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      Frank Lampard ready to return to management after Everton heartache and ex-Chelsea boss could have plenty of options

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      FRANK LAMPARD is already plotting a return to management despite recent heartaches.Lampard, 44, refuses to give up on his coaching ambitions despite being sacked by first Chelsea and then Everton in January at such a young age.
      Frank Lampard is already plotting a return to management despite recent heartachesCredit: Getty
      The former Derby boss has itchy feet and will watch summer developments closely, when both Crystal Palace and Leicester could face upheaval.
      Even high-flying Fulham face a battle to keep Marco Silva with the Portuguese being linked with Tottenham, who in turn are set to lose their feisty Italian Antonio Conte.
      And if struggling Southampton go down that could trigger another change at the top.
      Lampard’s former Chelsea and England team-mate Ashley Cole was also a coaching casualty at Everton.
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      Asked what it was like seeing his ex-colleague go through it all, Cole replied: “I can only talk from my eyes and what I saw.
      “He certainly would have had a lot of challenges that us, as coaches, weren’t aware of and stuff that was above us.
      “How he has to manage up and manage the staff around him, of course it’s going to be difficult.
      “Maybe it was a transitional period for the club, (so) it was always going to be hard.
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      “It’s a humungous club, a huge club, with a lot of history.
      “We had a good relationship with the fans, walking around the streets of Liverpool, there was probably frustration there because us as staff thought we should be going up the table, and we seemed to be just levelling out and going a bit lower in the rankings.
      “That really hurt us, we want to do better for the club. But, was it just that we were there are the wrong time?”
      Frank Lampard and Ashley ColeCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Chelsea ‘prepared to outbid’ transfer rivals to sign £30m-rated Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier

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      CHELSEA are allegedly “prepared to out-bid their rivals” to sign Leeds United’s Illan Meslier.The 23-year-old goalkeeper joined Leeds on a season-long loan from Lorient in 2019 – a move which became permanent the following year for around £5m.
      Chelsea are preparing a move for Leeds United goalkeeper Illan MeslierCredit: Rex
      He played just 11 times in their promotion-winning season from the Championship.
      However, since then he has gone on to become their established No1 and hardly missed a game.
      In fact, he has played every single minute for Leeds this term, including yesterday’s 4-2 win at Wolves.
      The Elland Road side want to keep the Frenchman if they beat the drop but have placed an asking price of over £30m on his head amid mounting interest.
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      We have previously reported how Manchester United have been monitoring Meslier’s situation.
      Newcastle are also believed to be keen on him while Chelsea were linked with a move for him in January.
      Now Football Insider are claiming that they are “prepared to out-bid their rivals” to get Meslier this summer.
      The Blues have switched No1s this season, with Kepa Arrizabalaga reclaiming first choice status over Edouard Mendy.
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      Mendy, 30, snubbed a new six-year contract over the salary offered – which did not rival Kepa’s.
      The Senegal international has returned to full training this week after a lengthy time on the sidelines following surgery on his finger in January.
      But his future at Stamford Bridge remains up in the air as he prepares for crunch talks with the club More

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      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag provides Anthony Martial transfer update with striker still on sidelines injured

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      ERIK TEN HAG has issued an update on the future of Anthony Martial.The forward, 27, has suffered a number of injury issues this season and has just returned from his latest setback.
      Erik ten Hag has offered a transfer update on Anthony MartialCredit: AFP
      French international Martial has been training for over a week but still will not be risked in the squad for today’s FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham.
      The ex-Monaco ace was last in action when he was taken off at half time in the Manchester Derby win over City in January.
      And he has missed a whopping 30 games already this season due to hip, back, Achilles and hamstring injuries.
      Martial last completed a full match for United 18 months ago but he has still managed to score six and produce two assists in his limited outings this term.
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      His contract expires at the end of next season – but his manager has insisted that the ace is NOT playing for his future yet.
      Ten Hag said: “I don’t think it is the right moment to be the case.
      “I believe in him, every time he is available he really contributes to the team performance, the level of the team is upgrading when he is available.
      “We are working with him to get fit and be available.”
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      He added: “Every person is different – you have to treat everyone differently.
      “This process you have to be careful. I do everything with a strategy behind it to get him available.” More

