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      Hugo Lloris’ wife shares picture of Tottenham star in leg brace after he is ruled out for eight weeks with knee injury

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      HUGO LLORIS’ wife has shared a snap of the Frenchman’s knee in a brace following his recent setback.The 36-year-old is facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines after suffering knee ligament damage in Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
      Hugo Lloris’ wife Marine shared a photo of his leg in a braceCredit: Instagram @llorismarine_off
      Lloris and his wife Marine back in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Lloris has missed just one Premier League game in the last three years and that came at Brentford the week after he suffered heartache in the World Cup final.
      But now Spurs’ No.1 will be forced to sit out games in three competitions.
      He’s set to miss key league meetings with Leicester, West Ham and Chelsea and both last-16 Champions League ties with AC Milan.
      Lloris will also be sidelined for the FA Cup fifth round tie at Sheffield United next month and possibly the quarter-finals if Tottenham progress.
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      The ex-France ace is already on his road to recovery and his wife Marine shared a photo on Instagram of his knee in a leg brace as he rested it on a cushion.
      And she left a downbeat emoji and a love heart as she showed support for her husband.
      In Lloris’ absence, Fraser Forster will get his first proper chance to show what he can do following his summer move.
      Forster has only made four appearances this season but is now set to line up in a Champions League knockout tie and some crucial fixtures in the battle to make the top four.
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      Spurs are back in action at Leicester on Saturday and can climb above Newcastle and up to fourth with a third straight league win.
      It’s then a trip to San Siro for Antonio Conte’s side, who face AC Milan as their European campaign resumes on Tuesday. More

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      Christian Atsu mystery deepens as missing star’s agent rushes out to Turkey for answers after quake tragedy

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      CHRISTIAN Atsu’s agent has flown to Turkey to find out what’s happened to the player, who was buried in the rubble of the earthquake.Mystery surrounds the fate of the ex-Newcastle and Chelsea player, 31, amid reports he was pulled from the wreckage of his apartment but couldn’t be found in hospital.
      It was initially reported Christian Atsu was found under the rubbleCredit: Getty
      Rescuers used searchlights to hunt for survivors in his apartment blockCredit: Twitter/@ajansspor
      Atsu was found alive in the wreckage after plunging from the ninth floor of the apartment building in Kahramanmaras, his agent initially said.
      And a spokesman for his club Hayatspor said on Tuesday the winger had been rushed to hospital with unspecified injuries after a miracle rescue.
      But Atsu’s agent Nana Sechere has revealed the star’s whereabouts remain unknown and he’s now travelled to Turkey.
      “I am currently in Istanbul. The situation remains the same, Christian Atsu is yet to be found,” he tweeted.

