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      ‘He’s so famous’ – Pep Guardiola gives blunt nine-word answer when asked about Jack Grealish’s night out at social club

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      PEP GUARDIOLA appears to be growing frustrated with Jack Grealish’s high jinks off the park.The £100million star was pictured in the North East’s North Biddick Social Club on Sunday night clearly enjoying himself.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola appears to be growing frustrated with Jack GrealishMan City star Grealish was pictured in the North East’s North Biddick Social Club on Sunday nightCredit: X @footballbreakzHe is understood to have put at least £500 behind the bar for the locals of the club that describes itself as “Washington’s No 1 entertainment venue”.Last month, he was snapped leaving a swanky London eatery at the same time as a mystery blonde, quipping: “She’s not with me!”Guardiola insists he is happy to let his players lead their own lives when they are off duty.When asked about Grealish’s night out near Sunderland, he acidly replied: “He’s so famous. People follow him. Nothing to comment.”Read More on FootballThe Manchester City boss went on to suggest that being Jack the lad is one thing,  producing performances on the pitch is quite another.Asked about his players’ behaviour when they have time to themselves, he said: “They know what they have to do.“A day off is a day off, there is no training. They have private lives to do whatever they want. I’m not going to control what they do in their private life.“I judge what I see on the pitch, the training sessions and the performances in the game.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSGuardiola’s judgement of Grealish, who turns 30 in September,  in terms of the number of games he is selecting him for, indicates that he is far from entertained.City visit Nottingham Forest on Saturday in a clash crucial to both clubs’ chances of making next season’s Champions League.Man City boss Pep Guardiola apologises to Jack Grealish with England man playing just 604 Premier League minutes Grealish impressed in a central midfield role the last time the sides met on December 4, with City winning 3-0.But reminded of that display, edgy Pep replied: “That was a long time ago.”Since then, Grealish has started only one Premier League game, in a 2–1 defeat against the Aston Villa team he left for City four years ago.Pep did apologise to the Treble winner a month ago for not giving him enough minutes on the pitch, saying  the performances of Jeremy Doku and Savinho had forced his hand.But he also added: “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I play Savinho.“You can say it’s unfair. If you think that, it’s fine, but you have to prove, ‘OK, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”Sympathy fadingAny lingering sympathy Guardiola still had for Grealish appears to be fading.And he stressed: “I wanted Jack at his best. But he had setbacks and didn’t play. “That was sometimes for the injuries, he could not get the rhythm that you need for being ready every three days.”Grealish did start in last Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win over Plymouth but as part of an eleven–change team.But while Guardiola says he is fit to face Forest after seven days without a game, he is far from guaranteed a start.Grealish’s dip in form this season — he has only two goals in 26 appearances — means he is sweating on being selected for Thomas Tuchel’s start as England manager.Grealish wants England returnHis first squad will be announced on Thursday for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.Guardiola said: “I want the best not just for Jack but for everyone.“Jack played really good the last game and hopefully he can have the consistency and I understand all the frustrations of all my players.“It’s so good to have a dream to play in the World Cup with his national team. I’m not bothered with that.READ MORE SUN STORIES“What happens in terms of Jack, in terms of everyone, they will be treated at the end of the season but now we are playing for many important things.”Meanwhile, Guardiola confirmed defender Nathan Ake will miss the rest of the season after foot surgery and now faces a race against time to be fit for this summer’s Club World Cup. More

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      ‘Normally a bottle of red wine down by then’ – David Moyes hints he’s not happy with unusual Everton kick-off time

