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      Humble Euro 2020 Ukraine ace Zinchenko ‘nicest man you’ll meet’ on supermarket trips with WAG Vlada, reveals worker

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      ALEX ZINCHENKO stands patiently in line, shopping basket at his feet.Nobody ever looks twice at the slight, blond figure who has become a regular at the supermarket in Hale Barns, Cheshire.
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      Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko and his wife Vlada Shcheglova are a humble coupleCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96
      Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko and his wife Vlada Shcheglova are always patient in the supermarketCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96
      Other than the odd polite exchange and shy smile at check-out he rarely says a word. He is just another shopper, anonymous in dark blue tracksuit and flip-flops, getting the groceries in.
      Zinchenko, 24, is a picture of humility as he shuffles forward in the queue waiting to pay.
      Maybe that is because he gets the back-handed compliment from Manchester City supporters as being the club’s least untrustworthy left-back.
      Or perhaps it comes from his tough times in the Russian republic of Tatarstan living off handouts from Rubin Kazan team-mates because he was not being paid a wage seven years ago.

      Yet he is now the pride of Ukraine and tomorrow will face the Netherlands in Group C as his country’s youngest captain.
      Back home he would be mobbed walking down the street.
      His superstar status would never allow Zinchenko to enjoy the simple things in life like shopping for bread and milk.
      One of the assistants at the supermarket where he sometimes goes accompanied by his wife Vlada Shcheglova said: “You couldn’t meet a nicer young man.

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      “He comes and goes and I think he likes it here because nobody either recognises him or bothers him if they do.
      “I’m a Blue so it was a big thrill for me when he first started coming into the store.
      “He always smiles, is always very polite and the last thing most folk would think of him would be that he’s such a famous footballer.”
      Zinchenko wins his 40th cap tomorrow and has become a  crucial component of the side run by Ukrainian icon and former Chelsea and AC Milan star Andriy Shevchenko.
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      Not as a defender but as a central midfielder — a position City chief Pep Guardiola did not trust him to play.
      Indeed while the Spaniard signed him from Russian club FC Ufa for £1.7million the day after he took over in 2016, Zinchenko never really looked to have much of a future at the Etihad. And had he agreed he would have been moved on to Napoli or Wolves.
      Yet that shy exterior masks a determination to succeed that led him from his warn-torn home of Donbass in Ukraine to street  football in Moscow.
      Zinchenko had been the skipper of Shakhtar Donetsk’s youth team but at the age of 17 he was taken to Russia by his mother to escape the conflict.
      Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko has come a long wayCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96
      He played on concrete pitches for a non-league team called Meteor, for despite being seen at Shakhtar as a top prospect, none of the big clubs in the Russian capital were interested in him.
      He found himself on trial at Rubin Kazan but his time in Tatarstan was a hand-to-mouth existence.
      The young player could not even afford to go shopping for bread and milk.
      Former Rubin coach Rinat Bilyaletdinov said: “I really wanted to sign him. But there were legal problems over his contract with Shakhtar so he lived at our  training centre but he could not be paid.
      Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko has gained a lot of respectCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96
      Manchester City ace Oleksandr Zinchenko was signed by Pep GuardiolaCredit: Instagram / @zinchenko_96
      “Because he had no salary our players collected money for him just so he would be able to buy himself something in the city.”
      By the beginning of 2015 he was at another football outpost with Russian Premier League side Ufa — an 18-hour drive from Moscow.
      Yet finally his career was in motion and 18 months later he became Guardiola’s first buy.
      Even then he was immediately sent out on loan to PSV.
      Yet tomorrow he wears the Ukraine armband having placed in his basket three Prem titles, four League Cup winner’s medals and one FA Cup gong.
      Quite a selection of luxury goods for the kid who has made a career out of being patient and waiting in line.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vlada Sedan look overjoyed during their extravagant wedding day More

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      Man City 0 Chelsea 1: Havertz earns Tuchel stunning Champions League crown as tinkering Guardiola gets it wrong again

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      SOMETIMES there is a lot to be said for conventional wisdom – sometimes there is glory to be found in the bleeding obvious.Thomas Tuchel sent out a well-balanced, well-drilled, football team and saw Chelsea deservedly crowned champions of Europe.
      Chelsea are the Champions League winners after beating Manchester City 1-0Credit: Getty
      It was party time for Chelsea out in Portugal after beating Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Chelsea celebrated a stunning victory with many players barely believing itCredit: Reuters
      Cesar Azpilicueta and matchwinner Kai Havertz put in sublime performancesCredit: Getty
      Antonio Rudiger put in another heroic performance at the back for ChelseaCredit: The Sun
      Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, crossed that precarious line between genius and insanity and decided that a Champions League Final was the right time to conduct one of his mad-professor experiments.
      Manchester City’s great alchemist ended up concocting only a stink-bomb as a City team without a defensive midfielder or a striker was thoroughly out-played.
      Tuchel has now defeated City three times in six weeks, in three different competitions.
      And this victory – secured by a Kai Havertz strike after a masterful Mason Mount through-ball had exploited the glaring weakness in Guardiola’s – was the most significant of the German’s career.
      What an impact Tuchel has had since replacing Frank Lampard in January.
      And what a performance this was from Chelsea – there were heroic displays from Havertz, Mount, the hyperactive N’Golo Kante, the granite Toni Rudiger and two outstanding English full-backs, Reece James and Ben Chilwell. 
      James will have to empty out Raheem Sterling from his pocket before the pair meet up for England duty next week.  
      But Chelsea’s second European Cup came courtesy of a serious assist from Guardiola.
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      The scene could not be so different for the two sides at full-timeCredit: Reuters
      There was City dejection all over at the final whistleCredit: PA
      City star Ilkay Gundogan found it hard to keep back the tearsCredit: The Sun
      Pep Guardiola’s wait for a Champions League trophy goes onCredit: AFP

