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      Erling Haaland could slump to THIRD in Ballon d’Or as fans call for Man City team-mate to beat Messi to gong

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      MANCHESTER CITY superstar Erling Haaland could drop to third in the Ballon d’Or rankings despite his record-breaking exploits.Haaland led City to a Treble as he became the Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer in a single campaign and topped the Champions League charts, while also dominating the FA Cup.
      Manchester City star Erling Haaland could finish third in the Ballon d’or rankingsCredit: Getty
      Fans prefer Haaland’s Manchester City team-mate Rodri for the Ballon d’Or awardCredit: Rex
      Lionel Messi could also win the award after leading Argentina to the World CupCredit: Getty
      However, fans believe one of the star striker’s City team-mates deserves the Ballon d’Or more than Pep Guardiola’s goal machine.
      And that is none other than Rodri, who added the Nations League to his trophy case on Sunday.
      The midfielder helped Spain beat Croatia on penalties after a goalless draw in the final at De Kuip.
      The 26-year-old put together another man-of-the-match performance in a final shortly after scoring City’s winner against Inter Milan to seal the club’s first ever Champions League trophy.
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      And Rodri’s exploits could see him cut some of Haaland’s votes for the 2023 Ballon d’Or.
      The Norway international poses as a favourite, while Lionel Messi is hoping for an eighth award after leading Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar.
      But Rodri’s success could slump Haaland to third place following mass praise from the fans.
      One fan tweeted: “Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Nations League. MOTM awards in multiple finals. Rodri has completed football this season.”
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      Another commented: “All timer season by a DM. Rodri deserves to be on that Ballon d’Or podium.”
      A third posted: “If Jorginho made top 3 in the Ballon D’or in 2021, then Rodri should be winning the Ballon D’or for winning the treble and winning the Nations League… Uncomfortable conversations.”
      This fan wrote: “Rodri is a better contender for the Ballon D’or than Messi.”
      And that one stated: “It has been a good 2022/2023-season for Rodri. A Ballon d’Or worthy season.” More

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      Inside Jack Grealish’s extreme match day diet from item in everyone’s cupboard to strange and pricey mega meal

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      JACK GREALISH has built a reputation as a maverick both on and off the pitch.The Manchester City and England star, 27, enjoyed a sensational season as he played a pivotal role in Pep Guardiola’s men completing the Treble.
      Jack Grealish has some interesting eating habitsCredit: Reuters
      After an underwhelming first year at the Etihad, Grealish has begun to live up to his £100million price tag by becoming a regular starter for the English champions.
      And he is also box office away from the field – as was demonstrated by his chaotic celebrations after the Champions League final.
      But Grealish’s unique persona does not stop there.
      The ex-Aston Villa forward also has some rather bizarre eating habits.
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      When asked to name his favourite pre-match meal earlier this month, he gave a remarkably basic answer.
      Grealish said: “I eat anything really. But recently I have been having beans on toast, a bit English.”
      However, that’s not where the Birmingham-born star’s intriguing food preferences end.
      Beans on toast might be a rather unimaginative option, but he also knows how to splash out on a big cheat meal.
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      SunSport revealed that Grealish enjoys gorging on FIVE Chinese takeaway dishes after a match.
      The mammoth dinner is said to set him back £53.50 every time he orders it.
      Speaking about the meal, he said: “Yeah, I love Chinese, man. After every game I get one. I go to Wing’s in Manchester.
      “I usually get a takeaway. I have Singapore chow mein, I have egged fried rice, I have salt and pepper chips, I have salt and pepper prawns and then curry sauce.
      “I then mix it all in and have a big free for all.” More

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      Fans think Bukayo Saka has hinted at next transfer destination as Arsenal star is filmed singing to England team-mate