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      DAVID MOYES has revealed that Everton’s late kick-off against Wolves might throw a spanner into his Saturday night routine.The Moyesiah worries Everton’s 8pm trip to the West Midlands might throw havoc into his down time.Everton manager David Moyes gave a quick-witted response to Everton’s unusual kick-off timeWolves host Everton at 8pm on Saturday due to broadcasting reasons.The Prem clash was selected for TV broadcast by TNT Sports.TNT will also show Nottingham Forest’s home clash against Manchester City during their usual 12:30pm Saturday slot.Still, Everton are set for 8pm because Sky Sports have the 5:30pm spot on weekends, and they are showing Brentford vs Aston Villa.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut Moyes hinted that he’s far from happy with the strange late kick-off.On playing at 8pm, Moyes said: “I’m normally a bottle of red wine down by that time on a Saturday! “If you’re a traditionalist then you probably don’t see 8pm on a Saturday night as a good kick-off time.”But it’s the way it’s going and I think football clubs are signing up to it due to the money that is coming in from the broadcasters. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”We have to go with it even if it will ruin some people’s Saturday night out.”Moyes is known for his love of a good glass of red, as he’s frequently recalled enjoying a bottle with Sir Alex Ferguson from time-to-time.Everton boss David Moyes gives his reaction to disallowed penalty against Man Utd TNT have 52 live Premier League matches this season.After deciding against selecting certain games in recent weeks, TNT have some extra slots for the remainder of the campaign.At the time of selection, Wolves vs Everton looked to be potentially important in the relegation battle.However, since then, both sides have pulled away from the bottom three, with Everton 15 points clear and ten above Wolves.Wolves will be without top scorer Matheus Cunha for at least the next three matches.The Brazilian will start the first game of his suspension following his red card against Bournemouth in Wolves’ FA Cup defeat last weekend. It is alleged Cunha “acted in an improper manner” after he was sent off for clashing with Cherries defender Milos Kerkez in the final minute of extra time.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 25-year-old lashed out at Kerkez three times – fighting and kicking out at him before aiming a headbutt when the Hungary full-back got back to his feet.Meanwhile, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure returns after missing the Brentford draw due to the birth of his son. More

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      ‘For the better? I don’t know’ – Match of the Day legend, 87, ‘surprised’ by BBC’s Gary Lineker replacements

