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      How much Man Utd would have to pay for 18-year-old Wayne Rooney in today’s transfer market

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      MANCHESTER UNITED made a big investment when they signed a young Wayne Rooney from Everton in 2004.The Red Devils forked out nearly £30million for the 18-year-old Everton striker, but in today’s market, he would have set the club back a considerably higher fee.
      Wayne Rooney cost Manchester United £30million in 2004Credit: PA
      Football finance expert Kieran Maguire and Jason Laws from the University of Liverpool have created an inflation calculator that can figure out the current prices of players from the past.
      Maguire has explained how the process works on Twitter, he said: “It’s based on total revenues generated by PL each season.
      “On basis that spending (either on wages or transfer fees) is linked to the ability to pay and therefore income generated by clubs, so reflects the inflation from higher ticket prices, TV deals etc.”
      And through this process, it has been suggested that with inflation Manchester United would have had to pay a massive £118m to acquire the Everton prodigy.
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      This fee would have made Rooney the most expensive teenager in the world up until 2017 when Kylian Mbappe joined PSG from Monaco.
      The French star cost the Ligue 1 giants £147m.
      However, despite the massive fee, it can be claimed that Rooney proved to be a brilliant investment for the Red Devils.
      The Englishman went on to help the club win five Premier League titles as well as one FA Cup, three League Cups, one Champions League and one Europa League Cup.
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      And he became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals, as well as providing 145 assists for his team-mates.
      Rooney admitted that he forced the move to Manchester United, despite Chelsea willing to pay more money for him.
      The striker initially wanted to stay at Everton, but insisted that if he was to leave, it would only be for Old Trafford.
      He told Tony Bellew’s BBC Podcast in 2021: “I was getting pushed to go and play for Chelsea because they offered the most money, but I said ‘you’re not dictating where I go – I want to go to Manchester United’.
      “It was lost money for Everton, but that’s where I wanted to play. I didn’t want to go to London, I didn’t want to go to Chelsea. But I got told the only way you’re going to Man Utd is if you put a transfer request in.
      “This was in Moyesy’s office. So I went into the canteen and wrote ‘I Wayne Rooney request a transfer from Everton Football Club’ on a napkin, or something! Walked back into Moyesy’s office and said ‘there you go’.
      “I felt I got backed into a corner to a certain extent, but that’s football.” More

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      West Ham 1 Chelsea 1 LIVE RESULT: Blues held at London Stadium but rage over Soucek hand ball late on – reaction

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      CHELSEA have been held by West Ham at the London Stadium but will feel aggrieved by a late hand ball from Tomas Soucek.Joao Felix gave the Blues an early lead before former Chelsea player Emerson Palmieri squared the game up.
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      Stay up to date with all the action from London Stadium…
      Thanks for joining me!
      Given how much these two teams have struggled to score goals recently, perhaps this game was always going to end in a draw.
      But it didn’t seem as though it was going to end that way at half time after both teams had played on the front foot and looked to punish the opposition’s lapses in defence.
      Joao Felix got himself on the scoresheet in what was a fantastic first half performance from the Atletico Madrid loanee.
      Chelsea fans will be feeling wronged by a controversial handball decision that could easily have awarded them a penalty in the 89th minute of the game.
      However, West Ham supporters will be quick to tell you that they were wronged by a controversial VAR decision of their own in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
      The most worrying thing for the Hammers today was the sight of two key players, Lucas Paqueta and Nayef Aguerd having to be substituted after picking up worrying looking injuries.
      David Moyes will be hoping for good news from the medical department in the week as he prepares his team for a trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in another London derby next Sunday.
      Next up for Chelsea is a midweek trip to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League before they host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
      Until then, all that’s left for me to say is thanks for joining me and I’ll speak to you next time!
      Graham Potter quotes
      The Chelsea boss has been having his say on Joao Felix’s performance.
      I thought he managed the game well, you could see his quality. He’s only going to get better and better. Graham Potter BT Sport
      West Ham injuries
      Hammers fans will be sweating over the fitness of two of their star players ahead of their game against Spurs next weekend.
      Lucas Paqueta only lasted 14 minutes before succumbing to shoulder injury and Nayef Aguerd came off with what looked like a muscular injury.
      Aguerd in particular has struggled with injury since he arrived at the club and David Moyes now faces a nervous wait to find out the extent of the defender’s injury.
      Pressure on Potter
      The Chelsea boss will be nervously checking his emails and hoping Todd Boehly’s name doesn’t flash up on his phone screen over the next few days.
      Today’s draw at the London Stadium is their third in a row in the Premier League and means Chelsea have now played seven away games without a win – their last coming against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa in mid-October.
      Potter will be so disappointed that his team failed to capitalise on their total domination in the early stages as West Ham worked their way back into the game.
      Wednesday’s trip to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League looks even more important for the Chelsea boss now.

