the race for promotion, they may well end up kicking off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign on minus points. Tete is the only Brazilian to play for LeicesterCredit: Getty More

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      Leicester star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall at centre of £35million Premier League transfer race

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      BRIGHTON are reluctant to meet Leicester City’s valuation of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.The midfielder is likely to stay with the Championship leaders this month as a result .
      Premier League clubs are tussling over signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from LeicesterCredit: Getty

      The Seagulls and Premier League rivals Brentford have both shown interest this month.
      But the Foxes are asking for upwards of £35million for the 25-year-old.
      Talks have been held over a deal before Thursday’s deadline but a move at this stage is unlikely.
      Leicester would face a struggle to replace such an important player with less than a week to go in the window, making them more reluctant to do a deal.
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      Dewsbury-Hall’s nine goals and nine assists this season have helped fire Enzo Maresca’s side seven points clear at the top of the Championship as they bid for an immediate return to the Premier League.
      Leicester are keen to add one more player before next week’s deadline, with Inter Milan’s Stefano Sensi linked.
      Dewsbury-Hall’s future is tied down at the King Power Stadium as things stand with his current contract running until 2027.
      The Englishman was not part of the Leicester squad that booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 3-0 win over Birmingham today.
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      Although there were a number of notable absences from the Foxes team with Maresca keeping one eye on his side’s league clash with Swansea on Tuesday.
      When questioned about Dewsbury-Hall’s absence following Leicester’s FA Cup victory, the Italian said: “The reason Kiernan was not in the squad was that we gave him, Harry Winks and Jannik Veestergaard a rest ahead of Tuesday’s game with Swansea.”
      But he was reluctant to completely rule out an exit his player, he added: “We talk about the transfer window but this is not a question for me, it’s one for the club.
      “We need some balance, but we’ll see, I won’t say anything, Kiernan is our player. I’ve already said. I’m happy with the squad we have.”
      Dewsbury-Hall watched on from the stands as Leicester beat Birmingham todayCredit: Getty
      Leicester boss Enzo Maresca has been coy on Dewsbury-Hall’s futureCredit: Getty More

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      Fury at FFP after Leicester’s relegation… Fans have their say on The Sun’s brilliant new football show The Tap In

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      JAKE WATSON from The Big Strong Leicester Boys Podcast joins Will Pugh and Izzy Barker on this week’s episode of the Tap In.From the Foxes’ glittering run to lifting the Premier League trophy in 2015-16 to Wagatha Christie – this episode has it all.
      Leicester are running riot in the Championship this seasonCredit: Getty
      Livid Jake lets rip on Financial Fair Play after his beloved Leicester were relegated last season, behind Everton and Nottingham Forest who have since been hit with charges. 
      He said: “As a Leicester fan we have absolutely every right to ask questions because a ten point deduction to Everton in the grand scheme of things, with Luton, Burnley and Sheffield United in the league, isn’t going to actually affect them.”
      He embarks on an Enzo Maresca love-in as the club looks on course to obliterate the Championship points record of 106.
      Jake defends Jamie Vardy’s decision to stay at the club while critics say he has wasted his career by staying at the King Power.
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      His Leicester loyalties are put to the test in the superbly named segment All’s Well That Enz Well and Somebody Resca-ue Me
      And he finishes by trying not to end up mid table on the The Perfect Delivery leaderboard!
      Click here to watch the full video on The Sun Sport’s Youtube channel. More

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      Chelsea hold talks over transfer for Germany U17 World Cup winner dubbed ‘the next Antonio Rudiger’

