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      Why is Cole Palmer wearing a bandage on his hand while playing?

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      COLE PALMER brought his stunning Premier League form into the FA Cup.The England ace’s low cross was parried in by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen just five minutes into the fourth round clash – but you may have noticed Palmer was wearing a bandage on his hand in the game.Cole Palmer wearing a bandage on his right hand against BrightonCredit: GettyPalmer was not wearing the bandage as he arrived at the AMEXCredit: AlamyThe bandage was visible during the celebration for the goal, with Palmer making a heart sign to the camera.The 22-year-old has been in phenomenal form for the Blues this season, with 14 goals and six assists in 24 matches.And boss Enzo Maresca has hinted he might start Palmer as the central striker if Chelsea’s injury crisis deepens.Maresca said: “Cole playing as a No9 in the past. We can find some different solutions. “At the moment, we have not decided anything because we are still waiting for Nico [Jackson] and from there, we will see different options.”Palmer with the bandage on his right handCredit: GettyWhy is Cole Palmer wearing a bandage?Cole Palmer was seen wearing a white taped bandage on his right wrist during the FA Cup clash at Brighton on February 8, 2025.However, Palmer did not have the bandage on as he arrived at the AMEX Stadium when he took to the pitch before his warm up.And Palmer did not wear a bandage on his hand in the Blues’ last match against West Ham five days prior.Most read in FootballPalmer’s England teammate Phil Foden has been wearing a bandage on his hand for the past year, after suffering a fracture in February 2024. More

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      Ange Postecoglou will AVOID sack even if Spurs are dumped out of FA Cup but admits he has TWO WEEKS to save job

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU looks set to avoid the sack even if Tottenham crash out of the FA Cup on Sunday.Only a crushing defeat at Aston Villa would put pressure on chairman Daniel Levy to wield the axe.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou will avoid the sack even if he suffers FA Cup eliminationCredit: ReutersPostecoglou admits Tottenham’s next two games against Manchester United and Ipswich could cost himCredit: GettyBut Spurs’ beleaguered boss admits that their next two Premier League games — against Manchester United and Ipswich — could decide his fate.Postecoglou called the United game in seven days a chance “to relaunch our campaign”.And he will also have two rare weeks with no midweek matches to work with the squad and ease injured players back to fitness.The calf problem that led to Richarlison going off at Liverpool in midweek is yet another setback following Radu Dragusin’s season-ending ACL injury.Read More on FootballAnd Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven is also rumoured to have suffered a setback in his return from a hamstring problem.But Postecoglou said: “There’s a number of our players scheduled to come back during that time, so we’ll use it wisely to rest the guys who need rest.“Certainly, there’s a fair few that need some rest and also hopefully get some work into the guys who have been out for quite a while to be ready for the challenge ahead.“Because I think these two weeks we’ve got now will be really valuable for the finish of our season.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSDefeat at Villa would eliminate another opportunity for Spurs to finally end their 17-year trophy drought.Yet next Sunday’s home game against United and a trip to Ipswich the following Saturday may prove crucial in deciding if the Aussie gets the chance to chase glory in the Europa League.Inside Tottenham’s horror performance as season worst stats expose disasterclass from Ange Postecoglou’s flopsFormer Tottenham stars Jamie Redknapp and Michael Dawson were among the pundits who laid into Postecoglou’s flops following Thursday night’s 4-0 Carabao Cup semi-final thrashing by Liverpool.But Postecoglou hit back:  “I don’t have any obligation to listen to any of it. It’s irrelevant what people’s opinions are.“I don’t even know them. Why would I care where they think we’re at? They are a million miles away from us.” More

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      Chelsea closing in on transfer for Sporting wonderkid Dario Essugo despite young stars’ concerns about joining Blues

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      CHELSEA are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon star Dario Essugo.The Blues want to sort out a fee with the Portuguese side quickly as the 19-year-old midfielder’s reputation grows on loan at Las Palmas.Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon star Dario EssugoCredit: GettyEssugo’s reputation grows while on loan at Las PalmasCredit: GettyEssugo will only be keen if he is to be part of the squad — a growing issue with young stars chased by the London club.Striker Eli Junior Kroupi, 18, chose Bournemouth instead of Chelsea last week when he quit French side Lorient.And the Blues’ Argentinian centre-half Aaron Anselmino, 19, refused a loan to Strasbourg because he does not want to be moved around.Essugo joined Sporting in 2014 at the tender age of nine years old.Read More on FootballAfter eight years within the Lisbon giants’ youth ranks, the defensive midfielder earned a senior call-up.The Portugal Under-21 international would then split his time between the first and B team.That led to recent loan stints at Chaves and of course Las Palmas.Essugo has amassed a total of one goal in 14 appearances with the LaLiga outfit this season.Most read in FootballThis comes after a total of 25 appearances with Sporting the last four years.Essugo made history with the Portuguese outfit in 2021 when he became the club’s youngest ever player to wear the jersey at just 16 years and six daysChelsea vs West Ham: Player Ratings BreakdownChelsea didn’t bring any new players during this past January transfer window.The Blues just recalled Gabriel Slonina, Trevoh Chalobah, David Datro Fofana and Anselmino from their loan stints. More

