Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Best XI of Premier League stars still slugging it out in non-league including 62-year-old England legend

      by

      THEIR days in the Premier League may be over, but these 11 players are still playing football further down the pyramid.The money and glamour of representing England and playing in the best division in the world is gone with a love for the beautiful game taking over.
      Jordon Ibe now plays in non-league with EbbsfleetCredit: PA
      Stars such as Jamie Vardy, Michail Antonio and Dan Burn all begun their careers in non-league before making their way to the Prem but some go in the other direction.
      This XI of pundits, office workers and failed wonderkids all now ply their trade at a semi-professional level.
      Curtis Anderson
      The goalkeeper won the Under-17s World Cup in a star-studded team alongside the likes of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden in 2017.
      But Anderson’s career did not go on to senior football.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He was on the books of Manchester City and impressed Pep Guardiola but tried to force a move to Blackburn that didn’t materislise.
      The shot stopper eventually left to move across the pond to Charlotte Independence in the US second tier before returning to Wycombe.
      He then fell out of love with football and bounced around non-league clubs and is now at Kendal Town.
      To make ends meet the 23-year-old now works a 9-5 job in finance.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Andre Wisdom
      Wisdom now turns out for Warrington Town in the sixth tier.
      He broke through at Liverpool, going on to play 22 times for the first-team before loan spells at West Brom, Norwich and RB Salzburg.
      The ex-England Under-21 international then spent four years at Derby that ended in him being released in 2021.
      Wisdom, 30, was stabbed in an “unprovoked assault and robbery” a year earlier and admitted his body is no longer the same.
      Andre Wisdom now plays in the National League NorthCredit: Reuters
      Ryan Shotton
      Shotton played Premier League football with Stoke at the beginning of his career and eventually made a name for himself as a tough tackling Championship defender.
      He played for the likes of Barnsley, Wigan, Derby, Birmingham and Middlesbrough.
      But he is now a player-manager with Hanley Town in the Northern Premier League Division One West and runs a pub.
      Matt Lowton
      Lowton was a Premier League stalwart for Aston Villa and Burnley for eight seasons.
      Aged 34, he was released by the Clarets in the summer and is keeping fit by playing for eighth tier club Witton Albion.
      Chris Waddle
      Waddle has 62 England caps to his name and at the height of his career was one of the best wingers in the world.
      He won three league titles with Marseille, the FA Cup with Tottenham and also had successful spells with Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday.
      Aged 62, Waddle could be getting on the bus for free but the pundit still occasionally plays for Hallam FC in Sheffield.
      He has come out of retirement twice to play for the club as recently as this year.
      Chris Waddle now works as a commentator and played non-league football this yearCredit: Getty
      Nya Kirby
      The midfielder was another like Anderson from the famous England Under-17 World Cup-winning side of 2017.
      Kirby was in Crystal Palace’s youth-team at the time and was later loaned to Blackpool and Tranmere.
      But he never made the cut and now pulls the strings for Oxford City in the National League.
      Isaac Buckley-Ricketts
      Buckley-Ricketts was an exciting youngster for Man City and England.
      To help his career he was loaned out to Dutch side Twente and Oxford United.
      But he failed to meet the hype and has fallen down the pyramid to Warrington Town, where he plays alongside Wisdom.
      Jordon Ibe
      Ibe was once described by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers as “a really talented player with a bright footballing brain”.
      He played 58 times for the Reds before being signed by Bournemouth for £15million seven years ago.
      However, Ibe never fulfilled his potential and subsequently joined Derby.
      Yet he played just once before mutually terminating his contract as he battled with depression and admitted he was in a “dark place”.
      The 27-year-old took time away from football and is now back with non-league Ebbsfleet United.
      Kyel Reid
      Reid was a product of West Ham’s academy and enjoyed a journeyman career with sides such as Crystal Palace, Wolves, Sheffield United, Charlton, Bradford and Coventry.
      The 35-year-old has tumbled down the football pyramid over the years and has been with non-league teams since 2019.
      He now plays in the tenth tier with Rayners Lane.
      Leroy Lita
      Lita featured in the Prem with Reading after helping them win the Championship in 2006.
      He also played for Swansea in the top-flight and a host of second division clubs like Charlton, Norwich, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham and Brighton.
      After shock spells with AO Chania in Crete and Thai outfit Sisaket, Lita returned to England to feature in non-league.
      He has since played for Hednesford Town, Ilkeston Town and Nuneaton Borough.
      Leroy Lita has cult hero status at ReadingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Papiss Cisse
      Cisse was a fan’s favourite at Newcastle for four years, scoring 44 goals in 131 games, including a volley that goes down as one of the greatest goals in Premier League history.
      Many thought he must have called it a day by now but the striker this week revealed he is training with Robbie Savage-run Macclesfield Town.
      Cisse said: “I want to continue to play, I don’t know where and when but honestly in my body and how I’m training, I feel like, ‘Papiss is going to play.'”
      Papiss Cisse has no interest in hanging up his bootsCredit: PA:Press Association
      These 11 ex-Premier League stars are still playing in non-league
      Manager: Pascal Chimbonda
      Some ex-Premier League stars hang up their boots and venture into management.
      Ex-Tottenham, Wigan, Sunderland and Blackburn full-back Pascal Chimbonda has done just that, deciding to start at the very bottom with ninth-tier Skelmersdale United.
      On his appointment, he said: “I’ve been inspired by Pep Guardiola, Joe Mourinho, Diego Simeone and Zinedine Zidane, and as such just like those great managers, my philosophy will be to play attractive football.” More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      The Premier League has shown it is serious about enforcing FFP, all eyes will be on the Chelsea and Man City verdicts

