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      I’m so sorry I went on strike to leave Premier League club, but you may only get one chance to play for Man City

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      MATHEUS NUNES has apologised for his Wolves exit — with the star set for a red-hot return to Molineux today.The midfielder refused to train this summer before forcing a £53million deadline-day move to Manchester City.
      Matheus Nunes joined Manchester City for £53million on deadline dayCredit: EPA
      And Nunes, 25, said: “Maybe I could have tried to be more calm.
      “But I wanted this very badly. I can understand there are some supporters upset or not happy with my decision to not train.
      “For that I’m sorry. It was something maybe I would have done differently but I couldn’t let this opportunity pass by.
      “My dream is to win trophies and be coached by the best manager.
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      “Manchester City is a top club with the best players in the world, the best manager. They won the Treble last year.
      “I didn’t know if I’d ever get that opportunity again. So I took my chance.”
      Nunes knew Pep Guardiola was a fan after the City boss described him as “one of the best players in the world” following a Champions League match while he was playing for Sporting Lisbon last year.
      But interest from the Etihad still came as a surprise to him.
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      Nunes, who joined Wanderers for £38m in August 2022, added: “I knew about it with one week to go for the window.
      “I didn’t think of leaving because it was late in the window. I thought, ‘I’m going to play for Wolves and give my best.’”
      The Portugal international knows he owes Wolves a huge amount.
      He said: “I’ll always be grateful for Wolves giving me that opportunity to play for an amazing club.
      “My first goal, it was at Molineux. I’ll never forget hearing the fans screaming.
      “I’m looking forward to going back and seeing the fans and my old team-mates. They have amazing players there.”
      Nunes starred at Wolves but went on strike to force through the moveCredit: Getty
      The Portuguese star could not resist the urge to play under Pep GuardiolaCredit: PA More

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      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta reveals how Spanish region’s incredible RESTAURANTS produced FOUR Prem managers this season

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      MIKEL ARTETA is leading the charge of football’s Boys from the Basque Stuff ahead of Saturday’s reunion with old pal Andoni Iraola at the Vitality Stadium.The pair were born just a couple of months apart in 1982 and played for their local team Antiguoko — alongside ex-Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists the Spanish Basque region creates the best managersCredit: Rex
      And Arteta is convinced that there is something special about the northern Spanish region of San Sebastian which also produced Unai Emery, Julen Lopetegui, Pep Guardiola’s assistant Juanma Lillo and Manchester City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain.
      He said: “It’s the food! We have the best food in the world in San Sebastian, the best restaurants per square metre and the most beautiful city.
      “It has to be linked with that because the quality of life in our city is incredible — the education we get, the way we look after our city and the passion for football that you can breathe everywhere you go.
      “On a weekend there are 300 kids playing on the beach.
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      “In the region you have Real Sociedad, Athletic Bilbao and Eibar. All those teams really take care of their academy players.
      “They do great work to raise talent and it’s not a coincidence that a lot of players have come through from that area.
      “Also, when you are raised in the Basque area, you have the attitude that nothing is good enough.
      “You score a goal but you should have scored another. Our families are really, really demanding and you live with that from a young age.
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      “And 30 years later here’s Andoni and me together in the Premier League and I’m really happy for that.”
      Arteta was snapped up by Barcelona before going on to Everton and Arsenal while Iraola remained in LaLiga, spending 12 years at Bilbao.
      The Bournemouth boss is facing his schoolboy team-mate for the first time as a manager and admitted: “I never thought this would happen when we were players.
      “It’s the first time we are going to face each other for how many years I don’t know but it will be very nice.
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      Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola started out with ArtetaCredit: Getty
      “The other night I met Alex Neil after the Stoke game. It was something new to me because we don’t usually do this in LaLiga and I liked it. There was no beer or wine, there was something to eat but nothing fancy — but hopefully we will find a way to meet Mikel.”
      This will be Arsenal’s first meeting with Bournemouth since their crazy 3-2 win at the Emirates back in March, when they were behind after just nine  seconds but snatched all three points thanks to Reiss Nelson’s unforgettable 97th-minute winner.
      Arteta added: “That was one of the maddest games I’ve been involved in, especially conceding so early.
      “But the way we turned things around and what we lived together in the 97th minute made it a special day that we will remember for a long time.
      “I’d prefer it if we can have a game very much more like the one we played at Bournemouth’s ground last season when we won 3-0.” More

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      Premier League could lose top referee Michael Oliver as official, 38, is approached for lucrative new job