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      Arsenal boost as Mikel Arteta considers putting Ben White straight back in squad just days after returning to training

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      MIKEL ARTETA is considering throwing Ben White straight back into the Arsenal squad – just days after returning to full training following a knee operation.The Gunners have been in Dubai since Thursday morning for a mid-season winter break – flying back to London on Tuesday ahead of their Prem clash at Leicester on Saturday.Arsenal ace Ben White is closing in on a return from knee injuryCredit: GettyArsenal boss Mikel Arteta is considering throwing White straight back into the squadCredit: GettyWhite has followed Arsenal’s squad for the mid-season winter break in DubaiCredit: GettyOne of the standout names in the travelling group out in the Middle East is right-back White, 27 – who has not played since November 10.The versatile defender underwent knee surgery, having played through the pain for weeks, with fears he could be out for five or six months – but is now in contention to feature after three months of rehab.Arsenal’s medics predicted a speedy recovery from White, whose injury record has been exemplary since joining the club from Brighton in the summer of 2021 for £50million.And they have been proven right with White ahead of schedule and back in full training with the first team in a timely boost for the North Londoners.Read More on ArsenalFull-back is a position that Arteta has plenty of options in with the likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Jurrien Timber, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney to choose from.As a result, the Arsenal boss will not take any unnecessary risks – but is keen to get White back on the bench to face the Foxes at the King Power Stadium.Winger Bukayo Saka is also out in Dubai with the squad, but has not been involved in training, instead continuing his rehab from hamstring surgery underwent just before Christmas.The England star is due back at the start of March, with Arsenal targeting the Champions League Last 16 first leg on either March 4 or 5 – or their trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Prem on March 9.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the injury issues continue to pile up for Arteta with Gabriel Martinelli potentially out for a month with a hamstring issue.The Brazilian hobbled off in the first half of their 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final second leg defeat away at Newcastle on Wednesday.Ben White ruled out for months in mega blow to Arsenal title hopes, confirms Mikel Arteta There are hopes that Martinelli – who has also flown out to Dubai – can defy that timeline and get back sooner ahead of the final run-in to the end of the season.Martinelli joins Saka and striker Gabriel Jesus in the medical room – the latter out for the rest of 2025 following an operation on an ACL rupture last month.Arteta’s fit attacking options include Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Raheem Sterling and 17-year-old academy product Ethan Nwaneri. More

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      Real Madrid ‘make William Saliba No1 transfer target’ but Arsenal convinced he would be world’s most expensive defender

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      REAL MADRID are prioritising a transfer swoop for Arsenal star William Saliba.Saliba, 23, has been established as one of the best defenders in the Premier League where he has formed a rock-solid duo with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.Real Madrid see Arsenal star William Saliba as an ‘absolute priority’Credit: GettyArsenal wopuld only let Saliba leave for a record transfer feeCredit: RexAnd that has led to immense interest from some of the world’s elite clubs for the Gunners’ star.According to RMC Sport, Real have made the France international an “absolute priority” ahead of the summer transfer window.However, the North Londoners are demanding a massive fee for their star Frenchman.Arsenal see Saliba as the best centre-back in the world following two goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.Read More on ArsenalMikel Arteta’s side is not keen to sell the ex-Saint-Etienne star any time soon.However, if Arsenal have no option then they are planning to demand a hefty fee.The same source claims the Premier League giants are convinced Saliba will go down in history as the most expensive defender if he leaves the Emirates.That means Arsenal won’t consider any bid worth less than £80million.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThat is how much Manchester United splashed to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester in 2019 and made him the most expensive defender in football history.Saliba has a contract with Arsenal until 2027, which means the club is in no rush.Meet Ayden Heaven: Arsenal’s next William SalibaThe Frenchman joined the Gunners in 2019 from Saint-Etienne but was immediately sent back on loan to the French outfit to gain more experience.That led to more loan stints to Nice and Marseille until he was finally established in Arsenal’s first team in 2022.Since then, Saliba has stood out for Arteta’s side with a total of seven goals and two assists in 116 appearances. More

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      Man Utd rejected two loan offers from clubs in Italy for struggling striker in closing days of transfer window