      “Unless I see Christian, or speak with him, I have no further updates.”
      Earlier he said “we are yet to confirm Christian’s whereabouts” amid what was a “devastating time for his family and we are doing everything we can to locate Christian”.
      Hayatspor’s doctor has said that efforts to locate the Ghana ace and club sporting director Taner Savut in hospital had proved fruitless – leading to fears he may still be in danger.
      “When we heard the news about Taner Savut and Christian Atsu that they were taken to the Dortyol Hospital, we went to the hospital and they were not there,” said Gurbey Kahveci, according to Hurriyet.
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      He added that at present “unfortunately Taner and Christian Atsu” are being regarded as “not found”.
      To add to the confusion, the doctor’s comments come despite Ghana’s ambassador to Turkey saying she had told by officials the player had been found.
      The massive 7.8 magnitude quake stuck early on Monday with such force that it moved the country 10ft.
      The death toll has now passed the threshold of 17,000 as an expert warned that statistically, today is the day when rescue workers stop finding people alive.
      Two further earthquakes struck in the 24 hours after the initial tremor, leaving a trail of destruction stretching for hundreds of miles along Turkey’s border with Syria.
      Video showed rescuers with search lights sifting through the wreckage of Atsu’s apartment block during on Monday night.
      His voice was then heard in the rubble, along with that of Hatayspor’s Sporting Director Taner Savut, local media reported.
      Sechere said he last heard from Atsu at midnight on Sunday, shortly before the quake struck at around 4.20am.
      “Christian and his team-mates were playing poker until 3.30am at a friend’s apartment,” he told the Mirror.
      “The journey back to his apartment was around half an hour.
      “He returned at 4am and the earthquake started around 20 minutes later.
      “I was hoping he was awake and that the earthquake hadn’t happened while he was sleeping. He was in an 11-storey building and he was on the ninth floor.”
      The London-based agent said he received a call from a club official at 5am asking if he’d heard from the player.
      “He told me Christian’s building had been completely destroyed and that they couldn’t get hold of him,” he said.
      “The club officials were trying to help me find him but it was so hard because, understandably, they were trying to find their own friends and families as well.”
      Eventually he received confirmation from the club that Atsu was safe at 6am on Tuesday morning.
      “They told me that he was in hospital and that he is stable,” he said.
      Following Sechere’s initial comments, Ambassador Francisca Ashietey-Odunton told Ghana TV that the “ministry of foreign affairs here assured me that he has been found”.
      Just hours before the quake struck, Atsu scored deep into stoppage time on Saturday to secure a 1-0 win over Kasimpasa.
      “Important win for the team. Happy to be on the scoresheet,” he tweeted.
      Footage showed Atsu being mobbed by his teammates as ecstatic fans celebrated the win, along with messages praying for him to be found.
      Big-hearted Sun readers have so far raised £500,000 in response to the devastation.
      All money from the Sun Earthquake Appeal will be donated to the British Red Cross for a major on-the-ground mobilisation.
      Atsu joined Chelsea from Porto for £3.5million in 2013 but didn’t make a single appearance for the Premier League giants.
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      He also took in loans at Vitesse, Everton, Bournemouth, Malaga and Newcastle.
      And the Magpies made his deal permanent in 2017 after Atsu played a key role in their promotion from the Championship.
      Scan this QR code to donate to The Sun Earthquake Appeal to help victims
      Just hours before the earthquake, Atsu scored a last minute free kickCredit: Twitter More

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      Watch Antony’s brilliant reaction to Man Utd goals as injured star watched Leeds draw from the stands

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Antony was on the edge while watching his team’s draw against Leeds from the stands at Old Trafford.The winger has been sidelined with a leg injury he suffered during Saturday’s 2-1 victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
      Manchester United star Antony passionately celebrated against LeedsCredit: Instagram / @antony00
      Antony watched Manchester United draw with Leeds from the standsCredit: Instagram / @antony00
      Antony got injured during Manchester United’s win over Crystal PalaceCredit: Instagram / @antony00
      Manchester United ace Antony watched from the edge of his seat at Old TraffordCredit: Instagram / @antony00
      The Brazil international was bundled to the floor by Palace ace Jeffrey Schlupp and rolled off the side of the pitch, sparking wild scenes that saw Casemiro get sent off.
      The crocked 22-year-old had to watch Wednesday’s game from the stands but joined his team-mates in spirit as he was constantly on the edge of his seat.
      And he passionately celebrated United’s impressive comeback in the thrilling 2-2 draw.
      Leeds opened the scoring with Wilfried Gnonto’s early opener and doubled their lead with Raphael Varane’s own goal.
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      But Marcus Rashford put the Red Devils back in the game on 62 minutes.
      That sparked wild scenes in the stands with Antony going crazy in celebration.
      That was just eight minutes before Jadon Sancho equalised with his first goal after his return from fitness issues.
      The Brazilian’s injury is not yet fully specified but United are confident he won’t be sidelined for long.
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      Ten Hag said when he was asked about the severity of Antony’s issue: ”I don’t know.
      ”I don’t think it is a long time, but we have to see how it develops in the coming days.
      ”It is in his leg, but I can’t specify as we don’t understand that.” More

