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      Arsenal star breaks silence after being ruled out for rest of season with injury in Premier League title race blow

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      TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU believes missing Arsenal’s title run-in with injury can make him a “better person”.Tomiyasu and fellow defender William Saliba face lay-offs following injuries in last week’s Europa League exit against Sporting Lisbon.
      Full-back Takehiro Tomiyasu will be out until the summer after knee surgeryCredit: Reuters
      But the table-topping Gunners have confirmed the Japan full-back will be out until the summer following knee surgery, whereas Saliba could be back soon after the international break.
      Tomiyasu, 24, insists he will use his frustration positively.
      First he re-posted a message from left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko that said: “Come back stronger brother!”
      Then he stated on Instagram: “Heads up and stay positive.
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      “I believe that this is the opportunity to be a better person and player.
      “Thank you for your warm message and support. See you soon!!!”
      Tomiyasu had lost his first-choice place at right-back to Ben White this season.
      But he’s still racked up 31 appearances, largely because he can play on either flank. 
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      Arsenal released a statement saying: “Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.
      “Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season.
      “Everyone at the club will now be working hard with Tomi, so he can join pre-season training ahead of next season.” More

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      Tony Knapp dead aged 86: Southampton lead the outpour of tributes as club legend passes away

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      SOUTHAMPTON legend Tony Knapp has passed away aged 86.Tributes have been made to the former defender who also played for Leicester, Coventry, Tranmere and the Los Angeles Wolves.
      Tony Knapp has passed away aged 86Credit: PA
      Southampton have led the tributes for the former defenderCredit: Rex
      Knapp made 260 appearances for Southampton between 1961-67, scoring twice.
      As captain he helped the Saints achieve promotion to the top-flight in 1965 and retired from playing seven years later following a spell at Poole Town.
      Knapp then ventured into management and managed the Iceland national team between 1974-77.
      Next he spent several years in Norway, winning the league and cup double with Viking in 1979.
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      Another spell with Iceland followed before Knapp finished as a runner-up in the Norwegian cup final with SK Brann.
      The Saints led the tributes with a statement that read: “Southampton is saddened to learn of the passing of Tony Knapp, who made 260 appearances for the club between 1961 and 1967.
      “Our thoughts are with Tony’s family and loved ones.”
      A fan wrote: “Such sad news 💔.”
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      Another added: “What a privilege it was to learn football from Tony Knapp! Fantastic at defensive organization and way ahead of its time at match analysis.
      “I have an incredible amount of good memories from the time with Tony in Staal. Rest in peace ❤️” More

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      Chelsea paid Premier League record compensation fee for Graham Potter as details of move from Brighton emerge

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      NABBING Graham Potter from Brighton cost Chelsea a whopping £21.5million.It was reported in September that the Blues paid over £20m in compensation to prise Potter away from the Amex Stadium after sacking Thomas Tuchel.
      Chelsea paid £21.5million to pinch Graham Potter from BrightonCredit: Alamy
      And Brighton’s financial statements for the 2021-22 season, which were published on Wednesday, confirmed the exact number to be £21.5m.
      The £22m in compensation Bayern Munich paid RB Leipzig for manager Julian Nagelsmann in 2021 is the biggest ever fee paid for a boss, according to Planet Football.
      That makes the fee paid for Potter the highest amount spent on a manager in Premier League history.
      And it also makes it the second highest compensation fee for a manager in football history.
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      The Blues moved to appoint Potter in September after owner Todd Boehly axed Tuchel.
      But landing the club’s top target did not come cheap.
      As well as spending over £600m in the last two transfer windows on players, a staggering £21.5m was also shelled out in order to bring Potter to Stamford Bridge.
      Despite being a long-term appointment, Potter found himself under pressure within months of taking the job.
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      A run of poor results means the Blues are currently languishing tenth in the Prem table with just 11 games of the campaign left to play.
      However, there have been green shoots of life for Potter in recent weeks.
      The Blues beat Borussia Dortmund to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.
      That victory was sandwiched between Prem wins over Leeds and Leicester.
      A 2-2 draw against struggling Everton last time out hampered progress, but Potter and Co will be looking to get back to winning ways when they return to action against Aston Villa after the international break. More

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      Brighton’s teenage talent Evan Ferguson has all the makings of a future Dream Team hero