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      BUKAYO SAKA was filmed singing Real Madrid’s anthem to England team-mate Jude Bellingham – and it immediately sparked theories over his future.Bellingham became the most expensive British player ever by joining Real in a whopping £115million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
      Fans think Arsenal star Bukayo Saka hinted at his next transfer destinationCredit: Getty
      Arsenal star Saka sang Real Madrid’s anthem to England team-mate Jude BellinghamCredit: https://twitter.com/RMadridistaReal/status/1670470965719977984?s=20
      The midfielder met with Saka while in training ahead of tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier against North Macedonia at Wembley.
      And the camera caught the Arsenal winger enthusiastically shaking Bellingham’s hand with a special message.
      Saka sang: “Madrid, Hala Madrid, Y nada mas [Madrid, Hello Madrid, And nothing else].”
      That got fans thinking about a potential deal in what is shaping up to be a thrilling summer transfer window.
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      Real supporters appear to believe that Saka singing their anthem could be an indication he’s moving to the Santiago Bernabeu in the near future.
      One fan tweeted: “Arsenal fans ain’t ready for that [David] Ornstein exclusive on Real Madrid advanced talks with Arsenal for Saka tweet.”
      Another Real supporter commented: “Let’s go for Bukayo.”
      A third posted: “Your boy will join us soon.”
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      This supporter wrote: “Bring the English best RW in.”
      And that one stated: “We need a right winger.”
      Nevertheless, the 21-year-old recently signed a new deal tying him to Arsenal until 2027 and is now officially the club’s highest earner. More

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      Supercomputer works out world’s top clubs with Chelsea NOT in top 20 and Arsenal below Liverpool despite title push

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      MANCHESTER CITY have been named the best club in the world by a supercomputer – but Chelsea failed to make even the top 20 teams.Pep Guardiola’s side established themselves as Europe’s top side by completing a sensational Treble in Istanbul earlier this month.
      Manchester City have been named the best club side in world footballCredit: PA
      Arsenal came sixth in the list but are still behind LiverpoolCredit: EPA
      And the Soccer Power Index has now confirmed them as the top team in club football at the end of the 2022/23 season – with all 20 sides based in Europe.
      They came to this conclusion by giving every team “an offensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to score against an average team on a neutral field” and a “defensive rating that represents the number of goals it would be expected to concede”.
      This provides each club with an SPI [Soccer Power Index] rating.
      Man City’s is 92 – a figure which relates to the percentage of points they would be expected to get if they faced that average team over and over again.
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      The top 20 clubs in world football according to the Soccer Power Index
      The closest side to the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League winners is Bayern Munich with 87.
      They are followed by the two Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.
      And Liverpool surprisingly still make the top five despite failing to make the Premier League’s top four last season.
      They are followed by Arsenal – who finished 17 points clear of Jurgen Klopp’s men but squandered the title late on in the campaign.
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      Newcastle and Brighton are the other English sides in the top 10 – either side of Serie A champions Napoli and Borussia Dortmund.
      Unai Emery’s resurgent Aston Villa slot into 13th place, ahead of Manchester United in 16th.
      And Brentford also sneak in at the bottom of the 20-club list.
      But there is no place for Chelsea or Tottenham – both of whom failed to secure European football following dismal domestic campaigns.
      Todd Boehly has watched Chelsea fall down the Premier League tableCredit: AFP More

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      Two former Premier League stars look unrecognisable as they star for Real Madrid in legends match

