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      in Soccer

      ‘Poor decision after poor decision’ – Ryan Giggs SLAMS 10 years of mismanagement at Man Utd and says ‘give Amorim time’

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      RYAN GIGGS has accused Manchester United chiefs of making “poor decision after poor decision” for TEN years.Club legend Giggs is urging the Old Trafford board to back new boss Ruben Amorim’s bid to restore the glory days.Ruben Amorim is the right boss for Man Utd, according to GiggsCredit: RexRyan Giggs revealed he ‘really likes’ Amorim as a managerCredit: AlamyAnd the former Wales star, 51, wants part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to give the Portuguese coach plenty of time.Giggs, who won 25 major honours at United, said: “Like any business, recruitment needs to be right and hasn’t been for the last ten years.“We’ve just made poor decision after poor decision.“Now it’s whether Ruben gets the players he needs, the support he needs — the time.”Amorim, 40, has endured a tricky first three months in charge, with his record at Old Trafford a particular worry for fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut club legend Giggs says the club hierarchy have to back Amorim with new signings for at least the next three or four transfer windows.And while he accepts his old team are currently a long way behind their rivals, he does not feel they are a lost cause.The former United No 2 said: “We’re in a bad place at the moment but, first of all, I have to say I actually really like the manager.“Given a chance and given time, Amorim will bring success back.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS“If we get the right players in and the manager gets time, we will be OK. But at the moment, we are miles off it. We’re nowhere near — a long, long way behind — but it can soon turn around.”New part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already shown a ruthless edge since buying into the club in December 2023.Fans spot Sir Alex Ferguson YAWNING as he watches woeful Man Utd – but get distracted by who he’s sitting next toIn a cost-cutting drive, he made staff redundant across various departments. Even club legend Sir Alex Ferguson lost his contract as an ambassador.And funds are still tight as United try to comply with strict Profit and Sustainability Rules.But Giggs has urged the board to find a way to back their head coach, saying: “We’ve tried giving managers a little bit of time but now he needs a bit longer — three or four transfer windows, I think.“It’s whether he gets the players he needs, the support he needs, the time.”Giggs spent his entire professional career at United — including a spell as player-manager — so few know the club as well as him.And the former Wales manager — who is a co-owner of League Two Salford City — revealed he understands why Amorim said after the defeat by Brighton last month that this could be the worst Red Devils team ever.He said: “I get a feeling he knows the history and he’s frustrated. And I get that. That’s why I like him.“He’s frustrated and that’s why he was so honest a couple of weeks ago, because he wants to be a winner.”United have lost seven of their first 13 home Premier League matches this season — the joint worst start to a campaign in their entire history.United recruited Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven in the transfer windowCredit: PAWorryingly, they have also lost five of the last six in the league, which has left even the most faithful fans disillusioned.Back when Giggs was playing, the thought of visiting Manchester United used to frighten the life out of rival teams.He said: “You have to show some guts when things aren’t going well at Old Trafford.“When people used to play here, they would say the pitch seemed massive.“They said they felt that they couldn’t get near any of us.“But at the moment it looks like it’s the reverse — it looks like it’s too big for our own players.“And it’s horrible to see but we need to somehow turn that around where we’ve got that fear factor again.“I say that because at the moment, any team that comes here to play, they all look confident from the beginning.United have always had the best teams, the best facilities, always forward-thinking, so we should have the best stadium.“First and foremost, you need to get Old Trafford back to being a fortress.“We need to make sure that we don’t let teams come and play — and we make it a horrible place to come again.”The Welshman — who also captained the Great Britain team at the 2012 London Olympics — was speaking this week at a Q&A with Nobby Stiles’ son John at An Evening with Ryan Giggs at the BAWA in Bristol.United are now leaning towards turning their backs on their spiritual home and all its history by building a new purpose-built stadium nearby.The club’s record appearance-maker would rather they stayed — but understands why they are ready to move.Giggs explained: “If it would be possible, a refurbishment would be the best scenario if they would safeguard it for the next 30 or 40 years.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But it looks like a decision has already been made and it’s going to be a brand new stadium.“United have always had the best teams, the best facilities, always forward-thinking, so we should have the best stadium.” More

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      in Soccer

      ‘Lineker never misses a chance’ – Fans in stitches as BBC show host trolling Alan Shearer in throwback clip from 2007