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      DREAM TEAM gaffers are inherently a greedy bunch.This season we’ve been spoiled by the likes of Erling Haaland (£9m), Marcus Rashford (£6.7m) and plenty of other free-scoring forwards and yet the hunger for more potentially prolific poachers never ceases.
      Enter Evan Ferguson (£3m).
      A future starCredit: GETTY
      The 18-year-old is enjoying a breakout season at Brighton having been a first-team regular since December.
      On Sunday, the Republic of Ireland forward scored two goals in a game for the first time in his professional club career as the Seagulls made light work of Grimsby to progress to the FA Cup semi-finals.
      Obviously there are caveats when a Premier League player comes up against a side in the bottom half of League Two but Ferguson showed his class, particularly with the Bergkamp/Berbatov-esque touch that preceded his first goal.
      Solly March (£3.8m) actually scooped the Star Man award when all was said and done but Ferguson banked 13 Dream Team points at the Mariners’ expense for his biggest single-game haul yet.
      The talented teenager has scored seven goals and provided three assists in 16 appearances this season.
      Those numbers boil down further for an average of one goal involvement every 86 minutes.
      To put his efforts into perspective, only five strikers average more than his four points-per-game this term: Haaland, Rashford, Ivan Toney (£6.3m), Mohamed Salah (£8.7m) and Harry Kane (£7.8m).
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      Needless say, all those assets are at least twice as expensive as Ferguson.
      A welcome sight for Irish eyesCredit: GETTY
      It may be a relatively small sample size but those stats have put the Brighton youngster on the radar, if not for the remainder of 2022/23 then for future campaigns.
      It’s not just Ferguson’s raw numbers that have fans excited, it’s the nature of his performances too.
      He’s leaps and bounds ahead of most forwards his age in terms of physicality but he’s already shown a deftness of touch that indicates he’s more than a bullying target man.
      The stars seemed to have aligned to aid him in the infancy of his career with Roberto De Zerbi encouraging enterprising attacking play that generates plenty of chances and a host of in-form midfielders providing a healthy supply line in March, Alexis Mac Allister (£3.4m) and Kaoru Mitoma (£4.2m).
      All 6ft 2in of himCredit: GETTY
      If the south coast club end up qualifying for a European competition at the climax of this season, something they will feel confident of achievement, then they will have extra fixtures to bolster their schedule in 2023/24.
      It’s not unthinkable that Ferguson will be the starting striker for an attacking team as busy as any other fixture-wise next season.
      If that’s the case then he’s likely to be a value-for-money option worth serious consideration. More

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      ‘He’s doing so well, I’m so proud’ – Robin van Persie reveals which shock Man Utd star has impressed him this season

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      ROBIN VAN PERSIE has heaped praise on Manchester United star Tyrell Malacia. Malacia joined the Red Devils in a £13million deal from Feyenoord last summer.
      Tyrell Malacia has been praised by Robin van PersieCredit: Getty
      Van Persie played alongside Malacia on 17 occasionsCredit: Getty
      And while he has been in and out of the first team, he has more than proven his utility as a squad player for Erik ten Hag.
      United legend Van Persie played alongside Malacia on 17 occasions while both were at Feyenoord.
      And the striker has revealed how “proud” he is at how well the defender is doing.
      He told Man Utd media: “I do believe, per window, [you have] to get a couple of the right players in, and Tyrell Malacia is one of them.
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      “He wasn’t really well known before he came. I played with him at Feyenoord, so I knew how good he was, and still is, and he is proving that every game.
      “When it clicks and when it’s clear what to do, because clearly [there are] both full-backs – Diogo Dalot on the right side, you have Luke Shaw sometimes on the left, or Tyrell – you can see that they know exactly what to do in ball possession, as well when the opponent has the ball.
      “He’s doing that so well and I’m so proud of him. He’s from my city. He’s from my club. He’s giving a lot of youngsters hope.”
      Malacia has made 30 appearances at Old Trafford this season but is yet to register a goal or assist, with the majority of his best work being done either in build-up or in the defensive phase of play.
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      The Dutch star has been in top form for Man Utd this season
      The 23-year-old is currently on international duty with the Dutch national team.
      Consequently, he may feature in Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and Gibraltar.
      Van Persie added: “He is now playing on the highest level and competing against the best.
      “He’s not only giving youngsters here hope, he’s giving youngsters in Holland hope.
      “Like okay, if you play well, there is a possibility that you can go really far, so that you end up playing for a team like Manchester United, and I’m just proud of him.
      “I hope he keeps developing and improving and stays hungry to keep getting better every day.”
      Malacia’s next chance to feature for Man Utd will be on April 2 when the club face Newcastle in a potentially pivotal clash in the top four race. More

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      Man Utd target Jude Bellingham sparks transfer rumour as he signs fan of rival club’s top while on England duty