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      MICHAEL OLIVER has been approached by Saudi Arabia to gauge his interest in quitting the Premier League.And SunSport understands England’s top referee would be open to a lucrative switch to the Gulf State.
      The Saudi Pro League is hoping to lure Michael Oliver away from the Premier LeagueCredit: Alamy
      Saudi aim to recruit European officials between now and the end of this season with Oliver one of their top targets because many clubs do not trust local referees.
      The Northumberland whistler, 38, was in the Middle East this week, officiating the biggest match in the United Arab Emirates Pro League on Thursday between Sharjah and Al Ain after PGMOL boss Howard Webb and the Prem approved the invite.
      Prem referees are able to officiate matches overseas as a one-off arrangement with Oliver in charge of Al Ain’s 3-2 win rather than any of the midweek Carabao Cup third-round games.
      Oliver, who was joined by assistants Stuart Burt and Dan Cook with Darren England as VAR, returned from the three-day trip in Dubai to Newcastle on Friday.
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      He has been appointed as fourth official for Tottenham’s home clash with Liverpool and will also be the VAR when Nottingham Forest host Brentford at the City Ground tomorrow.
      Saudi have spent eye-watering money as ex-Prem players Jordan Henderson, N’Golo Kante and Ruben Neves among others made the move last summer.
      The transfer spending by the Pro League in the last window was second only to the Prem with more than £800million splashed out.
      Prem refs earn between £120,000 and £300,000 a year but salaries in Saudi would be lucrative compared to what the top-flight can offer.
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      Top officials are becoming increasingly frustrated with Jonathan Moss, who became the new manager of the Select Group One in the summer of 2022, and that discontent could lead to elite referees moving elsewhere.
      Oliver, who has had previous interest from the MLS in America as reported by SunSport, is a Fifa official which allows him to referee international matches as well as European club fixtures including the Champions League.
      But if the initial interest turns into a concrete deal, Oliver would have to weigh up if it is worth giving up his badge.
      Saudi could nominate him to regain his Fifa badge, allowing him to officiate international matches again and that could be a condition of any move.
      PGMOL, the English referees’ body, said in a statement last week: “Any interest in our officials from other leagues demonstrates the strong reputation of English officials across the globe.” More

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      Fears for Everton as prospective owners 777 Partners’ Brazilian club hit with Fifa transfer ban over late payments

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      CONCERN over Everton’s prospective new owners have risen once again.That comes after 777 Partners’ Brazilian club were hit with a transfer ban by Fifa over late payments.
      777 Partners, co-owned by Josh Wander, are struggling to fund Vasco da GamaCredit: AFP
      As reported by The Times, Vasco da Gama failed to stump up the cash to three different clubs amid outstanding debts.
      Brazilian media outlet Globo claim 777 were due to provide money for Vasco this month.
      But it is understood that payment has been delayed.
      And now the Rio de Janeiro side are under a transfer embargo preventing them from signing new players.
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      A Fifa spokesperson told The Times: “The club Vasco de Gama is currently prevented from registering new players due to an outstanding debt.
      “The relevant ban will be lifted immediately upon the settlement of the debt being confirmed by the creditor concerned.”
      Elsewhere, 777 also failed to make a payments on time which has put the British Basketball League under threat of “immediate administration”.
      The Miami-based private investment firm co-owns the BBL but there are cash-flow struggles as well as discrepancies relating to the registered personnel on Companies House.
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      But it is the news about Vasco da Gama that will no doubt create further fears regarding Everton’s possible takeover.
      Current Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri confirmed he had reached an agreement to sell the club to 777 on September 15.
      Reports suggested the deal could be worth a staggering £500million.
      However, the Premier League could still block the takeover through the owners’ and directors’ ‘fit-and-proper’ test – and the investigations could take months.
      But with the deal in jeopardy, SunSport revealed Moshiri has devised a back-up plan to accept the money in instalments.
      And that could even see 777 take over at Goodison Park without putting down ANY hard cash.
      Farhad Moshiri announced he had struck a deal with 777 PartnersCredit: PA More

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      After Saka nicked James Maddison’s dart throw, this iconic Wembley moment is my all-time favourite celebration

