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      Southampton agree deal with taskmaster boss who was sacked two months into season and replaced by Premier League icon

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      SOUTHAMPTON are close to appointing Croatian Ivan Juric as their new manager.The Saints sacked Russell Martin on Sunday night and have been quickly interviewing candidates this week.Ivan Juric is set to be appointed Southampton bossCredit: AlamyRussell Martin was sacked after Sunday’s battering by TottenhamCredit: GettySheffield Wednesday boss Danny Rohl and West Brom’s Carlos Corberan were both considered, as well as ex-Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand.However, owners Sport Republic have opted for hard taskmaster Juric, the former Torino and Roma boss.Juric, 49, was sacked by Roma after less than two months this season, being replaced by Claudio Ranieri.The prospect of another short term stint was discussed with Southampton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLJuric has since agreed an 18-month contract, with a summer break clause, and a two-year option to extend that will be triggered should Saints stay up.Southampton are rock bottom of the Premier League on a paltry five points and want the flexibility to make a more long term decision on a manager in the summer.Juric, a former Croatia international, is known for driving a hard line on fitness with his players while his playing style is less reliant on the playing out from the back preferred by Martin.Saints Under-21 assistant Simon Rusk took charge of their narrow Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut Juric could potentially be in the dugout for Sunday’s trip to Fulham, depending on his visa.This is not the first time that Juric has been strongly considered for the post.Disgusted Southampton fans stream out of St Mary’s 27 minutes into Tottenham clash after going 4-0 downIn December 2022, while manager of Torino, he was nearly chosen to be Ralph Hasenhuttl’s successor.Instead, Saints chiefs opted for Nathan Jones.Juric managed Torino prior to his brief stint at RomaCredit: EPA More

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      Man Utd legend and former manager issues come-and-get-me plea to Ruben Amorim for job on his coaching staff