      Joao Felix
      The Atletico Madrid loanee was outstanding in the first half as he terrorised the West Ham defenders with his mix of tenacity and technical ability.
      He put the away side in front 16 minutes into the game with a well-taken goal after his run was picked out by Enzo Fernandez.
      The Chelsea attacker’s performance did noticeably  drop off in the second half though as West Ham began to defend more cohesively, but there were plenty of encouraging signs for the West Londoner’s new  recruit.
      Match stats
      Chelsea totally dominated possession but in the end a draw was probably a fair result.

      Full Time: West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      It ends all square at the London Stadium.

      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      90+5, We’re into the final minute of added time here.
      Time is running out for one of these sides to find a winner.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      90+3, West Ham look the more likely to win this in the closing stages.
      Chelsea can’t get out of their own half.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      90+2, Badiashile rises to meet the free-kick and head clear.
      That was a good opportunity to find a late goal for David Moyes’ men.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      90+1, Bowen wins a free-kick on the byline after a foul by Ben Chilwell.
      Emerson to swing it in…
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      90, The referee has decided that we’re going to have another five minutes added on here.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      89, Chelsea are screaming at the referee for a handball in the box.
      Gallagher’s shot does seem to come off Soucek’s arm in the penalty area but VAR decides not to intervene.
      We’ll be talking about that incident after this game if Chelsea fail to find a late winner here.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      86, That’s three goals that have been ruled out for offside in this game.
      West Ham thought they’d found a late winner.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      82, Soucek think he’s puts the Hammers in front!
      But it’s ruled out by VAR!
      Rice sees his header saved by Kepa and Soucek bundles the ball in at the back post.
      The London Stadium erupts but the goal is chalked off after a lengthy check by the official at Stockley Park.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      80, Uh-oh – this looks like another injury concern for the Hammers.
      Aguerd is down and being checked over by the physios and it looks like he’s unable to continue.
      Ben Johnson is coming on for the Moroccan.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      79, Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s afternoon is over as Conor Gallagher comes on to replace him.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      77, A flock of pigeons have taken a particular liking to the pitch here.
      Perhaps that’s a sign that the second 45 hasn’t been the most breathless half of football.

      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      75, There’s 15 minutes of normal time remaining here at the London Stadium.
      Can one of these teams find a late winner?

      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      73, Bowen goes down in the penalty area clutching his jaw after colliding with Reece James.
      I don’t think there’s any malice in it on James’ part but he certainly caught the West Ham attacker with his elbow.

      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      71, Reece James has looked rusty this afternoon.
      He’s clearly still feeling his way back into it after recovering from the injury that kept him out of the World Cup.
      England head coach Gareth Southgate is here to cast an eye over proceedings so a meaningful contribution form the Chelsea full back would certainly be timely.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      66, Both managers have shuffled their pack here.
      David Moyes has replaced Benrahma and Antonio with Flynn Downes and Danny Ings.
      Graham Potter has made a triple substitution as Mount, Chilwell and Ziyech come on for the visitors.
      Mudryk, Cucurella and Madueke are the players to make way for the Blues.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      64, Antonio does brilliantly to roll Badiashile near the halfway line.
      The former Monaco man has to bring Antonio down as he sprints in behind him and is shown a yellow card by Craig Pawson.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      62, It looks like Danny Ings is going to be introduced by David Moyes soon.
      West Ham need to change something here.
      West Ham 1 – 1 Chelsea
      60, West Ham have dropped right off here and are inviting Chelsea onto them.
      The home supporters are beginning to get a little uneasy.
      Load more entries… More

