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      Thiago Silva gets hero’s welcome by Chelsea staff as he returns to Cobham months after leaving on free transfer

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      THIAGO SILVA was given a hero’s welcome when he paid a visit to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground this week.The veteran Brazilian emotionally left Stamford Bridge when his contract ended at the end of last season.Thiago Silva returned to Cobham this weekThe former Chelsea defender was given a hero’s welcome from staffHe posted the pictures on his InstagramAnd promised to see them again ‘soon’Silva emotionally left Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in MayHe is believed to have been visiting his family in LondonAnd Chelsea’s staff were thrilled to see the classy centre-back when popped in for a cheeky visit on Tuesday.Silva wrote on Instagram: “It’s always a pleasure to return to this special place. Thank you for your continuous affection. “The feeling is mutual. See you soon! 💙”The 39-year-old signed a two-year deal with Fluminense in his native Brazil, with supportive wife Belle staying in London for the time being.READ MORE ON CHELSEAThe couple’s sons Isago, 15, and Iago, 13, are both on the books at Chelsea’s academy.Silva wrote to his family in another social media post: “It was an amazing few days with you guys here. “Soon we’ll be together again. Best of me, love you guys ❤️”Chelsea fans were delighted to see their cult hero back in Surrey, with one writing: “There’s only one Thiago Silva! So glad to see him return.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFrank Lampard also commented on his post with: “💙💪”, while another supporter added: “Our legend is back home.”Silva cleared out his private box at Stamford Bridge in August after calling time on his four-year spell in West London.Chelsea fans can’t name their OWN PLAYERS after another wild transfer window under owner Todd BoehlyThe 39-year-old’s emotional wife Belle recorded herself getting one last look at the now empty room in SW6.She wrote on Instagram last month: “Four years at Chelsea with @thiagosilva have been an incredible journey filled with unforgettable moments.”I can only feel gratitude and love for all that we have experienced together. Chelsea, you have been more than a team for us, you have been a family, a home away from home.”Belle became the Premier League’s most outspoken Wag after a number of controversial social media posts last season.Silva is also eyeing a stunning return to Chelsea once he hangs up his boots.But the Blues’ co-controlling owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly are at loggerheads and want to buy each other out.Their professional relationship has deteriorated to a point where they can no longer work together as their decisions are split on a power-sharing committee.READ MORE SUN STORIESSilva joined Chelsea in 2020 from French giants Paris Saint-Germain, having also previously spent three years at AC Milan.During his time with in the Premier League, Silva won the Champions League, the Club World Cup and the Super Cup. More

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      Distraught Arsenal fans cry ‘cancel the season’ after finding out who referee is for Tottenham clash

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      DISTRAUGHT Arsenal fans cried “cancel the season” after discovering who will ref their upcoming derby against Tottenham.Mikel Arteta’s man head into the clash with a number of major absences following their 1-1 draw with Brighton.Arsenal fans aren’t happy after seeing who will referee their game at SpursCredit: GettyDeclan Rice was sent off in that game, meaning he will miss the Spurs encounter through suspension.New boy Mikel Merino is out for two months with a freak shoulder injury.Captain Martin Odegaard has become the latest casualty after turning his ankle while playing for Norway.There’s further concerns at the back too, with Riccardo Calafiori forced off for Italy.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Arteta could be forced to cobble together a new-look XI which may feature Raheem Sterling.However, some Arsenal fans reckon it doesn’t matter who takes to the field on Sunday.That’s because referee Jarred Gillett was confirmed as the main official for the occasion.Arsenal have a history with Gillett, who took charge of their controversial 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last season.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJohn McGinn scored the only goal in December’s encounter between the two sides.But Arsenal felt they were hard done by, with Gillett refusing to award a penalty for a foul by Douglas Luiz on Gabriel Jesus in Villa’s box.Raheem Sterling showing off skills in Arsenal training sessionJarred Gillett will take charge of the derbyCredit: GettyHe controversially disallowed a late Arsenal equaliser at Aston Villa last seasonCredit: ReutersWith just moments of the game remaining, Kai Havertz then bundled home a timely equaliser at Villa Park.Yet his effort was immediately chalked off by Gillett for handball.Replays showed the ball had ricocheted off both Havertz and Cash in a frenzied bundle.But VAR decided not to intervene and stood by Gillett’s initial call.Arteta was left raging at the final whistle, saying: “Clear and obvious, clear and obvious. “That’s what I mean. That’s my opinion, that’s all I can say.”And Arsenal fans are now bracing themselves to be on the receiving end of more questionable calls.One said: “Cancel the season.”Another declared: “This is a Gabriel red card and a Spurs penalty.”READ MORE SUN STORIESOne noted: “Are you f***ing kidding me?”Another added: “I think we are finished for Sunday.” More

