Premier League

CHELSEA forward Noni Madueke has brilliantly offered fans a signed shirt in return for a higher EA FC 24 rating.The English winger, 21, has been handed a 77 overall rating in the new game – which has re-branded after the creators parted ways with Fifa.
Noni Madueke, right, was told he had a rating of 77 in the EA FC 24 gameCredit: Twitter @Chelseafc
It came after team-mates Nicolas Jackson and Lesley Ugochukwu predicted he would have a 78 ratingCredit: Twitter @Chelseafc
That is a way off the Blues’ top-rated star Christopher Nkunku – who has been given an 86 – as well as Reece James [84], Thiago Silva [84], Enzo Fernandez [83] and Raheem Sterling [83].
He is even two points adrift of other peripheral players such as Marc Cucurella and Welsey Fofana.
And the England U21 did not take kindly to his rating when it was revealed to him – with no change from his 2022 score.
Madueke, who has contributed one goal in three games so far this season, found out in a Chelsea video alongside Nicolas Jackson and Lesley Ugochukwu.
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His two team-mates had predicted him to get a rating of 78, so there was a sense of disappointment when the number 77 was read out.
And Madueke reacted by hilariously saying: “Mans not playing this game bro.”
He then later quoted a tweet referencing his comment and added: “EA? Come on bro. Same rating 🤣.
“Reply to this giving me a good overall upgrade & someone can have a signed shirt 🤝.
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“Need to hear your ratings…”
The brilliant tweet was received positively by the Chelsea faithful as they showered Madueke with compliments.
One said: “Noni Madueke is quickly becoming one of my favourite players at the club, I think he’s top 3 most likeable at the moment for me, what a guy.”
Another added: “Bro I’m sorry but you’re 99 in my books.”
A third replied: “83 MINIMUM, brother, and I’m being dead serious.. Pace and dribbling should both be 90+, EASILY.”
And a fourth responded: “Next year it will be even better than this anyway. Keep the faith 🙏.”
Jackson was handed a rating of 78 – an eight-point improvement on 12 months ago.
And Ugochuku received a five-point boost on last year as he went from 68 to 73.
Chelsea return from the international break with a trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.
Madueke netted his first goal of the season in the Carabao Cup against Wimbledon last monthCredit: Getty More

MANCHESTER UNITED have BANISHED Jadon Sancho from training after his public row with Erik ten Hag.The Red Devils have confirmed that the 23-year-old winger will train separately from the first team.
Jadon Sancho will train individuallyCredit: Getty
The winger had a public fall-out with Ten Hag earlier this monthCredit: Getty
A short statement from the club read: “Jadon Sancho will remain on a personal training programme away from the first-team group, pending resolution of a squad discipline issue.”
Sancho claimed that he was made a “scapegoat” after Ten Hag criticised his performances in training following United’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month.

His bombshell social media statement, which has now been deleted, kickstarted a public feud with the Dutchman.
Sancho wrote: “I will not allow people saying things that is completely untrue, I have conducted myself in training very well this week.
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“I believe there are other reasons for this matter that I won’t go into, I’ve been a scapegoat for a long time which isn’t fair!
“All I want to do is play football with a smile on my face and contribute to my team.
“I respect all decisions that are made by the coaching staff, I play with fantastic players and grateful to do so which I know every week is a challenge.
“I will continue to fight for this badge no matter what.”
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Sancho was spotted arriving at Carrington on Thursday morningCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
Sancho’s Man Utd team-mates have now reportedly “had enough” of him.
Ten Hag has also grown increasingly frustrated with the winger.
Just days after releasing his scathing statement, Sancho was linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.
However, talks collapsed after Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq refused to agree on a £50million obligation to buy following an initial loan.
The winger took some time away from football during the international break after missing out on an England call-up.
He flew to New York with team-mate Aaron Wan-Bissaka last week to attend NBA star John Wall’s birthday party.
Sancho has since returned to England to hold crisis talks with Man Utd officials.
He was spotted at Carrington on Thursday morning for the first time since his public fall-out with Ten Hag.
Sancho had been due to meet the United boss on Monday, although it is currently unclear whether or not discussions took place.
Sancho has failed to live up to his billing since his £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
The England star has made three appearances off the bench so far this campaign.
And he spent three months out of the first-team picture last season, training alone in Holland.
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Sancho, who has 23 England caps, was left out of the World Cup squad last year by manager Gareth Southgate.
His last appearance for the Three Lions was in the 5-0 win over Andorra in October 2021. More

