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      Chilwell reveals boss Pochettino’s mind games to make Chelsea stars ‘run through walls’ as aces were not fit last season

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      BEN CHILWELL has revealed how Mauricio Pochettino used a “mental trick” on the Chelsea squad to help build fitness levels in training.Pochettino, 51, took over as Chelsea manager at the beginning of July and has already made several changes to the squad.
      Chilwell has revealed how Pochettino used a ‘mental trick’ on Chelsea players in trainingCredit: Getty
      Pochettino offered to take the team out for dinner if they completed two more runsCredit: Getty
      The Blues have bid farewell to several first team stars this summer, including N’Golo Kante, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz and Mason Mount.
      They have also welcomed some new names to the squad in Christopher Nkunku and Nicholas Jackson.
      But Pochettino has been just as focused on improving the squad’s overall fitness levels ahead of the new season.
      And Chilwell has admitted that the Chelsea manager has even used mind games to push players in training.
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      In an interview with The Athletic, the defender said: “We had a funny… well, it wasn’t a funny running session — it was the complete opposite — but something that came out of it was quite funny.
      “We did the Gacon (a fitness test named after French fitness coach Georges Gacon, which requires players to run for 45 seconds then rest for 15 seconds) one day and we were meant to do 10 runs, but we got to the eighth and the manager — I still don’t know if he was doing a mental trick on us — said we could stop if we wanted.
      “Everyone was on their knees after the eighth one and he said, ‘If everyone completes the next two, I’ll take you all out for dinner’.
      “Of course we all finished, and now we’re waiting for the dinner!
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      “I’m sure it’ll come, but we just haven’t had time yet.”
      He later revealed that Pochettino’s arrival has strengthened the bond between the players and club staff members, adding: “They’re working us hard on the pitch but they’re great guys off the pitch and they take a lot of time personally — all of the staff that he’s come in with — to talk to you one on one.
      “Not even about football things — family life, what you enjoy doing away from football, your favourite TV series, what book you’re reading.
      “They take a lot of time to get to know you personally, which then makes you feel more comfortable. That makes you want to go that extra yard, do that extra run, because you feel like there’s more of a personal connection.
      “It’s not just a manager and a player; it’s more of a personal relationship where you want to work for each other.
      “I have (had that sort of relationship with coaches before), but after (only) two or three weeks it’s pretty rare to feel like you want to run through a wall for someone.”
      Chelsea have won two of their three pre-season games this summer.
      The Blues earned a 5-0 win over League Two side Wrexham before defeating Premier League rivals Brighton in a 4-3 thriller.
      They were then held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle in Atlanta on Thursday. More

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      Former Premier League star’s £4million transfer held up over medical concerns

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      FORMER Tottenham star Nabil Bentaleb has had a transfer to Lille held up due to medical concerns, according to reportsThe Algeria midfielder, who spent five seasons in North London, also had a loan spell with Newcastle in 2020.
      Nabil Bentaleb played for Angers last season in FranceCredit: Rex
      Bentaleb played for Angers last season but failed to prevent the French side’s relegation from Ligue 1.
      He had been due to join hometown club Lille in a £4million deal, with the northern outfit previewing his imminent arrival two weeks ago.
      However Bentaleb has yet to sign a contract while two more recent transfer targets have already put pen to paper on deals.
      Multiple reports in France and Algeria now claim the 43-cap international failed his medical.
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      Lille president Olivier Letang said: “At the moment there are things I cannot say about Nabil Bentaleb due to medical confidentiality.
      “But there are concerns that have not been eased. We are waiting for the results of additional examinations.
      “There is a process that is compulsory in France. Our medical staff have sent the various elements to the league’s commission that decides on the matter.
      “We are waiting for their reply. They could make additional requests.
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      “This could be temporary. I can’t say anything about a Plan B until we get the definite results.”
      The commission is expected to deliver its verdict on Bentaleb in mid-August.
      Bentaleb spent five years in Lille’s academy aged from nine to 14.  He joined Spurs in 2012, and made 66 senior appearances – scoring once.
      The midfielder moved on to Germans Schalke, and had a goalless 15-game loan stint at St James’ Park three years ago.
      Bentaleb, 28, made 66 appearances for TottenhamCredit: PA More

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      Dream Team 2023/24: Brighton’s best players, bargain options and potential flops

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      AS Dream Team managers count down the days until the new campaign gets underway, The Sun are analysing each of last season’s top teams in detail.First up, it’s Brighton under the microscope and Roberto De Zerbi’s troops are expected to be popular recruits this term having entertained in spades throughout 2022/23 with several of their assets providing incredible value for money.
      Here we’ve assembled their best players, bargain options and potential flops.

