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      Man Utd, Chelsea and Tottenham in huge David Raya transfer boost as keeper rejects new Brentford deal

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      SPANISH star David Raya has revealed that he has rejected a contract extension at Brentford.The 27-year-old goalkeeper’s deal runs out in West London in June 2024 and his displays have attracted huge interest.

      Raya, who arrived at the Bees in 2019 and helped them to win promotion from the Championship two years later, is on the wishlists of Premier League rivals Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea.
      He is currently trying to help Brentford, who sit seventh in the top-flight ahead of Saturday’s trip to leaders Arsenal, qualify for Europe for the first time in their history.
      And he says that is his main focus at the moment despite entering the final 18 months of his deal.
      Raya, who previously played for Blackburn, told PA: “I don’t think it’s the right time to sign a contract at the moment.
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      “I’m really, really happy and right now I’m just thinking about doing the best for the team and trying to push for Europe.
      “I was offered a new contract last year and one in January but we didn’t reach an agreement. I would like to see what happens in summer, however I’m happy at Brentford.
      “For now a new contract is secondary, the most important thing is the team and the games. We’ll see where we are in May.
      “You never know what’s around the corner. There’s nothing I can say about what’s going to happen in the summer. I don’t even know what’s going to happen on Saturday.”
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      When quizzed about the reported clubs keen on him, Raya replied: “I’m not sure if it’s interest, people talking or my name being thrown around.
      “Brentford feels like home, when I came here three-and-a-half years ago it’s because I needed a new challenge.
      “It’s always going to be home – no matter what. I’m in one of the happiest times of my career. I’m a happy guy, you will never see me moaning. Football is my life, so I do what I love.
      “The manager has done a magnificent job with the team. He doesn’t want any egos.
      “He makes everybody part of the Brentford family. You want to play for him and do what he’s telling you to do. If you see the results, you can’t say no. He’s set a foundation of trust. Everyone trusts each other.” More

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      How Man Utd could line up with academy talent ONLY with Tom Heaton in goal and Marcus Rashford leading the line

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      MANCHESTER UNITED is well known for its talent development and willingness to give youngsters a chance in the senior team. In fact, United boast a proud record of featuring an academy player in every matchday squad for over 85 years.
      Academy graduate Marcus Rashford is firing the way the Man Utd this seasonCredit: Getty
      Tom Heaton would also feature in an academy only teamCredit: Getty
      Since that run began in 1937, the club have seen a plethora of talent come through the ranks, including the Busby babes and the Class of 92.
      In keeping with tradition, Erik ten Hag has been utilising members from the academy, with some players taking leading roles in his United revolution.
      But how might United’s current academy talent line up if they were asked to play together? And for the sake of parity, we will not be using players currently on loan from the club.
      Starting in goal, 36-year-old Tom Heaton would be handed the gloves.
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      After initial promotion to the first team at in 2004, Heaton was with Man Utd until 2010 when he left on a free transfer.
      He then returned to the club in 2021 with a bank of Prem experience behind him.
      The back four will consist of just one senior star, Brandon Williams, who can play either full-back position.
      He would likely play alongside right-back Marc Jurado and centre-back duo Rhys Bennett and Tyler Fredricson, with the latter included in United’s B-list for the Europa League.
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      Here’s how the United academy XI might look on paper
      In midfield, Scott McTominay would anchor alongside 17-year-old Kobbie Mainoo.
      Mainoo has featured twice under Ten Hag this season, getting minutes in both cup competitions. Mainoo also signed a new long-term contract with the Red Devils yesterday.
      Zidane Iqbal would complete this team’s midfield but up front, some familiar names come to the fore.
      Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho would provide the width in support of talisman Marcus Rashford.
      Rashford has netted 20 goals in all competitions this season.
      Garnacho came under scrutiny during his most recent performance against Leeds despite a solid display which saw a goal attempt cleared off the line by Maximilian Wober.
      But it seems he puts more pressure on himself than anyone else after appearing to like a Tweet suggesting he is not ready to start.
      He will have a chance to redeem himself when United face Leeds again at the weekend.
      Facundo Pellistri replaced him in the second half of that game and despite featuring in the United academy, is not an academy prospect.
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      Despite coming from the academy, Mason Greenwood has been excluded from the eligibility to play with his future at the club uncertain.
      United are conducting an internal investigation after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault were dropped. More