EDDIE HOWE has nine days to avoid a full-blown crisis at Newcastle.Ridiculous given what he has achieved in 22 months on Tyneside, perhaps, but the Magpies boss is well aware his bosses want the world’s “number one” club. 
Eddie Howe has found himself under pressure of lateCredit: Reuters
Newcastle were always due to hit a wall following their meteoric rise under Saudi Arabian ownership into the Champions League – however many millions they pumped into it (£375million and counting two years in).
The only question in Toon, then, was how the overlords in Riyadh would react to the fist stall. To chop or not to chop?
Howe, 45, has built up plenty of goodwill, taking them from relegation candidates to the San Siro at breakneck speed, and can of course turn it around following three defeats from their first four Prem games.
Brentford at home before trips to AC Milan and Sheffield United should provide hope not fear.
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Newcastle’s long-awaited return to the Champions League following 20 years in the wilderness is as glamorous as it gets. European royalty – in name if not current team – awaits and the travelling Geordie hordes will have the time of their lives.
Yet if they head to Italy having been stung by the Bees, and Milan turns into a nightmare, the noise will become deafening before next Sunday’s trip to Bramall Lane and Howe will quickly find out exactly why Newcastle and meltdown have long gone hand in hand.
On social media there are already fans questioning whether the ex-Bournemouth manager is the right man.
And you can bet those conversations will start in the giant skyscraper where chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Newcastle chairman and governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund – which owns 80 per cent of the Mags – oversees his empire if this week goes to pot. 
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Their opening run of fixtures was the hardest in the Premier League but the 3-1 defeat at Brighton before the international break was sobering. 
Howe splashed over £120m this summer yet that transfer policy is now under the microscope given Sandro Tonali is the only new arrival to start a game.
Full-backs Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall may be excellent additions for the long-term but Newcastle’s starting XI has barely been strengthened. Most observers thought a centre-back and holding midfielder were needed yet neither arrived.
So what can Howe do to turn it around with what he’s got?
Left-back is becoming a real concern with neither Dan Burn or Matt Targett fully convincing, so Hall’s introduction could be accelerated.
The midfield has been their major weakness, despite Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes bossing it in the 5-1 opening day hammering of Aston Villa.
Lewis Hall was signed from Chelsea last monthCredit: Getty
Sandro Tonali is the only new signing to have started a game for Newcastle this termCredit: Getty
It’s looked disjointed since and they are feeling the absence of the crocked Joe Willock. Sean Longstaff is not glamorous but does the donkey work – and the stats show Newcastle suffer when the Geordie is not playing. Howe has to find a better balance in the engine room and that may mean dropping one of his midfield stars.
Harvey Barnes was the only attacking player bought but the £38million winger has been stuck on the bench behind Anthony Gordon, despite Miguel Almiron’s poor start on the right.
Barnes may prefer playing on the left but he surely needs to be given a chance at the expense of the Paraguayan.
Alternatively, Joelinton has previously excelled on the left flank under Howe and moving the Brazilian out wide brings Longstaff into midfield alongside Tonali and Bruno.
Callum Wilson is yet to start but has two goals as a sub and he will understandably be furious if not given a shot against Brentford or AC Milan ahead of Alexander Isak.
Howe has been reluctant to make changes so far, leading to accusations that he lacks a Plan B. His substitutions have also been panned. Simply, he has to change things up. 
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Juggling top-four ambitions with the Champions League was always going to make this a tricky campaign to navigate. 
And Howe knows he must find the answers sharpish if he wants to see it through.
Hoe Eddie Howe could tweak his side More

