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      ‘I don’t understand how it’s possible’ – Klopp jokes he needs LAWYER as he breaks silence on Chelsea’s transfer spending

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      JURGEN KLOPP joked he needed a LAWYER before he could comment on Chelsea’s excessive transfer spending. The Blues have paid out over £600MILLION under new billionaire owner Todd Boehly, who took charge of the club in May.
      Jurgen Klopp joked he needed a LAWYER before he could comment on Chelsea’s spendingCredit: AP
      In just the winter window alone, Chelsea signed seven new players, costing £323m, including mega-deals for Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez.
      Klopp has bemoaned the spending of his rivals before but remained tighter lipped as he broke his silence on Chelsea’s recent business.
      He said: “I say nothing without my lawyer. I don’t understand this part of the business but it’s a big number.
      “They are all really good players so congratulations. I don’t understand how it’s possible, but it’s not for me to explain how it works.”
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      Boehly, who replaced Roman Abramovich in a £4.25bn takeover, has signed 17 players since his arrival.
      Of the seven in January was Premier League-record £107m deal for World Cup winner Fernandez.
      It eclipsed the £100m Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola paid to sign Jack Grealish in 2021.
      But Guardiola voiced his confusion at Chelsea’s ability to splash the cash in the market.
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      He said: “None of my business. It’s a surprise because it’s not a state club.
      “We won 11 titles in the last five years being one of the five or six net spend teams in the league.”
      Asked how people would react if City spent the same, Guardiola responded: “I know what would happen.
      “What I said, being the last fifth or sixth in the Premier League being net spending, we won 11 trophies – four Premier Leagues in five years.
      “What Chelsea have done is none of my business. We know what we are working to.
      “What Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, United, without good players you have to spend. Now the market is wow.
      “What they do is not my business. There are regulations, I don’t forget, eight or nine teams send a letter to be banned. We are the fifth team in net spend.”
      Mykhailo Mudryk signed for Chelsea in JanuaryCredit: Reuters
      Chelsea unveil new signing Enzo FernandezCredit: Getty More

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      How Man Utd could line up against Crystal Palace with Diogo Dalot back along with Sancho and Sabitzer eyeing debut

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could hand an instant debut to Marcel Sabitzer when they take on Crystal Palace this weekend.The Red Devils have put together an impressive run under Erik ten Hag this season.
      Marcel Sabitzer could make his Man Utd debut against Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
      Jadon Sancho could also start after returning to action against Nottingham ForestCredit: AFP
      And despite seeing their title hopes fall away in recent weeks, United are just one match away from winning silverware in the Carabao Cup.
      Palace represent a dangerous challenge, having held United to a draw at Selhurst Park last month.
      Erik ten Hag will be reminding his players it is their duty to exact revenge against the Eagles at Old Trafford.
      And Bayern Munich loanee Sabitzer could be thrown into midfielder alongside Casemiro following his deadline day switch.
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      In goal, David De Gea is sure to get his spot back from Tom Heaton.
      And there should also be starts for Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
      But Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be under pressure despite his impressive form, with Diogo Dalot ready to return after a spell on the sidelines.
      Further up the field, Jadon Sancho will be hoping to feature ahead of Antony on the right after also returning against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday.
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      How Man Utd could look against Crystal Palace
      However, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford are guaranteed to start as long as they are fit.
      And Wout Weghorst could continue in attack despite the presence of a fit-again Anthony Martial.
      Ten Hag does have other options at his disposal though, with Fred looking to play in midfield.
      Alejandro Garnacho also hopes to fight his way back into the starting XI.
      And Tyrell Malacia is another knocking on the door after an impressive debut season.
      Another way for United against the Eagles More

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      Erik ten Hag reveals shock reason Phil Jones is NOT in Man Utd squad list after January transfer window

