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      Inside Frank Lampard’s superstitious routine as new Coventry boss’ success could depend on Chelsea legend’s DOG

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      FRANK LAMPARD will probably split his time between London and digs in Coventry as the Championship club’s new manager.For most people, this is a minor issue, but for superstitious Lampard, it could have quite some bearing upon him in his new role.Frank Lampard has landed the manager role at Coventry CityCredit: PAHe has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship sideCredit: PAHe helped lay the foundations at Chelsea ahead of their Champions League conquest in 2021Credit: PAHe saved Everton from relegation in his last jobCredit: ReutersAs Chelsea boss way back in 2019, the club’s all-time greatest goalscorer and hugely decorated midfielder revealed just a few of the extraordinary habits he believes are vital to keep the positive results flowing.One of those is taking the exact same route while walking his dog around the same park.He explained that he would visit the same coffee shop first thing, then wait patiently for his beloved pooch to do her ‘business’.Then it would have to be following in his well-trodden footsteps for the same distance. In his mind it is pivotal to his team’s fortunes.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThere is also the precise 50 minutes on an exercise bike – no more and no less – that forms part of his routine to protect a winning run.His great mate, co-coach and confident Jody Morris later Tweeted that these were just two minor examples of his friend’s OCD.Lampard is 46 and about to join his fourth different club as a manager.From cutting his teeth at Championship Derby, he seemed destined to manage his beloved Chelsea, although the experience turned sour quickly, as it tends to do at Stamford Bridge.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLosing a play-off final, saving Everton from relegation, laying the groundwork for Chelsea’s second Champions League triumph in 2021 form part of his CV.There’s a great coach inside Lampard waiting to get out.Frank Lampard confirmed as Coventry manager as Chelsea legend returns to management after 18 months unemployed He almost led Derby County back to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty – ContributorHis success at Coventry could depend on his pupCredit: GettyHe is often seen walking his dog with wife Christine BleakleyCredit: GettyHe has a superstitious theory about walking his dogCredit: https://www.instagram.com/franklampard/Frank Lampard’s managerial recordHere’s a look at Lampard’s record as a manager…Derby County May 2018 – July 2019P57 W24 D17 L16 Win percentage 42.1%Chelsea July 2019 – January 2021P84 W44 D17 L23 Win percentage 52.4%Everton January 2022 – January 2023P44 W12 D17 L24 Win percentage 27.3%Chelsea (caretaker) April 2023 – May 2023P11 W1 D2 L8 Win percentage 9.1%Overall: P288 W132 D72 L16 Win Percentage 45.83%All of his three previous clubs had their respective issues that went beyond the dugout.Whether it was Derby’s cash crisis, Everton’s ownership nightmare and Chelsea’s ruthless demand for glory that pushed sentiment to one side, some things are out of a manager’s control.The fear is that it might be the same for him at City. The brutal sacking of legendary boss Mark Robins gives Lampard big shoes to fill.On a bigger scale, Unai Emery and David Moyes found that out to their cost at Arsenal and Manchester United.Last season, Coventry were denied an FA Cup final by the cruelty of VAR and a ruthless offside decision.The comedown from that and the failure to reach the Championship Play-Offs has clearly played a part in Robins’ departure.Lampard was a Chelsea legend when he was given the manager’s job too soon in his career.Even then he admitted his popularity with the fans would last ‘two minutes’ if he didn’t deliver from the dugout.He finished fourth in the Premier League and took them to an FA Cup final against Arsenal in his first season.He was adored by the fans for promoting the academy players he had watched develop while studying for his coaching badges at his old club.