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      Former Arsenal and Fulham defender looks unrecognisable dressed as Baywatch star David Hasselhoff

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      A FORMER Arsenal and Fulham defender looks completely unrecognisable dressed as Baywatch star David Hasselhoff.The retired right back, now 40, claimed to be a massive fan of the American actor.

      He was often spotted riding around London on his fold-up bicycle during his time in the Premier League.
      As a player, he also took part in multiple charity campaigns and was praised by Fulham for it when he left the club permanently in 2009.
      He played 125 times for the Cottagers in the Premier League, scoring two goals.
      One of his strikes that came against Chelsea just so happened the Premier League’s 15,000th goal.
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      He started his career in Germany with Schalke before moving to England.
      At Arsenal, he won two FA Youth cups but never made the leap to the Gunners’ first team.
      Some fans have commented on the picture on social media as one said: “90s footballer photoshoots, the gift that keeps on giving.”
      A second added: “Typical L.A. weather in the background.”
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      He has widely been considered as one of the cult heroes in the Premier League.
      And it is, of course, Moritz Volz dressed up as the Baywatch star.
      He hung up his boots for the last time in 2015 after a three-year stint with 1860 Munich.
      Voltz was last at Turkish giants Galatasaray, working as the club’s assistant coach.
      Moritz Volz during his time at FulhamCredit: AP:Associated Press More

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      I’m a Liverpool legend but I hate my nickname and the typical description fans have of me annoys me

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      ROBBIE FOWLER has admitted that he is not a fan of the nickname given to him by supporters.The Liverpool legend was termed the “Spice Boy” after rumours of his dating Emma Bunton from the girl band the Spice Girls.
      Robbie Fowler revealed he did not like his ‘Spice Boy’ nicknameCredit: Getty
      Fowler was a legend at Liverpool, scoring 128 league goals for the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Fowler, 47, insists that the label “held him back” in his career and that he has tried to get rid of it.
      He told The Telegraph: “The Spice Boy thing was a nickname and the fact that we never won anything played a big part in it.
      “Stories have grown arms and legs and I have tried to get rid of that.
      “Nobody knows anything about me and that’s something I am quite proud of.
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      “No one knows what I am like. People have this perceived idea.
      “What I am now is I am probably quite boring.
      “I understood what a dressing room needed years ago but people still have that idea of me as laughing and joking and not to be taken seriously.” 
      Fowler had two spells with Liverpool, the first at the start of his career from 1993 to 2001 and the second stint from 2006 to 2007.
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      In total, the striker scored 183 goals for the Reds in all competitions.
      His ability on the pitch often led people to praise him as “naturally gifted”.
      However, this is a description that he does not agree with.
      He added: “What was I like as a player? I worked harder than anyone else.
      “I hate using this, because it sounds egotistical, but I was always deemed as one of the most ‘naturally gifted’ strikers.
      “Quite frankly, it annoys me because of the hours and hours of practice I put in, the monotony of doing the repetition to make it look natural.
      “It’s like second nature.
      “If you are doing something all the time it makes it looks natural but it was only because I did hours and hours of practice.
      “That’s my perception… I wore my heart on my sleeve, I wanted to be better than anyone else and there were times when I got carried away on a football pitch.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Fowler had a great career as he also starred for Manchester City and Leeds.
      The striker also played for Australian sides Northern Fury FC and Perth Glory as well as one spell in the Thai league with Muangthong United. More

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      How much Alan Shearer would be worth in today’s transfer market after Newcastle legend’s record-breaking career