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      TWO former Premier League stars looked completely unrecognisable as they recently lined-up for Real Madrid in a legends match.One was a Croatian striker that was almost unplayable at the 1998 World Cup.
      Two former Prem stars looked unrecognisable as they returned to match actionCredit: Twitter
      The pair both played recently for a Real Madrid legends teamCredit: Twitter
      One of the icons posed with ex-ref Mark Halsey and posted the snap on TwitterCredit: Twitter
      The hotshot grabbed the Golden Boot as he fired his team to a fourth-place finish and eventually ended up as his country’s all-time top scorer.
      Domestically, he starred for Sevilla before going on to shine at Real Madrid during a three-year spell from 1996.
      Then, to a lesser extent, the ace headed to England to join Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal for a season before moving across London to West Ham for a 12-month stint.
      He scored eight goals in 22 Premier League appearances for the Gunners, with just two in 11 for the Hammers, and then moved to Germany to finish his career at 1860 Munich.
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      The ex-forward was then president of the Croatian Football Federation.
      Meanwhile, the other was a team-mate of the Croatian striker briefly at the Bernabeu after Real snapped him up from Mallorca in 1998.
      He became a huge favourite and a stand-out star due to his famed perm haircut, winning the Champions League twice at Madrid.
      However, he was shipped out on loan to Bolton Wanderers in the 2002/03 campaign and eventually made that move permanent.
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      Under Sam Allardyce, the Spanish international midfielder played for the Trotters for another five years and achieved icon status at the club before going on to join Ipswich Town for a season prior to ending his career at Cypriot club AEK Larnaca.
      The two players in question, of course, are Davor Suker and Ivan Campo.
      The pair were recently reunited as they starred for a Real Madrid legends team.
      An ex-Premier League referee was also involved with Mark Halsey being the man in charge of the action.
      And Campo, now 49, even shared a shot of himself with the whistleblower and captioned it with: “Today I was with a special person and big friend : @RefereeHalsey.
      “Very very very happy to see you again in Orihuela playing with @VeteranosRM.”
      He also posted numerous other shots from the match, including one with him next to now 55-year-old Suker.
      And some of his followers were quick to jump into the comments, with one writing: “Look at those legends.”

      “Dream team right there,” declared another as a fellow fan tweeted: “Ivan Campo Ivan Campo my hero … Baller end of .. love this man ..”
      And the two men both showed they still possessed some of the magic as they helped Madrid to a 5-0 win over an Alicante XI thanks to a brace from Edwin Congo and goals from Jose Amavisca, Fernando Moran and Alberto Rivera.
      Davor Suker went on to star for Arsenal after Real MadridCredit: Reuters
      Ivan Camp achieved legend status after a switch to England with Bolton WanderersCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      Former Premier League star who famously ran off pitch mid-way through a game for a POO announces retirement aged 37

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      FORMER Crystal Palace and Southampton star Jason Puncheon has announced his retirement from football.The 37-year-old said it was a “dream come true” to captain Palace, his boyhood club.
      Jason Puncheon has retired from football aged 37Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      He once had to rush off mid-game for an urgent toilet breakCredit: Sky Sports
      He helped to establish the Eagles back into the Premier League after joining in 2013 – the summer after they were promoted.
      Puncheon spent six years at Selhurst Park and scored 16 goals in 169 games before a permanent move to Pafos in Cyprus.
      He ended his career with Anorthosis in the Cypriot First Division and will now manage in the country – taking charge of Peyia 2014.
      Puncheon began his career with Wimbledon and was part of the squad that transitioned to MK Dons in 2004.
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      The former winger also had permanent spells at Barnet, Plymouth and Southampton and played in all four divisions of the EFL.
      While loan stints at Millwall, Blackpool, QPR and Huddersfield mean Puncheon has had his fair share of clubs.
      Puncheon announced his retirement saying: “All good things come to an end.
      “I would like to thank all the coaches, team-mates and staff I have worked with – those memories, football lessons and life skills will stay with me forever.
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      “Thank you to all the fans. Hearing people sing your name from the stands is something I only dreamed about as a kid which then became a reality.
      “I would like to thank my family and parents for being part of the sacrifices professional football demands – most importantly for your continued guided support in good or bad moments.
      “After 20 years of playing professional football at all different levels it’s time for me to retire.
      “Now it’s time for me to be a coach. I would like to thank Peyia 2014 for giving me the opportunity to be head coach at this early stage of my new career and I can’t wait to get started.”
      One of Puncheon’s most infamous moments came in 2013 when he had to rush off mid-game in a match between Southampton and Everton.
      Duty called as Puncheon took an urgent toilet break, much to the amusement of the crowd who sang: “Jason Puncheon, he went for a s***”.
      Weeks later Puncheon joked about the incident as he celebrated a goal by pretending to take a poo, leading to chants of: “He s**** when he wants, Jason Puncheon, he s**** when he wants.” More

