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      Newcastle boss Eddie Howe gets backing from key club chief as behind-the-scenes dispute with transfer guru grows

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      NEWCASTLE chief executive Darren Eales has backed Eddie Howe in his dispute with new sporting director Paul Mitchell.The pair have clashed over transfers and the team’s playing style since Mitchell was appointed in July, with Eales understood to have given his full support to Toon boss Howe.Eddie Howe has been honest about Newcastle’s disappointing transfer windowCredit: RexNewcastle’s new sporting director Paul Mitchell is in a dispute with HoweCredit: GettyAnd an interview published yesterday in which Mitchell criticised the recruitment and scouting departments is believed to have inflamed the existing tensions.His failure to say that Newcastle would fight to keep hold of Howe if he is offered the England job also raised eyebrows at the club.One source questioned if all three could continue working together.Howe and Mitchell are believed to have got off on the wrong foot in July.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLA meeting between Mitchell and the players also went badly, while several members of Howe’s coaching staff also expressed concerns at his combative approach.Howe has been a huge success at Newcastle, saving them from relegation before achieving Champions League qualification in his second season.However, he has had a difficult summer and was unimpressed by Mitchell’s transfer dealings.He failed to sign No 1 target Marc Guehi or the right winger Howe requested.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCEO Darren Eales has put his support behind Newcastle boss HoweCredit: GettyHowe has privately expressed frustration at the limited incomings  — while Mitchell blamed the manager for his inflexibility over targets.Despite the off-field struggles, Newcastle have started their Premier League campaign with seven points out of nine.Awkward moment Celtic hero Joe Hart gets Newcastle star’s name wrong live on Match of the DayThey kicked off with a 1-0 victory against Southampton, before drawing 1-1 with Bournemouth.Howe’s men then went into the international break with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Tottenham at St James’ Park.Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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      Marc Cucurella reveals ‘difficult’ Chelsea dressing room and pleads with Todd Boehly to give boss Enzo Maresca time

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      MARC CUCURELLA has pleaded with the Chelsea hierarchy to be patient with new manager Enzo Maresca.Having been signed by Thomas Tuchel and seen Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino come and go in the Stamford Bridge hotseat — Cucurella has called for patience and stability to make things work.Chelsea ace Marc Cucurella discussed the ‘difficult’ situation in the dressing roomCredit: GettyCucurella pleaded for more faith in new Chelsea boss Enzo MarescaCredit: RexChelsea chief Todd Boehly has signed and sacked many players during his reignCredit: AlamyThe Spain left-back — who helped his nation to their Euros triumph in the summer —  insisted Chelsea’s squad is packed with talent but they need “calm” to allow the coaching staff and players to succeed.Maresca is the fifth Blues manager under the ownership of Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly, who took over in May 2022 promising a new long-term strategy after years of hire-and-fire under Roman Abramovich.Cucurella, 26,  said: “I’m happy, the coach we have is very good, he has very clear ideas.“We come from years of changing coaches, let’s see if we can gain stability without many changes and that the coach can transmit his ideas.Read More on Football“We need stability, we have high-level players, and I hope we can have the patience that is needed, that calm, so that everything goes well.“We have the level, we just need stability and letting the coaches and players work to do something important.”The former Brighton defender also admitted it has been “difficult” to create a positive atmosphere in the Blues’ changing room due to the amount of chopping and changing.A total of 11 new players were signed over the summer with some big departures in Conor Gallagher, Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSItalian Maresca still has to deal with a bloated squad, with some players still training separately from a first-team group of around 28 — including FOUR goalkeepers.Speaking while on international duty, Cucurella added: “It is true that it is difficult, here everything is much easier to generate a good atmosphere.Angry Chelsea fan slams Todd Boehly’s transfer policy and claims no Blues supporters are happy with his running of the ‘unrecognisable’ club“At Chelsea I try, but it is a time of change in which many players leave and others come. I try to give my best.“One of the keys to success in the Euros was the good group we had.“In these tournaments you’re together all day, we have to put up with each other and if we hadn’t got along, it would’ve been complicated. I try there, it comes naturally to me to create a good environment.”Chelsea are a circus – it will be TERRIBLE for football if they win anything, says Troy DeeneyCHELSEA are a circus — aren’t they?, writes Troy Deeney.But the bigger concern should be if somehow, some way, Todd Boehly’s insane master-plan brings about success this season.Finish in the top four. Win a trophy like the FA Cup.He will then turn around and say: “See, it works” and all of a sudden, other clubs will begin considering copying this mad model to try and compete in the Premier League.Before you know it, there will be a bigger divide between the top clubs and the rest and this country’s top flight will become something we have been fighting against — a Super League.The smaller sides and promoted teams will be wiped out by the elite and will end up saying, ‘What’s the point?’Football as we know it will change, and there will be no going back.As a neutral, you don’t want to wish failure on a club or a regime, but it’s depressing to think about.We should almost be looking at it in amazement — the owners have come in with this model and they’ve treated it as if they are buying stocks and shares, not players or human beings.Boehly has wiped away any sense of sentiment or old-school values from that club and the worrying thing is that he doesn’t seem to care.Does he even like football?Read Troy Deeney’s hard-hitting opinion on Boehly’s Chelsea shambles in full.Or check out all of Troy’s columns on SunSport. More

