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      Leicester City furious as drones were used to spy on training sessions ahead of Premier League clash

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      LEICESTER City chiefs were left ­furious after drones were used to spy on first-team training sessions days before a Premier League clash.Camera-bearing devices were flown over top players including England star James Maddison and manager Brendan Rodgers as they worked on secret drills this week.
      Leicester City chiefs were left ­furious after drones were used to spy on first-team training sessions – pictured England star James MaddisonCredit: Getty
      Camera-bearing devices were flown over top playersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Manager Brendan Rodgers was also seen being spied on by the devicesCredit: Getty
      Security guards at the club, who play Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow, confronted the drone operator outside the club’s training base.
      He told them he was entitled to fly them above the facility from outside the perimeter.
      Footage later emerged online of the club’s security boss threatening to call cops and clips of the players training and planning set-pieces.
      A source said: “The man was insistent he wouldn’t leave.
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      “He filmed drills which are supposed to be kept confidential.
      “They’re a key part of team tactics and opponents finding out about them before a game would be a huge problem.
      “After the session the squad discussed it.
      “We’ve since been told the club are taking it further as similar things have happened before and to rivals.
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      “Some footage has already been on YouTube and TikTok. Who knows where else it goes?”
      Former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa admitted sending a club employee to spy on Derby County in training before a Championship match in 2019.
      The club was fined £200,000 by the English Football League who said the move was unsporting but not illegal.
      The EFL introduced a law forbidding viewing opponents’ training sessions in the 72 hours before a match. More

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      Chelsea make Yves Bissouma transfer enquiry with Hakim Ziyech offered to Tottenham in London rivals swap deal

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      CHELSEA have been knocked back in their attempts to offer Hakim Ziyech to sign Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma, reports say. The Blues’ billionaire owner Todd Boehly is ready to sanction yet another signing with manager Graham Potter in the market for a midfielder.
      Yves Bissouma has emerged as a transfer target for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Chelsea reportedly offered Hakim Ziyech to TottenhamCredit: Rex
      And he is believed to be keen on Bissouma, who he managed at Brighton but has so far struggled at Spurs.
      According to The Telegraph, Chelsea approached Tottenham about signing the midfielder and were willing to include Ziyech in a deal.
      But it is claimed the Blues were not met with encouragement and could look elsewhere in their pursuit.
      Chelsea had an £85million bid for Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandes rejected this month and refused to pay his £106m release clause.
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      And they look set to move on from the idea of signing Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, who is rated at over £65m.
      Already in the winter window, Chelsea have signed Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk.
      But the spending has not stopped as they had a £35m bid accepted by PSV Eindhoven for winger Noni Madueke.
      Madueke formerly played at youth level for Crystal Palace and Tottenham but moved to PSV in 2018.
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      The left-footed right winger – who was born in London – has two goals in nine appearances this season.
      Madueke is braced to be Boehly’s 15th signing since taking over from Roman Abramovich in May.
      And a right-back, to cover for the injured Reece James, is also being discussed within the club.
      Chelsea have had a bid for Noni Madueke acceptedCredit: Getty More

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      Jesse Lingard admits turning to booze during darkest days of Man Utd career amid horror fan abuse and mum’s depression

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      JESSE LINGARD admits he was drinking during the darkest days of his career.The pressure of playing for Manchester United, a dip in form and abuse from fans took its toll in the 2019-20 season.
      Jesse Lingard admitted that he turned to drink to try and “take the pain away” during his darkest days at Man UtdCredit: Alamy
      Lingard revealed family issues did not help make the situation any betterCredit: Reuters
      Lingard was also looking after his siblings while his mum battled depression.
      Now at Nottingham Forest, the attacker, 30, said: “I was drinking before bed, having a nightcap. I look back now and think, ‘What was I doing that for?’
      “But I needed something to take the pain away. I was trying to forget what was going on. But it makes it ten times worse.
      “You’re getting that much abuse and I’m already down enough and I’ve got to perform.
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      “I was still trying to be Jesse — with banter and jokes and all that — but, of course, it’s going to affect me. I felt the world was on my shoulders.”
      Lingard’s issues meant he struggled to care for brother Jasper and sister Daisy-Boo while his mum Kirsty sought treatment.
      Speaking to The Diary Of A CEO podcast, Lingard said: “The depression was so bad she couldn’t cope and needed to get help.
      “But leaving me with my sister, who was 11, and brother, who was 15, for me, I was going through my own things as well.
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      “So I wasn’t really the big brother they wanted.
      “I was on the pitch but didn’t want to be — I didn’t want to play. I just needed a break.”
      Lingard came through United’s academy and scored their winner in the 2016 FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
      He boasts 32 England caps and was a key man as the Three Lions made the last four at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
      But as things started to unravel he turned to then Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      He said: “I thought I could handle it but it came to a point when I went to Ole and said, ‘This is what’s going on’.
      “We kept it close-knit but even just to have Ole say, ‘How is your mum? How is she doing?’
      “Just to have those conversations helped.”
      He had a successful loan spell at West Ham in 2020-21 before returning to United for a season.
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      And Lingard, who joined Forest on a free in the summer, could not resist a pop at his old club.
      He said: “They’re behind on everything. You see City’s facilities, Tottenham’s facilities . . . people are miles ahead.”
      Depression… the signs to look out forWe can all do our bit to help prevent deaths from suicide during these uncertain times.
      There are several warning signs that a person is at risk of suicide. But it’s vital to know that they won’t always be obvious.
      While some people are quite visibly in pain and become withdrawn and depressed, others may continue their life as normal pretending everything is fine.
      Look out for subtle personality changes in friends and family, especially if you know they have been going through a tough time, Lorna Fraser of the Samaritans told The Sun Online.
      These are the key signs to watch out for in not just your loved ones, but yourself too…