      The Catalan has been accused of over-thinking his line-ups so often in Champions League knock-out matches that there was an element of sheer bloodymindedness in his refusal to start with either Fernandinho or Rodri in midfield.
      His ‘false nine’ ploy has often been successful for Guardiola but not here – Kevin De Bruyne looking lost before he was forced off through injury early in the second half.
      Guardiola was brought to the Etihad to conquer Europe and despite all his outstanding achievements in other competitions, he has fallen short again.
      City failed to ask a serious save of keeper Edouard Mendy.

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel plants a smacker on his wifeCredit: Getty
      Chelsea born-and=bred Mason Mount wanted to keep the trophy for himselfCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has hired a Champions-League winning managerCredit: The Sun
      Perhaps Harry Kane will arrive and prove to be the missing link – but this defeat is going to sting like hell because Guardiola will know how culpable he was.
      This was a Champions League Final which seemed inevitable since the Abu Dhabi takeover of 2008, which blew Roman Abramovich out of the water financially – the Chelsea owner having overpowered the rest of English football five years earlier.
      Uefa did not want City to be here – they were banned from this year’s competition, and next, for financial chicanery but their punishment was overturned on appeal.
      Then came the saga of the breakaway European Super League which threatened to wipe out this grand old competition – Chelsea and City both joining up, attempting to shut out the non-elite clubs just as the old elite once wished to keep them out.
      Yet for all the billions and all the politics, this promised to be a football match to savour.
      Guardiola had sprung one of his customary big-match surprises – not only was there no specialist centre forward but no genuine holding midfielder either.
      The City boss loves little creative players – and so he picked five of them to start here, with his leading scorer, Ilkay Gundogan, employed as anchorman.
      Kai Havertz was the hero for Chelsea with an ice-cool finishCredit: EPA
      The German skipped over Ederson to slot Chelsea aheadCredit: The Sun
      Porto’s Estadio do Dragao was a late stand-in for Istanbul, allowing 14,100 to attend – including 6,000 fans of each club who had been taking full advantage of the chance to drink in the sunshine.
      City’s supporters booed the Champions League anthem – a welcome return to normality.
      And before the smog from the pre-match fireworks had fully cleared, Ederson was pinging a 70-yard pass on to the toes of Sterling, who was eventually robbed by James – a theme for the evening.
      But City were soon back-pedalling wildly as Chelsea attacked with speed and conviction – there were slips from John Stones and misses from Timo Werner – who then shot straight at Ederson when he might have scored.
      Manchester City ace Kevin De Bruyne was in tears after coming off with a head injury
      De Bruyne was inconsolable as he made his way down the tunnelCredit: Getty
      It felt as if Tuchel’s men had been heartened by Guardiola’s left-field selection and were intent on punishing it.
      There was a saving tackle from Rudiger to deny Phil Foden and Thiago Silva limped off before half-time, replaced by Andreas Christensen.
      But when Chelsea took the lead two minutes before the break, it was fully merited.
      Chilwell fed Mount and his diagonal pass embarrassed City, locating the gap between Ruben Dias and Oleksandr Zinchenko, and sending Havetrtz clean through.
      Ederson rushed out of his goal like a man fleeing a chip-pan fire but Havertz rolled it around him, steadied himself and tucked into an empty net.
      It has taken time for Havertz to settle but this is a footballer to cherish and that was likely to be the first of many telling contributions to A-list occasions.
      De Bruyne limped early in the second half after a heavy challenge from Rudiger – Gabriel Jesus on in his place.
      Immediately, City were appealing for a penalty, believing Sterling’s shot had struck James on the arm – but ref Antonio Mateu Lahoz, and his VAR, were having none of it.
      Fernandinho then replaced Bernardo Silva as Guardiola reverted to convention – and Jesus was soon causing problems which Chelsea’s three-man central defence had not experienced in the opening hour.
      But Havertz soon sprinted clear and fed sub Christian Pulisic, who rolled his effort agonisingly wide, Tuchel performing histrionics on the touchline.
      But after Riyad Mahrez went close deep in injury-time, the German was dancing with delight – and Guardiola was left scratching that overactive head of his.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Ederson fires penalty into top corner and shows David de Gea how it’s done as Man City gear up for Chelsea final

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      MANCHESTER CITY goalkeeper Ederson showed David De Gea how to take a penalty as he practised ahead of the Champions League final.The Brazil international proved he is not only getting ready to defend his goal as City manager Pep Guardiola considers naming him as a penalty taker should it go to a shootout tonight.
      Manchester City star Ederson is gearing up for a penalty shootoutCredit: PA
      The 27-year-old gave it a go during the Citizens’ training in Porto and the results are very promising for the Manchester giants.
      One of the former Benfica star’s spot-kicks were filmed and he was shown sending the ball to the top right corner with ease.
      Several Champions League finals have been decided on penalties through the years.
      Tonight could be no different as Ederson, as well as Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, may have to fire a shot.
      This comes after Wednesday’s Europa League final between Manchester United and Villarreal, which was decided during a penalty thriller.
      Ederson’s United counterpart De Gea endured a poor display during the shootout as he couldn’t save any of the Yellow Submarine’s 11 spot-kicks.
      De Gea was also the only player to miss his penalty, which led to Villarreal’s first-ever European trophy.
      According to TNT Sports, Ederson took on 11 penalties in training and converted a whopping ten of them.

