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    Watch moment Jorginho catches Arsenal pal Gabriel Jesus on driving lesson and cannot stop laughing

    ARSENAL star Gabriel Jesus has been making the most of his injury recovery… by learning how to drive.The Brazilian ace, 23, has been nursing a knee injury picked up at the World Cup for three months.
    Jorginho was left in stitches as Gabriel Jesus took a driving lessonCredit: Instagram / @jorginhofrello
    The Brazilian saw the funny side as he asked to practice in Jorginho’s carCredit: Instagram / @jorginhofrello
    But having undergone surgery, Jesus is now on the brink of a first-team return.
    SunSport understands he will fly out with team-mates for Thursday’s Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
    In the meantime, Jesus has been putting pedal to the metal around Arsenal’s London Colney training base.
    New pal Jorginho was left in stitches as he encountered the forward getting to grips with his L-plates alongside a driving instructor.
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    Jesus, who is taking lessons with Hadley School of Motoring, appeared sheepish as he was busted by his mate.
    Jorginho posted a hilarious clip of the encounter to his Instagram Story.
    As Jesus rolled down the window in the car park, the ex-Chelsea man burst out laughing before asking: “Gabi! What are you doing?”
    Jesus and his instructor saw the funny side too, with the Samba star cheekily replying: “Nice car huh? Practising, my friend. Can I practice in your car?”
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    Jorginho is yet to play alongside Jesus after joining Arsenal from Chelsea in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    Jesus is on the verge of a return from a knee injuryCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    A chucking Jorginho answered: “No chance mate! Good luck, good lesson.”
    Arsenal fans certainly loved the interaction, with one saying: “That’s some funny stuff right there. Even better, team-mates growing their friendship off the field too. Arsenal is family.”
    Another declared: “He’s probably learning how to drive us to the league title.”
    One noted: “Jorginho is so likeable it’s unbelievable.”
    Another added: “Jorginho trolling Gabby and both are Arsenal players. What a time.” More

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    Leeds fans FUMING as club increase season tickets by 10 per cent – with never-seen-before clause

    LEEDS UNITED fans have expressed their fury after learning of a major increase of season ticket prices.The Premier League strugglers announced on Monday that they’d ramp up the price of season tickets for the 2023/24 season.
    Leeds United announced an increase the prices of season tickets this weekCredit: REX
    Fans have reacted angrily to the newsCredit: REX
    The Elland Road faithful fans were enraged by the decision, which the club insists it didn’t take lightly.
    Their anger was echoed in a statement by the club’s Supporters Trust, which read. “This increase is unwelcome at a time when many fans will be experiencing increased financial pressures in other areas of their lives.
    “And unjustified given the club’s increasing revenue streams, coupled with poor results on the pitch.”
    It continued: “Given the current cost of living crisis and after last year’s season ticket rises, it feels like another bitter pill for the fans to swallow.”
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    The one saving grace for Leeds fans is a clause that means they can claim back the rise if the club drops back down to The Championship.
    An excerpt of the club statement read: “We appreciate that any increase in the current economic climate is unwelcome, particularly when it coincides with poor performance on the pitch.
    “The decision has not been taken lightly but we believe the new pricing is consistent with both our principle of running the clubs finances responsibly and maintaining our commitment to affordable football at Elland Road.
    “Our prices will remain amongst the cheapest in the Premier League.
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    “In 2022/23 we had the second cheapest Season Ticket in the top-flight.”
    Leeds are hanging perilously above the relegation zone, with only goal difference separating themselves and 18th-placed Everton.
    Javi Gracia’s troops will be back in action on Saturday, welcoming Brighton to Elland Road.
    They’ll look to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea last weekend. More

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    Rio Ferdinand reveals moment he will begin to panic about Man Utd as he downplays Liverpool humiliation