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      CHELSEA have held talks over a move for Germany’s Under-17 World Cup winner David Odogu.The Blues are among a number of English clubs keeping tabs on the Wolfsburg defender.
      David Odogu helped Germany win the U17 World Cup last yearCredit: Getty
      Odogu was part of the team which beat France in the U17 final in Indonesia in December.
      The Germany sensation has already been compared to former Chelsea man Antonio Rudiger because of his physical ability and presence.
      Runaway Championship leaders Leicester City are also keen on the 17-year-old, who has never played a senior game for the Bundesliga side.
      Odogu is keen on a move to England.
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      Any Chelsea deal is thought to be at an early stage, but there have been encouraging discussions with the player’s camp.
      Boss Mauricio Pochettino will have more involvement in deals during the January window, with a striker a priority for the West Londoners as well as investment at the back.
      Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli forward Victor Oshimen have both been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues may have to sell players to raise funds for any spending this month.
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      And academy graduate Ian Maatsen is now thought to be a target for German giants Borussia Dortmund having also been linked with champions Manchester City.
      Speaking about his involvement in January, Pochettino said recently: “It’s obvious that the head coach, coach or manager is crazy to think he won’t be involved in any decisions for the future in my area.
      “Of course, we will share with the owners, the sporting director and I cannot conceive the idea of not being involved.
      “There is very good communication, we talk every single day and we will take decisions because we are all agreed.”
      He has drawn comparisons to Antonio Rudiger for his styleCredit: Alamy More

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      Emery’s Aston Villa could become the nation’s new Leicester and include players you might actually enjoy a pint with

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      IT’S been eight long years since Leicester City shook the world.Since Jamie Vardy was having a party, N’Golo Kante was covering 30 per cent of the world’s surface and manager Claudio Ranieri was ringing his imaginary bell, while babbling ‘dilly ding, dilly dong’.Happier times, those. Before the pandemic, Brexit, the European Super League plot and the Saudi invasion of elite sport. And pretty much all of us loved Leicester back then.
      John McGinn celebrates his winner vs ArsenalCredit: Getty

      Unai Emery celebrates getting one over his old clubCredit: Getty

      Because Ranieri’s miracle men took the impossible dreams of every football supporter who didn’t support a filthy-rich club and played out the ultimate fantasy of winning the Premier League.
      These days, the Foxes are in the Championship, Ranieri is next to bottom in Serie A with Cagliari, while Kante and Riyad Mahrez are taking Saudi dosh and Vardy is a bit-part character in the Wagatha Christie drama.
      Good times are fleeting, but we’ll always have 2016.
      Not just Leicester fans, but all of us who enjoyed the journey from Nigel Pearson’s ostrich rant to Andrea Bocelli singing Nessun Dorma when they dished out the big silver pot.
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      In the past seven seasons, there has been no true outsider with a sniff of winning the Premier League crown at any advanced stage of the season.
      Not until the emergence of Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
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      Do I think Villa will win the title? No. If Rodri plays every game for the rest of the season, Manchester City should do it.
      If not, Liverpool are grinding out undeserved wins like the champions of cliche.
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      And if not them, then Arsenal went close last term and have improved since.
      Those clubs could stage a three-horse title race right down to the wire but, while us lot in the media would obsess about it, most neutrals wouldn’t really care all that much who won.
      City, Liverpool and Arsenal are breakaway Super League ‘snakes’, who sought to smash English football’s pyramid system and thought they were too good to play teams like Villa, Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham — probably the Premier League’s four most in-form teams.
      Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham showed that same ­arrogance and they cannot be reminded of it often enough.
      Sure, Newcastle disrupted the Big Six last season and will continue to do so but the oil-rich human-rights abusers who fund Geordie Arabia will never win the nation’s affections.
      Villa’s back-to-back victories over City and Arsenal — the first one impressively dominant, the second more fortuitous — leaves them two points off the top with the season almost halfway through.
      Even if Villa won the league, it would be no Leicester-style miracle. They have more history, money and quality than those 2016 Foxes.
      Ranieri’s men were relegation favourites, with their 5,000-1 price so fanciful that no bookie will ever offer such odds against anyone winning anything ever again.
      Ranieri’s Leicester made everyone believers for a while after their shock title winCredit: PA WIRE
      Villa are former European ­champions, who finished seventh last season, under a serial trophy-winner in Emery.
      But they are still the closest thing to Leicester since Leicester.
      And if they continue to be a part of the title argument, Villa would be a team for the nation — except for supporters of their immediate West Midlands rivals — to coalesce around.
      It’s easy to find things to like about Villa — from the atmosphere of their stately home ground, to an amiable manager who was wronged by plenty of us during his doomed spell at Arsenal.
      John McGinn — man of the match against City and scorer of the winning goal against Arsenal — is one of those rare ­current Premier League footballers you could imagine enjoying a couple of pints with.
      Ollie Watkins is not only an impressive striker but also a thoroughly decent bloke who has worked his way up through all four divisions at Exeter and Brentford.
      Along with Ezri Konsa, he’s a man from the pyramid Villa’s title rivals had hoped to destroy.
      Leon Bailey is a wonderful watch and a perma-smiled dude who seems to cherish his work.
      And Argentinian World Cup-winning keeper Emi Martinez is a lovable rascal who, when ­questioned about Villa’s title credentials by a Match of the Day interviewer, replied ‘I’m a believer, mate’, in something resembling a Cockney accent.
      Not many outside the Villa squad are believers just yet — their away record is patchy and their squad lacks a little depth.
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      But Emery’s team are a force for good in a league too often dominated by sheer wealth.
      And, thanks to Leicester, none of us should ever again completely rule out anything.
      Martinez is a believer tooCredit: gETTY More

