Premier League

EDERSON claims Manchester City already know the man they want to replace Pep Guardiola.The four-in-a-row Prem champions are waiting to hear whether their Catalan boss will leave when his contract expires next summer.Pep Guardiola is out of contract next summerCredit: GettyEderson thinks the club have already decided on Guardiola’s successorCredit: GettyThe hope is he could sign a one-year extension to make it a decade in charge at the Etihad – but as yet he has made no decision.City’s No1 opted to stay in the summer when a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia was on the table for him.And that was partly because he feels the club will know exactly where to turn when the time comes to finally say their goodbyes to Guardiola.Asked if his future was linked to the manager at all, he said: “No, not at all. Today City is a very well structured club, well managed, great directors, great CEO.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I believe the club already has the next manager in mind to the day Pep decides to leave, they will try to follow the same line of work.“Of course it’d be a great loss, we’re talking about the best manager in the world, but I see a really well prepared club for the post-Pep era.”Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is a hot tip to take over following the announcement that his close pal Hugo Viana will move to City as director of football in the summer.However they are also among a host of clubs who have been impressed by the job done by Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd Guardiola himself believes his former captain Vincent Kompany – now in charge of Bayern Munich – will be City boss at some point in the future.Ederson revealed Guardiola played a key role in persuading him to stay in the summer – with the pair having several lengthy chats.Fans spot Pep Guardiola coaching opposition player at final whistle and claim it’s ‘because he loves football so much’He said in one conversation he was given ‘guarantees’ by his boss that helped convince him to prolong his seven-year spell in England.Ederson told TNT Sport Brazil: “There was an offer on the table, it weighed a lot on me as it was way above the average.“But I had countless conversations with Pep, there was a decisive one that I can’t reveal much.“It was about what he told me, his guarantees, all of what we’ve lived together here, the evolution I had with him.“So that talk was essential for me to stay at City.”Man City vs the Premier League: Q&ABy Martin LiptonBOTH Manchester City and the Premier League were claiming a win after their legal scrap over Associated Party Transactions.SunSport sifts the claims to try to explain the latest issues.What was the case about?City were furious that Prem bosses brought in new tougher regulations – by the smallest possible majority under League rules – in February. They were aimed at blocking clubs bypassing financial controls by earning “unfair” amounts via sponsorship from a company with the same owners, or selling players on the cheap to teams under the same ownership umbrella.Why were City so upset?The Etihad club argued that the rules were illegal and had been deliberately aimed at them by rivals and were both flawed and politically driven. They also branded the “two thirds support” rule that has been part of Prem regulations since its inception as a “tyranny of the majority”This was an Arbitration Tribunal – explain that?Under Prem rules, any club has the right to ask for Arbitration if they are unhappy about the regulations or due process. The three retired judges heard evidence in June and their full ruling was distributed to the 20 Prem clubs on Monday afternoon.And what did they say?Depending on who you listen to, they either totally vindicated one side or the other. The actual answer is that there were “wins” for both City and the Prem. But it’s your choice which ones meant more.OK, what were City’s wins?Maybe the most important one in terms of the repercussions. That both the new rules and the previous version – brought  in after Saudi Arabia’s PIF bought Newcastle in 2021 –  were “unlawful” as they exclude shareholder loans to clubs in any APT calculations.  City also won over their claims that the rulebook prevented them from responding to Prem decisions over whether two proposed deals with Abu Dhabi companies represented “Fair Market Value”, access to the “databank” of comparable deals and the time it took for decisions to be reached.That sounds pretty big. So what about the Prem’s side?The key finding as far as the League is concerned is that the Tribunal backed the concept of APT rules as well as the Fair Market Value tests. Additionally, City’s challenges to the actual decisions on the two proposed deals “failed”. Prem bosses insist the “rulebook has been found to comply with competition and public law standards and is an effective and necessary system”.Is that it, then?Of course not. That shareholder loan issue is a big deal, given that it is believed owners have loaned around £1.5bn at low or preferential rates across the Prem. Those loans will almost certainly have to be calculated at commercial rates now, unless the owners convert them into shares. But the League is convinced the main thrust of the rules remains valid.And what will be the impact on the “115 charges” case?Probably nothing. That is an allegation of breaking the rules, while this matter was City questioning whether one small element of the current rulebook was legitimate. But City are using the same legal team, headed by £10,000 per hour Lord Pannick KC. And the stakes on the bigger case are a great deal higher.Ederson has helped City win six of the last seven Prem titles since joining the club in 2017.And he says much of their success is down to Guardiola’s guidance, adding:“It’s amazing. He shows you the way, then it’s all on you to put this theory into practice.