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      Wolves star Hwang Hee-chan had former Premier League manager phoning him almost every day over bold transfer

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      WOLVES Hwang Hee-chan has revealed how he rejected Roberto De Zerbi’s pleas to sign for Marseille this summer.That is despite the former Brighton boss calling him almost every day urging him to join him in the south of France.Marseille were desperate to sign Hwang Hee-chan this summerCredit: RexRoberto De Zerbi made multiple calls to HwangCredit: AFPWolves rejected offers from the Ligue 1 giants and De Zerbi controversially spent £27million on Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood instead – causing a storm of protest in France.But South Korean international Hwang says he has no regrets over his decision to stay at Molineux.He revealed: “I had a big decision to make this summer.”Marseille made an offer for me and I spoke to Gary [O’Neil] many times and I had De Zerbi calling me almost every day.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I trusted the gaffer, he said to me I was a very important player and he gave me some belief.”After he said that I said I would stay and give everything.”As long as Wolverhampton wants me then I will stay and fight for our team because I want to help my team and my team-mates.”While Greenwood has raced to the top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts with five goals in his first three domestic appearances for Marseille, Hwang has yet to open his Wolves account after four games.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe 28-year-old finished last season with 13 goals, one short of leading scorer Matheus Cunha on 14, although they both netted 12 in the Premier League.But he has no regrets about signing a new contract in December keeping him at Molineux until 2028, despite losing his starting place in Wolves’ last two games.Watch Wolves’ incredible player announcement video that savages both Chelsea and Fabrizio Romano in single stroke”I’m happy here,” said Hwang.”For my first two years in England I was a little bit busy because I had some military service and I had to go to London a lot to work.”That’s why I couldn’t do English lessons but last season I tried to learn English with a teacher and now I’m speaking a bit better, but not perfect.”Speaking English means I can enjoy life more with my team-mates and I want to have a good time with them.”Hwang represented South Korea in their World Cup qualifier against Palestine on Thursday and will be in action for the Asian giants again on Tuesday in Oman.But when he returns he intends to battle to win back his Wolves starting place when they host Newcastle.He added: “I want to play more of course, but I’m ready to fight for Wolves and I will stay here this season.”I feel I showed that in our recent draw at Nottingham ForestREAD MORE SUN STORIES”We had already lost two games and we had to show our character. We gave everything.”The result was not what we wanted but a draw was a good sign that we are ready to bounce back against Newcastle after the international break.” More

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      Marc Cucurella reveals Chelsea team-mate tried to smooth things over with Erling Haaland after Spaniard’s bizarre song

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      MARC CUCURELLA has revealed Cole Palmer attempted to clear the air with Erling Haaland after the Spaniard performed a song about the Manchester City striker.During Spain’s celebrations after winning the Euros this summer, Chelsea left-back Cucurella, 26, was filmed singing: “Cucurella eats paella, Cucurella drinks Estrella, Haaland trembles that Cucurella is coming.”Marc Cucurella sung a song about Erling Haaland during Spain’s Euros celebrationsCredit: XHaaland then shrugged off Cucurella and scored against Chelsea last monthCredit: RexHaaland, 24, responded by shrugging off the Blues defender before scoring Man City’s opener in their 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge last month.Haaland also blanked Cucurella when the defender hit the floor with cramp.When asked about Cucurella after the game, the Norwegian said: “Well, Cucurella is a funny man.”Last season he asked for my shirt… and this summer he sings a song about me.”READ MORE ON CHELSEANow Cucurella has divulged that Chelsea forward Palmer, a former team-mate of Haaland’s at Man City, attempted to smooth the situation over by talking to him at an awards ceremony.Speaking to Efe, Cucurella said: “A lot of attention was given to that [the song] and these things happen.”I am very happy and I think that if someone has a song sung with his name it is because he is a top player or a world star, the name of a player who is not known would not be used.”Everyone is happy because he scored and I am still just as happy to win the Euro. I would do it again, these things happen and that is all.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSCole Palmer attempted to diffuse the situation between Cucurella and HaalandCredit: Reuters”In the end, in England they took it a little out of context and I don’t think he [Haaland] understood it either.”He read what they said and took it a little personally.Marc Cucurella sings his own song in advert after viral post-Euros video but unimpressed fans say ‘I physically cringed'”Nowadays people take things very personally, but then they had some awards and my colleague [Cole] Palmer asked him about me and that was it. It was just an anecdote.”Changes to the Premier League for 2024/25NOTHING stays the same forever.And that includes the Premier League, which is making a number of tweaks this season.Team news will now be released 75 MINUTES before kick-off, 15 minutes earlier than had been the case before.Things could get crowded on the touchline, with the number of substitutes permitted to warm-up boosted from three players per team to FIVE.There’s also a change to how added time is calculated when a team scores a goal, an update to the ‘multiball’ system and the introduction of semi-automated offsides – but not straight away.Go here to read about all the changes to the Premier League for 2024/25. More

