Premier League

MANCHESTER CITY star Jack Grealish was spotted boarding a private plane in France following a summer getaway.The 28-year-old enjoyed a weekend in Saint-Tropez with friends before returning in time for pre-season training.Jack Grealish was spotted boarding a private jet at Cannes-Mandelieu International AirportCredit: BackGridHe was wearing a black hoodie, black shorts and slidersCredit: BackGridThe winger has been enjoying a break in FranceCredit: BackGridGrealish is set to return to Manchester for pre-season trainingCredit: BackGridOn Saturday he was spotted letting his hair down – by donning a shoulder-length blond wig.But he is now set to return for City’s pre-season training camp.The ex-Aston Villa star was spotted boarding a private plane in Cannes wearing a black hoodie, black shorts and sliders.Grealish took part in a solo session at Man City’s training ground last week with personal trainer Jamie Reynolds.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe also recently trained at Juventus’ academy while on a well-earned holiday in Italy.The winger was seen enjoying a break in Sardinia with his girlfriend last month.Before that he travelled to Dubai for a holiday with some friends.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSGrealish was spotted wearing a blond wig while out with friends at the weekendCredit: BackGridGrealish has been preparing hard for pre-season while enjoying trips abroad, including this one to ItalyAxed from Euro 2024 England squadFORMER Arsenal star Paul Merson revealed his theory as to why the £100million Manchester City star was not brought to Germany.Appearing on Football’s Greatest Pod alongside legendary presenter Jeff Stelling, Merson was asked about the thoughts of Gordon and Palmer’s zero minutes so far, revealing a theory about avoiding conflict in the camp.The 56-year-old said: “That’s why they’re there and Jack Grealish is not there. Because Jack, I imagine, would be going mad now. I can’t imagine Gordon and Palmer saying anything.”I just imagine them sitting there, just saying to himself; ‘Well, maybe I should be getting on’.”I don’t see him saying anything to him. I could see a Grealish going to Gareth and going; ‘Why am I not playing?'”He continued: “I think he brings on Eze, who’s one of our most gifted players to do a job, he’s running back.”He puts Bowen on the other side, Bowen’s alright if you want to keep a lead, you know if we’re winning like we were last week [against Serbia].”We’re one-nil up, you put him out on the right, he’ll do what it says on the tin, get up and down, block crosses, get crosses in.”But you don’t put him on to win a game in my opinion. You know there’s horses for courses.”You’ve got to put Palmer on, he scored 20 goals this season. You know he can play with that bit of flair. Eze gets on and he doesn’t touch the ball hardly, there’s no plan.”You know I would play Watkins but I’d have to keep Kane in the team. I’d have to find a way because you know you have to keep world class players on the football pitch.”Meanwhile, Southgate said of his decision to chop Grealish: “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid.”It certainly doesn’t get any easier. You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent.”You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment. We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”The whole period has been tough, going back to talking to Marcus Rashford and Hendo (Jordan Henderson). Lots of difficult calls. But we have worked through all of that.”Grealish surprisingly missed out on a spot in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man England squad ahead of Euro 2024.Most read in FootballHis international team-mates were allegedly left “shocked” following his omission.Jack Grealish shares video of himself training at Man City during England’s Slovenia snooze-fest after Euro 2024 snub Reports claimed he was “stunned and upset” after speaking to Southgate.Discussing Grealish’s omission, the England boss said: “I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated. I think the world of him as a kid.”It certainly doesn’t get any easier. You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.”EURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANY More

ARSENAL legend Theo Walcott has revealed that Arsene Wenger used to be “afraid” of Mikel Arteta back in their playing days.Walcott and the current Gunners boss starred under the Frenchman together from 2011-2016.Theo Walcott revealed Arsene Wenger used to be ‘afraid’ of Mikel Arteta during their playing daysCredit: GettyWenger managed Arteta at Arsenal from 2011-2016Credit: RexEven during his playing days, Arteta showed signs he would go on to possess a career in management.The England icon recalled a time Arteta locked the Arsenal team in the dressing room and stopped a training session during his time as a player, claiming that Wenger was scared of the Spaniard.Speaking on William Hill’s Up Front Walcott said: “The turning point for me in terms of how I viewed Mikel Arteta was an experience I had with him as a player at Arsenal.“It was at a time when we weren’t making the top four. We had training in 30 minutes and he locked all the players in the dressing room, as if he was the manager. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”He was taking control of the whole space and telling us how it is. In that moment it was like he was the manager, and that was the turning point for me. “That’s when I thought he could go on to be a manager.“Arsène Wenger was waiting for us to come outside for training but we weren’t coming out because Mikel stopped the training session. “He was such a strong character that even Arsène was afraid of him.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSArteta played for the Gunners up until 2016 making over 110 appearances for the club.The Spaniard won two FA Cups and served as captain from 2014 until his retirement in 2016.Mikel Arteta’s wife Lorena beams with pride as he wins Best Premier League Manager at Globe Soccer AwardsIn 2019, he returned to Arsenal as head coach and won the FA Cup in his first year.The following season saw his title changed to manager to reflect his broader remit at the club.And this season he nearly ended the Gunners trophy drought after they finished second in the league to Manchester City.Despite not securing the title his efforts did not go unrecognised as he won the Globe Soccer Awards Best Premier League Coach for 2023–24 term.Arsenal have a tricky start to the season More