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      ERIK TEN HAG has explained the shock reason why Phil Jones is not in Manchester United’s squad list. The defender remains on the Red Devils’ books but has rarely been seen on the pitch in recent years due to injuries.
      Phil Jones was once predicted to become United’s ‘best ever player’Credit: AFP
      Jones’ name nor squad number four no longer appears on the match-day programme despite the former England international still being at the club.
      Ten Hag revealed the reason for his absence.
      The United boss said: “For the whole season he’s injured. I can’t say [if Jones will play again this season].
      “What I can say is that he’s not available for training since the first day of training this season so I think there’s not an opportunity for you to recover quickly and be available quickly.”
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      An unlikely Jones’ comeback briefly appeared to be on the cards last season when the 30-year-old made surprise starts against Liverpool and Wolves.
      But his long term knee injury appears to still be a major issue with the centre-back not being named in a game day squad list since September.
      Jones’ contract expires at the end of June when he could leave Old Trafford after 13 years.
      The centre-back was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011 with the legendary Scottish manager claiming he could become the club’s “best ever player”.
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      But unfortunate injuries means he has only made six league appearances since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.
      Jones was reportedly among several United fringe players who were available for transfers last month.
      Axel Tuanzebe, who has since moved to Stoke City on loan, and veteran keeper Tom Heaton were among the stars the club is believed to have wanted to shift. More

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      Everton ‘want Isco on free transfer to replace Anthony Gordon after ex-Real Madrid star’s Union Berlin move scrapped’

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      EVERTON want to sign free agent Isco to replace recently departed Anthony Gordon, according to reports.Ex-Spain international Isco, 30, left Real Madrid last summer at the end of his contract and joined Sevilla on a two-year deal.
      Everton are keen on signing Isco on a free transferCredit: Getty
      However, Isco made just 19 appearances, scoring once and assisting three in a season that has Sevilla sat two points above the relegation zone.
      Isco’s contract was then ripped up and the midfielder was closing in on a January transfer to Union Berlin.
      And all seemed to be going swimmingly after he arrived in Germany and underwent medical tests.
      But now Union Berlin have confirmed the deal will not go ahead after they released a cryptic statement.
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      It read: “We wanted to have Isco in Berlin, but we have our limits.
      “These were exceeded today – contrary to the previous agreement.”
      Following the breakdown in the transfer to Union Berlin, Everton have now registered an interest in Isco, according to Sport.
      The Toffees would like the five-time Champions League-winning midfielder to replace Gordon, who left for Newcastle in a £45million transfer last month.
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      Everton failed to sign a single player in the January transfer window despite being in need of reinforcements, enraging fans.
      The Merseyside club are sat 19th, and level on points with bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
      The report stats that it would only be a “matter of negotiations” with the player to get him signed to the dotted line. More

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      Mason Greenwood misses Man Utd training after charges dropped – as angry fans say he should never play for club again

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      MASON Greenwood missed Manchester United training today after charges against him were dropped. It comes after the club told him to stay away and not to train with them until it completes its own internal probe.
      Mason Greenwood missed training todayCredit: PA
      Manchester United told him to stay away until it completes its own probeCredit: Reuters
      Angry fans have also said the striker, 21, should never play again.
      Yesterday Greenwood had all charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control dropped.
      Ian Stirling, a board member of the Red Devils’ fan-run  Supporters’ Trust, tweeted: “No way should he play for us again.”
      Cub boss Erik ten Hag broke his silence at a press conference today.
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      Greenwood said he was “relieved” yesterday after all criminal charges against him — including attempted rape — were dropped by prosecutors.
      The Man United star was informed that the Crown Prosecution Service had also withdrawn charges of actual bodily harm and coercive or controlling behaviour.
      The move came after 12 witnesses — including the woman at the centre of the allegations — refused to co-operate.
      Striker Greenwood, 21, said: “I am relieved that this matter is over and I would like to thank my family, loved ones and friends for their support.”
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      But United bosses announced the club is now conducting its own probe into his behaviour surrounding the claims — which surfaced online in January 2022.
      Greenwood — who the club suspended following his arrest — will be unable to train or play for the Red Devils for the duration.
      A spokesman said: “The club will now conduct its own process before determining next steps.
      “We will not make any further comment until that process is complete.”