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      The City goalkeeper revealed earlier this week he wanted the crucial fifth penalty.
      He said: “I am [on the list to take a penalty].
      “I don’t need to train that much, but the fifth one, I’m taking it. The last one, the decisive, I’ll ask for it.”
      He added to the Manchester Evening News: “If the final goes to penalties, I’m going to ask to take it because I’m ready for it.
      “In training sessions sometimes I practise taking them like if it was a game.
      “It’s true that our scoring rate on penalties isn’t the best, we missed some during the season, but the team is ready for any outcome during the game.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The Brazilian may be called on to produce some big saves against ChelseaCredit: Getty

      Man City arrive in Porto for Saturday´s Champions League final More

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      Meet the Chelsea and Man City Wags, as the two Premier League giants prepare to face off in Champions League final

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      THEY are the two best teams in Europe, and they’ll be well supported by these beautiful Wags.Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns in the Champions League final on Saturday evening with a point to prove.
      Sergio Aguero’s Wag Sofia Calzetti will be hopeful her man can lead Man City to their first ever Champions League titleCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea Wag and football fan Izavel Kovacic will be watching all the action on SaturdayCredit: Refer to Caption
      The Blues are desperate to end their season on a high after a disappointing FA Cup final defeat to Leicester City.
      While Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to add a historic first Champions League title to their swollen trophy cabinet.
      Cheering them on will be these amazing Wags – from a model to a reality TV star and a pop singer.
      SOFIA CALZETTI
      Sergio Aguero’s 24-year-old girlfriend Sofia works as a model.
      They met at a mutual friend’s party in Buenos Aires and have reportedly been dating since 2019.
      The beauty, who has almost half-a-million followers on Instagram, is a brand ambassador for Be Dog and Everlast.
      Sofia Calzetti began dating Sergio Aguero in 2019
      24-year-old Calzetti is a model

      IZABEL KOVACIC
      Gorgeous Izabel is the wife of Chelsea’s midfield maestro Mateo Kovacic.
      Labelled Croatia’s answer to Shakira, the 28-year-old is the founder and owner of a successful range of organic and eco-friendly baby products Lunilou.
      Since 2015 she has run the company – which sells baby moccasins, pillows and other accessories – alongside her older sister, Ivana Lucic.
      And cheering the players will be their Wags, who will be hoping their fella can be the match-winner.
      Chelsea Wag Izabel is a successful businesswomanCredit: Alamy
      The 28-year-old beauty is the wife of Chelsea midfielder Mateo KovacicCredit: Refer to Caption
      TAYLOR WARD
      Man City ace Riyad Mahrez could make the move into reality TV once his football career ends.
      For the Algerian superstar dates stunning Real Housewives of Cheshire star Taylor Ward, 23.
      She is famously the daughter of former footballer Ashley Ward and reportedly once dated Mahrez’s team-mate Aguero.
      Riyad Mahrez dates reality TV star Taylor WardCredit: Instagram
      Ward has appeared on Real Housewives of Cheshire and is the daughter of Ashley WardCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      ISABELLE DA SILVA
      Outspoken Blues defender Thiago Silva’s wife isn’t afraid to voice her opinion about her hubby’s team-mates.
      After Timo Werner’s woes in front of goal continued in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, she was vocal about the German’s poor finishing.
      In a series of now deleted videos on Instagram, she lambasted the ex-RB Leipzig star.
      But when he made up for it in the second leg, Isabelle, 34, was quick to give Werner the thumbs-up.
      34-year-old Isabelle da Silva is the wife of Chelsea star Thiago Silva
      Isabelle was recently vocal about Silva’s team-mate Timo Werner’s poor finishing
      APRIL IVY
      Colossal Manchester City centre half Ruben Dias might be singing when he’s winning… with his other half.
      April, 21, is a pop star in her native homeland of Portugal – and once scored a No1 hit with her single “Be Ok” in the Portuguese iTunes chart.
      Recently, he revealed that she jokes about his football obsession and the fact he loves going to watch so many matches.
      Ruben Dias dates beautiful Portuguese pop star April IvyCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
      Ivy scored a No1 hit on the iTunes chart in her homelandCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
      SOPHIA WEBER
      The German brunette is childhood sweetheart of Kai Havertz.
      Sophia prefers a low profile and deleted her social media to remain private.
      However, Havertz sometimes gives us a glimpse into their private life. And they both appear to be Harry Potter fans, dressing up in character for a party.
      Sophia Weber and Kai Havertz are childhood sweetheartsCredit: Facebook
      The pair are fans of Harry PotterCredit: Facebook
      MICHELE LACROIX
      Michele is the wife of Man City’s talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
      Born in Gent, Belgium she began dating the playmaker in 2014 and their romance went from strength-to-strength.
      De Bruyne admitted he chatted Michele, 27, up on Twitter, after she liked one of his tweets.
      27-year-old Michele Lacroix is the wife of Man City ace Kevin De BruyneCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      De Bruyne revealed he chatted Michele up on TwitterCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      CHLOE WEALLEANS-WATTS
      Stunning model and pop star Chloe, 21, is believed to be in a relationship with Mason Mount, according to The Express.