“He is like our team’s GPS: he gives the route and we follow. If you don’t develop as a player with Pep it’s because you didn’t want to.”Meanwhile Amorim spoke for the first time since it was announced his close friend Viana is going to replace Txiki Begiristain at City.And he said despite their friendship there is no certainty he will make the same move in the near future.He said: “These are rumours. Viana will always be a great friend, but his professional trajectory will one day be different.“One thing doesn’t lead to another. The main thing is that nothing has changed at Sporting, nothing. Viana will only leave at the end of the season.”We don’t talk about it. They are two different paths. Viana’s path is Viana’s path, mine is mine.“We have a professional relationship that will not last forever, but it is certain that the friendship will continue”READ MORE SUN STORIESAmorim said he will have to make sure Viana stays out of the way when the two teams meet in the Champions League next month.He said: “Of course, Viana won’t be able to enter the dressing room during that week because I won’t let him in to avoid conflicts, but that’s all that changes”. More

RICCARDO CALAFIORI’S English is impressive for someone who has just moved to England after spending the majority of his career in Italy.And it’s thanks to a peculiar method he is using to learn his new language.Riccardo Calafiori revealed how he learnt EnglishCredit: X/BBCMOTDThe defender is already a popular new addition for the GunnersCredit: ReutersThe Italian has been learning English for several years.And although he is not quite fluent – he has a fantastic grasp thanks to two unusual sources including a specific type of pop music.Calafiori told Football Focus: “Since I was a kid. “I started maybe with Netflix and with the lyrics of the songs. UK drill.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I’m still learning, I want to have lessons, I want to improve a bit.”Fans loved the honest revelations.One replied: “I love him. What a bloke.”Another wrote: “How can you not love this man.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA third typed: “He is so smart. I thought he had some English lessons before coming to the UK.”And a final user joked: “Man is three years away from sounding like Bellerin,” in reference to Hector Bellerin’s bizarre Spanish-London accent. Three reasons Arsenal’s new signing Riccardo Calafiori is a huge upgrade Calafiori then revealed his honest thoughts on the English cuisine.He added: “I expected worse to be honest. It’s not so bad.”Fish and chips. It’s not bad. Once per month you can eat this.”I want to feel the whole experience, you know – become an English person.”As well as being loved by the fans for his personality, Calafiori is also backing it up on the pitch with his performances for his new side.The 22-year-old scored a belter against Manchester City to equalise in the crunch clash at the Etihad.The supporters already adore him – writing a song to the tune of ‘Amore’ – and he insists it is a two-way love affair.Calafiori labelled his move to Arsenal as a “dream” and he’s excited to play his part in the “young squad”.He added: “It’s actually been my dream since I was 12 or 13 years old, because I can see the level of the league here and the best players in the world, for me, play here. “It’s a dream and not only for me, but for everybody.“I came here to play so I will do everything to play and to give something to the team. I hope I can do that from the first few games.”READ MORE SUN STORIESHe has done so with positive performances in the Premier League and the Champions League, proving an accomplished addition to the Gunners’ defence.Calafiori added: “From my point of view, it’s just the start, the beginning of something bigger. I’m excited to start to play for Arsenal and to win trophies.”Digga D, a famous drill artistCredit: PA:Press AssociationCalafiori spent most of his career in ItalyCredit: EPACalafiori’s signs for the GunnersCredit: GettyArsenal fans are loving their new left-backCredit: PA More

NEWCASTLE have used the international break to give a pair of iconic statues some tender loving care.In 2022, a £250,000 Alan Shearer statue joined one of Sir Bobby Robson outside St James’ Park.Alan Shearer’s statue sits outside the Gallowgate EndShearer’s statue joined Sir Bobby Robson’s in 2016Workers used a blowtorch to give both statues a faceliftBoth statues were left looking as good as newWhen fans attend Saturday’s home match against Brighton, they may notice both looking good as new.That’s because last month, the Toon had both seen to by Aylwin Designs.In a video shared to social media, workers can be seen using a blowtorch and a brush on the iconic figures, a technique designed to get the statues beaming again.Captioning the post, Aylwin Designs wrote: “Great teamwork with Tom Maley and Alberto to restore the statues of Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer for Newcastle United FC.