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      Arsenal board has FAILED Arteta and have ‘got what they deserve’ for wasting money, says ex-chief in bombshell interview

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      KEITH EDELMAN was Arsenal’s managing director during one of the most successful and defining periods in the club’s history.Alongside vice-chairman David Dein and legendary manager Arsene Wenger between 2000 and 2008, Edelman oversaw the construction of the Emirates Stadium and departure from Highbury, as well as an iconic recruitment drive that won two Premier League titles – including the 2004 Invincibles.Keith Edelman (right) knows what it takes to succeed at ArsenalCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe former managing director helped to build the Invincibles teamCredit: ReutersEdelman helped build title-winning teams with David Dein (left) and Arsene WengerCredit: Getty – ContributorHe also oversaw the construction of the Emirates StadiumCredit: GettyAnd nearly two decades on, in an exclusive tell-all interview with SunSport, English businessman Edelman has opened up on:The “failure” of the current board to provide Mikel Arteta with a title-winning squadHow cash-strapped Arsenal worried about paying player WAGES in 2003Why the Emirates will stand the test of time WITHOUT increasing the capacitySelling Thierry Henry because he was “losing his speed”Twenty-one years on from their last title triumph, the Gunners look set to finish second for a THIRD year on the spin following yet another drop-off that sees them 12 points behind leaders Liverpool with nine games remaining.Arteta has been left hamstrung in attacking areas this term after failing to sign a striker in the past two windows, compounded by long-term injuries to forwards Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.Edelman, now 74, knows the value of building a squad capable of challenging for – and ultimately winning – major honours, working on deals for the likes of Robert Pires, Sylvain Wiltord, Sol Campbell, Gilberto Silva, Jens Lehmann and Jose Antonio Reyes during his time.Those six stars were bought for a combined total of around £42.5million, which in today’s money would be around £76million. In comparison, Havertz and Jesus were brought in for £110million.Edelman told The Sun: “I’m quite strategic in the way I see squads being built up and [Arsenal now] haven’t really built a balanced squad. They have failed on that front.“If that happens, you normally fail. You get what you deserve in a competitive environment.“If you look at the wage bill and the playing squad they have, you have to conclude that they’ve spent their money unwisely.“At the end of the day, the board has got to be responsible.”’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewArsenal are hoping to announce the appointment of new sporting director Andrea Berta in the coming weeks, following the resignation of Edu back in November, ahead of a huge summer window.Berta will work alongside current managing director Richard Garlick, co-owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, executive vice-chair Tim Lewis and Arteta.It’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.Keith Edelmanformer Arsenal managing director From an era where Wenger ruled the roost when it came to incomings, Edelman continued: “It is clear that the manager now, with all the pressures and all the strains, can’t do everything.“He needs support in building a team and doing deals and transfers.“When I first joined Arsenal, there was one executive who ran one of the big football clubs who said to me: ‘You know, if Wenger doesn’t win the league this year or next year, you ought to fire him’.“He said, ‘It’s no good coming second all the time. You’ve got to win these things’. Fortunately, we did go on to win things.“Quite often people who are running football clubs seem to lose what I call their strategic nous in terms of working out what it is they need to do and how to build the squad.Arsenal’s biggest signings in the past 17 years“There are a lot of people who do it very well. There were some very wily operators like Ken Bates (Chelsea), Martin Edwards (Man Utd), and Daniel Levy.“And then of course, we’ve moved from that to large American organisations who think they know how to do football because they’ve done baseball or American football.“I’m not against all that. I’m just saying it’s a change. It’s different.“But it’s amazing how people who are paid huge amounts of money make so many big mistakes. People do lose their marbles a bit.“It’s extremely important to be really thoughtful and strategic and not be too emotional.“One CEO I knew used to go down to the training ground every day and had his initials put on his training gear, like one of the lads. That’s not what a CEO should do.”In their recent financial report, Arsenal’s wages have risen from £234.8million to £327.8million and posted an annual loss of £17.7million, despite record revenues of £616.6million – up £150million from last year.Those numbers are a world away from Edelman’s time at the club. Despite being one of the biggest clubs in English football, money was tight with little investment – even ahead of their unbeaten season of 2003/04.Arsenal were forced to sell many of their stars under EdelmanCredit: AFPThierry Henry left for Barcelona in a £16million dealCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEdelman explained: “It was a very, very small business at that time. We had some big ideas about building a new stadium but we had no cash at all.“We used to turn over £65million when I joined. It’s a small number. The highest-paid player was on around £1.4million a year in those days.“Late in 2003, we’d sent some guy off to do a property deal. He said to me, ‘They’re not coming up with the right number. I should walk out of the room. I’ll get more tomorrow’.“I said, ‘No, you’ve got to sign the deal tonight because we can’t pay the wages on Thursday’. So yes, it was a bit stretched.”It was this sort of financial situation that led to the Invincibles squad being broken up just a few years after their historic 2004 triumph, seeing the likes of Pires, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry depart and replaced with young, bargain-buy hopefuls with potential.In the aftermath, Arsenal went nine years without lifting a major trophy. Edelman said: “If you’ve got endless amounts of money, as Manchester City had, you could keep a team going longer.“If you win things, you have a lot of world-class players because that’s how you win things. But when they get older, it’s very difficult to replace them. They won’t be world-class forever.“This is what I mean about looking at things strategically. You’ve got to ask the right questions. You’ve got to be probing. I don’t think a lot of people do that.”Henry – who was club captain and 29 at the time – was sold to Barcelona in the summer of 2007 for £16m. The Frenchman cited Dein’s departure and uncertainty over Wenger’s future as the reason.Edelman continued: “The reason Thierry moved on was because he was losing his speed. His game was basically all about speed. And if you lose your speed, then you’re dead.“So, we got money for him despite the fact that he was on the downward trap. It’s like Kevin De Bruyne. Would you have been better to sell him for more money at the end of last year?“Or, keep him and risk that he’d keep going this season?”Edelman is arguably best remembered for the Emirates Stadium, raising around £500million through loans and sponsorship to finance the construction, which was finished on time in the summer of 2006.Nearly 20 years on, there have been calls to increase the 60,704 capacity to compete with the likes of Old Trafford and Tottenham’s billion-pound stadium, something that could prove impossible given the original design and surrounding housing estates.And Edelman argues: “When I go there, I look around and it has stood up terribly well over time.“There are some things that are ageing and need to be replaced, but the fabric of the building is still amazing. It looks like it could have been built two years ago, not 20.“I know everyone wants to go bigger, but when I go to Wembley, I don’t enjoy the experience. You’re too far away from the pitch.”Edelman has landed a new role away from football. He has taken up a position with the country’s leading keynote speakers’ agency, Champions Speakers, to deliver speeches in the business world More