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      Man City make transfer move for Argentinian wonderkid.. and promotion-chasing Leicester set to benefit from it

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      PEP GUARDIOLA plans to sign Boca Juniors left-back Valentin Barco — then loan him out to his old pal Enzo Maresca at Leicester.Manchester City’s transfer team are closing in on a deal for the 19-year-old defender as they edge ahead of Brighton in the race to bring him to the Premier League.
      Manchester City are close to signing Valentin BarcoCredit: Getty
      But boss Guardiola’s idea is to farm out Barco to his former coaching sidekick Maresca once he is signed because they think the teenager needs the experience.
      It could be a massive boost for promotion-chasing Foxes if City can clinch the deal during January’s window.
      But even if Barco’s move is delayed until next season, Guardiola is still keen to send him to the Leicester ‘finishing school’ before using him at the Etihad.
      Barco has a fixed fee of around £10million but extra costs will make the deal worth up to £13m.
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      Guardiola is keen to land the Argentinian, who has shone at club level and was a stand-out in the recent Copa Libertadores final, when Boca lost 2-1 to Brazilians Fluminense in extra-time.
      Brighton hoped to win the chase after making the first serious bid for Barco but even they now fear they only have a 25 per cent chance.
      The Seagulls first tried to sign the defender this summer and went close to triggering his release clause.
      The Sussex outfit have signed a host of players from South America in recent years with great success.
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      Alexis Mac Allister was a star at the club until he was sold to Liverpool for £35m.
      Moises Caicedo also joined from South America and was eventually sold to Chelsea for a British record fee of £115m.
      While the likes of Facundo Buonanotte continue to impress when handed game time by manager Roberto De Zerbi.
      This season Barco has featured 31 times in all competitions.
      He has been used in various different positions including left-back, left-wing and even centre-midfield.
      Barco has managed to chip in with four assists and one goal.
      The goal was the first of his professional career as he bagged in the 4-0 win over Monagas in the Copa Libertadores. More

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      Emma Louise Jones celebrates Leeds’ surprise win at Leicester in low-cut jumpsuit as fans call her ‘absolutely gorgeous’