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      PREMIER LEAGUE icon Alan Shearer’s staggering transfer fee in today’s market has been revealed.The Englishman is the current record goalscorer in the Premier League with 260 goals.
      Shearer holds the record for most Prem goalsCredit: AFP
      Shearer is considered one of the greatest goalscorers to grace England’s top flight across his spells with Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle.
      Shearer became the most expensive footballer in history when Newcastle signed him from Blackburn for £16.2million in 1996.
      However, it has been suggested that in today’s climate, the striker would have been a lot more expensive.
      Football finance expert Kieran Maguire and Jason Laws at the University of Liverpool have created a football inflation calculator, which can be used to find out the fees of footballers with inflation taken into account.
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      Maguire explained how it works on Twitter: “It’s based on total revenues generated by PL each season, on basis that spending (either on wages or transfer fees) is linked to the ability to pay and therefore income generated by clubs, so reflects the inflation from higher ticket prices, TV deals etc.”
      The ‘today fee’ is based on 2019 money, before it was affected by Covid-19.
      Therefore along with the price of a pint of beer going from £1 to well over £5, a Shearer would now cost £222M.
      This would make Shearer the most expensive transfer of all time, with the fee surpassing the £198m PSG paid to Barcelona for Neymar in 2017.
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      Neymar’s move to France from Spain saw a new normal in the market of players being sold for over £100m.
      He also cost more than other iconic players such as Roy Keane, who’s £3.75m transfer in 1993 from Nottingham Forest to Manchester United would now be worth £94.2m.
      When speaking about the potential fee that he would have cost, Shearer told The Athletic: “How do I feel seeing my name at the top? It makes me smile!
      “It’s not a reflection of achievement and, don’t worry, I’m not putting myself in [Kylian] Mbappe’s class, but I guess it puts historical fees into a modern context.
      “Gary Lineker often says that it’s nice to see his name on goalscoring charts because it reminds people that he actually used to be a world-class footballer before he was a television presenter! I definitely empathise with that.
      “Man, to be able to do it again, to score just one more goal, to be wheeling away with my right arm in the air, to have that rush, that lose-yourself moment when there’s nothing else but this — I’d give a lot for that.
      “Football and time blur any notion of what value means, so I certainly can’t tell you I’d be worth £222m now.
      “I can’t tell you much, except one thing: If I was 24 or 25 or 26? Yeah, I’d bang a few in.” More

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      Chelsea star Thiago Silva signs new contract keeping him at Blues until he’s almost 40

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      THIAGO SILVA has signed a new contract at Chelsea.The centre-back’s one-year extension will keep him at Stamford Bridge until just shy of his 40th birthday.
      Thiago Silva has been a revelation at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Upon penning his new deal, Silva admitted his delight at being able to stay with the West Londoners.
      The 38-year-old told Chelsea’s club media: “I am honestly so happy to continue my career with the Blues.
      “When I signed my first contract here, it was to just do one year.
      “Now it is already the fourth! I could not have imagined that, but really it is a very special moment for me to sign and stay at Chelsea.”
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      In a joint-statement with co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali, Todd Boehly added: “We’re delighted that Thiago has decided to continue with Chelsea.
      “He’s a world-class talent, as he’s proven over many years for club and country, and his experience, quality and leadership skills are vital to our vision going forward.
      “We’re thrilled he has extended his contract with us and we look forward to more success with him ahead!”
      Silva joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020.
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      He has since made 106 appearances for the Blues, scoring five times.
      The veteran defender played a big role in helping Chelsea win the Champions League during his first season at the club.
      Silva’s experience has been invaluable at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian having captained his side four times in the Premier League this term.
      Despite his advancing years he remains a key player for his country – having earned 113 caps for the Selecao.
      Silva will turn 40 in September 2024, just two months after his new Chelsea deal will expire.
      Since Todd Boehly’s arrival in West London, the Blues have recruited centre-backs Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile at a combined cost totalling over £130million.
      But Silva is still one of the first names on Graham Potter’s team sheet.
      Thiago Silva is a key man for Graham PotterCredit: AP More