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      BARRY DAVIES made his name talking about the stars – he never dreamt he would be joining them.The commentating great has become the first from his trade to be inducted into the National Football Museum hall of fame.Gary Lineker will leave Match of the Day at the end of the seasonCredit: PAThe Beeb have replaced hom with Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman and Gabby LoganCredit: BBCIconic MOTD commentator Barry Davies has been left surprised by the decisionCredit: PAA day in his company and it is not long before it is clear that being pipped to few too many FA Cup finals by John Motson still grinds.But Davies, 87, now has an honour no other broadcaster can boast.Davies, sitting in his London home surrounded by a number of accolades from his career, cannot hold back a smile when he is asked how it all happened.He told SunSport: “Flabbergasted I was, absolutely.”I couldn’t believe it. When I looked at the list of people who are already members, it’s extraordinary.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I heard through my son who really sort of looks after me like an agent these days.”And better than at least one of the agents that I had in my time, I might have got more Cup finals if he’d been there in the role!”Key Barry Davies MomentsFIRST GAME: August 9, 1969 – Crystal Palace 2-2 Manchester United Davies made his Match of the Day debut nearly 56 years ago from the gantry at Selhurst Park – though it never should have been that way.He said: “It’s extraordinary. It shouldn’t have been the first one.”I was in Leeds. It should have been Leeds against Tottenham which I thought was quite amusing as a Spurs supporter.”I knew quite a lot about Manchester United and had commentated on them several times.”But Crystal Palace had just been promoted and we didn’t do matches outside the top division. So that was a test and it was a good match.”LAST GAME: August 23, 2014 – Crystal Palace 1-3 West Ham A decade after he officially left Match of the Day, Davies was called back into action to celebrate the 50th anniversary.That game was the final in an incredible career covering football, with one clear highlight.Davies said: “If I could watch England playing Holland in Euro 96, which I think is the best England performance I’ve ever seen, I would love to see that again.”Euro 96 was my favourite tournament by a distance. They should have been in the final.”I don’t know how we didn’t get there. It was amazing. I used the expression, I don’t believe that.”Davies added: “I have no idea why the decision was made.”I did two, and I took over David Coleman’s interview role for quite a time.Most read in Football’Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce'”I didn’t hold anything against anybody who was involved in the decision.”Davies may have had to play second fiddle at Wembley, but his voice still accompanies a great many iconic moments from sporting history – not just football.That variety made him the best in the game, but presented the odd challenge.Davies and his wife, Penny, recently totted-up that there were 17 different sports he put his voice to, with some of them requiring a fair bit of swatting up.He said: “I was asked to be involved with badminton. I learnt about that as I went on.”I did rather reach the stage where I hoped when I turned up that they would say, ‘Oh not him again!’ But they never did.”I usually got persuaded to do other sports, I mean the Olympics I went from hockey to gymnastics.”But I loved that. I just loved sitting in the chair.”Davies now sits in a rather different chair, in his living room, still consuming plenty of sport.Though he feels there is probably a bit too much football nowadays and certainly too much talking over it.He added: “The television over there gets well looked after.”I would say it’s all a bit too much.Barry Davies began working for the BBC all the way back in 1969Credit: NEWS GROUP NEWSPAPERS LTDBarry Davies was pipped to several FA Cup finals by fellow icon John MotsonCredit: PADavies covered several World Cups for the BeebCredit: PA”I think your man in the street would say the same. He wants to see his team, of course.”But it has changed an awful lot.”I don’t like some of the tackling, that’s certainly going through a bad stage. And the acting. I find that very off-putting.”There are one or two very good commentators around, but too many in the chair at a match, in my opinion.”The viewer wants time to make his own decisions.”If we’re sitting down and watching a match on television there probably will be a couple of points where you’ll make a point or I’ll make a point.”But if we both keep doing it, I would say shut up for a minute. That is my attitude of watching now.”There are too many words. There are good commentators but it’s not their fault, it’s the producer’s fault.”It’s the decision that they think that’s the way it should be done. I don’t think I would have kept a job very long.”Despite not liking the way football has gone since the start of his career with Match of the Day in 1969, Davies can still find some gems.Barry Davies opened up about his iconic career in an exclusive interview with SunSport’s Jack RosserCredit: THE SUNDavies is extremely proud of his accomplishmentsCredit: THE SUNHaving grown up a Tottenham fan with goalkeeper Ted Ditchling his idol, before adoring any chance to commentate on Glenn Hoddle, there is one current player Davies would like to see join him in the hall of fame.He said: “The chap I enjoy watching most of all is Jack Grealish of Manchester City.”I’m very disappointed how things have worked out for him.”Obviously, his manager is considered to be the top in the land, if not in the world.”But Grealish is the sort of player you have to put in and let him play and offer what he can offer.”Sticking him out on the wing I find appalling.”Their last match on the air, I remember, every flipping attack City had in that match started from him.”His ability to see where to go and so on and so forth.”But if he’s being told, you do this, that and the other, I think some players have to be left.”And too many attacks have to go back to the goalkeeper to start again.”The number of passes going back in football now is so different. I don’t quite understand it, I must admit.”One thing Davies does have a deep understanding of is Match of the Day, having started working on the show in 1969 and ending in 2004 before being called back for one more gig in 2014.Huge changes are being made to the BBC’s flagship sports show, with Gary Lineker departing after 25 years to be replaced by Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates and Mark Chapman.Davies said: “I’m surprised at the decision that’s been made.”But then I’m quite surprised at the jobs that are given to various people these days, and the need apparently to use people.Barry Davies will be inducted to the National Football Museum Hall of FameCredit: THE SUN”They’re very good broadcasters, but I’m surprised that they think it’s better to have three people doing it.”Gary himself would feel that he’s done long enough.”They’re all very good broadcasters, and they know about the games, no doubt about that.”It should go on forever. Because it’s very popular, it’s recorded matches, some of the matches I’ve been watching these days are much better recorded!”I’m sure, as sure as I can be, television has changed and football has changed.”For the better? I don’t know, no.”Davies will be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame at Selhurst Park on Saturday, with his family watching from the stands.Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum, said: “Barry Davies is a true legend of the game.”His commentary has provided the soundtrack to some of football’s greatest moments and has brought joy to millions of fans.”To honour his incredible contribution to the sport at a venue that means so much to him is truly special.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We’re thrilled to celebrate Barry’s legacy at Selhurst Park and soon welcome him into the Hall of Fame.” The application window for the Hall of Fame is open, and football fans, communities, and clubs across the country are encouraged to nominate the players, coaches, contributors and key figures in football who have made an extraordinary impact on the game. You can find the form at: nationalfootballmuseum.com/hall-of-fame. More