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      ONE of Manchester United’s greatest ever defenders Jaap Stam has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Ruben Amorim.Stam, 52, is currently in charge of amateur team DOS Kampen, in the Dutch sixth tier.Jaap Stam said he would ‘love to help’ out at Manchester UnitedThe Man Utd legend says he’d be more than happy to join Ruben Amorim’s staffBut the iconic stopper, who has previously managed Reading and Feyenoord, reckons he can do a job for United’s new boss.Especially having seen Amorim’s tough first month in charge at Old Trafford.Speaking to Sport Lens, Stam said: “I’d love to coach at Manchester United but they haven’t picked up the phone! “I think everyone who has been associated with the club would love to go back and help, having been in management myself I have coached and helping them in any role would be great.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS”I’m always open for talks because I’d love to see the club back winning trophies and maybe I could help coach the defence.”But with the manager lots of new staff has come in so they have plenty of options. But you never know.”United’s leaky defence has been lambasted over the last 12 months, as they conceded 81 goals in competitions last season – the highest total since 1976.It was the first time in Prem history that a United side finished the season with negative goal difference as they yielded 58 to 57 goals scored.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd the backline was embarrassed again on Thursday as Spurs went 3-0 up inside 55 minutes of United’s 4-3 Carabao Cup quarter-final loss.This isn’t the first time Stam has advertised himself to his former club’s owners as he made similar pleas when Erik ten Hag was announced.Man Utd player ratings vs Tottenham in the Carabao CupIn 2021, Stam said: “If they would ask me to take a coaching role, I would do it straight away without a doubt.””You know United is my life as well. I’ve had great seasons over there, won trophies and it’s been very important for me.”But Amorim will likely move along from Stam’s desire to return to M16, with the 39-year-old bringing his own staff along from Sporting Lisbon.The newcomers joined existing first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, and assistant first-team goalkeeper coach Craig Mawson, who have all remained in their roles.Stam became a United legend after helping the club reach extraordinary heights during his career. Stam is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders in Premier League historyThe former Netherlands international finished each of his three seasons at Old Trafford as a Premier League champion. The now 52-year-old also helped the Red Devils secure the historic treble in his debut campaign in 1999.In February 2024, Stam was appointed manager at seventh-tier DOS Kampen, his hometown amateur club where he had begun playing more than three decades earlier. READ MORE SUN STORIESStam had been out of work since being sacked by MLS side FC Cincinnati in 2021.He took Reading to the brink of the Premier League in 2017 and coached Dutch sides PEC Zwolle and Feyenoord.Why Rashford joining Arsenal is perfect fitBy Martin LiptonMARCUS RASHFORD is at a crossroads.But now the England star has to make the biggest choice he has ever faced – does he care about cash, or about his career?Rashford’s shock admission that he is “ready for a new challenge” after some two decades under the Manchester United umbrella has altered the dynamic around his future.That Rashford might not fit the blueprint of Ruben Amorim – who has now responded to Rashford’s comments – was not exactly a surprise.The Portuguese coach prefers a 3-4-3 formation but appears to have settled on Rasmus Hojlund as his starting central striker and wants two “narrow” inside forwards, with the width coming from the wing-backs.Rashford has always wanted to play through the middle but is often at his best exploiting spaces out wide – and that skillset does not necessarily suit the way Amorim wants to play.Even so, going public with his evident dissatisfaction at being bombed entirely from the squad for the Manchester derby was a major move, even if he vowed there would be “no hard feelings” if he does leave his boyhood club.In truth, Rashford has been leaving United almost from the moment he signed that new £325,000 per week contract in 2023.Something was broken in his connection to the club. His form dropped, his threat dissipated, his issues with the hierarchy deepened.When Erik ten Hag dropped him for hosting a birthday party after a derby defeat, and he later pulled a sickie to miss the FA Cup game with Newport, it felt even then that the writing was on the wall.The facts suggest the love affair has ended. After scoring 30 in all competitions to earn that new deal, he has scored just 15 in the 18 months since it was signed.Amorim’s arrival seems merely to have accelerated what was increasingly inevitable.Now, though, it is up to Rashford to determine what his future will bring.If it is only about the money, then his options might be somewhat limited.It is hard to see a Prem rival coughing up the same £16.9m annual salary – although Rashford’s comments have probably knocked £20m-plus off any transfer fee, even next month.But Real Madrid have their fill of big-money strikers and Barcelona’s budget remains restricted by La Liga financial controls.In Europe, then, that probably leaves PSG – but a move to a one-club league.Or, in the wider world, he could follow the likes of Ivan Toney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Firmino and Co and head to the Saudi desert.Lucrative, yep. Certainly a different environment – and that may be exactly what Rashford both wants and needs. But the football? Not in a million years.What Rashford needs, above all, is to be able to play for trophies and showcase his talents.There is no better stage than the Premier League – which has far more global eyeballs on it than any other domestic competition.And in that Premier League there is one club crying out for a goalscoring No 9, especially if he can also play down the left channel to balance out the side and widen its threat.Rashford has always been more Longsight than London.Yet Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta, might be the perfect fit.The Gunners’ lack of a proper scorer is one of the major factors many fans feel has hurt their title challenge this year.Gabriel Jesus has never been a natural finisher, while Kai Havertz is still a converted midfielder.And while the link-up between Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka makes their right flank deadly, faith in Gabriel Martinelli on the left is waning.There have not been too many who succeeded at Arsenal after leaving United – although Danny Welbeck was not a flop.Rashford has all the attributes to change that history, if he can reproduce what everybody knows is inside him.And by breaking free, giving himself the chance to start all over, Rashford can make a point to Amorim that will resonate for a very long time. 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      Premier League should be in mourning for final farewell to last genuine hardman in Kyle Walker – I thought better of him