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      FANS hailed Gary Lineker’s lethal trolling after he enjoyed a trip down ‘memory pain’ at Alan Shearer’s expense.Prem record scorer Shearer never won silverware in 10 years at Newcastle.Gary Lineker showed Alan Shearer an awkward clip from 18 years agoShearer had a different look back in 2007 but unfortunately not much has changed for Newcastle in terms of a lack of trophiesFellow pundit Shay Given was also dragged into the trollingAnd when the two ex-England strikers were together in the BBC Match of the Day studio on FA Cup fourth-round day, Lineker went straight THERE…Admittedly, it came on the day Newcastle fought back to oust League One Birmingham 3-2, albeit with a controversial goal.But back in 2007 the story could not have been more different when the two sides met at St James’ Park in a round-three replay.Toon cult hero Nolberto Solano even bagged an own goal as Brum triumphed 5-1, despite a reply from James Milner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBirmingham netted three times after Steven Taylor saw red for the Magpies.And Shearer’s MOTD colleague Shay Given was the Toon keeper that day.Lineker showed a flashback clip from 18 years ago, when Shearer was an MOTD rookie after retiring as a player at the end of the previous season.Beeb host Lineker was seen addressing grinning studio pundits.Most read in FootballBruno N’Gotty netted as Brum won 5-1 at Newcastle 18 years agoCredit: ReutersJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe ex-Tottenham striker said: “No shortage of cup winners, though, in the studio.”Alan Hansen with Liverpool, Lee Dixon with Arsenal and… Alan Shearer, who went close a couple of times with Newcastle.”Newcastle’s Alexander Isak talks to Alan Shearer about Champions League desires Lineker mocked Shearer for being “really confident” Newcastle would beat Birmingham back then – and for always predicting his old club were set for glory.He said to the 260-goal Prem marksman at the time: “I suppose this would be typical if this is the year they go and do it, now you’ve retired?”Shearer admitted ruefully: “I’ve been saying it for the past 10, 11, 12 years – this might just be our year.”MOTD then returned to live coverage, with gleeful viewers suggesting “Lineker never misses a chance!” to taunt pal Shearer.One reckoned the ex-Barcelona ace delivered a “straight bullet”.And another fan twisted the knife by saying of Shearer: “He never won anything at Newcastle that’s for sure unless he played for them in the 60s.”By this stage, Given might have thought he’d escaped stick – for being between the sticks for the 5-1 humiliation.However, Shearer then joked Birmingham’s triumph was “only because Shay was in goal”.READ MORE SUN STORIESGiven said, “Don’t look at me, lads!” – before adding: “I know, I know – I can’t remember!”One viewer responded: “Some things never change! Shearer taking Ls even off the pitch, and Shay caught in the crossfire.” More

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      in Soccer

      Thiago Silva’s Wag Belle enjoys sunshine break on luxury yacht as their son Isago, 16, makes debut for Chelsea U-18s

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      LIFE doesn’t get much better for Thiago Silva’s family.Or that’s what the Chelsea legend’s wife and elder son might tell him!Belle Silva’s army of online fans loved her bikini snapsCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe has 724,000 followers on Instagram aloneCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaBelle rated this adventure with friends as ‘therapeutic’Credit: Instagram / @bellesilvaShe named three special things in her life while at seaCredit: Instagram / @bellesilvaSocial media star Belle looked in balmy bliss on a “therapeutic” trip with friends aboard a luxury yacht off the sunny Brazilian coast.Meanwhile, the couple’s 16-year-old son Isago took another huge step forward to fulfilling his and dad Thiago’s dream.Isago made his Chelsea Under-18s debut, having joined the Blues’ youth team along with younger sibling Iago four years ago.Thiago would dearly love his two sons to follow him all the way into the Stamford Bridge first team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 40-year-old centre-back is still playing after returning to home-country giants Fluminense last May.Defender Isago, who normally plays in Chelsea’s U-16s, came on for the final 25 minutes as the U-18s beat Leicester 3-1 on Saturday.Mum Belle was sometimes a fiercely outspoken fan when her husband was at Stamford Bridge.But she will have had only an extra big grin on her face after Isago’s age-group elevation.Most read in FootballThiago Silva said a tearful goodbye from Chelsea in May 2024, with wife Belle plus sons Isago and Iago in attendanceCredit: ReutersJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHowever, it would be difficult to top the huge smile she wore when soaking in every second out in the water off secluded beaches.Super-toned Belle relaxed in a bikini as she shared snaps and named the three things that made it all so special.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleAlong with her Instagram photos, she wrote: “Bathing in the sea, friends getting together and my Rio de Janeiro… “There are things that are not therapy, but they are therapeutic, right?”And far from sounding envious, Belle’s online admirers lapped up her love for life.One said: “Wonderful as always, thank you for providing a weekend in my week.””Congratulations! You know how to enjoy life,” commented another, while a third simply claimed: “You are the best!”And one fan appeared to suggest Belle’s online offerings were literally out of this world.He called her the “best digital influencer in the universe”.Fans are used to Belle sharing snaps in perfect weatherCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaShe lists ‘fashion, family & lifestyle’ as prime interestsCredit: Instagram @bellesilvaHer smile suggests locations don’t come more dreamy than thisCredit: INSTAGRAM/BELLE SILVABelle was happy to speak her mind while Thiago was at ChelseaCredit: instagram @bellesilva More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Birmingham’s feel-good relegation, with ticket sales UP, wages at staggering level and ambitious plans for future