      The 303 singer reportedly met the Chelsea star in 2017 and they soon started dating.
      Chloe shared a picture of them together on holiday in Dubai and Mount let it slip he was spoken for in a hilarious call with a veteran Chelsea fan.
      However, the pair like to keep their romance off social media and rarely share snaps together.
      Chloe Wealleans-Watts is the reported girlfriend of Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount
      Wealleans-Watts is a model and a pop star in the girl band 303
      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

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      Meet the Chelsea and Man City Wags, as the two Premier League giants prepare to face off in the Champions League final

      by

      THEY are the two best teams in Europe, and they’ll be well supported by these beautiful Wags.Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns in the Champions League final on Saturday evening with a point to prove.
      Sergio Aguero’s Wag Sofia Calzetti will be hopeful her man can lead Man City to their first ever Champions League titleCredit: Instagram
      Chelsea Wag and football fan Izavel Kovacic will be watching all the action on SaturdayCredit: Refer to Caption
      The Blues are desperate to end their season on a high after a disappointing FA Cup final defeat to Leicester City.
      While Pep Guardiola’s men will be looking to add a historic first Champions League title to their swollen trophy cabinet.
      Cheering them on will be these amazing Wags – from a model to a reality TV star and a pop singer.
      SOFIA CALZETTI
      Sergio Aguero’s 24-year-old girlfriend Sofia works as a model.
      They met at a mutual friend’s party in Buenos Aires and have reportedly been dating since 2019.
      The beauty, who has almost half-a-million followers on Instagram, is a brand ambassador for Be Dog and Everlast.
      Sofia Calzetti began dating Sergio Aguero in 2019
      24-year-old Calzetti is a model

      IZABEL KOVACIC
      Gorgeous Izabel is the wife of Chelsea’s midfield maestro Mateo Kovacic.
      Labelled Croatia’s answer to Shakira, the 28-year-old is the founder and owner of a successful range of organic and eco-friendly baby products Lunilou.
      Since 2015 she has run the company – which sells baby moccasins, pillows and other accessories – alongside her older sister, Ivana Lucic.
      And cheering the players will be their Wags, who will be hoping their fella can be the match-winner.
      Chelsea Wag Izabel is a successful businesswomanCredit: Alamy
      The 28-year-old beauty is the wife of Chelsea midfielder Mateo KovacicCredit: Refer to Caption
      TAYLOR WARD
      Man City ace Riyad Mahrez could make the move into reality TV once his football career ends.
      For the Algerian superstar dates stunning Real Housewives of Cheshire star Taylor Ward, 23.
      She is famously the daughter of former footballer Ashley Ward and reportedly once dated Mahrez’s team-mate Aguero.
      Riyad Mahrez dates reality TV star Taylor WardCredit: Instagram
      Ward has appeared on Real Housewives of Cheshire and is the daughter of Ashley WardCredit: Social Media – Refer to Source
      ISABELLE DA SILVA
      Outspoken Blues defender Thiago Silva’s wife isn’t afraid to voice her opinion about her hubby’s team-mates.
      After Timo Werner’s woes in front of goal continued in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final, she was vocal about the German’s poor finishing.
      In a series of now deleted videos on Instagram, she lambasted the ex-RB Leipzig star.
      But when he made up for it in the second leg, Isabelle, 34, was quick to give Werner the thumbs-up.
      34-year-old Isabelle da Silva is the wife of Chelsea star Thiago Silva
      Isabelle was recently vocal about Silva’s team-mate Timo Werner’s poor finishing
      APRIL IVY
      Colossal Manchester City centre half Ruben Dias might be singing when he’s winning… with his other half.
      April, 21, is a pop star in her native homeland of Portugal – and once scored a No1 hit with her single “Be Ok” in the Portuguese iTunes chart.
      Recently, he revealed that she jokes about his football obsession and the fact he loves going to watch so many matches.
      Ruben Dias dates beautiful Portuguese pop star April IvyCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
      Ivy scored a No1 hit on the iTunes chart in her homelandCredit: Instagram @aprilivymusic
      SOPHIA WEBER
      The German brunette is childhood sweetheart of Kai Havertz.
      Sophia prefers a low profile and deleted her social media to remain private.
      However, Havertz sometimes gives us a glimpse into their private life. And they both appear to be Harry Potter fans, dressing up in character for a party.
      Sophia Weber and Kai Havertz are childhood sweetheartsCredit: Facebook
      The pair are fans of Harry PotterCredit: Facebook
      MICHELE LACROIX
      Michele is the wife of Man City’s talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
      Born in Gent, Belgium she began dating the playmaker in 2014 and their romance went from strength-to-strength.
      De Bruyne admitted he chatted Michele, 27, up on Twitter, after she liked one of his tweets.
      27-year-old Michele Lacroix is the wife of Man City ace Kevin De BruyneCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      De Bruyne revealed he chatted Michele up on TwitterCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      CHLOE WEALLEANS-WATTS
      Stunning model and pop star Chloe, 21, is believed to be in a relationship with Mason Mount, according to The Express.