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen Chelsea were in crisis the season before last, he answered a call and went back as interim boss for 11 games – walking away lamenting the malaise that had set in in the dressing room.Coventry City is a big club in the doldrums. Lampard’s reputation as a player and his impressive worth ethic could quickly get them firing again but in reality it all depends on his dog.Lampard’s appointment is a kick in the teeth to Coventry faithful – fan’s viewBy Alex JohnsonIt was always going to be tough to fill the boots of a club legend like Mark Robins, a manager who provided many Sky Blues’ with their best-ever memories supporting the club, but the arrival of Frank Lampard has gone down like a lead balloon among the Cov faithful.In his Q&A appearance with fans after firing Robins, owner Doug King emphasised his intention to bring in a tactically minded head coach to get the best out of what is the most expensively assembled squad in Coventry City history.To end up with Lampard, whose former assistant Jody Morris received a lot of the credit for his success at Derby County, feels like a kick in the teeth. This isn’t someone who has won league titles or been praised for his brilliant style of football in the slightest.Coventry fans will get behind Lampard and give him a chance. But to suggest he is an upgrade on Mark Robins after one playoff finish and a 9.1% win percentage in his last job is laughable More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury doesn’t react as Oleksandr Usyk makes surprise sick admission ahead of rematch

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      TYSON FURY remained stonefaced as Oleksandr Usyk revealed his dislike of pre-fight preparations.The Gypsy King will bid to exact his revenge on the former undisputed heavyweight champion in a second successive Saudi showdown on December 21.Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk renew their rivalry in a second successive Saudi showdown next monthCredit: GETTYUsyk candidly revealed in a sitdown with Fury that he finds fight preparations to be nauseatingCredit: TNT SPORTSFury was completely unmoved by Usyk’s revelationCredit: TNT SPORTS BOX OFFICEThe pair, 36 and 37 respectively, faced off for the first time since their May melee at a London press conference last month before doing a sitdown face-off.And it was in their sitdown with TNT Sports that Usyk revealed he finds the build-up to fights extremely nauseating.He told pundit Steve Bunce: “When I come the ring, I live there. Tyson, too I think.”When fighters go to the ring, there is more life. Preparation (imitates being sick), training (imitates being sick) – watch us fight.”READ MORE ON FURY USYK 2Usyk’s revelation didn’t move Fury in the slightest, with the former unified heavyweight king staring at footage of their first meeting playing on the TV.Slick southpaw Usyk edged an enthralling 12-rounder via split decision to become the first undisputed king of heavyweights in nearly 25 years.Fury came dangerously close to being knocked out in the ninth round of the Riyadh rumble but somehow managed to survive Usyk’s hellacious onslaught after being dropped.Usyk stalked a hurt Fury like a bloodhound looking for the finish, although his sights weren’t set on hurting the Brit.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSWatch Fury Vs Usyk 2 live on DAZN*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue.How to Watch Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk 2 live on DAZNGet ready to rumble with Fury vs Usyk 2 live on DAZN Pay-Per-View! Here’s how:Buy the PPV: Get access to the fight by purchasing the PPV on DAZN.No Commitment, 7-Day Free Trial: With your PPV purchase, you’ll also receive a 7-day free trial of DAZN. Enjoy all the action and explore DAZN’s sports lineup with no extra cost!First Month Free: Monthly DAZN subscribers can get their first month for free when signing up!No Subscription Required: The PPV price is all you need to pay. There’s no obligation to continue after your free trial ends.Don’t miss the biggest fight of 2024! On December 21st “Gypsy King” Tyson Fury takes on “The Cat” Oleksandr Usyk for a second time in what promises to be the rematch of the century — order now and start your free DAZN trial today!The former undisputed cruiserweight king said: “I didn’t want to damage him.”I know the game of boxing. After the fight, he would go back to his family.Oleksandr Usyk gets Tyson Fury to sign photo of first fight and vows to sell it to raise funds for Ukrainian troops”For this reason, there’s no need to hurt him.”Defeat to Usyk was the first of Fury’s professional career and has lit a fire under the Wythenshawe warrior, who is adopting a KILL-OR-BE-KILLED mentality for their rematch.He said: “I’m going to roll the dice and it’s going to be you or me… best foot forward and swing away.”I’ve never been afraid to get knocked spark out. I’ve always put it on the line every time.”He continued: “There’s no secret! I’m going in there to knock you out.”Because I don’t think I’m going to get a decision no matter what I do.”I don’t think I’m going to get a boxing decision.READ MORE SUN STORIES”So I’m going to have to take it out of the judges’ hands like I did in America that time [against Deontay Wilder].”And I’ve got to get him out of there. Hand on heart, I have to get him out of there to see victory.”Tyson Fury has vowed to exact his revenge on Olekandr UsykCredit: GETTY More

