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      Neville and Carragher disagree on Premier League champions as Sky Sports pundits make their mid-season predictions

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      GARY NEVILLE and Jamie Carragher disagree on which team will win the Premier League this season.Arsenal currently lead the way, having picked up an astonishing 50 points from 19 matches thus far.
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher made their mid-season predictionsCredit: PA
      They sit five points above Manchester City with a game in hand.
      With the two title rivals still to play each other twice, the Premier League crown remains up for grabs.
      And the Sky Sports pundits picked different winners during their annual MNF mid-season predictions show last night.
      Neville and Carragher also disagreed on who’d clinch a top-four spot.
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      They even backed different teams to beat the drop.
      However, they were in agreement over who the player and manager of the season should be.
      Here, SunSport take a look at Neville and Carragher’s picks as we enter the second half of the campaign.
      CHAMPIONS
      Carragher: Arsenal
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      Neville: Man City
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      On the title race, Carra said: “I think the thing with Arsenal is not just the points gap, it’s their performance in big games.
      “If you go back to the World Cup finishing, they obliterated Brighton, drew with Newcastle, the best defence in the league, although they only just got over the line (against Man Utd).
      “We’re all expecting City to kick on, they will, but once they start getting to March and April I cant help but think those City players know that if they win the Champions League it won’t matter that they wont win the league.”
      Neville, meanwhile, reasoned: “I get asked this every 10 minutes at the moment. Even Arsenal fans, they must get tired of asking these questions.
      “It’s too far out to be thinking about the title. Going back to my own experience, I think City are still messing about, they haven’t really started this season yet, when they start to purr they will hunt Arsenal down.
      “That doesn’t always work. Blackburn held us (Neville’s Man Utd) off, Newcastle didn’t. The run in doesn’t start until nine games in.”
      Carra backs Arsenal to win the titleCredit: Getty

      TOP FOUR
      Carragher: Arsenal, Man City, Man Utd, Newcastle
      Neville: Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Tottenham
      Former Liverpool ace Carragher reckons his old club, as well as Tottenham and Chelsea, have given themselves too much to do to overhaul the current top four.
      Citing two specific factors that will give Newcastle the edge over them, he reasoned: “They’re not involved in European football and they’re defensively the best team in the league.”
      Neville went on to ask: “Have your ruled your own mob out then?”
      And Carra responded: “No, I don’t think Liverpool will get in the top four.”
      Tottenham are Neville’s pick to pip Newcastle to a place in next season’s Champions League – despite their poor run prior to last night’s 1-0 win at Fulham.
      Antonio Conte’s side are currently three points behind Newcastle having played a game more.
      Liverpool and Chelsea have both been tipped to miss out on the Champions LeagueCredit: Rex
      STAYING UP
      Carragher: Wolves
      Neville: Everton
      The former Man Utd ace has backed ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa to keep Everton in the Premier League.
      Bielsa, 67, is the Toffees’ first choice to replace Frank Lampard, and Neville claimed: “I think you can see Bielsa’s influence at Leeds now. He’d get the fans on side at Everton.”
      Carragher, meanwhile, has been impressed by Wolves boss Julen Lopetegei, saying: “I just think the manager’s come in and done a really good job.
      “Getting them a really tough team to beat. I think his experience in terms of managing Sevilla, Real Madrid and Spain – he’s a top manager.
      “And I just think when you actually look at some of the quality, certainly in midfield with the likes of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho…”
      Neville then appeared to hedge his bets, adding: “I don’t think Wolves will go down either by the way for the matter, just to be clear.”
      Julen Lopetegui has already impressed both punditsCredit: Getty
      PLAYER OF THE YEAR
      Carragher: Erling Haaland
      Neville: Erling Haaland
      The Norwegian striker has already scored 25 Premier League goals this season, and has bagged FOUR Man City hat-tricks.
      Both Neville and Carragher picked him as their unanimous Player of the Year, although the latter had second thoughts.
      Pointing to the league leaders, Carra said: “I think all the players will vote for Haaland, that’s what I’m trying to say.”
      Urged by Neville to “have his own mind”, Carragher added: “I think Odegaard at Arsenal has been absolutely sensational, but I just know what players are like, I’ve been in the dressing room when they get the [ballot].
      “Obviously Haaland’s scored so many goals, he’s been amazing and I totally get it, but I just think if Arsenal go on to win the title, the role of Odegaard… he’s been sensational, I think he’s brilliant.
      “I think he’s the closest thing to Kevin De Bruyne. That player, every time he gets the ball you think something’s gonna happen, he was fantastic, he was unbelievable.”
      Norwegian duo are tipped to be in the player of the year raceCredit: Getty
      MANAGER OF THE YEAR
      Carragher: Mikel Arteta
      Neville: Mikel Arteta
      The Arsenal boss is an easy choice as manager of the year this term.
      Neville, 47, has consistently claimed in recent weeks that the Gunners won’t win the league… but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been impressed.
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      He said of the Spaniard: “You talk about young managers breaking towards the ‘super-managers’ like Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp, Antonio Conte – league winners – it’s so tough.
      “And Arteta has got an unbelievable chance. If you win the league with Arsenal you are into Barcelona and Real Madrid territory where you could achieve something magical.”
      Mikel Arteta has guided Arsenal to the top of the PremCredit: EPA More

