Premier League

PHIL JONES has revealed that he used to hide his injuries from Manchester United team-mates.The former defender, 32, announced his retirement from football in August.Phil Jones retired from football in August this yearCredit: GettyJones, 32, played more than 200 times for Man UtdCredit: GettySince hanging up his boots, Jones has revealed that he consulted therapists and psychologists to work on his mental well-being as he struggled with persistent knee injuries.Jones enjoyed an enviable career at the top of the game; winning a Premier League title, FA Cup and the Europa League – and playing more than 200 times for Man Utd.He suffered terribly with injuries in his latter years at Old Trafford, however, making just six Premier League appearances in his final four years at United.In a heartfelt column for the BBC, Jones lifted the lid on how he didn’t want to share his injury anguish with any of his team-mates.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe revealed: “Unfortunately there were times when I was at United when I did not look for help. My coping mechanism when I had any problems was to stay silent, and that was probably my downfall.”I didn’t open up to anyone, and I would hide my injuries from other players and the staff. I put a shield up so no-one knew what was going on, apart from my close family.”I only spoke about this for the first time on a podcast last week, but one of my lowest moments was when I was trying to play through the pain of my knee injury, when it had got to a point where the doctor had to inject my knee before every game I played so I didn’t feel it.”I was on the bench for a game at Brighton but one of our centre-halves was struggling in the warm-up, so I thought I would be pro-active and get the injection before kick-off.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”It was embarrassing for me because I didn’t want anyone to see that I was struggling, or in pain – I was meant to be a tough guy as a defender, remember – so I went into a cubicle in the changing room just as the manager started his pre-match talk, and got the doc to inject me in there.”Having now hung up his boots, Jones has revealed his desire to go into coaching and management.He spent last season working with United’s Under-18s, and has been going through his various coaching badges.On his managerial ambitions, Jones added: “I am only 32 and I know that I’ve got a long way to go as a coach or manager.”Just because I played for United for so many years, it doesn’t mean I can just walk into a job, but I am determined to get a chance somewhere.”It is something I feel passionate about and I feel I have so much to give with my knowledge about all aspects of the game, plus my drive to succeed even further in football because I missed out on two or three years as a player.”Ten Hag on Phil JonesThe Man Utd boss paid tribute to Jones upon the defender’s retirement in AugustFollowing the news of Phil Jones’ retirement, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was asked about the former defender.The Dutchman, 54, said: “I think he had a great career.”What he achieved; winning the Premier League, winning FA Cup, winning Europa League, be present at two World Cups, massive career at Man United.”So all the credit for his career.” More

THE relationship between Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly may have healed in recent weeks, claims a former Premier League chief.Eghbali and Boehly were at loggerheads over the summer and wanted to buy each other out.Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were spotted sitting next to each other at a recent matchCredit: RexThe professional relationship is said to have gotten so poor that the duo could not work together.Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital owns 61.5 per cent of the Blues, while Boehly and allies possess 38.5 per cent.Despite him being the minority shareholder, all major decisions over the summer required Boehly’s sign off, much to Eghbali’s ire.In recent weeks, however, the boardroom civil war appears to have mellowed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoehly and Eghbali were spotted sitting next to each other at Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham on September 21.Then four days later, the Mirror reported that the Blues had poached David Beeston from Liverpool to be their new managing director.Former Everton and Aston Villa executive Keith Wyness believes that Beeston’s appointment could prove to be significant in the power struggle between Boehly and Eghbali.The Scot, 66, told Football Insider: “Just a few weeks ago, we spoke about how Clearlake and Boehly were at each other’s throats.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea have appointed former Liverpool executive David BeestonCredit: YouTube / Huron UniversityKeith Wyness has had his say on Chelsea’s power struggleCredit: Getty – Contributor”That seems to have thawed. It’s amazing what a few wins can do, not just in the dressing room but in the boardroom.”It does seem that peace has broken out. They will have known that it was a bad look, and hopefully, they’ve sorted things out.”Chelsea’s player ratings against GentOn Beeston’s arrival, Wyness added: “I don’t know whether there is still a control battle, but I’d imagine both parties would have to agree to bring a new executive into the fold.”They’d both have to give Beeston their backing. There is a lot still to be done at Chelsea.”The free-scoring Blues have won their last five games on the bounce in all competitions.Enzo Maresca’s side are fourth in the Premier League table, and are the top scoring team in the league with 15 goals from just six games.Tomorrow they host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, following their 4-2 European success over Gent on Thursday night.I really don’t think we can compete with City or ArsenalEnzo MarescaAhead of the contest, Maresca sought to play down expectations of his side this season, despite their promising start.The Italian, 44, said: “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal.”I really don’t think that because we are not ready. The reason is that City has worked with the same manager for nine years and Arsenal for five years. If you want to compete for big things you need that time.READ MORE SUN STORIES“After Arsenal beat PSG they asked Luis Enrique and he said the same thing that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years and them only a year-and-a-half.”Imagine us, only three months… so it’s a huge difference. So I am really convinced we cannot compete with those clubs.” More