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”Proud to keep these legends shining bright!”Newcastle unveiled their 3metre bronze statue of club legend Robson, designed by Maley, in 2012.A similarly sized figure of Shearer was subsequently built in 2016, but peculiarly found itself placed on Barrack Road.It was thought that former owner Mike Ashley did not want the statue to be placed within stadium boundaries.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollowing the club’s Saudi takeover, however, it was finally moved to St James’ Park.It now sits proudly next to the Robson statue outside the Gallowgate End.Video emerges of Roy Keane throwing ball at Alan Shearer’s head amid Erling Haaland debateFans have been left delighted with the work done on both statues.One wrote on social media: “It’s the little things sometimes. Love to see it.”While a second echoed: “Its the little things that matter, Ashley could never comprehend a simple bit of pride.”Ultimate sports presenters rich listTV sports presenters make a mint.The biggest and best are signed up on yearly deals with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky for your viewing pleasure.Laura Woods is dominating the media landscape at the moment, leading TNT Sports’ coverage and ITV’s.Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas are two of the fresher faces for the BBC’s sporting output.Then, it’s the old guard of Gary Lineker and Mark Chapman who also command hefty fees for their Match of the Day programmes.SunSport has taken a look at how those big names rank and compiled a list of the top 10 highest earning stars that grace our TV screens.With number one worth a whopping £29.4million more than number 10!Read the story and see the full list here. More

MANCHESTER UNITED’S new stadium has been compared to a “dishwasher tablet” as the club prepare to submit plans for the £2billion project.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s vision for a 100,000-seater ground has been laid out in a series of pictures showing their ideas.Fans have compared the new 100,000-seater stadium plans to a dishwasher tabletCredit: AFP or LicensorsIt is a £2billion project encompassing the stadium and regeneration in the areaCredit: Man Utd websiteIt could be open by 2028 and finished by 2030Credit: Man Utd websiteMan Utd chiefs are looking to submit their plans before the end of the year in the hope work can began in early 2025.But some football fans were quick to mock the images as they compared the venue to various less-than-impressive objects.One social media user said: “It looks like a dishwasher tablet.”While another added: “Why does it look like a boiled sweet.”READ MORE ON MAN UTDA third replied: “From the top it’s a dishwasher tablet. From the side it’s a cheesecake.”And a fourth responded: “Looks like a one of those toilet bowl you get while you’re in hospital and can’t walk to the bathroom 💀💀.”It is thought that the work could take up to three years to complete.This would mean that the earliest the Red Devils would be playing in their new ground would be 2028.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSWhat we know about the ‘new’ Old TraffordMANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.A capacity of 100,000 is expected.It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. Computer-generated images show “New Trafford” to be circular in shape with a huge roof.It will be built adjacent to Old Trafford, with the plans also including a regeneration of the Trafford Park region around the brand new ground. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s plans for Manchester United’s stadium, Old Trafford, could be a new ground for the cost of an old ground refitNew houses, commercial areas and improved transport links have all been proposed.Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This could be the biggest regeneration scheme ever seen in this country.”The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.Old Trafford, which has been criticised for its leaky roof and ageing infrastructure, has been United’s home since 1910.The target is for completion by 2030. More

COLE PALMER’S quali-tea technique has wowed fans time and time again.But now even the way he makes a cup of tea left them lost for words – but not necessarily for the right reasons. Cole Palmer made his perfect cup of tea for a Burberry videoCredit: TikTok @BurberryThere was contention over the footballer’s methodCredit: TikTok @BurberryThe Chelsea star picked out the ‘World’s Best Actor’ mug for his brewCredit: TikTok @BurberryPalmer, 22, kicked off the new season with a mug-nificent six goals and five assists in his first seven Premier League appearances.His boiling-hot return of a goal involvement every 54 minutes this term is a vast improvement on last season – despite taking fewer touches per 90 minutes.Excitement is certainly brewing among Chelsea fans dreaming of just how many cups he can fire Enzo Maresca’s team to as he thrives in his new role. However, he stepped into a very different spotlight in a very different field to show off how he prepares a cuppa. READ MORE ON CHELSEAAs part of his filming with Burberry, which also included sitting in silence fishing for nine minutes for an ad, the England star was tasked with making his brew.Decked out in a £2,490 long brown coat at the table outside against the backdrop of a bunch of trees, Palmer started off by picking his tea bag and opted for classic English breakfast from the jar.He then selected the ‘World’s Best Actor’ mug “because I’ve just been acting and I’m the world’s best actor”. The footballer dropped the teabag into the mug and added the boiling water from the kettle – disappointing avoiding the ice-cold water to match his trademark celebration. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSPalmer declared: “I don’t like mine strong.”And that was clear to see as he poured in a load of milk.Cole Palmer has fewer touches but is more deadly thanks to Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea tactics He was quick to point out, though, when the milk goes in.He said: “Some milk in while the teabag’s in though.”Then I give it a squeeze and then I’m done.”Then the smiling star proudly announced: “This is my brew,” before taking a sip.And he gave himself the seal of approval, finishing the video by confirming: “Yeah, top.”But the decision to add the milk before removing the bag was a cause of contention and inspiration among fans on social media.One said: “I’m changing how I make a cup of tea now.”Another wrote: “I don’t like removing my teabag until I’m done. But I’ll try your style too.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd a third in Uruguay added: “Starting today I’m going to start drinking milk tea for breakfast like Cole Palmer.”But a fourth simply joked: “Bless him.”Palmer has been keeping his cool in front of goalCredit: EPAHe has made the ice-cold celebration his trademarkCredit: Getty More

FULHAM’S new Riverside Stand includes an eye-watering £12,000 corporate ticket that boasts a sommelier service and even alfresco dining.Fulham’s new £100million stadium development will be ready for business in December.Fulham’s new Riverside stand will boast expensive corporate tickets when openCredit: AFPThe incredible development has cost £100millionCredit: GettyIt boasts various levels of luxury on matchdayCredit: Fulham FCAnd it will see Craven Cottage’s capacity rise from 25,678 to 29,589.Fans have already hit out at regular ticket prices for the Riverside, with a single seat costing between £120-125 and season tickets going for £3,000 each.But those figures pale in comparison with the fees being charged for the new stand’s corporate facilities.Various VIP experiences are on offer for those with cash to splash, ranging from a rooftop bar and fine dining area to a SWIMMING POOL.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Riverside also boasts of its unrivalled views of west and central London.But it will cost a pretty penny to experience the full package, according to Fulham Focus.The cheapest corporate season ticket is the Matchday Plus Tier, which will set punters back £3,250.Guarantees must be made to keep the ticket for two seasons, with a 5 per cent cost rise in the second.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt comes with a seat in the Riverside Stand, plus three drinks and a half-time snack in the lounge area.The next ticket is The Dugout, which is located at the bottom of the stand behind the benches.Mum shares thoughts on expensive football shirtsThe ‘cheapest’ upgrade is the Matchday Plus tierCredit: Fulham FCThe Dugout allows fans to get near the benchCredit: Fulham FCThe Thames Bar Room will have a Fulham legend at every gameCredit: Fulham FCFor £4,500 – plus VAT – fans are served “traditional small plates” and drinks up to half-time.Moving up to Level 01 is the Thames Bar Room, which costs £5,250 plus VAT.Bizarrely there are no views of the pitch or river here.But it includes drinks throughout the day and past the final whistle, as well as an appearance from a Fulham legend.For £6,000 plus VAT, fans can experience networking hub The Originals.Styled as a bar for business people, it boasts inclusive drinks, roaming plates and chef stations.The Originals is a place for networking and nibblesCredit: Fulham FCThe Sky Deck boasts a swimming pool – but nobody can go in itIt also boasts plenty of food optionsCredit: Fulham FCHowever, the next stage is where things get truly exciting.For those who fancy a swimming pool with their football matches, the Sky Deck will set you back £7,750 plus VAT.It covers the top three levels of the stand while providing experimental grub and drinks pop-ups.However, the swimming pool is merely for decoration purposes only, with punters not allowed to take a cheeky dip on matchday.The second-highest ticket is priced at £8,500 plus VAT and gives fans access to The Brasserie.This area is based around the halfway line and includes an a la carte menu designed and curated by a Michelin Starred Chef.A Michelin experience awaits at The BrasserieCredit: Fulham FCThe top level boasts fine dining and a first-team player taking questionsFans will be able to eat alfresco and have their own wine waiterCredit: Fulham FCFinally, the Riverside’s top ticket costs a staggering £10,000 plus VAT – making for a round £12k.The Gourmet boasts the “best seats in the house”, includes a sommelier service to keep wine glasses filled, and rotates menus from various Michelin Starred Chefs for an alfresco dining experience.Not only that, a first-team player will also be available to interact with fans and answer questions on match days.Regular fans appeared to be less than impressed with the Riverside’s corporate offerings.One said: “The people’s game is over.”Another declared: “These numbers are mad.”READ MORE SUN STORIESOne noted: “Put me down for a few, just selling a few body parts to fund it.”Another added: “It’s the world of football these days, not for the true fan.” More