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      Premier League panel reveal why referee was RIGHT to send off Arsenal star Declan Rice against Brighton

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      DECLAN RICE was CORRECTLY dismissed in Arsenal’s draw with Brighton – according to the Prem’s expert panel of former players, coaches and referees.PGMOL’s “Key Match Incident” team reviews every major decision across each of the Prem’s 380 games.Arsenal star Declan Rice was controversially sent off against BrightonCredit: ReutersBut PGMOL’s ‘Key Match Incident’ concluded the decision to send Rice off was correctCredit: ReutersRice has been suspended ahead of the North London Derby clash with TottenhamCredit: RexAnd while Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said he was “amazed” that Rice was dismissed by Chris Kavanagh after kicking the ball away to prevent Joel Veltman taking a free-kick for the Seagulls, the call was confirmed by a unanimous verdict.Rice, who had been booked for a first-half foul, picked up a second yellow card in a decision that changed the game, with Joao Pedro equalising for Brighton.Despite Arteta’s complaints, the England midfielder went in front of the TV cameras to hold up his hands about the card.And the five-man panel agreed he had acted in a “clear, deliberate and impactful” manner, which warranted Kavanagh’s decision.Read More on ArsenalAll the other crunch calls during the weekend before the international break were backed by the panel.But there was only a 3-2 agreement that referee Jarred Gillett was right not to give Crystal Palace’s Will Hughes a second yellow card when he fouled Chelsea’s Cole Palmer from behind in the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.Meanwhile, Prem statistics also show that the Rice decision was keeping with League policies.PGMOL stats show that, rather than a rare occurrence, Rice’s caution was part of a pattern of offences which have been punished more severely over the past two seasons.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSIn the 2022-23 season, there were 118 cards issued for the offence but that almost doubled to 215 yellow cards last term.Rice is now set to miss Sunday’s crunch North London Derby at Tottenham.England fans baffled as Declan Rice appears to refuse captain’s armband against former team IrelandThe Arsenal star had a slow start to the season and was sent off for the first time in his 245-game career in the Prem. More

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      Former Premier League bad boy Nile Ranger returns to football with non-league club after two years unemployed

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      FORMER Newcastle bad boy Nile Ranger has made a shock return to football.Ranger, 33, once pocketed £10,000-a-week and says he could have been as good as Erling Haaland – but instead ended up unemployed after stints in jail.Nile Ranger has returned to football after two years outCredit: PA:Press AssociationRanger has joined non-league side Kettering TownCredit: ReutersHowever, in what could be the final chance in a remarkable career, the striker has been thrown a lifeline.He has joined non-league side Kettering Town, who play in the seventh tier of English football.Ranger has been without a club since the summer of 2022 when he left Boreham Wood. The former England Under-19s player was tipped to be a star of the future, playing 62 times as a youngster for Newcastle.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut his career was plagued by disciplinary issues, culminating in an eight-month prison sentence in January 2017 for online banking fraud. He was released from jail after ten weeks and returned to his then-club Southend.But he was unable to initially play in midweek games due to a 7pm curfew.He had previously spent 11 weeks in a young offenders institute for his part in an armed robbery while on the books of Southampton.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSRanger has also been involved in a number of other controversies away from the field.He caused outrage in 2011 while at Newcastle after posing with a gun.says Jamie Carragher as he warns Newcastle that Eddie Howe will leave for dream job if he isn’t happyA few months later, he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a man in the city centre.He was found not guilty but still spent months in exile at the Magpies.Ranger also got charged with drunk and disorderly behaviour just days after being reinstated to training.The player was later fined £6,000 by the FA in 2012 for making a string of homophobic comments on Twitter.And in 2014, he was twice charged for criminal damage in what were separate incidents. But Ranger claims he has matured since becoming a father two years ago and believes his experiences will be valuable to non-league and young players.Meanwhile, he is keen for a movie to be made about his life and he reckons he could have been as good as Haaland.Ranger told The Athletic: “I should be minimum Championship right now. I shouldn’t be having problems but I didn’t listen. “If I added nutrition to my game and behaviour, I’m Haaland. “But I didn’t want to listen. I thought I knew it all.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Every club I’ve had, even as an adult, my mum has had to come in – because they respect her – to see if it could work as a last throw of the dice. “She is my life coach, she’s probably disappointed deep down I didn’t really go higher – but she always says: ‘Listen, we had a blast, no matter what’.”Ranger was tipped to be a future star at NewcastleCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Arsenal star Martin Odegaard spotted on crutches boarding private jet in worrying injury blow ahead of Tottenham clash