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      Inside Tuchel’s plan to win World Cup from high-fives and NFL tactics to calling players at 10pm and telling them off

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      THOMAS TUCHEL’S plan to win the World Cup has been revealed — and it is more about high fives than back fives.The new England boss has told his players he does not have time to introduce any visionary new tactics — but wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’.Thomas Tuchel’s plans to win the World Cup have been revealedCredit: GettyTuchel wants his team to become a ‘brotherhood’Credit: GettyAnd the German believes body language is key, claiming that NBA outfits who perform the most high-fives with team-mates are more likely to win.Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who has the 6ft 7in frame of a basketball player himself, is in Tuchel’s squad as much for his strong character as his playing ability.And while Burn insists ‘I’m not just here to be a cheerleader’, he clearly buys into Tuchel’s philosophy that team bonding will play a major role at next year’s  tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico.Burn, 32, said: “The manager had a meeting on Monday night, saying that we have only got 24 training days until the World Cup, so it is not a lot at all.Read more football news“It is not going to be that he can really implement a strong way he wants us to play, which can take time, it is more about how we interact with each other and push each other. Not being afraid to speak up if something is not right.“Especially when I was younger, I would struggle with that because you didn’t want to ruffle any feathers.“But I think that is how you learn best about each other — if something is not right or you feel you could push more, I feel that is how we are going to have to be if we want to achieve that ultimate aim of winning the World Cup.”BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAsked if he would be happy, as an international rookie, to have a go at Jude Bellingham or Harry Kane, Burn replied: “Absolutely. I’ve  no problem with that!”Most read in FootballTuchel has been asking previous tournament winners from other nations for insights on what makes a successful team, as well as studying  sports such as basketball.And Burn said: “There was more talk about ‘brotherhood’ in that initial meeting. It was more about mentality and how he wanted us to act around each other.Thomas Tuchel names his first England squad for upcoming match with Albania “He said he’d spoken to players from previous tournaments and from other countries about what the difference was between where they went out in early rounds and what happened when they won it.“And a lot of it was about interactions. The best teams historically in the NBA are normally the teams high-fiving each other, picking each other up and having a lot of those interactions.“We do a lot of that at Newcastle and speak about it, knowing those things keep people switched on and keep motivation levels high.“Working under people like Graham Potter and Eddie Howe, they say a lot of the time in meetings, people don’t want to speak up because they find it a bit embarrassing.“But I love the NFL and I feel like they’re really good at that. If they feel something going to help the group, they’ll just get up and say that — and I feel that’s something English football could probably  learn from.“I feel we’ll learn most about each other and you get close to each other as a team. When you do that, you take a risk and stand up in front of people and speak and be a bit vulnerable.”Burn has enjoyed a dream week, scoring the opener in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final victory over Liverpool, just two days after receiving his first England call-up from Tuchel.And the bruising defender admits he has to apologise to a few new team-mates, saying: “I absolutely smashed Jarrod Bowen when we were at West Ham and straight away, I went to apologise. I think it was a bit of red mist.”Burn confesses to having played his entire career with a ‘chip on my shoulder, wanting to prove people wrong’ after a career of ups and downs.Dan Burn spoke about Tuchel referencing NFL and NBA teams and their mentalityCredit: RexAnd he knows his ungainly frame can make him the target for excessive criticism.When Tuchel announced his squad last Friday he quipped that ‘despite being 6ft 7in, Burn was easy to overlook’.Burn said: “That made me laugh a little bit but it’s probably the story of my career. Visually, on the pitch, if I do make a mistake, I feel it is probably magnified just by how it looks. I was actually surprised how tall the gaffer is!”Tuchel is 6ft 4in and he made Burn feel ten feet tall when they spoke on FaceTime twice last week.Burn said: “It started off with the  manager FaceTiming me on Tuesday, saying they were debating calling me up and he’d let us know by Thursday.“Then it got to six o’clock on Thursday night and I’d not heard anything, so I said to my wife ‘nothing’s going to happen’. Then I got a text saying ‘are you still awake?’ at 10pm.“He FaceTimed, told us the good news and said I was very unprofessional for not being in bed by 10 o’clock!England’s stars enjoy a training session on Tuesday under Tuchel’s gazeCredit: GettyTuchel has 24 training days with his squad before the World CupCredit: Rex“He said he wanted me in the squad and just to use what he felt my strengths were.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I thought I could offer just as much off the pitch as on it. I feel I’m a leader on and off the pitch.“I know it’s going to be tough coming here with all these international players but that’s how I feel I can best help the team.” More