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      IF EVER there was a feel-good  reaction to being relegated from the Championship, Birmingham had it last year.You could have forgiven supporters for venting their anger after a season which saw them use four managers and drop into League One.Tom Wagner has helped transform BirminghamCredit: RexTom Brady invited pal David Beckham to watch against WrexhamCredit: GettyBrum striker Jay Stansfield and Co are now hoping to stun NewcastleCredit: RexBut with the stardust of seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady in the background and a £20million transfer kitty, this was different.The message from the club now is: “It’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club that you are.”Even fans who demand instant  success could see there was something bigger at work here.Under American owner Tom Wagner and the Knighthead Capital Management group  — who took over in 2023 — things are on the up.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBlues sit four points clear at the top of League One, with two games in hand on their promotion rivals.And as they host Premier League side Newcastle on Saturday, the gap between the teams may not be as great as you think.The Tynesiders have plans for a new stadium but so does big-spending Wagner, with a 60,000-seater arena scheduled for 2029 at the earliest.It could have been a summer of misery after Brum’s relegation but  season ticket sales were their best in 13 years, such was the optimism over the club’s rebuild.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSMost home games are near sell-outs at the 29,409-capacity St Andrew’s.Manager Chris Davies was allowed  to spend £20m on a squad rebuild, including a new League One transfer record to bring in striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham for an initial £12m rising to £15m.David Beckham: Beyond the Pitch and Into the ScreenThe wage bill this season is in the region of £20m-£9m more than the next highest in the division — which would see them having a sizeable budget even in the Championship.But crucially there are no Profit and Sustainability Rules at work here.Birmingham are subject to SCMP  — Salary Cost Management Protocols — and, as a newly-relegated club, they can spend 75 per cent of turnover on player expenditure.Financial priorities will change with a  return to PSR in the  Championship.In the second tier clubs can lose up to £39m over a rolling three-year   period before being hit with any  punishment.But with promotion looking likely, Davies will be looking at another large transfer kitty.That is currently being helped by the generation of huge revenues from  partnerships with the likes of Nike, Delta Air Lines and sportswear brand Undefeated.And on Super Bowl weekend, it cannot be forgotten NFL legend Brady is also listed as a “minority owner” at St Andrew’s.When Birmingham hosted Hollywood-backed Wrexham earlier this season, Brady brought along pal David Beckham to watch the game.Yet, despite plans for a new Sports Quarter and super stadium, an incredible £15m was spent on their current home in the summer.And that was after making repairs to dilapidated areas of the ground.Newcastle celebrated reaching the Carabao Cup final but face a daunting FA Cup fourth-round clash at League One leaders BirminghamCredit: ReutersBrum chiefs have splashed out on their ground but want a new baseCredit: GettyBut why splash out on major improvements to their current home when a move is in the pipeline?The Blues are thinking on their feet. The reasoning is they want to grow their fanbase, as a leap from 29,000-plus crowds to more than 60,000 does not happen overnight.Wagner and his team want fans on board now and that means offering a matchday experience.Birmingham are already working on attracting more eight to 14-year-olds to games as they feel there has been a ‘lost generation’ of fans who were fed up of seeing them tread water under a Far Eastern ownership that appeared detached from supporters.Chief executive Jeremy Dale says they are already geared up to compete in the Championship — and beyond.He told Birmingham Live this week: “From a commercial perspective, the club is doing better than ever before.”If we got promoted, even to the Premier League, if we had the Premier League TV money we wouldn’t be in the bottom few teams in that league.“We’d be just below halfway, from a commercial perspective.“We believe next season, from a commercial point of view, we would be performing within the top five or six in the Championship.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The commercial partners say they can feel the vibe as they walk around the stadium — which is entirely different to what there was before.“They realise it’s not the league you’re in, it’s the club you are.” More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton won’t last two years at Ferrari, predicts Bernie Ecclestone who says 7-time champ has ‘lost motivation’

