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      ‘Don’t show Roy Keane this’ – Fans fear for Rio Ferdinand as Man Utd legend claps goal-mad Erling Haaland off pitch

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      FANS fear for Rio Ferdinand if Roy Keane sees a clip of his fellow Manchester United legend clapping five-star Erling Haaland off the pitch.Haaland was a goal off the record double hat-trick he craved when Pep Guardiola replaced him 63 minutes into Manchester City’s 7-0 rout of RB Leipzig.

      Erling Haaland applauds his cheerers, including Rio Ferdinand, but admitted he hoped to stay on to net at least a sixth goal for himselfCredit: Getty
      Ferdinand applauded along with the Etihad faithful when the striker left the field early as City reached the Champions League quarter-finals with an 8-1 aggregate success.
      Ferdy and no-nonsense Keane were long-time United team-mates before neighbours City became dominant.
      And one fan said of the England defender’s actions: “Don’t show Roy Keane this.”
      After Ferdinand chatted with Haaland on BT Sport, another observer asked: “Wonder whether Roy Keane would ever interview him?”
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      A third fan was even clearer: “Wouldn’t see Roy Keane doing that, ex Utd captain clapping a City player.”
      That drew this response: “You’d never see an ex player from Liverpool, City and Arsenal do that for a United player.”
      Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher suggested early in the season that Haaland’s style as an out-and-out finisher was unsuited to City’s short-passing game.
      And one fan tweeted: “Should have asked Carra if he still thinks Haaland joined the wrong team.”
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      Ferdinand himself posted a clip of Haaland’s post-match interview alongside the words: “Freak of nature this guy… fair play.”
      Norway goal machine Haaland, 22, said: “It’s a big night. Five goals, to win 7-0 at home, I’m so happy.”
      But he added: “I’m a bit blurry. I don’t remember the goals. I just remember shooting.
      “I think a lot of it is being quick in the mind and trying to do the right thing, trying to put it where the keeper is not.
      “Of course a little bit of it is quality but a lot of it is in the head.”
      The ex-Borussia Dortmund hero also light-heartedly bemoaned his manager for replacing him with half an hour remaining when he had a mere five goals to his name.
      He said: “I’ve told Pep Guardiola when I went off, ‘I would love to score a double hat-trick!’. But what can I do?!” More

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      Tottenham ‘will BLOCK Harry Kane transfer exit this summer and risk Man Utd target quitting club for FREE’

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      TOTTENHAM are not willing to sell Harry Kane this summer, reports claim.The Spurs talisman has been linked with a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
      Harry Kane is out of contract at Tottenham in the summer of 2024Credit: Rex
      But the Londoners are not willing to sell the 29-year-old in the summer, according to Sky Sports.
      Kane’s contract expires at the end of next season.
      Talks over a new deal are currently on hold, meaning Spurs may end up running the risk of losing the striker for nothing in the summer of 2024.
      It’s claimed Tottenham have no intentions of letting Kane leave the club this summer.
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      Sky claim the forward’s importance to the club is worth more than any potential transfer fee.
      Meanwhile, Manchester United are keen to avoid a long-running transfer saga.
      Reinforcements up front are needed and boss Erik ten Hag would rather bring someone in as early as possible so they can bed in with the squad.
      Although Sky say the Red Devils are keen to explore a deal if Spurs change their stance.
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      But a long-running saga with tough negotiator Daniel Levy is not a route the club wants to go down.
      Another option is reportedly going back in for Kane next January.
      If he doesn’t sign a new deal then his current contract would have just six months left to run in January 2024.
      From then he would also be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with overseas clubs, with Bayern Munich keen on the striker.
      It’s said where Spurs finish this season will go a long way to determining whether Kane extends his stay in London.
      And with Antonio Conte seemingly destined to leave, his successor is also important to whether the striker pens a new deal.
      Kane will turn 30 in July and is eager to win trophies, rather than be the centre of another rebuild. More

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      Inter chief confirms Lukaku WILL return to Chelsea with loan not expected to become permanent transfer

