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      Frank Lampard reveals he was ‘desperate’ to sign Jude Bellingham but Chelsea refused to pay £20m for now-£115m star

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      FRANK LAMPARD has revealed he was “desperate” to sign Jude Bellingham when in charge at Chelsea – but the Blues refused.The club’s board did not want to pay £20million in 2019 for the Englishman who is now rated at £115m.
      Frank Lampard revealed he was ‘desperate’ to sign Jude Bellingham in 2019Credit: Getty
      Chelsea’s board turned Jude Bellingham down who is now a superstar at Real MadridCredit: EPA
      Bellingham has become a record-breaking sensation since his move to Real Madrid in the summer.
      The 20-year-old in 14 appearances has scored 13 goals for Los Blancos.
      His jaw-dropping performances have led many to believe he is currently one of the best players in the world.
      Now Chelsea can only watch and sigh as Bellingham could have been turning out for the West London outfit – had Lampard got his way.
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      The ex-Blues star spoke on John Obi Mikel’s podcast and revealed he told Chelsea’s chief they should sign the youngster.
      But his hefty £20m price tag for a 16-year-old was immediately turned down by the board members at Stamford Bridge.
      He told the Obi One Podcast: “When I was managing at Chelsea (first time) I was desperate to bring Jude Bellingham in.
      “But I couldn’t get it through upstairs – the idea of paying £20m for someone his age (at the time)…”
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      At the time Bellingham was yet to debut for Birmingham but went on to make 44 appearances that term.
      The Chelsea reject then sparked a bidding war between Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund.
      It even led to Sir Alex Ferguson showing him around the club’s Carrington training ground.
      But in the end, it was the Bundesliga giants who became victorious in securing the superstar’s signature.
      Bellingham has since gone on to win the Kopa Trophy last week – the award goes to the best player aged under 21.
      Meanwhile, Lampard took over the Blues in July 2019 but would go on and get sacked in the 2020-21 season.
      He returned as an interim manager earlier this year but had a miserable stint with just one win in 11 games. More

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      Arsenal and Tottenham legend Pat Jennings rushed to hospital after collapsing before Spurs vs Chelsea

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      TOTTENHAM legend Pat Jennings was rushed to hospital after collapsing ahead of last night’s clash with Chelsea.The iconic goalkeeper, 78, was in attendance at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to watch his former club.
      Pat Jennings, pictured at Spurs last month, collapsed at their stadium last nightCredit: Rex
      The legendary goalkeeper suffered a health scare before Spurs’ clash with ChelseaCredit: Pacemaker Press
      The former Northern Ireland ace played for Spurs for 13 yearsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Jennings remarkably went on to achieve icon status at bitter rivals ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      However, he missed the Blues emerge victorious in an extraordinary 4-1 victory against his beloved Spurs after falling ill before kick off.
      A Tottenham statement confirmed the worrying news on Tuesday.
      It read: “We can confirm legendary former goalkeeper Pat Jennings (455) was taken ill at last night’s game,
      “After undergoing precautionary tests at hospital, he was discharged shortly after midnight and given the all-clear to attend his statue unveiling in his hometown of Newry, Northern Ireland tomorrow.
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      “We wish you well, Pat, and look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
      Jennings made more than 450 appearances for Tottenham after joining them from Watford in 1964.
      During that period he helped them to lift the League Cup twice and the FA Cup.
      And he was also in the side that won the 1972 Uefa Cup.
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      Jennings won a host of trophies for both Spurs and the GunnersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Jennings also famously SCORED against Manchester United in the 1967 Charity Shield – now known as the Community Shield.
      The 119-capped Northern Ireland international left Tottenham after 13 years in 1977 – but he did not go far.
      Remarkably, he joined North London rivals Arsenal and went on to achieve iconic status there too despite his past with Spurs.
      Jennings made over 250 appearances for the Gunners, winning the PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 1977, and added another FA Cup medal to his collection before the much-loved star departed in 1985 to seemingly retire and begin his coaching career.
      However, he signed on briefly for Everton the following year after they suffered an injury crisis but failed to make an appearance for the Toffees. He eventually retired from playing after representing his country at the 1986 World Cup.
      He would later go on to be goalkeeper coach at Spurs and he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2003.
      Jennings married Eleanor Toner, a singer from Newry, in 1967 and they have four children together, daughters Mairead, Siobhan, Ciara and son Patrick Junior.
      Jennings was due to watch Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs try to maintain their unbeaten start to the campaign from the stands as ex-boss Mauricio Pochettino returned to his old side for the first time with Chelsea.
      The pulsating London derby topped the list for drama and controversy with Spurs receiving two red cards, while there were five disallowed goals and a whole new string of VAR debates.
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      Spurs were reduced to nine men in the 55th minute but bravely held out until 75 minutes when Nicolas Jackson made it 2-1.
      Their high line, which Postecoglou vowed to keep using even if he only had five players, was exposed two more times in the dying stages as Nicolas Jackson made them pay and sealed his hat-trick.
      The icon pictured with his wife Eleanor and daughters Siobhan and Ciara in 1972Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Jennings famously scored in the 1967 Charity Shield against Manchester UnitedCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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      Match of the Day’s future decided as TV giants snub show ‘amid fears over viewing figures and advertising market’

