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      Lucas Paqueta breaks silence on betting scandal hell that scuppered West Ham star’s £80m move to Man City

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      LUCAS PAQUETA has opened up for the first time on his betting scandal hell – paying tribute to the support shown by “special” David Moyes.West Ham star Paqueta, 26, has been under an FA investigation since August over allegations of suspicious gambling activities.Lucas Paqueta has spoken ahead of Brazil’s clash with England this SaturdayCredit: PAPaqueta, 26, opened up on his relationship with Hammers boss David MoyesCredit: AFPThe furore prompted Manchester City to back out of a proposed £80million move for the playmaker – but they have been tipped to rekindle their interest this summer.It also saw him left out of the Brazil squad for all six of their autumn matches, though he is now back with the Samba Boys for this month’s friendlies against England and Spain.Paqueta revealed how tough the ordeal has been for him but praised Irons chief Moyes for his handling of the situation.The former Lyon ace said: “In the beginning it was hard.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“But now I have grown a lot mentally and now I can live with that. I have left that behind and I can now focus on my performances.“(Moyes) was special for me. I have a good relationship with him. And his support was important for me.“He said he wanted me playing in the team. That confidence was very important for me.“Without a shadow of doubt, the support he gave me to leave all this behind, it was essential.”Most read in FootballPaqueta’s probe relates to bets placed on the midfielder to receive a yellow card in various Premier League matches.He denies any wrongdoing and was said to be shocked by the allegations when they first emerged – though could not elaborate on the ongoing investigation.Europa League quarter-final draw in full as Liverpool and West Ham learn their fate The former AC Milan attacker added: “I was told not to comment on this subject.“It’s been seven months since it happened and I’m cooperating, doing what’s in my power so that it can be resolved.”Paqueta has managed to be one of West Ham’s star performers this term, despite the probe, netting three goals and grabbing five assists in the Premier League.It has kept him on City’s radar who could look to exploit an alleged £85m release clause in his contract this summer – especially with Bernardo Silva’s future up in the air.Paqueta is just relieved to be back with his Selecao team-mates after his exile earlier this season.New boss Dorival Jnr brought the 42-cap ace straight back in for his new squad, which includes no fewer than ELEVEN uncapped players.(Moyes) was special for me. I have a good relationship with him. And his support was important for me.Lucas PaquetaManchester United midfielder Casemiro, not involved due to injury, took the time out to see his international colleagues at their Sopwell House base near St Albans.Paqueta said: “I’m very happy to be back. I hope I can help [the youngsters] in the best way possible.“I worked with the coach at the end of my time at Flamengo and it was an incredible experience. I’m happy to be called up for his recognition of my work.“Being in the national team has always been my dream, so when I return I feel even more privileged.”Paqueta will come up against West Ham team-mates past and present at Wembley on Saturday.Irons winger Jarrod Bowen, 27, is making a great case for inclusion in England’s Euros squad with 18 goals in all competitions.While Declan Rice, 25, is scaling new heights since his £105m switch from the London Stadium to Arsenal last summer.Paqueta added: “I have a lot of respect for them and I am fond of them. They are very good professionals.“Bowen is having an amazing season. I am happy to help him.“Declan is a great player. I am sure they will do the best they can for England and I will try to do the best I can for Brazil.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The Brazilian team will always be favourites, because of the history we have, the players we have.“It’s going to be a great game because there are two great teams and that respect has to be there.” More

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      Joao Cancelo pulls out of Barcelona clash due to ‘serious personal problem’ as team-mates dedicate win to Man City star

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      JOAO CANCELO was forced to miss Barcelona’s clash at Atletico Madrid last night due to a reported “serious personal problem”.Barca loanee Joao Felix scored the opener against his parent club to inflict a first LaLiga home loss of the campaign of Diego Simeone’s side.Scorer Fermin Lopez dedicated Barcelona’s win to an absent team-mateCredit: GettyOn-loan Joao Cancelo reportedly missed out due to a ‘serious personal issue’Credit: APHe gave the visitors the lead on 38 minutes, just before his manager Xavi was sent to the stands for dissent. Robert Lewandowski doubled the advantage in the second half before Fermin Lopez ensured the 3-0 victory to move Barcelona above Girona into second in LaLiga.Before the game, it was revealed that defender Cancelo was ruled out due to an injury.However, several outlets then reported that the 29-year-old Portuguese star, who is on loan from Man City, did not in fact travel due to a personal issue.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd he was in Lopez’s thoughts after the final whistle as he dedicated the win in the Spanish capital to his colleague.The goalscorer, who was due to start on the bench until Andreas Christensen was hurt in the warm-up, said: “I wanted to dedicate this victory to Cancelo, who is having a hard time.“We’ve got second place back, we now need to close the gap to Madrid and fight for the title.“I was a bit surprised starting, despite not being in the original XI but I did my best from the first kick.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“We are on a great run and want to continue it for as long as possible.”Meanwhile, manager Xavi added: “Joao Cancelo is a very sensitive boy, an extraordinary person with a very big heart.Fans fear Joao Cancelo has been ‘possessed’ after ‘terrifying’ interview of Barcelona star emerges – laliga“Not being able to be with the team today has affected him a lot.”Cancelo moved to the Premier League in 2019 and has tasted three title triumphs but he had a major bust-up with boss Pep Guardiola at the start of 2023.He spent the final six months of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga to go with his Premier League crown, but they opted not to pay the £61.5m option to make the deal permanent, leading to his switch to Barca last summer. More