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      BLACK armbands all round at Villa Park tomorrow lunchtime.Now, there is a good chance Kyle Walker will pull off a miraculous recovery from the ‘headbutt’ that sent him plummeting to the floor last weekend. Rasmus Hojlund head-to-head with Kyle WalkerCredit: GettyAnd that is something to rejoice.Even so, the Premier League should be in mourning for a final farewell to the game’s last genuine hardman.For if big, bad Kyle Walker has resorted to that kind of thing, what hope is there of football remaining an honest contact sport?For years now, the Manchester City and England defender has enjoyed a formidable reputation as unbreakable and unshakeable.READ MORE IN football Built like a Sheffield tram, faster than any joyrider on the scary Lansdowne Estate where he grew up, uncompromising in the extreme on the pitch, Walker was the closest thing to ingrained English oak.He also came across as the last bastion of sheer bs in the cosmopolitan, coiffured, cosy modern game.A hardened working-class boy brought up in a council flat in a place where getting to the bus stop was a daily obstacle course, dodging burnt-out cars and dope dealers.Even when his tangled love life was splattered across the front pages of this newspaper, as he juggled the balls of his professional career and his ability to father kids like Southampton ship goals, he would not be blown off course.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe bulldozed his way past bewildered opponents, chased everything down like a hungry cheetah and gave the impression he could handle himself in any given situation.Your money would most certainly have been on him in a tear-up with Manchester United pretty boy Rasmus Hojlund.So when Walker went sprawling under the faintest of brushes from the Dane’s blond fringe, the era of the tough-nut footballer went crashing to the ground with him — and can never be revived.In one of those rare, jaw-dropping England press conferences some time ago, Walker laid bare some of the horrifying episodes from the nasty streets where he lived.A neighbour hanging himself, a fatal arson attack on a nearby flat, a woman wandering around wielding an axe like she was carrying home the weekly shop.People who witness that sort of stuff don’t fold like a free sheet being stuffed through a letter box unless they do it on purpose — but City’s captain didn’t do it very well and should definitely give up any thoughts of acting as a second career.Walker was in the same class as the likes of John Terry.A supremely gifted player with a cast iron core. A perversely admirable ‘doesn’t-give-a-s**t’ type who always comes out on top through grit and sheer self-determination.Walker was slammed for his theatricsCredit: GettyBut not any more.Ironically, just a couple hours after his symbolic collapse at the Etihad, Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella produced an equally embarrassing act of self-capitulation during a home match against Brentford.But you kind of expect it from him — after all he has long, curly hair and a bit of history with the dark arts of the game.I always thought Walker was a bit different.The toughest kid in the playground. The one you wanted on your side in football every lunchtime because not only was he brilliant, he was dead hard.He appears to have been losing his pace for a few months now and at 34 that is to be expected.Six Premier League titles catch up on you after all.The disappointing surprise is seeing him lose his dignity and resorting to the kind of tactics that much lesser men turn to in this day and age.Please don’t do it again.WRONG ‘WAY TO MAKE A GOOD POINTTHE only surprise about Ian Holloway’s confrontation with fed-up Swindon fans is that it has taken so long.Ollie was appointed as Robins boss in October and has been up against it from day one with a team clearly lacking in confidence.The Bristolian is never one to step backwards and while having a pop at moaning supporters who have trekked hundreds of miles to see their team lose is perhaps not the smartest move, it does throw up an interesting debate.Do supporters automatically claim a right to say and do whatever they please because they have paid for a ticket or travelled a long way?Holloway thinks not and believes constant negativity from the terraces will drag the team even further down.He makes a good point — even if he’s done it in an unceremonious way.Ian Holloway had a row with Swindon fansCredit: YouTube/Swindon Town Football ClubOSCAR LOSS SO PAINFULOCCASIONALLY a story hits you right between the eyes as a reminder of just how irrelevant winning or losing football matches is.While West Ham’s high-profile but under-pressure boss Julen Lopetegui is mourning the death of his 94-year-old father, the whole club has been shattered by the loss of teen keeper Oscar Fairs.At 15, he had the world in his hands as an academy player dreaming of mud, sweat and a distant hope of stardom.His death from a brain tumour last week leaves a family devastated and a community reeling.There seems no escape from the wicked curse that is cancer but, when it snatches someone so young, the pain is intensified exponentially.West Ham teenage keeper Oscar Fairs sadly passed awayCredit: West HamARABIAN FLIGHTSBOXING, the World Cup, Formula One, golf, tennis.All are now being staged in Saudi Arabia.The Tyson Fury versus Oleksandr Usyk world heavyweight rematch is just the latest major event taking place in the bone-dry desert.Fingers crossed there will be one sport that will be tempted to stage its biggest event in a country where booze is banned.The PDC World Darts Championship is underway at a raucous Ally Pally and the alcohol is flowing.Imagine it in a place where you can’t get on it morning, noon and night.Where you can’t slip away from your seat and get a bellyful of beer, where it’s impossible to reach out for a bottle of grog whenever you want.And that’s just the players.That’s a joke, before anyone decides to sue.Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury rematch in Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyTHE ‘Unify League’ could involve up to ten Premier League clubs, we are told.Assuming it is a merit-based system, as it stands that would include Bournemouth, Fulham and Brighton.READ MORE SUN STORIESNo disrespect, but as a rejigged and more competitive version of the so-called ‘Super League’ invitational boys’ club, that doesn’t look very ‘super’ at all, does it?AS if you haven’t wasted enough of your hard-earned cash on useless old tat this Christmas, tickets for next summer’s Club World Cup in the USA are now on sale.What’s the ‘Unify League’ and which Prem teams would play in new version of European Super League? 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      Chelsea player ratings: Marc Guiu gives Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper nightmares but Cesare Casadei fails to impress