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      THE BBC is set to retain the rights for Match of the Day.According to The Daily Mail, the iconic show will remain with the broadcaster for another four years from 2025.
      The BBC is set to retain the rights for Match of The DayCredit: BBC
      Gary Lineker is expected to hold contract talks with the broadcasterCredit: Alamy
      The likes of Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV decided against bidding for the rights to Match of the Day as they do not find it commercially viable.
      All three broadcasters cited falling viewing figures and a difficult advertising market as their reasons for not bidding.
      ITV and Channel 4 have both strengthened their football coverage in recent years by winning the rights to England matches.
      However, neither will be able to show the Premier League in the near future.
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      ITV executives held exploratory talks with England’s top tier in recent weeks, but they concluded that taking Match of the Day on will risk disrupting their Saturday evening entertainment schedule.
      The commercial factor is also a concern as all Premier League goals are now available to view online shortly after 5:15pm each Saturday.

      Fewer matches are also set to take place on Saturdays in the next broadcast cycle from 2025 to 2029 meaning broadcasters will likely have to pay for two highlights shows – something they are reluctant to do.
      The first episode of Match of the Day was aired in 1964.
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      Gary Lineker has presented the popular Saturday night show since 1999.
      The BBC’s retention of Match of the Day will trigger new contract talks with the former England striker.
      There are no guarantees he will remain with the show after a bumpy year.
      If he were to move on, bookmakers make Jermaine Jenas the favourite to become the new host at 2/1.
      Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Mark Chapman are among the other top contenders should the hotseat become vacant. More

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      Arsenal ready to hit Prem refereeing chiefs with dossier of complaints at next showdown after Arteta attack on officials

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      ARSENAL are set to hit the PGMOL with a list of complaints when they next meet with the referee chiefs, according to reports.Mikel Arteta fumed after Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed in Newcastle’s 1-0 win over the Gunners on Saturday.
      Arsenal are set to present a list of referring complaints to the PGMOLCredit: Alamy
      The Gunners feel Anthony Gordon’s goal should have been disallowed at the weekendCredit: Getty
      PGMOL chief Howard Webb has previously issued apologies to clubsCredit: Getty
      Arsenal responded with a statement fully backing their manager, and they are now compiling a list of gripes they have with refereeing decisions stretching back to last season.
      According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal will point to the Gordon decision along with several others as cases of bad officiating against them.
      Among them is the decision not to send off Mateo Kovacic when Manchester City visited the Emirates last month.
      The midfielder twice avoided a red card for dangerous tackles with the Gunners going on to win the game 1-0.
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      Also included in the list is Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brentford last season when VAR Lee Mason failed to draw the lines to determine whether Ivan Toney was offside when he scored the Bees’ equaliser.
      Another example Arsenal will point to is the decision to rule out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in their 3-1 defeat to Manchester United, which the PGMOL later admit they got wrong.
      The PGMOL have already apologised for mistakes this season after incorrectly disallowing Luis Diaz’s goal for Liverpool against Tottenham.
      Referee Anthony Taylor was also demoted at the weekend after awarding Newcastle a controversial penalty against Wolves.
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      Arteta branded the officials a “disgrace” after his side were defeated at St James’ Park.
      He said: “I have praised my players for the performance and the way that we played – we didn’t deserve to lose the match.
      “We lost the match because of the clear and obvious decisions. It’s embarrassing. It’s a disgrace. That’s what it is, a disgrace.”
      He is now waiting to see what punishment, if any, he will receive. More

