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      Who is Manchester City and England star Demi Stokes and why is she not playing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup?

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      DEMI Stokes has risen to fame through her football career.The Manchester City star has carved out quite the career, but why isn’t she at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World cup?
      Demi plays for Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      Who is Manchester City and England star Demi Stokes?
      Demi Stoke is best known for being a Manchester City and England footballer.
      She plays as a left-back and previously played for Sunderland in the English FA Women’s Premier League.
      In June 2022 Stokes was included in the England squad which won the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
      She was also selected in the Great Britain women’s Olympic football team for the 2020 Olympics.
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      Stokes was just eight-years-old when her football career began, joining Sunderland’s youth academy before playing in the first team at 16.
      She is in a relationship with Katie Harrington, with he couple getting engaged and having a baby in 2022.
      Why is Demi Stokes not playing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup?
      Demi has explained that the reason she is not at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup is due to injury.
      Talking to the Sunderland Echo, she said: “You have to be honest and from Christmas onwards, I really struggled with injury.
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      “I was either ill or injured. I just couldn’t catch a break, to be honest, but I always say that there’s a silver lining in things.
      “When you go through hardship you have to look for a positive and not everything is doom and gloom.
      “There’s a silver lining and that’s me being able to be home and spend time with my family which is another thing that makes me happy.”
      She added: “I am gutted to miss out but I wouldn’t have been ready and I wouldn’t have been fit and I wouldn’t have been at my best self to help the team.
      “But I am excited to watch my teammates play and thrive so it is still exciting times.”
      When did Demi Stokes first appear for England and how many caps has she won?
      Demi made her England debut back in 2009 when she played for England under-19 when she won the 2009 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship in Belarus.
      She first appeared for the main England squad in 2014 and currently has 69 caps. More

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      Premier League clubs will pray Erling Haaland suffers from second season syndrome… rival strikers aren’t at his level