EDEN HAZARD returned to football just eight months after retiring as he took on Belgian giants Anderlecht with minnows Royale Union Tubize-Braine.The Chelsea legend left everything on the pitch in Wednesday’s friendly as Anderlecht romped to a 4-1 win.Eden Hazard made a stunning return to football as he played against Belgian giants AnderlechtCredit: RexThe Chelsea legend scored as his Tubize side lost 4-1 in Wednesday’s friendlyCredit: RexHazard was even given the captain’s armband as he lit up the pitchCredit: RexFans were delighted with the icon’s impactCredit: Instagram / @rutb_officielEURO 2024 LIVE: KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM GERMANYHazard donned the captain’s armband as his third-tier side, who won promotion this season, put in an admirable performance.And the winger himself put in a show-stopping turn as he scored Tubize’s only goal of the game in the 94th minute.Hazard, 33, rolled back the years as he danced through Anderlecht’s defence before slotting home into the far corner.The former Real Madrid man appeared chuffed with his efforts as teammates celebrated the strike with joy.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Hazard’s huge impact, which came on the same day the Belgian national team were booed by fans following a dire 0-0 Euros draw with Ukraine, also delighted supporters.One said: “He found an old save, starting over.”Another declared: “Best Belgian today.”One noted: “Belgium could have used him.”Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSAnother added: “Things you love to see.”It’s not the first time Hazard has appeared on a pitch following his professional retirement last year.I played with Lampard and Mata at Chelsea but flop who made just six appearances was most talented, says Eden HazardWho is Euro 2024’s sexiest star?EURO 2024 has something for everyone from stunning goals, thrilling matches… and the continent’s biggest hunks, writes Jack Figg.Several stars have lit up the group stages with their skills on the pitch – but others are also catching the eye for their looks.But who is the sexiest?Thankfully AI boffins have carried out an analysis on the facial attractiveness of all players at the tournament.And it’s bad news for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions who are the fourth UGLIEST in the competition – one place below Scotland.In fact it’s England’s group rivals Serbia who have fans swooning the most – boasting an average score of 77.90/100 with defender Strahinja Pavlovic deemed their most attractive.While Turkey defender Mert Muldur has been ranked as the tournament’s BEST-LOOKING player.But who is England’s sexiest star, and who makes the Euros’ hunkiest XI? Read our full story.Earlier this month, he rocked up to Soccer Aid and put in a dazzling performance for the World XI in their 6-3 defeat to England.But Hazard’s latest appearance does not mean he is coming out of retirement, with reports in Belgium claiming it was merely a one-off cameo.The forward is regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, winning two titles, two Europa Leagues and an FA Cup with Chelsea.He scored 110 games in 352 for the Blues following a 2012 switch from Lille.And Hazard ended up securing a £130million move to Real Madrid in 2019 before being hit by a series of injuries.He only played 76 times for Los Blancos, scoring seven goals in the process before leaving them last summer and retiring completely in October. More

MANCHESTER UNITED are considering selling the naming rights to Old Trafford.The Red Devils have played there for 114 years and the stadium has never been named after a sponsor.Man Utd are open to selling the naming rights of Old TraffordCredit: GettySir Jim Ratcliffe is trying to raise funds for improving the groundCredit: PABut new chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe has proposed the idea in an attempt to increase the club’s revenue.The British billionaire, who is now in charge of football operations at Man Utd, wants to refurbish Old Trafford with it in desperate need of improvement amid the roof leaking.Ratcliffe is also open to potentially building a new stadium as he eyes a “Wembley of the North”.To help raise funds for the redevelopment and the possible new home, selling the stadium naming rights is viewed as an option.READ MORE ON MAN UTDClub chiefs have held talks with the Bank of America over funding for the multi-billion pound project.The Athletic report that one proposal is for Old Trafford to keep its historic name but to have a brand as an associated partner – similar to Wembley Stadium’s deal with EE.They supposedly pay £10million every year to sponsor the arena.And should an entirely new ground be built, United would like to find a company for it to be named after as it will raise tens of millions.Most read in FootballEURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSRatcliffe believes refurbishing Old Trafford will cost £1bn and a new home could need over £2bn of funding.A ticket price increase has also been suggested to help raise revenue.Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants Government to help pay for £2BILLION Wembley of the North Man Utd stadiumThe club controversially increased the cost of season tickets by five per cent for the coming season.And reports suggest that further price hikes have been discussed. Fans have slammed the idea, with one saying: “Crikey, what a horrible decision that would be.”Another added: “Ticket prices have already risen in the past few seasons despite woeful results on the pitch. How about they find other sources to milk like the Premier League and broadcasting companies rather than the fans.”A third raged: “Don’t you dare Jim.”More reacted: “Trash this idea asap.”Ratcliffe has pumped £238m into the club since acquiring his 27.7 per cent stake.And £120m has been put aside for improving infrastructure. READ MORE SUN STORIESBut financial results from March show the club still has £653m of debt – not including transfer fees still owed.With them needing to balance the books, Erik ten Hag’s transfer budget for this summer is under £50m. More