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      Postecoglou gives brilliant five-word answer when asked if Spurs will ever change tactics after 4-1 defeat to Chelsea

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU gave a brilliant five-word answer when asked if Tottenham will change their tactics after defeat to Chelsea. Spurs were reduced to nine men in the London derby but held out until 75 minutes when Nicolas Jackson made it 2-1.
      Ange Postecoglou reacts to defeat to Chelsea

      The striker went on to get two more in added time to seal a hat-trick and 4-1 win.
      Spurs’ high line was exposed on the counter both times with Jackson making them pay.
      But Postecoglou insisted no matter how many players they have sent off the risky defensive tactics will remain.
      He said: “It’s just who we are, mate. It’s just who we are. It’s who we’re going to be as long as I’m here.
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      “We go down to five men, mate, we’ll have a crack.”
      Postecoglou’s men got off to a flying start as Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring on six minutes.
      But Cole Palmer later equalised from the spot after Cristian Romero was also sent off for his studs up challenge on Enzo Fernandez in the box.
      The hosts then went down to nine just ten minutes after the break when Destiny Udogie was booked twice.
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      Jackson’s second-half hat-trick wrapped up the game and saw him handed the player of the match award.
      Postecoglou said: “There was a fair bit going on, a lot of VAR intervention, a hard game for me to analyse but I am very proud of the players. Right to the end they were trying to create something for us.
      “The players couldn’t give any more than they did, part of this game is will, effort and determination and they showed that.”
      Chelsea beat nine-men Spurs 4-1 in the derbyCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Fans stunned by Mudryk’s reaction to Chelsea team-mate Jackson hat-trick goal in 4-1 win against Tottenham

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      FANS were left stunned after Mykhailo Mudryk looked “unhappy” with Nicolas Jackson following the striker’s hat-trick goal against Tottenham. Jackson wrapped up a stunning London derby by scoring three in the final 15 minutes against nine-men Spurs.
      Fans were left stunned after Mykhailo Mudryk looked ”unhappy’ with Nicolas Jackson
      The forward was through on goal in added time – joined by Mudryk – and looked ready to square it to the winger.
      But Jackson ended going all the way to finish off the counter attack himself.
      He was not joined by his team-mate in celebration as one fan said: “Mudryk not happy with that from Jackson.”
      Another added: “Mudryk didn’t look too happy with Jackson not passing him the ball.”
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      One commented: “Mudryk was not happy Nicolas Jackson scored the 4th goal without giving him the ball.
      “He couldn’t hide his displeasure. Crazy dude.”
      Dejan Kulusevski opened the scoring on six minutes but Cole Palmer levelled from the penalty spot.
      Cristian Romero was also sent off for his studs up challenge on Enzo Fernandez, which saw Chelsea awarded the penalty.
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      The hosts then went down to nine just ten minutes after the break when Destiny Udogie was booked twice.
      Jackson’s second-half hat-trick wrapped up the game and saw him handed the player of the match award.
      He told Sky Sports after victory: “I am very happy and it has been a difficult time for everybody in the team.
      “We are coming back really slowly and happy to have scored three goals.
      “It’s my first hat-trick, so I am happy to have done it with the biggest club in England and everywhere.
      “I need to always improve and work harder. We continue working.
      “Tottenham have an amazing stadium and amazing fans, so we needed to fight and win the game.”
      Chelsea wrapped up a 4-1 win over nine-man SpursCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Jadon Sancho REMOVED from Man Utd WhatsApp group with winger’s Old Trafford future looking bleaker by the day