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      Newcastle and England’s Dan Burn’s ex-team mates recall his ‘baptism of fire’ pro debut that ended in 5-0 hammering

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      DAN BURN is still pinching himself after celebrating a shock England call-up by scoring and then lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley.The boyhood Newcastle fan is living his football fairytale at long last – but it’s all a far cry from his first senior professional appearance.Dan Burn’s Wembley heroics against Liverpool were a million miles away from his EFL debutCredit: GettyHis big breakthrough in pro football came with struggling Darlington in League TwoCredit: XBurn’s EFL debut came as a 19th minute substitute aged 17 on December 12, 2009 for bottom of League Two Darlington in a 5-0 thumping at Torquay United.Mark Bower was the man Burn replaced at the back that day and is now the manager of seventh tier Guiseley.The 45-year-old, who was later a team-mate of another future England and Prem star, told SunSport: “I remember him coming on for me but I’d never twigged that it was his debut. I did my ankle and needed an operation after that.“He was a big boy back then but obviously he’s filled out a bit now and has done brilliantly.READ MORE ON DAN BURN“I remember it was December and it was a very long drive down there. We got there quite late on Friday. That was possibly his first experience of an overnight stay.“He managed to get himself on but it was a bit of a baptism of fire for him. We were on a bad run, couldn’t score any goals and conceding plenty.“Then to lose 5-0. But stuff like that builds character. You learn lessons from it and he has learned some lessons and done really well.”Ex-midfielder Nathan Mulligan, now a coach at Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off hopefuls Stockton Town, was on the bench alongside Burn at Plainmoor.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe 38-year-old said: “It was a real bad time for us. I think we’d lost four in a row.“I don’t remember being particularly worried when Dan had to come on. Even though he was a scholar at the time, he had been in and around the first team squad and because of his size you had no worries about him stepping in physically. He was very slim but was tall as he is now. Thomas Tuchel shares hug with Dan Burn and Lewis-Skelly as England stars arrive at St George’s Park for double-header“He was a quiet lad. Really nice too and kept his head down.”Bower, part of the Bradford side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1999, admits that it was not Burn’s playing abilities that first caught the eye after the then scholar was brought into the first-team.He said: “He just sort of kept himself to himself pretty much and did his job as a young lad and was just trying to make his way in the game and was pretty quiet.“His size was a standout thing for someone so young. He’s obviously a big unit now and has filled out a lot but back then he was very skinny. Really tall and maybe a little bit awkward too, but a really good left foot on him and he could obviously win headers.The star is now hoping to win his first England cap on FridayCredit: Getty“You always feel when young players have got them kind of tools that they’ve got a chance but I don’t think anyone back then would have thought he’d have been playing in major cup finals, playing the Premier League and potentially England.”Burn played three more times that season, losing on each occasion, as Darlington were relegated out of the EFL.But after making more appearances in the National League it appeared his dream had already come true when Premier League Fulham brought him in.Mulligan admitted: “It was a surprise but it just shows you that you never know who could be watching you.“Dan is a good example for anyone to show that you have to give everything you’ve got every single time you go on the pitch.“We’ve seen it a few times in football. Someone could spot you at any time and that one person’s opinion can change everything.”Burns journey has taken him to the likes of Yeovil, Birmingham, Wigan and Brighton before he realised his ultimate ambition when signing for Newcastle three years ago.He would have retired a happy man with just that, let alone helping them to end their 70-year wait for domestic silverware.But Burn now has the opportunity to add the cherry on top to an already magical week by winning his first England cap on Friday.Something that his old team-mates admit they would never have thought possible in a million years.Mulligan said: “No, I’d never have thought that back then. But it’s a great reward for him. He is one of them that gets an eight out of ten every week and doesn’t have a bad game and now he’s got his chance with England due to injuries.“But this isn’t the end. He can still keep this going. He might get this first cap and once he’s in he could be for a long time.“Another year or so of hard graft and he might make the World cup squad. What an extreme that would be to go from the bottom of League Two with Darlo to a World Cup.”Burn’s journey is the second football fairytale that Bower has seen from close quarters.He added: “Just a year after I played with Dan Burn at Darlington I went to Halifax and played with Jamie Vardy. I’ve seen it firsthand twice how you can come from the bottom and work your way up. It is inspirational to young lads who get knockbacks early on.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But in all honesty, I don’t think you’d have predicted him to have done so well and when you listen to him on TV now he’s probably surprised himself a little bit. “Fair play to him. He’s used what he’s got and has become a really good player. And, due to his size, he probably doesn’t get credit for how good of a footballer he is.”How ‘big angel’ Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in SubwayNEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.”I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?'”He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”Read the full story… More

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      Chelsea files: Geovany Quenda, 17, was so good he was allowed to train in jeans and quit Benfica in bizarre bedroom row

