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      I have more goals than Lionel Messi and Neymar this season with the help of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry

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      AN ARSENAL loanee striker taking France by storm has revealed he is getting advice from none other than Gunners legend Thierry Henry. Folarin Balogun, who has more goals than PSG pair Lionel Messi and Neymar, has proved to be one of the surprise packages across Europe.
      Folarin Balgoun is enjoying an outstanding season while on loan at ReimsCredit: Getty
      Last season the forward scored hit the net just three times while out on loan at Championship Middlesborough.
      But now in his debut season in Ligue 1 he has been outscored by just two players so far – one of which is Kylian Mbappe.
      Balogun leads the frontline for Stade de Reims who made headlines around Europe for their incredible 19 game unbeaten run under rookie English boss Will Still.
      The streak came to an end against Marseille on Sunday – but unstoppable Balogun scored again to make it 17 in this campaign with 10 games still to go.
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      He revealed that he had been receiving advice from a man who knows a thing or two about scoring goals.
      The 21-year-old told the Athletic: “I saw [Henry] a few times at the Emirates when I was at Arsenal but it was just passing conversations.
      “It’s nice to get to know him on a more personal level. I’m asking him questions and he’s helping me. So it’s a nice person to have in your phone.
      “[He is] somebody who’s seen the heights of the game and has taken steps in his career than I’m now taking in terms of playing abroad. He knows the feeling and how uncomfortable it can be. So I’m asking more general questions about his career and how he felt at certain points.
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      “[Henry] takes a lot of accountability for what happened in his life. It’s the same advice he gives to me. He says: ‘You’re here for a reason and it’s up to you. Whether you grab the opportunity or not is another question. But you have to prove why you’re here.'”
      Balogun copied one of Henry’s celebrations after meeting the star just before Reims’ game against PSG.
      The star scored deep in stoppage time to rescue a draw in Paris.
      Balogun is now just one goal away from equalling Glenn Hoddle’s record for most goals scored by an Englishman in a Ligue 1 season, with Hoddle netting 18 with Monaco in 1988-89. More

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      People forget I still play for Arsenal… now I’m banging them in and could join Premier League rivals in £30m transfer

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      FLO BALOGUN is determined to show Arsenal that he is no flash in the pan after taking French football by storm.The 21-year-old striker is currently challenging Kylian Mbappe for Ligue 1’s Golden Boot after joining unfancied Reims on loan for the season.
      Folarin Balogun had a tough start at ArsenalCredit: Getty
      But he has hit form on loan at Stade de ReimsCredit: AFP
      And it was his failure to get a minute of action during the Gunners’ summer tour to the USA which convinced the ambitious England Under-21 international to prove himself on the other side of the Channel.
      Only PSG superstar Mbappe and Lille’s Canadian World Cup star Jonathan David have currently scored more than Balogun’s 17 goals in the French league this season.
      He says: “No-one would have expected this when I first came to Reims, but to be in this position now is amazing and I need to continue it.
      “The more you achieve certain things, the more questions you face. Is it something I can do regularly or is it a fluke?
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      “So I’m pretty focused and determined to show people that this is not a blip and that scoring goals is something I can do consistently.
      “A lot of people might forget that I’m still an Arsenal player but it’s still one of my dreams to play in their first team.
      “Last summer I went on tour with the Arsenal first team to America and I didn’t get any playing time out there, so I was a bit frustrated.
      “But I had to be realistic so I spoke with Mikel Arteta and he gave me a few options. Together we decided it would be best for me to come to France.
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      “At the time I thought I was just another loan player coming to Reims to do a job, but after the reaction to my arrival I knew that it was quite a big deal.
      “That’s when I realised there was going to be more expectation of me than of other players, which is something I’ve had to adapt to and relish.
      “I knew I was joining a team who would be fighting to stay up and that every game was going to be tough, which would be a good challenge for my development.
      “But I also knew that Ligue 1 is one of the top five leagues in Europe and I had a lot of belief in myself.”
      He is third in the race for the Golden Boot in Ligue 1Credit: AFP
      Reims boss Will Still thinks he can have a top careerCredit: AFP
      Balogun has flourished under the guidance of Reims’ Belgian-English coach Will Still, who says: “From his first game with us he showed all the qualities he’s got.
      “He’s a quiet kid but when he does speak up he’s got a brain and his banter is pretty good.
      “If he can go on and have a top career in the game we’re just doing our job in helping him become as good as he can be.
      “He’s a good kid and a good person and I’ll definitely be following him.”
      Reims have made it clear that they would love to sign the New York-born goalscorer on a permanent basis but know they will not be able to afford the asking price for a player whose value has rocketed on the back of this season’s exploits.
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      Now Arsenal must decide whether to sell him in the summer or bring him back to the Emirates to challenge Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard for a starting place next season.
      And with Still being mentioned as a potential replacement for David Moyes at West Ham, there is even the possibility of a £30million move across London for Balogun in the summer. More