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      MANCHESTER UNITED knocked back a couple of cheeky loan bids from Italy to land Rasmus Hojlund in the closing days of the transfer window.AC Milan made a tentative inquiry for the Danish striker, before they switched their sights to Chelsea’s Joao Felix after getting a firm no-go.Man Utd rejected several loan bids from Italian clubs for Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyAnd former club Atalanta – who sold him to United 18 months ago – got the same answer when they asked about taking him back for the rest of the season.Hojlund, 22, has struggled to make an impact since his £64 million move, and has not scored a goal this calendar year.But with strikers in short supply at Old Trafford, United never entertained the idea of letting him leave.And sources insist Ruben Amorim still has faith that he will come good.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLUnited did let two other forwards go during the January window though.Flop winger Antony was packed off on loan to Real Betis.While £325,000-a-week misfit Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa for the remainder of the season.United opted against signing a replacement for either man, with target Mathys Tel ending up at Tottenham on deadline day.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Red Devils did manage to make one senior signing for Amorim.A cool £30million was dropped on Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu – who ended up making his debut on the RIGHT during yesterday’s controversial FA Cup win against Leicester.Fans spot Sir Alex Ferguson YAWNING as he watches woeful Man Utd – but get distracted by who he’s sitting next toHis arrival eventually saw Tyrell Malacia complete a return to Holland with PSV Eindhoven.And United are now fully focused on drawing up targets for this summer’s transfer window. More

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      Huge injury blow for Man City as £50m new signing Nico Gonzalez’s debut lasts just 22 minutes before he’s crocked

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      MANCHESTER CITY were hit with a huge injury blow as Nico Gonzalez’s debut lasted just 22 minutes. The midfielder signed for £50million from Porto in the January transfer window and started against Leyton Orient in the FA Cup. Nico Gonzalez went off injured on his City debutCredit: GettyBut Gonzalez went down injured off the ball on 20 minutes – and was replaced by Bernardo Silva just moments later. City were trailing at the time and now face hosting Real Madrid on Tuesday without their new man. But manager Pep Guardiola did breathe a sigh of relief when Abdukodir Khusanov levelled on 55 minutes. Defender Rico Lewis – who started at right-back – saw his effort on the edge of the box deflect off Khusanov and past keeper Josh Keeley.READ MORE IN footballIt came after Orient took a shock lead on 16 minutes when Jamie Donley’s stunner from halfway hit the bar and bounced off Stefan Ortega. Kevin de Bruyne – off the bench also – then put City ahead by poking a through ball past Orient’s Keeley to win the game 2-1. City new boy Gonzalez – who came through Barcelona’s academy and first team – started in midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan. His arrival comes with Rodri still facing the prospect of missing the remainder of the season through injury. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Spaniard ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in September. Guardiola has history with Gonzalez having tracked his time at Barca’s youth set up. And he said: “It’s a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri.”I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. “I’m really pleased from the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years.”Gonzalez signed from Porto More

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      Cole Palmer set for shock position change as Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hints a new tactic for FA Cup tie at Brighton

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      ENZO MARESCA warned Cole Palmer could be forced into a change of position to help solve Chelsea’s injury crisis. The Blues travel to Brighton in the FA Cup fourth round tonight – but do so with attackers sidelined. Enzo Maresca warned Cole Palmer could be forced into a change of positionCredit: ReutersStrike pair Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu were both forced off in Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Stamford Bridge against West Ham on Monday. It leaves Christopher Nkunku and Palmer – who played through the middle for Maresca at Manchester City’s academy – as options to lead the line. Maresca said: “We have players. Christo has played already as a nine. I had Cole playing as a nine in the past. We can find some different solutions. “At the moment, we didn’t decide anything because we are still waiting for Nico and from there, we will see different options.”READ MORE IN footballPalmer is Chelsea’s top scorer this season with 14 – playing almost all of his football in the No10 role. He started on the right in the 2-0 opening day defeat against Premier League champions City – before remaning in the middle. Nkunku is behind Palmer with 13 goals this season but only two of those have come in the league. He has provided back up to Jackson – on nine goals – but Maresca says the Frenchman is best in the No10. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNkunku – who came on against West Ham on the left – was linked with a move to Bayern Munich the January transfer window. But he stayed in West London and Maresca hinted at giving the former RB Leipzig star more minutes. Cole Palmer shows off his goal scoring skills at Chelsea Training He said: “I spoke last week already about Christo. “Probably against West Ham, he played more or less half an hour and hopefully from now on he can get more minutes and help us.” The Blues boss named Nkunku as one of the players who can help ease pressure off Palmer’s scoring shoulders.He said: “We have just 14 [league] games to go. It’s just 14 games, not a big number.“Since we started, Cole plays always, so I don’t think it is something that is going to make a difference for Cole. “Also we have Christo in that position. We can have different players who play there.”Christopher Nkunku is set for more game time at ChelseaCredit: Getty More