      by

      NOW we know the Premier League really is serious about enforcing its financial rules.And Manchester City as well as Chelsea in particular may need an industrial scale mop to soak up the sweat pooling at their feet.
      Everton have been slapped with a 10-point deduction from the Premier League
      For all the talk about scrutiny, rules and a determination to ensure clubs lived within their means, nobody really thought Prem chiefs meant it.
      The general view was that it was all a bit of a show. Window dressing. Never actually going to be acted upon.
      Yet, suddenly, with Everton sucker-punched with the biggest penalty in the League’s 30-year history — a ten-point deduction — and facing a likely season-long fight against a relegation that could be the final nail  in the famous old Merseyside club’s coffin,  the entire picture has been altered.
      The Toffees, swinging in all directions, made clear they will push for equal action elsewhere.
      Read More on Football
      Attacking the “harshness and severity” of the punishment, Everton’s statement noted: “The club will monitor with great interest the decisions made in any other cases concerning the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.”
      But a new standard has been set. In their 41-page written reasons, a three-man independent commission, headed by David Phillips KC, made clear that the Premier League — under fire from Westminster and other critics — has an obligation to come down hard on clubs who try to cheat the system.
      They wrote: “The Commission has no doubt that one of the primary purposes of the sanction is to punish the transgressing club.
      “We must not be swayed by sympathy — for example, the fact that the penalty might make the prospect of relegation greater.
      Most read in Football
      “The inference of a sporting advantage should properly be drawn from the fact of a breach, and that sporting advantage was enjoyed for four seasons.
      “One of the purposes of a sanction is to provide a deterrent effect. That is a legitimate purpose.”
      Unsurprisingly, Everton supporters have asked why they have been hit so hard, so quickly, when other cases drag on, seemingly endlessly.
      Rival clubs have no expectation that the 115 charges against City will be concluded inside the next 12 months, while the League is still to charge Chelsea — although they were fined £8.6million by Uefa for issues they themselves flagged up.
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Manchester City are also facing serious Financial Fair Play charges
      Even Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, admittedly a boyhood Blue, wrote: “The ten-point deduction is excessive and not right.
      “They have been working with the Premier League about this for the last couple of years. Would it have been better to be evasive and try and drag it out like other clubs? Until other clubs are sanctioned  Everton will feel they are being used to show there is no need for an independent regulator, and they are right.”
      Last summer, the Premier League clubs voted through new rules that mean  “simple” sustainability rule breaches MUST be dealt with within three months of a charge being laid.
      That did not apply to City’s case while it is understood the Chelsea issue is made more complicated by the non-involvement of any officials currently at the club.
      Everton, though, now face the prospect of a major financial blow as well.
      While Leeds, Leicester, Southampton, Nottingham Forest and Burnley were  prevented from interceding in the case by a commission, they have 28 days to apply for compensation claims to be assessed.
      Fans will expect the Premier League to be as strict with Chelsea and Man CityCredit: Reuters
      In the cases of the teams relegated over the past two seasons that could run into millions of pounds — with Leeds likely to point out they were forced to sell Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha to comply with FFP.
      Everton, in a parlous financial state and now staring at the real prospect of relegation, could not afford to be hit with such a payment demand.
      But what is unquestionable is that the entire financial framework of the Premier League has now been transformed.
      Everybody knows it. And it is why the ultimate outcome for City and Chelsea will be so scrutinised.
      The Charges
      EVERTON were hit with an unprecedented ten-point penalty after being found to have “taken chances” with the Prem’s financial regulations.
      A 41-page  independent  commission report found their bid to improve results led to them acting “irresponsibly” to exceed permitted losses under the League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
      Its damning report stated: “This was a serious breach that requires a significant penalty.”
      Despite posting £372million in losses over three seasons, the club were found to have breached the £105m allowed loss by £19.5m, spending £124.5m.
      They persistently denied the charges — until the hearing, when they admitted breaching the regulations.
      The panel confirmed Everton flagged up issues as early as January 2021 with the club wanting to claim £54m in stadium expenditure. That claim was rejected by the League.