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      ARSENAL star Martin Odegaard has been spotted boarding a private jet on crutches in a worrying injury blow ahead of Sunday’s derby against Tottenham.The Gunners captain suffered a blow to his ankle while playing for Norway against Austria.Martin Odegaard has been spotted on crutches after getting injured while playing for NorwayCredit: VGThe ace is a major doubt for the derby against SpursCredit: GettyThe ace was in tears after going down against AustriaOdegaard had to be helped off the pitch by Erling HaalandCredit: RexOdegaard went down after a 50/50 challenge with Christoph Baumgartner and was left writing in agony.His pregnant girlfriend Helene Spilling was in the crowd and looked concerned as it became apparent Odegaard could not continue.He eventually went off the field in tears as team-mates including Erling Haaland consoled him.And Odegaard is now a huge doubt for Arsenal’s crunch clash against rivals Spurs this weekend, with Norway doctor Ola Sand saying: “He is on his way to London and will have an MRI there later today.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“(My assessment?) Nothing but a strong overstepping and that we await what Arsenal find.”The playmaker withdrew from Norway’s camp to return to London on Tuesday morning.Odegaard took a private jet back to the capital to undergo a full assessment by Arsenal’s medical staff.But the signs are not good as the ace needed crutches to get about.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOdegaard appeared to grimace as he approached the plane’s steps while accompanied by a helper.And Mikel Arteta will be praying for good news as his skipper prepares to undergo scans to determine the extent of his injury.Martin Odegaard leaves pitch in tears in major Arsenal injury blow ahead of North London DerbyOdegaard went down after a 50/50 with Christoph BaumgartnerIt soon became clear he could not continuePregnant partner Helene Spilling looked concerned in the standsNorway boss Stale Solbakken made a bizarre joke about Odegaard’s injuryThe Spaniard is already without Declan Rice through suspension.Meanwhile, new signing Mikel Merino is sidelined for several months with a freak shoulder injury sustained during his first Arsenal training session following his summer transfer.Arteta is sure to be even more subdued about the situation after Norway boss Stale Solbakken made an ill-timed joke about Odegaard’s setback on Monday night.Solbakken said: “It looked very painful in the locker room. I saw that he was sitting with the physios around him and he had no chance to continue.”We know that it is an ankle sprain. Those of us who have played football know with luck it can turn out OK – if the ligaments are not torn.”But I am not really sure Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.”With Odegaard set to be out of the derby against Spurs, Arsenal will likely have to shuffle their pack once more.Thomas Partey and Jorginho already looked set to deputise in place of Rice and Merino.And Odegaard’s absence could see Kai Havertz dropped to a deeper role.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat may allow Raheem Sterling to make his debut after a deadline day loan move from Chelsea.But Arteta does have other options, with youngster Ethan Nwaneri and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko also capable of slotting in. More

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      Watch moment Kevin De Bruyne says ‘I QUIT’ before he lays into ‘unacceptable’ Belgium after defeat to France

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      THIS is the sensational moment Kevin De Bruyne says “I QUIT” – plunging his Belgium future into doubt.Etihad ace De Bruyne, 33, slammed the tactical approach under coach Domenico Tedesco in a TV interview.Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne hinted he may quit BelgiumCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne appeared to have told departing technical director Frank Vercauteren he is quittingCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne didn’t mince his words to his Belgium team-mates at full-timeCredit: X @RTLsportsbeDe Bruyne criticised the match tactics after Belgium’s loss to FranceCredit: UEFAThat came after he was spotted by the cameras in a heated post-match discussion with former Red Devils winger Frank Vercauteren, who is set to leave his role as the national team’s sporting director.De Bruyne ended that conversation by stepping away from Vercauteren and towards France striker Kylian Mbappe saying “I quit, I quit.”And when de Bruyne declined to expand on his frustrationsin the post-match mixed zone, it fuelled fears that he may be ready to turn his back on Tedesco’s side – just a week after insisting he wanted to keep going until the 2026 World Cup.Belgium, who beat Israel 3-1 in their Nations League opener, were second best throughout the 2-0 defeat in Lyon.Read More on FootballIn his TV snapshot verdict, the Manchester City superstar did not hold back.He said: “There is not much to say. I cannot say what went wrong. “I already said that to the team at half-time and I cannot repeat that in the media. I did that when I was 18 at RC Genk, but today I am 33. You will find out for yourself.”Quizzed further by former Belgium striker turned TV reporter Gilles de Bilde, who suggested the team’s initial high press had been effective, De Bruyne added: “Gilles, you have also played football, but you are not asking the right tactical questions. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“It is not about transition, but about people who do not perform their tasks.“We simply have too many at the back. If you stay with six at the back, there is no connection. Then that is how it is. It is what it is.De Bruyne and Ederson to leave Manchester City this summer?“I can’t say what, but some things are just unacceptable. “I was the first to see that we are not as good as in 2018. “But if our standard is the top and we are not good enough to reach that level, then you have to at least give everything. If some people don’t even do that, then it’s over.”De Bruyne’s brutal comments clearly touched a nerve with his team-mates also declining to speak post-match, although Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana said the skipper had shouted at half-time: “Level up”.Tedesco suggested De Bruyne had reacted “emotionally”.He said: “Kevin is our captain and has a huge winning mentality, so he can also react emotionally. READ MORE SUN STORIES“You can’t say after a match that he wants to stop playing for us. Kevin is a winner. He is very emotional. It is normal that we are disappointed now, but we have to let the emotions cool down.”De Bruyne was in a much happier mood the next day when he and his wife Michele Lacroix attended the Ronald McDonald House in Jette to mark the fifth anniversary of the children’s fund.De Bruyne was in a much happier mood the next dayDe Bruyne and his wife Michele Lacroix attended the Ronald McDonald House in JetteDe Bruyne marked the fifth anniversary of the children’s fund More

