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      Watch Kobbie Mainoo’s ‘1000 IQ’ goal as fans say Man Utd star ‘playing Fifa Street in real life’

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      KOBBIE MAINOOO has dazzled kids on Venice Beach with his “Fifa Street” skills during an impromptu Los Angeles kickabout on Monday.The England star was granted an extended break after the Euros, but still travelled to California as part of Manchester United’s pre-season tour.The Man Utd star surprised local youngsters in a street matchMainoo scored an unbelievable goal during his LA kickaboutCredit: X/bethTmuAnd fans have been left stunned with his ‘1000 IQ’ notchCredit: X/bethTmuThe 19-year-old didn’t feature in the Red Devils’ 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend as he enjoys a well-earned rest.But Mainoo kept his eye in as he surprised some young fans with a small-sided game by the Pacific Ocean.The Three Lions sensation joined in with local youngsters as they enjoyed a football contest on a concrete pitch.The midfielder’s dancing feet left his young opponents chasing shadows, as he weaved his way through challenges, and drove towards goal to finish in rabona style. READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe talented teenager is certainly looking sharp ahead of a return to action, and was caught nutmegging Joe Gomez during Euros training last month.Mainoo is not expected to be back until the Community Shield against Manchester City on August 10 as he recuperates from this summer’s run to the Euro 2024 final.But it was no surprise to see the Man Utd star catch the eyes of footie fans with an outrageous goal.Reacting to the clip, one X user replied: “Bro plays Fifa street in real life!”Most read in FootballOLYMPICS FREE BETS – SIGN UP OFFERS AND DEAL FOR PARIS 2024While second noted: “This 1000 IQ goal by Mainoo is insane.”A third said: “He’s generational. A proper street player 🥶.”Watch Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible skill as Man Utd star enjoys kickabout with Love Island star brother and kids in LA And another replied: “How can this dude be this smooth at 19 💥.”Both he and Luke Shaw are entitled to three weeks’ mandatory holiday following the Euros final on July 14 – where England fell agonisingly short in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Spain.Mainoo became a first-team regular at United last season, starting 21 Premier League games in a row from December until the end of the campaign.He’s surely looking to have a better time in America this time round, after suffering a nasty ankle injury during last year’s pre-season tour defeat to Real Madrid – which United lost 2-0.The midfielder was out for four months until late November before playing 32 games in all competitions, scoring five goals and providing three assists. More

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      How Arsenal’s new £42million ‘Bulldozer’ Calafiori fought back from ruthless Jose Mourinho axing to seal dream transfer