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has sparked transfer rumours after he was snapped signing a Liverpool shirt while on international duty. The 19-year-old is at the centre of an epic fight between the world’s biggest clubs who are all looking to sign him this summer.
      Bellingham is a man in demand and could be on the move this summerCredit: Getty
      Another outstanding season for Dortmund and his dazzling displays for England during the World Cup have only increased his value.
      Fans will hope to see him in action over the coming days as he prepares to don his Three Lions shirt for Euro qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.
      But before the action can begin, fans gathered at St George’s Park to watch the England stars train as they prepare for their first international match since leaving Qatar.
      Bellingham was pictured signing a Liverpool shirt as he greeted supporters in what Reds fans will hope is a glimmer of the future.
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      The young supporter, already wearing a Liverpool shirt with Mohamed Salah’s name on the back, holds up another shirt to sign which Bellingham does.
      Anfield is among the destinations where Bellingham could end up, with Jurgen Klopp known to be a big fan of the midfielder.
      Liverpool’s hopes of landing him could rest on whether or not the club can get themselves back in the Champions League next season.
      But several other clubs with big pockets are lining up alongside Liverpool, including Chelsea, Manchester City and PSG.
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      Real Madrid have reportedly launched the bidding war this month with a mega £123m offer lodged.
      While Man United are believed to be ready to smash the Premier League transfer record in order to get their hands on Bellingham.
      The current record is held by Enzo Fernandez who Chelsea signed for £106m in January. More

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      I’ve scored in all 4 divisions including the Premier League… now I play non-league for nothing & give wages to charity

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      FORMER Bournemouth star Marc Pugh has agreed to donate his wages to charity after signing for Clitheroe Town.The 35-year-old has returned to football after an almost two-year absence from the game.
      Marc Pugh helped Bournemouth go from League One to the Premier LeagueCredit: PA:Press Association
      The winger has signed for Clitheroe in step eightCredit: Refer to Caption
      The former QPR star has agreed to donate his wages to charityCredit: Getty
      He last played for Shrewsbury in 2020-21 but his main club was the Cherries, where he made 312 appearances.
      Pugh spent nine years at Bournemouth and was part of the Eddie Howe side that went from League One to the Premier League.
      The winger made 67 Prem appearances, scoring five goals, before joining Hull City on loan.
      Pugh will now try his hand in step eight of the football pyramid with Clitheroe in fifth place and pushing for promotion.
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      After joining Pugh said: “Delighted to be given the opportunity to help out my local town and club in their final push for the playoffs.
      “Clitheroe have kindly offered to make a generous donation to a local charity on my behalf in lieu of wages. I can’t wait to get started.”
      Pugh began his career with Burnley but failed to make an appearance before joining Bury.
      He also had spells at QPR and Hereford and loan stints at Luton and Kidderminster, and managed to score in every division of English football.
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      Clitheroe boss Dave Dempsey is delighted to have a player of Pugh’s experience on board and said of his signing: “To bring in a player of Marc’s calibre is testament to everything we are trying to do at this football club.
      “Marc will add an abundance of quality to the group, a vast amount of experience and will hopefully be able to give us that extra bit of quality to see games off for the run in of the season.” More

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      Christian Eriksen hands Man Utd huge fitness boost as he returns to training and ditches protective boot

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      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN could be back for Man United soon after having his protective boot removed.He has been on the sidelines since the club’s win over Reading in the FA Cup in January.
      Christian Eriksen is making progress on his comeback from injuryCredit: Getty
      He posted a picture of himself getting rid of his protective bootCredit: instagram.com/stories/chriseriksen8/3064111786839147795/?hl=en
      And changing it for his football bootsCredit: instagram.com/stories/chriseriksen8/3064111786839147795/?hl=en
      The midfielder has confirmed he is back training for the Red Devils on social media.
      The Dane posted three pictures to his Instagram story confirming the removal of his protective boot.
      The collection of snaps shows Eriksen’s progression from wearing the protective boot to trainers to his football boots.
      Eriksen was not expected back until April, but looks on course to feature again for the club before the end of the season.
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      The 31-year-old last spoke about his injury after the Carabao Cup final victory against Newcastle.
      He told MUTV: “I am feeling well.
      “It is always boring to be in a boot and to be on crutches, but I have left the crutches and am now only in a boot, and next week that should be gone then finally start learning to walk. But it feels good.
      “It’s been nice. Obviously, you want to play.
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      “Watching from the stands is more nerve-racking than actually playing, but I kept my calm, and it is nice to see how happy they are.
      “I am just happy that we won the game.”
      His potential return is a timely boost for Man United as they battle for a spot in the top four as well as in the FA Cup and Europa League. More