      Everton are facing relegation after their Premier League sanction
      The club recognised by early 2022 they would fail to meet Premier League guidelines.
      That saw other clubs take advantage in transfer deals. Spurs bought Richarlison in a £60m deal, some £20m less than Everton had anticipated.
      The Toffees argued the Ukraine war, which saw billionaire owner Farhad Moshiri’s business partner Alisher Usmanov placed on the UK sanctions list, cost £10m per year in lost sponsorship income.
      In their official accounts of 2022, Everton tried to exclude £17.4m in stadium loan interest. The club also claimed £61m of Covid-related losses, dismissed by the League.
      The 2023 accounts claiming a loss of just £87.1m over the three-year period were rejected.
      In 2021, the Premier League warned Everton about signing new players but the  commission stated that for the club to continue its transfer policy was “recklessness that constitutes an aggravating factor”.
      Everton will be looking for the same restrictions to be applied on the bigger clubs
      It added: “It was unwise for Everton not to have curtailed player purchases.
      “It was aware of potential Profitability and Sustainability Rules difficulties but pressed ahead in the hope that it would make sales of players that would enable it to achieve PSR compliance. Events have proved that to be a poor judgment.
      “The position that Everton finds itself in is of its own making — it is Everton’s responsibility to ensure that it complies with the PSR regime. The excess over the threshold is significant.
      “The consequence is that Everton’s culpability is great.
      “Further, Everton was less than frank in its dealings with the Premier League over the stadium interest issue.
      “The reality is that Everton failed to manage its finances so as to operate within the generous threshold of £105m.
      “Its mismanagement led to that threshold being exceeded by £19.5m. A financial penalty for a club that enjoys the support of a wealthy owner is not a sufficient penalty.”
      The Defence
      EVERTON’S failed attempt to escape a record points deduction saw them claim they should be allowed extra wriggle room for NOT suing a player.
      They said that after ‘Player X’  was arrested in July 2021, they sought to protect his “mental welfare” at a financial cost.
      The player — who is not named in the independent commission report —  was sacked the following month but Everton opted not to sue him for breach of contract.
      Yet at the hearing, Everton argued the £10million they could have demanded should have been included in their losses, minimising the breach of League rules.
      According to the written reasons, Everton claimed they were “entitled to credit for not  pursuing an economically viable claim” against the player.
      But the commission branded the argument “speculative”,  adding there was “no evidence that Player X would have been able to meet whatever judgement might have been obtained”.
      Everton were slapped with the heaviest punishment in Premier League historyCredit: Reuters
      Prem chiefs were also underwhelmed by a claim that Everton missed out on the transfer value of another star — ‘Player Y’ — because of Covid.
      Lawyers claimed the “factual reality” was that Everton had made a decision NOT to sell.
      Prem rules allow losses of £105m over a three-year period but Everton’s up to 2021-22 were found to be £124.5m.
      The club put forward various items they felt should be excluded from the calculation, including interest costs related to construction of their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, the portion of the club’s transfer levy related to youth development plus the £10m lost by deciding not to seek damages against ‘Player X’.
      Everton also argued that a depressed summer transfer market in 2020 owing to Covid-19 reduced the revenue they would have earned from player sales.
      They also said they had lost  out on a £200m stadium-naming-rights deal with conglomerate USM as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and sanctions imposed by the British Government.
      Everton boss Sean Dyche is now dealing with a relegation battle
       USM’s single largest stakeholder is Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.
      The club said in a statement: “Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the ruling of the Premier League’s commission.
      “The club believes that the commission has imposed a wholly disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction.
      “The club has already communicated its intention to appeal the decision to the Premier League.
      “Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League.
      “The club does not recognise the finding that it failed to act with the utmost good faith and it does not understand this to have been an allegation made by the Premier League during the course of proceedings.
      “Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the  evidence submitted.” More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal blow as injury to Brazil star means crocked Gabriel Jesus ‘in line to START huge Argentina clash’