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      ‘They wear you down’ – Romelu Lukaku reveals lengths Chelsea went to to get rid of him

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      ROMELU LUKAKU has opened up about his Chelsea departure, admitting he was completely frozen out of the squad.The 31-year-old joined Chelsea in a huge £97.5million transfer from Inter Milan back in 2021 – seven years after initially leaving Stamford Bridge.Romelu Lukaku has opened up about his Chelsea exitCredit: GettyThe striker now plays for Napoli having completed a permanent move last summerCredit: ReutersAfter a promising start, his form began to drop and Lukaku quickly fell out of favour as a result of a bombshell interview whereby he revealed he was unhappy.He was subsequently sent out on two successive loan spells before completing a permanent transfer to Napoli for £38m.Now, seven months on from his exit, Lukaku has opened up about what happened in his final months in West London.The Belgium international told Corriere dello Sport: “I wasn’t alone at Chelsea. Aubameyang and Ziyech were also out of the project. Read More in Football”They made us change in the youth locker room. It’s business, the club tells you it doesn’t want you anymore and often also where you’ll end up.”But if you want to leave, even for serious reasons, you don’t have the option. They drag it out until the last moment, they wear you down. “Clubs have relationships with the media, and it doesn’t take much to put a player in a difficult position or create the wrong image. “Believe me, I’ve seen things I never thought I would. One day, I’d like to explain all of this to younger players, who is really working for them and who is working against them.”Most read in FootballThe striker also claimed that he was misinterpreted by fans and pundits during his time at Stamford Bridge.He continued: “In England they had the wrong idea. For them I was lazy, but I never reacted to the attacks.Conference League last 16 draw sees Chelsea face Copenhagen “I am someone who does his job and then goes home. “In Italy the opinion has been reversed, here I am a worker. Now I am better than when I was at Inter.”Lukaku has scored nine goals and provided eight assists in 27 appearances for Napoli so far this season. More

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      Arsenal files: Update on Raheem Sterling’s future after impressing coaches and historic North London derby on the cards