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      Premier League boss quizzed by cops over ‘rape of teenage girl who was attacked when she applied for job’

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      A BOSS of a Premier League football club has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape, we can reveal.The well-known football figure raped a teenage girl a number of years ago, it is being alleged.
      A Premier League boss has been quizzed under caution over a historical allegation of rape
      Met Police detectives first received a crime report about the claim 21 months ago.
      The Prem boss named over the attack voluntarily attended a police station with his solicitor on Monday.
      He was interviewed under caution but not arrested.
      Further enquiries are being carried out before a decision is made whether to charge him or take no further action.
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      The Met Police said: “On Thursday, September 23, 2021, the Met received a crime report regarding an historic rape allegation.
      “On Monday, June 12, a man was interviewed under caution at a police station.’’
      The Sun is unable to identify the man for legal reasons. It is understood he denies the rape claim.
      One source told The Sun: “He is shocked by the allegation and totally refutes it.”
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      The accused man is said to have met the complainant when she applied to work for an organisation he was involved with at the time.
      The source stressed it had no connection to the Premier League club the man is currently involved with.
      They added: “The allegation goes back quite a few years when the complainant met the suspect after she applied for a job at a place he was involved with.
      “She was a teenage girl at the time and is now a mature woman.”
      Former Met Det Supt Michael Hames, a specialist sex crimes investigator, said: “With historic complaints in general, you lose potential evidence which could have been obtained earlier.
      “Very often it becomes one person’s word against another’s.” More

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      Where Premier League’s best teenage XI from 2013 are now including Treble winner, ex-Man Utd whiz & THREE Arsenal flops

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      TALENT evaluation isn’t always easy when it comes to Prem wonderkids.The names of plenty of supposed future superstars cross the lips of fans up and down the country each year, as they dream of their club unearthing the next big thing.

