Premier League

TOTTENHAM legend Ledley King has revealed staying on his feet was key to never being sent off.The former centre-back, 42, racked up 354 appearances across a 13-year career despite being plagued with knee problems.
Ledley King never received a red card in his careerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He featured more than 300 times for Spurs and earned 21 England caps between 2002 and 2010.
Yet despite playing at the top level for more than a decade, King was never red carded.
And it was even a rarity for the defender to be booked by a referee – with just eight yellow cards to his name.
King has now spoken about why he believes his disciplinary record was so clean – and even insists it should have been better.
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Speaking to FourFourTwo, he said: “I always tried to stay on my feet as much as possible.
“If someone went past me, I’d try to use my speed to rescue the situation.
“The funny thing is, you say I’ve got eight [yellow cards]; in my head, I still think it should be only three or four.
“Actually, I remember one stat: in one season, I hadn’t made a foul in seven or eight games.
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“They highlighted it, and I got a yellow card for the first foul that I made – which wasn’t even a yellow card.” 
King’s only major trophy came in 2008 when he lifted the Carling Cup as Tottenham captain.
He went to two major tournaments with England – Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup.
Towards the end of his career, he was known for playing games despite not training all week.
This was in order to manage the inflammation in his knee.
King would often work alone in the swimming pool and gym, but did very little on the training pitch.
He would then start Spurs games on a weekend and frequently be one of their best players. More

FOOTBALL fans have been left stunned by a stat that showcases the injury nightmare Reece James has suffered over the past four years.The Blues captain, 23, limped off with an injury during his side’s Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
Reece James suffered another hamstring injury on SundayCredit: Getty
It is the England international’s FIFTH hamstring problem in two years.
And it was confirmed on Thursday that he faces months on the sideline as he recovers from his latest setback.
It comes after a frustrating 2022/23 campaign – in which James started just 14 Premier League games.
An incredible stat reveals that 36 per cent of his career league starts came in his one-year loan spell with Wigan in the Championship.
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The right-back only failed to make Wigan’s starting XI in two of their 46 matches during the 2018/19 campaign.
But that makes up 44 of just 122 league starts across his entire career.
James has only managed 78 starts for Chelsea in more than four seasons.
And those on social media could not believe his lack of game time since that spell at Wigan.
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One said: “Oh man 🙈 this is actually a crazy stat.”
Another added: “Ridiculous stat.”
A third replied: “It’s a shame that whilst he’s a good player, we’ll probably never get to see exactly how good he could be due to all these injuries.”
A fourth responded: “This is some stat. Obviously sad reflection on his injury record since.”
And a fifth said: “It’s a sad stat. What a player though.”
James spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Wigan in the ChampionshipCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

KEVIN DE BRUYNE has flown to Antwerp to undergo surgery on his latest hamstring problem. The Manchester City ace suffered a recurrence of his old injury in the opening night win at Burnley a week ago. 
Kevin De Bruyne limped off against Burnley on FridayCredit: Rex
De Bruyne, 32, was devastated at Turf MoorCredit: EPA
Scans showed that an operation was the best option – even though it could see him ruled out until the New Year. 
Pep Guardiola said a final decision would be taken in the next few days but admitted all the experts they had spoken to had the same opinion. 
Now KDB is back in his homeland and is expected to go under the knife soon – with all parties agreed there is no point putting it off any further. 
That means he is likely to be out for at least three months and possibly longer – leaving Pep on the hunt for a replacement. 
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Prior to the Super Cup triumph over Sevilla, Guardiola said: “It’s serious, the injury.
“We have to decide if it’s surgery or not surgery, but it will be a few months out.”
He then added, on City’s specialist doctor: “Ramon (Cugat) saw the images.
“He didn’t personally (do anything) and they have two or three doctors have the same opinion, more or less, what they have to do.”
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City are stepping up their interest in West Ham’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta but are reluctant to meet the £85m asking price.
David Moyes has admitted to Paqueta having his head turned by City’s interest.
The Scot said: “There are a couple of football clubs in the world who could turn your head quite easily.
“Let’s be fair, Manchester City are probably one of them.
“I brought Lucas up to speed with everything I know. He’s fully aware of everything. I explained to him where we’re at, what’s been said, so he knows.”
Man City to keen on West Ham star Lucas PaquetaCredit: Rex More