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      WHAT chance is there of Erling Haaland being struck down by a case of ‘second-season syndrome’?On the eve of the Premier League’s big kick-off, that is the wishful thinking of Manchester City’s potential title rivals as Pep Guardiola’s men bid to become the first team to be crowned champions of England for four consecutive seasons.
      Premier League fans will be hoping for Haaland to suffer from second season syndrome… But that does not look likelyCredit: Getty
      Because if Haaland keeps on doing Haaland things — and in his maiden campaign at the Etihad, he netted 35 league goals in 32 appearances — there is surely no hope for the chasing pack.
      City already boasted the strongest squad and the most inventive manager in the top flight before last summer but after they added the finest young finisher in world football, the Treble was theirs.
      Tomorrow night, Haaland heads to Burnley — no longer the ‘trip to the dentist’ Guardiola regarded it during Sean Dyche’s reign — having flopped in Sunday’s Community Shield, just as he did in the corresponding fixture last year.
      Yet he scored both of City’s goals on his Premier League debut at West Ham the following weekend and, by the end of August, he had already netted back-to-back hat-tricks.
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      Haaland ended City’s all-conquering campaign with his longest barren run in club football since he was a teenager at Molde in 2018 — yet he collected three major trophies during that five-match drought.
      The mighty Norseman is well liked by his City team-mates but on the training ground and especially during matches, his attitude is described by one team-mate as “chilling”.
      It is not usually difficult to ascertain the form of a striker by his mood in training — when they are banging in the goals they are all smiles but, if they are going through a drought, they tend to be irritable or downright angry.
      But 23-year-old Haaland is different.
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      His colleagues will tell you that whether he’s netted a hat-trick or fired a rare blank in his previous match, the Norwegian never shows it.
      While there have been suggestions that Guardiola’s team might lack prime motivation levels having secured the Treble, nobody at City believes 6ft 5in Haaland will ease up.
      He has so many obvious physical attributes — pace, strength, ball-striking — but it is the evenness of his temperament which team-mates believe sets him apart.
      And none of City’s major rivals go into the new campaign with a settled first-choice centre-forward able to rival him.
      Arsenal — for all their impressive summer business and the confidence from their Community Shield victory — do not possess an elite goalscorer.
      Gabriel Jesus was rarely employed as a No 9 by Guardiola at City, even when the Etihad boss did not have an authentic centre-forward.
      The Brazilian, 26, will miss the start of Arsenal’s campaign with a knee injury and Kai Havertz, who led the line at Wembley on Sunday, squandered a couple of excellent chances.
      Havertz is an intelligent player with a satin touch but he is no goal machine — netting 19 times in 91 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
      The 24-year-old German was Chelsea’s top scorer with just seven last term and no Blues player has scored more than 16 in a league season since Diego Costa six years ago.
      Of this summer’s new recruits, Christopher Nkunku, 25, is already facing a lengthy lay-off after knee surgery, leaving 22-year-old Nicolas Jackson — with 12 goals for Villarreal last season — as Mauricio Pochettino’s attacking spearhead.
      Manchester United have spent £72million on 20-year-old Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, who scored just nine Serie A goals for Atalanta last season.
      That may be an upgrade on Wout Weghorst but Erik ten Hag’s men — having refused to make a move for Harry Kane — will be over-reliant on the goals of Marcus Rashford cutting in from the left.
      Newcastle have two decent centre- forward options in Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak.
      But Eddie Howe has been unsure which man to deploy down the middle, with Swede Isak, 23, often used out wide.
      Kane is the only world class forward outside of Haaland in the Premier League… But may leave for BayernCredit: Getty
      With a goal every 105 minutes, 31-year-old Wilson came closer than any other top-flight player to Haaland’s strike rate of one every 77 minutes but Isak is expected to take over as Howe’s first-choice centre-forward. Liverpool’s problems are largely in defence and midfield, with Jurgen Klopp boasting a potent clutch of forwards.
      Mo Salah is a three-time Golden Boot winner but the 31-year-old Egyptian went through the least impressive of his six seasons at Anfield last term.
      Klopp needs a big season from Darwin Nunez, 24, the Uruguayan who netted nine times in his maiden Premier League campaign.
      Kane, 30, is the only other genuine world-class centre-forward in the Premier League but he may leave Tottenham for Bayern Munich.
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      Even when he bagged 30 goals last season, Spurs finished a distant eighth in the title race.
      So perhaps the best hope for City’s rivals is that Haaland might suffer a lengthy layoff — at which point Guardiola will call for 23-year-old Julian Alvarez, the first-choice centre-forward for world champions Argentina… More

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      Man City star Jack Grealish leaves new £200k Lamborghini on double-yellow line for 4 hours

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      MAN City party boy Jack Grealish left his new £200,000 Lamborghini on double-yellow lines for four hours.The England star’s flash motor blocked the pavement while he and girlfriend Sasha Attwood went out for a fancy dinner.
      Jack Grealish left his new £200,000 Lamborghini on double-yellow lines for four hoursCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Grealish’s flash motor blocked the pavement while he and girlfriend Sasha Attwood went out for a fancy dinnerCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Three traffic wardens did nothing to move the car but issued a Penalty Charge NoticeCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Three traffic wardens were seen stood around the Performante Urus — customised in City’s sky blue — but seemingly did nothing to move on the car, which forced any passing wheelchair users into the road.
      A source at the scene near The Ivy in Manchester on Tuesday said: “It’s madness.
      “They checked out the car, then wandered off for ten minutes and when they came back, Jack was returning to his car.”
      Grealish and Sasha, both 27, drove off, heading to their £6million Cheshire mansion.
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      But the star, who earns in the region of £230,000 a week at Man City, has been blasted by disability campaigners for his selfish parking antics.
      Alison Kerry, of disability equality charity Scope, said: “When cars park on pavements, it makes life difficult for disabled people.
      “It can leave them with no choice but to go on to the road, which can be dangerous.
      “It’s important drivers are considerate when parking.”
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      Grealish splashed out on the new Lamborghini after helping City win the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble last season.
      Celebrity car customiser Yianni Charalambous got the motor in shape for its new owner, and posted online at the time: “It’s going to look great on the training ground.”
      Grealish was seen driving it for the first time last week.
      After being contacted by The Sun yesterday, a council spokesman said: “We can confirm this motorist was issued a Penalty Charge Notice at 11.02pm on August 8.”
      Grealish’s representatives were also approached for comment.
      Grealish and Sasha drove off to their £6million Cheshire mansionCredit: Instagram More