      by

      ARSENAL will be sweating over Gabriel Jesus’ fitness.That’s with the crocked striker reportedly in line to START for Brazil against Argentina.
      Crocked Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could start for Brazil against ArgentinaCredit: Reuters
      Jesus, 26, missed the first three games of the season with a knee injury.
      He then picked up a hamstring problem in October’s win at Sevilla.
      And Jesus is yet to make an appearance since, with the Gunners targeting a return to action in December.
      But despite his fitness woes, Jesus still flew out for international duty with Brazil this week.
      READ MORE ARSENAL NEWS
      The ex-Manchester City star is being analysed by Samba fitness experts.
      And Globo Esporte now claims he is set to start in Tuesday’s crunch World Cup qualifier against fierce rivals Argentina.
      Boss Fernando Diniz is already without Neymar Jr, who picked up an ACL injury playing for new Saudi club Al-Hilal last month.
      He suffered another blow in yesterday’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia when Vinicius Jr hobbled off.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      The Real Madrid man has picked up a thigh problem and will return to Spain for treatment.
      It means Brazil are light in attack as they prepare to do battle against the World Cup holders.
      And if deemed fit by medics, Jesus is set to start up top in a front three with Real’s Rodrygo and Arsenal teammate Gabriel Martinelli.
      Other options for Brazil include Brighton’s Joao Pedro and soon-to-be Real whizkid Endrick.
      Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will surely be watching the drama unfold with bated breath.
      He previously warned against setting Jesus a deadline to return, instead giving the forward all the time he needs to regain fitness.
      Should Jesus pick up a fresh problem or aggravate a former issue, it could even spur Arteta on to sign a new striker in January, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney top of the list. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Juventus ‘meet Thomas Partey agents as they look to push through huge triple transfer’ amid Jadon Sancho speculation

      by

      JUVENTUS have met with Arsenal ace Thomas Partey and his representatives ahead of the January transfer window.Juve have identified Partey as the perfect replacement to fill in for the suspended Paul Pogba, who tested positive for banned substance DHEA which naturally boosts testosterone production.
      Juventus have held a meeting with Arsenal ace Thomas ParteyCredit: Alamy
      Juventus have also been linked with Manchester United outcast Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty
      Pogba also returned a second positive sample and now faces a lengthy ban which could see the end of his career at top level.
      The star midfielder will face an anti-doping tribunal, and if found guilty, the 30-year-old could be banned for up to four years.
      According to Foot Mercato, Juventus are thinking ahead and that is why they held a meeting with Partey as well as his agents to discuss a potential move in the winter market.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been deprived of the midfielder throughout the season following another string of injuries that have limited him to a mere five appearances across all competitions.
      Read More on Arsenal
      The Ghana international played a big part in the Gunners’ push for the Premier League title last term but it seems like Arteta is planning for life without him after the arrival of Declan Rice last summer.
      However, Partey is not the only player Juventus are looking to sign in the New Year.
      The Bianconeri are also looking to complete a deal for Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi and Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski.
      And Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri wants club chiefs to move quickly.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      The Serie A giants have also been linked with a shock swoop for Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho.
      United appear open to letting Sancho go after his public spat with manager Erik ten Hag in September saw him being axed from the first team.
      However, the Red Devils have refused to talk with the Italians about a possible loan deal as Ten Hag’s side prefers to sell the winger outright. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Erling Haaland injury fears as Man City star battles persistent ankle problem with huge Liverpool clash days away