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      RAHEEM STERLING joined Arsenal on loan with the hope of getting more minutes under his belt and lifting his confidence.However, it hasn’t quite worked out that way.Raheem Sterling has had limited minutes at Arsenal this seasonCredit: GettyHaving fallen out of favour at Chelsea, the winger was looking for a new challenge to get his smile back.But with limited minutes to his name, Sterling could leave the Emirates feeling disappointed.In this weeks edition of Arsenal Files, Jordan Davies looks at Sterling’s time at the club as well as Ethan Nwaneri’s influence and potential pre-season tour plans.STERLING’S LACK OF CHANCESMore than anything, Sterling was desperate to build a real bond with the Arsenal fans when he joined on Deadline Day last summer, excited to start over after falling out of favour with Chelsea’s ownership.A player in much need of love and support, the Emirates could have been the perfect fit.Sterling has started just nine games so far this seasonCredit: GettyThe forward is yet to score in the Premier League this seasonUnfortunately, seven months into the season, it feels like he will never feel it – purely because he has had very few chances to build any momentum to leave a lasting impression on the Gunners supporters.The call to switch from West to North London was a late one, and so the expectations of what Sterling was going to achieve had to be rational and realistic.A unique opportunity presented itself that Sterling took with open arms, especially because the alternative was sitting in the reserves with Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca wanting a different profile of winger, or going to the Middle East – something that was never a considerationAt 30 years old, Sterling knew what his role would be under Mikel Arteta – a man he grew to respect and admire when working under him at Manchester City as an assistant under Pep Guardiola.It was not about being the main man, the hero – a title he earned during an impressive seven-year stint at City that saw him lift four Prem titles and score 131 goals in 339 appearances.Mikel Arteta makes light of Arsenal goal rush after PSV thrashing At Arsenal, it was more about being a valuable asset to an already talented squad, using that winning mentality to help Arsenal go on to do the same.And in many aspects, off the pitch in particular, he has executed that part as well as anyone.SunSport understands that he is highly rated and respected by the coaching staff purely for his professionalism and work rate in training, setting standards high.He has worked tirelessly to be a mentor for the young players coming through like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly – a real calming influence in what is a pressurised, cut-throat environment.He has been a likeable and happy presence around London Colney, building a real rapport with staff, thanks partly to his son being in the academy set-up there and loving life in London.He has a great and honest relationship with Arteta.He has never felt frozen out like he did at Chelsea, even when chances have not been presented to him – which is where the real issue lies.Sterling never expected to start every week, but there is a recognition that had he been given more time to prove his worth, to build his confidence, Arsenal would be reaping more rewards, especially given their injury concerns now.He has started just two games back-to-back this term, in October at home to Southampton and then away at Bournemouth – subbed off in the first half of the latter in a 2-0 defeat after William Saliba’s early red card.From November 2 to January 12, he started just once – a 3-2 Carabao Cup victory against Crystal Palace – albeit with two weeks out during that period due to a minor knee issue.Since then, opportunities have been rare. In one of just TWO games where he has played the full 90 minutes so far this season, he put in a promising performance in a 2-1 Champions League win at Girona on January 29, seeing a late penalty saved.After a challenging display in the 2-0 Prem victory at Leicester on February 15, Arteta told reporters that Sterling needed to have a “big impact” on games with Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli all out injured.Sterling has been a mentor for young players like Ethan NwaneriCredit: APAnd yet, in the next three matches, he was given a combined 41 minutes from the bench to do so.Critics will say that one goal in 22 appearances is nowhere near good enough, but you can’t do much when you are consistently on the bench, thrown on as an impact sub looking to see out a game.This is down partly to Arteta’s stubbornness as a coach, very rarely rotating even when he has an opportunity to do so – yet that could change for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against PSV next week with a comfortable 7-1 advantage.The latter stages of that competition is where Sterling has historically shown up in his career, with eight goals in the knockouts, something Arteta should take into account.Fellow Englishman Harry Kane has only recently overtaken that tally, scoring his ninth this week for Bayern Munich.So, where does his future lie? SunSport understands that Sterling remains incredibly calm and focused on the present, knowing there are still plenty of