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      THE career of Riccardo Calafiori has often flirted with disaster and disappointment.At the age of 16, it was believed the Roma academy kid would never play – or even walk – again after a horror tackle during a Youth League match against Viktoria Plzen in October 2018.Riccardo Calafiori joined Arsenal for £42m this weekCredit: GettyJose Mourinho axed the Italy international from his Roma squad in 2021Credit: RexBut years before that Calafiori underwent a gruesome surgery after suffering a horror injuryCredit: Instagram @richycalaThe Italian defender had ruptured every ligament in his left knee.Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s surgeon Dr Freddie Fu was even taken aback before operating, comparing it to a motorbike accident. Roma practically went into mourning.Netting a hat-trick for the first team soon after in the Champions League, striker Edin Dzeko held up a shirt with Calafiori’s name on in support.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLClub legend Daniele De Rossi would help ferry Calafiori from home to the training centre and back again in the weeks that followed.The rehab was brutal, but Calafiori’s recovery – mostly out in the States – was extraordinary, returning to action in just under 12 months, earning him the nickname of ‘The Bulldozer’ by his father.And he later got a tattoo on his hand that reads: “Just be sure to notice the collateral beauty”.It is why – back in the USA six years later to join up with Arsenal on their pre-season tour after completing a £42m switch from Bologna – Calafiori is still in disbelief.Most read in FootballCalafiori embraced Mikel Arteta after he joined the Gunners’ pre-season tourCredit: ArsenalBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSEmbracing boss Mikel Arteta in their team hotel, the 22-year-old – known as ‘Ricky’ to those closest to him – asked: “Is this real?” with the Spaniard replying with a big smile: “Finally, it’s real”.Both Arteta and sporting director Edu have got their man after months of work to bring the Italy international to the Emirates.Former Chelsea team-mates Mason Mount and Jorginho embrace after Man Utd’s pre-season defeat to Arsenal A player they feel “fits the profile” – young but immensely talented as a versatile, ball-playing defender – while Calafiori only had eyes for North London, despite late interest from Juventus and Real Madrid.Arteta revealed last season he wants 22 world class players in his squad – two in each position – to be able to constantly rotate without feeling their starting XI is weakened.Calafiori certainly adds to this, joining the likes of William Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu as defensive options.He is able to play at both left-back and centre-back – something he first learned he could do while at Basel during the 2022/23 campaign having just been let go his boyhood Roma under Jose Mourinho.This was yet another setback in Calafiori’s career that had the potential to be make or break, ruthlessly dumped by Mourinho in the winter window after featuring in a humiliating 6-1 Europa Conference League group stage loss to Bodo Glimt in October 2021.Yet ‘The Bulldozer’ continued on its path, helping Basel to the Conference League semi-finals before joining Serie A side Bologna for £4m last summer.Jose Mourinho ruthlessly sold Riccardo Calafiori during his time at RomaCredit: GettyCalafiori said of Mourinho: “It was his choice to sell me, but I’ll also tell you something. Mou and I talk; he wrote me several messages, and there’s a nice relationship between us.“He forged my character and personality. The fact that he asks you for 200% in every training session and that he makes his choices by looking at what you give on the pitch.”Calafiori’s development must also pay credit to coach Thiago Motta at Bologna, admitting last term: “I tried things tactically that I had never seen”.Motta and Arteta have similar philosophies, having grown up together as players in the Barcelona academy, perhaps accelerating any adaptation time.Arteta and sporting director Edu spent months trying to land the Italy international’s signatureCredit: GettyYet Calafiori is a quick learner. Last season in Serie A, he kept 15 clean sheets in 30 appearances, helping Bologna to Champions League qualification for the first time since 1964.He racked up a pass completion of 89.8% to rank third in the league last term, including 76 accurate long balls and 17 goalscoring chances created.No centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues produced more assists than him with five.He also became Bologna’s first-ever Serie A Player of the Month winner in May, paving the way for his Italy senior major tournament debut at the Euros last month.Arsenal ran out 2-1 winners against Man Utd in Los Angeles on the weekendCredit: AFPThere is now a Premier League debut on the cards, with Arsenal’s opener against Wolves on August 17 after Emirates Cup clashes with Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon next week.Calafiori has said in the past he aspires to be like Manchester City’s John Stones, while former England manager Fabio Capello has compared him to a young Sergio Ramos.But for someone so young and highly rated, Calafiori also has his feet firmly on the ground.READ MORE SUN STORIESWhen previously asked about his biggest achievement in the football so far, he said: “Being able to buy my parents a house. “We lived in a rental, but when I played for Roma I managed to buy a beautiful house for them. Seeing them calm, safe and happy is priceless.”Arsenal have a tricky start to the season More

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      Forgotten former England star, 32, lands new club after posting LinkedIn advert following exit from Spanish minnows

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      STEVEN CAULKER has found a new club in Turkey after a two-month job search on LinkedIn.Caulker, 32, made a name for himself in the Premier League where he amassed 123 appearances for a raft of different outfits, including Tottenham and Liverpool.Steven Caulker has just been announced by Turkish outfit Ankara KeçiorengucuEx-Liverpool and Tottenham ace Caulker looked for a job on LinkedInCredit: GettyThe centre-back became a free agent in May after his departure from Spanish fifth-division side Malaga City where he was player-manager.The former England international then looked for his next destination via the job advertising website LinkedIn.Caulker offered his service to a football club as a player-manager like he did in Spain.And the search has paid off as the defender has just been announced by Turkish second-division side Ankara Keciorengucu.Read More on FootballCaulker confirmed the news as he posed with his new outfit’s jersey on social media.The club issued the following statement on Twitter: “Ankara Keciorengucu has reached an agreement with Steven Caulker. “We welcome Steven to our club and wish him great success under our purple-white jersey.”Caulker last played in the UK for Wigan when they were in the Championship in 2023.Most read in FootballHis career kicked off in 2009 when he came through the ranks at Tottenham.Caulker later enjoyed campaigns at Cardiff and Queens Park Rangers before heading out on loan at both Liverpool and Southampton.I was crushed after losing 6-1 at Liverpool… then I woke up drunk off my head on a hotel floor and signed for themHe only played once for England and scored on his international debut in a 4-2 friendly defeat to Sweden in 2012.Caulker returns to Turkey after previous stints with Alanyaspor, Fenerbahce, Gaziantep and Fatih Karagumruk. More

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      How Chalobah compares to Chelsea defenders as stats show club should reconsider selling him after pre-season nightmare