ARSENAL CEO Vinai Venkatesham has confirmed that he will leave the club next summer.Venkatesham joined the Gunners in 2010 as head of global partnerships and took on various roles before being promoted to CEO in 2020.
Vinai Venkatesham is set to leave ArsenalCredit: Getty
In an official statement to announce his departure, he said: “This was a tough decision, but it is time to pursue another challenge.
“Now is not the time for goodbyes as I remain focused until my last day and supporting a seamless transition.”
Arsenal director Josh Kroenke has already thanked Venkatesham for his 13-year contribution to the club.
The 43-year-old said: “The Board is fully supportive of Vinai’s desire to pursue his next challenge.
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“Whilst it is business as usual with everyone focused on the season ahead, we’d like to take this moment to thank him for his contribution and long service.
“Vinai will always be part of the Arsenal family and always welcome back at Emirates Stadium.

“Change and succession is something the club is well prepared for. The Board remains committed to our strategy and will address leadership change as we continue to drive the club forward.”
Arsenal fans were quick to react to the news, with many praising the club’s CEO.
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One person tweeted: “Vinai took charge during one of the worst periods in our club history and achieved so much with resilience and dedication together with Mikel and Edu.
“Nothing but appreciation and respect, good luck with the transition period and all the best.”
Another wrote: “Thanks for everything, Vinai. Wish him well in the future.”
A third added: “Thank you for your incredible dedication to the club, Vinai Venkatesham. Best wishes for your future endeavors!”
While a fourth person commented: “It’s the end of an era at Arsenal. Vinai Venkatesham’s departure marks a significant change for the club after his long and dedicated tenure. Best wishes to him in his future endeavours, and here’s to a new chapter for the Gunners!”
However, some Arsenal supporters were left thrilled by the announcement, with one person writing: “Thank God, he paid that money for Pepe.”
Another added: “GREATEST DAY OF MY LIFE!”
While a third simply said: “Good.”
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Arsenal have been on a steady rise back up the Premier League table since Venkatesham took over as CEO in 2020.
The Gunners challenged for the title last season and earned a spot in the Champions League for the first time in six years. More

MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag has introduced a new rule in a bid to improve his team’s performances.The Red Devils have endured a slow start to the season, with two wins and two defeats from four games.
Man Utd stars are now expected to stay at Carrington longerCredit: Getty
Ten Hag has introduced some new rules in an attempt to improve performanceCredit: Getty
They currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, six points behind Manchester City.
And Ten Hag has pulled out all the stops in a bid to boost performance.

According to The Daily Mail, Man Utd players have been told to stay at Carrington until 2pm on training days rather than leave before lunchtime.
Ten Hag wants the squad to use the ground’s newly-revamped canteen so that he can keep on top of nutrition with the help of United’s head chef Omar Meziane.
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Players now also wear blood glucose monitors and sweat patches on match days to monitor individual hydration and nutritional needs.
These are just some of the measures introduced by Ten Hag following his arrival at the club.
As soon as he took the helm at Old Trafford last summer, the Dutchman introduced a series of new rules – including a ban on alcohol.
He has also requested that a brand-new players lounge be developed at Old Trafford.
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Former United midfielder James Garner recently opened up about how “strict” Ten Hag is around members of the first team squad.
Garner, who joined Everton last summer, told BBC Sport: “Ten Hag is a very approachable guy but is very strict. He takes no one bending the rules.
“He will say it how it is and will punish people if they have done the wrong things.
“My talk with him was easy. I asked him plain and simple whether I was going to be in the squad or if he saw me playing a part.
“I felt the conversation did not go as well as I wanted and I made the decision to move.” More