      The 303 singer reportedly met the Chelsea star in 2017 and they soon started dating.
      Chloe shared a picture of them together on holiday in Dubai and Mount let it slip he was spoken for in a hilarious call with a veteran Chelsea fan.
      However, the pair like to keep their romance off social media and rarely share snaps together.
      Chloe Wealleans-Watts is the reported girlfriend of Chelsea playmaker Mason Mount
      Wealleans-Watts is a model and a pop star in the girl band 303
      Man City vs Chelsea FREE – Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for Champions League Final More

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      Man City leading transfer race to sign Espanyol hotshot Mateo Fernandez with 17-year-old eligible for Spain and England

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY lead the race for powerful young Espanyol striker Mateo Fernandez.Fernandez, 17, was born in Spain but his family are English and he may be moving back to the UK for his next move.
      Espanyol youngster Mateo Fernandez has been linked with Manchester CityCredit: RCD Espanyol
      The teenager qualifies for both countries.
      He is seen by City as a player they can bring through because he is physically strong and technically good.
      Pep Guardiola is believed to be looking for striker reinforcements with the club’s all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero set to leave this summer.
      That comes after the legend apologised yesterday for blowing the chance to be a title hero for the second time with a crazy Panenka miss.
      His woeful spot-kick spurned the chance to fire Manchester City two-up and on the way to being crowned Premier League champions against Chelsea.
      And the striker said: “I would like to apologise to my team-mates, staff and supporters for missing the penalty. 

      “It was a bad decision and I take full responsibility.”
      Aguero could have put City two up before half-time and on course for the victory they needed to win the Premier League crown.
      But unlike back in 2012 with his last-gasp winner against Queens Park Rangers, the striker fluffed his lines completely with a shocker of a spot-kick.
      Boss Pep Guardiola said: “He is selfish because he missed it. If he scored a goal you would say how much of a genius he is. That’s the reality.
      “So always I say to the players in the penalties take one decision: Panenka, right, left, short, whatever you want. But commit. He was committed – if he missed it, he missed it.
      “Everyone is disappointed but the first disappointment is him.”
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      The calamitous effort, which keeper Edouard Mendy caught with one hand, spared Chelsea.
      The Blues then hit back with two second-half goals to snatch victory – and leave City still short of winning Guardiola’s third title in four years.
      Aguero said: “I cannot help but apologise to my team-mates, the coaching staff and the fans for today’s penalty.
      “It was a bad decision and I take responsibility.”
      However, City could win the title today if neighbours Manchester United lose at Aston Villa.
      Pep Guardiola reacts to Sergio Aguero’s failed Panenka against Chelsea More

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      Man City new signing Kayky, 17, has been thrown in at the deep end at Fluminense, appearing in the Copa Libertadores

      by

      LIAM GALLAGHER made it very clear last week on social media that he is not a fan of Neymar, which amusingly made Spanish TV.But the former Oasis frontman may prove better disposed to the so-called ’17 year old Neymar’ who will be joining Manchester City at the end of the year.
      The Premier League leaders have completed a deal for the Brazilian wonderkid, 17, in what is seen as a major coup by Pep Guardiola’s side – said to be for a fee of £9million
      Teen wonderkid Kayky has been called the ‘next Neymar’ and is Man City’s latest Brazilian acquisition
      His name is Kayky, and he has come through the ranks with Fluminense of Rio.
      He was a youth star – City have had him on their radar screen for a while – and in the last two months he has been promoted to the first team.
      The start was relatively gentle. Fluminense’s opposition in the Rio State Championship has mostly consisted of tiny teams.
      Even so, the promise was impossible to ignore. He scored a magnificent solo goal against Nova Iguacu, cutting in from his favoured position wide on the right, dribbling through the defence and beating the keeper with rare composure.
      The striking thing was the gift of time – like Robert de Niro as Jake La Motta in the film ‘Raging Bull’, it was as if he was seeing the options in slow motion, thinking his way through the massed ranks of defenders.
      Fluminense coach Roger Machado was so enthused that he has thrown Kayky into the deep end.
      The club have qualified for the Copa Libertadores, South America’s Champions League, for the first time since 2013. The group is tough, but the 17 year old winger has gone straight into the starting line up.
      Kayky has appeared in the Copa Libertadores this campaign for FluminenseCredit: Reuters
      Kayky was part of Fluminense’s ‘dream generation’ of talent coming throughCredit: Instagram / @kaykysc10
      Kayky celebrates winning last year’s U17 Brazilian championshipCredit: Instagram
      The front pairing are both old enough to be his father – 2014 World Cup centre forward Fred, now 37, and playmaker Nene, who once had a brief spell with West Ham and is now 39.
      Fielding these veterans puts a strain on the younger members of the side. Kayky, a slightly built adolescent, has to put in a full defensive shift as well, running back to mark the opposing full back.
      Pep Guardiola would be very pleased with the way that Kayky stuck to his task, both in the 1-1 draw at home to River Plate of Argentina and the 2-1 win away to Independiente Santa Fe of Colombia.
      And he would be just as delighted with the flashes of attacking talent – the quick bursts into space, the tight dribbling and the ability to combine. He had a hand in both of Fred’s goals against Santa Fe.
      There were a couple of dives, though, which might not be to the liking of Mr Gallagher.
      On a personal note, Kayky was top scorer in the Brazilian U17 championshipCredit: Instagram
      Liam Gallagher’s tweet on Neymar, who Kayky has been compared to, made it live on to Spanish TV