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      in Boxing

      I’m an unbeaten boxer and Olympic gold medallist – but I’d have more money & girls if I was 6ft 6in like Anthony Joshua

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      POCKET ROCKET Galal Yafai knows he’d have more money and girls if he was a giant star like fellow golden boy Anthony Joshua – but more problems too.AJ’s iconic 2012 London triumph made him a national treasure, an instant millionaire and a heartthrob fast-tracked to heavyweight world titles.Galal Yafai believes he would have more attention if he was more like Anthony JoshuaCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunYafai claimed he would have more money if he was as tall as AJCredit: GettyHe won gold at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: AFPHis next opponent is Sunny EdwardsCredit: GettyA decade later, 5ft 4in Birmingham ace Yafai landed the same medal in Tokyo but his flyweight status means the cash, clout and hunk-rating are on a much smaller scale.Ahead of his excellent Saturday bout with amateur rival and former sparring Sunny Edwards, the 31-year-old told SunSport: “Our weights don’t get much limelight, even though I am Olympic champion.“Back in the day little fighters got zero attention in the UK, it was always in Asia and Mexico.“There aren’t many people boxing at this weight in our country, it’s just the luck of the draw, we’re small people.READ MORE ON BOXING“If I was 6ft 6in and 17st like AJ I would be more marketable, have more money, I would have more girls chasing me – I would probably have a few more problems, come to think of it.“But these are the cards I have been dealt with, I am happy to achieve what I have, it could be a lot worse.”Yafai, like fellow fighting brothers Kal and Gamal and most other Brummie boxers, is perfectly modest.In a sport built on trash talk and empty threats, the Midlanders prefer to let their fists do the talking.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSShowtime Sunny, the 28-year-old former IBF champ, is a very different character who uses his vicious tongue and quick wit to make up for his lack of power.“I think Brummies are all just pretty down to earth,” he laughed.Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection Yafai’s brothers Gamal (left) and JKal (right) are also fightersCredit: Instagram / matchroomboxingEdwards vs Yafai full fight cardHere is a look at the full fight card for Edwards vs Yafai…Sunny Edwards vs. Galal Yafai; for vacant WBC Interim world flyweight crownConah Walker vs. Lewis Ritson; WelterweightKieron Conway vs. Ryan Kelly; for vacant Commonwealth middleweight titleCameron Vuong vs. Gavin Gwynne, LightweightHamza Uddin vs. Benn Norman; FlyweightTroy Jones vs. Michael Stephenson, for Jones’s English light heavyweight titleAaron Bowen vs. James Todd; MiddleweightIbraheem Sulaimaan vs. Marvin Solano; Super featherweightTaylor Bevan vs. Greg O’Neil; Super middleweightCallum Smith Vs. TBD; Light heavyweight“Even when I won the gold, I just wanted to move on, without too much razzamataz. I probably didn’t really know how to act.“Some fighters do like to talk s***, but that’s not really my style. If they want to do it, I am game, bring it on but I would never start it off.”Classy Yafai is more worried about a big ring than a big mouth, as he hopes a tight squared circle will help him avenge his 2015 amateur loss to super-slick Edwards.“It’s a good question,” he said about the Resorts World ring dimensions. “Hopefully it’s a small one!“The promoters decide that and they won’t want a massive one because it will encourage running around and they will want an exciting fight.”I will want a smaller ring to suit my style but I’ll take anything.”Claiming the interim WBC world title will leave Yafai one step away from the bonafide green and gold 8st bout.But he’s unlikely to wrap it around his narrow waist and parade it, just like the necklace he keeps tucked away at home and only brakes out for private inspiration.The 8-0 ace explained: “I probably should walk around with the medal around my neck but it’s just stuck at home in a box.“It’s nice to have a heavy physical thing to have and hold and look at every once in a while.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Sometimes I do get it out of the box, to remind myself of what I achieved and how nice it is.“But that medal could get lost or stolen or melted down somehow, so knowing that my name is in history forever, that is more important.”How AJ punched his way to the topANTHONY JOSHUA punched his way to the top of the world before being knocked off his perch. More