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      Newcastle cough up £10million to settle long-running HMRC spat from Mike Ashley’s ownership

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      NEWCASTLE UNITED have coughed up £10million to settle a long-running tax battle with HMRC – including millions in legal fees and costs from the row.The club faced a £6.25m bill – before lawyer costs and interest was added on.Newcastle coughed up £10m to settle a long-running tax battle with HMRCCredit: GettyNewcastle owners the Public Investment Fund ended a long-running spat from Mike Ashley’s ownershipCredit: AlamyTax experts believe the final cost could even top £10m after HMRC added an additional 10 years worth of interest payments on top.One footie expert said: “The final cost to the club is extremely likely to have tipped over £10million, once HMRC’s compound interest rates are factored in.”The Geordies’ owners Public Investment Fund agreed to fork out the multi-million sum to the tax man to end a long-running spat that dated back to Mike Ashley’s ownership.Despite fighting the tax bill through the courts, PIF also secretly paid out millions to stop further interest charges being added.Read More on FootballAn investigation into agents’ fees and Newcastle had been going on since 2014.In April 2017, as part of a criminal investigation, officers raided the club and seized documents and computers.Nine months after the raid, the club was hit with the demands for unpaid taxes for the period between 2011 and 2017.The criminal investigation was dropped in 2021.Most read in FootballHowever, the High Court last year agreed with HMRC’s demands for the club to pay £4.25m in unpaid national insurance contributions and £2m in unpaid VAT payments.The club said in its most recent accounts: “Newcastle received assessments from HMRC relating to alleged underpayment of tax and national insurance, and interest thereon arising from HMRC activity prior to 2017.says Jamie Carragher as he warns Newcastle that Eddie Howe will leave for dream job if he isn’t happy”The group appealed and made a cash payment which halted the further interest on any outstanding amounts. “The amount that has been claimed by HMRC has been assessed and an accrual has been made in the Group’s financial statements.” More

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      Man Utd manager Ten Hag to take charge of new team during international break with chance to get back to winning ways

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      ERIK TEN HAG may have been given the backing of Manchester United bosses – but he will be back managing in Holland THIS WEEKEND.Manchester United have a blank few days over the international break as they recover from back to back defeats to Brighton and Liverpool.Erik ten Hag takes charge of testimonial game at his old club FC UtrechtCredit: GettyBut the Red Devils boss has agreed to take charge of one of the teams for a testimonial game at his old club FC Utrecht on Sunday.And it provides the perfect chance for ETH to get back to winning ways before he clocks back on to the day job at Carrington early next week.The game between the club’s current side and some of their former players has been organised to honour club icon Mark van der Maarel.The 35-year-old full-back has recently retired after spending his whole professional career at the Galgenwaard Stadium.READ MORE ON MAN UTDPerhaps the most memorable spell was spent playing under ETH – so he approached the United boss to see if he would be willing to be part of the special occasion.Ten Hag had a clear diary and was happy to say yes – after being given permission by United.While the jury is out among many fans over his long-term future at Old Trafford, he is assured of a warm welcome back by the Utrecht faithful.He played for them for one season but it was his achievements during his two and a half year spell in charge that mean he is fondly remembered.Most read in FootballMan Utd player ratings vs LiverpoolMANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?Andre Onana – 5Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.Noussair Mazraoui – 5Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.Matthijs de Ligt – 4Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error. Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.Lisandro Martinez – 3Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.Diogo Dalot – 4Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.Casemiro – 2A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.Kobbie Mainoo – 4Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.Bruno Fernandes – 5Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.Alejandro Garnacho – 4Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.Marcus Rashford – 3Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.Joshua Zirkzee – 4Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.SubsToby Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/ANot on long enough to make an impact.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn his first campaign in the hot-seat, he led them to the KNVB Cup final – where they lost to Feyenoord – and also to a fifth place finish in 2015/6.The following year, they finished fourth – which was enough to earn a European spot and it caught the eye of Ajax, who approached him about taking over as their manager just after Christmas in 2017.The Galgenwaard is expected to be a sell out for the fixture and van der Maarel said: “I’m looking forward to sharing memories all together.”Ten Hag is due to take charge of one of the teams along with Rick Kruys – while Jan Wouters, Ton du Chatinier and Robby Alflen will be in the other dug-out.Watch Manuel Ugarte in awkward moment with Erik ten Hag after Man Utd manager tries to hype up new transfer More