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      Brighton players offered excellent value for money in 2022/23Credit: DREAM TEAM
      BEST PLAYERS
      Solly March (£3.5m) and Kaoru Mitoma (£3.5m) finished level on 153 points each at the top of the Seagulls’ rankings last season and the pair will be among the best midfield assets again if Brighton continue to attack with verve, especially with Europa League fixtures to bolster their schedule.
      The Englishman would have topped Brighton’s rankings with 221 points had the new scoring system been implemented but it’s worth noting that the Japanese dribbler wasn’t a regular starter prior to the World Cup – he’s guaranteed more minutes this coming season if he avoids injury.
      March averaged a goal involvement every 194.8 minutes in the Premier League last season whereas Mitoma notched one every 178.2 minutes – both are superb options at £3.5m.
      It’s early days but Dream Team bosses may be underestimating Pascal Gross (£3.5m) when perusing the buffet of Brighton midfielders.
      At the time of writing, Mitoma appears in 16.5% of teams while the experienced German has an ownership of just 1.7%.
      Gross would have earned 20 points more than his skilful team-mate last season in the new scoring system – in fact, the stats suggest the former could be one of the biggest beneficiaries from the new process.
      A mention for enterprising left-back Pervis Estupinian (£3.5m) who is deservedly among the most-popular defenders in the game at this stage.
      POTENTIAL BARGAINS
      Not your average 18-year-oldCredit: GETTY
      Evan Ferguson (£3m) averaged a goal every 134.4 minutes in all competitions last season so if he’s going to be De Zerbi’s main man up front there could be plenty of returns on offer.
      Physically, the 18-year-old is mature beyond his years but it would be quite something for a club to finish sixth in the richest league in the world and then back a teenager to lead the line for the entirety of the following campaign.
      But as the old adage goes, if you’re good enough you’re old enough – and Ferguson has shown more than enough promise to date.
      Brighton offered supreme value for money last season and while most of their assets have been given a sizeable price boost, Julio Enciso (£2m) remains cheap as chips.
      The Paraguay international, who is categorised as a midfielder, stepped up for his side at the back end of 2022/23 to ensure Europa League qualification with four goals and two assists across his last 637 minutes of action (at an average of a goal involvement every 106.2 minutes).
      Enciso is generally a rotational player and when he does start he rarely completes 90 minutes but his form in recent outings warrants suitable consideration. 
      POTENTIAL FLOPS
      Who will start as Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper this season?Credit: GETTY
      Dream Team gaffers are desperate to establish the goalkeeping pecking order at the Amex.
      Jason Steele (£3m) usurped Robert Sanchez last season and did an admirable job but whether he continues as No1 depends on whether new signing Bart Verbruggen (£3m) is viewed as a future prospect or an immediate starter.
      The 20-year-old Dutchman has joined the Seagulls from Anderlecht for £16.3million but it’s not yet clear how De Zerbi rates him compared to the more experienced Steele.
      It goes without saying that Dream Team bosses should stay well clear of bench-warmers so don’t commit to a Brighton keeper unless the pecking order has been cemented.
      Finally, don’t get sentimental about James Milner (£2m), the hard-working midfielder’s days as a viable Dream Team asset are well behind him.

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      Meet Christopher Nkunku: Fearless in the face of Erling Haaland and determined to drive Chelsea back to the top

