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      I’m Team GB’s first ever BMX medallist and I’m best mates with Reiss Nelson – I always knew Arsenal star would succeed

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      REISS NELSON and Kye Whyte always dreamed of racing to the top.Arsenal forward Nelson and the Olympic BMX medallist have been wheelie close pals since they were eight.
      British BMX hero Kye Whyte says he always knew Reiss Nelson would reach the topCredit: Getty
      Reiss Nelson (centre) used to ride with the Olympian as a youngsterCredit: Getty
      The pair, both now 23, spent hours riding their bikes around South London while growing up.
      Whyte — whose silver at Tokyo 2020 was Team GB’s first-ever BMX medal — said: “Reiss used to live on a Walworth estate, I lived in Peckham. We used to ride mountain bikes together. And Reiss is pretty decent on a bike, to be fair.
      “He never did the BMX as he was doing his football at that time.
      “We became good friends and have been friends ever since.
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      “We used to ride all over London. No destination. Just rode to silly places.
      “We used to ride to the South Bank and back a lot. Mainly round the streets.
      “Though back in the day, he had a couple of falls off his bike while doing a wheelie!
      “I always knew Reiss was one of the best in South London.
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      “Everyone knew him at a young age just being so good at football.
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      “In my heart, I always wanted him to be in the Premier League and doing the things he’s doing now.”
      Nelson has had to wait for his chance with Arsenal following injury setbacks and loan spells with German outfit Hoffenheim and Holland’s Feyenoord.
      But on Saturday, he wrote his name into Arsenal folklore with his 97TH-MINUTE winner for Mikel Arteta’s men as they came back from 2-0 down to beat Bournemouth 3-2.
      Nelson is now set to start in tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.
      Whyte, who appeared in last year’s Dancing on Ice series, is full of admiration for his mate.
      And the Olympian will use him as a role model and inspiration as he targets gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Gunners fan Whyte added: “When Reiss scored in the last minute, I called his cousin and his brother. They were at the Emirates Stadium, literally crying and shouting.
      “I couldn’t believe it. Reiss is enjoying his time right now.
      “That goal could be the moment in the Premier League — the difference from Manchester City catching us.
      “What he has done for himself, the club and his family is unreal.
      “When we are out together or walk down the streets, people stop him for pictures.
      Reiss Nelson scored a last-ditch winner for Arsenal against BournemouthCredit: Getty
      “He isn’t flashy, he looks after his family. He’s a great guy.
      “In BMX it is not the same amount of money.
      “But when I saw his house, I said to him that it has made me want to push more in my sport.
      “I want to buy my house like that and do the things he has done for his family for my own.”
      Whyte backed his pal to go even further and added: “One hundred per cent, Reiss can go to the top.
      “I feel like he needs to be a starter now. I feel like he needs to be given that chance to show what he can do and prove himself.
      “Reiss is very humble and level-headed, he makes sure he is at training on time.
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      “He’s very professional and keeps his other life away from the football life. He does what needs to be done.
      “As long as he is playing and scoring, then I am happy for him.” More

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      Ex-Marseille star hopes rumours of buy-clauses in Man Utd’s Eric Bailly and Arsenal’s Nuno Tavares deals are ‘fake news’

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      THE loan plights of Eric Bailly and Nuno Tavares at Marseille have taken another plunge.Manchester United central defender Bailly and Arsenal left-back Tavares joined the French giants for the season in search of regular starts.
      Nuno Tavares has come under fire in France for his defensive performances on loan from Arsenal for MarseilleCredit: Getty
      Eric Bailly was banned for seven matches in January for a kung fu-style kickCredit: Getty
      But a scathing verdict has been delivered on both – for different reasons.
      Ivory Coast star Bailly, 28, has impressed… when he’s not missing out with injury or picking up a SEVEN-GAME ban for a shocking challenge.
      But Portuguese ace Tavares, 23, has struggled defensively, albeit looking menacing when pushing forward.
      And ex-Marseille midfielder Jean-Charles de Bono hopes it’s “fake news” that there’s a clause in both players’ deals forcing the second-placed Ligue 1 club to buy them in the summer.
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      De Bono also reckons Bailly would be a financial drain.
      The pundit told Football Club de Marseille: “If they finish second and you have to keep him on a big salary for the next two years, it’s going to be difficult.
      “Today, it would not be a good move for OM. Then again, I don’t know if he’ll have fewer injuries next season or he regains all his feelings. It could then be something else entirely.
      “But today, when we talk about it, Bailly is not a good move for OM.
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      “I think that in the mind of our manager Igor Tudor he is not one of the priorities.
      “Bailly takes himself a bit for someone else, a bit like Tavares.
      “We hope that this story of a mandatory purchase option if we finish second is fake news.” More