      Last night dozens of United fans urged the club to get rid of Greenwood — on a £100,000-a-week contract. 
      Others said they should stick by him as he had not been convicted of any crime.
      He had been arrested in January 2022 after harrowing images were posted on social media, along with video and audio footage, suggesting he had been physically abusive towards a woman.
      He was charged last October and had been due to stand trial this November.
      The charges came despite the alleged victim telling cops in April 2022 she no longer wanted him prosecuted and would not give evidence  in court.
      Police continued the case as they regarded her as a “vulnerable victim”.
      Last Friday The Sun told the CPS that we understood it was struggling to build a case.
      It confirmed our information at 2pm yesterday, when the end of proceedings was announced.
      A CPS spokesman said: “A combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
      “We have explained our decision to all parties.
      “We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.”
      Greenwood has made 129 United appearances, scoring 35 goals and has one England cap.
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      He last played on January 22 last year against West Ham.
      Prior to his arrest, he was valued at around £50million and regarded as one of European football’s hottest young talents. More

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      Arsenal fans fuming as Gunners raid discount second-hand store Chelsea for Jorginho.. but transfer has many positives

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      Well, the last few days has certainly reminded us, if any reminder was required, just how balanced, level-headed and non-reactionary, we Gooners are!No big money signing to bolster a threadbare midfield, but instead a cheap, seemingly last minute, trolly dash to our usual second-hand discount store in West London for a bargain.
      Jorginho completed an Arsenal transfer on deadline dayCredit: Getty
      But fan opinion on the signing has been splitCredit: Getty
      Or rather that is how many have viewed the signing of Jorginho, who has signed an 18-month deal.
      Alongside the evident frustration, we have seen fans demanding that Arsenal part company with the abject failure of Edu.
      The technical director who has facilitated the arrivals of Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard (for peanuts) and more.
      To me, it seems to fall into the category in ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’ of “Yes, but apart from that, what have the Romans ever done for us?”
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      After all, why concentrate on all the positives when there are one or two negatives we can all magnify?
      Don’t get me wrong, I was not thinking of or hoping for Jorginho at the start of the window, or at any point during it.
      But given time to consider and rationalise, I find myself relaxed.
      This is a player of undoubted quality, one who only 18 months ago gave our main summer target, Declan Rice – who will cost £80million plus – a complete footballing lesson in the Euros Final.
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      Yes, he is now 31, but we are buying him as an experienced back-up, not as a regular Premier League starter.
      And we have two players in Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey who are only one and two years younger and who are dominating the Premier League.
      The Brazilian-born, Italian international is the same age as Ray Parlour was as an understudy for the 2003/04 Invincibles team.
      Had Partey actually been injured, as we feared when he left the pitch last Friday, I doubt his deal would have been the one sort, or sanctioned, by Mikel Arteta.
      However, the Ghanaian is fit and ready to go for this weekend.
      So, the Chelsea “veteran” is arriving as a cover player, and bringing with him bags of know-how, experience and a winning mentality.
      Like Jesus and Zinchenko, Jorginho doesn’t just have recent experience of winning the top prizes in football but has also been instrumental in those triumphs.
      And we have already seen the impact the two Manchester City players have had on this squad.
      There is a valid concern, expressed by many, that the Italian international lacks the pace and mobility of Partey and having him as our deepest-lying midfielder will return us to the days of Xhaka being there.
      Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka have formed a league-leading midfield pivotCredit: PA
      I do accept this to a degree.
      But when Xhaka was playing as our defensive midfielder, it was not only in a different formation, and crucially the Swiss star did not have Zinchenko tucking in alongside him as Partey does now.
      It was always the argument for those defending Xhaka’s frailties in the double pivot that he never had a partner with the legs alongside him, but today Jorginho will have.
      Our defence is also now far superior to the days when Xhaka was playing back there.
      Therefore, whilst accepting that Jorginho is not and never will be a Partey, he can be a valuable understudy in certain games when Arteta wants to rest or rotate.
      He is a metronomic passer who seldom gives the ball away cheaply and will be a more than proficient springboard to attacks against most opponents.
      I particularly see huge value in playing him instead of Partey in the next few rounds of the Europa League, where his technical prowess will come to the fore with a less demanding pace and pressing style compared to the Prem.
      Deploying Jorginho in the next few Europa rounds, and potentially against lesser domestic opponents at home, will allow Arteta to wrap Partey in cotton wool and ensure he and Xhaka are kept fit and fresh for the true tests to come.
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      This deal, like those of Trossard and Jakub Kiwior, also plug gaps in the squad and undoubtedly improve us between now and May as we push for the Premier League.
      It also will not hinder any bigger, higher ticket moves for longer-term targets in the summer. More