THE state of this season’s new boys in the Premier League is alarming.For the first time in 20 years, the three promoted teams — Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester — haven’t won in their opening six league games.Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich and the other promoted clubs are waiting for their first winsCredit: GettyThe Tractor Boys denied Southampton a maiden win when they met last monthCredit: GettyTroy Deeney and Watford stayed up for five seasons before being relegated in 2020Credit: PABack in 2004-05, it happened to Norwich, West Brom and Crystal Palace. Only the Baggies survived.And before Everton beat Palace last weekend, there were six teams down the bottom who hadn’t tasted victory in their opening five games — the first time that has happened in top-flight history.The longer you go without winning, that’s when pure panic kicks in.You start questioning yourself. Are we actually any good? Are some of my team-mates over the hill?READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSTrust me, I have been there with Watford. In 2019-20, we didn’t pick up our first win until matchday 12 — losing six and drawing five before finally beating Norwich 2-0 in early November.We would eventually be relegated.And the worst part by far is, when you finally get that first win, you race back to the dressing room, look at the league table, and you’re still in the drop zone and miles off the pace.It is so demoralising and your body just drops. Then the rumblings start amongst the squad, players speaking with their agents, talk of whether the manager is up to it. His tactical plans begin to get ignored on the pitch.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSIt spirals. That is why getting on a winning run is vital.By the law of averages, you’re bound to win at some point, but you need the right mindset.Dream team Transfer Suggestions for Game Week 7 There are those who will say this season’s table is a bit misleading right now.On the one hand, Ipswich in 15th have only lost twice, drawing four while Leicester in 17th have drawn three and lost three, but then there is Southampton in 19th — lost five, drawn one, and look hopeless.So, is the gap between them and the top half of the league too great? Are they just not good enough? Are they being too brave? Or perhaps not brave enough and content with draws?To be honest, it is a bit of everything.That gap between the Championship and the Prem is growing by the second and these promoted teams are trying to play like the big boys too often when they don’t have the quality or experience to do so.Why on earth would you try and beat the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool at their own game when not even some top sides in Europe can do that? It’s madness.Physicality and resilience plays a huge part and this trio are really lacking in it.Just look at Leicester’s 4-2 defeat at Arsenal last Saturday. It was one of the worst Premier League performances I have seen in a long time, and they are somehow still reliant on a 37-year-old Jamie Vardy.Leicester were beaten 4-2 by Arsenal last weekend as their winless run extended to sixCredit: AlamyVardy is always going to be a legend of the club and he still runs his arse off and will nick a few goals. But asking him to hold it up against William Saliba and Gabriel? Come on.The one and only time Vardy ran the channel, he won a foul and Leicester got a goal from a free-kick but he didn’t try that again for the rest of the game. Why?And then in their midfield they have Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp. I think I could run past them even now.When Southampton go to Arsenal on Saturday, I can guarantee Aaron Ramsdale will try to play out from the back from minute one and I expect them to lose badly. Maybe by six or seven.At least Ipswich look like they have some goals in them and Kieran McKenna has admitted he won’t stick to one way of playing. Out of the three, they have a chance of staying up.But why does it take these teams, and their managers, so long to clock that the Prem is a different ball game entirely?Forget style of play – how about we play to win?Why is the relentlessness and the  ruthlessness of the Prem still massively underrated by anybody outside of it? It is not exactly this big secret designed to surprise you.Southampton face the Gunners this weekend bidding to secure their first win of the seasonCredit: GettyI remember running over people in the Championship with Watford and then thinking: “I’m a f***ing beast,” and then I walked into the Prem and I thought: “F**k me.”READ MORE SUN STORIESThe reason my Watford group stayed in the top-flight from 2015 to 2020 was because we had a squad full of players who knew the game, knew their jobs and got on with it.But ultimately, whatever happens, as long as you’re in touch of survival  come March, you are in with a chance, however slim. More