    RIO FERDINAND has revealed the moment he will start panicking about Manchester United.But he downplayed Sunday’s humiliation at Anfield by insisting he is not worried yet.
    Rio Ferdinand is not panicking about Manchester United despite the 7-0 defeat to LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    The former Red Devils defender, 44, described the 7-0 thrashing as a “complete massacre”.
    However, he is reserving judgement until after the next two matches against Real Betis and Southampton to see how Erik ten Hag’s squad respond.
    Ferdinand told his Vibe with Five podcast: “To sit here and start picking players out for one performance, we have been sitting here for many months now saying this team are on the upward curve in contrast to what it has been.
    “They have had one performance and we are going to put them on the floor, I don’t think it is right.
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    “When we played, if you lost, you are thinking about Wednesday or Tuesday, ‘We do not lose that game’ – that was the chat.
    “I am only going to start panicking if we get beaten on Thursday [against Real Betis] or Southampton at the weekend.
    “That will tell me where this team is mentally.”
    United’s players were slammed by pundits for capitulating in the second half against Liverpool in the record-breaking defeat.
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    Ten Hag tore into his flops in the Anfield dressing room with the hairdryer treatment and forced them to sit in silence and listen to their rivals’ celebrations next door.
    And the Dutchman warned they would all be axed if there was a repeat of a performance which he publicly slammed as “unprofessional” and “unacceptable”.
    The players were dragged into training on Monday morning and had to sit through clips of the horrorshow in an attempt to stir up anger.
    Luke Shaw issued an apology while Bruno Fernandes looks set to be stripped of the armband for his pathetic behaviour at Anfield that “irritated” team-mates.
    Ferdinand added: “You got to remember that when you go to Anfield [the fans can] suck the ball into the net. Not that they needed to today.
    “The atmosphere is one of the best in the world, especially when it’s a team like Man Utd coming to town.
    “We’ve been pulverised. That was a massacre, an absolute massacre at Anfield. That’s all you can call it.
    “I think if there are any grounds in the world that can humble you then it’s Anfield. Complete reality check of where we’re at.
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    “We’ve still got a lot of work to do and this could be a blessing in disguise.
    “And that’s the only way you can look at this because otherwise it’s a depressing state you fall into. Which I’m nearing now…”
    United walked off the Anfield pitch shellshocked by the second halfCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd’s awkward team WhatsApp messages before 7-0 mauling at Liverpool revealed

    MANCHESTER UNITED players sent embarrassing messages to each other on their group chat prior to the 7-0 defeat to Liverpool.United conceded six second-half goals as they hopelessly crumbled at Anfield.
    Man Utd sent now awkward messages the the team WhatsApp groupCredit: Rex
    The loss left them 14 points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal and nine short of Manchester City in second place.
    However, before the demolition at the hands of Liverpool, the United squad sent WhatsApp messages to each other about the possibility of winning the Quadruple.
    The Daily Mail claim that the players had spoken about catching the league’s top two although that may seem like a step too far now.
    United remain in the hunt for the Europa League and FA Cup to add to their Carabao Cup trophy this season.
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    They face Spanish side Real Betis in the last 16 in Europe and in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup they play Fulham at Old Trafford.
    The report also suggests that despite the loss bringing Man Utd back down to earth with a bang, manager Erik ten Hag stressed he didn’t want the result to ruin their campaign.
    The boss is expected to punish the players for a poor performance and he supposedly made his team be silent and listen to the celebratory noise coming from the Liverpool dressing room.
    He also called the players to the Carrington training ground at 9am the day after the defeat to analyse the game and make them angry, with Ten Hag there from 7am.
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    The Dutchman also tore into the lack of professionalism shown on the pitch and he said they were lucky to be getting the coach home.
    In the aftermath of the defeat, David De Gea wrote a message to fans to reassure them the team will respond.
    Meanwhile, Luke Shaw issued an apology to supporters. More

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    Jude Bellingham’s dad ‘holds transfer meeting in London hotel’ just hours before Dortmund’s crunch clash with Chelsea