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      BERNIE ECCLESTONE doesn’t believe Lewis Hamilton will be a success at Ferrari. The seven-time F1 champion is making the switch from Mercedes to the Italian giants for the 2025 season.Bernie Ecclestone has talked down Lewis Hamilton’s chances of an eighth F1 championshipCredit: SplashThe 40-year-old has joined Ferrari ahead of the 2025 seasonCredit: GettyHamilton, 40, won his last title in 2020 but is eager to top the standings again. He recently piloted his new Ferrari for the first time ahead of the season opener in Melbourne on March 16. But ex-Formula 1 CEO Ecclestone, 94, doesn’t believe the move will prove a success.Ecclestone told The Telegraph: “He won’t last [two years].READ MORE ON F1″Piero Ferrari, who has taken him there, still thinks they’ve done the right thing. “I hope they have. I hope they haven’t just jumped in and end up wishing they hadn’t.”Ecclestone believes Hamilton’s age will prove a hindrance for the legendary driver.And he isn’t convinced the Stevenage-born star has the same drive he had during his youth. Most read in MotorsportBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEcclestone continued: “I have thought with Lewis, ‘He’s getting tired. He has lost motivation.’”If he had never won a world championship, it might be different, because then there would be an incentive to win one. But he has won seven.”Fans miss Lewis Hamilton’s first lap in a Ferrari as thick fog engulfs iconic F1 circuit Even Hamilton’s fashion sense wasn’t safe from Ecclestone’s ire in the bombshell interview. He continued: “Lewis gets himself up front in a way where you can dislike him. “How a guy who has won a few world titles and has a few dollars in the bank can dress the way he dresses. I’m not a fan of that.”He has a lot of talent as a driver. As much as people credit him with? No, but still enough to win races. “I don’t know why he does all this other nonsense. He needs to get out of the music business and whatever else.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHamilton will join his fellow F1 drivers in London next month to kickstart the season at a new launch event. For the first time in the sport’s history, all ten teams will come together at the O2 Arena to unveil their new liveries. More

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      in Boxing

      Saudi boxing chiefs plan fights at outrageous venues including Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and inside infamous prison

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      TURKI ALALSHIKH has revealed stunning plans to host fights at venues including the Eiffel Tower, Colosseum and inside an infamous prison. Alalshikh helped spearhead the recent boom in the sport by offering up huge sums to finally make the best fights happen. Turki Alalshikh has revealed stunning plans to host fights at outrageous venuesCredit: GettyBut his Riyadh Season and personal promotion have also started staging events outside of Saudi – including in London and Los Angeles. Now Alalshikh has plans to take the sport to outrageous venues across Europe and America. He told ESPN: “What do you think if there is [an] event, fight in Alcatraz jail one day?“It is like a museum now. You know, sometimes I get in my mind I want different places to do [fights]. READ MORE IN BOXING”Sometimes in mountains, maybe someday in the Pyramids in Mexico, someday in Eiffel Tower in France, Coliseum in Italy. You understand this concept?”AlcatrazThe correctional facility in San Jose has imprisoned some of the world’s most notorious criminals, including gangster Al Capone. It closed in 1963 because it became too expensive to maintain and operate – since turning into a museum and touring spot. No sports event has ever been held on the island – but inmates were known to play baseball and softball while locked up. Most read in BoxingAlcatraz prison closed and is now a tourist attractionCredit: GettyEiffel TowerThe 1,000-foot tower cost £1.2billion to construct in 1889 – which equates to £30BILLION in the current day. In 2024, the Eiffel Tower stadium was built for the Paris Olympics with the landmark attraction standing over the pitch. Beach volleyball and blind football were played there – but the temporary stadium was dismantled after the Games ended. The Eiffel Tower stadium was built for the 2024 OlympicsCredit: GettyThe ColosseumThe ancient amphitheatre – in Italy’s capital of Rome – was constructed nearly 2,000 years ago in AD 70–80. It hosted several Roman sports events, including gladiator games and wild animal hunts but was NOT used in the 1960 Olympics. But in 2023, UFC boss Dana White tried to get a sensational MMA fight between tech moguls Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk staged at the Colosseum. The Colosseum in Rome was built nearly 2,000 years agoCredit: GettyMexican PyramidsMexico has several historic pyramids, including the Mayan and Aztec. There have been live music events staged by the pyramids but not sports events like pro wrestling. Instead, boxing matches are usually held in arenas or stadiums – including the 80,000-seat Azteca. The Pyramid of Kukulkan in the archaeological zone of Chichen Itza in MexicoCredit: AlamyAlalshikh also named Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, The Intrepid aircraft carrier in New York and the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood as other options. National Memorial sculpture Mount Rushmore has the carved heads of US presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.Mount Rushmore once had an an amateur baseball team but no games were ever played on site. The Intrepid is a military and maritime history museum in New York City – located at Pier 86 at 46th Street. And in 2001, a boxing card was televised from the flight deck of The USS Intrepid. READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Chinese Theatre – in LA – is a movie palace on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame.No sports events have been staged inside or outside the theatre, but ceremonies have including for the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant. National Memorial sculpture Mount Rushmore in South DakotaCredit: GettyThe Intrepid aircraft carrier in New YorkCredit: GettyThe Chinese Theatre in HollywoodCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Inside Kyle Walker’s life in Milan, from five star Melia Milano hotel stay to dining at rival footballer’s restaurant