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      Reims boss Will Still puts Premier League clubs on red alert as he reveals managerial dream

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      REIMS manager Will Still is keen to work in the Premier League in the near future.Still has taken Ligue 1 by storm this season ever since replacing Oscar Garcia in the dugout last October as he led his team to a record 17-game unbeaten run before Sunday’s loss to Marseille.
      Reism manager Will Still is keen on working in the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP
      Will Still has taken Ligue 1 by storm and was linked with Leeds as well as SouthamptonCredit: Rex
      The British tactician, who was raised by English parents in Belgium, is only 30 years old and just started studying for his UEFA Pro License.
      That means Reims had to pay a £22,000 fine after every match before he enrolled for his badges.
      However, the young manager, who first worked as head coach at the age of 24 for Belgian side Lierse, has led the Red and Whites to ninth place in the table.
      Incredibly, Still cut his teeth in the game by playing Football Manager for years.
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      He would spend many hours sat in front of his computer, alongside brother Ed, who is also a head coach in the Belgium top flight, learning about tactics.
      Still has also helped Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun shine as he has scored more times than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar.
      That attracted interest from Leeds and Southampton, and he put the English top flight on red alert as he confirmed he is keen to join the Premier League one day.
      Still told Sky Sports: “It just seems completely stupid to me that my name is being put up against names that have done so much more and have been so many more places than I have. I wouldn’t ever dare to compare myself to those people.
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      “I’ve never really thought about it [managing in the Premier League] because I never expected to be in the position I am so early and so suddenly.
      “Why not? I’ve done some crazy things in the past; I was head coach at 24 and the same thing happened at 28 back in Belgium and now I’m 30 and people are saying this is crazy.
      “Being English and growing up in an English environment in Belgium, England has always felt like home and a place that I’d love to go back to.
      “It would feel like coming home, just because the English culture is part of me, part of my roots, part of my family, part of who I am.
      “I think if you asked any kid what they would like to do, they’d say they’d love to be a Premier League footballer or manager and I’m no different.
      “I was brought up like everyone else and had the same dreams. I’ll keep at them.
      “If it happens one day I’ll deserve it, or I hope I will have deserved it, but I realise how much work there is to do before I get there and how much I’ve got to learn. For now, I will stick it to one side.” More

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      Man Utd ‘hold talks with Axel Disasi’ as they target £44m Monaco star as Harry Maguire transfer replacement

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have held talks with Axel Disasi’s representatives ahead of a summer swoop, according to reports.The defender has attracted plenty of interest with his excellent performances for Monaco this season.
      Axel Disasi has been in fine form for Monaco this season
      Disasi, 25, is attracting plenty of interest with his Monaco performancesCredit: Getty
      Disasi’s form for Les Monegasques earned him a place in Didier Deschamps’ France World Cup squad in November.
      And according to French outlet Foot Mercato, he could soon be on the move.
      They claim that Disasi’s agents met with Man United chiefs a fortnight ago to discuss a potential transfer.
      The 25-year-old will have two years remaining on his Monaco contract this summer, with the Ligue 1 club set to demand at least £44million for his signature.
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      Foot Mercato’s report adds that United are coveting a “solid and strong player” that is “dominant” in physical duels – with Disasi fitting the bill.
      In a further boost to the Red Devils’ hopes, Disasi admitted that the Prem is his “favourite” league in the world.
      Asked about his future by RMC after checking in for international duty, he said: “I like England, it’s a very exciting championship, we’ll say it’s my favourite championship.”
      United are set to receive competition from Paris Saint-Germain for Disasi’s signature – but the man himself remained coy on his next destination.
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      Disasi smiles as he checks in for France dutyCredit: Getty
      He added: “And between Paris and the Premier League? The place where I can progress the most.”
      Disasi originally hails from Gonesse, a suburb of the French capital, and came through the ranks at Ligue 2 side Paris FC.
      He subsequently moved to Reims in 2016, spending four years at Stade Auguste-Delaune and helping them win the Ligue 2 title before signing for Monaco.
      The 6ft 3in ace has gone on to play 119 times for Monaco, including in the Champions League.
      SunSport revealed a fortnight ago that PSG are lining up a shock £50m swoop for Man United skipper Harry Maguire.
      The 30-year-old has endured a tough campaign at Old Trafford, starting just five Prem games.
      Maguire last week admitted that he’d like to play more, but stressed that team success is the most important thing.
      He told BT Sport: “Obviously, I want to play more, I want to start more games, but I’m playing my part on and off the field.
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      “It’s nice to be out there leading the team and getting the victory, which is the most important part for myself and the club.
      “I’ve got an important role on and off the field at this club and every day I try to make this club succeed, whether I’m playing or not.”
      Harry Maguire has admitted that he would like to play moreCredit: Alamy More