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      Enzo Fernandez says Chelsea fans’ chant is ‘unimaginable’ as he opens up on life in the Premier League

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ can’t believe Chelsea fans are already chanting his name.The World Cup winner, 21, became the most expensive midfielder in history when he left Benfica for £106million on deadline day.
      Enzo Fernandez is loving life at new club ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Fernandez slotted straight into Graham Potter’s starting XI.
      And despite Chelsea struggling to pick up points, the Argentine midfielder immediately put in some impressive performances.
      The tide appears to have turned for the Blues after they recorded successive wins against Leeds and Borussia Dortmund.
      And Fernandez was in full swing last night as he dominated the centre of the park alongside Mateo Kovacic.
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      Chelsea fans were certainly impressed, chanting Fernandez’s name in the Stamford Bridge stands.
      And the playmaker admits he is delighted to have become a favourite just over a month since his move.
      Fernandez declared: “I am very happy for the group, they deserved it. We are working hard to reverse the results.
      “It is very important to win two straight home games. I think we are doing things well.
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      “Continuing in the Champions League gives us confidence. It is something unimaginable that the people chant my name because I arrived very recently.
      “I feel a lot of differences with this football but the team is helping me a lot. It will take me a bit of time, but I am getting used to it.
      “Also to the city, my family is here with me. The adaptation will take a bit of time but we will try to do it, I’ll do my best to make it fast.”
      Fernandez also revealed his happiness after a young fan burst onto the pitch asking for his shirt.
      The ace added: “It was a very nice moment. The boy came running, asked me for the shirt and I gave it to him.
      “Children have that special something that touches my heart a lot and I gave him the shirt.
      “Being a world champion did not change anything in my head. I will always go for more.
      “Playing for Chelsea is something very passionate and in the Premier League too, because it is a dream I had since I was little.” More

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      I was a Premier League midfielder & Aston Villa star… before tragedy struck

