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      Premier League cult hero reveals major career change as he admits coaching ‘wasn’t for me’

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      FORMER Premier League cult hero Paddy Kenny has undergone a major career change since hanging up his boots.Synonymous with playing under Neil Warnock, Kenny starred for Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds among others during a successful career.
      Paddy Kenny played over 300 times for Sheffield UnitedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      As his playing days began to wind down, the goalkeeper tried his hand at coaching to see if it could be an option post-retirement.
      During the 2016-17 season, he worked as a player-goalkeeping coach at Northampton Town.
      He decided it wasn’t for him, however, briefly playing for non-league side Maltby Main after leaving Sixfields before walking away from the beautiful game.
      Kenny, now 45, has taken to social media to reveal why he’s no longer working in football.
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      He tweeted: “People keep asking me why I aren’t involved in football but I’ve dipped my toes in coach @ntfc but it wasn’t for me.
      “I’ve taken a different path now in my life with my transport business, after dinners and been the best dad I can be.
      “I’m very content in my life as well.”
      Kenny works as a director for his PK Transport Movements business.
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      Kenny played under Neil Warnock at numerous different clubsCredit: Rex
      The former goalkeeper can still regularly be found on the after-dinner circuit.
      He has plenty of stories to tell, having twice been promoted from the Championship.
      Kenny made 67 Premier League appearances during his career, while he was also capped seven times by the Republic of Ireland.
      He is most well-remembered for his time at Sheffield United, having played over 300 times for the Blades.
      The 6ft 1in stopper was also No1 in QPR’s Championship title-winning team – playing a season in the Prem with them before being usurped by Brazilian star Julio Cesar.
      Kenny recently told a hilarious story from his time playing under Warnock.
      He revealed on the I Had Trials Once podcast: “Warnock used to take us to Cornwall all the time.
      “We were playing a game, we’re all there getting changed before we go out. Warnock’s brought this young kid in about 14 years old.
      “This young kid has come in with his dad and we were like ‘what’s going off here, f***ing hell, why would he be playing?’
      “Anyway, he tells us, ‘just to let you all know lads, this is so and so and his dad so and so. He’s playing 20 minutes at the end of the game’.
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      “We were like, eh? Anyway this young kid comes on, plays 20 minutes, pre-season I think it was Bodmin we were playing.
      “We found out afterwards the lad’s dad had decorated Warnock’s house, so instead of paying he gave his lad 20 minutes of a pre-season game.”
      Kenny, now 45, gave coaching a go at Northampton TownCredit: Getty More

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      Andre Onana vs David de Gea vs Dean Henderson: How Inter Milan keeper compares to Man Utd legend ahead of transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are on the brink of signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan to become their new No1.The Cameroonian star will replace David de Gea as the Red Devils’ first choice between the sticks.

      Andre Onana is set to become Manchester United’s new No1Credit: Getty
      De Gea, 32, was United’s goalkeeper for 12 years, having been signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011.
      No keeper in the 20-time champions’ history has kept more clean sheets than the Spaniard – but United boss Erik ten Hag has decided to move on.
      Following De Gea’s emotional farewell upon the conclusion of his £375,000 a week contract – Onana is set to agree terms weekly terms worth around £100k.
      United have lodged a £35.8million bid for the 27-year-old, which falls below Inter’s valuation.
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      But a compromise is set to be found in the coming days.
      Onana will join a United goalkeeping pool that still includes homegrown stopper Dean Henderson.
      The England international spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, but has returned to pre-season with United.
      Henderson, 26, has made it clear that he has no interest in sitting on the bench again and could be moved on later in the window.
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      Dean Henderson has returned to pre-season with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
      He spent the first half of last season as Forest’s No1 before suffering a season-ending calf injury in January.
      As Onana nears a move to Man United, let’s take a look at how his stats during the 2022-23 season compare with those of De Gea and Henderson.
      In terms of availability, De Gea was easily the most dependable of the trio – featuring in all 38 of United’s Prem matches.
      Henderson was limited to just 18 league games for Forest due to his aforementioned thigh issue – while Onana played 24 times in Serie A as he juggled responsibilities with Inter stalwart Samir Handanovic.
      Onana conceded one goal a game on average, compared to De Gea’s 1.13 and Henderson’s 1.72 in a significantly weaker Forest team.
      De Gea managed 17 clean sheets in 38 games, while Onana produced eight in 24 and Henderson six in 18.
      This means that De Gea kept clean sheets in 45 per cent of his matches – while Onana and Henderson kept shut-outs in an identical 33 per cent of their games.
      Henderson was unsurprisingly the busiest of the three, averaging 3.1 saves a game compared to De Gea’s 2.7 and Onana’s 2.6.
      Onana had the highest save percentage, however, stopping 71.8 per cent of shots faced – with De Gea saving 69.9 per cent and Henderson 63.5.
      Part of the reason Ten Hag opted to get rid of De Gea was his desire for a goalkeeper more comfortable with the ball at his feet.
      United’s former No1 completed 68.3 per cent of his passes, while Henderson, in a far less ball dominant team, made 56.8 per cent of his.
      Onana, meanwhile, completed 79.2 per cent – hugely helping Inter in starting moves and providing another option.
      Ironically, none of the three keepers outperformed the xG of the shots they faced.
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      De Gea conceded 42 goals from an xG of 41.45, while Henderson let in 31 from an xG of just 27.4.
      Even Onana at Inter conceded 22 goals from an xG of 19.54 – actually making De Gea the member of the trio that stopped the greater majority of what he should have – despite his replacement’s far better ability to play out from the back.
      Man United have moved on from stalwart David de GeaCredit: Reuters More