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      Inside Andre Villas-Boas’ shock career change after ex-Chelsea boss quit football management to race rally cars

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      EX-FOOTBALL manager Andre Villas-Boas broke the mould when he traded management for rally car racing.The 45-year-old was once considered one of the most exciting young managers in Europe.
      Andre Villas-Boas gave up football management to race rally cars
      He entered the Dakar Rally in 2018Credit: AP:Associated Press
      But he had to withdraw after crashing into a sand duneCredit: Jordi Rierola
      Villas-Boas attracted attention after an unbeaten season with FC Porto, in which he won the league title as well as the Europa League.
      This saw him be appointed to Chelsea in 2011 but was sacked a year later and moved to Tottenham.

      When he left Spurs in 2013, he boosted the record win percentage of any of the club’s managers in the Premier League era.
      Before leaving the North London club, Villas-Boas revealed that he would leave management in the next decade with the aim of rally racing.
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      He told the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo: “My passion for football makes me live it very intensively over 11 months and dedicate myself to that, but I think life allows you to enjoy other things.
      “For me, there is a limit and, in the next five to 10 years, I will quit coaching.
      “To compete in the Dakar Rally is a lifetime ambition for me and is something I know I have to do.
      “It went from a passion to an ­obligation, a destination of life, but I can only do it when I leave football. I will do it.”
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      After spells in Russia and China, Villas-Boas announced that he would be taking a break from management and instead compete in the Dakar Rally in 2018.
      However, he had to withdraw from the rally after crashing into a sand dune on the fourth stage in Peru and injuring his back.
      He then participated in the Baja TT do Pinhal in 2018 while driving a Can-Am Maverick X3.
      The Portuguese boss returned to club management between 2019 and 2021 when he took charge of Ligue 1 side Marseille.
      Andre Villas-Boas had to end his chase to complete the Dakar Rally after crashing on a sand dune but managed to walk away from the incidentCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      He managed in England at Chelsea and Tottenham HotspurCredit: AFP
      His last club was Ligue 1 side MarseilleCredit: Reuters
      He was admired by many players in football, as Aleksandr Kokorin revealed to Foot Mercato: “André Villas-Boas, I worked with him for a few months, he’s really the best coach I’ve had in my career, a great coach, a wonderful person.
       “A great guy, a great coach, always available when I called him, able to keep the confidence. A really great man.”
      He then raced again in 2022 in the WRC Vodafone Rally de Portugal.
      After the race, Villas-Boas admitted that it was a “dream come true”.
      He told reporters: “It is one of those things you dream of as a boy. I have been watching rallies since I was a little boy, and Formula One as well.
      “It is a very special, it is a great opportunity as we do it for our causes for good.
      “It is very stressful to tell you the truth. I wasn’t aware of how intense it was.
      “But we did well and finished on a good note, happy with the jump because I was scared to death.”
      Last year the former manager also spoke of how he collects cars and how he always wanted to rally.]
      Villas-Boas told WRC.com: “I like to collect cars with prestige, I always wanted to own a rally car, so I started investigating.
      “At first, I was in limbo about which rally car to own.
      “I have, fortunately, a good relationship with the PSA Group, and the first car that came up was actually a [Citroën] C4 from Loeb.
      Villas-Boas is still open to a return to football managementCredit: AFP
      “It was a great car with six wins, but it needed rebuilding.
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      “It was actually a car that had been around for a while, was sold by Citroën and then was around a few drivers, so the ten years of its life were very intense.”
      However, he is still open to a return to football management before 2026, as he admitted that he wants to take charge of a national side. More

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      Liverpool ‘consider shock Mo Salah sale with Juventus star Federico Chiesa lined up as transfer replacement’

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      LIVERPOOL are plotting a move for Juventus star Federico Chiesa, according to reports.And they want to bring him to Anfield to replace Mohamed Salah.
      Liverpool are considering selling Mohamed SalahCredit: Getty
      And they’re reportedly lining up Federico Chiesa as a replacementCredit: Rex
      The Egypt international has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, seven of which have come in the Champions League.
      But he’s struggled to hit the heights of previous years for the Reds and has struck just seven times in the Premier League.