games left this season to make his mark.No conversation between club and player regarding his future has taken place just yet, nor has Chelsea been engaged.Perhaps he will only be recognised fully for his achievements for club and country – winning 82 caps for England – once he hangs up his boots, yet Sterling is far from contemplating that just yet.BAGS PACKEDArsenal’s players were filmed boarding the plane for Eindhoven on Monday afternoon following a light training session at London Colney.It is a familiar scene on Prem club social media platforms ahead of a European trip – footballers all smiles strolling across the tarmac, usually clutching a shiny leather holdall or travel bag.Riccardo Calafiori was seen boarding a flight to Eindhoven with an Arsenal-branded bag earlier this weekCredit: Instagram / arsenalThe bag is valued at £90 on Arsenal’s websiteCredit: arsenaldirect.arsenal.comSome of these bags are eye watering in price. In the clip, Brazilian defender Gabriel’s appears to be a carrying a brown Louis Vuitton bag that usually costs around £2k.And yet, when the camera flicks to Italian Riccardo Calafiori, he has – slumped over his right shoulder – an Arsenal-branded bag from the club retail shop costing just £90.SunSport understands that Calafiori sometimes opts to use club retail range luggage on match days instead of a more luxurious personalised one.It appears to be doing the trick, the full-back scoring the seventh of Arsenal’s record-breaking 7-1 win over PSV – popping up on the right wing with an Erling Haaland-style finish.With a Champions League quarter final spot all-but confirmed, Calafiori should be getting some more use out of that bag in the coming weeks.ASIA SUMMER PLANSArsenal are putting together their pre-season plans, with a switch from the United States to Asia this summer potentially on the cards. Hong Kong is an option.Last year, the Gunners played Bournemouth and Manchester United in Los Angeles and Liverpool in Philadelphia across seven days in late July.The Gunners could jet to Asia this summer for a pre-season tourCredit: GettyThe Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong could host a matchCredit: APBut the staging of the upcoming Club World Cup in the USA from June 14 to July 13 across 11 host cities has complicated another trip across the pond.There are suggestions Asia could now play host to the first ever North London Derby outside of the UK with Tottenham likely to be in that area with Aussie boss Ange Postecoglou.One of the venues that could hold the match is the newly-developed Kai Tak Sports Park – the 50,000 capacity stadium with a customisable pitch system and retractable roof was only opened on March 1.And a spokesperson from the Hong Kong government has exclusively told SunSport: “We are in active discussion to bring world-class football matches to be staged at the new Kai Tak Stadium. Details will be announced in due course.”Arsenal’s last pre-season in Asia was in the summer of 2018 – Unai Emery’s first months in charge after replacing Arsene Wenger – where they played Atletico Madrid and PSG in Singapore.WAYNE’S WORLDEthan Nwaneri is growing into his role as one of the Prem’s most exciting young players, scoring his eighth goal of the season in all competitions away in Eindhoven.He is now just one behind matching Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen’s record of netting nine senior goals before turning 18.Nwaneri is on the verge of matching a record held by Wayne Rooney and Michael OwenCredit: GettySeventeen-year-old Nwaneri has 14 days to go and beat that before his birthday on March 21.Rooney – the Manchester United and England great – was a pundit for Amazon at the Philips Stadion to watch Nwaneri find the net in the 7-1 thumping of PSV, and was very impressed.But how do the pair compare? There is a pleasing symmetry in terms of their first senior goals – both scoring twice in a League Cup tie.Rooney got his for Everton away at Wrexham in a 3-0 win in October 2002. Nwaneri bagged his brace in September 2024 in a 5-1 victory at home to Bolton.Where Nwaneri perhaps has the edge is that Rooney’s other seven came solely in Prem games – home and away against Arsenal as well as the likes of Leeds and Newcastle.Nwaneri meanwhile has strutted his stuff in the Champions League already, scoring against PSV and also Girona in January.Rooney would likely argue that he was scoring against the reigning Prem champions Arsenal in October 2002 when he was still only 16.Owen perhaps was on another level entirely, scoring a hat-trick against Grimsby in the League Cup in November 1997 as part of his nine, going on to share the Prem Golden Boot with Dion Dublin and Chris Sutton with 18 goals as well as the Prem Player of the Season.How fitting would it be if Nwaneri scores his ninth goal to equal the record at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday – the place where Rooney become a global superstar.Also, both Rooney and Owen had their breakthroughs a year before going to light up a major tournament for England at Euro 2004 and the 1998 World Cup respectively.Will Nwaneri do enough to get his chance under Thomas Tuchel in 2026? 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      How Chelsea boss Maresca convinced Van Nistelrooy to take Leicester job before watching pal’s horror run