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      Phil Foden involved in X-rated row with Pep Guardiola.. before Man City boss APOLOGISED to England midfielder

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      DETAILS have emerged of a furious X-rated rant between Phil Foden and Pep Guardiola.Foden, 23, is expected to play a bigger role for City this season, after both Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez left the club.
      Details have emerged of an argument between Pep Guardiola and Phil FodenCredit: Reuters
      The young England star is expected to step either into Mahrez’s right-wing spot or play more centrally in the midfield, a position he has long coveted.
      And now The Telegraph have revealed details of an argument that proved to be a turning point between Guardiola and Foden, where the City manager realised he could trust Foden as a more senior player.
      The row took place during a Champions League tie with Porto, when Foden was criticised by Pep for not taking a free-kick in the precise way he demanded.
      Guardiola scolded him from the touchline, saying: “F****** hell Phil! F****** hell!
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      “You haven’t done what I said!”
      Foden carried the grudge after the game and was fully dressed before some of his team-mates had even arrived back in the dressing room.
      When Pep arrived in the changing rooms, an angry Foden was reportedly at the exit door and told him: “Don’t ever do that to me again!”
      He followed that up by saying: “You wouldn’t do that to other players.”
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      It is claimed Guardiola apologised profusely for his actions the next day, calling a team-meeting to apologise to Foden in front of his players and paid a self-imposed fine into the players’ kitty.
      Privately though, Guardiola was impressed with Foden’s ability to stand up for himself.
      Aged just 20 then, it marked the moment that Foden had gone from being a youth player to a man.
      This upcoming season looks to be a make or break one for Foden to cement a place in Guardiola’s starting XI.
      With Mahrez and Gundogan leaving, two places in the XI where Foden can operate have opened up.
      But he will face competition, Mateo Kovacic was signed to fill the Gundogan-shaped hole in City’s midfield and the club have been linked with a move for Michael Olise to cover Mahrez’s spot.
      His 32 appearances last season were the most he has made in a City shirt but he is still not an assured starter in the side.
      The midfielder was left on the bench on Sunday for City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal and only came on in the 58th minute.
      He will be hoping to nail down a place throughout the 2023-24 campaign. More

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      Man City make shock £70m transfer of West Ham midfielder.. but Hammers insists he is NOT for sale

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      MANCHESTER CITY have launched a shock £70million bid for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta.City are in the market for a playmaker having lost Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
      Lucas Paqueta is linked with Man CityCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic has already been drafted in but Pep Guardiola has now set his sights on Brazil star Paqueta.
      However, West Ham insist he will NOT be sold this summer.
      Paqueta became the London club’s record signing in 2022, joining from Lyon for £53m.
      And the Hammers say City’s current £70m offer is “unacceptable”.
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      Paqueta has £85m release clause, which City are unlikely to match despite reports the player is keen on a switch.
      Paqueta scored five in 43 games last season, helping David Moyes’ side to the Europa Conference League trophy.
      West Ham do not need the money from a potential deal as they already have £105m to play with after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal.
      And as revealed by SunSport, they have agreed a £35m deal for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.
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      Mexican Alvarez, 25, is seen as a direct replacement for Rice – and is expected to fly to London in the to complete his medical.
      While the Hammers finally agreed £30m deals for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire and Southampton playmaker James Ward-Prowse on Wednesday morning.
      They have also been strongly linked with Maguire’s United team-mate Scott McTominay.