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      Kim Kardashian FaceTimes Neymar during shock visit to Parc des Princes for PSG’s defeat to Rennes

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      KIM KARDASHIAN FaceTimed Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar during her surprise visit in the French capital.Kim has been making some unexpected visits in football stadiums, starting with the Emirates on Thursday when she watched Arsenal crash out of the Europa League on penalties against Sporting Lisbon.
      Kim Kardashian made a shock appearance at Paris Saint-Germain vs RennesCredit: AFP
      Kim Kardashian FaceTimed Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar for her sonsCredit: Instagram
      Kim Kardashian’s children posed with Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe after the gameCredit: Instagram
      The reality star’s sons showed they are major football fans as they got to speak to the Gunners’ star Bukayo Saka on FaceTime after the match and the England international offered them a shirt.
      This time, the 42-year-old visited the Parc des Princes on Sunday to watch PSG lose 2-0 to Rennes.
      The businesswoman and her children got to watch superstars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in action, but Neymar was absent after he was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle injury.
      However, the American entrepreneur’s children still got to see the Brazil international as she FaceTimed him during the match.
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      The kids and the star forward had a short chat and they wished him a speedy recovery.
      Kim issued a screenshot of the exchange with the following caption: “The luckiest boys in the world FaceTiming [Neymar] to wish him a speedy recovery.”
      Neymar has been sidelined since February when he hurt his foot in a Ligue 1 game against Lille and was stretchered off in tears.
      After the game, the boys met Mbappe backstage and posed for photos with him.
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      But fans believe Kim brought her “curse” with her once more with her recent visit.
      Arsenal fans claimed she was a bad luck charm when they were shockingly eliminated by Sporting in the Europa League Last 16.
      Now PSG supporters believe she poses as a jinx for the home team as she saw the reigning French champions lose at home in Ligue 1 for the first time in 715 DAYS.
      Christophe Galtier’s men enjoyed a run of 35 consecutive games without defeat prior to her arrival. More

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      Fans convinced Lionel Messi is leaving PSG after he is booed and cameras pick up his post-match gesture

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      FANS are convinced Lionel Messi will leave Paris Saint-Germain after his post-match antics in the loss to Rennes.The Ligue 1 champions suffered a 2-0 loss at home, taking their run to four defeats in their last eight games.
      PSG lost at home for the first time in 715 daysCredit: AFP
      Lionel Messi stormed down the tunnel after PSG’s defeat
      PSG supporters vented their anger during the second-half by booing their players.
      At the end of the game, the team led by Kylian Mbappe still clapped the fans to thank them for their support.
      But a clearly disappointed Messi did not join his team-mates as he trudged down the tunnel while looking fed up.
      The World Cup winner’s contract in Paris expires at the end of the season although there is an option to extend it by a further year.
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      Messi has been linked with a return home to Barcelona despite the club’s financial situation.
      His former team-mate Sergi Roberto said: “I hope Messi comes back. We are waiting for him. He does not deserve the treatment he receives in Paris.
      “We are waiting for Leo, we want him at Barca.”
      Fans are confident he wants to leave PSG, one said: “Surely he’s done with Paris now?”
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      Another reacted: “He should come back to where he’s loved and respected.”
      Messi has netted 18 goals and provided 17 assists in all competitions for PSG this season, yet it has still been a tough campaign for him.
      Christophe Galtier’s side sit top of the league by seven points but were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the Round of 16 stage.
      The loss to Rennes was their first home defeat in 715 days and a Kim Kardashian curse has been blamed.
      Despite his status, Messi is not popular with PSG’s ultras, who planned to jeer him during the match no matter the result.
      They claim he does not offer value for money with him reportedly earning £640,000-a-week. More

