Premier League

MYKHAILO MUDRYK has been backed to be one of the best players in the Premier League despite his slow start at Chelsea.The Blues forked out a staggering £88million to land the winger, 22, from Shakhtar Donetsk ahead of London rivals Arsenal during the January window.
Mykhailo Mudryk is yet to fully settle at ChelseaCredit: Rex
But despite a dazzling debut from the bench at Liverpool, the Ukraine international is yet to register a goal or assist in a Chelsea shirt as Graham Potter struggles to settle his side after a frantic transfer window.
Despite their troubles, Shakhtar sporting director, Darijo Srna, who was instrumental in the deal to bring Mudryk to the Premier League, says he can still bring a lot of joy to Chelsea fans.
Speaking to the Football Ramble, he said: “Don’t worry about Mykhailo Mudryk, you will enjoy watching him. His first game against Liverpool, this is 35 per cent of Mudryk, believe me.
“Chelsea is not in a good mood, they are not playing amazing football and don’t have good results but they have a lot of players and need time.
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“Mykhailo will be okay, don’t worry. Mykhailo will bring a lot of happiness to Chelsea fans.
“Chelsea now is not in a good mood and Mykhailo as well but Mykhailo has all the quality to be one of the best players in the Premier League in the next two years.
“Mudryk is one of the best three players in his position in Europe.
“After Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr it is Mudryk.”
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Mudryk made a very public push to join Arsenal during the January window, though the Gunners – who saw a number of bids rejected – refused to match Shakhtar’s asking price.
And Srna says it was a simple decision for the winger once a deal had been agreed.
Srna added: “Regarding the transfer proposal, the price was €100million (£88m), €70million plus €30million.
“Arsenal were in love with Mudryk, but Chelsea were more concrete and were more ready to buy him.
“With respect to Arsenal, in the end it was the decision of Mudryk because Chelsea paid what we wanted and we made an agreement with Chelsea he said he wants to go to Chelsea, it’s simple.” More

JAVI GRACIA has been blocked from taking Leeds training.And he could be forced to miss Saturday’s crunch relegation six-pointer at home to Southampton.
Javi Gracia is waiting to be able to get to work at LeedsCredit: Rex Features
Leeds appointed Gracia as Jesse Marsch’s successor on Tuesday.
The Spaniard, 52, signed a “flexible contract” and has been tasked with keeping the Whites in the Premier League after impressing the board with his analysis of Chelsea’s defeat to Southampton.
The Yorkshire side are currently 19th, two points from safety with 15 matches to go.
And they take on Saints at Elland Road this Saturday, knowing defeat would send them bottom – below the south-coast strugglers.
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But Leeds are still waiting for Gracia to get the green light to get to work with his new players – and be in the dugout on Saturday.
Due to new rules brought in after Brexit in January 2021, the Daily Mail reports the new manager does not automatically qualify for a work permit.
Tough-boss Gracia needs a governing body endorsement (GBE) from the FA.
However, the FA criteria needs a gaffer to have worked in a top league for at least 36 months, or two years consecutively, in the last five years.
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Gracia’s last job was at Al Sadd in Saudi Arabia – not considered a ‘top’ league.
Before that he had spells at Watford from January 2018 to September 2019 and then at Valencia from July 2020 to May 2021, meaning he does not fit the FA requirements.
It means his case must go to a three-person exceptions panel to determine if the manager is of the “highest calibre and is able to contribute significantly to the development of the game at the top level in England”.
Gracia is likely to be granted the GBE, the report adds, due to his success with Watford – taking the to the 2019 FA Cup final.
But the process could take longer than hoped for Leeds – and therefore not be all done in time for Saturday’s Southampton showdown.
Gracia has met Leeds’ players and staff after visiting the club’s Thorp Arch training ground on Tuesday but did not take training or even conduct club media.
It means the caretaker team of Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas have continued overseeing preparations and may be in charge again at Elland Road this weekend.
If the matter doesn’t get sorted in time, it may mean Gracia’s first match in charge is away at Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on Tuesday night.
Leeds’ following Premier League game is a trip to Chelsea on March 4 before returning to Elland Road to host Brighton on March 11. More