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      Spurned Chelsea bidder reveals how he would have done things ‘differently’.. including key managerial decision

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      SIR MARTIN BROUGHTON would have done things differently had be bought Chelsea last summer.The ex-Liverpool owner was in the running to buy the club alongside Todd Boehly but eventually missed out despite bidding similar to the American.
      Martin Broughton said he would have done things differently at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      And in an interview with talkSPORT, Broughton has been speaking about what his approach would have been had things turned out differently.
      He revealed how he would have firstly kept Thomas Tuchel and the boyhood Blues fan claimed that he wouldn’t have spent close to what Boehly has.
      He said: “It would have been different, it’s actually quite hard to say how different.
      “We certainly wouldn’t have been seeking Tommy Tuchel’s exit.
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      “But once you get in, you may find you are seeking it, once you’re inside, things could be different from the outside.
      “I can’t believe for a minute we would have spent as much money.”
      The 75-year-old also recognises the job in hand for Graham Potter with Chelsea bringing in no fewer than 14 players under Boehly’s reign.
      He added: “We would have been happy to invest in the team, but personally I think it’s an extraordinary job Potter has got, coping with all of those new players in the team.
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      “You can take in one or two players, but you start taking in seven and another seven halfway through the season, it’s difficult to get the right blend.”
      When asked how close he came to coming out on top, Broughton added: “It’s always hard to tell, I think we bid the same amount, I don’t think there was a wafer between the amount we bid and what they bid.” More

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      Brennan Johnson’s red-hot form presents Dream Team gaffers with opportunity to perform classic trick

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      THE maximum amount of strikers you’re allowed in your Dream Team is three… or is it?You have the choice of three formations – 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 3-4-3 – but there are plenty of players who are not easily categorised when it comes to fixed positions.
      These days it’s hard to differentiate between traditional wingers and wide/inside forwards and so some wide players are categorised as midfielders whereas others are lumped into the same bracket as out–and-out strikers such as Erling Haaland (£9.1m), Aleksandar Mitrovic (£4.6m), etc.
      It’s generally a good idea to take advantage of this grey area by stacking your midfield with the most attack-minded players possible: Riyad Mahrez (£5.9m), Bukayo Saka (£4.2m) and the like.
      And sometimes, a particular set of circumstances allows gaffers to perform a neat trick that allows them to select four genuine strikers, if that’s what they desire.
      Enter stage rightCredit: GETTY
      At the start of the season, Brennan Johnson (£2.3m) was generously categorised as a midfielder.
      The Welshman generally played just off a traditional centre-forward during Nottingham Forest’s promotion campaign and so he was deemed to be a No10 and therefore an attacking midfielder.
      In reality, Johnson are predominantly been Forest’s most advanced player this season having either led the line solo or acted as one half of an easily identifiable strike partnership.
      In simple terms, Johnson is categorised as a midfielder but he’s very much a forward.
      Occasional positional quirks are inevitable; Dream Team bosses may remember when Stuart Dallas switched from left-back to centre-midfield during Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League.
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      The Northern Ireland international scored eight league goals for Marcelo Bielsa’s enterprising side that campaign, more than Mason Mount, Kevin De Bruyne and Raphinha, all while categorised as a defender.
      Halcyon days
      Previously, Johnson’s position didn’t really matter because Steve Cooper’s side struggled to string many positive performances together during the first third of the campaign.
      However, things are looking up for the two-time European Cup winners.
      Forest are undefeated in their last five Premier League games and have fought their way up to 13th in the table, level on points with 12th-placed Crystal Palace.
      And Johnson’s improved form has been a key feature of the upsurge.
      The 21-year-old has scored five goals and provided two assists in his last 11 games.
      On Sunday, his perfectly-executed volley proved to be the difference between Forest and Leeds at City Ground, despite the visitors dominating possession and creating more chances.
      Johnson has registered 49 points across the last seven Game Weeks, making him one of Dream Team’s most in-form “midfielders”.
      A valid optionCredit: GETTY
      Forest’s No20 has struck up a telepathic understanding with Morgan Gibbs-White (£2.5m) with the pair essentially responsible for the team’s entire attacking thrust.
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      Dream Team gaffers desperate to pack their XI with as much attacking intent as possible could give themselves a bonus striker by transferring Johnson (0.8% ownership) into their midfield.
      At £2.3m he’s cheap as chips too. More