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      CHELSEA hope to have a pair of star-studded Levis in their dressing room – but not in the way you think.Centre half Levi Colwill is already an established member of the first team squad. Chelsea have beaten Man Utd to the signing of Sporting’s Geovany QuendaCredit: GettyQuenda (pictured third from the left in the middle row) was initially allowed to play in his trousers as youth team Damaiense didn’t have any spare kit for himCredit: DamaienseBut next summer Portuguese wonderkid Geovany Quenda will be arriving at the club. And he is so good that he was allowed to train in jeans as a kid.Quenda was born in Guinea-Bissau in West Africa and migrated to Portugal in 2016 aged nine. On arrival he tried his luck at football with amateur side Damaiense but did not have any kit. Club officials went to find some but by the time they came back, Quenda was already showing his blistering potential so they let him carry on playing in his normal trousers.A Blues insider said: “He broke a lot of records that day. He then went with them to a tournament and totally bossed it. That’s when he caught the attention of Portugal’s bigger clubs.”Quenda was quickly snapped up by leading Portuguese team Benfica but in a bizarre episode ended up quitting to join their fierce rivals Sporting Lisbon soon after.Benfica had promised the young boy a bedroom at their academy in Seixal but then went back on the deal. Neighbours Sporting seized their chance and put him up and from there he has created shockwaves with his burgeoning talent.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe was playing for the Under-23 side aged 16 and under Ruben Amorim, who is now manager at Manchester United he was given a first team chance.At 17 yrs and 95 days Quenda became the youngest player in history to score in Portugal’s La Liga top flight – taking the record from Cristiano Ronaldo.Humble Nicolas Jackson snubs mega-money supercars as he leaves Chelsea training in £30,000 Fiat 500 He is the youngest player from Sporting to start in the Champions League and at 16 was the leading scorer in Portugal’s Under-23 league.Although Chelsea say a deal has only been signed ‘in principle’ Quenda will be coming to England in summer 2026 to join a steady stream of young foreign talent on its way over.Brazilian winger Estevao Willian is coming in a few months’ time and Ecuadorian midfielder Kendry Paez is on his way.At a more senior level, Chelsea have agreed an £18.5 million fee for midfielder Dario Essugo – Portuguese like Quenda.Chelsea have also agreed a deal for Dario Essugo, who is currently on loan at Las Palmas from SportingCredit: GettyFAN-TASTICCHELSEA have been winning but not singing. And to try to put that right a group of fed-up season ticket holders have taken action.A group called We Are The Shed had a trial run of a ‘singing section’ in the Upper Tier of the famous stand at Stamford Bridge last week.Around 120 diehards have worked with the club in an effort to gather all those who want to generate noise and atmosphere together in the same group of seats in Block Four.While the deafening Danes from FC Copenhagen were impossible to compete with during last Thursday’s Conference League victory for The Blues, there was a visible and audible know of fans stoking things up.The atmosphere or lack of it at home games has been a big talking point among Chelsea fans in recent seasons. It is the same at most Premier League stadiums these days though in their defence.We Are The Shed are on the lookout for new recruits to join their growing band.A group of Chelsea fans are hoping to improve the atmosphere at Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyThe Blues’ support was drowned out by noisy fans of FC Copenhagen during last week’s Conference League clashCredit: PAROMAN IN RUINSROMAN ABRAMOVICH has turned his back on football since being forced to give up his beloved Chelsea.The Russian billionaire remains furious over the Theresa May Government withdrawing his “golden visa” in  2018.Four years later, Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine saw the Boris Johnson Government force Abramovich to sell the club as part of the sanctions against Russian financial interests.And close friends report that Abramovich has barely watched a game since being left with no option other than to hand the Blues over to the Todd Boehly-led consortium.One said: “Roman still likes football. But he doesn’t go to games any more. It was always about Chelsea.”Some £2.5bn of the sale price earmarked for victims of the war, remains stuck in an escrow account.Friends of Roman Abramovich (pictured in 2017) say the ex-Chelsea owner has turned his back on footballCredit: AFPNO LAUGHING MATTERAMID a frantic flurry of interviews and announcements from Manchester United last week, one briefing slipped out which would have pricked ears at Stamford Bridge.It has emerged that Red Devils minority owners, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has declared war on the club’s bloated wage bill.After branding some United players “overpaid”, the British billionaire wants to scale back base wages and focus on performance related incentives.This news was rather well received within the corridors of power at Chelsea, who have been doing the same for a couple of years now.Many were quick to laugh when the club’s American owners, Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, started dishing out nine-year deals with the incentive of a big bump when certain targets are hit.Chelsea’s latest published accounts, for the year to June 2023, showed wages rising from £340.2million to £404m.However, the Blues owners have made huge efforts to trim their expenditure on wages back.It has also been noted at the Bridge that the restructuring at other top club’s, with multiple high-level people in place to look after recruitment, is starting to mirror the changes at Chelsea – who have two sporting directors in Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.There are signs that other clubs are starting to copy Todd Boehly’s often-derided approach at ChelseaCredit: APUNLUCKY 13LIFE as a professional footballer may seem like paradise – and it can be. But what people on the outside don’t often see is the sacrifice that goes into getting there.And forward Christopher Nkunku illuminated that in a recent interview. Born and raised in the suburbs of Paris, his blossoming skills earned him a place at France’s national football academy at Clariefontaine – some 35 miles away.Maybe not so far but Nkunku explained: “You are only 13 years old and you move out of home. It was really hard. Since then I have not lived in my family house and this is hard.“But you remember you are here for football because you have a dream and you have to sacrifice to achieve that.”Given that Nkunku played for Paris Saint-Germain then to Germany to join RB Leipzig and now Chelsea in London, that is quite the nomadic lifestyle. And none of it with any guarantee of success.Christopher Nkunku has been playing far from home ever since he was 13 years oldCredit: GettyCAUSING A STERRAHEEM STERLING has been voted into UEFA’s official Team of the Week after his sterling display for loan club Arsenal last Wednesday.The winger is not yet thinking about his long term future as time ticks away on his season long spell in North London.It seems obvious he does not have a future under current boss Enzo Maresca but with two years left on his contract in summer is under no pressure to quit – at least not on Chelsea’s terms. There are rumours that a host of Saudi Arabian clubs are taking interest in the 30-year-old who last week became the first English player to be directly involved in at least one goal for four different clubs in the Champions League: Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and now Arsenal.But they can forget it. One place Sterling won’t be going is the Pro-League. There is money and adulation on tap from star-hungry Saudi fans but it doesn’t suit the born and bred Londoner.Raheem Sterling hasn’t pulled up any trees on loan at Arsenal this season, but he did set a unique Champions League recordCredit: Getty More