      by

      ERLING HAALAND is battling a persistent ankle problem which flared up again while he was playing for Norway on Thursday night.And his national team are working closely with Manchester City to work out how they can best manage the situation.
      Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of Erling HaalandCredit: AFP
      Haaland went down in agony during the friendly win over the Faroe Islands in Oslo – only to then carry on and finish the match.
      The national team’s doctor explained it was a similar problem to the one which forced the 23-year-old off during City’s rout of Bournemouth earlier this month.
      Haaland – who has 17 goals for his club this season – has travelled to Scotland to continue preparations for their final Euro 2024 qualifier against Steve Clarke’s men on Sunday.
      But City’s medic Mario Pafundi – who also works with the Norway national team – is keeping a close eye on him.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Norway doc Ola Sand said: “It was much of the same that happened against Bournemouth a week and a half ago. He has had it before too.
      “He gets a slight twist in his ankle, where he is a bit vulnerable. It hurts a lot right away, and then it goes away pretty quickly.”
      Norway – whose hopes of automatic qualification are over – will give Haaland a chance to rest up before they face the Scots.
      And City will be keeping their fingers crossed as they have a key game against fellow title hopefuls Liverpool straight after the international break.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Sand added: “Now he will receive some treatment, then there will be peace and rest and then we will see how he is tomorrow morning.
      “We have already spoken to City. Erling has spoken to both City and their doctor Mario [Pafundi] already.”
      Haaland recovered from the problem against the Cherries and started in the Champions League win over Young Boys a couple of days later.
      Norway coach Stale Solbakken is hopeful it can be a similar situation this time, saying: “I haven’t spoken to him [Haaland] today, but I saw that he was walking fine in the hallway.
      Haaland appeared to be struggling with a persistent ankle problem for NorwayCredit: AFP
      “Now there is a recovery session, and then he will probably be looked after by Ola and the physios throughout the day. But right now it looks like it’s going well.”
      It has been an uncomfortable international break for Pep Guardiola so far – even before Haaland’s scare.
      Midfield linchpin Rodri was withdrawn from Spain’s clash with Cyprus as a precaution.
      Meanwhile goalkeeper Ederson, defender Nathan Ake and summer signings Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes all pulled out of their national squads. More

    • 225 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League injury table revealed – so how does your team fare ahead of next round of fixtures?

      by

      THE PREMIER LEAGUE injury table has been revealed showing how many players each club is currently without.Fans have discovered how their team is faring ahead of the next round of fixtures.
      Sven Botman’s Newcastle top the Premier League injury tableCredit: Getty
      Gabriel Jesus is one of 11 Arsenal players out injuredCredit: Alamy
      Premierinjuries.com have ranked each side based on their number of injured players, as of November 16.
      With the international break giving clubs a week off, some supporters will be hoping they are welcoming players back by next week.
      The injury table shows the extent of Newcastle’s injury crisis, with Eddie Howe’s side missing 13 players at present.
      Almost half of the Toon Army’s squad are currently on the treatment table, including strikers Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Meanwhile, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Sven Botman are amongst the others ruled out.
      Howe is also without summer signing Sandro Tonali, who has been suspended until next August.
      Title chasers Arsenal are just behind Newcastle with 11 injuries.
      Jurrien Timber has been out with a knee injury since the opening weekend of the season.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS

      He is now joined by Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, David Raya and seven other Gunners stars.
      North London rivals Tottenham are also struggling with injuries after the recent fitness blows to James Maddison and Richarlison.
      Ange Postecoglou is now without 10 first-team players and has seen his side lose their last two following an unbeaten start to the season.
      Like Spurs, Manchester United also have 10 players currently out injured.
      Casemiro (thigh), Lisandro Martinez (ankle) and Rasmus Hojlund (thigh) are among their key absentees.
      It is a differently story entirely for West Ham, though, who are without a single injury concern.
      David Moyes is currently able to call upon his entire squad ahead of their trip to Burnley on November 25.
      James Maddison’s injury is a blow to Tottenham’s title hopesCredit: AP
      Lisandro Martinez is one of 10 Manchester United injuriesCredit: Getty More

    • 200 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane branded a ‘CLOWN’ by former team-mate and told to ‘bore off’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane has been called a “clown” by former Republic of Ireland team-mate Jason Mcateer.Mcateer threw his public swipe after Keane looked back at all of the ELEVEN times he was sent off throughout his glittering 17-year career.
      Love it. Players shouting their mouths off !!! Funny You can’t shut the clown up now. And no we weren’t team -mates cause he never showed up and when he did he went home !!!! Please !!!!! Bore off. https://t.co/ysPu1H5Ry9— Jason Mcateer (@MCATEER4) November 17, 2023

