Premier League

FORMER England star Kieron Dyer nearly died 11 weeks ago but a transplant saved his life.The 44-year-old played for Ipswich, Newcastle, West Ham, QPR and Middlesbrough during his career.
Dyer played 33 times for EnglandCredit: Getty
Kieron Dyer underwent an operation to save his lifeCredit: Getty
But just three months ago he was lying in hospital with a rare liver disease named primary sclerosing cholangitis.
The illness sees bile ducts inside and outside the liver decrease due to inflammation and scarring.
Time was running out for Dyer and his mother, wife Hollie, two kids and friends were preparing for the worst.
But on September 18 a compatible liver was found after somebody else had passed away.
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The operation to save the 33-time capped England international took nine hours and when he eventually came round, he was in so much pain that he told doctors to stop trying to save him.
However, the next day he was sat up in bed and three weeks later he was allowed to go home.
Dyer is now on the road to a full recovery and regular tests are showing that his body is reacting well to the new organ.
The amount of pills he needs is being reduced and he’s been able to watch his youngest son Kody, 12, play football from the sidelines.
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Dyer would often hide his emotions but was in floods of tears as he reflected on being given a second chance at life.
He told the Mail he was “as yellow as Bart Simpson” at the worst point of his illness.
Dyer said: “The fact that someone else died so that I might live is something I still can’t process.
“To have that responsibility and burden to do that person justice is… I still can’t come to terms with it.
“There are days where I just cry. I am happy. I am not sad. It is just such a powerful thought that someone had to die.
“To be given a second chance, I have got to grasp it and make each day count.
“I will try and live every day to the fullest, try not to waste a single day. I have got a lot more positive outlook on life now.
“It’s a shame that it took someone else’s tragedy for me to be able to see it.”
On the support he has received from loved ones, Dyer added: “I was at my lowest. I was a nightmare to deal with.
“I was dying so you can imagine how moody and erratic I was and not once did my family take it personally.
“All they showed was love, love, love. How could they put up with me?
“They drove three hours a day every day for three months to see me. That’s unconditional love.”
He has had well wishes from a range of football clubs, from his former side Ipswich to their bitter rivals Norwich, which left Dyer shocked.
Managers Kieran McKenna and Paul Cook have visited him, both of whom he worked alongside as a coach at the Tractor Boys and then Chesterfield.
Dyer now wants to write a letter to the family he got his new liver from but is struggling to find the words to thank them and process his emotions. More

PAT NEVIN was axed by Chelsea for club media duties – with no explanation given.The Blues legend, 60, wrote columns for the website and matchday programme for 13 years, totalling around 750 articles.
Pat Nevin has been removed from his role working for the Chelsea mediaCredit: Getty
He also helped out with co-commentaries for Chelsea’s in-house media.
But the part-time DJ was not told that his services were surplus to requirements over the summer when the decision was made.
And it was not until later that Nevin was informed via a message that the call had been made “higher up” to remove his written role – with no clarification on his commentaries although he has not done any this season.
Nevin told The Telegraph: “There are no bad feelings, you just shrug your shoulders and move on.
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“A few people have told me I should be angry about the way I found out, but that’s not me. I’ve never really been like that.
“I’ve got no high expectations just because I played for the club or anything like that. You do a job and then you don’t.”
However, the club’s website still says Nevin “remains a supporter and is a contributor to the website and matchday magazine”.
The Telegraph report adds that Nevin has been invited to the club’s Christmas lunch on Friday alongside various “deeply important” former players.
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Nevin played 242 games for the club between 1983 and 1988 before joining Everton.
One former Chelsea employee allegedly suggested the club may review the call on Nevin’s shock exile.
Nevin insisted the previous owner, Roman Abramovich, “let me get on with” the columns – despite nearly killing the Russian billionaire in a freak incident in Scotland.
However, he came under far stricter and stronger scrutiny since the Todd Boehly-led Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022.
The former winger was not forced to remove anything from his copy, though.
Nevin continues to work as a popular pundit for the BBC with both 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.
In his column for the Beeb earlier in November, he did take aim at the new owners by criticising the transfer policy’s lack of success in attack.
Nevin – who ironically released his second book Football And How To Survive It this year – wrote: “For all the possession stats, chances created and positive expected goals, 18 months on and it is the same old story for the ‘all-new Clearlake Chelsea’.
“Around £1billion spent and they still can’t field a fit regular goalscorer.”
Nevin made 242 appearances between 1983 and 1988Credit: Getty More

LIONEL MESSI has unfollowed Alejandro Garnacho and it is because the star prefers his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, according to Rio Ferdinand.The 19-year-old performed the Portuguese superstar’s trademark celebration after his sensational goal against Everton on Saturday.
Rio Ferdinand says Alejandro Garnacho prefer Cristiano Ronaldo over Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
Messi is said to have unfollowed Garnacho because he prefers RonaldoCredit: INSTAGRAM @GARNACHO7
Garnacho scored a sensational goal from a bicycle kick against Everton on SaturdayCredit: Getty
The 19-year-old then performed Ronaldo’s trademark celebrationCredit: Reuters
Garnacho scored one of the best goals in Premier League history with a remarkable overhead kick in the opening minutes at Goodison Park.
The Argentina international has been a long admirer of the ex-Manchester United star Ronaldo.
And even the boots which the youngster gave away to a fan on Monday are Nike’s Ronaldo-inspired Vapor 15 Mercurial Dream Speed cleats.
Former Red Devils star Ferdinand gave his say on Garnacho’s mimic of Ronaldo’s celebration on the Vibe With Five podcast.
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He jokingly said: “You know what I like about him? He doesn’t give a f***. 
“Garnacho told me that Messi unfollowed him just because he makes no secret of preferring Ronaldo.