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      Virgil van Dijk issues fierce warning to Liverpool team-mates to avoid the ‘world sinking’ after disastrous week

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      VIRGIL VAN DIJK warned Liverpool must “work our a**es” off to stop the “world sinking”.Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle ended a miserable week in which Arne Slot’s side were also dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain.Virgil van Dijk sent a rallying call out to his Liverpool team-matesCredit: ReutersAlexander Isak struck for Newcastle in the finalCredit: GettyOusmane Dembele helped knock Liverpool out of the Champions LeagueCredit: GettySkipper Van Dijk wants the Reds to react with five straight wins that would likely see them secure the Prem title by beating Tottenham on April 27.He said: “We have to turn this around. If you lose twice in five days it feels like the world is sinking. Two weeks before, everything was sunshine and rainbows.“In the Champions League, we couldn’t get it done, we lost this final and we got knocked out of the FA Cup.“We have nine games to go and I don’t think there’s any motivation needed to try to get the job done. We have to work our a**es off.READ MORE IN football“But now everyone goes to their respective countries and will all play and hopefully stay fit.“We then have a couple of days to settle down and be ready for Everton at home.“If we win five games — obviously a very difficult job — we’ll be champions of England.“If you keep these things in your mind it also can benefit you to make sure you’re working hard.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I can guarantee you right now there will be so many difficult moments in all of those games.”Liverpool are 12 points clear of Arsenal. The Reds need 16 points to be sure but five wins should be enough due to their better goal difference.Ant & Dec scream with joy and Alan Shearer loses his hat as Geordies go wild after Newcastle win Carabao CupYet inconsistent Arsenal are likely to drop points in their next few games, meaning Arne Slot’s team — who last won the Premier League in 2020 — could wrap up the title even sooner.Van Dijk, whose team face rivals Everton on April 2, revealed how Slot tried to pick up his stars.Dutchman VVD added: “He said everyone should be disappointed by not winning the cup — but that there is a title to win and, when we come back, we have a big game.”The centre-back insisted that the Euro loss to PSG on penalties had nothing to do with Liverpool’s lacklustre Wembley display.He said: “No, I don’t think there was any impact from that. We gave it all, I don’t think PSG had anything to do with it.” More

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      I’m a barmaid at a Premier League club where staff romp in store room at half-time – here’s why I’d never date a player