      Man Utd legend Roy Keane elbowed Jason Mcateer to the back of the head in 2002Credit: Reuters
      Keane doesn’t regret his red card against Mcateer when Man Utd played SunderlandCredit: PA
      And there was one memory which still harbours ill feelings from both sides.
      United took on Mcateer’s Sunderland at the Stadium of Light back in 2002 shortly after the World Cup and the infamous Saipan incident.
      Keane fell out with then Ireland manager Mick McCarthy and ended up having a public bust-up before the midfielder was sent home.
      With tensions between the Red Devils icon and McAteer – who was also part of McCarthy’s squad – clearly still high, the pair were at each other’s throats all game.
      Read More on Man Utd
      The ex-Liverpool ace also famously made a “book-writing” gesture in order to goad the famous Premier League hardman over his tell-all autobiography the previous season.
      Keane ended up seeing red once more during stoppage time when he elbowed Mcateer to the back of the head – something for which he insists he still doesn’t regret as he always hated played who “shout their mouths off”.
      Keane told Sky Sports’ Stick to Football: “He deserved it. I wouldn’t go that far [calling Mcateer his team-mate].
      “Just cause you play with somebody doesn’t mean that you are mates.
      Most read in Football
      “Do you know what, what used to get to me is players who shout their mouths off.
      “I didn’t mind lads kicking me up [and] booting me, honestly. But Mcateer, as usual, had plenty to say for himself.
      “I didn’t deserve to be sent off in that game, absolutely not. If you ever look back in it, I didn’t even catch him.”
      Mcateer also appears to hold ill feelings regarding that incident after 21 years.
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Mcateer branded Keane a “clown” after he looked back at his red cardsCredit: Rex
      The former midfielder insists that unlike Keane he still likes players that mouth off but finds it ironic that it’s now the United legend who does most of the talking as a pundit.
      The former Bolton ace also agrees with the 52-year-old that they were never really team-mates as he “never showed up” and when he did “he went home”.
      Mcateer tweeted: “Love it. Players shouting their mouths off!!!
      “Funny You can’t shut the clown up now. And no we weren’t team -mates cause he never showed up and when he did he went home!!!! Please!!!!! Bore off. More

    • 250 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Cole Palmer’s amazing rise from boyhood Man Utd fan to England call-up after snubbing City to become Chelsea’s main man

      by

      COLE PALMER has enjoyed an interesting journey to Chelsea where he is fast-becoming one of their star players.The forward, 21, received an England call-up earlier this week after an impressive start to life at Stamford Bridge where he has contributed six goals and four assists in 14 games.
      Cole Palmer was called up to the England squad for the first time earlier this weekCredit: Rex
      Palmer pictured in a Manchester United shirt as a youngsterCredit: X @UtdGarnaxcho
      He arrived in the summer from Manchester City for £42.5million having come through the academy set-up at the Etihad.
      The attacker made 41 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s men, scoring six goals and providing two assists.
      But he was actually an admirer of rivals Manchester United when he was a boy – despite going on to be on Man City’s books for 15 years.
      Palmer was pictured in a Red Devils shirt as a youngster and has now revealed he idolised Wayne Rooney when he was growing up.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      He said: “What a player. When I was growing up I used to watch all the football and the one that sticks in my mind is Rooney.
      “Ever since I was a little kid he has been my footballing hero.”
      Palmer could make his international debut against Malta at Wembley on Friday evening or away in North Macedonia on Monday.
      And he has admitted his recent rise has taken him by surprise.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Palmer, left, spent 15 years at Man CityCredit: Instagram / colepalmer10
      He added: “Yeah, it’s been crazy. The changes have happened so fast.
      “From winning the Euros with the Under 21s, to signing for Chelsea, then getting called up here. It’s all happened so fast. I am excited for it all.
      “In the garden as a kid I used to pretend to be loads of players. Rooney, Ronaldo, Messi. All of them.
      “But all this felt a long way away when I was that age.”
      He also opened up about the adjustment he has had to make after swapping Manchester for London.
      He said: “It was a big move for me. I’d never been out of Manchester, not even on loan or anything.
      “So to move down to London on my own was a big thing. When I first went down there it was difficult. I was staying in a hotel but now I have settled in more and I’m enjoying it.
      “It happened fast. I thought for my career I had to go and get regular game time. The competition that’s there at City, it was going to be hard.”
      Palmer is excited about the prospect of pulling on the England jersey for the first time.
      And he has pondered what it will feel like.
      He said: “Now I am here I have thought about it and what it may be like to play.
      “When I make my debut it will be an amazing moment for me and my family… if it happens.” More