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      Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg & Kepa Arrizabalaga feature in the best Dream Team of Game Week 21

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      NO Dream Team manager achieved a century of points in Game Week 21 but Gareth Powell came very close.The Tottenham fan racked up 98 points and was comfortably the top gaffer of the week, which also means he’s in pole position to claim the PlayStation 5 that’s up for grabs in February’s Monthly competition!
      Let’s take a closer look at how he did it…
      What a week!Credit: DREAM TEAM
      Chelsea have kept three clean sheets in a row and the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£3.7m) and Marc Cucurella (£3.6m) have reaped the benefits.
      The pair combined for 16 points by the end of the Blues’ stalemate with west London neighbours Fulham.
      The Spanish goalkeeper is up to third in the rankings among assets in his position and currently features in just 2% of teams – a masterstroke from Gareth!
      And the same could be said of his decision to back Ben Mee (£3.7m).
      The 33-year-old is only marginally more popular than Arrizabalaga with an ownership of 2.5% and he provided a whopping 18 points by virtue of a goal, clean sheet and a Star Man award at Southampton’s expense.
      Thomas Frank’s side are pushing for European qualification this season and Mee’s experience at the back has certainly contributed to their continued improvement.
      The ex-Burnley centre-back was Game Week 21’s joint-top defender alongside James Tarkowski (£2.4m).
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      Mee has offered excellent value for money this seasonCredit: GETTY
      Mee is accompanied in Gareth’s XI by his team-mate Ethan Pinnock (£3.4m), who banked eight point of his own against Saints.
      In midfield, the disappointment of a Riyad Mahrez (£5.7m) blank was offset by a pleasantly surprising ten-point haul from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£3.6m).
      The Denmark international provided the assist for Spurs’ winner against Manchester City (more on that in a moment) and battled hard to deny the likes of Rodri (£3.7m) and Bernardo Silva (£2.8m) freedom in the middle of the park.
      Hojbjerg edged the match ratings to bag the Star Man award and, incredibly, he’s now just four points shy of a century.
      Dream Team’s current third-best midfielder Bukayo Saka (£4.2m) had to settle for three points as Arsenal were upset by Sean Dyche’s Everton but the Gunners’ No7 will be hopeful of a decent haul in Game Week 22 with two fixtures to fulfil.
      Bruno Fernandes (£5.9m) has been on a tear lately and this past week he overtook Kevin De Bruyne (£6.7m) to become Dream Team’s leading asset in his position.
      The Portuguese playmaker took Crystal Palace for 13 points at the weekend and topped up his total with three more in midweek against Leeds – he’s now got 136 overall.
      A turn up for the booksCredit: GETTY
      Up front, Cody Gakpo (£3.3m) has to be considered something of a rogue choice.
      The Dutchman chipped in with three points this past week but that’s all he’s mustered since signing for Liverpool and it’s clear he needs some time to settle.
      What’s notable is that Gareth went without Dream Team’s best performer Erling Haaland (£8.8m) in Game Week 21.
      The prolific Norwegian failed to register a shot on target against Spurs while his counterpart, Harry Kane (£8.2m), grabbed headlines with a winning goal that moved him clear of Jimmy Greaves at the top of the Lilywhites’ all-time top scorers list.
      England’s skipper notched his 200th Premier League goal in the process, something previously achieved by just two men: Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer.
      And last but by no means least, the man with the hot hand right now, Marcus Rashford (£6.1m).
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      Manchester United’s No10 scored against Palace and Leeds to continue his sensational form – he’s amassed 116 points in the last seven Game Weeks!
      Superbly played, Gareth, good luck to you and everyone else ahead of Game Week 22! More