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      TREVOH CHALOBAH’S days seem to be numbered at Stamford Bridge after he was axed from Chelsea’s pre-season tour.The Blues defender was left at home as Enzo Maresca’s men jetted off to the US earlier this month.Trevoh Chalobah looks set to leave Chelsea in the summer transfer windowCredit: GettyChalobah featured just 13 times in the Premier League last seasonChalobah, 25, has been with Chelsea since he was a young boy and had featured 63 times across two campaigns between 2021 and 2023.But he only started 10 Premier League games last season and now looks set to leave this summer.His departure has grown even more likely following the arrival of Tosin Adarabioyo from Fulham.Yet certain stats from last season show why Chelsea should opt to keep Chalobah.READ MORE ON CHELSEAHe has the best tackle success percentage of any Blues centre-back at 76.47 per cent – 15 higher than second-place Benoit Badiashile.He also did not make a single error that led to the opposition having a shot, while Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Levi Colwill and Tosin all made at least one.However, that is not the complete picture.Other areas show Chalobah’s weaknesses – such as duel success percentage which is the lowest of all five defenders.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHow Chelsea’s centre-backs compare using stats from last seasonHis possessions won – 55 – is also a low stat compared to the 99 of Badiashile given he only played 438 minutes fewer.And above all else his lack of game time – 1277 minutes – shows how far down the pecking order he has fallen.But a 4-1 pre-season defeat to Celtic on Saturday led to some honest words from new manager Maresca – an assessment that could open the door for Chalobah.He said: “Off the ball we need to improve things.”You can see sometimes we confuse when we need to play short and when we need to play a little bit longer but that is part of the process.”We maintained a high line but when the ball is not under pressure, you need to drop… we are still ­confusing some things on the ball and off the ball.”It is normal in this moment when we are trying to do something new.” More

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      Chelsea fans say ‘can we make it the home kit?’ as ‘all-timer’ new away shirt is released

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      CHELSEA have released their away kit for the 2024/25 season and fans love it.The new “guava ice” strip will be worn on their pre-season tour in the USA.Chelsea have released their away kit for the 2024/25 seasonCredit: instagramThe new ‘guava ice’ strip will be worn on their pre-season tour in the USACredit: instagramFans love the new kit asking ‘Can we make it the home kit?’Credit: instagramFans will see the popular orange colour return in the Nike Chelsea 2024-25 away jersey. The shirt is a light beige (“Guava Ice”), combined with a Tangerine orange (“Team Orange”) and blue (“Rush Blue”) on the crest, down the side and around the sleeves.Chelsea says the new away kit complements their new home shirt as it presents “fire and the shared ambition, burning passion and determination of the whole club to succeed both on and off the pitch.” And fans are gutted the Blues are not wearing this as their home kit.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAs one said: “Can we make it the home kit instead? That nonsense pajamas needs to be banished.”Another added: “One of the best shirts we’ve produced in years.”A third then put: “I love this😍😍😍.”While a fourth then said: “How can you pair this all-timer with the worst kit I’ve ever laid eyes on.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea’s home strip is a never-before-seen design with a blue base featuring various swirls of lighter colours that represent a “flame”.And fans did not react too well to the club’s ambitious design.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targetsEnzo Maresca’s side have got off to an underwhelming start in the States drawing their first game to Wrexham and then suffering a 4-1 defeat to Celtic.Chelsea’s next friendly is against Club America in Atlanta, Georgia. The Blues then face Manchester City, Real Madrid and Inter before the first Premier League game of the season against Pep Guardiola’s champions on August 18. More

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      New Aston Villa star Amadou Onana launches new career just days after £50million transfer from Everton

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      ASTON VILLA star signing Amadou Onana has launched a music career just days after his move from Everton.Villa landed Onana, 22, for a club record £50million from the Toffees earlier this month.Aston Villa star signing Amadou Onana has launched a music careerCredit: GettyThe midfielder has turned a lot of heads during the last four years with Hamburg, Lille and the Goodison Park side.But now the Belgian is looking to also break into the world of rap and R&B as 24AM.According to FootNews, Onana has already released his first song on streaming platforms, entitled Check On Me.The ex-Everton star joins an ever-growin list of footballers who have tried to cut their teeth as singers.Read More on FootballAmong them is Holland star and former Manchester United player Memphis Depay.But Onana’s focus will be on Villa this season as he revealed he was convinced to make the move by manager Unai Emery’s exciting project, which will include Champions League football.The defensive midfielder turned down better financial terms from United to pen a five-year-contract with the Villans.Onana said: “I think that’s where I should be [Villa]. For me, Aston Villa is part of the top of English football. The ranking speaks for itself and is significant.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The general public may think that it is not the most glamorous club but it was the best choice for the player I am today. “Aston Villa is a top club. I went where I felt the right ambition and the best project to make me grow. Alan Shearer has Gary Lineker and Match of the Day viewers in hysterics AGAIN as he sings pun on Amadou Onana’s name”I’m just extremely happy to be here. The vibe is good, the mood is good, I’m ready to get to work. They come out of an excellent season with a fourth place. “And you add to that the fact that the environment seemed to me the most conducive to my development and that I will be able to work with Unai Emery, one of the most qualified coaches in the field.”I can learn a lot of things by his side and reach the next level. I have always been very in tune with this objective of constant improvement.”It was the perfect step. Everything has been calculated and analysed, I am where I was supposed to be.” More