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      A FORMER Premier League star has revealed how his life off the pitch was stricken by a family tragedy.After more than 20 years in professional football, Aston Villa legend Neil Cox’s life was turned upside down when his ex-wife took her own life about a year ago.
      Neil Cox said his family has struggled to cope with his ex-wife’s tragic deathCredit: Rex
      Cox moved to the big time when he switched from Scunthorpe to Aston Villa in 1991Credit: Getty
      Following the heart-breaking loss and his departure from coaching Scunthorpe in 2021, the 51-year-old said he was focussed on rebuilding his family after their struggles.
      He said: “It’s been such a traumatic time for the girls.
      “I understand I will never be able to replace their mum but if I can be a dad and more for them I always will be.
      “It’s almost a year to the day.
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      “I could not be prouder of them both.”
      His daughters are 24 and 17.
      Despite being removed from the game for now, Cox said he still had his eye on the future.
      He earlier said: “I have loved every moment of my football career as a player, coach and manager — and I still believe I have so much to give.
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      “I’ve been touched that a few clubs have been in contact.
      “But I want it to be the right fit for both parties.”
      As a player, Cox’s rise up the league ladder was quite a jump.
      He made his debut for United in 1990 and played just 17 league games that season before attracting interest from several big clubs.
      Tottenham Hotspur was keen to set up a potential double transfer for Cox and Richard Hall but in the end, the star defender moved to Aston Villa.
      He said: “Within days of signing I was suddenly playing over in Hong Kong with seasoned international players like David Platt and Paul McGrath.
      “I had to pinch myself.
      “The club had been knocked out of the FA Cup, so I took the opportunity to use the free weekend to play in Asia.
      “It was a whirlwind for me.”
      Cox spent three years at Villa and helped them to League Cup success over Manchester United in 1994.
      He then moved to Middlesbrough and was part of their revolution under manager Bryan Robson.
      The former right-back added: “I was a big Manchester United fan and Robbo was a hero of mine, so it didn’t take much persuading.
      “Playing between the transition from Ayresome Park to the Riverside was an incredible time and being able to share it with the fans, too.”
      But it was at Boro where he suffered arguably the biggest one-off disappointments in his playing career.
      He missed the 1997 FA Cup final against Chelsea following an injury and a row on the morning of the match with Fabrizio Ravanelli over the star striker’s own fitness.
      The Italian insisted he was fine to play but limped off after 24 minutes as Chelsea won 2-0.
      After two years at Bolton, Cox’s next move was Watford for £500,000 where he thought he had found the perfect boss in Graham Taylor.
      It turned out to be anything but.
      He said: “I was born in Scunthorpe and he had grown up there.
      “Graham’s dad was a local reporter in Scunthorpe and I had gone to school with his niece.
      “It seemed perfect but he took an instant dislike to me.
      “Within two weeks he told me he didn’t feel I had a future at the club – I was never involved in any first-team activity under Taylor.”
      Cox was interviewed for an “Under the Cosh” podcast where he talked animatedly about his horror times with Taylor but how it all turned around for him when Gianluca Vialli took over the Hornets.
      He became great friends with the Italian and was devastated by his passing in January.
      Cox said: “I count myself lucky that I worked with both Gianluca and Ray Wilkins at Watford.
      “It’s hard to believe they are both no longer with us.
      “They were absolute class acts in terms of their football but more importantly, wonderful, humble people.”
      From Watford, he moved to Cardiff and then Crewe, where he wanted to help old friend Steve Holland, who is now Gareth Southgate’s No 2 for England.
      But Cox always had plans to go into coaching, adding: “While I was at Watford, I was very fortunate that Ray Lewington became manager and allowed me access to all the coaching at the club.
      “I would ask questions and he would do the same with me.
      “My footballing highlights would be Villa’s League Cup win in 1994 and the Boro revolution under Robbo.
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      “But one of my real standout memories was being part of AFC Wimbledon’s rise after being unceremoniously dumped out of the league.
      “What those fans and that club have achieved is quite a story.”
      Ex-defender Cox played for Middlesbrough from 1994-1997Credit: Getty
      Cox spent six years at WatfordCredit: Getty
      Cox celebrates scoring for Bolton in 1998 against old club VillaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Chelsea join Arsenal in transfer battle for joker Hirving Lozano who once confessed to hiding under team-mates’ beds

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      CHELSEA have reportedly joined Arsenal in the transfer chase for Napoli’s Mexican joker Hirving Lozano.The winger, 27, moved to Serie A from PSV in 2019 and has scored 23 goals in 112 appearances in the Italian top-flight.
      Chelsea are reportedly chasing Napoli star Hirving LozanoCredit: Rex
      The Mexican international has helped Napoli to go 15 points clear at the top of the table and is a huge fan favourite.
      However, Lozano’s contract is believed to be expiring in 2024 and that could force them to cash in this summer rather than risk losing him for nothing.
      The star was initially linked with a move to England during his time in Holland.
      And reports that both Arsenal, Newcastle and Everton are all still keen have emerged over recent months.
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      Now journalist Raffaele Auriemma has told Radio CRC that Chelsea are also interested in what could be a £44.5m transfer deal.
      He said: “Chelsea likes the Mexican footballer, given that the Blues coach [Graham Potter] likes this type of winger.
      “In this case, the Neapolitan club can collect 50 million and pay it cash into Sassuolo’s coffers to take Lauriente and Frattesi.”
      Lozano is nicknamed “Chucky” in his homeland.
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      He earned that moniker after hiding under beds and jumping out on his team-mates during his time as a youth player.
      His nickname comes from the X-rated franchise featuring the same-named doll. More