      A change in routine, such as sleeping or eating less than normal
      Struggling to sleep, lacking energy or appearing particularly tired
      Drinking, smoking or using drugs more than usual
      Finding it hard to cope with everyday things
      Not wanting to do things they usually enjoy
      Becoming withdrawn from friends and family – not wanting to talk or be with people
      Appearing more tearful
      Appearing restless, agitated, nervous, irritable
      Putting themselves down in a serious or jokey way, for example ‘Oh, no one loves me’, or ‘I’m a waste of space’
      Losing interest in their appearance, not liking or taking care of themselves or feeling they don’t matter More

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      Bruno Fernandes takes swipe at former Man Utd bosses and thanks Erik ten Hag for restoring confidence after shock demise

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      BRUNO FERNANDES says Erik ten Hag has restored confidence at Manchester United after it plummeted under former managers.United were Premier League runners-up in 2021 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but he was sacked after a bad start last season.
      Bruno Fernandes believes manager Erik ten Hag has restored the team’s confidenceCredit: PA
      The team ended up on 58 points under successor Ralf Rangnick — their lowest total in Premier League history.
      But Ten Hag came in last summer and has made them title hopefuls again.
      Midfielder Fernandes, who scored in Wednesday’s 1-1 at Crystal Palace, said: “The last two seasons were difficult and players’ confidence really low, and I think that’s why results weren’t coming.
      “I think the team now is confident and players are playing really good.
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      “They’re doing what they have to do and what the manager’s asked us to do and we must carry on with that, it’s a responsibility.”
      The midweek draw was a blow to United’s title tilt as it leaves them eight points off leaders Arsenal, having played a game more.
      They can cut it to five points with a win at the Emirates on Sunday but Fernandes says they are just taking it a game at a time after the Eagles’ late leveller.
      The Portugal star, 28, added: “We can’t be affected by a result that was not the way we would like it to be as we’re doing great things.
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      “United was in a race to win this game, but we didn’t.
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      “Now our race is to win the next one, that’s our race — game by game, three days by three days — we just have to move on to the next one.
      “We can only do the counting at the end of the season so we have to win every game we have.
      “And the next one is Arsenal away.” More

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      Man City BOOED by angry fans after trailing Tottenham at half-time as Spurs do rivals Arsenal huge favour in title race

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      MANCHESTER CITY players were booed off by their fans following their poor first half showing against Tottenham.The Premier League champions failed to take control of the game and went in at the break behind.

      Manchester City players were booed off against TottenhamCredit: Reuters
      Dejan Kulusevski was able to capitalise on poor play from goalkeeper Ederson and midfielder Rodri to give Spurs the lead.
      And it got worse for City before the break as Emerson Royal headed the visitors into a two-goal lead.
      At the half time whistle boos could be heard from the home fans.
      Sky Sports pundit David Jones said: “They were booed off Micah, I can’t remember hearing that here.”
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      Former Man City defender Micah Richards slammed the boos in his response as he suggested the team have done enough to earn more respect.
      He replied: “No, that’s not acceptable. City have brought joy for years now.
      “They won four leagues out of five.
      “You can’t be booing.
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      “I’m always with the fans but you can’t be booing the players like that.”
      City and the club’s fans will be hoping to turn the score around after the break.
      Arsenal however will be watching on and thanking their rivals for putting a dent in City’s title challenge. More

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      Ederson howler gifts Tottenham lead at Man City as Dejan Kulusevksi fires Antonio Conte’s men in front

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      EDERSON made a howler to gift Tottenham the opener in their clash at the Etihad.The City stopper played a terrible pass that Rodri could only flick into the path of Dejan Kulusevski, who coolly swept home.