ANDRE ONANA has been blasted for hitting out at Harry Maguire during Manchester United’s pre-season tour by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.The goalkeeper joined Erik ten Hag’s side in a £47million transfer in July and quickly made his presence known among the squad.
Onana screamed at Maguire during Man Utd’s pre-season match against Borussia DortmundCredit: AFP
Carragher has criticised the goalkeeper for ‘disgracefully’ hitting outCredit: Getty
In just his second game for the club – a pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund – he screamed at Maguire for a defensive mistake as the Red Devils fell to a 3-2 defeat.
After the match, Onana explained his actions and told MUTV: “I try to demand a lot from him because I know he is a good player.
“He’s one of the captains of the team. He’s big, he’s good with the ball so I will demand him a lot. He’s a great guy, I have a good relationship with him.”
The 27-year-old’s outburst received a mixed response from fans, with some praising him for being passionate.
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However, others criticised him for being too harsh.
Carragher has since had his say on the incident, accusing Onana of “disgracefully” hitting out at Maguire as a way of endearing himself to Man Utd supporters.
In a column for The Telegraph, the Liverpool icon wrote: “Manchester United fans jeered Maguire during pre-season games in 2022 and 2023.
“One of the most distasteful incidents of all occurred during the friendly with Borussia Dortmund in July, when new signing Andre Onana started yelling at Maguire, in my view disgracefully playing to the gallery to endear himself to United fans.
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“I watched that in disbelief, but it said everything about what has gone wrong.
“Maguire was still the club captain then. He should have reacted furiously, put Onana in his box and demanded respect.
“Instead, he has the persona of someone whose confidence and authority is utterly broken.”
Maguire has fallen out of favour with Man Utd manager Ten Hag over the last year – so much so he’s no longer skipper.
He was heavily linked with a move to West Ham this summer, but talks broke down when he failed to agree terms.
The defender says he wants to fight for his place at Old Trafford, but he has been limited to just 23 minutes of Premier League football so far this season. More

FORMER Manchester United midfielder James Garner has admitted he had no choice but to leave Old Trafford last summer to join Everton.The 22-year-old also has also spilled the beans on Erik ten Hag being a “very strict” boss.
James Garner opens up about why he left Man UtdCredit: Getty
Garner says former boss Erik ten Hag was ‘very strict’Credit: AFP
The Manchester United academy graduate had a remarkable loan spell at Nottingham Forest in the 2021/22 campaign helping the squad clinch promotion from the Championship.
This left many United fans eagerly wanting to see Garner take the stage at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag had built a reputation for pursuing the development of young players at Ajax and many hoped Garner would benefit from that.
But the midfielder suffered an injury on his first day of pre-season meaning Ten Hag did not get the chance to inspect the playmaker.
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Instead of offering Garner out on loan again the Red Devils decided to sell him on the final day of last summer’s transfer window to the Toffees.
He joined Everton on a four-year deal crushing his hopes of a future at Man Utd – but looking back, Garner is happy about the decision.
He told BBC Sport: “When I came back to United, I felt like I had a good enough season to have a shot.
“But unfortunately I got injured on the first day and it set me back two or three weeks, so the manager did not get to see me in training and games.
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“It was a decision where – after having two seasons in men’s football – I wanted to be part of a team and squad, ideally starting too.
“I knew I wasn’t going to get that at United so I made the decision to move here.
“I could have gone on loan again and come back but I felt I would have been in the exact same position I was then.
“I didn’t want to be stuck in the mud, I needed to make a decision to leave one of the best clubs in the world, which was hard, but it is one I am happy I made.”
Garner has made 22 appearances for Everton after being signed over a year ago by Frank Lampard but is now playing under Sean Dyche.
Dyche’s strict form is very similar to Ten Hag’s character according to the midfielder.
He continued: “Ten Hag is a very approachable guy but is very strict. He takes no one bending the rules.
“He will say it how it is and will punish people if they have done the wrong things.
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“My talk with him was easy. I asked him plain and simple whether I was going to be in the squad or if he saw me playing a part.
“I felt the conversation did not go as well as I wanted and I made the decision to move.” More