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      Harry Kane set to appear on Hot Ones and Tottenham fans can’t help but fear their captain has something to announce

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      HARRY KANE is set to appear on Hot Ones as Tottenham Hotspur fans fear their captain has something to announce.The Spurs forward will become the first English footballer to appear on the popular YouTube series.
      Harry Kane will appear on hit YouTube series Hot OnesCredit: Instagram @hotones
      His appearance has been confirmed for the latest episode, which will be released on Thursday July 13.
      The web series sees celebrity guests attempt to eat 10 increasingly spicy wings.
      Starting at 1,600 Scoville units, less than a Jalapeno pepper, the wings increase in spice up to over two million Scoville, which is the equivalent of a Carolina Reaper – the world’s hottest chilli.
      Kane will follow in the footsteps of previous guests including NBA icon Shaquille O’Neal and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
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      He will be hoping to avoid replicating actress Jennifer Lawrence, though, who revealed during a recent appearance on the show that the wings made her “feel like I’m gonna die!”
      With his Spurs future up in the air, fans fear Kane could make an announcement during the show.
      He has been strongly linked with a move to Bayern Munich after entering the final year of his contract.
      One concerned supporter tweeted: “Is this where he announces his transfer request?”
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      Another wrote: “Bro’s promoting his move to Bayern.”
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      A third fan also added: “Boosting his commercial appeal for a transfer away from Tottenham.”
      “This has got to be a reference to the Tottenham cockerel (chicken) meaning he’s staying right?” commented another.
      Meanwhile, one more said: “This is how he’s announcing the move.”
      Bayern have reportedly launched a second bid for Kane as the German giants push for a move.
      Tottenham Hotspur fans fear Harry Kane could make an announcement about his futureCredit: Getty
      Paris Saint-Germain have also joined the race, with new manager Luis Enrique making Kane his “top priority”.
      Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has yet to confirm whether his captain will stay at the club beyond the end of the transfer window.
      Kane remains on holiday after being given extended time off by the club.
      He is set to report back to the training ground for pre-season on Wednesday. More

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      I s*** myself and tripped over when Sir Alex Ferguson gave me a death stare after I snubbed Man Utd for Chelsea

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      JOHN OBI MIKEL has revealed he “s*** himself” when Sir Alex Ferguson gave him a death stare after he snubbed Manchester United.The former Chelsea midfielder had been set to join the Red Devils before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2006.
      Sir Alex Ferguson gave John Obi Mikel a death stare after he snubbed Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
      John Obi Mikel was presented in a Man Utd shirt before joining Chelsea insteadCredit: AFP
      He was even presented with a United shirt ahead of completing a transfer from Lyn Oslo, only for the deal to collapse.
      Mikel instead chose to join Chelsea, despite meeting with Ferguson twice to discuss his move to United.
      The pair came face-to-face again when Mikel visited Old Trafford with Chelsea a few months later.
      Recalling the moment he saw Fergie, Mikel told The Debrief Podcast: “I saw him one time, it was Manchester United against Chelsea.
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      “I was coming out of the dressing room and as I was coming out of the door at the corner he was coming out and I just s*** myself.
      “I can’t remember what happened, I think I tripped up on the stairs, he looked at me and he just walked out. He started chewing his gum and just walked out. He didn’t say a word.”