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      OUR barmaid has worked for a top Premier League football club for seven years – and in that time she’s seen it all. She’s met countless footballers, broken up fights, seen colleagues have sex in a storeroom mid-game and been snubbed by stuck-up Wags.Our barmaid has been pulling pints at a Premiership ground for seven years (stock photo)Some football fans can be great fun at the bar… but not all of them (stock photo)But the 31-year-old loves the job and says the club workers are like a family.Here, she reveals the best place to work and the easiest way to bag yourself a football star lover… if you really want one.’Terrible’ sex with starI wouldn’t touch a footballer with a barge pole. They’re so arrogant and rude and seem to think they’re better than anyone else – I’m yet to meet a nice one.Mind you, I should have known that from the start.Before I worked here I met a footballer in a bar and ended up having sex with him down an alleyway.It was not an impressive experience…..it was terrible sex, as if he was doing me a favour.The Wags are even ruder than their boyfriends.They sit there with their handbags and perfectly manicured nails and treat everyone who works at the club as if they’re something disgusting that they’ve trodden in.But it’s weird because as soon as footballers have retired they turn back into decent people.Football player gets ‘smacked by wife’ during warm up ‘after cheating on her’The ex-footballers often come to the bar where I work – the posh one – and they’re really friendly to all the fans.They never mind doing selfies and having a chat – I think they come for a bit of an ego boost as they’re still hero-worshipped by the supporters.And though I rarely saw a current player drinking, the retired ones often drink like fish!One of them gave me a Christmas card with £100 worth of vouchers.He wasn’t after sex – he was just being generous.But some of the bar staff working here are still desperate to bag a footballer and spend hours getting ready before work.I’ve known a couple of girls get with players but it never lasts… and honestly if that’s what you really want to do, you’re better off in a city centre night club.Bagging a Premier League star is the dream for someOur barmaid says some stuck-up Wags can treat staff appallingly (stock photo)Looking to score When I saw the job advertised for match day staff I leapt at the chance – firstly because I’m a huge football fan and also because I thought it would be the perfect place to find a man.It’s easy to give favoured customers a free pint – you’re serving so many customers, it’s really hard for anyone to keep track.I ended up having a year-long relationship with one man and several flings both with customers and other bar staff.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!A lot of bar staff end up having relationships with each other, after all it’s mostly young people working here – at 31, I’m one of the oldest.There’s a storage room with tables and chairs in it, deep under one of the stands, it’s a well-known venue to have a quickie in. We put a team scarf on the door to show it’s occupied!I’m married now so there’s none of that any more. I actually met my husband on Plenty of Fish, but he’s a huge football fan and enjoys coming along to matches and propping up the bar while I sneak him a few free pints.Staff often sneak off to the store room for a romp during games (stock photo)Home or away?I’d advise anyone looking for a job at a football stadium to firmly state you’d rather work in the “home stands”.You get to know people as they’re often season ticket holders and come to every match.But in the “away” team side people are mostly there for a “day out” in a different city, so they will start drinking on the journey to the stadium and are rowdier.In general, facilities for away team fans are poor and the stewards and police are more heavy-handed.I think it’s a mistake, it sets up an aggressive atmosphere – if they feel they aren’t being treated well then they’re more likely to behave badly.I think being nice and appreciating all the fans would lead to better behaviour.I have noticed recently that clubs are doing more, like giving away fans free cakes and coffee – it’s a good idea.Red card for rude customersI don’t get riled by much. When I was at university in Glasgow I worked in a pub and I’d get men refusing to be served by an English woman. It didn’t annoy me, I’d just think they were the ones losing out as it would take longer to get served.I’m local to the football club, so my accent here isn’t an issue – but I have had men refusing to be served by a woman.I find it crazy that men are so chauvinistic, but if they want to wait it’s no skin off my nose.It does get incredibly busy at half time and people get really impatient, particularly if you need to change the barrel.The one thing that bothers me above all else is when someone starts clicking their fingers at you.If someone does then I completely ignore them – it’s the worst way to try to get served quickly.At the end of the day I’ve got what they want, so they should be polite. If someone is I remember them and “notice” them waiting in line and serve them quickly.If I’m honest, if the bloke is good looking I’m quick to serve them too, even though I’m a happily-married woman with a three-year-old daughter!Stewards are quick to step in if there’s any tension (stock image)Full time at the barI’ve refused to serve people on a regular basis – you can always tell when you need to call time on someone.I’ve grown up around football so I don’t get very intimidated by the men I see and I’m more than happy to tell them they’ve had enough.As soon as someone’s slurring heavily, aggressive or struggling to stay standing I stop serving.I’ve also been known to quietly give someone alcohol-free beer – they never notice!We’re lucky that our stewards are very co-operative and will always defend the bar staff, they’re very protective of us female staff. And I always smile – it’s much harder to be rude to someone who’s being polite to you.Football fans love throwing beer at each other – with no booze allowed in stands now (file image)Cocaine is rife at the club where our barmaid works (stock image)Drug cheatsHaving said I’m not intimidated, there has been a noticeable increase in young men – under 25 – taking cocaine at the football.It’s rife at our club, and worrying. It makes them far more aggressive and out of control. You can tell by their eyes if they’ve been indulging.It worries me as it makes them more unpredictable than just being drunk – they get worked up very quickly.I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the standsThey seem to be looking for fights and people to pick on – it’s a shame, it makes it a different atmosphere. I’ve seen fights break out between them, on occasion I’ve just spoken sharply and told them to pack it in, but other times the stewards have had to step in.We do have the odd drink when we’re serving – it’s thirsty work – but I’ve never seen any of the bar staff get actually drunk or take drugs.Here for the beerThere’s a ban on drinking at your seats which has been in place for years and I agree with, because people used to chuck beer at each other and no one wants to leave a match soaking wet.Generally speaking you have a steady trickle of customers at the beginning of the match, then at half time it goes absolutely bonkers.What I find weird is when people come to the football and then spend the whole time by the bar, watching it on the screens.It’s not as though the beer is cheap or it’s particularly comfortable. I guess they’re soaking up the atmosphere, but it seems like such a waste of money.Some men seem to prefer spending the whole match at the bar (stock image)Football and beer can be a great combo…. up to a point (stock image)Family gamesGenerally speaking, the bar staff get on really well with each other and we go out partying after some of the matches.There’s three generations of one family all working at our club – the granny works in catering – pies are the fan’s favourite – the mum is a bar supervisor and her son works in the bar.You get to know each other and some of the fans really well and it’s friendly – like being in your local pub and enjoying seeing the regulars.But I do love seeing the famous faces too – we get loads of reality TV stars, but also the odd pop star and actor, which still causes a ripple of excitement in the stands!Staff at the huge northern club our barmaid works at love to go out and party together (stock image) More

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      in Soccer

      ‘I almost wasn’t there for my kids’ – Michail Antonio ‘happy’ to have ‘another chance at life’ after horror car crash