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      Pep Guardiola’s emotional rock is wife and partner of 35 years Cristina Serra and family including model daughter Maria

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      MAN CITY boss Pep Guardiola is in need of his family’s support more than ever.The Catalonian tactician, 53, cut a frustrated figure after seeing his side throw away a 3-0 lead in the Champions League against Feyenoord.Pep Guardiola’s stunning wife Cristina Serra has been his support system for 35 yearsCredit: Getty – ContributorCristina and his children Marius, left, Valentina, centre, and Maria, right have celebrated his successes with himCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Spaniard appeared with red scratch marks over his face and head at full-timeIncredibly, the Premier League champions are now winless in six games, and it has Guardiola scratching his head… literally.In an interview after the game, he was seen with scratches on his head and nose.Guardiola was quizzed about how he got the cut on his nose and responded by saying: “My finger, here [makes a scratching motion]. My nail.The Spaniard then joked that City’s woeful form over the last few weeks has driven him to self-harm, saying: “I want to harm myself.”Read more football newsGuardiola later apologised for his comments and insisted he wasn’t making light of mental health issues.In the wake of City’s bad form, and the worst run in Guardiola’s career, he will be able to lean on his wife and partner of 35 years Cristina Serra.While his kids will also offer a distraction away from the stresses of football management.SunSport looks at the support team behind the world’s greatest coach.Most read in FootballThe missusPep met beautiful Cristina in Catalonia, when they were just starry-eyed teenagers.Guardiola left scratching his head as City blow 3-0 lead against FeyenoordShe comes from a fashion family dynasty, who own the Serra Claret boutique in Barcelona.It was there their paths crossed for the first time.Guardiola, then a youth star, was doing a modelling shoot for the late Spanish designer Antonio Miro in the shop, when he fixed his gaze on his future missus.They finally walked down the aisle in 2014 at a town hall on the outskirts of Barcelona.Earlier in the year, he revealed his wife is his fashion guru.He said: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, but especially in fashion. So she says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow her.”I am smart enough to know that when people are much much better than me, follow their advice and hers is really good.”Whenever City taste success, Cristina is often seen at the Etihad alongside Guardiola.She happily poses with the trophies his team has won, alongside their kids.Cristina Serra comes from a fashion family dynastyCredit: Bongarts – GettyGuardiola and Cristina met when they were teenagers at her family’s fashion boutiqueCredit: AFP – GettyCristina, daughter Maria and Pep enjoyed Wimbledon earlier this summerCredit: APread more sport featuresModel daughterPep’s eldest child is daughter Maria, 23, who has branched out on her own.To almost one million followers on Instagram, she shares her glam lifestyle.Unsurprisingly, the beauty is a model and has appeared in sexy bikini shoots for swimwear brand iBilovesyou.She also once reportedly dated a footballer.Back in 2021, Maria was spotted with ex-Spurs star Dele Alli in a romantic clinch.As we exclusively revealed, the pair didn’t care who saw them as they snogged each other at Cloud 9 rooftop bar in front of the DJ booth.Daughter Maria Guardiola has branched out on her ownCredit: INSTAGRAMUnsurprisingly, stunning brunette Maria is a modelCredit: INSTAGRAMMaria once dated Premier League footballer Dele AlliCredit: INSTAGRAMA few months later, they were spotted getting lunch at trendy Mayfair hotspot Novikov, before grabbing a coffee at Starbucks.However, six months later it was reported that Alli had split with Maria.Family timeIn 2023, after Pep’s most gruelling and successful season as City boss – winning the treble – family time was important.Pep and Cristina took their three children on a trip of a lifetime to visit to Egypt.Maria, son Marius, 21, and youngest daughter Valentina, 16, joined their parents to tour Cairo and Luxor and visit the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza.Wearing a white outfit and a red baseball cap bearing the letter P, Guardiola received a special ‘Pharaoh’ trophy in photos taken by officials at the Ministry of Tourism.READ MORE SUN STORIESMarius Guardiola is Pep’s only sonCredit: SuppliedThe Guardiola family enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to EgyptPep and his family pose in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza in matching outfitsCredit: SuppliedShowing a family that all pull the same way together, they were all dressed in neutral shades of white, as they beamed for photos.They’re a support system for Pep that never wanes. More