      Mikel added: “It was a death stare. I met him a few times after that and we started talking about it and he forgot about it and forgave me.”
      Despite giving Mikel a fright, Ferguson did not blame him for the move falling through.
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      He said at the time: “I don’t believe it’s true that Mikel doesn’t want to join Manchester United; I believe he has been forced to say it.
      “His family have been put under huge pressure and the circumstances are very sad.
      “The manner in which he and his family have been treated and pressurised is, quite frankly, disgusting.”
      Mikel went on to spend 11 years with the Blues, making 372 appearances for the club.
      The former Nigeria international also won 11 major trophies in West London, including the Champions League and two league titles.
      He later had spells with Middlesbrough and Stoke City as well as stints playing in China, Turkey and Kuwait, before retiring in 2022 aged 35. More

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      Mykhailo Mudryk shows off incredible body transformation as fans call Chelsea star the ‘Ukrainian Adama Traore’

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      CHELSEA fans were left stunned with Mykhailo Mudryk’s bulked up body transformation. The winger joined the Blues in January from Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth £88.5million.
      Chelsea fans were left stunned with Mykhailo Mudryk’s bulked up body transformationCredit: instagram @mmudryk10
      Mykhailo Mudryk looked buffed up as he modelled Chelsea’s new kitCredit: instagram @chelseafc
      Mudryk failed to hit the ground running in his first six months in the capital, not managing a goal in his 17 appearances.
      But the Ukrainian looks to be returning as an all new man when modelling Chelsea’s new retro-themed kit.
      Mudryk appeared buffed up and one fan reacted: “Ukrainian adama traore.”
      Another added: “Mudryk really putting some time into the gym.”
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      One commented: “Is it just me or Mudryk looks jacked up?”
      Mudryk, still only 22, will be among the Chelsea strugglers set for a fresh start under new boss Maurico Pochettino.
      Pochettino must fix a bloated squad after Todd Boehly’s wild first year as owner, which included £606million worth of signings.
      So the likes of Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Enzo Fernandez must now step up to the plate.
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      Pochettino said: “Now is a new start, a fresh start, and they need to show their real quality.
      “We must give them a chance to show they can cope with pressure at Chelsea and perform with the best.
      “We can’t just blame the players, we need to see what is going on and why they are not performing in the way we expect.
      “When all is clear, we cannot give excuses to them not to perform.”
      Maurico Pochettino leads Chelsea’s training sessionCredit: Getty More

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      Every Premier League squad’s value revealed with Arsenal biggest winners and Man Utd’s transfer failures highlighted

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      ARSENAL have increased the value of their squad more than any other Premier League club.Mikel Arteta’s side narrowly missed out on the title last season, falling away towards the end of the campaign as Manchester City clinched a fifth crown in six years.
      Mikel Arteta has significantly boosted the value of his Arsenal squadCredit: Getty
      Chelsea’s squad has decreased significantly in value since the players were signedCredit: Reuters
      But it should not go unnoticed how much the Spaniard has improved his Gunners side – who finished fifth in 2021/22.
      And that has been shown through stats provided by Transfermarkt.
      Arsenal’s squad has cost £572million to assemble, with their current market value standing at £915m.
      That is an increase of £343m – £100m more than any other side in the division.
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      How each Premier League team’s squad has changed in value
      Liverpool and Man City have also seen their squads improve in value since they purchased their players – by £154m and £150m respectively – with Pep Guardiola the only head coach boasting a set of players valued in excess of £1bn.
      Tottenham can also say they have marginally increased their squad’s worth by £43m.
      But at the other end of the scale come Chelsea and Manchester United.
      Todd Boehly’s £600m cash splash since arriving at Stamford Bridge 12 months ago has done little to improve the squad.
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      And it has seen them drop to the bottom of the table when it comes to the value of their players compared to how much they arrived for.
      The West London club have spent £880m on their star-studded roster – more than any other team – with their value standing at £756m.
      That sees them pip Man Utd to the unwanted 20th place with a net loss of £-124m.
      Erik ten Hag’s men also hold a negative value of their squad at £-115m.
      Chelsea and United are two of just four clubs with a negative transfer value – along with Sheffield United and Wolves.
      Meanwhile, the other big winners from the list are Brighton – who hold a £243m squad value increase having developed the likes of Evan Ferguson, Moises Caicedo, Julio Enciso, Pervis Estupinan, Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March.
      Brentford, Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have also increased their squad’s value by between £81m and £179m. More