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      FOCUSED. Driven. Fearless. English football, meet Christopher Nkunku.Chelsea’s brand new £52m striker strolls through a sliding door at the glitzy Waldorf Astoria hotel in Atlanta and takes a seat. The clock says 22:15pm local time.
      Christopher Nkunku has been put through his paces since joining ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The Frenchman already has two goals during the Blues’ pre-season tripCredit: Getty
      Nkunku, 25, must be tired. He is mid-way through his first pre-season at the club and has been at the mercy of boss Mauricio Pochettino’s notoriously brutal running sessions.
      He laughed: “I came late, and spoke with my teammates and they said: ‘It’s very hard’.”
      But Nkunku is not here, in his first interview with the English press, to complain about fatigue on this breathless tour of the United States.
      He is here to set out his stall ahead of a debut Premier League season he has been dreaming about for years.
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      He is here to reassure Blues fans that he is committed to owner Todd Boehly’s ambitious and expensive vision, regardless of last season’s 12th placed flop.
      The French international explained: “The season of Chelsea last year wasn’t good, everybody knows this. I knew this new season would not be the same.
      “This year is a new project, new year, new season. I am the new project and I am happy to be here.
      “Even if Chelsea were in 15th or 16th place, it doesn’t matter for me.
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      “The club is not in a European competition but I want to have a main role in the team. Chelsea proposed this project to me and I am happy with it.”
      It is clear the Champions League is a priority for Nkunku. He added: “This is my goal, the goal of the club, the team and the fans. I want the club to be where they need to be.”
      In a wide-ranging chat, topics such as Erling Haaland’s fear-factor, Chelsea’s No.9 curse, Paris Saint-Germain’s elite mentality and being a terrible loser are all discussed.
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      But first, he speaks of a moment as a teenager that shaped him into the player and man he is today – from his birthplace in the Parisian suburbs to the glamour of West London.
      Nkunku explained: “I was around 15-years-old. It was difficult because I had growing pains in my knees.
      “I was late in preparing physically as a player compared to the others, but I lived with it. I needed to work more to earn my place. It was good to learn. This is how I grew as a player.”
      That steely determination from a young age paid off. Having been turned away by the likes of Lens, Le Havre and Monaco due to his skinny physique, PSG took a punt on him in 2015.
      It was there over the course of four years he beefed up both physically and mentally.
      Christopher Nkunku enjoyed a successful time at RB LeipzigCredit: AFP
      Christopher Nkunku’s trademark balloon celebrationCredit: Getty
      Nkunku was already an extremely competitive person, growing up in a football-mad family.
      He said: “I don’t like to lose. Even if we play cards, I want to win.”
      So, he has walked into Chelsea – a club renowned for their win-at-all-costs attitude and cut-throat nature – comfortable in that pressurised environment, one that he previously shared with the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the French capital.
      He said: “[PSG and Chelsea are] basically the same in every category. You need to win and be first in the table. This is what we learned at PSG, how to win. Even drawing a game is like a loss.”
      He took that mindset with him to Red Bull Leipzig in 2019, hitting the heights he had promised to deliver in his third and fourth seasons. 58 goals in 88 games in all competitions.
      It was after the 2021/22 campaign, one that included 11 goals in 12 Champions League outings and 20 goals and 13 assists in 34 Bundesliga games, that Chelsea pounced.
      A pre-contract agreement was conjured up in October 2022.
      Nkunku developed a winning mentality with Kylian Mbappe and Neymar at PSGCredit: AP:Associated Press
      At that time, Graham Potter had replaced Thomas Tuchel as manager, Chelsea were in Europe and competing for the top four and above.
      A month later, a training ground injury scuppered his Qatar World Cup dreams with France.
      He then had to watch on from Germany as Chelsea went into free-fall. More managerial sackings, transfer spending lunacy and multiple dressing room fall-outs.
      It did not faze him. Seemingly, nothing does, even the suggestion that Chelsea’s recent record of signing prolific strikers – especially from the Bundesliga – is poor.
      Nkunku, who could take the vacant No.9 jersey, replied: “When you say this, is this about Kai Havertz and Timo Werner?”, the German pair who signed for Chelsea in 2020 for a combined fee of around £120m but have since departed.
      Nkunku continued: “Maybe sometimes they have personal problems, you don’t know. Everybody is different.
      “I know I can do a lot of great things here, that’s why I sit here. We will see in the future but I am not scared about anything.”
      Not even Manchester City’s 52-goal monster Erling Haaland frightens him. Nkunku already has two goals in three pre-season outings, and often celebrates by blowing up a balloon on the pitch in honour of his two-year-old son.
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      Erling Haaland has taken the Prem by storm since his arrival last summerCredit: Getty
      Nkunku said: “I will compete against anybody. I just focus only on my work and not about the work of Erling or any player.
      “I want to build my career. I want to do everything I can do in football and show what I can do. This is just the beginning.” More

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      David Beckham refuses to rule out becoming involved in Man Utd takeover as he says ‘it would mean the world to me’