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      Chelsea poised to sign teenage son of Premier League cult hero who played for bitter rivals

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      CHELSEA are reportedly set to sign the son of a Premier League cult hero.The Blues have made an effort to sign the best and youngest talent from around the world since the takeover by Clearlake.Chelsea are in talks to sign the son of Emmanuel EboueCredit: Action Images – ReutersChelsea will have to pay compensation for Mathis EboueCredit: Watford FCHe has featured for the England Under-16sCredit: Watford FCThe club are now in talks to sign Mathis Eboue from the Watford academy.The 15-year-old is, of course, the son of Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue.The Daily Mail have claimed that Chelsea are discussing a compensation package with the Premier League.This is because the move is subject to the Prem’s five-step process that applies to transfers which need compensation.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSIt is used to stop clubs from breaching Youth Development Rules.An independent third party is used to conduct interviews with all involved including the clubs and player’s parents or guardians.Eboue is already establishing himself as one of the most promising players in his age group.The attacker has played for the Hornets’ up to the Under-21s and scored for the side.Most read in FootballHe has also represented the England Under-16s side in the 1-0 win over France to snatch the U16 Challenge Trophy title.Emmanuel Eboue established himself as a fan favourite at the Blues’ London rivals Arsenal during his playing days.The defender starred for the Gunners between 2004 and 2011.Gianfranco Zola reveals Cole Palmer pledge as Chelsea icons meet for first time after EA FC comment Fans fell in love with the Ivory Coast international for his brilliant sense of humour on and off the pitch.Eboue once revealed how he told Queen Elizabeth II that he would quit football to look after her corgis.He made 219 appearances for the North London side and scored nine goals but never won any silverware.He came close in 2006 but Arsenal were beaten in the Champions League final by Barcelona.He was also a part of the squads which lost in the 2007 and 2011 League Cup finals.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      How Liam Delap has blossomed into ‘best young English striker’ thanks to famous dad and Ipswich superfan Ed Sheeran

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      LIAM Delap has been one of the Premier League’s standout signings this season.Ipswich Town parted with £20million to bring the ex-Man City youngster, 21, to Suffolk.Liam Delap has been scoring goals for fun at Ipswich Town this seasonCredit: GettyDelap was a handful for Man Utd last weekendCredit: PAIpswich Town minority owner Ed Sheeran helped bring Delap to the clubCredit: GettyBut that will be money well spent if his goals keep Kieran McKenna’s side in the top flight.Already, Delap has managed six goals in 12 league games, and was a handful for Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd side last weekend.The 6ft1in centre forward, who was handed a Premier League debut by Pep Guardiola in 2020, was in two minds in joining Ipswich in the summer.That was until minority owner Ed Sheeran got involved to get the transfer over the line.read more football newsAnd now Delap is being touted as Harry Kane’s successor for the striker role for England.BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy said: “I’ve seen him a bit quite a lot this season and I’d probably go as far as I say, for me, he the obvious long-term successor to Kane.”I think he’s the best young English striker out there.”I know he’s got a bit to learn and wisdom comes with experience and game time in this league.Most read in Football”But he’s got all the attributes to be a top international player.”Ipswich Town Football Club announce plans to redevelop 53-year-old stand in ‘exciting project’ with hotel and aquatics centre Sheer brillianceIt’s not often one of the biggest pop stars in