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      WEST HAM striker Michail Antonio has bravely opened up about his horrific car accident for the first time.The 34-year-old crashed his Ferrari FF into a tree in Epping, Essex on December 7 and was rushed to hospital.Michail Antonio has opened up about his horrific car accident for the first timeCredit: PAAntonio crashed his Ferrari FF into a tree in December and broke his legCredit: Steve BellThe striker required surgery on a shattered femurCredit: InstagramHe suffered a broken leg in the accident and underwent surgery the following day.While there was some initial doubt as to whether or not he would ever play football again, Antonio is now determined to get back on the pitch.The most difficult part is that I almost wasn’t there for my children.Michail AntonioBBCIn an interview with the BBC, he said: “Yes, 100 percent. I will play again.”That’s what I am focused on and why I am working six days a week. I’ve always been positive from this situation. It’s a horrendous accident, and it’s a massive injuryREAD MORE IN FOOTBALL”It’s the biggest injury I’ve ever had in my career. But the fact that I’m already two to three months ahead of where I should be, I know that I’ll play again, and I know that once I’m playing the game I’ll get the sharpness back.”Antonio also admitted that his outlook on life has changed in the wake of the accident.I know that I’ll play again.”Michail AntonioBBCHe continued: “The most difficult part is that I almost wasn’t there for my children.”It’s just made me happy, positive about life, because I’ve got another chance at life.Most read in Football”During this, we kept it away from the kids. My eldest saw it, and he struggled with it. He’s 13, and obviously people were showing photos of the car. So he came down and saw me in the hospital. But the younger ones, they never really knew how bad the situation was. We kind of avoided letting them get on the internet.”The striker’s accident shocked the football world, but he has no recollection of how it actually happened.West Ham star Michail Antonio injured in horror crash in Ferrari as club reveals he’s ‘stable’ in hospital”The back of the car kept swinging out on me, so I didn’t feel safe,” he said.”I had had it for three weeks and I was already thinking about giving it back.””It’s weird, because the whole way through this, I have been told that I was awake and was speaking to everybody – the police, the people, and the person who found me.”My leg was completely shattered and they got me out and put a splint on it by the side of the car.”Everyone believed I got an air ambulance out, but the helicopter couldn’t get off the ground because of the storm, so I was driven to the hospital.”It’s just made me happy, positive about life, because I’ve got another chance at life.”Michail AntonioBBCAntonio shattered his femur in four places and had a pole fitted into his thigh via surgery with four bolts to fix the bone.His leg is now expected to heal properly within six to 12 months.The Jamaica international has thanked West Ham fans, players and staff for their support during the difficult time.”The love feels good. When I got into football, I did it as a hobby and didn’t support any clubs.”Now I am definitely a West Ham fan. What the club did for me, the support they gave me on and off the field, the hospitals and the specialists, was unbelievable. I thank the club, the fans, the emergency services, the people around me.”Antonio would watch West Ham games weekly throughout the early stages of his recovery to motivate him.The Hammers icon admitted that hearing his name being sung by supporters “helped him massively”.He told West Ham TV: “I remember watching the Wolves game in hospital, and it made me emotional. I loved the support.”Over the next six to eight weeks, every time I watched a game I could hear the fans singing my name, which is something I really appreciated and that has actually helped me massively.”The support I’ve had has truly been amazing, from day one. Everyone at the Club has been incredible – they were the ones who called my family to tell them what was going on, and they were the ones who turned up to the hospital straight after the crash.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Karren Brady came to the hospital to see me, the players came to see me, and [Julen] Lopetegui and his staff.”I’ve had fans sending me gift packages, and so many messages from supporters, friends and family, so it’s all been a bit overwhelming. It’s been a really emotional time, just from the amount of love I’ve had.”Antonio returned to the London Stadium for the first time since his accident last weekCredit: PA More

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      in Motorsport

      Meet the stunning F1 WAGs stealing the show in 2025 – from pro golfer to racing star & top model who dated Kardashian ex