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      KYLE Walker is settling into life at AC Milan with ease.The England defender, 34, joined the Serie A giants after eight trophy-laden years with Manchester City.Kyle Walker has settled into a new life in MilanCredit: GettyWalker is currently staying at the five-star Melia MilanoCredit: Gary StoneThe hotel is in the heart of the city and close to the San SiroBut, a new challenge in Italy is just the ticket for Walker in his twilight years.He made his debut against fierce rivals Inter in a 1-1 draw last weekend, and followed that up with an impressive performance in the 3-1 Coppa Italia win over Roma.Away from the pitch, Walker is enjoying his stay at the five-star Melia Milano hotel.It’s a 40-minute journey to the training ground, while he’s closer to the San Siro Stadium, which is a 10-minute drive.Read more football news Walker, who has amassed a £27million fortune, has already enjoyed the fine cuisine of Milan.Recently, he dined out at the exclusive Coraje restaurant – owned by a rival Inter Milan footballer.SunSport takes a look into Walker’s life in the industrial city.Where he’s stayingWhile Walker is acclimatising to his new surroundings, he is staying at the five Melia Milano hotel in the city centre.Most read in FootballIf his six-month loan is a success, and the deal becomes permanent, expect him to splash the cash on a lavish place of his own.Kyle Walker’s wife Annie Kilner set to get £750k to star in Celeb Big Brother – but only if bosses agree to strict ruleRooms at the sleek and stylish Melia Milano start at £400-per-night and can cost as much as £880-per-night for a business suite.It is believed that AC Milan negotiated a deal for Walker to have a premium room at the hotel.The Italian club regularly house new arrivals there, when the player’s arrive from foreign shores on loan.On the hotel’s website, it claims it boasts ‘innovative design and elegance’.It is perfectly located – just 15 minutes drive from fashionable boutiques, including Prada, Versace, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci.While restaurants Hollywood and Crazy Pizza are close by – and firm favourites for Milan’s stars and their Wags.The Melia Milano boasts innovative design and eleganceRooms start at £400-per-night at the luxury hotelMilan have reportedly put Walker up in a premium suite in the hotelThe Melia Milano boasts plush furniture in their coffee shopread more sport featuresWhere he’s playingLuckily for Walker, the Melia Milano is just an eight minute drive to the San Siro, where his club play their home games.He could even walk the 1.1 miles distance in next to no time.However, Milan’s stunning training ground is a bit more of a trek.The Milanello Sports Center is found on a 300 metre high hill, some 31 miles away from the centre and close to the old town of Varese – famed for its art-nouveau villas.Surrounded by a pine forest and pond, not only does it offer its players tranquility – there’s state-of-the-art gyms, medical facilities and numerous pitches.The most interesting of those is ‘the cage’ – which is surrounded by a 2.30 metre wall and a 2.50 metre high fence.The idea is for the ball to stay continuously in play, which increases the speed of handling the game.Walker’s office is the Milanello Sports Center training groundCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskThe training ground is surrounded by a lush forest in a picturesque settingState-of-the-art facilities gives the players all they needUtilising its location, there is a 1,200 metre path in the woods used for physical training, like jogging and cycling, and for the rehabilitation of injured players.Who he’s playing withWalker should feel at home in Milan – thanks to some familiar faces.For he is one of four English players currently on Milan’s roster.That includes starting striker Tammy Abraham, who is on loan from Roma, ex-Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and England defender Fikayo Tomori.Better still, Milan also boast a who’s who of former Premier League talent, who Walker will have come up against in the past.The like of Christian Pulisic, Emerson Royal, and fellow loanee Joao Felix all will ply their trade at AC Milan as Walker settles in.Walker is surrounded by English teammates including Tammy AbrahamCredit: GettyFormer Chelsea star Ruben Loftus-Cheek also plays at AC MilanCredit: AlamyWhere he’s eatingWe mentioned Hollywood and Crazy Pizza as the places as hotspots for Serie A’s finest, but in his first few days in the city Walker dined at the posh Coraje eaterie.Intriguingly, for an AC Milan star at least, a visit there is like treading on enemy territory.It is co-owned by Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez and his gorgeous Wag Agustina Gandolfo.Walker was joined by an entourage of Milan officials, which meant safety in numbers.And they would have enjoyed a hearty meal with plenty of mediterranean favourites.Walker dined at posh eaterie Coraje with Milan officials recentlyThe restaurant is owned by Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez and his Wag Agustina GandolfoHearty risotto meals are served at CorajeCustomers can also enjoy a rib eye steak with vegetablesFrom rib eye steak to vegetable risottos, seafood, and more the menu is extensive.READ MORE SUN STORIESYou also don’t need to earn a footballer’s salary to dine there – with mains costing anywhere between £17 to £30.It’s safe to say, Walker’s got it made in Milan. More