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      Mikel Arteta gives blunt response after Arsenal manager is linked with stunning Real Madrid job

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      MIKEL ARTETA has shrugged off reports linking him to Real Madrid and pledged his future to Arsenal.The Gunners boss has not forgotten the show of faith from owner Stan Kroenke when he was handed a new contract last April despite the team faltering in the race for the top four.
      Mikel Arteta has played down talk of him moving to Real MadridCredit: Getty
      And now he wants to repay that loyalty by ignoring all the speculation ro bring a first League title since 2004 to the Emirates.
      European Champions Real Madrid are in the market for a new coach to replace the veteran Carlo Ancelotti, who is being lined up to become Brazilian national coach in the summer.
      And it is being claimed in Spain that Real president Florentino Perez has identified 40-year-old Arteta as the man to take over at the Bernabeu.
      But Arteta, who is under contract with Arsenal to 2025,  insists he is not even thinking about a potential return to Spain.
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      Ahead of the first leg of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon, he said: “As a manager, I cannot control the things that are written about me.
      “But what I can tell you is that I am fully focused on the job I am doing here and I am extremely proud and grateful to do what I am doing with this football club.
      “And that’s it.”
      That will be music to the ears of the Arsenal fans who have taken Arteta to their hearts this season after guiding their team to a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
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      Yet it hasn’t always been so easy for Pep Guardiola’s former Manchester City assistant who was appointed to replace Unai Emery in December 2019.
      And it was only last summer that a number of supporters were calling for a new boss after Arsenal surrendered fourth place to bitter rivals Spurs on the final day of last season. More

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      ‘He doesn’t walk into anyone’s starting XI’ – Neymar is ‘world-class’ but would only make Arsenal’s bench, says pundit

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN star Neymar “doesn’t walk into elite starting XIs” despite being a “world class” footballer.TalkSPORT presenter and former Spurs star Darren Bent believes Neymar would only be a bench option for Premier League leaders Arsenal.
      Neymar is not good enough to start for Arsenal, says ex-Prem star Darren BentCredit: Reuters
      The 31-year-old Brazilian was enjoying a fine campaign at PSG before suffering a season-ending injury this week.
      And Neymar’s latest setback has sparked fresh talk of his long-term future in the French capital.
      The former Barcelona forward has been at PSG since 2017 after a world-record £198million move.
      He’s gone on to score 118 goals in 173 matches, winning four Ligue 1 titles in the process.
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      And some reports suggest Neymar could end up playing in England.
      Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move as Todd Boehly searches for a marquee striker.
      But former England striker Bent does not believe Neymar is good enough to stroll into the starting XI of any elite side.
      And when asked on TalkSPORT whether title chasers Arsenal would take Neymar, Bent declared the Samba star would only make the bench as he is not as good as compatriot Gabriel Martinelli.
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      Darren Bent feels Neymar can’t just ‘walk’ into elite starting XIsCredit: Getty
      Bent said: “Right now, I’d rather have Martinelli because Neymar is out for the season.
      “I like our squad now so I’m sticking with Martinelli. Neymar in his pomp is unbelievable, but there are just times where things don’t fit.
      “When you look at the games he’s played, he’s played 20, 17, 15, 18, 22 and 20 [matches]. Always injured.
      “I know he’s world-class and I’d have him as a squad player but he doesn’t walk into anyone’s starting XI.
      “I’m not criticising his ability, honestly he’s phenomenal. His ability is frightening. 
      “Some of the things he can do with a football, wow. But he comes with a bit of baggage.
      “Look at what previous managers at PSG have said about working with him, he makes it incredibly difficult.” More

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      I played for Man Utd and England but fell out of love with the game… now I’m selling luxury watches for millions