      In both Libertadores games he was substituted around the hour mark – no reflection on his performance, but a recognition that a lot is being asked of him very soon.
      This Thursday night Fluminense are in Libertadores action once more.
      They are still in Colombia, this time in the coastal city of Barranquilla against Junior – another opportunity for Kayky to show that he already belongs in the senior ranks. More

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      European Super League LATEST, Brendan Rodgers to Tottenham EXCLUSIVE – Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea transfer news

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      AFTER a week filled with drama off the pitch, Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez maintains that the European Super League project is still alive.Meanwhile, we’ve got exclusive updates on Tottenham’s interest in Brendan Rodgers and transfer news from Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea.
      Follow ALL of the latest updates below after an explosive week in the world of football…
      YOU HAVE TO UNDER-STAN
      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has urged majority holder Stan Kroenke to listen to the fans and work on regaining the club’s identity.
      Henry told The Daily Telegraph: “Fans always decide, as you saw with the ESL. You have to listen to the fans and I can understand why they protested.
      “The ESL didn’t happen because of the fans. Not only me, you and the fans said it was wrong, they [the owners] also said it was wrong. They showed their hand and that was disappointing.
      “I remember when I arrived, not the Tottenham fans or our rivals, but a lot of the time I used to hear: ‘My second team, if I had to pick one, is Arsenal’. Because of the history, the culture, the class, the family.
      “But I don’t hear that or see that anymore and it pains me. We need to get that image back. We need our identity back”
      FANS ARE BACK!
      This year’s Carabao Cup final marks a special day for football as fans return to Wembley Stadium for the big game.
      Spurs and City fans have been given 2,000 tickets each for this major encounter at the esteemed ground.
      The remaining 4,000 tickets are split between other groups, such as the Brent residents and NHS staff.
      A major move back to how things were before the coronavirus pandemic
      GETTY IMAGES
      GETTY IMAGES

      LES MISERABLE
      Luke Shaw’s new contract at Manchester United will raise doubts over Alex Telles’ future at Old Trafford.
      Telles’ signing from Porto last summer furthered speculation that Shaw was on his way out of United.
      According to the Daily Star, however, the Brazil international may be the one to leave Old Trafford following the England defender’s stunning comeback.
      The 28-year-old is reportedly unhappy with his lack of game time and could force a move away from the Red Devils at the end of the campaign
      FULL-TIME
      It’s full-time at Elland Road with Manchester United and Leeds enduring a 0-0 draw.
      United are still second in the Premier League table with 10 points separating them from rivals Manchester City at the top.
      But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are enjoying a comfortable eight-point lead from third-placed Leicester.
      Leeds have climbed up to ninth with six points separating them from seventh place, which usually leads to qualification for next season’s Europa League

      CARABAO CUP FINAL XI
      Manchester City and Tottenham are set to lock horns in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
      The game kicks off at 4.30pm and this is how the two teams are going to line up.
      Spurs star striker Harry Kane returns to the fold for this important game that could see the north Londoners winning their first piece of silverware since 2008.
      Kevin de Bruyne also starts for Pep Guardiola’s men
      𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 ⚪️ Lloris (C), Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon, Højbjerg, Winks, Lo Celso, Lucas, Son, Kane.#CarabaoCupFinal ⚪️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/J88a3Jyehy— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2021

      The boys going into battle! 💙XI | Steffen, Walker, Dias, Laporte, Cancelo, Fernandinho (C), Gundogan, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Foden, SterlingSUBS | Ederson, Ake, Jesus, Aguero, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Torres, Mendy⚽️ @HaysWorldwide 🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re pic.twitter.com/H41AwZZNMp— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 25, 2021

      COOL HAND LUKE
      Manchester United ace Luke Shaw is set to be offered a new contract by the Manchester giants.
      According to the Daily Star, Shaw will be handed a contract extension along with a pay-rise by United.
      The left-back has been enjoying a tremendous comeback under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after falling down the pecking order during Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the Red Devils’ dugout.
      The England international will earn £190,000 a week until the end of the 2025-26 season, something that would make him the sixth highest-paid player at Old Trafford
      GETTY IMAGES
      NO WOE OF THE DYCHE
      After Chris Wood’s first-half hat-trick catapulted Burnley up to 14th with a 4-0 win at Wolves, Clarets’ boss Sean Dyche insisted he never lost sleep over their lowly position.
      Dyche said: “Our performances have been good. You don’t always get what you deserve but the details were good at both ends of the pitch.
      “I don’t tend to worry too much. It’s a season’s work. It’s how you end up in the season and our focus has to be the next game.”
      And of striker Wood, he added: “He keeps improving for me.
      “Every now and again he eased off but when he plays strong like that he causes problems.”
      BRIDGE SHUT-OUT
      With Thomas Tuchel poised to earn Chelsea top-three finish, whilst also facing a Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, here’s one stat to show how well Thiago Silva and Co have been performing at the back.