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      in Soccer

      Carragher was spot on – Tottenham have been pitiful in knockout stages for years, serial winners couldn’t even crack it

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER was spot on – Tottenham simply never win big football matches.They might beat Manchester City for fun and even reach a final once every blue moon – but when silverware is on the line, Spurs are nowhere to be seen.Tottenham crashed to a dismal 4-0 loss against Liverpool in Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-finalCredit: RexSky’s Jamie Carragher believes the mentality at the club is all wrongCredit: Rex”There’s a mental block with the club” – Carragher said.He’s right. This goes back years and is far deeper than Ange Postecoglou and his current flops.Not even serial winners Jose Mourinho or Antonio Conte could crack it, so what hope does the Aussie boss have?Managers and players have changed, but the type of abysmal performance we saw at Anfield has been seen time and time again.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLZERO shots on target in a major semi-final? It’s no wonder Tottenham haven’t won a trophy since 2008. They’ll be waiting another 17 years at this rate.Carragher said after the 4-0 Anfield surrender: “It was never in doubt. It’s Tottenham! “When do Tottenham ever win a big game? When do Tottenham ever go and surprise, win against the odds?Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”It’s not just this Spurs team. They never shock you, never do something out of the ordinary.”Whenever they go into a big game, nobody ever believes they’re going to win.”Postecoglou bemoans Tottenham’s lacklustre effort against Liverpool In their slight defence, Tottenham’s injury list is almost unheard of, and even at full strength, they have absolutely no right to rock up at Anfield and win.But that wasn’t Carragher speaking with his Liverpool hat on, his brutal assessment of Spurs was on the money.Since lifting the League Cup in 2008, Tottenham have been nothing short of pitiful in knockout football.Excluding the miracle of Amsterdam in 2019, when Lucas Moura’s hat-trick against Ajax took Spurs to the Champions League final under Mauricio Pochettino, it’s been atrocious.Burnley, Sheffield United and Brentford – all outside the Premier League at the time – are the only semi-finals or finals Tottenham have won during that period – in 2009, 2015 and 2021 respectively.Even then, they needed extra time to beat Burnley despite being 4-1 up from the first leg.Spurs’ record with trophies on the line2009 League Cup final – Manchester United 0-0 (4-1 on penalties)2010 FA Cup semi-final – Portsmouth 2-02012 FA Cup semi-final – Chelsea 5-12015 League Cup final – Chelsea 2-02017 FA Cup semi-final – Chelsea 4-22018 FA Cup semi-final – Manchester United 2-12019 League Cup semi-finals – Chelsea 2-2 on aggregate – (4-2 on penalties)2019 Champions League final – Liverpool 2-02021 League Cup final – Manchester City 1-02022 League Cup semi-final – Chelsea 3-0 on aggregate2025 League Cup semi-final – Liverpool 4-1 aggregateAnd tried their best to cock-up the second of those after squandering a 2-0 aggregate lead before Christian Eriksen eventually sent them to Wembley.Basically, any time Spurs come up against half-decent opposition in a high-pressure knockout game, they lose.Take out that trio, who they were expected to beat anyway, they’ve lost every other semi-final or final tie in the last 17 YEARS.That is some going, especially considering Wigan, Portsmouth and Swansea – all currently outside the Prem – have won silverware in that period.Even Newcastle… yes, Newcastle, are just 90 minutes away from ending their 70-year drought. How humiliating would that be if the Toon, dubbed serial losers for decades, have