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      JAMES  MADDISON  wishes to announce  he was the first player to celebrate a goal with a dart-throwing action.It’s the real thing, said Spurs’ No 10, not that cheap copy as displayed by Bukayo Saka.
      Arsenal star Bukayo Saka nicked Tottenham ace James Maddison’s darts celebrationCredit: Sky Sports
      James was the original thinker-upper of the goal celebration due to his love of playing and watching darts.
      Arsenal star Saka copied it for “banter” — not for a love of darts.
      Goal celebrations have become a performance in themselves.
      Not quite Strictly but certainly more action-packed than the Antiques Roadshow.
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      I have my loves and hates, naturally.
      The one that evokes most yawns is players jumping to the top of the pile, one after another, until you have to wonder whether they have decided to play rugger.
      And, if the scorer below will be revealed as inert as a dead rat when his mates clamber off. It’s a wonder no one is hurt!
      It isn’t football any more than pulling off your shirt is . . . followed by jumping into the crowd and kissing an unshaven brute.
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      That is a yellow card offence now although, thank goodness, one or two show-offs just can’t resist a public display.
      Paul Gascoigne never could stop playing the fool. After scoring a  dazzling goal against Scotland at Wembley at Euro 96 he laid down and mimicked a dentist chair drinking jape played out in Hong Kong.
      To this day, the  international stars around Gazza refuse to apologise, even those who had pretended to squirt alcohol into his gaping mouth.
      Terry Venables, the boss then, backed his lads.
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      Maddison created the celebration that was nicked from Saka at the North London DerbyCredit: Getty
      Heaven knows what Gareth Southgate would have done today.
      It is hard to outdo Gazza in the celebration stakes, although Robbie Fowler must be a contender. 
      The Liverpool striker envisaged one of the pitch markings as a line of cocaine on which he joyfully fell to his knees to sniff as he celebrated his goal against — no surprise here — Everton.
      This was in 1999 and he was banned for four games, earmarking a gradual crackdown on many childish displays.
      Any recommendation that excited players should be barred from knee slides would be an overreaction, I think.
      Still, it is a wonder to those whose knees creak climbing stairs that one of the sliders hasn’t suffered cartilage damage.
       Arsenal supporters  did not appreciate when Emmanuel Adebayor, having just been  sold to Manchester City, ran the length of the pitch to  celebrate his goal against his old club.
      SunSport columnist Karren Brady revealed her favourite ever celebrationCredit: Getty
      Adebayor, who was also  banned for three matches for stamping on Arsenal hero Robin van Persie, justified the run and slide by claiming the crowd and Gunners stars had made provocative remarks to him.
      An FA panel more or less accepted his plea and gave him a  suspended two-match ban and a £25,000 fine.
      Football today is a serious business but there has to be room for fun.
      It’s easy to forget there will always be humour among a bunch of lads and sometimes it strays into areas it shouldn’t.
      Brady’s favourite celebration was England star Chloe Kelly’s goalCredit: Reuters
      Maybe dropping your pants, headbutting the dugout (ouch!) or pulling a carrot out of your shorts — all of which has been done — is a bit much but harmless enough.
      My favourite goal celebration was when England women beat Germany in the Euros final last year.
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      Chloe Kelly ripped off her shirt and was swinging it around her head and leaping around joyfully following her extra-time winner.
      What made it great? It was just a spontaneous reaction — which to me is better than a dart throw any day!­ More

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      I played for Chelsea legend who was just like Pochettino – he challenged us at free-kicks and went 18 MONTHS unbeaten

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      MYKHAILO MUDRYK looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at Chelsea.So it was nice to hear that his boss Mauricio Pochettino has spotted this and is working on changing that, by challenging him to a friendly game of crossbar challenge in training.
      Mykhailo Mudryk is struggling to hit form on the pitchCredit: Alamy
      Mauricio Pochettino has resorted to a crossbar challenge against the UkrainianCredit: Getty
      What Poch is trying to do is loosen a player up who right now is so tense and rigid in everything he does on and off the pitch.
      He clearly feels Mudryk is trying too hard, putting too much pressure on himself and is being too serious with his own game and his own failings or mistakes.
      He wants to succeed so bad that he probably wants it too much. The tension builds and he isn’t free, mentally or physically, and that is showing in lacklustre performances.
      I have no doubt Poch will have seen things in training, like his pace, his close control, his finishing, and think: ‘Why isn’t he doing this in games?’
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      So, he is trying to be a bit more personable.
      If he is beating him, that’s fine. Mudryk is losing to a legend, not some random guy off the street. It can only do him good.
      I remember Gianfranco Zola, during the 18 months he was in charge at Watford, challenged us to beat him at scoring free-kicks.
      You would get five chances to see who could score the most from 25 yards over a set of mannequins acting as a wall.
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      The winner would get £50. During those 18 months, he went unbeaten. I never saw anyone even come close.
      He would score at least three out of five.
      He would take two steps and slap it up and over the wall, a bit like a backhand in table tennis.
      So that may be Poch’s thinking. He is trying to build a relationship with the guy, build some camaraderie. Get him to enjoy competing, even if he beats him most of the time.
      During his playing career, Poch probably did that at the end of every training session, smack a ball onto the bar, so he knows his range.
      Above all else, Poch is a great man-manager. He gets the best out of the players he has, and this could be the start of yet another example of that.
      Nicolas Jackson needs some of that man-management gold dust as well.
      There is so much ego around a player joining a new club, particularly if there is a ‘curse’ to be broken. You want to be the one who breaks it.
      Nicolas Jackson needs to start impressing Poch soonTroy Deeney
      Jackson would have turned up at Chelsea with incredible confidence.
      His agent would have turned to him at some point and said: ‘You do know the last few strikers here have struggled? Romelu Lukaku, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Morata, Andriy Shevchenko’.
      Jackson would have replied: ‘Yeah but they’re not me’. Yet it has been a few months and he hasn’t pulled up any trees.
      It has got to be difficult for him, and Mudryk, especially because this squad — one of high energy and high talent — is struggling, and the club is a bit of a mess.
      Jackson is a bit wild with his finishing, but other than that, he looks like he has a real appetite to score goals. Though he needs to start impressing Poch soon.
      Just consider the names of the strikers he has managed recently: Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Lionel Messi. All world-class individuals and finishers.
      Troy Deeney worked with Gianfranco Zola at WatfordCredit: Alamy
      Zola took on the Hornets players at free-kicks in trainingCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      So, whoever leads the line for Chelsea, they have to raise their standards.
      Pochettino is used to working with elites.
      What won’t help Jackson’s cause is getting booked for protesting at referees, which has resulted in him serving a suspension for the game at Fulham on Monday.
      I can sympathise.
      I have played six games for Forest Green in League Two and I got warned on Monday that I am one booking away from a suspension.
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      For what? I haven’t even made a tackle, but it is for arguing with referees and one for rolling the ball away five yards.
      Someone needs to have a word with Jackson. Stop arguing, and focus on getting the goals his side desperately needs.
      Poch is sticking with his No10Credit: Getty
      It has not quite clicked for Nicolas Jackson yetCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      Arsenal could be without SIX key players for Bournemouth clash with four having not trained all week