      TRANSFER KOU
      Bristol City striker Saikou Janneh is on the radar of Premier League new-boys Norwich as a group of clubs consider making a move this summer.
      Janneh, 21, has caught the eye of the Canaries as boss Daniel Farke looks to piece together a squad capable of staying in the top flight next season.
      But there is also competition from Brighton and fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Watford for the Gambian forward who has two years left on his current deal at Ashton Gate.
      Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is desperate to keep hold of the forward, who has climbed out of non-league to show his qualities in the professional game.
      He enjoyed a successful loan at Torquay where he scored 16 goals in 28 appearances before a short-term move to Newport County this season was cut short by injury.
      But Pearson believes there is much more to come at Ashton Gate for Janneh and has already brought him into his first team plans.
      GLAZE OVER IT AND MOVE ON
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says the Glazers will not walk away from Manchester United after their Super League slapdown.
      Hundreds of United fans protested outside Old Trafford on Saturday over the American owners’ involvement in the European Super League.
      Solskjaer said: “I think the owners that signed up for this proposal have a job on their hands, of course they have.
      “We’ve had an apology from Joel and that’s important. He’s told us how committed he is to helping us go forward.
      “Unity and everyone coming together for one common goal is the best way forward.”
      PLANE ANGER
      Furious Manchester United fans flew a ‘#GlazersOut’ banner over Elland Road in protest against their owners.
      The Red Devils made the trip to Leeds on Sunday afternoon to continue their long-standing rivalry.
      And before kick-off a place went over the stadium with a sign calling for the American family to sell the club. It read: “2bn stolen #GlazersOut.”
      Already unpopular among United supporters, the Glazers infuriated fans even further last week by being conspirators in the breakaway European Super League plot.
      Joel, one of the co-chairmen, did apologise in a statement after the club’s dramatic U-turn.
      But his brother and fellow co-chairman Avram refused to say sorry for his involvement. And then made no comment when quizzed if he would sell the club.

      ‘EARN IT’
      Leeds fans have savaged Manchester United with a brutal banner outside Elland Road this afternoon.
      The banner, which describes the Red Devils as ‘plastic’ and ‘shallow’, is in response to the failed attempt at creating a European Super League.
      The banner reads: “ESL and MUFC – just a tactical, temporary withdrawal, we see! Until your PR agents and media can reframe a package and construct an acceptable narrative and plan for your greedy, selfish followers to push this through in two years’ time. We know who you are! We know you from old!
      “Manchester United! Nonsense! What a joke! Find a new, more appropriate name! This was always coming, given the soulless, win at all costs, plastic, shallow, selfish, worthless money monster you have made of yourselves!
      “MUFC have fed off and divided, not United, football and communities. You are killing football! Children should be encouraged to support their community and play fairly and not bully people by exclusion!
      “The Leeds family is fully United with and in full support of and shoulder to shoulder with all true LFC, MCFC, AFC, THFC, and with the few remaining genuine MUFC and CFC fans, whose clubs have been hijacked by power monger and shallow weak-minded glory hunters! And together we’re fans United, we’ll never be divided! Earn it on the pitch! Football is for the fans!”

      KICK-OFF!
      Leeds 0 – 0 Man Utd
      The players are off and underway at Elland Road.
      And you can follow SunSport’s LIVE kick-by-kick match blog HERE.
      FULL-TIME!
      Wolves 0 – 4 Burnley
      What a win for the Clarets.
      Chris Wood’s first half hat-trick fired them out the blocks and Ashley Westwood’s strike five minutes from time put the cherry on the cake.
      Surely that win spells safety for Sean Dyche’s men who move 14th on 36 points and nine points clear of 18th place Fulham.
      Wolves stay 12th.

      NO POG PROBLEM
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left Paul Pogba on the bench against Leeds in order to manager his game time.
      Dan James comes in to replace the Frenchman and the Norwegian admitted he has Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first-leg against Roma in mind.

      HOPE FOR A WIN
      Hope Powell says Brighton are looking to spoil Arsenal’s top-three hopes as Albion hunt for a third win against a WSL big gun.
      And the Seagulls boss reckons the upturn in her side’s league form means they are unlikely to be underestimated by their top-flight rivals. Brighton, who are sixth and the only team to have beaten Chelsea this term, have won six of their last seven games across all competitions.
      They are targeting another major scalp after defeating Man United who are battling Arsenal for Champions League qualification. And the Seagulls are yet to beat the Gunners since their arrival in the Women’s Super League in the 2018-19 season.
      Powell, 54, said: “I think what Arsenal won’t do is take us for granted, which perhaps doesn’t help us. Historically they would beat us and I think there’ll be absolutely on it in this game.
      “They want to secure a top-three spot to go into Europe, but what we’re trying to do is spoil their party as we would do with any team that we come up against. I think now, because of recent results, teams will make sure that they’re absolutely on it.
      “And Arsenal will come at us and I’m sure they will play their strongest side. For us, that means a very tough game. And we will make it tough for them. We will do our utmost to be the best we can.”

      WHO DUN IT?
      Gary Lineker joked David Moyes was spotted with a box of matches after the fire alarm went off at the VAR HQ.
      Alarm bells rang around Stockley Park just minutes before Wolves’ Premier League clash with Burnley. Players went out onto the field unaware of the drama in Hayes but unfortunately for many traditionalists, normal service was restored in time for kick-off.
      When Lineker told viewers that VAR might not be functioning live on BBC, Danny Murphy joked: “That’s not good news, that’s phenomenal news.”
      Lineker then quipped: “Rumours that David Moyes was seen outside with a box of matches are grossly exaggerated at this stage.”
      Moyes was left raging on Saturday after Fabian Balbuena was essentially sent off for kicking a ball. The defender lumped the ball upfield but his follow-through caught Ben Chilwell who crashed to the turf in pain.
      VAR looked at the incident and then advised referee Chris Kavanagh to take a look at the incident himself. Kavanagh then brandished a straight red card much to the disbelief of everybody watching Chelsea’s 1-0 victory.