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      HE WON the Premier League title with Manchester United and even earned eight England caps.But now the former footballer is selling luxury watches for millions of pounds.
      This former England international is now trading expensive watchesCredit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzFa2Ax9z8U
      Kieran Richardson hung up his boots and retired aged just 33.
      However, he continues to make the big bucks and travel the world with his new business venture.
      The former Red Devils wide man, now 38, co-owns the Broadwalk Group, specialising in buying and selling expensive timepieces.
      Richardson’s love of watches started aged 16 when he bought his first Cartier Tank model and has now made exclusively trading Richard Milles, Patek Philippes, Audemars Piguets and Rolexes.
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      Asked about some of his biggest sales, the former footballer said: “Definitely a Richard Mille, for sure. It must have been around $2.3m [£1.7m].
      “It was to an Asian client, an RM Skull – big money.
      “We all start somewhere. When I first got into watches, I bought a Rolex for £14,000, then £18,000 then £21,000 then I made £3,000 on that watch.
      “You get more confidence, you’ve got to get involved.
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      “Spend what you can afford, enjoy it, wear the watches, and collect, I know London can be unsafe, some buy them strictly as investments and leave them in a vault.
      “Every day I’m learning, you have to know your products.”
      Richardson once turned down someone trying to sell him a watch worth £300,000 because it was “too niche” and had a Lamborghini Murcielago and Ferrari 458 in his garage.
      He has a number of major clients and believes his fame from his football career has helped him gain trust.
      Richardson added on The Steven Sulley Study: “Life’s about experiences for me, I’m not driven by money.
      “I’d rather have a great holiday, drive a car hard, it’s a thrill. There’s no point buying a car if you’re not going to feel it.
      “You have to make sure you trust your dealer. I find with my background and who I am, people don’t feel I’m going to rump them and run away with £100,000 because I don’t need your £100,000.
      “I get a lot of customers from the trust side and that’s fine.
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      “I have a lot of clients but don’t like to tell the big names – I don’t want to open that can of worms, these watches are proper assets.
      “I’m private. I have massive clients, trust me – it’s different if they want to put it out there. I am thinking about people, not the pound notes. Safety.
      “I only invest what I know and it can go t**s up but it can be very profitable too – I’ve made money from it.”
      Richardson came through the United academy, making 81 first-team appearances between 2002 and 2007.
      He also had spells with West Brom, Sunderland, Fulham, Aston Villa and finally Cardiff.
      But by that 2016-17 season, the Greenwich-born ace was ready to pack it in.
      Richardson, who played under both Sir Alex Ferguson and Roy Keane, added: “I miss my team-mates, the changing room, the banter but I don’t miss the football itself, having to lace my boots and go out at 3pm.
      “By the end of my career, it became a job, I fell out of love with it and lost that spark. I still enjoyed it but lost that love.
      I am an Arsenal fan… I knocked them out the FA Cup and scored against themKieran Richardson
      “Paul Scholes is definitely the most talented footballer I’ve been around.
      “Sir Alex is No1, the best manager of all time. I really enjoyed working for Roy – he got the best out of me, he’s the best pundit now.
      “Both were fiery, but Roy was probably more. He would never ask you to do something he couldn’t do himself.
      “Being a captain is about leading and getting the best of the team and he was perfect at that, everyone respected that.
      “Everyone sees him on TV – he was the same on the pitch and in the changing room.”
      Despite his spell with United at the peak of the rivalry with Arsenal, Richardson is a boyhood Gunners fan – and is enjoying being a supporter in his retirement.
      The 2006 League Cup winner concluded: “I watch football so much now – I didn’t watch it much as a footballer, I didn’t really care.
      “Now as someone not playing, I enjoy being an Arsenal fan, I’m buying a season ticket next season.
      “I don’t think there was a conflict of interests.
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      “I am an Arsenal fan but when you play for a club, you aren’t thinking about Arsenal. Whichever club you’re at, that’s the team you are riding for.
      “I knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup and I scored against them.”
      Richardson won the League Cup alongside Wayne Rooney in 2006Credit: Getty – Contributor
      He made 81 appearances for the Red Devils across five yearsCredit: Reuters
      Richardson supports Arsenal despite his United connectionsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More