      Ederson made a shocking mistake for the openerCredit: Getty
      Dejan Kulusevski accepted the gift and put Spurs aheadCredit: EPA
      The reigning champions had been playing some risky football around the back throughout the game, but got away with it on a couple occasions.
      However, their luck ran out on the stroke of half-time when another loose pass was capitalised on by Spurs.

      Having received the ball back from Nathan Ake, Ederson played a pass into Rodri just inside the City penalty area.
      But the midfielder’s attempted clearance landed at the feet of Kulusevski.
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      And just like he did on this ground 12 months ago, the Swede accepted the gift to slot past Ederson and put Tottenham ahead.
      Things went from bad to worse just two minutes later for Pep Guardiola’s men too.
      That’s because the North London side doubled their advantage.
      But he owed plenty to Harry Kane, who’s hard work won the ball back inside the box and his powerful shot was too hot to handle for Ederson, who could only parry his effort.
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      And Emerson Royal was on hand to head home into the empty net for his first ever Premier League goal.
      Fortunately for City, they flew out of the blocks flying for the second half and were level within 10 minutes thanks to Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland to make it 2-2 in quick succession. More

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      Liverpool Treble winner unrecognisable with bald head and heavy stubble now going by name DJ Bavaria

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      A LIVERPOOL treble winner looks completely different after doing a full U-turn on his look.The former defender played for Liverpool for four years, helping the club to lift an FA Cup, League Cup and Uefa Cup treble in 2001.
      The former Liverpool star swapped now has a shaven head with heavy stubbleCredit: Getty
      He moved into coaching after retirement in 2007Credit: Getty
      But since then, he has swapped a clean cut face and head of hair for a stubble beard and shaven head.
      And in retirement he has not stopped pursuing another of his passions.
      The 50-year-old now goes by the DJ name of “DJ Bavaria,” in reference to his homeland of Germany.
      The German starred alongside a host of Anfield legends in his time at the club in the early 2000s.
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      Among them were Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Jamie Carragher.
      Standing at 6ft 2″, the defender arrived at Anfield in 2000 after starring for Bayern Munich for almost a full decade prior.
      His time at the Reds was short but sweet, collecting an assortment of seven trophies including the 2001 treble in 73 appearances before leaving in 2004 to return to Germany to finish his career with VfB Stuttgart in 2007.
      But in 2003 the 51-cap German also went on loan to Blackburn Rovers, where he made 28 appearances.
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      Have you managed to figure out who it is?
      Well if not then the answer to your question is: Markus Babbel.
      Babbel managed 60 appearances during the 2000/01 season as Liverpool lifted the treble and came third in the Premier League.
      The defender then came down with the rare Guillain-barre syndrome just one month into the following season, seeing him not play again in the Prem until November 2002 before being sidelined again.
      Eventually, Babbel made a full recovery from the condition, but having fallen out of favour at Liverpool he then moved to Blackburn in the final year of his career in England.
      Following retirement, Babbel moved into coaching.
      He managed Stuttgart, Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim and FC Luzern before his most recent job at Western Sydney from 2018 until 2020.
      Markus Babbel helped Liverpool win the treble in 2001Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      But during his playing days Babbel’s Liverpool career was stunted by rare conditionCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He eventually left Liverpool in 2004Credit: PA:Press Association More

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      Watch Jamie Carragher join in Tottenham star Richarlison’s warm-up as pair put furious war of words behind them

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER and Richarlison appear to have put their feud behind them as they had a kickabout during a warm-up.The Tottenham star fell out with the pundit last season on social media.

      Jamie Carragher and Richalison had a catch-up during a warm-upCredit: Reuters
      Richarlison threw shade at Carragher before pretending to smoke after Everton’s dramatic win over Crystal Palace.
      But the two embraced earlier in the season during Tottenham’s win over Nottingham Forest at The City Ground.
      And now they have been acting like close friends as Carragher joined the Brazilian on the pitch ahead of Tottenham’s Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
      Carragher ran on and had a couple of passes of the ball with the attacker before sharing a hug and a few words.
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      The nice moment showed that the duo had completely buried the hatchet.
      When the former Liverpool defender returned to the TV set, and he was asked about the meeting.
      Carragher replied: “We are all mates, he apologised, and I accepted it.
      “I said to him, ‘are you going to be a good boy today, no fighting’ and he said, ‘he is just going to play football’.”
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      Since the original bust-up, Richalison has left Everton for Tottenham.
      The 25-year-old has struggled for regular game time under manager Antonio Conte.
      Richarlison and co will be hoping to bounce back after their North London derby loss to Arsenal on the weekend. More