Premier League

HARRY KANE was overshadowed while at Arsenal’s academy by Benik Afobe and Chuks Aneke.The England captain had a rocky road to stardom that included being released by the Gunners at the age of nine.Harry Kane was outshone by Benik Afobe and Chuba Akpom while in the Arsenal academyCredit: GettyBenik Afobe played for Millwall, Wolves and BournemouthCredit: GettyChuks Aneke made one Arsenal appearance before a career in the lower leaguesCredit: GettyKane played alongside Afobe and Aneke at ArsenalThat decision was made as Arsenal felt they had brighter prospects in their academy ranks – prolific strikers so good Kane barely got a look in.Afobe and Aneke were two such players, outshining Kane thanks to their athleticism and eye for goal.Academy coach Dan Buck coached the trio at Hale End and he revealed Kane was often overlooked for matches in favour of Afobe and Aneke.He told The Athletic: “On Saturday mornings, I’d do a session with the under-nines who weren’t selected for the matches on Sundays, and Harry ended up being with that squad a lot more than he would’ve liked.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“Benik and Chuks would rock up on a Sunday and score about seven each, and poor Harry would get five minutes.”Aneke, 30, rose through the Arsenal academy ranks and ended up making one first-team appearance for the club.He is now at League One Charlton after an injury-hit career which has seen him play for Birmingham, MK Dons, Crewe and Belgian side Zulte Waregem.While Afobe, 31, has also forged a successful career, though failed to feature for Arsenal and left the club aged 22.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHe now plays his trade for UAE outfit Al Dhafra, having also spent time at Wolves, Bournemouth, Millwall and Stoke.Meanwhile Kane has broken several records in his career including becoming England and Tottenham’s highest-ever goalscorer.I slide tackled Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry on my Arsenal trial – I couldn’t believe manager’s reaction More

ERIC DIER has lifted the lid on his final days under Ange Postecoglou, claiming his former Tottenham boss does NO tactical work in training.Dier, 30, was the main victim of Postecoglou’s arrival in north London last summer, having been a first-term regular for the previous nine years.Bayern Munich star Eric Dier has lifted the lid on his final days at TottenhamCredit: GettyDier claims Ange Postcoglou does no tactical work during training sessions at SpursCredit: AlamyHe made just four appearances under Tottenham’s new Australian coach before securing a shock loan move to Bayern Munich in January.Dier’s since featured 11 times under ex-Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, with his deal becoming permanent last month.And the 49-time England international looks set to start in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final clash against Spurs’ rivals Arsenal.Dier has worked under some of football’s top names during his career, including Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he claims Postecoglou is the least tactically-focused boss he’s had, admitting he preferred Conte’s sessions.Dier told Gary Neville on the Overlap: “No, interestingly he doesn’t really do any tactical work.“What he does is, every single training drill from Monday to Friday is drawn up to represent the way he wants to play.“Conte, I could do it blind, but that was a lot of tactical work, ten versus zero, walkthroughs.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER“You were so well drilled, it would be engrained in you.”Reflecting on his time under Conte, Dier noted: “Antonio was probably the manager I played my best football under and aside from a manager, I really liked him as a man, he was a very honest and kind man. Eric Dier’s emotional goodbye to Tottenham fans after agreeing Bayern Munich switch'”I remember his meetings were just incredible, the intensity he would bring to his meetings and the intensity he would bring to training every day, himself, I thought was just incredible. “Ange, I really enjoyed those six months, apart from not playing at all. I really enjoyed the style of play, the style of training, I think he has fantastic coaches, and his team talks were great.”Dier also admitted he should have left Tottenham last summer following the arrival of replacement Mickey van de Ven.Dier, who was replaced by Radu Dragusin in January, added: “It was time for me to leave Tottenham at the time I did. It was probably six months too late if we’re being honest.“I had a fantastic time at Spurs and I left amicably which is something I hope to do in my life generally.“I had a very good relationship with the club the whole time I was there, but it was the natural conclusion for me.”Eric Dier was speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky BetEric Dier’s career statsThose numbers in full:

Sporting Lisbon, 2012-2014: 31 games, 1 goal

Tottenham, 2014-2024: 365 games, 13 goals

Bayern Munich, 2024: 11 games, 0 goals

England, 2015-2022: 49 games, 3 goals More

ERIC DIER has admitted that he has “lots of regrets” and wishes that he had “done more” for Dele Alli.Dier and Alli forged a close friendship during their time at Tottenham together.Eric Dier spoke about his friendship with Dele Alli in a conversation with Gary NevilleDele Alli opened up about his childhood during an emotional interview last summerDele and Dier became close friends during their time at TottenhamCredit: Getty Images – GettyAlli joined up with Spurs in 2015, a year after Dier signed from Sporting Lisbon.The duo played together for six-and-a-half years, before Alli left for Everton in January 2022.Last summer the former England star, 27, made a series of heartbreaking revelations while chatting with Gary Neville.They included being sexually abused by a friend of his mum aged six.READ MORE DELEIn addition to dealing drugs from the age of eight, and entering rehab for six weeks last year after becoming addicted to sleeping pills.Last summer a tearful Dier, 30, revealed his anguish at what his close pal had been though.Now appearing on The Overlap, presented by Sky Bet, Dier said of Alli’s interview last summer: “It’s difficult for me to talk about Dele.”I speak to him all the time, every week, obviously it was just very difficult to watch.Most read in Football”I don’t know if I’ve ever seen the whole video, I’ve seen bits of it but it’s difficult for me to watch, he said some nice things about me, but it works both ways – he’s also been a great friend to me.”It annoys me a little because people after that interview would talk to me, but he’s been a great friend to me as well – Dele is a special person.Everton star Dele Alli reveals he was ‘sexually abused when he was six by friend of his mum’”I remember, I was getting married and knew that he was in America, in rehab, and I spoke to him a few times and said that there would be no problem if he couldn’t come and he was almost insulted, he came and was there for me – that’s the type of friend he’s been to me. “I’m disappointed that I didn’t do more, in many situations that I look back on I wasn’t aware of the full picture and there’s a lot of things – I was that annoying older person, I would always be on his case so he would hide things from me.”Or tell me something but give just 20 per cent of it – I have a lot of regrets and there were certain times that I wish I did more.”Alli and Dier both represented England at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.While the latter also made the Three Lions’ squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.Alli scored 67 goals in 269 appearances for Tottenham before joining Everton two years ago.He has played 13 times for the Toffees in what’s been an injury-plagued spell at Goodison Park.Last season he made 15 appearances for Besiktas during a loan spell, scoring three goals, but returned after suffering with a serious thigh injury.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe is yet to feature for Everton this season, with his contract set to expire this summer.Dier, meanwhile, left Spurs in January after nine-and-a-half years in North London, reuniting with Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.Dier and Alli played together at Tottenham between 2015 and 2022Credit: Rex More