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      DAVID BECKHAM has refused to rule out becoming involved in Manchester United’s takeover saga.The Red Devils legend owns MLS franchise Inter Miami.
      David Beckham watches Inter Miami alongside wife VictoriaCredit: Getty
      Becks believes that it’s time for Avram Glazer and Co to sell upCredit: Alamy
      His US team have kept him busy for a number of years, and are currently in the limelight due to Lionel Messi’s much-anticipated arrival.
      United, meanwhile, are the subject of bids from Qatari Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani and boyhood fan Sir Jim Ratcliffe in what has been a protracted potential sale.
      Asked by The Athletic if he’d consider getting involved, Beckham said: “I have a lot going on here at the moment and my focus has purely been on Miami and everything that goes on in my business.
      “But I haven’t been approached and I suppose any involvement with Manchester United would mean the world to me, going forward.
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      “But who knows? We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks or months.
      “Hopefully, a decision gets made and if I’m involved in any way… if not, I’ll be a United fan and just do what all the other fans are doing — turn up and watch our team.”
      Beckham, 48, agrees with fans that it is time for the Glazer family to sell Man United.
      Quizzed if it’s time for the Red Devils’ unpopular owners to leave, he said: “I think so. I think it’s purely because the fans want it.
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      “Once you lose the fans, especially at a club like Manchester United, it’s hard to get them back.
      “Obviously, they (the Glazers) have achieved a lot, and financially, the fact we’re even talking about the numbers of what Manchester United will sell for shows the success they’ve had.
      “But there needs to be change. We’ve all seen that, we all know that.”
      While United haven’t tasted anything like the success that Beckham experienced at Old Trafford in recent years, he is heartened by progress being made under Erik ten Hag.
      Becks added: “It hasn’t been the greatest of times for Manchester United, on the field or off the field. Seeing Erik come in is a breath of fresh air.
      “He has had some tough decisions to make but he has done it in the most elegant way and in a way where he has got the fans on his side.”
      The former England captain pointed at United’s noisy neighbours when citing how a club should be run.
      He continued: “Whoever is running your club, you want them to be passionate, be involved, make the right decisions, bring in the right players and invest in the club.
      “Because the club does need investment, whether it’s the training facility, stadium, on the field… these kinds of big things need to be made and changes do need to happen, especially when you see the likes of Man City and what they’re doing.
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      “It’s not just about what they’re winning. You can see that Man City are building for the future, not just from season to season.
      “They’ve got stability with Pep (Guardiola), who I am in awe of.”
      Beckham has brought Lionel Messi to Inter MiamiCredit: AFP More

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      Bayern Munich chiefs ‘CANCEL private jet to London at last minute’ – but will still hold Harry Kane transfer talks

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      BAYERN MUNICH chiefs reportedly CANCELLED their private jet to London just hours before take-off.But they are still expected to hold talks today over Harry Kane’s possible transfer.
      Harry Kane is wanted by Bayern Munich for a summer transferCredit: Reuters
      The Bundesliga giants are desperate to land the England skipper from Tottenham in a mega move.
      But their discreet plans to fly to the UK were thwarted when the details of their jet were leaked and went viral online.
      The aircraft was due to leave Oberpfaffenhofen at 10am this morning and return to Bavaria this evening.
      But last night Bayern were said to have ditched that plane – and instead made an alternative route.
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      Bild state another private jet is flying from Munich Airport to Biggin Hill in South-East London today – although it is unclear whether the club bosses were on it.
      Either way, the fact Bayern are planning another trip to London today – two weeks after initially heading across – shows they are relatively confident of striking a deal for the goal machine.
      SunSport understands talks are still set to go ahead this afternoon with Kane’s wife Katie and family already sounding out properties and international schools in Munich.
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      Bayern’s CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and technical director Marco Neppe – who skipped the club’s tour to the Far East – are expected in London for the discussions with Spurs chief Daniel Levy.
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      Bayern are likely to offer Tottenham around £86million but Spurs are holding out for £100m for Kane, who turns 30 today and has 12 months left on his contract.
      The German giants have had £60m and £70m offers rejected so far.
      Manchester United remain interested in Kane but Levy has always insisted he did not want to sell to a rival Premier League club, while PSG are also keen.
      Kane has made it clear he is keen on the move to Bayern.
      His father Pat and brother Charlie, who both look after his interests, have impressed the Germans with the way they have handled the delicate situation.
      Although the Three Lions star has made it clear he will not sign a new deal this summer, Levy has still not lost out hope that if Kane stays on for next season he may agree an extension down the line.
      Earlier this week, Bayern made their interest in Kane known after president Herbert Hainer described him as an “attractive player”.
      Marco Neppe and Jan-Christian Dreesen are expected in London for more talksCredit: Getty
      Daniel Levy wants to hold out for £100m but may have to settle for lessCredit: AFP More