the world has a hand in getting a transfer deal over the line.However, when it’s Ipswich Town superfan Ed Sheeran, then it becomes more understandable.When he’s not gatecrashing Sky Sports interviews with new Man Utd boss Amorim, the singer/songwriter is asking players to join the club he has shares in.Back in the summer, Sheeran got on a Zoom call with Liam Delap and convinced the him his future belonged in East Anglia.Liam Delap has become one of the league’s hottest strikersIn a story told be the club’s CEO Mark Ashton at a Soccerex event, we learned: “A local man, global superstar, sponsor of the football club, now a shareholder and now officially part of our recruitment team.”In the summer we were trying to persuade one particular player to join the football club and realised very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.”Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, hopefully that was a key part of getting the player across the line.”While Ashton remained coy on who the player was, he let the cat out of the bag when asked how the footballer was getting on this season.He replied: “Certainly scoring a few goals!”Delap came through the ranks at Man CityCredit: GettyAlready, Delap has been touted as Harry Kane’s successor for EnglandCredit: Rexread more sport featuresIt’s in the genesFootball is in Delap’s blood. His dad Rory played for Stoke City, and Delap Jr appeared on the set of Soccer AM in 2014 alongside his father.The former Stoke City and Ireland midfielder is best remembered for his insane long throw-ins.As a youth player, that was something that Liam also had in his arsenal.However, when one parent took exception to the youngster’s long-throws he refused to take another throw again.“I think he was put off when he was about an under-10!” Delap Sr. revealed in an interview with Radio Stoke.“One of the parents shouted that he was ruining the game when he took a throw and he hasn’t taken one since.”I don’t think that will be part of his game.”However, one thing he has inherited from his dad’s game is aggression.”(Aggression) always been a part of my game. I need it in my game,” he said in an interview with  the Manchester Evening News.Former Stoke City hero Rory Delap is Liam’s dadCredit: AFPLiam seen on the set of Soccer AM in 2014Credit: Twitter / @RoryJDelapLike his dad, Liam Delap has an aggressive streakCredit: Getty”When I’m on that edge it’s when I’m at my best, it’s just not tipping over that edge and everyone has told me that they’d never want to take it out of me, it’s just controlling that final tipping point of what is acceptable and what’s not.”You can’t really teach it, it’s just something I have and I’m so grateful that I’ve got it but it’s just now working a mechanism that I can control it to keep myself on the pitch.”I’ve got a lot better. I was a lot worse when I was younger so I think it’s just maturing and understanding what’s right.”Inspired by RonaldoA different type of player to his dad, blessed with power and pace, Liam is inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo.”I’ve always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo. Just the way he plays, the pace and the power.In the past Delap has revealed he is a fan of Cristiano RonaldoCredit: GettyDelap knows he has to continue to work at his game to reach the topCredit: Getty”For me, he’s the best in the world so aspiring to someone who is the best in the world, your dreams just have to be high.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Listening to people that he’s worked with, the extras and lengths that he goes to look after his body and get better every day just shows why he’s at the top level.”You can have talent but talent on its own doesn’t work without effort.” More

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      Liverpool’s Mo Salah is NOT world class… but I can name five players who are, says Troy Deeney

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      I HAVE received a bit of heat this week for some comments on Mohamed Salah — so let me talk you through it.I claimed Salah is NOT world class. Mo Salah is brilliant player, but falls short of being world classTroy Deeney has named five players who could walk into any team in the worldThe Liverpool player is a brilliant winger, his goalscoring numbers are incredible and he has achieved some truly amazing things at the club.But world class? No.Let me make this clear — this is not a personal attack on Salah. I think he is a top player and a great guy.I played against him a lot in my career and can appreciate just how good he is.