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      ENZO MARESCA gave Ruud van Nistelrooy the Leicester lowdown and convinced his mate it was the right job.And Chelsea’s boss believes it is still a good gig even though his pal has won only two Premier League matches since taking over in December.Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has lifted the lid on his time at LeicesterCredit: GettyThe ace convinced pal Ruud van Nistelrooy to take charge at the King Power StadiumCredit: RexMaresca guided The Foxes to last season’s Championship title but they are now in freefall straight back out of the top flight. The Italian bids to further hammer his old club and Van Nistelrooy on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.Maresca said: “Ruud is a friend of mine. We played together and then after we have been in contact.“When Leicester called, he thought to call me and we had a chat. I said to him that Leicester is a fantastic club run by fantastic people.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“I have said many times, I’m 30 years in football and it was probably the best people in football that I’d met. So I told him many good, positive things about Leicester.”Maresca and Van Nistelrooy briefly shared a dressing room while playing for Spanish side Malaga but will be in opposing dugouts on Sunday afternoon.City are desperate for points having taken only three points this calendar year.Maresca remains close to Van Nistelrooy’s players, too. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey even posted a picture of a banner declaring ‘Enzo we miss you’ during their Christmas party.The Italian said: “The only thing I can say is that I try to create a relationship with players where at the end, I feel very close to them and they probably feel very close to me.Chelsea legend John Terry goes on 5k run in preparation for London Marathon “This is probably the only reason. I still speak with many of Leicester’s players because we had a fantastic season last year and I’m very close to some of them.“I’ve been in football for more than 30 years. You struggle to find people so, so, so nice, that they care about the family, about the kids, about everything. They are fantastic.“But the most important thing, let me say, is that we need our fans on Sunday – 95 minutes, 100 minutes, we need to win the game. That is the most important thing.“At this moment, I’m focused on us. Now I’m here, I’m just thinking about us, how we can improve and then it’s more for Ruud, for the sporting director, for the owner to find a solution.”Leicester can expect no favours nor an easy approach with squad rotation.Key midfielder Moises Caicedo is one booking away from a two-game ban and Chelsea have arguably tougher matches looming against London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.But Maresca will not consider resting his tough tackling £115million star.He said: “At this moment for us, it’s about winning games. We need to win games, so we cannot plan on giving Moi a rest thinking that he can play against Arsenal.“We need to win against Leicester and then we need to focus on how we can beat Arsenal. It’s just game by game and we need our best players on the pitch.“The position of Moises, if you see his background, last year he had 11-12 yellow cards, the year before the same, because he’s a midfielder. You are in the traffic. Sometimes you have to make some fouls. It’s normal.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Hopefully, he can avoid that until the end, knowing that probably it’s difficult, but the good thing is that we also have Romeo Lavia now, he’s started with us already. “He can be back. We need to be ready. Reece James can be a midfielder too so we’ll see.” More