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      Man Utd flop scores twice to end longest unbeaten run in Europe’s top five leagues as English boss finally tastes defeat

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      ARSENAL loanee Folarin Balogun scored AGAIN for Stade de Reims… but it wasn’t enough to save Will Still’s unbeaten run as boss.An ex-Manchester United and Gunners star scored twice for Marseille, including a stunning free-kick, to seal a 2-1 victory on Sunday.
      Will Still’s incredible unbeaten run with Reims was ended on SundayCredit: Rex
      Reims had initially gone ahead against Marseille through Arsenal loanee Folarin BalogunCredit: AFP
      And with his double Alexis Sanchez ended Reims’ incredible 19-GAME unbeaten run in Ligue 1.
      The record, which stretched back to September 18, was the longest unbeaten run in any of Europe’s top five leagues.
      Belgium born Englishman Still has been caretaker boss for 17 of those games after taking over from the sacked Oscar Garcia in October.
      Red-hot Balogun had given Still’s side the perfect start as he netted his 17th goal of the season after just 13 minutes.
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      Ex-Manchester United and Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez scored twice to secure a comeback win for MarseilleCredit: AFP

      The 21-year-old was not included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad in midweek leading to fears from fans that he could switch international allegiances.
      But Balogun carried on doing what he does best for Reims as he opened the scoring against Marseille on Sunday.
      However, the lead lasted a mere three minutes as Old Trafford flop Sanchez levelled things up with a peach of a free-kick.
      The 34-year-old, who scored just five goals in 45 appearances for United, netted again in the 29th minute for what turned out to be the winner.
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      Marseille’s win condemned Reims and Still to a first league defeat in six months.
      The club had been forced to pay £22,000 for each game the 30-year-old boss was in the dugout as a result of him not yet holding a UEFA Pro Licence.
      But Still recently confirmed on talkSPORT that the club were no longer having to shell out every time they played.
      When asked if Reims were still paying the fine, Still said: “No, that fine has finally come to an end as the Pro Licence course that I’m on has started.”
      When asked last week if he has achieved the qualification, Still said: “I’ve not finished it, but I’ve started it and I’m enrolled in it, so it’s ongoing.” More

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      Kim Kardashian curse strikes AGAIN as she attends PSG game and French giants lose first home match in 715 days

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      KIM KARDASHIAN took in Paris Saint-Germain’s match after Thursday’s trip to Arsenal – and seemingly brought her ‘curse’ with her.The reality TV star and model saw the Gunners crash out of the Europa League on penalties to Portuguese side Sporting CP.
      Kim Kardashian headed to watch PSG after seeing Arsenal in action on ThursdayCredit: Getty
      The 42-year-old was in the stands for PSG’s 2-0 defeat to RennesCredit: Getty
      Kim was spotted holding a Neymar shirtCredit: Getty
      The reality TV star and model was also seen pitchside before the matchCredit: Twitter
      PSG lost at home in the league for the first time in 715 daysCredit: AFP
      After the game some disgruntled Arsenal fans begged the 42-year-old never to return to the Emirates, joking that she is “cursed”.
      And on Sunday fans joked that the Kim K “curse” has continued after PSG were beaten 2-0 at home by Rennes with the reality star in attendance.
      It was the first time in 715 DAYS Les Parisiens have lost on their own patch in the league – a run of 35 consecutive games without defeat.
      Kim was seen in the stands holding up a Neymar shirt, but an injury to the Brazilian superstar meant she didn’t get to watch him in action.
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      Nevertheless, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe did both start for the Ligue 1 leaders.
      But the pair still couldn’t inspire PSG to victory.
      The result left fans on social media joking that Kim is “cursed” after watching two home teams lose within the space of a week.
      While others likened Kim’s 0-2 record in recent days to the famous ‘Drake curse’.
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      One said on Twitter: “Kim K is cursed every game she goes to the home team loses.”
      Another added: “Kim Kardashian is a curse to football. Arsenal lose to Sporting now PSG are losing to Rennes.”
      A third said: “Kim Kardashian curse continues pray for PSG.”
      And a fourth joked: “First the Drake curse now the Kim Kardashian curse!”
      Kim was also seen pitchside before the match.
      Kim was also at Arsenal on ThursdayCredit: Getty More