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      CHELSEA made it six Europa Conference League wins in a row with a 5-1 drubbing against Shamrock Rovers. Striker Marc Guiu got a hat-trick while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Marc Cucurella also got in on the goals. Chelsea strolled past Shamrock RoversCredit: ReutersMarkus Poom did get an unlikely leveller but it only sparked a fierce and one-sided fightback by Enzo Maresca’s men. And here is how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated Chelsea’s players from Stamford Bridge. FILIP JORGENSEN – 7Didn’t have much at all to do throughout. Commanded his box well, and couldn’t do much about the goal.READ MORE IN football JOSH ACHAEMPONG –  6All eyes were on the young defender who has just signed a new long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.He played as a more defensive-minded right-back in Maresca’s system, who looked good in that role.AXEL DISASI – 6A commanding performance from the French centre-half, he showed maturity in his game, was always an outlet for the Chelsea midfield.Marc Cucurella celebrates with Renato VeigaCredit: AlamyRENATO VEIGA – 6A very solid performance from Chelsea’s number 40. Most read in FootballUnpolished, but physically strong and composed on the ball – this tournament should prove brilliant for him in a blue shirt.MARC CUCURELLA – 8Acted as a leader inverting into midfield for Chelsea, mostly playing as the left-sided number 10. Scored a classy right-footed goal into the bottom left corner to cap off a great performance.Cesare Casadei failed to make his markCredit: GettyCESARE CASADEI – 4Turned his back on a volleyed effort which he then deflected into his own net with a flick. Andrey Santos on loan at Strasbourg will be an upgrade on him next season. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL – 8His best game in a Chelsea shirt to date, a tenacious performance saw him battle to win the ball high up and press the Shamrock defense really well. Looked overjoyed to net his second Chelsea goal since joining from Leicester.NONI MADUEKE – 7His excellent first touch and dazzling feet were on full show, getting the Chelsea fans on their feet a few times.It looked like his good deliveries would get no reward until he provided a classy assist for Marc Guiu’s hat-trick goal.Noni Madueke and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrate togetherCredit: RexCHRISTOPHER NKUNKU  – 7Was kicked around the pitch like a ragdoll by the visitors, but constantly drove the team forward and won foul upon foul in the first half for The Blues. Worked tirelessly and perhaps didn’t get the reward he deserved after being bought down before Dewsbury-Hall netted Chelsea’s third.Notched an assist as Marc Cucurella finished into the bottom left corner to add a fifth. TYRIQUE GEORGE – 7Looks a special player on the ball for the Blues, and it’s easy to see why fans are so excited about him for the future. A raw talent who is far from the finished product in terms of his final ball – his brilliant run created the defensive chaos that allowed Marc Guiu to finish with ease.Was unfortunate not to add a goal to his performance after he sent a Shamrock defender for a Guinness at the end of the game before seeing his shot well blocked.MARC GUIU – 10Scored his fourth, fifth and sixth Europa Conference League goals in six matches to make him the competition’s highest scorer as it stands.The Shamrock Rovers goalkeeper will be seeing Marc Guiu’s face when he closes his eyes for at least the next few weeks.Chelsea fans will be seeing shades of Olivier Giroud’s Europa League run in 2019. Marc Guiu was the man of the momentCredit: GettySUBS:HARVEY VALE (NONI MADUEKE, HT) – 5Having looked far too good to be playing for Chelsea’s u21’s this season he was rewarded with a half in this game. Failed to have the impact that Noni did in the first half, but it was far from a bad performance by the youngster.HARRISON MURRAY-CAMBPELL (AXEL DISASI, 59) – 6Didn’t look out of place at the heart of the Chelsea defence when making his debut for The Blues, and looked equally as competent at right-back. One to watch for the future.JOAO FELIX (MARC GUIU, 60) – 5Showed signs of promise after coming on from the bench, but was unable to find the back of the net.READ MORE SUN STORIESSAMUEL RAK-SAKYI (KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL, 83) – 5Another composed few minutes in midfield for The Blues.Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLL More