“He comes out, don’t care, “I’m a Ronaldo man”. Who’s the GOAT? Ronaldo. (Even) when he’s in the Argentina squad.”
Back in 2022 fans suspected Messi unfollowed Garnacho after he shared an image of Ronaldo calling the Al-Nassr star the greatest of all time.
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Only three weeks before the winger posted himself with the Argentina captain and captioned it as “idol”.
Having made his senior international debut this year for La Albiceleste, Garnacho has since played three times alongside the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
But Messi still does not follow Garnacho on Instagram despite the Man Utd starlet following him.
The feud between Ronaldo and Messi has gone on for most of their senior careers and are both regarded as two of the best players in football’s history. More

LUIGI GASPAR looked set to follow in his father’s footsteps – before quitting Arsenal to join their neighbours instead.The Brazilian youngster had already emulated his old man by switching from Corinthians to the Gunners.
Edu Gaspar enjoyed four successful seasons at ArsenalCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Luigi Gaspar was on the books at Arsenal for three years before quittingCredit: Getty
But rather than wait to see if he could break into the first team, he opted to move on and continue his career away from the club.
However, his dad remains totally committed to both Arsenal and his son’s football.
Edu Gaspar, 45, returned to Arsenal in 2019 to become their first technical director.
He has now been promoted to sporting director, enjoying a close relationship with manager Mikel Arteta at the Emirates as he oversees the club’s football operations from appointments to transfers. 
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And Edu is desperate to see the same success in his new role as he did as a player in North London.
The midfielder joined the Gunners for £6million in 2001 – a year after the initial transfer was delayed by a fake Portuguese passport.
He had a difficult start to life at Highbury, though, with his sister tragically dying a week before arriving in England then suffering an injury 15 minutes into his debut and scoring an own goal early on, too.
But he would find his feet soon enough, becoming the first Brazilian to win the Premier League in his debut season – and adding the FA Cup for a memorable double. 
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Edu’s best season for Arsenal was 2003-04, as the Invincibles went the whole league campaign unbeaten.
The star scored two goals – both against Chelsea – and was part of the team that clinched the title at White Hart Lane.
Various injury struggles and transfer speculation impacted his final season at the club in 2004-05, which culminated in his last appearance coming in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester United before joining Valencia on a free transfer.
Edu finished his club career back at Corinthians and made 15 senior caps for Brazil, despite once considering making himself available for England after attaining a passport and due to the strength of the Brazil squad at the time.
However, his 15 caps yielded two trophies, the 2004 Copa America – in which he scored in the final shootout against Argentina – and the Confederations Cup a year later.
Further injuries saw him hang up his boots in 2010 with just 233 career appearances, immediately moving upstairs at Corinthians as director of football.
He assisted Iran manager Carlos Queiroz at the 2014 World Cup then had three years as Brazil’s general co-ordinator before his return to Arsenal in 2019.
That switch also prompted his son Luigi – born in London in March 2004 – to head back to Britain as well. 
Gaspar Jr, 19, developed as a midfielder from the Under-7s at Corinthians and spent three years in the Gunners’ youth system, playing for the U18s and U23s.
But with his contract expiring in 2022, he opted against penning a new deal under his dad’s guidance.
Edu was part of the 2003-04 Gunners InvinciblesCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Brazilian is now sporting director at the EmiratesCredit: Reuters
And instead he decided to make the very short move next door – to Watford’s training ground which borders Arsenal’s in London Colney. 
Edu said: “That’s it son! Your first stint in Europe you took on expertly.
“Adaptation to the country, adaptation to a new game model, language, new teammates, new coaches and new ‘difficulties’.
“Always grow! And you’ve grown a lot in these three years. Congratulations!!! Be proud of it all!
“Congratulations son!!! Now… fly!!! I love you !!! We will always be together at every step.”
Like his father, Luigi has struggled with injuries already and already been under the knife for surgery.
But he extended his professional deal at Watford in the summer and will be hoping his performances in holding midfield can earn him a break into the first team – constantly inspired by his dad Edu.
Gaspar told Watford’s media: “I like to understand the game. In my position, I won’t score loads of goals, but it’s really important to help my teammates. 
“It’s about getting the ball and playing it to my team-mates who are in scoring positions. I look at players like Thomas Partey, Casemiro and Sergio Busquets, who are all very similar to my playing style.
“I would say my idol is my dad, Edu, of course, but then I also look up to Neymar, Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho because I’m Brazilian. 
“They were so quick on the ball and in that Brazilian style, it’s amazing to watch. They scored some amazing goals and made me really enjoy the game.
“My dad was a footballer growing up and so I grew up with the ball at my feet. I grew up watching and enjoying football because my life revolved around the sport through my dad. Everyone was from around the football world.”
Edu and his wife Paula with their son at WatfordCredit: Instagram
Gaspar Jr made the switch to neighbours Watford in 2022Credit: Instagram @luigi.gaspar
The son credits his father as his inspiration and idol
Gaspar Jr is a holding midfielderCredit: Getty More