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      Joe Cole names Chelsea’s most exciting new transfer signing from £320m spending spree

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      JOE COLE is very excited by Chelsea’s signing of Mykhailo Mudryk.The winger joined the Blues in a £97million move last month.
      Joe Cole claims Mykhailo Mudryk could become a top player for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      He hit the ground running off the bench in his debut against Liverpool, impressing with his lightning speed and dribbling ability.
      Mudryk even set a record for fastest pace in the Premier League this season before failing to show what he is capable of in the 0-0 draw with Fulham.
      The Ukrainian was substituted at half-time in that clash but former Chelsea star Cole still believes he will be a top player for the club.
      He told BT Sport: “He’s going to be a top player for Chelsea.
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      “He looks a fantastic final third player who can beat a man, excite the crowd and has great feet.
      “He reminds me of Arjen Robben in the way he drives past players in short bursts and makes the right decisions in the final third.
      “I think he’s going to get better and better so Chelsea have got him at the right time.
      “He just needs to settle. It’s a big jump coming from Ukraine to the Premier League so they’ll need to give him some time but I’m really excited about him once he learns to play under Potter.”
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      Mudryk has another chance to impress on Saturday when Chelsea visit West Ham in the lunch-time kick-off.
      The Blues have struggled for goals and points in recent weeks but were boosted by Raheem Sterling’s return from injury last weekend.
      Joe Cole is a Chelsea legendCredit: Getty More

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      People are only just realising what Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg’s real name is and it’s VERY different

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      FANS are only just finding out ex-Arsenal star Freddie Ljungberg’s real name.Everyone knows the winger for being a goalscoring winger during his time with the Gunners, not to forget his famous red hair.
      Fans have only just discovered what Fredrik Ljungberg’s real name isCredit: Reuters
      But now many football fans might know the 45-year-old’s real name.
      Most would assume it’s Freddie and they have every reason to do so.
      But it’s actually Karl Fredrik Ljungberg.
      It’s unclear exactly why the Arsenal legend was never known as Karl, although it might have something to do with his younger brother.
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      That’s because the siblings share the same name.
      They didn’t share the same footballing ability though.
      Ljungberg enjoyed a glittering career with the majority of it spent in North London.
      In total, he spent nine years at Arsenal, scoring more than 70 goals in over 300 appearances for the Gunners.
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      When he finally moved on in 2007, Ljungberg had two Premier League titles and three FA Cups to his name.
      Perhaps his most famous strike in red and white was a memorable goal in the 2002 FA Cup final against Chelsea when he sealed a 2-0 win in Cardiff.
      Ljungberg returned to the club as a youth coach in 2016 before he had a brief stint as manager prior to Mikel Arteta’s arrival.
      But his spell as boss didn’t exactly go to plan as he left with a win percentage of just 16 per cent following one victory from his six games in charge.
      Regardless, he had already written his name into Gunners folklore for good and remains an extremely popular figure with the supporters. More

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      PSG to make move for Pep Guardiola to become new boss if he quits Man City amid financial breach scandal

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN could reportedly swoop for Pep Guardiola if the Spanish coach leaves Manchester City.The Etihad outfit have been charged with 115 breaches of financial regulations by the Premier League.
      Pep Guardiola previously claimed he would quit Manchester City if he had been lied to regarding rule breachesCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      That has led to some uncertainty around the future of City boss Guardiola, who previously claimed he would quit the club if he was lied to about rule breaking.
      And French giants PSG are waiting in the wings if he does leave, according to Fichajes.
      It’s claimed current boss Christophe Galtier is under pressure, with PSG chiefs considering giving him the boot if poor performances continue.
      Despite being eight points clear at the top of the league, PSG have won just three out of their last six Ligue 1 games and have also been dumped out of the French Cup by Marseille.
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      With Lionel Messi in his second year at the Parc des Princes, club chiefs are thought to believe this is finally their time to win the Champions League.
      But their current form is said to be of concern.
      And Guardiola, who has been linked with the PSG job in the past, is a rumoured target if he leaves City and Galtier is dismissed.
      Les Parisiens take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League Round of 16.
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      Despite huge investments in recent years, the French giants are yet to win the coveted prize.
      Meanwhile, The Athletic claim there is a growing expectation at City that Guardiola will not be at City by the time any potential sanctions are imposed on the club, if they are found guilty.
      Guardiola stated last May that if he had been lied to about the club’s financial dealings that he’d “be out”.
      He said: “I said to them, ‘If you lie to me, I am not here. I will be out’.” More