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      Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk calls out fan in sarcastic response after being told to change his game

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      MYKHAILO MUDRYK fired back at a Chelsea fan after he was criticised for his performances since arriving at Stamford Bridge.The Ukrainian, 22, joined the Blues for £88million in the January transfer window.
      Mykhailo Mudryk snapped back after being criticised by one supporterCredit: Getty
      But he failed to contribute a single goal and registered just two assists in 17 games for Chelsea during the second half of last season.
      His displays left many supporters frustrated as another of their big-money signings struggled to hit the ground running.
      And in response to one of Mudryk’s recent Instagram posts, a fan said: “Bro learn to make 360 turns with the ball it will help u change direction and be unpredictable.
      “Running with the ball in one direction isn’t good enough. Clue.”
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      But Mudryk was in no mood to be slated as he returned fire at the online critique.
      The former Shakhtar Donetsk man coldly said: “Why you are didn’t win Balon d’Or yet?”
      Like much of the Chelsea squad last season, Mudryk underwhelmed with his displays as the Premier League giants finished a dismal 12th.
      And the Ukraine international admitted in March he had found it difficult to settle, but insisted he will come good eventually.
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      He said: “I can say yes, it’s a lot of pressure, but it’s not for the first time.
      “I like this pressure because one day that guy who said I’m a loser, one day he will say I’m a winner. Time will tell.”
      Chelsea are preparing to embark on a new era under manager Mauricio Pochettino.
      The Argentine, 51, is overseeing a mass overhaul in his squad as Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N’Golo Kante and Cesar Azpilicueta are among the major stars to have left the club.
      Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson have caught the eye as the two high-profile arrivals.
      And looking ahead to the new campaign, Pochettino said: “I feel good, I am not a coach that needs to ask for power, I don’t put things in my clause.
      “The most important is to show them to put trust in me. I need to convince them that they need to trust, that’s the biggest power you can have.
      “My target is to win – if you’re in a club like Chelsea, you can’t talk about doing a nice job or playing well.” More

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      Greece boss Poyet reveals Sheff Utd ace Baldock played through ‘unimaginable’ injury when he silenced France’s Mbappe

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      GREECE manager Gus Poyet revealed Sheffield United ace George Baldock was dealing with an “unimaginable” ankle injury when he kept France superstar Kylian Mbappe quiet.Poyet’s Greeks faced Didier Deschamps’ 2018 world champions at Stade de France in a Euro 2024 qualifier last month.
      Sheffield United ace George Baldock kept France superstar Kylian Mbappe quietCredit: Getty
      Greece manager Gus Poyet played through a “very bad” ankle injury against FranceCredit: Sportsfile
      France won 1-0 thanks to Mbappe’s penalty after two spot-kicks and former Arsenal ace Dinos Mavropanos’ red card, but the visitors still put together a defiant performance in Paris.
      Sheffield United right-back Baldock stood out with exceptional marking down the wing as he limited the Paris Saint-Germain superstar’s influence for the hosts.
      Poyet revealed the Buckingham-born ace, who qualifies for the Greek national team via his grandmother, powered through a “very bad” injury he suffered against Republic of Ireland just three days earlier.
      The 30-year-old’s swollen ankle got so aggravated it turned “black and blue” as he flew to France just a few hours before being tasked with marking one of the world’s best players.
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      The Uruguayan tactician had to make a late call and his faith paid off as Baldock played through the pain and silenced Mbappe for a full 104 minutes.
      Poyet told SunSport on behalf of 888sport: “Against the Republic of Ireland – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’
      “At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.
      “You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.
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      “Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.
      “And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.
      “That’s the people I want, that’s the person I want any club to meet. To talk to him. Because the player is there to see and how competitive he is and how strong he is. But you need to know the personality.” More