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      JADON SANCHO has been axed from Manchester United’s  WhatsApp group.Manager Erik ten Hag and staff use the messaging platform to send key info to first-team players.
      Jadon Sancho has been removed from the Manchester United WhatsApp groupCredit: Getty
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag has suspended Sancho and barred him from trainingCredit: Rex
      But in a move that further exiles the winger, Sancho has been removed from it.
      He is already barred from training with the senior side or using any of their facilities, including the canteen, with his food taken across to the academy section — where he also changes in his own dressing room.
      Sancho, 23, has been left to train on his own during a  stand-off that started after he was left out for September’s 3-1 loss at Arsenal.
      Red Devils boss Ten Hag said his training was not up to standard.
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      But Sancho posted on social media: “I will not allow people saying things that are completely untrue, I conducted myself in training very well this week.”
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      Despite deleting  the post, Ten Hag called for an apology that never came.
      Staff and team-mates have urged Sancho — who arrived from Borussia Dortmund for £73million in July 2021 — to back down but he has refused.
       Marcus Rashford also told a United fan channel to “stop spreading  malicious rumours”.
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      The England forward hit back on X after The United Stand promoted a stream doubting his future.
      Rashford, 26, missed the Fulham win through injury but Ten Hag criticised him for partying after the Manchester derby defeat.
      Sancho managed a mere three Premier League appearances this season before his suspension. More

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      Rasmus Hojlund ‘cooked’ on Monday Night Football as horror stat emerges but Man Utd fans insist striker not to blame

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      FANS of Manchester United have leapt to Rasmus Hojlund’s defence after a horror stat about the striker emerged on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Carragher took turns to analyse the fortunes of the attacker, and opened with a damning statistic that places Hojlund 100th in the Premier League for shots taken per 90 minutes.
      Hojlund is yet to score for United in the Premier LeagueCredit: Twitter @unitedviewtv
      He ranks 100th in the league for shots taken per 90Credit: Twitter @SkySportsPL

      The United forward averages just 1.7 shots per 90 which is dwarfed by the attacker with the most shots, Darwin Nunez, with 5.7 per 90.
      Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge defended Hojlund, saying that his low shot volume is partly caused by his team’s struggles to make chances for him.
      Sturridge also said the presence of Rashford on the left-wing for United limits the number of opportunities Hojlund receives because of his tendency to shoot often.
      Hojlund ranks behind both Rashford and Bruno Fernandes for shots taken despite being the focal point of the team.
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      When presenter Dave Jones asked whether Hojlund needs to be more “ruthless” in front goal, Sturridge said: “He’s a project, and he’s not the perfect striker.
      “He’s not the finished article just yet, so when he gets the opportunities he is trying very hard.
      “He wants to score goals, he wants to be in the positions to score. He is desperate to show his capabilities at a club like Manchester United.
      “Has he scored the goals that they would have expected him to? Would they have expected him to have more shots at least? I don’t think they are impressed with that.
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      “But I don’t think he’s getting loads of chances per game that are clear misses.”
      Fans were divided on how harsh the analysis was on Hojlund on X, formerly known as Twitter.
      One fan wrote: “They basically cooking Hojlund on MNF”
      Another posted: “Watching these Hojlund highlights on MNF. Seeing him run into so much space and he’s not being played the ball. Thank the lord Sturridge is pointing this out.”
      Another wrote: “Sky Sports s**g off Hojlund but forget that he’s not getting any service.”
      Hohlund has another chance to return to form on Wednesday when he plays former club FC Copenhagen, where he began his career. More