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      Inside Conte’s blazing Tottenham rant including slamming ‘selfish’ players and jibe that club have ‘never won anything’

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      ANTONIO CONTE’S scathing assessment of Tottenham has hit headlines across the world.The Italian delivered a damning ten-minute rant after his team drew 3-3 at relegation threatened Southampton on Saturday.
      Antonio Conte ripped into Tottenham after his team drew at SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      Spurs were leading 3-1 before they were pegged back late on to suffer a huge blow in their quest for a top four finish as James Ward-Prowse equalised with a penalty in stoppage time.
      Conte, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign with talks over an extension almost non-existent, has so far failed in his quest to end the club’s 15-year trophy drought.
      And after his angry tirade against both his players, the owner and chairman, it seems highly-unlikely that he will be given another opportunity next season with Jamie Carragher urging the club to sack him now.
      Here Sun Sport brings you all of the best bits from the 54-year-old’s epic tirade:
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      A tough penalty decision to take but at 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go, should your team be drawing that match?
      “The penalty, for me, it was not a penalty. If we are going to discuss the penalty it means we don’t want to see other situations. The worst situation is what was happening on the pitch. What has been happening in the last few months, what is happening in my second season.
      “It’s the right moment to speak because, after this performance, this is unacceptable. We are winning 3-1, in control of the game and you are able to concede two goals and to risk, because also Fraser made a fantastic save in one situation.
      “It’s much better to go into the problem. The problem is we showed that we are not a team. We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart.
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      “Before today I prefer to hide this situation and to try to speak to improve the spirit, the situation, with a lot of situations. The tactical or technical aspect, this is one situation.
      “The most important thing if you want to become a strong team, if you want to become competitive, if you want to win, is the desire, the fire that you need to have in your eyes, in your heart, and you have to show this in every moment. In every moment.

      “If I have to compare last season and this season, we have to improve, but now we are worse in this aspect. When you are not a team, anything can happen, in any moment.
      “Today is the last situation. Don’t forget that in FA Cup we lost to Sheffield United, who played with young players. With a strong team, we were dropped from the FA Cup.
      “A lot of situations, I repeat, not going to improve. And I am not speaking about tactical aspect or technical aspect.
      “[It’s] about being a team, being a team, being a team. It is the most important thing. To understand that we play for the badge. We have to play to make our fans proud of us. We have to play to show desire. The fire in your eyes to win: if you have this, for sure, you don’t go out in FA Cup. Today, you win.
      “We have to play to make our fans proud, we have to play to show desire. Here we’re used to it for a long time. The club has the responsibility for the transfer market, every coach that stayed here has the responsibility. And the players? The players? Where are the players?
      “In my experience, I can tell you that if you want to be competitive, if you want to fight, you have to improve this aspect. And this aspect, I can tell you, in this moment is really, really low. And I see only 11 players that play for themselves.”
      The Italian labelled his Tottenham squad ‘selfish’ after the draw with SaintsCredit: PA
      But does your future, the uncertainty….
      “You are finding an alibi, another alibi. You try to find an excuse for the players. OK, continue to do this, to find an excuse for the players. You do only this! You do only this. Excuses for the players.
      “But the players, maybe, my future, then we lost confidence, they lost spirit, they lost being a team. Excuses. Excuses. Excuse. Try to protect them every time. Bah. Come on, come on, come on. We are professional. The club pay us a lot of money. The players receive money, me receive money, you understand?
      “Not to find excuse or not show spirit or a sense of belonging or a sense of responsibility because we are showing this. For me this is unacceptable because this is the first time in my career to see a situation like this. Until now I wasn’t able to change, not just to change, but compared to last season, the situation went to become worse.”
      Why is it happening?
      “Why? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don’t play for something important. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress. It is easy in this way.
      “Tottenham’s story is this. Twenty years there is the owner and they never won something but why? The fault is only for the club, or for every manager that stay here. I have seen the managers that Tottenham had on the bench. You risk to disrupt the figure of the manager and to protect the other situation in every moment.
      “Until now I try to hide the situation but now, no, because I repeat I don’t want to see what I’ve seen today because this is unacceptable and also unacceptable for the fans. They follow us, pay the ticket and to see the team another time to have this type of performance is unacceptable. We have to think a lot about this.”
      Antonio Conte seems unlikely to stick around at Spurs after his epic rantCredit: PA
      You saw the fire last week. What has changed?
      “I said that I want to see the fire in their eyes, in their hearts. I want to see the right spirit. Ok. Not only in the training session, on the pitch. Because here you have to make the difference. And until now I try to hide the situation but now, there are 10 games to go and some people think we can fight. Fight for what with his spirit, this attitude? What? For seventh, eighth, 10th place? I am not used to this position. I’m really upset and everyone has to take their responsibility.
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      “Not only the club, the manager and the staff. The players have to be involved in this situation because it is time to change this situation if Tottenham want to change.
      “If they want to continue in this way, they can change the manager, a lot of managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me.” More