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      ARSENAL could be without Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice against Bournemouth as Mikel Arteta faces a mini injury crisis.The Gunners are looking to respond to their North London Derby draw with their fourth away win of the season.
      Declan Rice is a doubt after suffering a back spasm against TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba have not trained all weekCredit: Getty
      Gabriel Martinelli and Fabio Vieira could also miss the trip to BournemouthCredit: Reuters
      But they face a few obstacles with injuries to key men in every area of the squad – from defence to attack.
      Arteta confirmed several players have not trained all week, with some not selected against Brentford in the Carabao Cup in mid-week due to fitness issues – including Saka and William Saliba.

      The Arsenal boss said: “Declan [Rice] hasn’t trained yet, we have a session in an hour, we’ll get more news about him.
      “Gabi [Martinelli] hasn’t trained, Leo [Trossard] same situation, Saka, same.
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      “They are all in the same pool, Willy [Saliba] had a knock, Fabio [Vieira] wasn’t involved. We have to assess them today.”
      Rice was substituted at half-time against Tottenham after reportedly experiencing a back spasm.
      To make matters worse for Arsenal his natural replacement, Thomas Partey, is also injured and not expected back until October 21.
      Arteta has a similar problem in attack with Saka and Gabriel Martinelli picking up knocks last time out.
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      Leandro Trossard, who would normally be brought in to deputise for that pair, has a hamstring issue.
      That means Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah will likely start in attack, while the team could be reliant on captain Odegaard to produce the creativity needed to win the match. More

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      Fans say Postecoglou ‘never disappoints’ as Spurs boss gives amazing response about having Liverpool posters as kid

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      SPURS fans said Ange Postecoglou “never disappoints” after his hilarious Happy Days reference.The Aussie coach confessed his boyhood crush for Liverpool ahead of Spurs’ clash against Jurgen Klopp’s side on Saturday.
      Ange Postecoglou confessed his boyhood love for LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      Postecoglou, 58, spilt the beans on his younger years and revealed his boyhood bedroom was full of posters of the the Reds.
      Growing up in Melbourne in Liverpool’s glory era of the 1970 and 80s the Tottenham boss confessed youngsters either supported the Reds or Manchester United.
      Now ex-Celtic boss Postecoglou is taking on his once beloved Reds in the Premier League, with Spurs just two points behind Liverpool and four adrift of leaders Manchester City after an impressive unbeaten start to their Premier League campaign.
      But Postecoglou quickly made it clear that his affinity to the Reds is no more… with a brilliant reference to seventies sitcom ‘Happy Days’ and iconic character the Fonz.
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      He said at his press conference: “It was the Seventies. You went one or two ways. They only used to show Liverpool or Manchester United back then.
      “Like any kid, I had the posters up on the wall. Liverpool was my team, but you grow up, things change.
      “I had a couple of mates who went the United way so I went with Liverpool to make it interesting.
      “I used to love Happy Days. But I don’t have posters of The Fonz on my wall now. That’s how it goes.”
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      But his response to falling out of love with Klopp’s side had fans loving him even more.
      One fan said: “Dude never disappoints.”
      Another added: “Gotta love him.”
      A third put: “Bloke is class.” More