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      Burnley star scoops Championship player of the month as Chelsea fans demand club ‘flip Cucurella’

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      BURNLEY star Ian Maatsen has scooped the Championship player of the month award – leaving Chelsea fans desperate to bring him back. The attacking right-back, on loan from Stamford Bridge, has made a name for himself at Burnley this season.
      Maatsen has combined a flair for going forward with a sharp defensive mind at Burnley this seasonCredit: Getty
      Ian Maatsen is having a breakthrough season at Burnley
      The table-toppers are running away with the Championship this season and Maatsen has been among the club’s outstanding performers.
      His player of the month award has sparked further excitement among Chelsea fans that the 20-year-old could replace Marc Cucurella, who is yet to convince supporters after last summer’s move from Brighton.
      One said on Twitter: “Left footed Reece James in the making.”
      Another said: “Reminded me of Reece James’ time at loan with Wigan.
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      In response to a compilation video showing off Maatsen’s highlights, another frustrated Chelsea fan said: “This comp is literally better than what both Cucurella + [Ben] Chilwell have produced together this season.
      Another said: “I’m all for giving players time more than anyone. But Matseen has to force a debate on which other LB stays next season especially Cucurella.”
      A slightly more unforgiving fan simply said: “I would flip Cucu and give him a chance.”
      Maatsen’s player of the month award comes after he scored twice in the space of nine minutes to give the Clarets a two goal lead at Swansea.
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      The full-back is gaining a reputation for roaming forward and being a consistent attacking threat for Burnley.
      He now has four goals and five assists across the season, with Vincent Kompany’s side seven clear at the top and 17 points above 3rd-place Middlesbrough.
      They are also on a nine-game winning run in the league with their last loss back in early November at Sheffield United. More

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      Chelsea reach agreement over Thiago Silva contract extension until 2024 with 38-year-old taking career into 22nd season

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      THIAGO SILVA and Chelsea have reportedly agreed terms on a new one-year contract.The legendary centre-back, 38, moved to Stamford Bridge from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020.
      Thiago Silva has reportedly agreed a one-year extension at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Since then he has been the Blues’ top performer in defence and continues to be first-choice under new boss Graham Potter.
      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly launched a mega record eight-signing spending spree in January.
      And those arrivals include Benoit Badiashile, who has helped keep three-straight clean sheets since pairing up with the veteran Brazilian.
      With an array of new signings and Silva’s deal expiring in June, it remained to be seen whether he would be sticking around as Chelsea continue to focus on bringing in younger talents.
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      However, he did recently confirm that he wanted to stay and had opened talks on a new contract.
      Now transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has tweeted an update on the situation and claims that both the player and club have agreed terms on a 12-month extension.
      And he added that the former AC Milan star will ink the deal “soon” to officially confirm it.
      Romano tweeted: “Chelsea have now reached full verbal agreement with Thiago Silva on a new contract valid until June 2024, here we go!
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      “Draft of new deal being prepared— it’s all done and agreed verbally as Thiago has given the green light.
      “New contract to be signed soon.”
      Silva helped Chelsea to Champions League success during his first year at the club and followed that up the next season by lifting the Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
      He represented Brazil at last year’s World Cup, playing four times, and has featured 24 times already this term for the Blues. More