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      INTER MILAN’S supremo has rocked loan striker Romelu Lukaku’s hopes of a permanent move from Chelsea.Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta insists the 29-year-old WILL return to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
      Romelu Lukaku is heading back to parent club Chelsea at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
      But Marotta suggested that if the Belgian regains peak form after injuries he could yet land his dream transfer.
      He said: “Lukaku deal? He will return to Chelsea as it’s a straight loan, it’s part of the deal — then we will see.
      “Lukaku is not in good condition yet, we are still waiting to see the real Romelu as we saw in the past”.
      The 104-cap star sparked controversy last summer by publicly revealing how desperate he was to rejoin Inter.
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      And although a season-long loan did go through, he’s been plagued by fitness issues, particularly a hamstring problem.
      Lukaku is hungry for a permanent switch to the Italian giants before eventually returning to first club Anderlecht.
      He said earlier this year: “Everyone knows what I want.
      “I hope to stay at Inter. I love this club and we will speak to Chelsea in order to find a solution.
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      “Inter fans are really special, for me they are the best in the world.
      “The idea is to finish my career with Anderlecht.
      “I’m nearly 30, my son started school here and plays in the Inter academy. I want to stay here and do things right.” More

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      Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker ‘on shortlist to become England Under-21s boss’

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      LEE CARSLEY will reportedly consider his future as England Under-21s boss after the Euros this summer.And if Carsley walks away, it’s claimed Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker will be in the frame to replace him.
      Frank Lampard was sacked by Everton in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      Steven Gerrard was axed by Aston Villa last OctoberCredit: Reuters
      Scott Parker recently had a disastrous 67-day spell with Club BruggeCredit: Getty
      Lampard, 44, Gerrard, 42, and Parker, 42, all have experience managing in the Premier League.
      The trio will be sounded out by the FA if Carsley does leave his position, according to the Daily Mail.
      Carsley, 49, has previously managed Brentford and Birmingham City.
      It’s said the FA are keen on bringing more ex-internationals into the fold.
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      Lampard and Gerrard both won over 100 caps for the England senior team, while Parker played 18 times for the Three Lions.
      Parker was sacked by Belgian club Club Brugge last week after a disastrous 67-day spell in charge.
      Lampard was axed by Everton earlier this year, and Gerrard was given the boot by Aston Villa last October.
      That leaves all three currently out of work, and the Mail say the trio would be likely to consider the role with the Young Lions if Carsley does choose to walk away.
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      The Under-21 Euros in Georgia and Romania get underway in June.
      Ahead of the tournament Carsley and Co have friendlies against France and Croatia later this month.
      Carsley has spent the last two years in charge of the Under-21s.
      He previously spent 10 months as boss of the Under-20s.
      Lee Carsley will reportedly consider his future after the EurosCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea will be handed whopping £50million cash injection thanks to Fifa decision

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      CHELSEA are in line for a massive £50million cash boost – after Fifa confirmed the Blues have qualified for the first expanded version of the Club World Cup.World chiefs meeting in Rwanda agreed the qualification format for the 32-team event, starting in 2025 and likely to be held in China.
      Stamford Bridge chief Graham Potter has the prospect of more games and more cash next season, via the Club World CupCredit: Alamy
      Europe has been given the largest share with 12 slots with Fifa’s ruling Council agreeing that qualification would run over the four year cycle from the 2020-21 to 2023-24 seasons.
      It means the four Champions League winners over those seasons, plus the next eight leading sides on Uefa’s four-year coefficient rankings system, will earn berths for the money-laden new competition.
      Chelsea’s 2021 Final win over Manchester City means they are now guaranteed a spot, alongside Real Madrid, to be joined by the next two winners of Europe’s biggest prize.
      No country can have more than two places through the coefficient table but as it stands Liverpool and Manchester City would qualify.
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      However, if Liverpool miss out on a European spot for next season, that would open the door for Manchester United to replace them by reaching the knock-out stage of the Champions League. 
      Fifa is also revamping its current smaller version of the Club World Cup, which will continue to be played annually but rebranded and with the Champions League winner automatically through to the Final.

      World chiefs also finally agreed the “International Match Calendar” dates for international qualifiers to start in 2025.
      It will mean a four-match and 16-day window for games stretching between late September and early October from 2026, rather than the current two separate breaks.
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      Nine day breaks, for two matches, will continue to be held in March, June and November, meaning 10 international games outside of tournaments per year.
      Meanwhile, recalled Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella hopes to revive his Spain career too.
      Cucurella hopes to take on Erling Haaland’s Norway in the opening Euro 2024 qualifier on Saturday, March 25. More

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      Diogo Dalot announces engagement to stunning partner Claudia Lopes after Man Utd stars enjoy Chris Brown gig at AO Arena