      And City will hope the influx of midfielders may help the Hammers change their stance on Paqueta.
      West Ham are confident Alvarez will be available to face Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Saturday should there be no issues with his medical in East London.
      But they may have to wait for Maguire and Ward-Prowse deals to be completed.
      Edson Alvarez is close to signing for West HamCredit: Rex More

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      Barcelona ‘launch joint loan transfer bid for TWO Man City stars’ just days before Premier League opener

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      BARCELONA have launched a joint loan bid for TWO Manchester City stars just days before the Premier League is about to kick off.Spanish outlet Sport report that Barcelona are “very interested” in acquiring both Bernardo Silva and Joao Cancelo ahead of their season opener against Getafe this Sunday.
      City do not want to lose Bernardo Silva this summerCredit: Getty
      But Cancelo could be attainable for BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      The Catalan club hold a long standing interest in both players.
      Barca pushed hard to sign Silva last season when it looked as though the midfielder would leave the Etihad.
      In Cancelo’s case, Barcelona tried to sign him in January after the full-back fell out with manager Pep Guardiola, but he ultimately joined Bayern Munich on loan.
      Barcelona are set for a cash injection once Ousmane Dembele’s transfer to PSG is completed and view the Manchester City players as an ideal way to reinvest the cash.
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      Both Cancelo and Silva have operated in Dembele’s vacant right-wing position in the past but it is likely that Silva would play in Barca’s midfield three and Cancelo would play his preferred role of right-back.
      The report says that Barcelona would include a mandatory buy clause of £60million at the end of Silva’s loan deal.
      Silva’s City contract is set to expire in the summer of 2025.
      Sport say that City while City are open to letting Cancelo leave the club, they are not interested in selling Silva, particularly having already lost Riyad Mahrez this summer.
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      City have been linked with Palace’s Michael Olise and Rennes’ Jeremy Doku as they look to replace Mahrez – but Silva has operated off the right-wing in the past and started there during Sunday’s Community shield defeat to Arsenal.
      Cancelo, though, is free to leave the club and has reportedly already agreed personal terms with Barca.
      City will look to bounce back from Sunday’s penalty shootout defeat against Arsenal when they kick off their Premier League campaign away at Burnley on Friday night. More

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      Dream Team 2023/24: Manchester City’s best players, bargain options & potential flops

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      THE new Dream Team season gets underway this week!Almost every gaffer will want to start Gameweek 1 with multiple Manchester City players in their XI.
      Pep Guardiola’s side racked up mountains of points on their way to a treble in 2022/23 but with so many viable options it can be difficult to strike upon the perfect balance.