      Salah’s in danger of failing to hit 20 league goals for just the second time since he arrived on Merseyside in 2017.
      And Italian outlet Calciomercato claim Liverpool are considering selling him and signing Juventus winger Chiesa in his place.
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      The funds made from Salah’s sale would go towards trying to sign the 25-year-old.
      This comes despite Chiesa only recently recovering from an ACL injury which kept him out for around 10 months.
      Prior to his layoff, he’d been in excellent form following his arrival in Turin in 2020.
      And his club performances have helped him become a regular on the international stage, notably starring in Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph.
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      But the report claims Liverpool would be forced to pay at least around £53m for his services.
      The Reds have already signed Cody Gakpo this month, but the Dutchman is yet to score or register an assist in his first four appearances. More

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      Harry Kane expects to begin talks over a new Spurs contract in coming months – and hopes Antonio Conte signs fresh terms

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      HARRY KANE expects to begin talks over a new contract in the coming months but maintains all his focus is on finally landing his first trophy this season.While the England captain, who equalled Jimmy Greaves’ Spurs record of 266 goals by scoring the winner against Fulham on Monday, hopes boss Antonio Conte signs fresh terms.
      Harry Kane celebrates after equalling Jimmy Greaves’ Spurs recordCredit: Reuters
      Kane is into the last 18 months of his present deal.
      Manchester United and Bayern Munich are among those who admire the 29-year-old, who would need to be convinced of Tottenham’s ambition if he is to renew.
      Asked about his contract situation, Kane replied: “I’m sure there will be conversations over the coming months.
      “But to be honest I’m just focused on this season and doing my best for the team.
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      “There’s still a lot to play for, trying to get in the Champions League, we have the FA Cup and the Champions League still to win. My focus is on that.
      “I know there’s going to be rumours, a lot of talk and speculation about my future but I’m just focused on what I can do.”
      Kane is a rarity in that he is a one-club man – if you discount loan spells earlier in his career.
      But despite hitting 266 goals in 415 games for his boyhood club, his trophy cabinet remains bare.
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      He pushed for a move to serial silverware-winners Manchester City in the summer of 2021 which did not come off.
      And now England’s joint-highest scorer must weigh up whether he wants to commit further to the club where he made his name and risk ending up potless.
      Yet when asked if he still wants to succeed with Spurs, his reply was unequivocal.
      Kane said: “Of course, I still want to win trophies for Tottenham Hotspur. 
      “That’s been my goal since I started playing first team football with them. It hasn’t happened.
      “I’ve been open about [how I feel about] that but I’ll continue to try to achieve that. 
      “We have a really good squad, a fantastic manager and there’s no reason why we still can’t be successful this season. We’ve just got to put everything we can into it and see where we are come May or June.”
      Spurs have had an up-and-down season both in terms of performances and results.
      Yet Monday’s 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage means they are only three points off the top four, are through the last 16 of the Champions League and have a winnable fourth-round FA Cup tie at Preston on Saturday.
      Conte’s future still very much hangs in the balance though, with his contract up at the end of the season.
      Tottenham have the option to extend it by an extra campaign, but would be unlikely to do so if they felt the Italian wanted out.
      Spurs’ win at Fulham moved them to within three points of the top fourCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Antonio Conte was delighted with his team’s victory at Craven CottageCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Some have suggested that Conte’s decision whether or not to sign a new deal could hinge on if Kane pens fresh terms – and vice versa.
      Quizzed over whether the manager committing his future would make a difference to his own, Kane replied: “I’m not going talk about the manager’s future. That’s down to him. 
      “I’m sure he’ll have conversations with the club and assess where we are as a team. 
      “He’s had a lot going on, on and off the pitch, so he probably needs time to assess it all. From my point of view, I really enjoy working with him and it would be fantastic if he did stay.”
      Conte held a team meeting in the week, having conceded 21 goals in their last ten league games.
      It was rewarded with a clean sheet and three points – while Tottenham’s team seemed to take on his advice of “getting nastier” with some full-blooded tackles.
      Kane added: “(Being nasty) comes in different ways. all fighting together, the clean sheets, grinding out those 1-0 wins, winning fouls at the end. 
      “We’re playing in a tough league so it’s about doing what we can. 
      “We don’t have to win every game two- or three-nil. One-nil is enough. 
      “We’re playing against a really good side last night away from home and I think we showed really good character to win.
      “We have meetings every week anyway but it was more just talking amongst all of us and voicing our opinions on getting back to keeping clean sheets, being strong, compact, fighting, digging deep if a fixture is like last night was.
      “There’s still a lot of games to play in the Premier League, we have an important FA Cup game at the weekend and the Champions League starts again in February. 
      “In football, things can turn around really quick and all of sudden you can be right in amongst two competitions and fighting for Champions League spots.
      “When we looked at where we were last year and managed to get in the Champions League, anything’s possible still.”
      Kane missed a chance to break Greaves’ record when Bernd Leno made a fantastic save from his header in the second half.
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      It is just a matter of time before he breaks it – and there is a good chance it happens at Deepdale on Saturday.
      Kane added: “I had a couple of chances there in the second half but I’ll be ready for the next game.” More