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      Marcus Rashford equals Wayne Rooney’s Man Utd record after scoring against Leeds in thrilling 2-2 draw

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      MARCUS RASHFORD’S goal against Leeds on Wednesday night saw him match a record held by Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.The England international, 25, brilliantly headed home to bring the Red Devils’ back into the game, before Jadon Sancho’s equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Erik ten Hag’s men.
      Marcus Rashford pulled one back for Man Utd against LeedsCredit: PA
      Rashford equalled a Wayne Rooney record in the processCredit: Getty
      It takes Rashford’s tally to 20 for the season in all competitions.
      But it also means he has now scored in six consecutive Premier League home games.
      He is the first Man Utd player to achieve that feat since Rooney managed it in April 2012.
      And it is the second Rooney record that Rashford has achieved already this season.
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      Last month, he netted for an eighth successive home game in all competitions, eclipsing Rooney’s run of seven matches in a row in 2012.
      Rashford now has 11 in the league so far this season, with Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Ivan Toney the only players to have registered more.
      He has also contributed eight assists across all competitions, helping United reach the final of the Carabao Cup, fifth round of the FA Cup and play-off round of the Europa League.
      However, Man Utd’s draw with Leeds did see them miss the chance to go level on points with second-place Man City.
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      And Ten Hag was unhappy with his side’s start to both halves – which saw them concede inside the opening three minutes of the first and second periods.
      He said: “When you start a derby like we did it’s unacceptable. You have to be ready to fight and we weren’t ready for the battle. It looked like it [his players were not ready] but not me.
      “We knew they will go aggressive, front foot, against a team on a good run, they’ll try to get into duels and that’s what they did.
      “I start my talk at half time with: ‘Guys we are not ready in the first half, make sure you are this time.’ And then we go out and concede again.
      “I am disappointed we lose all the battles in the first minutes of each half.”
      United face Leeds in the reverse Premier League fixture at Elland Road on Sunday. More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal ‘call Ansu Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes about sensational transfer swoop for Barcelona star’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona star Ansu Fati, according to reports.The 20-year-old is very highly rated by the Catalan club and has broken a number of records in his short career.
      Manchester United and Arsenal want to sign Ansu FatiCredit: AFP
      He went to the World Cup with Spain but has struggled to nail down a regular spot in Xavi’s side this year, starting just seven league games.
      That has sparked interest from United and Arsenal with the Red Devils said to be leading the race to sign the winger.
      However Cope report both clubs have spoken to Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes about a potential transfer.
      But deal could prove tricky with Fati under contract until 2027.
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      He also has a release clause worth £898million which underlines how highly Barca value him.
      United and Arsenal were still keen to make their interest known in case the possibility of an exit emerges, with Fati said to be unhappy with his playing time.
      Barcelona also have financial problems and LaLiga chief Javier Tebas has told the club they must reduce the amount they pay on salaries per year by £177million.
      That means the Spanish giants could be forced to sell big stars like Fati and Frenkie de Jong.
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      The likes of Sergio Busquets and Sergi Roberto both see their contracts at the Nou Camp expire at the end of this season, which would free up some cash, but more may be needed.
      Jordi Alba, Franck Kessie, Ousmane Dembele and Ferran Torres may also depart. More

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      Josef Bican was ‘Czech Cristiano Ronaldo’ who would cost £300m today, but Portugal star still well off his 1,468 goals