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      Class is permanentCredit: DREAM TEAM
      Here we’ve assembled the defending champions’ absolute best players, bargains options and potential flops.
      BEST PLAYERS
      Let’s not pretend Erling Haaland (£8.5m) isn’t the blindingly obvious candidate to top this category.
      Last season the Norwegian poacher became just the second man to ever achieve 400+ Dream Team points in a single season.
      He’s comfortably the most-expensive player in the game this time around but even so his ownership is a monstrous 84.7%.
      Good luck to the 15.3% of gaffers prepared to go without Haaland, you’re going to need it.
      Every year Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) is among the most-expensive assets in the game and every year he’s worth it.
      Fizzing crosses, rasping shots, pinpoint passes… the brilliant Belgian is the kind of midfielder a mad scientist would grow in a laboratory.
      Had the new scoring system been implemented last season, KDB would have amassed 331 points – enough said.
      Stones was excellent at the back end of 2022/23Credit: GETTY
      A timely reminder that John Stones (£5m) may well be a Dream Team cheat code this season.
      The England international is classified as a defender but it’s likely he’ll play his fair share of minutes in the hybrid role he fulfilled so impressively post-World Cup.
      If Stones is to play alongside Rodri (£4m) in Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 system then he will be more likely to acquire points related to midfield duties while also directly benefiting from clean sheets.
      BARGAIN OPTIONS
      Such is City’s pedigree, even their semi-regulars start with moderately costly price tags.
      While genuine bargains are nonexistent, there may still be value for money to be had at the Etihad.
      For example, Manuel Akanji (£4.5m) is a full £1million cheaper than Ruben Dias (£5.5m) and may well match the Portuguese centre-back’s tally.
      So much more than an understudyCredit: GETTY
      It may surprise some gaffers to learn that Julian Alvarez (£4m) would have finished on 227 points last season had the new scoring system been applied.
      The World Cup winner spends a lot time of the bench but he’s made the most of his minutes on the pitch and the fact he’ll start the campaign cheaper than Ollie Watkins (£4.5m) and Callum Wilson (£4.5m) represents potential value.
      For those impressed by his Community Shield finish, Cole Palmer (£2m) is very cheap but it would be a bold move to back the 21-year-old from the get-go.
      POTENTIAL FLOPS
      The words ‘flop’ and ‘Man City’ don’t go together in the realm of Dream Team but that doesn’t mean gaffers can just select any player and expect healthy returns.
      Kalvin Phillips (£2m) will be hopeful of more opportunities this season but the gulf in quality between him and Rodri has been unavoidable in recent times.
      Kovacic is an excellent player but there are better options in Dream TeamCredit: REX
      Mateo Kovacic (£3m) is a very fine footballer but he doesn’t have the same eye for goal Ilkay Gundogan displayed in his final seasons under Guardiola.
      The Croatian technician may have an inviting price for a Man City midfielder but there are better options in his range – Eberechi Eze (£3m), Moussa Diaby (£3m), Bruno Guimaraes (£3m) for three.
      Finally, please be aware that Kyle Walker (£3.5m) may be on his way out – his current ownership of 9.9% is very high.
      In fact, even if the speedy right-back stays, he tends not to earn the points some think his performances deserve – he would have mustered a moderate 138 last season in the new scoring system.

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      Sports psychologist spots Arsenal’s genius penalty plan that helped Mikel Arteta’s side down Man City at Wembley

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      A SPORTS psychologist detected Arsenal’s genius tactic that won them the Community Shield on penalties.The Gunners ended Manchester City’s reign of dominance at Wembley after a stunning campaign that saw Pep Guardiola’s men winning the Treble.
      Arsenal won the Community Shield thanks to a genius penalty tacticCredit: Rex
      A sports psychologist noticed that every Arsenal player waited for over five seconds before hitting a penaltyCredit: ITV
      City looked ready to add the Community Shield to their trophy case when Cole Palmer opened the scoring on 77 minutes.
      But the North Londoners levelled things up in the most dramatic way as Leandro Trossard hit the target in the 11th minute of stoppage time.
      The match went straight to penalties where Mikel Arteta’s men were faultless as Matin Odegaard, Trossard, Bukayo Saka and eventually Fabio Vieira all hit the back of the net.
      And sports psychologist Geir Jordet noticed that each penalty taker was using the same tactic as they stopped for over five seconds after the referee blew his whistle.
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      Jordet tweeted: “Rare to see a team approach penalties so deliberately, controlled and composed as Arsenal did in the Community Shield today.
      “Every player paused >5 seconds after the whistle. This never guarantees success, but it suggests a collective plan to ACTIVELY control oneself under stress.”
      This comes as no surprise as Arteta revealed after the match that his team worked on penalty shoot-outs during pre-season.
      The Spanish tactician foresaw that potential outcome ahead of their Wembley clash with City and wanted his players to be fully prepared.
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      Arteta said: “We’ve done it [taken part in a shootout] three times in pre-season.
      “It was part of the plan to get ready just in case we had to do it today, that it wasn’t the first time to do that, and I think that it paid off.”
      This was Arsenal’s first trophy since 2020 after a season that saw them just missing out on their first Premier League title since 2004’s Invincibles’ campaign. More