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      Eddie Howe ‘doesn’t look entirely happy at Newcastle’ as BBC pundit reveals moment that ‘set alarm bells off’

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      PUNDIT Chris Sutton believes there are rumblings of discontent behind-the-scenes at Newcastle.The former Chelsea striker reckons manager Eddie Howe is not “entirely happy” at the club after a challenging transfer window.Eddie Howe is not happy with Newcastle’s transfer window, claims Chris SuttonCredit: EPASutton believes there are ‘problems on the horizon’Credit: PADespite keeping hold of key players like Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak, the club failed to sign top target Marc Guehi.The Toon saw four bids rejected for the Crystal Palace defender, including an offer worth £65million.Newcastle also sold duo Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh to Nottingham Forest and Brighton respectively amid PSR concerns.Upstairs, chiefs Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Dan Ashworth also left the club and these departures may have frustrated Howe.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSutton told casinoapps.com: “I do not think Eddie Howe looks entirely happy at Newcastle this season. “There is no doubt that Guehi was the player he wanted. He was his number one target – you have to wonder if the fact that Staveley and Ghodoussi have left the club had an impact on that signing.”They were both strong allies of Eddie Howe and new people like Paul Mitchell have come in to replace them.”He’s hinted that all may not be well behind-the-scenes. On the pre-season tour, he mentioned that there was not a total alignment in what he wanted to do and the new hierarchy. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”That set alarm bells off because Howe is not a loudmouth. He is measured, he does not shoot from the hip. “If you think about his career in management, he’s never really made a statement like that before. He is a deep thinker, so for him to come out and even suggest that they weren’t in alignment worries me.’Newcastle have got away with one there!’ | The Whistleblower, Mark Halsey”He would have had his targets and he’s not got them. I think that could be a problem further down the line.”Howe has every right to feel pretty peeved about that. There could be problems on the horizon.”After Newcastle tried to sell players due to PSR rules, Howe, who has been linked with the England job, raged “it felt wrong” and it had been “a very difficult couple of weeks”.New chief Mitchell said on his partnership with the boss: “It’s a working relationship and it does take time. It has to develop trust within it.”Newcastle have won two and drawn one of their two Premier League games this season.Newcastle failed to sign Marc Guehi despite four bidsCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea let another academy star leave as ‘next Musiala’ officially signs for Premier League rivals

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      CHELSEA wonderkid Rio Ngumoha has left the club and signed for Liverpool.The Reds have reportedly broke their wage structure to bring the 15-year-old in.Wonderkid Rio Ngumoha has quit Chelsea for LiverpoolCredit: GettyNgumoha has been the ‘next Jamal Musiala’Credit: GettyLiverpool have stopped youngsters earning more than £50,000-a-year – but Fabrizio Romano claims the move for Ngumoha is expected to break the limit.The player has been tipped to be a future star and has been compared to Jamal Musiala.With the teenager already following in the Bayern Munich and Germany ace’s path as aged 16 he ditched Chelsea.Ngumoha left the Blues in June and was waiting for the Premier League to approve his transfer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe arrived at Anfield yesterday and posed holding the No11 shirt.On social media last night, he re-posted a picture of himself as a child in a Liverpool kit.But it was not just the chance to play for his boyhood club that convinced Ngumoha to make the switch, having also supposedly been impressed by the pathway available to young players.The rise of Conor Bradley and Jarrel Quansah has given him belief there will be opportunities if he is good enough.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Ngumoha is well on the road to the stardom after making his Under-21s debut last season.Meanwhile, Chelsea fans are disappointed to see another academy product leave, with one saying: “Another one that got away.”A look at Chelsea’s forgotten wonderkidsAnother added: “This is hard for me to take. He’s finally gone without showing his immense talent for Chelsea just like Musiala.”A third reacted: “He’s heading to the very top.” More