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      Chelsea 5 Shamrock Rovers 1: Marc Guiu bags first-half hat-trick as Blues make light work of Irish

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      CHELSEA were pelted with toilet paper but are on a roll with their best run for eight years.Play was halted for a few minutes in the first half when Christopher Nkunku came under attack from a hail of Kleenex three-ply launched from the away end as he tried to take a corner.Chelsea ace Marc Guiu scored a hat-trick against Shamrock RoversCredit: GettyKiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to Chelsea’s Conference League triumphCredit: GettyMarc Cucurella sealed another big victory and Chelsea’s perfect winning runCredit: GettyChelsea’s young side dominated Shamorck RoversCredit: AFPBut the diversion tactics backfired as boss Enzo Maresca rounded off the first phase of the Conference League with his 100 percent record intact and an eighth successive win in all competitions.That hasn’t been seen since 2016 and is a sign of the marked upturn under the Italian this season.Striker Marc Guiu clinched a hat-trick by half-time to add to two he scored against Kazakhstanis Astana last week.The Spaniard put his team in front on 22 minutes when Rovers full-back Darragh Burns and keeper Leon Pohls got in a muddle with a cushioned back header.Read More on ChelseaChelsea were pegged back briefly when Markus Poom – son of former Derby keeper Mart – scored with a heavily-deflected shot four minutes later to level.The wild scenes among the Irish contingent in the Shed End were quickly quelled though as Chelsea regained their lead from another cock-up in defence when Dan Clearly underhit a back-pass and Guiu nipped in to round the keeper and score.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall made it 3-1 five minutes before the break and Guiu wrapped up a memorable first half for himself by heading home a cross from Noni Madueke.Maresca included teenage centre-back Josh Acheampong in the starting line-up just a few days after the 18-year-old signed a new five-year contract.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThere was also experience in the team with Spain Euro 2024 winner Marc Cucurella playing in only his second Conference League game of the campaign.Cucurella is banned from Sunday’s away trip to Everton for being sent off after the final whistle once the Blues had beaten Brentford 2-1.Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea futureHe signed off with a goal in the 58th minute by knocking in a shot off the inside of a post.European football takes a back seat until March for Maresca now and that might not be the total blessing it looks on paper.He has a strong squad of young and hungry players who are desperate to be part of his plans.The FA Cup, which kicks off on January 11 against League Two outfit Morecambe, will not offer so many matches as a secondary competition to keep them happy the way the Conference League has up to now.Maresca took his foot off the gas after Cucurella’s goal and handed a debut to academy full-back Harrison Murray-Campbell. More

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      Chelsea clash with Shamrock Rovers temporarily stopped as Christopher Nkunku pelted with TOILET ROLL

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      CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU was pelted with TOILET ROLL in Chelsea’s clash against Shamrock Rovers. The Blues hosted the travelling Irish side in the Europa Conference League group stage. Christopher Nkunku was pelted with toilet roll in Chelsea’s clash against Shamrock RoversThe ref had to stop the gameNkunku looked fed upCredit: PAKiernan Dewsbury-Hall joined Nkunku in clearing it upCredit: ReutersBut the game was temporarily halted as Nkunku was unable to take a corner amid the onslaught of loo roll being chucked his way. The referee stopped the game as Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did their best to clean up the corner area. The game did resume shortly afterwards. Chelsea are unbeaten in their five Conference League matches and so too are Rovers – with Blues boss Enzo Maresca scouting them.READ MORE IN football Maresca said: “We try to approach every game in the same way: to do our best and win the game.”Today in football it is difficult to find a team that has no strengths. “All the teams have something good, and some things we can try to work on and win the game.”I watched four or five [Shamrock] games and they are a good team. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”They try to defend as a block all together, and play face to face with the other team. “I’m quite convinced all the games are difficult. It depends on us, the way we take that game, and it can become easier or more difficult, but for sure it will be another game we try to win.” Enzo Maresca breaks silence on Mykhailo Mudryk’s failed drugs test and gives update on his Chelsea future More