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      Man Utd ace told me he would be a star when he was just 12… it turned out he was right

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      ABOUT a decade ago, I got a message from a young kid on Instagram.It read something like: “Hi there, Troy, my name’s Jadon, I’m 12 years old, I’m in the Watford academy, look out for me!”
      Jadon Sancho represented Watford as a kidCredit: Alan Cozzi
      I didn’t notice this at the time but many years later, it popped up again on my feed.
      That’s because the kid in question — Jadon Sancho — had become very famous. In fact, he’s now got nine million followers.
      He was right, I should have looked out for him.
      And since I’ve been doing my coaching badges, some of the coaches in the Watford academy have told me how special they knew Jadon was.
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      They have described him as a generational talent, the sort of kid you will only discover once every 10 years if you’re lucky.
      There was something about the way he could manipulate a football, his pace, directness and confidence.
      For them, it wasn’t a case of whether he would be successful but just how soon he would burst onto the scene.
      I never met Jadon when he was at Watford. By the time he was 14, he had moved to Manchester City’s academy.
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      The winger later went to Manchester CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      By 17, he’d turned down a contract at City and moved to Borussia Dortmund, where he lit up the Bundesliga.
      Moving abroad at such a young age was a bold move but it was a triumph for him.
      Apart from his goals and assists for Dortmund, I recall him displaying a “Justice for George Floyd” T-shirt soon after the Bundesliga’s post-Covid restart. That was bold too. He knows who he is and he knows he has a strong voice.
      At 18, he was a senior England international and at 21, he was a £73million signing for Manchester United.
      His career trajectory was extraordinary up until that point so there should have been little surprise that he would suffer some sort of blip.
      Anyone who tells you their career has been one straight upward line, is a liar. You learn more from the hard times than the good times.
      Jadon arrived at Old Trafford soon after he had missed a penalty in the Euros final against Italy.
      Sancho, 22, has used his platform while playingCredit: AFP
      He enjoyed great success at Borussia DortmundCredit: AFP
      Along with Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, Sancho suffered horrific racial abuse online after that shootout defeat.
      After that ordeal, Saka showed instant improvement — he has come on in leaps and bounds at Arsenal.
      Rashford took a while, partly due to injury, but in the past few months, he has been absolutely magnificent. Both Saka and Rashford impressed at the World Cup but Sancho wasn’t even close to making the plane to Qatar.
      During the World Cup break, boss Erik ten Hag stated publicly that Jadon was not in the right physical or mental state to play for United.
      It was surprising to many people that Ten Hag spoke so openly about that but I do think people are more enlightened and accepting than they used to be about discussing mental health.
      Jadon has had a tough year, going to United as a big-money signing and adapting to the Premier League was difficult.
      And I’m convinced that Cristiano Ronaldo’s sudden arrival didn’t help him, either.
      I can remember a few occasions when Ronaldo showed his displeasure at Sancho on the pitch and that won’t have helped.
      Sancho suffered Euro 2020 heartacheCredit: Getty
      He played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Old TraffordCredit: Reuters
      We all know Ronaldo has an ego and Sancho’s game doesn’t really dovetail with Ronaldo’s.
      Sancho is a right-footer who usually plays on the left, loves to cut inside and look to shoot himself and that didn’t always go down well with Ronaldo.
      So after all the issues Sancho has had it was great to see him make such an impact against Leeds on Wednesday night.
      He came off the bench with his team 2-0 down at Old Trafford and playing a major part in their comeback to earn a draw, including scoring the equalising goal.
      With Antony injured and Alejandro Garnacho struggling the other night, it’s quite likely Sancho will start in the return match at Elland Road tomorrow.
      That would be a great test for him and one he should relish. I always loved playing at Elland Road, a proper old-school ground with a great atmosphere and the crowd right on top of you.
      And with the fierce rivalry between Leeds and Manchester United, that will be even more pronounced.
      My Dad was a Leeds fan. I grew up watching the likes of Brian Deane and Tony Yeboah.
      I often scored there — including an amazing top-bins own-goal while trying to defend a corner against Leeds while playing for Walsall in League One!
      But usually I scored at the right end. It always felt like my old man was looking down at me.
      If Jadon can impress there tomorrow, like he did on Wednesday, it would do his confidence the world of good.
      Like most footballers — and certainly wingers — Sancho is a confidence player.
      Read More on The Sun
      He certainly wasn’t lacking confidence when he called me out on social media at the age of 12.
      I’m convinced he will be back playing regularly at elite level soon. He is a special player.
      Sancho returned to goalscoring form against LeedsCredit: AP More