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      Club World Cup referee makes history as he explains VAR decision to fans for first time ever

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      A REFEREE in Morocco made history as he explained a VAR decision to fans inside the stadium for the first time ever. Video Assistant Referees have had a growing and controversial presence in football over the last few years.
      Ma Ning made history after broadcasting his decision-making to fans
      The Club World Cup is voice system trial could be expanded to other competitons
      Fifa chiefs are attempting to tackle criticism that the system lacks transparency and leaves fans inside the ground in the dark.
      The Club World Cup is hosting a trial where refs have to explain their decisions over a loudspeaker in the stadium.
      A game between Oceania champions Auckland City and Egyptian side Al-Ahly’s has gone down in history as the first where the system has been used.
      Chinese referee Ma Ning incorrectly awarded a penalty to Al-Ahly after Taher Mohamed was taken down by Adam Mitchell deep in stoppage time.
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      After consulting the pitch side monitor, Ning realised that the tackle had happened on the edge of the box rather than inside the penalty area.
      The mic’d up official returned to the pitch and his voice boomed over the speaker system to the 47,000 supporters inside the ground.
      Ning said: “Decision will be a free kick. Auckland No.3 – denial of a goalscoring opportunity.”
      He then gave Mitchell a red card. The sending off did not effect the overall outcome of the game with goals from Hussein El Shahat, Mohamed Sherif and Percy Tau sending Al-Ahly through to the second round.
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      Fans can expect to see more of the voice system with the technology set to be trailed throughout the Club World Cup, including when Champions League winners Real Madrid enter the tournament.
      If the trial is deemed a success, the men’s Under-20 World Cup and the women’s World Cup will also see the system used.
      It could then arrive in major European competitions like the Premier League. More

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      Man Utd flop Adnan Januzaj follows Isco out of Sevilla and joins Istanbul Basaksehir in shock loan transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED flop Adnan Januzaj has followed Isco out of the door at Sevilla and joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan.Januzaj joined Sevilla on a free transfer last summer after his contract at Real Sociedad came to an end.
      Adnan Januzaj has joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loanCredit: Twitter @IstanbulBasaksehir
      Januzaj is under contract at Sevilla for another three yearsCredit: Twitter @IstanbulBasaksehir
      The former Man Utd wonderkid penned a four-year deal.
      However, a move to the six-time Europa League winners hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
      Sevilla sit 13th in LaLiga and just two points above the relegation zone.
      And Januzaj has made just six appearances this term, failing to score or assist.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      As a result, the 27-year-old has joined Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir on loan.
      Januzaj is the latest high profile star to leave Sevilla, following ex-Real Madrid ace Isco.
      Isco had his Sevilla contract ripped up just months after joining in the summer from Real Madrid.
      The five-time Champions League winner is without a club following the collapse of a free transfer to Union Berlin.
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      Everton are said to be keen on Isco.
      Januzaj was linked with a return to the Premier League in the summer.
      West Ham were said to be keen on Januzaj, with the Hammers under the management of David Moyes.

      Januzaj played under Moyes at Man Utd and Sunderland.
      His first game in Turkey could come on Saturday against Alanyaspor. More