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      Pep Guardiola facing huge Jude Bellingham dilemma as Man City boss devises plan to ‘control’ Real Madrid star

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      PEP GUARDIOLA admits he faces a massive headache over how to stop Jude Bellingham.Manchester City and Real Madrid square up for the third year running, this time in the Champions League last eight. Pep Guardiola admits he faces a massive headache over how to stop Jude BellinghamCredit: RexBellingham’s Real Madrid face Man City in the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: GettyBut this time City must deal with Bellingham. Asked about the Three Lions star, Guardiola said: “The impact has been massive. “It’s a different team from last season. His influence is obvious, we have to try to discover what he does and control it.”The Euro heavyweights met in the semi-finals in the previous two years.Madrid went on to win the competition in 2022 with City finally lifting the trophy for the first time last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBellingham brings a new dimension though — the England ace has netted 20 goals in 31 games for Madrid since joining them from Borussia Dortmund last summer.The first leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 9, the same night that Arsenal host Bayern Munich.The second legs are on April 17. And there is no respite for the winners — they will play each other in the semi-finals!While Guardiola’s men are defending champions, the City boss knows they are still rookies compared to their Spanish rivals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSReal have won the Champions League in five of the last ten seasons.Guardiola added: “It looks like a little bit of a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024“With them winning 14 Champions Leagues, it’s not necessary to say what Real Madrid are in this competition.“For us, it’s a little bit new. For Real Madrid, it’s not special to play quarter-finals of the Champions League.“The last years we have been consistent — many times semi-finals, final, now quarter-final again — and we start to be in this routine to play in the latter stages.“And when you play latter stages you play against the best teams in Europe, Real Madrid are totally there.“This one is special and makes you feel like you go to Europe and play your best football. It’s so nice.”In the other half of the draw, Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund landed Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals while Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona. More

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      Jack Grealish lands massive megabucks deal to become the face of kitchen cupboard staple

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      JACK Grealish has landed a tasty new brand deal – after signing up for a new Hellman’s mayonnaise advert campaign.The Manchester City ace filmed the ad last week with some of his England teammates.Jack Grealish has signed a deal to become the face of a kitchen cupboard stapleCredit: GettyThe Man City winger is now representing Hellman’s MayonnaiseCredit: AlamyInsiders said the mayo ad would air in the run up to the Euros in Germany this summer.A source said: “Jack is a man in demand off the pitch and he’s the star of a new Hellman’s mayo ad.“He took part in a video shoot alongside some other England players in Manchester last week.“The details of the shoot are being kept under wraps but it’ll show Jack and his teammates enjoying a squirt or two of the white stuff.”READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSJack is a big fan of sauce and last year even got his own brand of Nando’s Peri-Peri sauce at a party.The chain chicken shop created Super Jack’s Sauce for the winger who loves a takeaway after a game,He said last summer he ordered the same Chinese restaurant, Spinningfields’ Wing’s Restaurant, after each game at the Etihad.Jack said: “I love Chinese. After every game, I get one.Most read in Football“I go to Wings’ in Manchester. I usually get a takeaway. I have Singapore chow mein, I have egg-fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, I have salt and pepper prawns and then curry sauce.Is this the moment Jack Grealish is told of his family’s terror at £1m jewellery break-in raid at his mansion?“Then I just mix it all in and have a big free for all.”Last month Jack, 28, signed a seven-figure-deal to become the new face of Pepsi.He joined the campaign with ex footballer turned actor Vinnie Jones. More

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      Man City star Erling Haaland’s success on pitch fuelled by ‘hat-trick pasta’ dish at favourite Italian restaurant