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      Man City charges will take a long time to answer – if they are guilty the outcry for blood will be deafening

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      THE forecast for Manchester City is heavy with questions — none of which will be answered for some while.However, when rival Premier League clubs and a few others, both in the lower divisions and abroad, consider how their past might have been affected by Etihad dealings, then it becomes obvious that we may shortly be in for a time for recrimination, demands for reparation or, simply, a clearing up of the whole business in City’s favour.
      Pep Guardiola believes Man City will be proven innocentCredit: Reuters
      Karren Brady feels there will be calls for serious punishment if Man City are found guiltyCredit: Getty
      The Premier League have put forward 115 alleged breaches of the Financial Fair Play rules.
      Abu Dhabi-owned Man City have denied them all and it is certainly not my job to comment on their guilt or innocence.
      That’s what an independent panel are for.
      Should they be found to have, say, strayed in the acquisition of players, the outcry for blood on the league’s carpets will be deafening.
      READ MORE ON MAN CITY
      The rule-breaking is alleged to be between 2009 and 2018, that is mostly BG (Before Guardiola) and should guilt be found by the special commission, penalties could be anything from docked points, fines, suspension and even expulsion.
      Proceedings will be in private, likely to last anything between two to four years and cost at least the equivalent of De Bruyne’s £20million salary many times over.
      With provisos, two years ago City won a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Uefa had banned them from the Champions League.
      At West Ham, before David Sullivan and David Gold took over in 2010, supporters remember well that the club were found to have breached rules on third-party ownership when they signed Carlos Tevez and then avoided relegation after he scored vital goals.
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      Sheffield United put themselves forward as the offended party in the 2007 competition and went down.
      The shout of anguish at Bramall Lane could be heard from coast to coast. Blades were out in more ways than one.
      They demanded that relegation should be transferred to those in claret and blue.
      United’s fate was confirmed after a two-year squabble.
      The Premier League decided West Ham, chaired at the time by Icelander Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, would be fined £20m.
      This decision still irks in Yorkshire, as well as it does in East London but the attitude there is the very soul of acceptance compared with the row now coming in Europe whatever the verdict.
      Not least in Germany, where the Hamburg newspaper Der Spiegel has been responsible for a ten-year campaign against England’s most successful team.
      Continental envy has been stoked recently by financial figures showing that Prem clubs’ revenues are racing away to an extent that they exceed the total in the foremost four other leagues.
      On the basis that there can be no smoke without fire, there are recent claims by Spain’s LaLiga president Javier Tebas that our league is “a doped market”. I profoundly object to that.
      Our league is simply the best in the world — and therefore the most successful financially.
      And politicians are nosing around, too.
      Many fans and plenty of EFL clubs will conclude the Premier League inquiry has been sluggish in taking four years and that, by implication, an impartial regulator would be better.
      It is certainly ammunition for the forthcoming Parliamentary white paper, the regulator plan already supported by Labour, a number of Conservatives and a fans’ review.
      They are pushing plans to rein in the top division and to use more of the PL funds to top up the EFL and football in general.
      It’s worth remembering we will already give the EFL £1.6BILLION over the next three years.
      Read More on The Sun
      The proposal seems enticing. But many Prem clubs are opposed because it smacks of obsessive bureaucracy — and also places a sledgehammer in the hands of non-football people.
      The Premier League is so profitable and so successful because it knows business, is run democratically and is serious about social responsibilities. More