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      I’m Cole Palmer’s and other England stars’ barber – Premier League captain comes in EVERY week to have his hair cut

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      FOOTBALLERS need to be sharp.And that is why haircuts are so important.Joe and Huw run Kings Cuts in EpsomCredit: SunSportThe barbers boast a load of Premier League footballers as customers including Declan RiceCredit: @kingscutsltdTheir pranks with clients including Cole Palmer have gone viralCredit: @kingscutsltdSo it is no wonder Kings Cuts in Epsom – just a 20-minute drive from Chelsea’s Cobham training ground – are trusted to deliver the trims for some of the Premier League’s top stars.Founders Joe and Huw have a whole host of big names among their regular clients – including England stars Cole Palmer and Declan Rice.Plenty of players with Chelsea connections also get their hair cut at Kings Cuts.A fair chunk of the Fulham squad do, too, given the barber shop is only three miles from the Cottagers’ training ground.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat is partly because club captain Tom Cairney recommends the hairdressers to new signings, having been a loyal customer for a decade.Huw told SunSport’s Football Fixers YouTube show: “We’ve got players from non-league to Sunday League to Premier League to Champions League.”Tom Cairney is probably my longest customer, Declan Rice as well was probably around the same time.”Cole Palmer for the last couple of years since he’s been at Chelsea, Jamal Musiala is a good one but he’s obviously in Germany so he’ll come in whenever he’s in England.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I’ve done Levi Colwill since he was young and still do Tino Livramento when he can pop in.”Joe does Billy Gilmour but he’s at Napoli now so he flies out to Italy every now and then.How Ruben Amorim will prove Wayne Rooney wrong despite FA Cup loss to Fulham”With doing Tom nearly ten-plus years, that’s brought through a lot of other Fulham players.”Being club captain, people turn to him for advice on haircuts if they are new to the area.”And the fact that he does have very good hair does help.”When asked how often he swings by Kings Cuts for a fresh fade, Cairney revealed: “Once a week. Is that bad?”I think it’s quite normal these days. “I’ve never had a bad haircut. He can do it in about four minutes. Rapid.”Huw is so trusted among his celebrity customers that Rice even managed to get him into an England set-up to provide haircuts for the Three Lions team.He added: “When I got invited into the England camp, that was a pinch-me moment.”You go in and spot X, Y, Z… yeah this is a bit mental. “Dec’s told a few of the boys at England I can be trusted which is a nice feeling.”Kings Cuts’ footballer customersCole PalmerDeclan RiceJamal MusialaLevi ColwillMarc GuiuBilly GilmourTino AnjorinTino LivramentoTom CairneyAntonee RobinsonHarrison ReedShane DuffyJoe BryanConnor WickhamJamie CummingRyan TafazolliBut the hairdressers have made the most of that trust by playing some pranks on the footballers in their Surrey store. Many of the hilarious videos have gone viral on TikTok, none more so than when they tried to put a “Baby It’s Cole Outside” Christmas jumper on Palmer, which has racked up more than 12million views.And the Kings Cuts jokers performed another trick in front of the SunSport cameras when Cairney came in – bringing out a pair of giant scissors midway through the trim. Cutting the hair of Premier League footballers is not always plain sailing, though.Tom Cairney swings by every week for his fresh fadeCredit: SunSportJoe revealed: “My experience with footballers, they don’t plan their haircuts at all.”Whether they’ve got a game or training or a bit of spare time, they’ll just ask you an hour before.”You always make room for them somewhere. There’s always after work or after hours or you might have a little gap where you can [squeeze them in]”.But the extra attention – and custom – from the high-profile clients means business is thriving for Kings Cuts.And the future is very bright indeed.Huw concluded: “I think our plan is just to grow as a business, just to keep building one step at a time. There’s no rush or pressure.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Once we’ve maxed out here, potentially opening a new shop, building on social media, building on more footballers, but not just footballers, just to grow as a business.”With their warm personalities, willingness to have a laugh and top-quality trims for some of the best footballers in the land, it is clear to see why Joe and Huw are a cut above the rest…The jokers pretended to use giant scissors to cut his hairCredit: SunSportThere are a load of signed framed shirts on the wallCredit: SunSportLevi Colwill gets his hair cut by Huw just 20 minutes from the Cobham training groundCredit: @kingscutsltdRice invited him into the England camp to trim up the Three Lions squadCredit: @kingscutsltd More

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      in Soccer

      Premier League club to open £300million new stand within months and will be bigger than Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium

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      MANCHESTER CITY officials are aiming to open the expanded Etihad Stadium North Stand next January, according to reports.The reigning Premier League champions previously revealed that the new-look stand would open at some point during the 2025-26 season.Man City are currently in the process of expanding the North StandCredit: APCity have invested £300m in the developmentCredit: APBut, as per the Forever Blue podcast, City’s managing director of operations, Danny Wilson, has earmarked January 2026 as the main target should everything go as planned.Man City’s £300million development is set to turn the Etihad Stadium into a 61,470-seater venue.The Prem giants aim to deliver one of the best matchday experiences in world sport.Club officials also want to create an elite entertainment destination for supporters and visitors.Read More in FootballThe renovation of the North Stand will see a Sky Bar introduced, which is set to have premium seating for 450 fans.As well as development inside the ground, there’s a host of new areas being created in the renovations.The Cityzens are building a new fanzone, club museum, City Store, and a huge 400-bed hotel.However, those developments are not expected to be completed until late 2026.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCity’s Director of Infrastructure and Development, Ed Dalton, said: “Work is progressing at pace.”The project is split into four different sections.Premier League club reach new milestone in £300m stadium expansion with special ‘bolt-on’ project set to boost capacity “We have the North Stand development, the hotel, a commercial wing, and the covered fan zone from City Square.”Over the summer and winter months, we’ve completed all ground works.”We did as much work as we could during the close season to minimise disruption to fans.” More