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      Kaoru Mitoma the latest Brighton midfielder offering superb value for money in Dream Team

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      IMAGINE getting up early with a burning hangover to play university football and you’re directly up against Kaoru Mitoma (£2.3m).That was almost certainly the brutal reality for at least a couple of students as recently as 2019, when the Japan international was studying at the University of Tsukuba having turned down a professional contract with Kawasaki Frontale.
      The 25-year-old did eventually sign with the top-flight club and enjoyed two prosperous seasons before being snapped up Brighton, arguably the Premier League’s smartest recruiters.
      He spent last season on loan at Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, scoring eight goals and providing four assists for the Belgian club.
      And now, quicker than expected, he’s become a regular starter for the Seagulls and a key player too.
      Yet another success story for Brighton’s recruitment teamCredit: getty
      Leandro Trossard’s (£4.3m) dispute with Roberto De Zerbi worked in Mitoma’s favour but the quick-footed winger has worked his way up the pecking order through a series of impressive performances.
      He’s scored five goals and provided two assists in his last ten games at club level and has captivated fans with his enterprising dribbling and electric acceleration.
      Mitoma actually wrote a thesis on dribbling as a university student, an act that taught him to keep his head up whenever possible, but it’s clear he was born with the necessary tools to become an elite athlete, attributes that can’t be learned from a book.
      Sixth-placed Brighton have only tasted defeat once since the restart and that an entertaining 4-2 loss to table-toppers Arsenal.
      This weekend, they drew 2-2 at Leicester and it was Mitoma who opened the scoring with a pinpoint curling effort from the edge of the box.
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      And from a Dream Team perspective it was a particularly profitable excursion because he also swooped the Star Man award to bank 13 points, his joint-best single-game haul so far.
      Mitoma has gotten the best of several right-back this season
      Mitoma has now produced 60 points across the last eight Game Weeks.
      At just £2.3m he’s the latest Brighton midfielder to off superb value for money in the world of Dream Team.
      Pascal Gross (£3.4m) flew out of the blocks before passing the mantle to Alexis Mac Allister (£3.5m); recently Solly March (£2.6m) has provided healthy returns but now Mitoma has grabbed the spotlight.
      Dream Team bosses in need of a cheap midfield asset capable of ticking over should permanently have one eye on the Amex Stadium, especially while De Zerbi’s tactics continue to ensure plenty of goals to go around.
      There isn’t a right-back in the land who isn’t at least partially wary of facing Mitoma on current form. More

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      Man Utd starlet Charlie Savage – son of Robbie – set to join Forest Green on loan transfer to get 19-year-old experience

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      CHARLIE SAVAGE is set to join League One side Forest Green Rovers on loan for the rest of the season.The Manchester United teen star, 19, is keen to carry on his development with a temporary spell away with Old Trafford.
      Charlie Savage is set to join Forest Green Rovers on loanCredit: Getty
      Savage, son of ex-Leicester and Blackburn midfielder Robbie, has attracted interest from a number of EFL clubs.
      But the Wales Under-21 international is in line to make the move to the New Lawn in Gloucestershire and help 24th-placed Forest Green in their battle against relegation.
      Savage has made one senior appearance for United as a substitute in the Champions League 1-1 draw against Young Boys in December 2021.
      After training with Ipswich in April last year, he was also on the bench under Ralf Rangnick for the Red Devils’ final game of last season in a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace.
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      Savage went on the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia and caught the eye of new manager Erik ten Hag.
      During the World Cup, midfielder Savage also played in United’s winter friendlies against LaLiga outfits Cadiz and Real Betis on their mid-season break to Spain.