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      Watch Kai Havertz cruelly mock Everton keeper Jordan Pickford after scoring penalty for Chelsea in 2-2 draw

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      KAI HAVERTZ left Chelsea boss Graham Potter disappointed with his goal celebration, after slotting a penalty past Jordan Pickford.The German forward, 23, was spotted mocking the England keeper after cooly scoring from 12-yards.

      Kai Havertz decided to tease Everton keeper Jordan PickfordCredit: Dan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited
      Havertz coolly beat Pickford from the penalty spotCredit: Reuters
      And as soon as the ball hit the back of the net, Havertz wheeled away – cupping his hands to his ears in front of Pickford, while sticking out his tongue.
      After the game, Potter revealed he was unhappy with his player’s reaction after opening the scoring.
      “When players score, they have something like an out-of-body experience,” Potter said.
      “I didn’t score many myself so I wouldn’t know. You should enjoy the celebration, I don’t think you need to involve the opponent.

      “That would be my perspective.”
      Potter would have been equally frustrated with his team’s performance at Stamford Bridge.
      Havertz’ spot-kick looked to have won all three points for the Blues – with just 14 minutes left on the clock.
      However, a combination of poor defending and goalkeeping led to Everton’s last-minute equaliser.
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      Ellis Sims, 22, scored his first goal for the Toffees to earn the visitors a precious point in their battle to avoid the drop.
      The draw means that Chelsea’s slim hopes of a top-four finish are all but over.
      Potter revealed he was unhappy with how his side dropped deep in the later stages of the game.
      Asked if that was under his orders, he said: “‘No, it wasn’t conscious.
      “As I said, Everton used their strengths well. They’ve got physicality and used (Abdoulaye) Doucourse and (Andre) Onana to win long balls, second balls, throw-ins, set-pieces, and to create danger.
      “Teams have always done that well under Sean (Dyche). It’s not easy to control it as well as you’d like.
      “We lost a little bit of control for a short period of time and when we did, we conceded. That’s the frustrating bit.” More

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      Arsenal handed huge injury blow after William Saliba ‘failed fitness test and is OUT of Crystal Palace clash’