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      EMMA LOUISE JONES put a spring in the step of Leeds fans with a low-cut jumpsuit as she hailed a stunning win at Championship leaders Leicester.And while Daniel Farke’s men showed the Foxes a thing or two, Emma showed more rather than Leics – thanks to a “naughty angle”.
      Emma Louise Jones and Michael Bridges enjoyed an epic Leeds winCredit: X
      The Leeds TV star has 341,000 followers on Twitter and 400k on InstagramCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      Glowing in her team’s colours, Emma has seen Leeds rise to thirdCredit: Instagram / @eljonesuk
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      She posted a snap of herself in a plunging outfit, along with the words: “A very happy @LUFC TV studio tonight!”
      Perched behind the BBC broadcaster in the rather compact room was ex-Leeds and Sunderland striker Michael Bridges, whose smile was equally as broad as Emma’s as he clenched his fist to salute victory.
      But although the duo are a partnership behind the mike, Emma was way out in front when it came to attention gained from her triumphant selfie.
      “Looking hot in that blue jumpsuit,” said one fan.
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      “That’s a naughty angled shot, E”, claimed another.
      Similar responses included “Absolutely gorgeous”… “Just beautiful”… “Good lord”… and “looking good, Emma”.
      But in case the popular presenter got carried away with all the praise, one observer wrote: “Lookin damn lovely… hello to you as well Emma!”
      However, if that comment lifted Bridges, this one might have had a sinking effect: “Best looking studio too – and I’m not referring to Michael!”
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      Earlier, Leeds’ impressive second-half display ended Leicester’s run of nine straight Championship victories.
      Georginio Rutter pounced to fire the only goal from a close-range rebound on 58 minutes.
      But Leicester still lead the table by five points from surprise package Ipswich, with Leeds a further six points adrift.
      However, with Southampton in fourth place, many might expect the three clubs relegated from the Premier League last season to put the squeeze on “the odd team out” amongst these pace-setters – the Tractor Boys.
      Things are shaping up well for Emma and her teamCredit: https://www.instagram.com/eljonesuk/?hl=en
      It’s rarely a grey day for Emma’s army of online admirersCredit: Instagram @eljonesuk
      The broadcaster has covered or attended host of sportsCredit: Twitter @eljonesuk More

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      If I hadn’t been a footballer I’d have been a pilot and played a totally different sport – now I’m chasing the title

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      LENA PETERMANN may have been reaching heights of a different kind rather than fuelling Leicester’s rise had her football career not taken off.The forward, 29, admits becoming a pilot could have been on the cards had she not followed her sporting dreams during her childhood in Germany.
      Lena Petermann has hit the ground running for Leicester scoring two goals in three WSL gamesCredit: Getty
      Petermann and her team-mates hope to continue their unbeaten run when they host Manchester City at the King Power this eveningCredit: Getty
      Petermann, whose Leicester side are second in the league, said: “I always wanted to be a pilot but that’s changed completely!  
      “I also played table tennis and I was quite good at it.
      “If football hadn’t worked out (for me) I probably would have stuck to table tennis and maybe become a pilot.
      “It was about the age of 14 that I was also playing table tennis, but I couldn’t do both (table tennis and football) anymore. 

      “I then had to make a decision and it was quite easy for me that I would stick to football.
      “That’s because by then I also started to play for a regional team so I was one hundred per cent sure that I am going follow football.”
      It was a decision that paid off for Petermann who began her senior playing career with German side Hamburg at the age of 15.
      Following three seasons there she would spend 2013 playing US women’s college football netting eight goals in 21 appearances for Florida University’s UCF Nights team.  
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      Spells at SC Freiburg, Turbine Potsdam and Montpellier, preceded a July Foxes move for the forward who scored 25 goals in 48 appearances for the French side. 
      Two goals in three WSL games – including a bullet header against Bristol – has seen her become the top scorer so far this term for Willie Kirk’s side.
      His team will face one of their toughest side who host league leaders Man City at the King Power this evening
      Petermann  added: “I really enjoy this club and the feeling of it. 
      “It was really easy for me to get into (being with) the team.
      “After a couple of weeks, it felt like I’ve been in this team for quite a long time.
      “My teammates made it so easy for me and the staff too. How they’ve treated me made it really easy for me to settle in. 
      “I think you can see it now with my first performances that I feel good here.”
      Since its inception in 2011 the WSL has seen scores of top talents from Germany make moves to the division including Chelsea trio Ann-Katrin Berger, Melanie Leupolz and Sjoeke Nusken.
      Aside from Petermann, Foxes goalkeeper Janina Leitzig and Brighton forward Pauline Bremer are among those who sealed permanent switches  
      This summer saw the duo transfer from Bayern Munich and two-time Champions League winners Wolfsburg. 
      Petermann said: “This is one of the best. It is the best I think. It has a lot of qualities and that’s why it’s so interesting for foreigners as well. 
      Goalkeeper Janina Leitzig is among Leicester’s summer signings who have impressed for the clubCredit: Getty
      “I think the German league is also at a good level but at some point it didn’t develop so much more than here in England. 
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      “This is why I think some German players want to do this move.
      “They want to perform at the best levels and this is definitely here in this league.” More