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      Cesc Fabregas could offer Dele Alli a return to football as Arsenal legend ‘likes ex-England star a lot’

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      DELE ALLI could be set for a major return to football in Serie A by Premier League legend Cesc Fabregas.Dele, 28, has been a free agent since June but continued to train with former club Everton while looking for his next challenge.Dele Alli could return to football after leaving Everton in JuneCredit: GettyComo manager Cesc Fabregas is keen to sign Dele in the Serie ACredit: RexThe versatile midfielder used to be one of the best players in the English top flight thanks to some stunning performances with Tottenham, where he spent seven years.The ex-England international burst onto the scene in 2015 and went on to amass 67 goals and 58 assists in 269 appearances, which included a place in Spurs’ starting line-up in the 2019 Champions League final.However, Dele fell out of favour and ended up leaving the North Londoners in 2022 to move to Everton where he underwent a series of injury setbacks and a hapless loan stint at Besiktas.The playmaker then revealed in a brave and heartbreaking interview that he became addicted to sleeping pills after his rough spell in Turkey and opened up about his difficult childhood.Read More on FootballAfter that, the ex-Tottenham star revealed he is determined to make a dynamic comeback and is now targeting a return to England ahead of the 2026 World Cup.Dele’s resurgence could be put together by one of his beloved Spurs’ biggest rivals in Arsenal and Chelsea legend Fabregas, 37.The Barcelona hero manages Italian outfit Como, where he is also a minority shareholder.Dele was spotted in the stands alongside Hollywood A-listers Keira Knightley, Adrien Brody and Michael Fassbender at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia watching Como beat Roma 2-0 on Sunday.Most read in FootballThat led to reports suggesting the fallen England star would start training with Fabregas and co come Boxing Day before signing a deal with the club.And Como sporting director Carlalberto Ludi confirmed “something interesting could develop” and revealed the manager “likes him a lot”.Dele Alli hailed for opening up on mental health battles as Everton star joins Monday Night Football panelLudi told TMW Radio: “In ideal conditions, he’s of interest to everyone.“We have an excellent relationship with his agent, and something interesting could develop, but we can’t know for sure yet.“We need a few weeks, including time to get to know each other, and then we’ll make the best decision. “A percentage? It’s too early to say. We’ll go through a period of training and mutual understanding, but Fabregas likes him a lot.” More

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      The 39 Premier League players just one yellow card away from getting Christmas off including three Liverpool stars

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      NEARLY 40 Premier League stars are one yellow card away from getting Christmas off. Boxing Day fixtures and games on the 27th means players are needed at training on Christmas Day. Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez is a booking away from a Christmas suspensionCredit: AFPSo too is Leicester’s Jamie VardyCredit: GettyHarry Maguire is a booking away from a banCredit: GettyBut with one week to go, there are 39 players just a booking away from a festive suspension, as pointed out by The Football Card Tipster. Manchester United have Harry Maguire on the list while so too is City’s Bernardo Silva. Liverpool have THREE facing a ban; Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate and Ryan Gravenberch. Other notable names include Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Chelsea pair Robert Sanchez and Nicolas Jackson. READ MORE IN football Jackson – who has nine goals this season – was last season warned about his discipline by ex-manager Mauricio Pochettino. But Poch’s successor Enzo Maresca recently hailed the striker’s attitude after scoring the winner against Brentford. Maresca said: “Not only Nico, players miss chances and they score a goal. Important is the attitude. “Nico was unbelievable on and off the ball. He worked really hard and we’re very happy with him.” Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSLiverpool’s Nunez meanwhile has only two league goals this season.But he scored the against Southampton to send the Reds into the Carabao Cup semi-final. Down the other end of the table, Wolves have Toti Gomes and Mario Lemina close to the suspensions as they sit second bottom. Rock-bottom Southampton also have three on the borderline, Adam Armstrong, Mateus Fernandes and Adam Lallana. Former Premier League star now worth £250m makes first move to BUY European giants who ‘disrespected’ him More