won a trophy more recently than Tottenham?Tottenham’s top 10 biggest signings: Hit or miss?1) Tanguy Ndombele – £52.7mNdombele joined from Lyon in 2019 with huge expectations after shattering Tottenham’s transfer record.But he would go on to play just 91 times for the club, scoring 10 goals and is now set to leave one year before the end of his contract.2) Richarlison – £49.3mRicharlison almost broke the £50m mark when he arrived from Everton in 2022 as Harry Kane’s back-up.And while his tally of 12 goals this season was a significant increase on the three from his opening Spurs campaign, he is being linked with a departure this summer.3) Brennan Johnson – £46.8mJohnson was signed by Ange Postecoglou last summer and has impressed in patches during his first season in North London.He scored five goals and 10 assists in 38 games and will look to build on that in the 2024/25 campaign.4) Cristian Romero – £44.2mRomero initially joined on loan from Atalanta in 2021, before his impressive displays saw him secure a permanent deal the following year.He is two games shy of 100 for Spurs and, while he can be reckless with his tackling at times, is beginning to form a promising partnership with Micky van de Ven.5) James Maddison – £39.4mMaddison was handed Kane’s No10 shirt after arriving at Spurs and hit the ground running with three goals and five assists in his opening 11 matches.But after getting injured against Chelsea in October, he failed to return with the same sharpness – managing just five goal contributions in 15 league matches as he missed out on England’s final 26-man squad for the Euros.6) Davinson Sanchez – £35.7mSanchez joined Spurs from Ajax in 2017 and played more than 200 games across a six-year spell.But he was always considered a somewhat erratic defender who did not play more than 20 games in a Premier League season from 2020 onwards.7) Pedro Porro – £34mPorro was another signing who originally arrived on loan in January 2023, before he signed permanently last summer.He has 54 appearances for Spurs under his belt, scoring seven goals and impressing under Postecoglou this season.8) Micky van de Ven – £34mRapid Dutch centre-back Van de Ven was named Spurs Player of the Season in his first campaign at the club.His pace, athleticism, and technical ability on the ball have made him arguably Postecoglou’s best signing to date.9) Moussa Sissoko – £29.8mSissoko came to North London for a substantial fee after being relegated with Newcastle and went on to enjoy five years at Tottenham, playing more than 200 games.Unfortunately for the French midfielder, he is best-known for giving away a controversial penalty for handball in the first minute of Spurs’ 2-0 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool in 2019.10) Giovani Lo Celso – £27.2mLo Celso joined on loan from Real Betis in 2019 – a deal that was made permanent the following season.He has 10 goals and eight assists in 108 games, with some Spurs fans still unsure about the Argentine.And it’s not like Spurs haven’t had their chances.For all the stick they get about being trophyless, they’ve had plenty of deep cup runs.Thursday’s embarrassment at Anfield was just the latest in a painful list for Tottenham, which includes one against Portsmouth, one other against Liverpool, one against City, two against Manchester United and FIVE against Chelsea.That’s now 11 defeats from a possible 11 against Premier League clubs in semi-finals or finals since 2008.It’s no wonder no one in the footballing world takes Tottenham seriously.READ MORE SUN STORIESSomehow, Spurs still have two chances left this season – the FA Cup and Europa League – and therefore could ultimately end their trophy drought very soon.But if recent history is anything to go by, you can think again. 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