      TEAM NEWS IS IN!
      Manchester United vs Leeds kicks-off at 2pm at Elland Road.
      And this is how both teams will line up for the eagerly anticipated clash.
      📋 Marcelo names an unchanged side to the one that drew against Liverpool, but Summerville and Greenwood feature on the bench— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 25, 2021

      HALF-TIME!
      Wolves 0 – 3 Burnley
      Chris Wood’s first-half hat-trick fires the Clarets into a 3-0 lead at Molineux.
      If the scores stay like this it will be a huge boost for Sean Dyche’s men in their race for safety and they will move to 14th.
      Wolves’ season looks destined to end in the same mediocre fashion it has played out so far with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side rooted in 12th spot.

      TELL ME MORENO
      Manchester United target Pau Torres has been asking his teammates what it’s like to play for a big club – and one of them is Alberto Moreno.
      The ex-Liverpool flop, who joined Torres at Villarreal in 2019, is one of three players to give the 24-year-old some much-needed advice.
      Speaking to Spanish newspaper Sport, Torres said: “Players who have gone through important clubs, when they talk about an experience they have had, I like to listen to them, both Paco Alcacer and Raul Albiol or Alberto Moreno.
      “They tell you things that you have not yet experienced and that you think you would like to experience.”
      The Red Devils are said to be keen on signing the centre back, with reports suggesting a £52million bid may be imminent.
      Real Madrid, however, are also believed to interested in the Spain international and may challenge the Premier League side for his signature.

      JAN YOU BELIEVE IT – EXCLUSIVE
      Bristol City striker Saikou Janneh is on the radar of Premier League new-boys Norwich as a group of clubs consider making a move this summer.
      Janneh, 21, has caught the eye of the Canaries as boss Daniel Farke looks to piece together a squad capable of staying in the top flight next season.
      But there is also competition from Brighton and fellow Championship promotion hopefuls Watford for the Gambian forward who has two years left on his current deal at Ashton Gate.
      Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is desperate to keep hold of the forward, who has climbed out of non-league to show his qualities in the professional game.
      He enjoyed a successful loan at Torquay where he scored 16 goals in 28 appearances before a short-term move to Newport County this season was cut short by injury. But Pearson believes there is much more to come at Ashton Gate for Janneh and has already brought him into his first team plans.
      Hertha Berlin and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown an interest as the German clubs look to scour the Championship for players with potential and a summer fight for his signature could be on.
      Credit: Rex
      RED-DY TO GO!
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is ready for a serious challenge at Leeds this afternoon.
      Manchester United travel to Elland Road for the 2pm kick-off and the Norwegian warned his side they have to be prepared physically and mentally.

      EK OF A PLAN
      Spotify founder Daniel Ek is preparing a takeover bid to buy Arsenal, according to reports.
      And Gunners owner Stan Kroenke may be open to selling the club for £2billion. Billionaire Ek, 38, announced on Friday he would be keen to purchase his beloved Gunners.
      He tweeted: “As a kid growing up, I’ve cheered for Arsenal as long as I can remember. If KSE would like to sell Arsenal I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring.”
      And according to The Telegraph, it was not just a PR stunt but in fact, Swedish Ek is ready to enter negotiations with the view to submitting a formal offer.
      Forbes estimate Ek is worth around £4.1bn after the entrepreneur successfully launched the music streaming platform in 2008. Kronke, 73, is chairman of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment and joined the Arsenal board in 2008, three years before becoming majority shareholder.
      He was a key figure in the breakaway European Super League plans, named as a vice-chairman alongside Liverpool’s John Henry and Joel Glazer of Manchester United.

      WAYNE LEFT ON BENCH – EXCLUSIVE
      Wayne Rooney was consigned to the bench as he waited for his dinner with wife Coleen.
      The Derby boss, 35, looked deep in thought while his other half, also 35, studied her phone.
      The pair had popped out with their Pomeranian Pip to collect a food order from a café near their home in Prestbury, Cheshire.
      It came as Wayne vowed to back Coleen ‘all the way’ in her Wagatha Christie court fight.
      A source told The Sun Online last year: “Wayne and Coleen Rooney are stronger than ever after spending lockdown together.
      “This is the longest time they have spent together uninterrupted since they got married, and Coleen has fallen in love with Wayne all over again. She says that she now remembers what a wonderful, caring companion he is – and an amazing dad to the boys.”

      HONEST BERGER
      Ann-Katrin Berger admits she is ‘quite critical’ of her shot-stopping heroics for Chelsea despite Emma Hayes hailing her efforts as world-class.
      And the WSL ace who helped seal a Champions League semis spot for the Blues relishes seeing herself as an underdog. Berger’s breathtaking saves against Atletico Madrid and Wolfsburg helped Hayes’s side line up a clash over two legs with Bayern Munich.
      The German giants and the WSL league leaders are battling for a place in the finals against PSG or Barcelona. But perfectionist Berger, 30, keeps an eye out for errors in performances that have won her praise from pundits.
      The Kingsmeadow keeper told SunSport: “I couldn’t tell you which of my games is my best performance. Even in my best games, I find a mistake or something annoying.
      “You would have to ask my goalkeeping coach that because I’m quite critical of myself. With the Atletico and Wolfsburg matches, I was just doing my job.
      “I enjoy goalkeeping for Chelsea because I have a really good connection with the front four and midfield. It makes it so much easier for me to do my job And having the faith the defenders have given me, I think it’s the nicest feeling to get that trust you need to work.”

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