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’S father is allegedly holding talks with Real Madrid today over a stunning transfer move.Bellingham, 19, is one of the most in-demand teenagers in world football after his exploits at the World Cup and for Borussia Dortmund.
    Jude Bellingham is due to face Chelsea with Dortmund tonightCredit: PA
    The former Birmingham ace is back on these shores today for the second-leg of the Champions League last-16 clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
    Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been linked with the ex-Birmingham City academy player.
    We reported last month how Newcastle had now joined the transfer chase, while Real Madrid have also held a heavy interest in signing the teenage sensation.
    Los Blancos have been trying to work on a deal for some time with their chief scout Juni Calafat already “taking care of relations” with Bellingham’s father, Mark, who manages his son’s career.

    But there was a growing feeling that they “are becoming resigned to the fact that the financial muscle of the Premier League is almost unbeatable”.
    However, a fresh report has now claimed that talks are happening TODAY between the two camps.
    Foot Mercato say: “According to our information, a meeting is indeed underway between the father of the England international and Juni Calafat, director of international football for Real Madrid, and responsible for recruiting young players on a global scale.”
    The French publication added that the “meeting is at the Chelsea Harbor hotel in London” and that Madrid “will present its project for the playmaker” in it.
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    Los Blancos are allegedly preparing for the departure of midfield veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric at the end of the season.
    And they appear to have clearly identified Bellingham as their top target.
    The Spanish champs can’t afford the reported £135m price-tag, having already committed to a £60m deal for 16-year-old Brazilian winger Endrick.
    But we previously reported how Real are instead plotting to bid a tasty £88m fee while also handing over Eduardo Camavinga in exchange. More

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    Major Man Utd takeover update as Joel and Avram Glazer hatch plan with US hedge fund – but fans won’t like it

    MANCHESTER United co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer could be ready to use a US hedge fund to STAY at the club.Britain’s richest man, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and Qatari banker Sheikh Jassin bin Hamad al-Thani, were among the bidders told last week they would be invited to meetings at Old Trafford for the next stage of the potential £6billion takeover.
    Bryan Glazer, left is among the four brothers waiting to see if Avram and Joel, on the right, make another move in the Man Utd takeover sagaCredit: AP
    But behind the scenes there is increasing speculation that the two most prominent members of the Glazer family are seeking to engineer a buy-out of their siblings to ensure they remain at the United helm.
    And that could spark a fan backlash in the wake of Sunday’s humiliation at Liverpool.
    It has been known for weeks that Joel and Avram are the least-minded of the six brothers to sell up.
    While the other four want to cash in, they are understood to feel that the club can add value with internal investment, including on the proposed Old Trafford replacement, making a future sale even more lucrative.
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    That split within the family has been blamed by some analysts for the sales process – which started in November and has a deadline of the end of May – being on a go-slow.
    And it has now emerged that there is a growing belief that the two board members are ready to get into financial bed with Los Angeles-based Ares Management to put together a deal their brothers will accept and to remain in charge at Old Trafford.
    Ares, which has assets of a staggering £246bn, is one of four US hedge funds which has signalled its willingness to help finance a deal to run United.
    New York-based Elliott Management, which made it clear it was seeking to fund a bid rather than take over the club itself, was the first out of the blocks.
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    Two other financial giants, Oaktree – which helped Chinese conglomerate Suning take over Inter Milan – and MSD Partners are also interested.
    But the growing belief is that Joel and Avram are ready to partner with Ares to make an offer their brothers cannot refuse – and effectively park the proposed club sale for the medium term.
    The potential involvement of Ares is something of which the two announced rival bidders are aware with a recognition that such a financial model would be in keeping with the general approach of the Californian outfit as investors rather than company owners.
    So far the sale has been going at a glacial pace, with the second bidding stage meetings, expected to take place next week, only a precursor to the full demands of the potential owners.
    There is surprise that it seems the Glazers’ chosen deal-makers, the Raine Group, want to eventually open up the club’s “data room” of financial information to each bidder in rotation, rather than simultaneously.
    Issues such as tax, legal and property due diligence, existing contracts and player information will require huge dedicated teams of specialists to scrutinise before the bidders can come to a more fixed valuation.
    There is also some feeling that if a sale was really at the forefront of the Glazers’ minds, they would have already chosen one “exclusive” bidder access to try to force an acceptable offer.
    The Glazers have shown over nearly two decades that they are rarely moved by negativity from the club’s fan base although withdrawing the “for sale” boards now could bring the most sustained response yet. More

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    Which Dream Team assets have decreased in price the most since the start of the season?