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut trying to be everyone’s friend? That’s not my bag. I will say it how it is.In general, this is about the term “world class” as a whole — what does it actually mean and when can we use it?Firstly, it is a very lucid way to describe a footballer.It’s not like at The Masters when you get your Green Jacket and you are a champion of Augusta forever, regardless of how bad you play afterwards.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt is something as a player that takes ages to earn and probably half a season to lose, and then the fight to get it back begins again.Some players — great players — have struggled to earn that title at all during their careers. Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsGary Neville is one of the most decorated full-backs of all time, but we all considered Roberto Carlos or Cafu to be a level above.Yet if I had Neville’s career behind me, would I care if someone said I wasn’t world class? Of course not.No player is safe from dropping out of this subjective, opinionated category, but there is always a way back.For instance, someone like Kylian Mbappe I would argue is also currently NOT world class. An incredible player, won plenty, got his big move to Real Madrid this summer, but his form has not been at the level of previous seasons.PSG superstar Kylian Mbappe has failed to hit the mark in Madrid so farTo earn and keep that world class tag, I believe you need to be able to transcend your whole team, transcend the game — not simply by having the most shirt sales, but being able to consistently lift a club to glory by yourself.Can Mbappe at 25 get back to being world class? Definitely. But for now, he has some work to do.As for Salah, you can look at his stats — 165 Prem goals in 274 games — and say this and that but ultimately, it is about what he brings to the team and the impact he has season after season, not just in certain games and moments.I was on the end of loads of drubbings at Watford when Salah was amazing for Liverpool.But when we prepared to face them, it was not just a case of “stop Salah and you win”.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25.It was a lot harder when they also had Sadio Mane in the side who, in my opinion, was more effective over that period than Salah.And if we were basing this purely off numbers and goals, then Bruno Fernandes would be one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is not.You see where I am coming from?I can remember Graeme Souness once telling me his theory on whether you were world class, and it was based on whether you could walk into any starting XI in world football.With that in mind, here are the five players currently in world football who, for me, can be deemed world class — who could stroll into any team on the planet and start:READ MORE SUN STORIESSaying all this, it is just my opinion. Someone can turn around and tell me I am wrong and that is absolutely fine.And if Salah is worrying about what  I think, then he is definitely not  world class.Vinicius Junior is one the best wingers in the worldErling Haaland is the best striker in the worldVirgil van Dijk is a world class Prem defender More

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      Taylor Harwood-Bellis childhood incident practising DIVING that convinced dad Roy Keane’s son-in-law could be footballer

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      TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS has had a taste of life at the top.Now England’s latest new-boy must turn his attention to taking on the best in the Premier League right now — and help shift Southampton off the bottom.Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored on his England debut last weekCredit: GettyHe is now prepared to face Liverpool with SouthamptonCredit: PAThe 22-year-old became the EIGHTH player to be handed a Three Lions debut during Lee Carsley’s interim spell in charge when coming on against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday in the Nations League.And he followed up Liverpool’s Curtis Jones’ feat versus Greece by also marking his bow with a goal to cap a blistering 5-0 win.Returning to the reality of Saints’ relegation battle must have been some comedown after such a high, particularly with imperious league-leaders the Reds up next.But while Harwood-Bellis is still buzzing to have proved he can mix it with the elite in this country, it is already just a memory ahead of Arne Slot’s winning machine — complete with a bang-in-form Mo Salah — rocking up at St Mary’s on Sunday.Read More on EnglandThe centre-back told BBC Radio Solent this week: “England is the pinnacle. The best English players, the best in the world are all there in one dressing room.