      Savage is a box-to-box midfielder who loves a tackle and isn’t afraid to get stuck in.
      However, he’s got a bit more to his game in terms of being a creative spark and is a good passer of the ball.
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      Last May, Savage was handed a contract with the Red Devils until at least 2025.
      Last season, he made 23 starts for United’s Under-18s and 19 appearances for the Under-23 side. More

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      Premier League Supercomputer predicts rest of season… and Chelsea’s huge transfer spend won’t help them

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      CHELSEA have splashed out nearly £200million on new signings so far this month.But our supercomputer doesn’t reckon it’ll do them much good during the second half of the season.

      Chelsea have endured a difficult campaign thus farCredit: Getty
      The Blues have had a miserable campaign thus far, sitting TENTH in the Premier League having also crashed out of both cups.
      Boffins and brainiacs over at bettingexpert have compiled BETSiE, a supercomputer tasked with predicting what is most likely to happen over the rest of the season.
      BETSiE considers things like xG and xA… running a simulation 100,000 times to come up with the most likely scenarios.
      And they think all of Chelsea’s spending will see them rise just one place to ninth in the final standings.
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      They reckon that the Blues will be sandwiched between fellow West Londoners Brentford in eighth and Fulham in tenth.
      Unlike Gary Neville, BETSiE believes that the title will be headed to North London – projecting Arsenal to finish on 90 points – seven above Manchester City.
      Newcastle are then tipped to pip Manchester United to third, with the Red Devils in the final Champions League spot.
      They are backed to finish between nine and ten points ahead of fifth placed Tottenham, with Antonio Conte’s side narrowly above Brighton.
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      Chelsea have so far made five permanent signings this month
      Liverpool are then tipped to come seventh and have to compete in the Europa Conference League next term.
      Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, West Ham and Leeds are predicted to be the mid-table pack between 11th and 14th.

      While East Midlands duo Nottingham Forest and Leicester could be looking over their shoulders in 15th and 16th respectively.
      Bournemouth are backed to come rock bottom on just 31 points, with managerless Everton being relegated in 19th.
      Wolves are then tipped to narrowly pip Southampton to Prem survival in 17th, with the Saints going down under Nathan Jones.
      Southampton are tipped to go downCredit: Reuters More

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      Patrizio Billio dead at 48: Former Crystal Palace, Dundee and Aberdeen star passes away

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      FORMER Crystal Palace and AC Milan player Patrizio Billio has passed away at the age of 48.The midfielder arrived at Selhurst Park in the late 1990s during a long career which saw him play for many clubs around Europe.
      Patrizio Billio has passed away at the age of 48Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The star was a midfielder during his playing days and enjoyed a career which took him from Italy to multiple clubs in the UKCredit: Scottish News and Sport
      Billio also played for Scottish clubs Dundee and Aberdeen in the early 2000s.
      He retired in 2010 and returned to AC Milan to coach their academy side in Kuwait.
      Milan confirmed Billio’s sad death on Twitter.
      They said: “Yesterday Patrizio Billio left us prematurely, who grew up in our youth sector and has been the coach of our football school in Kuwait since 2011.
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      “The entire Rossoneri family clings to the pain of their loved ones. Rest in peace, Patrick.”
      AC Milan’s Kuwait academy wrote on Instagram: “It is with great sorrow and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our head coach Patrizio Billio on Monday 23rd of January, 2023.
      “Over the past 10 years, Mr. Billio has done a remarkable job in elevating the training standards at the AC Milan Academy in Kuwait. 
      “You will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences goes to Mr. Billio’s family.”
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      Billio grew up in Milan after his birth in 1974 and joined the Rossoneri’s youth academy.
      He was sent out on loan to lower league Italian clubs like Monza and Verona before eventually leaving the San Siro without making a senior appearance.
      Billio headed for Crystal Palace in the 1997-98 season and join up with his more experienced and famous countryman Attilio Lombardo.
      But Palace would end that season bottom of the table after losing 11 in 12 games between January and April.
      A four-year spell in Scotland would follow as Billio headed to Dundee and then Aberdeen.
      He left Dundee in 2002 after being attacked by a fan during a training session.
      Billio played for another six clubs in Italy before retiring. More