    FOR a Dream Team gaffer, there are few better feelings than backing a bargain and selling them a few months later for a massive profit.Conversely, watching a beloved player’s price decrease over the course of a campaign can be devastating.
    With regret, here are the players who have depreciated in the value the most this season.
    Son Heung-min – £6.5m to £5.1m
    Off the boil
    If you didn’t know anything about this season and you checked the Dream Team Stats Centre to gauge the South Korean forward’s performances, you would probably assume he’s been enjoying himself.
    Tottenham’s No7 has 104 points to his name, making him one of just eight centurions in his position currently, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
    The truth is that 64 of Son’s points came in three games: 28 against a Leicester side that were a defensive shambles at the time, 18 against Frankfurt, and 18 against against mid-table Championship outfit Preston.
    Those big cash-ins shouldn’t be ignored but the fact is he’s not been at his best for the vast majority of the campaign – he’s blanked 23 times and counting.
    Conor Gallagher – £3m to £1.6m
    Looked better in a Crystal Palace shirtCredit: GETTY
    The England international was one of the standout breakout stars of last season while on loan at Crystal Palace.
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    Gallagher scored eight goals, provided three assists, and pocketed his fair share of Star Man awards at Selhurst Park, prompting hope among the Chelsea faithful that he would spearhead their midfield in 2022/23.
    However, the 23-year-old has been more of a peripheral figure for the Blues and has just two goal involvements to show for his efforts so far.
    Gallagher was fully deserving of his £3m price tag prior to Game Week 1 but given that he’s mustered just 14 points to date, it’s no surprise to see him drop £1.4m.
    Jamie Vardy – £4.5m to £3.1m
    The party’s winding downCredit: GETTY
    Now firmly at the back end of his storybook career, Leicester’s No9 has to deal with frequent injury niggles and the realities of a subsidiary role.
    Vardy scored 15 league goals last season but he’s celebrated just one in 25 appearances this term and not even some profitable outings in the Carabao Cup can mitigate that from a Dream Team perspective.
    The 36-year-old hasn’t registered a point since Game Week 17 and a string of second-half substitute appearances are likely to force his price lower and lower.
    Still, what a gem he’s been for Dream Team gaffers over the years.
    Fabinho – £3m to £1.4m
    Not so fab this seasonCredit: GETTY
    The Brazilian midfielder personifies Liverpool’s season in many ways.
    In 2021/22 he was absolutely magnificent and supplemented his impressive performances at the base of the Reds’ midfield with the odd goal.
    This campaign, he’s looked a shadow of his former self, hence why Jurgen Klopp’s side only have the possibility of sneaking fourth left in terms of realistic achievements.
    Fabinho has scraped together just seven points after 25 Game Weeks – no wonder his value has more than halved.
    Lucas Digne – £3m to £1.4m
    Villain by name and natureCredit: GETTY
    Experienced Dream Team bosses will remember a time when the French defender was a savvy value-for-money option.
    Sadly, those days are in the past.
    Previously a creative force from left-back, Digne has failed to provide a single assist for Aston Villa this season and clean sheets haven’t been easy to come by either.
    Granted, he can’t be blamed for missed games through injury but even when available he’s averaging 0.7 points-per-game.
    Andy Robertson – £5.5m to £3.8m
    Credit in the bankCredit: GETTY
    Scotland’s skipper was fully deserving of his lofty price at the start of the season having finished 2021/22 as the fourth-best asset in his position.
    Like Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m), Robertson has been hugely successful in Dream Team by contributing to more goals than most midfielders while also collecting regular clean sheets.
    With eight assists to his name, the 28-year-old is still making a difference in the final third but Jurgen Klopp’s side have struggled defensively for months on end now – see Real Madrid’s 5-2 win at Anfield for a recent example.
    Robertson sailed past 200 points last term but he’ll do well to muster half that total this time around.
    Bernardo Silva – £4.5m to £2.6m
    Manchester City’s sixth-best midfielder
    Last season was arguably the Portuguese playmaker’s best-ever campaign in a Manchester City shirt.
    Having earned his place in the PFA Team of the Year, some Dream Team bosses may have even felt that he was great value at £4.5m prior to Game Week 1.
    It’s not that he’s been poor this season – four goals and five assists in the league is a respectable return at this stage – but he’s certainly not meeting 2021/22’s standard, hence his significant price drop.
    Bernardo has blanked 25 times already this season – comparatively, Kevin De Bruyne (£7.6m) has blanked in eight games.
    Mason Mount – £5m to £3m
    A mountain to climb
    Here’s a stat: Chelsea have scored 24 league goals this season, the same number as 20th-placed Bournemouth.
    The Blues’ problems in the final third have been well-documented and while no individual player is to blame, Mount’s drop-off encapsulates his side’s recent fortunes.
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    The England international, who was one of a handful of players to reach double figures for league goals and assists last season, has just six goal involvements to his name in all competitions at this stage of the current campaign.
    A popular choice ahead of Game Week 1, the Cobham graduate has cobbled together just 50 points and the 4% of gaffers still sticking by him would do well to Google the term: sunk-cost fallacy. More