“I’ve just got to focus on Liverpool. I’m not too bad at changing focus. Me scoring for England has not hidden the fact that we’re bottom of the league and we’ve got a big game on Sunday. That’s all my focus.”Brighton-born Southampton boss Russell Martin joked that Harwood-Bellis has barely stopped talking about it since his returning to training this week.Martin, who won 29 Scotland caps, said: “We have to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground but everyone’s so happy for him.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“If I’d played for England for ten minutes, I wouldn’t have shut up about it either.“I’d get hammered in Scotland for saying that, wouldn’t I? I was really proud to play for Scotland, so make sure that goes in there.Roy Keane reduces Ian Wright and Gary Neville to tears with crude comments about Premier League icon “I did celebrate his goal. We were all immensely proud of him at the club.“I see his mum and dad at games so when I see them next, I’m sure I’ll give them a hug and say congratulations.“I know they’ll be extremely proud and they know he’s in good hands here  with the amount of care and love he gets.”Harwood-Bellis’ headed goal at Wembley has been the talk of Saints’ training base this week, with team-mate Flynn Downes leading the banter.Midfielder Downes, 25, went to Wembley with Harwood-Bellis’ friends and family on Sunday as ex-Manchester City starlet Taylor made his first appearance.It was lucky he had not made it against Greece in Athens three days earlier, else his dad Martin and mum Tina would have missed it, having already booked a holiday to Cape Verde.Harwood-Bellis is another success story to come out of Stockport, along with fellow England internationals Phil Foden and Kobbie Mainoo.Dad Martin, who used to be Stockport County’s mascot Vernon Bear sensed his son might have a future in the game as a toddler.He revealed to BBC Radio Manchester: “The very, very early signs were when he was 18 months old and he was pretending to dive like a Premiership footballer.“He dived and broke his leg. A slight fracture. He had a plaster on his leg, I’ve still got the plaster, it’s only so big. He was still kicking a ball with a plaster on and he was kicking it straight to me. In fact he was kicking it better than I was kicking it to him and I had two good legs!”Harwood-Bellis’ old man also revealed how his son used to study football shows like Match of the Day, as well as what he saw from watching Stockport live, and implement what he had learnt at local side Spurley Hey.The youngster’s talent was quickly spotted and by six he had joined City.He was playing for England by Under-15 level, in an age group that included Tino Livramento, Morgan Rogers, Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer and also had Jude Bellingham playing a year up.Harwood-Bellis’ leadership qualities — attributes his future father-in-law Roy Keane would appreciate — saw him regularly named skipper  for club and country.He was known for his dedication, setting of standards in training and how vocal he was on the pitch as well as discipline off it.Harwood-Bellis is engaged to Roy Keane’s daughter, LeahCredit: officialkeane16 / InstagramThat sees him still today inspect the labels of all food at his parents’ house for fat content before eating it. City rated him highly but given the competition in Pep Guardiola’s first team, a series of loans began before one which ended in a permanent move to Saints.At Anderlecht and Burnley, the defender learned about detail and a relentless drive to win from working with Vincent Kompany.Phil Jagielka taught him about the dark arts of defending at Stoke.It was surprising to see no Premier League side sign him two summers ago, after he had captained England to Under-21 Euros glory.More physical defenders with a quicker top speed over the first ten-15 metres were favoured.But that overlooked Harwood-Bellis impressive reading of the game, with one of his  former coaches telling SunSport: “Taylor always has an extra yard in his head.”Southampton, then a Championship side, did not initially think they would be able to attract Harwood-Bellis.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat was until a season-long loan deal, with a £20million permanent option on  promotion, was proposed via TransferRoom, the digital football marketplace that more than 700 clubs worldwide use.Sam Stanton, Saints’ head of scouting  operations, said at the time: “We never thought he’d be available to us. So when he was pitched to us, we were really excited straight away.”The defender spent the 2022-23 season on loan at BurnleyCredit: GettyHe also enjoyed a short stay with StokeCredit: Getty More