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      Chelsea fans say ‘I feel sad watching this’ as they spot what Mount and Jorginho did after Arsenal’s win over Man Utd

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      CHELSEA heroes Jorginho and Mason Mount reunited during Arsenal and Manchester United’s pre-season friendly in the US.And that brought back a strong sense of nostalgia for the Blues’ fans who took an emotional trip down memory lane.Chelsea heroes Mason Mount and Jorginho reunited in the USCredit: https://x.com/TheChelseaForumMount and Jorginho linked up after Manchester United and Arsenal’s friendlyCredit: https://x.com/TheChelseaForumChelsea fans were left feeling emotional after Jorginho and Mount’s reunionCredit: Getty Images – GettyArsenal’s Jorginho and United’s Mount caught up on Saturday at the SoFi Stadium in California during the two teams’ summer tour in the US.The two midfielders looked cheerful as they had a nice friendly chat after the Gunners’ 2-1 victory, which took place shortly after another disappointing performance by Chelsea who lost 4-1 to Celtic.That brought a sense of melancholy for a few Chelsea fans as they remembered them winning trophies at Stamford Bridge, like the Champions League and Fifa Club World Cup, before their unceremonious exits.One supporter tweeted: “I feel sad watching this for some reason.”Read More on ChelseaAnother commented: “Both seem so damn happy bro!”A third quipped: “‘Did you see the Chelsea game earlier?’”This fan said: “They seem delighted by the look of it.”And that one stated: “I miss my guy @mount.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSChelsea academy graduate Mount left Stamford Bridge in 2023 after 18 years with the club where he amassed 33 goals and 35 assists in 195 appearances.The playmaker moved to Premier League rivals United after he felt he was not part of owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s plans.Chelsea stars board flight to California for pre-season tour of USMount told MUTV last year: “Several months ago, it became clear that I wasn’t in Chelsea’s plans moving forward.”Jorginho left Chelsea in January 2023 after five years with the club, which included 29 goals and eight assists in 213 appearances, for rivals Arsenal.The midfielder also departed west London because he was no longer part of first-team plans but was won over by the Gunners’ manager Mikel Arteta as well.Jorginho told DAZN last year: “It’s one of the reasons [Arteta], surely. He called me and it was all very quick, we made the deal in less than 48 hours. “I had spoken to Chelsea and I knew I was no longer part of their plans. I wanted to progress in my career and the Arsenal project suits me.”Sometimes you must accept when you are out of a project and that things come to an end.” More

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      Fans dig up Jack Grealish’s awkward interview about Rihanna after Man City star meets iconic singer in New York

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      JACK GREALISH’S dream came true after meeting iconic singer Rihanna in New York. The billionaire music legend was in the Big Apple to watch Manchester City’s 3-2 pre-season friendly loss to AC Milan. Old Jack Grealish interview at Aston Villa talking about Rihanna, TwitterCredit: TwitterJack Grealish meets Rihanna in New YorkCredit: InstagramAnd after the match, she posed with Grealish, Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah.Grealish made his admiration for Rihanna known after the game – and in fact years before. Fans dug up an old interview during his Aston Villa days where he admitted the chart-topper was a celebrity he’d love to meet. Asked why, Grealish awkwardly said: “Because she’s pretty.” READ MORE ON GREALISHAway from her looks, he also added: “I like her music as well.” Grealish posted a picture of the pair together on Instagram and wrote: “I’ll tell you truth… First time I’ve been star struck in a long while. “(Rihanna) Lovely to meet you after the game yesterday.” Grealish started the game against Milan with Erling Haaland and James McAtee scoring for City.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut a double from Lorenzo Colombo and winner from Marco Nasti separated the sides. Grealish missed out on this summer’s Euros after being omitted from the England squad that made it to the final against Spain. But he did celebrate girlfriend Sasha Attwood becoming pregnant. Rihanna has two sons – RZA and Riot – with rapper ASAP Rocky.But she has not released an album since 2016 with her Fenty beauty line helping shoot her net worth up to £1BILLION.Grealish and Sasha Attwood are expecting their first child togetherCredit: instagram/@sasha__rebecca’Rihanna and Asap Rocky in June 2024Credit: GettyRihanna’s Fenty beauty line has helped her become a billionaireCredit: Instagram/fenti More