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    ‘It’s very, very cheap’ – Ex-Arsenal star can’t believe how much Edu sold him for after Gunners chief made £17m loss

    EX-ARSENAL star Bernd Leno has admitted he was shocked when the club sold him to Fulham for a £17million loss.The goalkeeper had spent four seasons at the Gunners before director of football Edu offloaded him on the cheap.
    Edu sold Bernd Leno for a huge loss in the summerCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Bernd Leno joined Fulham for just £3millionCredit: Getty
    Leno signed for Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of around £20m in 2018.
    But he left to join Fulham for just £3m before the start of this season, signing a three-year contract with the deal potentially rising to £8m if certain clauses are met.
    Leno told the Evening Standard that he was shocked by Edu’s business, saying: “I have to say it’s a bargain.
    “It’s very, very cheap, especially in the Premier League. I am not £3m, I’m probably worth a little bit more. Otherwise I would be a very bad player.”
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    Despite this, the German insists there is no resentment towards his former club or by the fact he had to spend a year on the bench as back-up to Aaron Ramsdale.
    Leno explained: “I don’t have toxic or bad energy for Arsenal.
    “It didn’t end in the perfect way, but my reception at the Emirates was really good. I get fans coming up to me saying, ‘thank you for your four years… you were very good’.
    “I was really happy with my performances. Even when they dropped me, I did nothing wrong. I came through the front door and I left through the front door. I still have a connection to the club.”
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    The 31-year-old has impressed under Marco Silva, helping the club fight for a European place in their first term back in the top-flight following promotion.
    Leno said on his transfer: “It was clear for me, I wanted to stay in the Premier League. It’s the best league in the world by far — and London life, I really love it here.
    “I spoke to people at Arsenal about wanting to join Fulham. Everyone said it’s a nice family club. And I played many times against Fulham and it is an old-school stadium. All these aspects played a role.
    “At the beginning, the main goal was to stay in the Premier League. We are in the quarter-final of the FA Cup, we’re seventh in the league, no one saw that coming.”
    Leno insists him and another new signings that have wowed like Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon have only added to a team that already had a good spine.
    The keeper is hoping to force his way back into the Germany squad after missing out on the World Cup, having earned nine caps in his career.
    He is also predicting that Arsenal will win the title, saying: “I hope they do it, I think they can.” More