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      SUPER striker Erling Haaland’s hunger for goals is inspired by a lucky “hat-trick pasta” dish he eats at his favourite Italian restaurant.Man City’s 23-year-old Premier League scoring machine regularly tucks into a special of pasta, cream and mushrooms.Erling Haaland’s hunger for goals is inspired by his favourite Italian restaurantCredit: The Mega AgencyErling has eaten at Vero Moderno in Salford, once a week, almost every week, for the last two yearsCredit: Instagram/VeroModernoNordic net-buster Haaland’s meals are cooked for him by Beppe Piccoli, owner of Vero Moderno in Salford, Greater Manchester.The 6ft 4in goal monster has eaten there once a week, almost every week, for the last two years.Beppe said: “When I first gave it to him the very first time I met him, it was before the season kicked off.“I said, ‘When you score a hat-trick on Sunday, please thank Beppe and Vero Moderno’. He scored a hat-trick didn’t he? It was quite funny.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS“Then he came back and asked for the same pasta and I said to him, ‘Last time you didn’t thank me. Please do it when you do another hat-trick on Sunday’. Same pasta, another hat-trick.“That’s how everything started with him and we developed a big friendship.“We joke now about the ‘hat-trick pasta’. He’s a world class player, a world class guy. You can’t buy that.”Haaland scored 52 goals in all competitions last season.Most read in FootballSo far this season his tally is 29. And his lucky dish appears to have inspired his team mates — with the likes of Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias and Rodri also hanging out at the same restaurant.Erling Haaland reveals secret talent after childhood vid goes viralCity boss Pep Guardiola even visited last month.Beppe said it all began when the club’s Italian team doctor Max Sala came in for a bite to eat.He said: “I think that’s how it started as they have three Italians working in the medicine department and they were looking for good, authentic Italian food.“They are all very good guys, and very kind and generous customers. They just want to be treated as normal customers and naturally we treat everyone in the same way here.”Haaland previously attributed his goal-mouth success to his dad Alfie’s lasagne, saying; “There has to be something special he adds to it.” More

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      Gareth Southgate snubs titanic Liverpool vs Man City clash to watch the worst England audition of the weekend

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      IT was Kalvin Phillips’ performances for England which convinced David Moyes he would be a good January signing.But the West Ham midfielder’s move now looks to have placed his Euro 2024 spot in jeopardy rather than saved it.Southgate was at the Olympic stadium to witness Phillip’s latest disappointing performanceCredit: RexThe midfielder is at risk of losing his place in Southgate’s England squadCredit: GettyInstead of watching the pulsating clash between Liverpool and Manchester City, England boss Gareth Southgate was in the stands to check in on Phillips during West Ham’s draw with Burnley.Southgate announces his Three Lions squad for the March international break this week and will have been looking for signs that Phillips deserves to keep his place.Even for the most loyal of managers, as Southgate has proved to be, it will be hard to select the former Leeds star off the back of his showing.Phillips was at fault for the opening goal, wasteful on the ball and hooked at half-time. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAn eye-catching performance for all the wrong reasons.It has not been an easy start to life at the London Stadium for Phillips.Moyes had tried to sign the 28-year-old before his ill-fated move to Manchester City, and was encouraged to offer him a way out by his displays for England.Southgate had stood by the midfielder, who still impressed for the Three Lions while not getting a look in under Pep Guardiola.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL The Hammers boss hoped a few games was all it would take to shake off the rust brought about by just two Premier League starts in 18 months at The Etihad.But his early West Ham showings have not offered encouragement. There was a nightmare start minutes into his debut against Bournemouth, handing them an early goal by gifting the ball to Dominic Solanke.Man Utd fans brutally troll Kalvin Phillips with X-rated chant as he warms up – but City rival has perfect responseA red card at Nottingham Forest followed before the Burnley horror-show.Phillips has spoken candidly about the impact of his time playing under Guardiola, watching on in isolation as City won the Treble.It is not an experience he is able to shake off lightly. West Ham was supposed to be a new dawn, a fresh start to get him back to being the player who shone alongside Declan Rice at Euro 2020 as England reached the final.But it has not materialised. Southgate had made it clear to Phillips he had to find a new club to keep his place in the squad ahead of this summer’s tournament, but it is hard to see how his standing with the Three Lions boss would be any worse if he was still warming Manchester City’s bench.There is still time, of course.Aside from Rice, the former West Ham captain, England’s options in a midfield two are limited.Phillips managed to retain his place in the England squad despite not appearing often for CityCredit: GettySouthgate has been out to Amsterdam to watch Jordan Henderson try to rediscover his form with Ajax after his short-lived Saudi adventure.But that has hardly got off to a flying start and Henderson is another player whose inclusion is becoming harder to justify.The lack of depth at the base of midfield helps the case for both, but the squad announced on Thursday is the final one before Southgate selects the group for Germany.Missing out this week would be a crushing blow for Phillips, but hardly surprising given there are no guarantees he will find form between now and the end of the season. He may not even get much more of a chance to.READ MORE SUN STORIESMoyes is fighting for European qualification in the Premier League and for progress in Europe – he cannot afford many more first halves like the one Phillips contributed to on Sunday.If you cannot be trusted at West Ham, what hope is there with England? More