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      JOSEF BICAN would have been as famous as Pele if he had played in a different era.That is the view of a Fifa historian as Cristiano Ronaldo remains miles off is unofficial 1,468 goal tally.
      Josef Bican is the highest official goalscorer of all timeCredit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo overtook Bican’s 805 goal haulCredit: Getty
      Although no one is certain of the exact number of goals he bagged as Bican’s career spanned from 1931 to 1955 when record keeping was not quite as efficient as it is in 2022.
      But the most common tally credited to the former Slavia Prague ace is 805 goals – 779 for club and 26 international – according to Fifa.
      As with the late Pele, the lines are somewhat blurry when it comes to official and unofficial goals scored.
      The Brazil legend changed his Instagram bio to read ‘Highest goalscorer of all time (1,283)’ in a bid to cling onto his self-awarded title.
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      Pele is actually only credited with 757 official strikes – with his higher total generally understood to include goals scored in friendly and tour matches.
      Ronaldo, now 38, returned to Manchester United the summer before last and bagged 24 goals – as well as becoming international football’s all-time leading scorer – to surpass Pele’s total.
      However, he has since left the club for Al Nassr after a fallout with the Red Devils and opened his account in his second game for the club.
      He has 820 goals to his name in his career, according to records.
      But even on unofficial goals, Fifa still give the crown to Bican with a staggering 1,468 – even though Ronaldo has now overtaken his official tally of 805 goals.
      Fifa note on their website: “The Brazilian legend [Pele] includes in his tally goals scored in unofficial games.
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      “And if we were to do the same for Bican, his mark would be an estimated 1,468 – even if these figures are difficult to verify given their era.”
      Bican was born on September 25, 1913 in Vienna and died in Prague on December 12, 2001.
      He is believed to have scored his stunning 805 goals in just 530 games – a goal rate which would surely see him worth at least £300million in today’s market.
      Bican played for Austria at the 1934 World Cup in Italy before switching his allegiance to his adopted homeland of Czechoslovakia – now the Czech Republic.
      He scored 14 goals in 19 games for the Austrians before making the switch – which was still permitted in the 30s.
      Having played for Hertha Vienna – like his father had – Bican switched to Rapid Vienna in 1931 and started his professional career where he spent six years.
      In 1937, Bican transferred to Slavia Prague where he fell in love with the club and the country.
      Bican played for Slavia for 11 years and later became their manager.
      During his time in Prague, he successfully applied for Czech citizenship and played for the country 14 times between 1939 and 1949 – scoring 12 times.
      Bican did not represent his new nation at the 1938 World Cup in France because of an admin error. And the next two tournaments were cancelled because of World War II.
      Pele claimed he holds the crown but his 1,283 unofficial tally includes goals scored in friendlies and tour matchesCredit: Instagram / @pele
      Czechoslovakia – along with several other Soviet countries – refused to participate in the 1950 World Cup.
      And these World Cup absences are why Fifa historian Radovan Jelinek thinks the goal machine was not more well known.
      He said: “Bican was incredibly unlucky at the height of his career. There was no World Cup in 1942 or 1946 because of the war.
      “If the 1942 edition had taken place, for example, he would surely have become more widely known. Perhaps he might even have been as famous as Pele.”
      Describing his goalscoring prowess on Czech TV in 1990, Bican said: “When I talk to young reporters, they always say, ‘Mr Bican, scoring was easier back in your day.’
      “So I ask them, ‘How come? Look, are there opportunities today?’ And they tell me, ‘Of course there are, many of them’.
      “And I say, ‘There you go. If there weren’t opportunities, it would be difficult. But if there are, scoring is the same as it was a hundred years ago, and it’ll be the same in a hundred years’ time too. It’ll always be the same.”
      Reports suggest Bican could run 100m in 10.8 seconds – just half a second slower than the world record at the time.
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      Bican’s father Frantiesk fought in World War I and returned unscathed but ironically it was football that killed him.
      The Hertha player picked up a serious kidney injury during a game and eventually died from the problem. More