      For every Wayne Rooney, a wonderkid that delivered on his promise, there will be another 10 starlets that can’t quite live up to the hype.
      So when Bleacher Report(BR) named their best XI of Premier League teenage wonderkids in 2013, it was bound to be a mixed bag.
      Some of their picks have made the grade spectacularly, with their line-up containing a Manchester United regular as well as a Treble winner.
      Others, however, have fallen into obscurity, not managing to live up to the hype.
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      A decade on from BR’s picks, we take a look at how their XI have gone on to do.
      Gregor Zabret
      Slovenian keeper arrived at Swansea from Domzale in 2013, but would never make a first-team appearance during his seven years at the Liberty Stadium.
      Zabret, described as a “strong shot-stopper” by BR, was loaned to Oldham in 2019 – but failed to make a league appearance there either.
      Following short spells with non-league Ashton Athletic and Welsh side Aberystwyth Town, the 27-year-old finds himself without a club.
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      Gregor Zabret has fallen down the leaguesCredit: Getty
      Calum Chambers
      By 2013, Calum Chambers had already been handed his Premier League debut at Southampton by former Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino.
      A year later his promising displays earned a move to Arsenal – where he would play 122 times between 2014 and January 2022 – while also having loan spells at Fulham and Middlesbrough.
      Chambers, 28, has earned three England caps, and signed for Aston Villa on a free transfer in January last year.
      Calum Chambers signed for Aston Villa last yearCredit: Getty
      Nathaniel Chalobah
      Former starlet Nathaniel Chalobah emerged as a highly-touted wonderkid during his time at Chelsea – going on to play 15 times for the Blues’ first team.
      He was loaned out six times by the West Londoners, before joining Watford permanently in 2017.
      Chalobah, now 28, earned an England cap in 2018, and now plays for West Brom after signing for the Baggies in January.
      Nathaniel Chalobah signed for West Brom in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      Nathan Ake
      Former Chelsea wonderkid Nathan Ake has gone on to have a phenomenal career… away from Stamford Bridge.
      After just 17 outings for the Blues, Ake was allowed to sign for Bournemouth on a permanent basis.
      Following impressive displays for the Cherries, the Dutchman signed for Manchester City – going on to play a key role in their famous Treble triumph.
      Nathan Ake played an integral role in Man City’s TrebleCredit: Getty
      Luke Shaw
      Precocious full-back Luke Shaw broke through at Southampton aged just 17 under Pochettino, with a £30million move to Man United making him the world’s most expensive teenager in 2014.
      The 27-year-old has fought through adversities at Old Trafford, particularly his horrific leg break and subsequent feud with Jose Mourinho, to become a trusted regular at Old Trafford.
      In addition to 260 Man United appearances Shaw has also earned 30 England caps, scoring in the Three Lions’ Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy.
      Luke Shaw is a regular for England and Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
      James Ward-Prowse
      Midfielder James Ward-Prowse remains a one-club man, having become captain at his beloved Southampton.
      Following the Saints’ relegation, however, he may soon be granted a move – with West Ham believed to be keen.
      The deadly set-piece specialist, 28, has played 11 times for England.
      James Ward-Prowse captains boyhood club SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      Gedion Zelalem
      United States youth international Gedion Zelalem was spotted playing in the US by former Gunner and scout Daniel Karbassiyoon as a teen.
      He was subsequently snapped up by Arsenal and tipped for the top.
      The midfielder went on to make just four first team appearances for the North Londoners, going on to play for Sporting Kansas City and New York City in MLS – before moving to Den Bosch in the Netherlands, where he now plies his trade aged 26.
      Gedion Zelalem plays for Den Bosch in the NetherlandsCredit: Getty
      Jeremie Boga
      Winger Jeremie Boga was an exciting talent within Chelsea’s academy, and was handed his first Prem start on the opening day of the 2017-18 season by boss Antonio Conte.
      Following Gary Cahill’s early red card, however, the unfortunate Ivorian was hooked after just 18 minutes to get an extra defender on.
      He would never play for the Blues again, but he has since excelled in Serie A with Sassuolo and Atalanta, where he now plays aged 26.
      Jeremie Boga plies his trade in Serie A for AtalantaCredit: Getty
      Adnan Januzaj
      Former wonderkid shot to prominence at Manchester United after scoring twice on his first Prem start under former boss David Moyes in 2013.
      He went on to play 63 times for the Red Devils’ first team before eventually falling out of favour under Louis van Gaal and heading out on loan to Sunderland and Borussia Dortmund.
      A permanent switch to Real Sociedad, where he played between 2017 and 2022, followed – and he has most recently been on loan at Turkish side Basaksehir from Sevilla.
      Former Man Utd wonderkid Adnan Januzaj joined Basaksehir on loanCredit: Getty
      Serge Gnabry
      German winger is very much one that got away for Arsenal fans – after he played just 18 times for their first team.
      Gnabry endured a nightmare loan spell at West Brom, with ex-Baggies boss Tony Pulis going on to scoff: “You could knock him over with a feather.”
      After a stint with Werder Bremen he signed for Bayern Munich where he has excelled, scoring 81 goals and laying on 51 assists in 218 appearances – while winning the Champions League and a plethora of Bundesliga titles.
      Ex-Arsenal wonderkid now stars for Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Lucas Piazon
      Brazilian former wonderkid Lucas Piazon was highly thought of at Chelsea, but would make just three first team appearances for the Blues – the last of which came in 2012.
      Read more on The Sun
      Astonishingly the forward, now 29, remained on Chelsea’s books until 2021, going out on loan SEVEN times.
      He finally left Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis for Portuguese side Braga two years ago, and has since had yet another loan spell, this time with Botafogo.
      Lucas Piazon had seven loan spells away from ChelseaCredit: Getty More