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      ARSENAL have been handed a huge injury blow as they bid for their first league title since 2004.The Gunners face off against Crystal Palace on Sunday, knowing a win could see them go eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.
      William Saliba is reportedly out for ‘several weeks’Credit: Getty
      However, they will have to do without France defender William Saliba.
      The 21-year-old limped off against Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League last-16 clash and had to be replaced by Rob Holding.
      Now, reports in France suggest his absence from the first team could be long term.
      L’Equipe claim the centre back could be missing for “several weeks”, and is set to withdraw from international duty.
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      Saliba was due to link up with the France squad for matches against the Netherlands and Ireland.
      However, he will now be set for an extended period of time on the treatment table as he aims to recover for Arsenal’s title bid.
      Saliba has been a mainstay in the Premier League leaders’ backline – forming a formidable partnership with Brazilian Gabriel.
      The pair have been key to Mikel Arteta’s plans – helping their side rise to the top of the table.
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      Ex-Saint-Etienne stopper Saliba joined the North London giants in 2019 for £27million.
      However, initially he appeared to struggle to settle in his new surroundings and was shipped out on loan.
      Following a mixed spell at Nice, Saliba found his footing at Marseille and earned rave reviews in Ligue 1 last season.
      This campaign, he has continued to blossom into one of Europe’s most promising defenders with a series of commanding displays at the back.
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      Arsenal’s misery last Thursday went beyond getting knocked out by Sporting on penalties.
      They suffered ANOTHER hit to their squad with Takehiro Tomiyasu also subbed with a knee injury.
      The Gunners sit five points clear of Man City in the league and could put pressure on their rivals with a win at the Emirates on Sunday. More

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      Everton star Alex Iwobi suffers wardrobe malfunction and forced to come off pitch during crucial away clash at Chelsea

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      ALEX IWOBI suffered the one costume cock-up no footballer expects.The midfielder even had to leave the pitch to fix it before returning to help Everton snatch a late 2-2 draw at Chelsea.
      Alex Iwobi departed the field while he fixed his clothing dilemma and Everton repaired their own problem too with a late equaliserCredit: Alamy
      Iwobi might need to send a footnote to the makers as one boot was ruined
      Iwobi’s right boot ripped open down the side – a particularly spectacular sight as… err… the orange footwear ‘complemented’ his pink socks.
      But the footwear faux-pas was far from sole-destroying for the Toffees.
      Joao Felix and a Kai Havertz penalty twice put Chelsea in front but Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ellis Simms earned Everton a point.
      And social media was laced with jibes as an image of Iwobi’s orange outrage attracted acid comments.
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      One fan posted: “The state of Alex Iwobi’s boot!”
      Another said: “He’ll get a refund surely” and a third argued: “Shows you how poorly the boots are made these days.”
      And this observer knew what all the fuss was about.
      He wrote: “I know, right – who goes with orange shoes on top of pink socks?”
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      Some fans suggested Iwobi was wearing the wrong size footwear.
      And one reckons the issue could in fact be caused by the Nigerian being a bit of a superhero.
      But that might not be the compliment it first sounds.
      The supporter claimed: “He has a “Hulk foot”. More

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      Liverpool dealt blow in race for Champions League as Darwin Nunez pulls out of Uruguay squad with mystery injury

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      DARWIN NUNEZ has been forced to withdraw from the Uruguay squad due to injury which could prove costly for Liverpool’s Champions League qualification hopes. The South American forward has been a big part of Jurgen Klopp’s side this season since his £85million move from Benfica in the summer.
      Darwin Nunez is Liverpool’s second top scorer in all competitions this season with only Mohamed Salah netting more
      He has managed eight goals and three assists in 20 league appearances this campaign.
      His contribution to the side could be over though, as the Uruguay national team confirmed on social media that he has had to withdraw from the squad with injury ahead of the international break.
      The Sky Blue are preparing to face both Japan and South Korea in friendly fixtures over the coming weeks.
      Although the extent of his injury isn’t currently known it will be a concern to Reds fans that he could have a stint on the sidelines.
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      Liverpool have been struggling to reach their usual high standards this season and currently sit in sixth place in the Premier League, seven points off the Champions League places.
      Finishing in the top four will be their only hope of qualification into Europe’s most prestigious competition after they were knocked out of the Champions League last 16 following a 6-2 aggregate thrashing against Real Madrid.
      Klopp’s side have a tough run of fixtures ahead as they face Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal in their next three games.
      The news of Nunez’s injury comes in the same week that the Merseyside club found out that Stefan Bajcetic would miss the rest of the season with a thigh injury.
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      They have also been without star man Luis Diaz since September and struggled to maintain a steady squad.
      This season Liverpool have been a far cry from their sides of recent years that pushed Manchester City so far and achieved Premier League and Champions League success. More