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      Man Utd icon Sir Alex Ferguson’s son heaps praise on Man City youngster and gasps ‘he’s going to be some player’

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      A MANCHESTER CITY starlet has been tipped to become “world class” by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson’s son.The 19-year-old Jadel Katongo left the Etihad in order to get some first-team experience back in August.Man City loanee Jadel Katongo has produced great form on loan at PeterboroughCredit: AlamyDarren Ferguson, the son of Sir Alex, believes he can reach the very topCredit: RexThe defender headed to League One promotion chasers Peterborough United, who are managed by Darren Ferguson.Katongo has shone in the third tier throughout the campaign, catching the eye of Southampton, but perhaps produced his best display of the season last week.He played a part in Peterborough’s first three goals in their 5-1 victory over Northampton Town and then excelled again as they enjoyed a 3-1 win at Burton on Saturday.And Ferguson, who won a Premier League title medal with United back in his playing days, is convinced that the Red Devils’ rivals have a brilliant talent on their hands.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to the BBC Cambridgeshire Sport, he said: “Yeah and he’s improving, there’s no question.“He’s not a right-back, he’s a centre-half really and we’ve played him in midfield, we’ve played him hardly at centre-half funnily enough.“But he understands the role better. He knows when to go outside, when to come inside.”“This is his first loan, he’s going to be some player, I tell you.”Most read in FootballKatonga has already joined time training with Pep Guardiola’s first team squad at City.But he will be hoping for double joy come May.Peterborough are hoping to secure promotion to the Championship with a top two finish.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThey are currently fourth, four points behind second-placed Derby, with a game in hand.Meanwhile, City are chasing another treble.Ex-Man Utd ace Mikael Silvestre opens up on brutal Hairdryer Treatment he received from Sir Alex FergusonYesterday’s 1-1 draw against Liverpool meant Arsenal were left top of the Premier League, level on points with the Reds but crucially ahead on goal difference.City are one point behind the other two but have an inferior goal difference. More

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      Roy Keane can’t stop smiling at Daniel Sturridge’s perfect gag live on Sky Sport after Liverpool draw with Man City

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      DANIEL STURRIDGE got a belting response to a clever gag about his own outfit as he gave Roy Keane a hearty buckle chuckle.The ex-Liverpool striker lit up his verdict on Sunday’s 1-1 thriller against Manchester City with a dig at a huge belt buckle that entranced viewers.Daniel Sturridge had the whole Sky Sports studio roaring with a gag at the expense of his super-sized belt buckleCredit: X/ @SkySportsPLFans joked Sturridge looked ready for a plane journeyAnd fellow pundit Keane could’t stop grinning as the Sky Sports studio exploded into laughter at the jibe from Sturridge on live TV.The smart-suited former England star reckoned the match gleamed as bright as his silver buckle – which fans compared to a “seatbelt”.But even that wasn’t the comparison Sturridge made to his clothing accessory as he delivered an enthusiastic assessment of an Anfield classic.Second-placed Liverpool remain a point above City after an epic draw.READ MORE TOP STORIESAnd Sturridge said: “It was exhilarating. It was back and forth – chances, challenges, a lot of drama, a penalty, this and that.”It was just a brilliant game for all to see. It was a rollercoaster ride. Buckle up like my blazer!”Manchester United legend Keane smiled broadly at how Sturridge seamlessly threw in that reference to his own belt.And the ex-midfield hardman continued to beam as the post-match discussion continued.Most read in FootballViewers had already teased Sturridge over his stand-out buckle.In fact, one congratulated him on “wearing his seatbelt in the Sky Studio, can never be too safe” while another joked, “Strap yourselves in folks”.Man Utd legend Paul Scholes claims Phil Foden is ‘much better footballer’ than Frank LampardAnd after Sturridge gave his views on a scintillating stalemate, fans jumped in with more fashion observations.One posted: “Funny dude, nice game yeah, no doubt” then a second viewer simply said: “Haha Sturridge”.And a few asked mischievous questions like: “Why did the cameraman zoom in on his blazer?” More