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Diogo Dalot has announced his engagement to Claudia Lopes.The defender went all out for his proposal, taking his partner to a room filled with roses.
      Man Utd’s Diogo Dalot proposes to his stunning girlfriend Claudia LopesCredit: Instagram / @diogodalot
      The defender created a romantic setting for his partnerCredit: Instagram / @diogodalot
      Claudia began dating Dalot in 2020Credit: Instagram / @lopezbenitezmuri
      Dalot and Claudia went to a Chris Brown gig alongside his Manchester United palsCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      A big luminous sign reading ‘Marry Me?’ accompanied red balloons – setting a romantic scene for the proposal.
      Dalot popped the question after going to a Chris Brown concert at the AO Arena in Manchester alongside fiancee Claudia.
      The couple were joined by several of Dalot’s United team-mates and their Wags.
      Fellow Portuguese speakers Fred and Antony as well as centre-back Lisandro Martinez all attended the gig.
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      Their partners all looked glamourous and posed for a group photo together.
      Dalot shared the news on his Instagram page and captioned the post: “02.03.2023 YES to the rest of our lives.”
      Several of his Red Devils pals were quick to wish him congratulations including David De Gea, Anthony Martial and Tom Heaton.
      Dalot and Claudia have dated since 2020 and have been inseparable, with Claudia joining the right-back in Italy when he spent a year on loan at AC Milan in the 2020-21 season.
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      The Portuguese, 27, also cheered on Dalot at the Qatar World Cup last year.
      Claudia has 35,000 followers on Instagram where she often shares cute photos of herself alongside now fiancee Dalot.
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      I played with Didier Drogba at Chelsea.. he’s my top striker and would be worth £200m in today’s transfer market

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      DIDIER DROGBA scored 164 goals in eight trophy-filled years at Chelsea.And former Stamford Bridge team-mate Florent Malouda has labelled the Ivorian striker the best player he has ever played with.
      Didier Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 games for ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Florent Malouda and Drogba won the Champions League together with the BluesCredit: Getty
      Drogba, 42, won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and the Champions League with Chelsea.
      But Malouda, 42, also saw Drogba up close in France when they played together for Guingamp.
      The pair played together 188 times over the years.
      Speaking to DAZN Bet, Malouda declared: “Didier Drogba is the best striker I have played with. I saw him in France and watched his evolution.
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      “It’s because of the way he always overcame difficulties, he was never put in a comfortable position and he always came out on top.
      “Chelsea were bringing in other top strikers when he was there, with Nicolas Anelka and Fernando Torres. But he would always find a way to reinvent himself and deliver in big games.
      “He has amazing ability but his mentality is his strongest asset. I think Thierry Henry in Premier League history is first, but for the best players I played with I’d put Drogba first.
      “Henry is a legend with different qualities, he has a high IQ and knows everything about football.
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      “But it’s hard for me to consider Henry a pure striker. He was more of a 9, 9-and-a-half, on the left.
      “Didier was the No9, the target player. So I see him having different qualities, I compare Henry to Anelka. But what Henry did for Arsenal was also greatness.”
      Drogba signed for Chelsea in a £24million deal from Marseille in 2004.
      But Malouda reckons a prime Drogba nowadays would be worth over £200m.
      He added: “In today’s market, a Drogba aged 24 or 25 would be worth over £200m because of his goalscoring record.
      “He had the ability to play every game too, for club and country, without many injuries.” More

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      I never want to leave Arsenal.. I’ll become a real hero and legend at this football club, says Gunners star

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      ARSENAL star Aaron Ramsdale insists he wants to stay for the rest of his career and become a Gunners legend.The goalkeeper is into his second season at the Emirates after arriving from Sheffield United for £30million.
      Aaron Ramsdale wants to become an Arsenal legendCredit: PA
      The 24-year-old is enjoying a fine season, helping Mikel Arteta’s side stay ahead of Manchester City in the title race.
      Ramsdale has kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this term and was named keeper of the year at the London Football Awards.
      At the ceremony he told the BBC he has hopes of staying at Arsenal for years.
      Ramsdale explained: “It was a difficult period moving club to club, even before that going on loan, I never imagined leaving Bournemouth after a year, I never imagined leaving Sheffield United after a year.
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      “But this is a place now where I can see myself for ten, 12, 15 years.
      “That’s the aim, that’s the goal, that’s the aim, to stay at the top for that amount of time.
      “Hopefully, I’ll never have to leave and I’ll become a real hero and legend at this football club.”
      He was also asked about manager Arteta’s influence on him joining Arsenal.
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      Ramsdale said: “From the first phone call, from the first day he said be yourself, you don’t need to be anybody who hides behind an image, or to shy away from speaking up in changing rooms.
      ‘The first day I came in, thankfully I knew a few of the boys from previous clubs or England, so I was able to come in and joke straight away and people can see my character.
      “It definitely allowed me to express myself on the pitch from the first game.” More