ERIK TEN HAG insists he is still the right man to take Manchester United forward.The Dutchman believes he can recapture their former glories, despite escaping for the second time in a row what could have been humiliation by Liverpool at the weekend.Willy Kambwala wants to become a rock at the back for Manchester UnitedCredit: AlamyHowever, Erik ten Hag might not be United boss long enough to see it happenCredit: GettyAnd teen Willy Kambwala revealed his “passion” is to become a rock at the heart of United’s defence after making just his second start of the season against their bitter rivals.United trailed 1-0 at half-time on Sunday but fought back to take a 2-1 lead before Mo Salah’s 84th-minute equaliser from the penalty spot.Ten Hag was pleased with the second-half performance, declaring it “another signal and message for the future,” before adding, “the team and squad have high potential.”Yet the Old Trafford chief sounds more and more like he has his finger stuck in a leaky dyke and does not think it is going to hold.READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSComeback or not, United still threw away a lead for the third time in eight days following their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea and 1-1 draw with Brentford — both deep into injury time.The gulf between Ten Hag’s side and a Champions League place is as wide as the North Sea.And his body language suggests he expects to be crossing it to go back to Holland with his P45 this summer.Players, even under-performing ones like most of Ten Hag’s desperately dysfunctional bunch, do not take kindly to being called “stupid”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERYet that is exactly how he described them for chucking away seven points, allowing Brentford to equalise in  the first of those games before the  collapse at Chelsea, which was thanks to goals in the 100th and 101st minutes from Cole Palmer.There was a pleading reminder that injuries to defenders have consistently undermined results, pointing out he had been forced into 27 rearguard changes this season.Scott McTominay reveals two strict rules implemented by Erik ten Hag at Man UtdTen Hag said: “When we get players back we will be better. The future will be very good.”Even if he really does want to stay at Old Trafford, it is doubtful Sir Jim Ratcliffe will let him.More likely the Red Devils’ billionaire new part-owner will have heard Jurgen Klopp’s throwaway line after his latest visit to the Theatre of Dreams.His assessment of United was no doubt laced with bitterness, having left in frustration again following last month’s 4-3 FA Cup defeat — when United nicked victory from the jaws of defeat in extra-time.Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United…
Asked if he would be supporting them when they host title rivals Arsenal on May 11, the German gruffly declared if United play like they did against his side, he was “100 per cent sure” the Gunners would win.Centre-back Kambwala was a rare positive for United, with the 19-year-old the latest academy graduate to be brought through by Ten Hag.And he is determined to become a regular starter, just like Kobbie Mainoo, 18, and Alejandro Garnacho, 19.READ MORE SUN STORIESKambwala said: “I’m so proud of how we fought together. I know what I need to do — I need to give everything to leave everything on the pitch.“That’s what I Iike to do. It’s my job, my passion. Hopefully, there is more to come in the future.”Ten Hag has handed Kambwala six Premier League appearances since giving him his debut in DecemberCredit: Reuters More

ARSENAL star Gabriel Jesus has revealed he cannot remember the last time he played without pain.The 27-year-old has been sidelined with injury on three separate occasions this season.Gabriel Jesus is playing through painCredit: GettyJesus has been injured in three spells this seasonCredit: RexHe had surgery on his knee after the World Cup in 2022Credit: @dejesusoficial – InstagramJesus missed the start of the campaign with a knee problem.At the end of October, the striker was back in the treatment room again after suffering a hamstring strain.And most recently, Jesus was absent for five games in February with another knee injury.Since signing for Arsenal in the summer of 2022, the Brazilian has had a stop-start spell after picking up an injury that required knee surgery at the World Cup in Qatar.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOpening up on his recent battles, Jesus said: “I’m just trying to get fit and help Arsenal as much as I can.”Unfortunately, I’ve had some problems this season and I hope next season I don’t have those.”Sometimes I feel it (pain in his knee). I don’t remember the last day I played football without pain so I cannot complain. “I’m just trying to recover well and then that’s it. Mentally I try to keep strong in my mind.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERJesus has played 28 times in all competitions this season, scoring eight goals.He will be hoping to start in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich tomorrow.Watch Gabriel Jesus struggle to walk in knee brace as Arsenal star posts injury update video in the gymAnd he has a good record in Europe this term, already hitting the back of the net four times. More