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      Watch highlights of Lewis Hall’s MOTM-display for England U21s as fans call him ‘left-back we’ve been crying out for’

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      NEWCASTLE ace Lewis Hall put together a man-of-the-match performance for England Under-21s and hinted he could be the one to solve Lee Carsley’s left-back problem.The Three Lions have been crying out for a left-back since Euro 2024 when former manager Gareth Southgate only had Luke Shaw to call upon at a time when the Manchester United ace was still injured.Newcastle ace Lewis Hall put together a man-of-the-match performance for England Under-21Credit: GettyHall produced two assists for England Under-21 against AustriaCredit: X @EnglandEngland fans believe Hall is the answer to the seniors’ left-back problemsCredit: X @EnglandInterim boss Carsley used centre-back Levi Colwill in the position in his first match in charge against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday with Rico Lewis the only other alternative on the bench.That means the seniors still need a natural full-back to cover the left flank.Hall, 20, made a strong case on Monday when he helped the Young Lions beat Austria 4-1 in a friendly at Kenilworth Road.The Newcastle ace produced two assists with a dominant display at the left wing.Read More on FootballThe defender set up James McAtee in the 59th minute and Tom Fellows nine minutes before full-time with low crosses from the left.England fans were left absolutely stunned as they insist they found the solution to the seniors’ biggest problem.Some even went as far as to compare Hall to the legendary Ashley Cole.One fan tweeted: “Baller. The best young left-back in the country.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnother commented: “The left-back @England have been crying out for since Ashley Cole.”A third wrote: “He’s such an exciting young full-back.”Harry Kane’s favourite England goalsThis fan said: “Class.”And that one stated: “Hall will be one of the best left-backs in the world no question.” More

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      Arsenal fans raging as ‘smug’ Norway boss ‘cracks joke’ about Martin Odegaard’s devastating injury on live TV

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      ARSENAL fans have been left fuming after Norway manager Stale Solbakken made a joke about Martin Odegaard’s injury.The club captain is a huge doubt for the North London derby against bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday.Martin Odegaard hobbled off and looked in agonyCredit: RexStale Solbakken made a joke when discussing the injuryCredit: XMikel Arteta is likely to be without his captain for the trip to SpursCredit: EPAOdegaard was in action for Norway in their 2-1 Nations League win over Austria last night when he picked up a devastating injury. The 25-year-old was left in agony and had to be subbed off just after the hour mark, appearing to hurt his ankle following a tussle with Christoph Baumgartner.Norway boss Solbakken gave an update on the player’s injury after the game and he made a joke that surely made Mikel Arteta rage.He said: “It looked very painful in the locker room. I saw that he was sitting with the physios around him and he had no chance to continue.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”We know that it is an ankle sprain. “Those of us who have played football know with luck it can turn out OK – if the ligaments are not torn.”But I am not really sure Arteta will call me tonight to praise me.”Solbakken delivered his bizarre joke with a cheeky grin on his face.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe remarks made Arsenal fans fuming, with one saying: “It looks bad. Even cracking a joke at the end – smug.”Another added: “That’s an absolutely disgusting attitude.”‘Arsenal’s Declan Rice should NEVER have been sent off vs Brighton’ | The Whistleblower, Mark HalseyA third commented: “Why the f*** is he smirking at the end?”More reacted: “Sounds like a Man City fan.”Arsenal face a crucial run of games, with the trip to Spurs coming before their Champions League opener against Atalanta and Premier League clash against title rivals City.Arteta has a midfield selection headache to deal with as he is already without Declan Rice for the North London derby due to his red card last time out against Brighton.And new signing Mikel Merino looks set to be injured for another month.In defence, Riccardo Calafiori returned home from international duty early after picking up a minor calf strain and Takehiro Tamiyasu has a knee problem.Up front, Gabriel Jesus has a chance of returning from a muscle issue. More