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      AS the Formula 1 aces took to the grid this weekend, some fans were driven to distraction by the bevvy of beauties in the paddocks.The drivers’ glamorous wives and girlfriends  tried to keep their cool at the Australian Grand Prix as the mercury hit 32C and their partners burned rubber.At the Australian Grand Prix the F1 Wags stole the showCredit: GettyAnd with a host of rookies on the track alongside veterans Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, there were some unfamiliar faces on the sidelines, too.American Hannah St John, 21, was all smiles at Albert Park Circuit, in Melbourne, as she cheered on Red Bull Racing’s rising star Liam Lawson. She joined Scot Rebecca Donaldson, 28, the girlfriend of Carlos Sainz, who was making his Williams’ debut after four seasons at Ferrari.And the Wags also live life in the fast lane, with impressive careers of their own including as a professional golfer, model and racing driver.read more on formula oneHere, Thea Jacobs takes a look at the F1 stars’ stunning other halves, who are in pole position to steal the limelight from their men . . . Isabella Bernardini & Gabriel BortoletoYOUNG love is at the races this year, in the shape of Team Sauber’s newbie driver Gabriel, 20, and his girlfriend Isabella, who is just a year older.The couple are high school sweethearts, having got together when he was 16.Isabella Bernardini is currently thought to be studying computer science at Eindhoven in the NetherlandsCredit: GettyIsabella and Gabriel Bortoleto are high school sweetheartsCredit: AFPMeet F1 newbie Liam Lawson’s stunning girlfriend Hannah St. John, who is also a model and medical student Isabella is currently thought to be studying computer science at Eindhoven in the Netherlands.Most read in MotorsportThe couple aren’t afraid to show off their romance online, posing together for a cute New Year’s snap in which she perched on his knee, and sharing pictures of his Formula 2 races last year.Brazilian Isabella flew in to watch her beau make his F1 debut, and she looked stunning in a white mini-skirt and blouse combo.Sadly, Gabriel was not placed in his first race of the season – but he was surely a winner with Isabella.KELLY, 36, is in a relationship with Max , 27, the four-time Formula One World Drivers’ Champion.She is also racing royalty, as the daughter of three-time winner Nelson Piquet, 72.Kelly Piquet is the daughter of three-time winner Nelson PiquetCredit: GettyKelly is expecting her first child with Max VerstappenCredit: RexSince she started dating Red Bull racer Max in 2020, the Formula E social media manager has been a regular at the grand prix.But the heavily pregnant model missed out on this weekend’s race to attend an event at swanky restaurant Kaspia London, in Mayfair.It will be Kelly and Max’s first baby together. She also has a daughter with Russian driver Daniil Kvyat.Francisca Gomes & Pierre GaslyPORTUGUESE Francisca, 22, has been in a relationship with Alpine’s French driver Pierre Gasly since 2022.She posted a sweet black- and-white snap of the pair kissing after his first outing of the season and revealed they had relaxed with a plush Italian meal the night before.Francisca Gomes has built a career as a model and influencerCredit: GettyPierre Gasly has dubbed Francisca his ‘lucky charm’Credit: AFPBeing in the paddock isn’t a new experience for “Kika” either as her father is former F1 driver Goncalo Gomes, 49.And thanks to her mum being TV presenter Maria Cerqueira Gomes, Francisca isn’t easily fazed by the limelight.She has built a career as a model and influencer, which allows her to follow Pierre, 29, around the world for his races.Which is lucky for the driver as he dubbed her his “lucky charm.”Not too lucky though, as he only took 11th place on Sunday.Eliska Babickova & Andrea Kimi AntonelliELISKA and boyfriend Andrea, 18, clearly love life in the fast lane – as they’re both professional racing drivers.She is more likely to be seen trackside this year as Andrea has been promoted to the F1 circuit and snatched fourth place for Mercedes Down Under.Eliska Babickova was the first woman to be crowned ­Italian champion of the OK karting classCredit: AlamyEliska and Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrated a year together in OctoberCredit: AFPEliksa – the first woman to be crowned ­Italian champion of the OK karting class – will understand the nerves and determination involved when it comes to racing.Outside the sport, she has a YouTube channel with her sisters, fellow drivers Petra and Tereza, where they document their lives.Eliska and Andrea celebrated a year together in October, and while he is off racing all over the world, she is finishing high school and plans to study economics at uni.Carmen Montero Mundt & George RussellAS fans of Netflix documentary Drive To Survive will know, George loves nothing more than showing off his stunning 26-year-old Spanish girlfriend Carmen.She appears to be a good omen too, as 27-year-old British Mercedes ace George took third place in the Aussie Grand Prix at the weekend.Carmen Montero Mundt recently returned to studies after a finance job in LondonCredit: InstagramCarmen and George Russell have been together since 2020Credit: AFPThe couple, who have been together since 2020, live in Monaco.Carmen recently returned to studies after a finance job in London, but her life is worlds away from her childhood in Spain.She said: “I always wanted to work in finance. “My family struggled financially during the global crisis, and that determined what I wanted to do from a very young age.”Hannah St John & Liam LawsonHER rookie boyfriend Liam may have endured a nightmare start to his Red Bull career, but Hannah looked like a seasoned Wag as she cheered him on from the sidelines.Wearing this black halter-neck dress to the race, she later changed into a striped blue two-piece to console the 23-year-old Kiwi driver after he swerved into the wall and crashed out in Melbourne.Hannah St John graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Biomedical SciencesCredit: Avalon.redHannah was there to support Liam Lawson as he began his Red Bull careerCredit: APHannah, 23, graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. She also works as a model and influencer, with 40,000 followers and partnerships including Bvlgari.The beauty flew to New Zealand last year to meet Liam’s family and followed him around the world in his last season as a Formula 2 driver.She was also there to support him last year when he replaced Daniel   Ricciardo for the last six races of the F1 season.Alexandra Saint Mleux & Charles LeclercSHE has only been dating Ferrari ace Charles since 2023, but that hasn’t stopped Alexandra winning over legions of fans and becoming the second-most followed Formula 1 Wag on social media.The Italian influencer – who has a degree in Art History and a social media account dedicated to her favourite pieces of work – is often seen trackside cheering on her boyfriend, who placed eighth yesterday.Alexandra Saint Mleux is the second-most followed Formula 1 Wag on social mediaCredit: GettyCharles Leclerc has been dating Alexandra since 2023Credit: GettyShe has also started carving out a career as a model, and last month appeared in adverts for Hailey Bieber’s beauty brand.Alexandra, who has more than 1.6million followers on Instagram, often posts snaps of her pet dachshund, holidays and outfits, leading Tatler to brand her the “most stylish woman in F1” – quite the accolade.Rebecca Donaldson & Carlos SainzSCOTTISH beauty Rebecca did a few laps of the showbiz circuit before she shacked up with Williams driver Carlos in 2023.Now an established model, she started out in pageants and appeared on Britain’s Next Top Model on TV, and was linked to Kourtney Kardashian’s ex, Scott Disick.Rebecca Donaldson appeared on Britain’s Next Top Model on TVCredit: RexCarlos Sainz started dating Rebecca in 2023Credit: EPAThese days she is often spotted cheering on 30-year-old Carlos, who she has dated since 2023, and was seen gracing the paddock this weekend in a body-hugging grey dress.During her catwalk career, 28-year-old Rebecca has been a cover girl for Vogue and Marie Claire, and in October 2020 she launched her own activewear range, Muse.Sara Pagliaroli & Lance StrollVICTORIA’S Secret Angel model Sara and 26-year-old Aston Martin race ace Lance made their public debut as a couple at the 2021 premiere of 007 blockbuster No Time To Die.And with her bombshell good looks, the gorgeous 29-year-old Italian could pass for a Bond Girl herself.Sara Pagliaroli started modelling at 17Credit: InstagramLance Stroll and Sara made their public debut as a couple at the 2021 premiere of No Time To DieCredit: AFPSara started modelling at 17 and has worked with brands including Replay Jeans and Adria Beachwear.In 2020 she launched her own jewellery brand called Blue Lemon Jewels, and she is currently the face of clothing brand Yamamay.Lily Muni He & Alexander AlbonLILY, 25, might be known to some as the girlfriend of F1 driver Alexander, 28, but she is a sports star in her own right.The stunning brunette is a professional golfer who has been playing since the age of five and currently takes part in the US-based LPGA Tour.Lily Muni He is a professional golfer who has been playing since the age of fiveCredit: GettyAlexander Albon and Lily had their first date on a golf course in 2019Credit: AFPLily wasn’t there to cheer on ­Alexander as he took fifth place in Oz, but she showed her ­support on Instagram.It was F1 that brought the pair together as they began their relationship after she watched Netflix series Drive To Survive. They had their first date on a golf course in 2019.While Lily travels the globe playing golf, she does find time to cheer on Alexander during races – such as at Silverstone in 2023, when she was spotted in the paddock.READ MORE SUN STORIESAlexander repays the favour and has been seen ­supporting her on the green, posting about it on his own social media.These two are well on their way to taking pole ­position as a true sporting power ­couple.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More