THIAGO Silva’s wife has taken aim at Chelsea again – this time with a blast at already under-fire boss Graham Potter.Belle Silva is the outspoken partner of the 38-year-old Brazilian international.
Thiago Silva’s wife often voices when she is unhappy with ChelseaCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
Belle Silva is the centre-back’s outspoken partnerCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
Graham Potter is the latest to feel her wrathCredit: Alamy
Timo Werner was criticised by Belle SilvaCredit: The Times
From the club’s fans to her husband’s team-mates, not many have escaped the wrath of Belle.
SunSport takes a look back at the many times she has turned the air around Stamford Bridge blue.
GONE TO POTT
Current boss Potter is having a challenging time at Chelsea and things got worse for the ex-Brighton gaffer after a home defeat to bottom of the league Southampton.
Boos could be heard at Stamford Bridge and some called for him to get the sack.
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Belle showed her frustration by liking a tweet from a supporter that labelled him as a “deadbeat coach”.
The user wrote to her pleading that Silva coaches the club instead as Potter is “tactic-less” and “doesn’t know what he is doing”.
They continued: “He doesn’t even understand this is Chelsea football club – he thinks he is still at Brighton.”
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WERNING SIGN
Last season, Silva’s team-mate Werner was having a tough time in front of goal, managing just four Premier League goals across the camaign.
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That left Belle far from impressed and she supposedly launched a foul-mouthed rant, branding the German a “verme”, which means “maggot” in Portuguese.
YOU’VE (NOT) BEEN FRAMED
Silva played a key role during Chelsea’s Champions League victory in the 2020/21 season.
The wife of the centre-back expected to come home to a hero’s welcome at Stamford Bridge but was left underwhelmed.
Belle reportedly fumed at staff as she claimed their was not enough snaps around the ground of her husband’s successes.
She wrote in a now deleted post on social media: “Today I went to Stamford Bridge and I noticed that the photos changed around the stadium.
“But I don’t see a photo of Thiago Silva anywhere. Why Chelsea?”
Later that day, Tottenham scored and when watching from the stands she uploaded a photo of her and son Iago with a silly filter on saying Spurs had netted.
She received much backlash from fans, one said: “Delete this. So unnecessary.”
Thiago Silva’s wife often lets her feelings be knownCredit: Getty
NOT A FAN
Next in Belle’s firing line was shockingly Chelsea supporters.
At the beginning of 2023, the West Londoners slumped to another bad defeat against Manchester City, losing 1-0 at home.
It left the club in tenth place in the Premier League and angry fans jeered the team off the pitch after a lacklustre display.
Belle questioned the fans’ efforts, tweeting: “Don’t come to Stamford Bridge if you’re not singing. Come on Chelsea.”
She then shared a video of some of the boos while she stood up and sung a chant in support of the team.
SILVER TONGUE
Silva’s wife took another swipe at the club after they lost to London rivals Fulham.
It was a disastrous day at Craven Cottage as ex-Blues hero Willian opened the scoring and Joao Felix was sent off on his debut.
Despite the loss, much-loved defender Thiago put in a good performance and it left Belle wanting more from Chelsea.
Again on social media she said: “If there was a Thiago Silva in attack and one in midfield, with what we already have in defence…”
Belle Silva has criticised her husband’s team-mates and fansCredit: Instagram @bellesilva
MIC DROP
Sticking up for her husband is something Belle does best and she was not going to let a commentator get away with criticising the ex-Paris Saint Germain star’s performance.
Chelsea shockingly lost to Brentford 4-1 and Silva was accused of “not attacking enough”.
Belle demanded more respect, taking to Instagram: “I’m here in my box at Stamford Bridge. I just listened right now to the commentator, who said that Silva is not attacking enough.
“Respect Thiago Silva because Thiago Silva arrived yesterday, Thiago Silva played for Brazil, Thiago Silva is very tired, Thiago Silva is 37-years-old, he plays like he is 20-years-old.
“So respect him, he’s not a machine. He needs to relax, alright?”
HAS NO ‘CHILL’
Silva’s opponents have also been on the receiving end of her brutal assessments.
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Chelsea fans loved it when she demanded that the experienced international show Leicester ace Daniel Amartey “who is boss”.
She has also hit out and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson saying that Ben Chillwell is a better player.
Thiago and Isabelle Silva have two childrenCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva
They supposedly began dating in the early 2000sCredit: Instagram / @bellesilva More

PEP GUARDIOLA has dismissed Thierry Henry’s claim that Manchester City are too predictable with Erling Haaland.The Arsenal legend spoke about Haaland ahead of City’s visit to RB Leipzig.
Thierry Henry claimed Erling Haaland has made Manchester City more predictableCredit: Getty
Pep Guardiola is not concerned by City’s attack but called on Haaland’s team-mates to increase their threatCredit: AFP
He suggested that the striker has not been effective in some of City’s biggest games this season, having failed to find the net against Manchester United and Tottenham in recent weeks.
But Henry also claims Haaland’s presence in the team makes City too predictable, which Guardiola denied.
The Spaniard pointed to City’s excellent goalscoring record and suggested it is the responsibility of Haaland’s team-mates to make the team less predictable.
Guardiola said: “I would say that I understand exactly what Titi [Henry] wants to say, the fact we play and we put the balls to Haaland.
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“Being less predictable does not depend on Haaland it depends on the way we can make the process to arrive in different channels to the final third, not just with Erling.
“But if you arrive here, here and fire the crosses or just pass to Erling that will be predictable.
“To be less predictable we need more runs from Kevin [De Bruyne], more runs from [Ilkay] Gundogan, more runs from the wingers, we need more runs when we arrive in the final third but to arrive in the final third we need the process.
“For the other ones the way we play in Europe and the Premier League, we play really good. We have these type of players that make our game not predictable.
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“Come on, we scored 60 goals, we are the team that scored more goals in the Premier League. Always we can do good things and with Erling as well.”
Henry called on Haaland to make adjustments to the way he plays so he can help out City in big games where he sees less of the ball.
The Norweigan was isolated against the likes of United and Spurs and Henry believes he needs to add variety to his movement.
He told CBS Sport: “We’ve seen in big games they can’t find him [Haaland]. If you think the other way, in big games, try to help them.
“We all know, when you play a big team, you have to win your own battle first.
“It’s not that easy, and we’ve seen that this year he’s struggled in this type of game.
“Maybe, if he does think of that, how can I help them, sometimes in some situations, not always them finding me on the second post.” More