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      David Brooks reveals he has not spoken to Bournemouth boss about cancer battle and doesn’t want to be picked on sympathy

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      DAVID BROOKS made an emotional Premier League return following his battle with cancer last season – but now the Bournemouth man feels ready to kick on for real.The Wales international, 26, was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021 and returned to action in March this year after more than 500 days out.
      David Brooks returned to the pitch last season after overcoming cancerCredit: Rex
      Having been used sparingly by the Cherries towards the end of the last campaign, Brooks has impressed under new boss Andoi Iraola in pre-season, but revealed the two have not even discussed his cancer battle – which is just how he wants it.
      Brooks told SunSport: “We haven’t spoken about it.
      “As bad as it sounds, I’m sure he’ll have a bit of sympathy for the cancer side of it, but he has come in to do a job. I am here to do a job so it is not anything to be discussed.
      “He wants the best XI out there on the first day of the season and I want to be in that XI.
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      “It is not really anything to talk about or be discussed.
      “Would I want a sympathy pick? No, not at all.
      “I’d feel worse him putting me on and I don’t think I’m ready and me playing awful if I thought I wasn’t ready.
      “I’ve been working hard to get into that XI and if I get in there I want it to be on merit.”
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      Bournemouth boss Andoi Iraola has not spoken to him about his cancer battleCredit: Rex
      Brooks has scored twice in three pre-season games so far this summer, grabbing one superb goal during the Cherries’ trip to Marbella and a late winner against Southampton on Tuesday.
      Having cleared the hurdle of a return for Bournemouth and Wales last season, Brooks is now focused on getting back to his game-changing best when West Ham visit on the opening day of the season.
      But the former Sheffield United man knows there is still a long way to go.
      He added: “Towards the end of last season I was just trying to get back and be involved in whatever kind of minutes I could but this season is different.
      “I was just desperate to get back in a Bournemouth shirt and a Wales shirt.
      “Now that is ticked off I am trying to get myself back in that starting XI and showing everyone what I can do.
      “I wouldn’t say back to normal. I haven’t played over 60 minutes in near enough three years, it is not like I’m thinking I’ll be playing 90 minutes against West Ham.”
      New boss Iraola is working to implement a new high-octane style of football on the south coast, and while his training has been demanding it is something Brooks is relishing.
      He said: “It is different.
      “Every gaffer I’ve had has been English based. It is a different regime and style of getting fit but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.
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      “There is a lot of work with the ball.
      “There are triple sessions but it’s not going out and running around poles in a field so it’s enjoyable.” More

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      Ex-Chelsea star Diego had nightclub in mansion during Blues spell and paid for it to be shipped to Madrid when he left

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      DIEGO COSTA incredibly moved his entire life out of England with him after quitting Chelsea – including the nightclub he had installed in his Surrey mansion.The controversial striker returned to Atletico Madrid in September 2017 for £67million after being told he wasn’t in Antonio Conte’s plans anymore.
      Diego Costa won the Premier League twice during his three-year spell at Chelsea between 2014-2017Credit: Rex Features
      He had moved his family out to the Spanish capital prior to sealing his switch back to Diego Simeone’s side.
      The 34-year-old, who most recently played for Wolves, even put his fleet of British cars up for sale in anticipation of his exit as he cleared up his belongings in the UK.
      But one essential thing he didn’t want to miss out on was the full-blown club he had installed in the conservatory of his home near the Blues’ Cobham training ground.
      The Brazilian-born Spain international is known to enjoy the good life away from football and was one of the characters in the Chelsea squad.
      So he splashed out to get his conservatory converted into a nightclub.
      And it was completed with top of the range lighting and sound system.
      And he enjoyed that aspect of London life so much he was desperate to take it with him back to Madrid.
      So he ordered a team to rip out the club piece by piece and transport it out to his home in Spain.
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      Costa is not the first footballer to have used his wealth decking out his home as a party venue.
      Samir Nasri did the same in his £6m Cheshire house he sold before leaving Manchester City in 2017.
      And Nasri’s ex-Citizens team-mate Raheem Sterling also installed a party area in his home. More