Premier League

ARSENAL’S U18s head coach Jack Wilshere has revealed that Gunners may ‘fast-track’ 14-year-old Max Dowman into the first team. The former Gunners star, who broke into the first team as a teenager, said he “really enjoyed” Dowman’s performance. Max Dowman made his U18s debut last year at just 13 years oldCredit: GettyArsenal’s under-18s head coach Jack Wilshere was left impressed by 14-year-oldCredit: GettyThe schoolboy caught the eye again after assisting four goals in a recent 5-2 win against Fulham for the U18’s. Wilshere told club media: “There’s always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you’re good enough you’re old enough.”He can be more consistent but he’s only 14 and hasn’t even started his GCSEs yet.”We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy the game because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can.READ MORE ON ARSENAL”Hopefully, we can fast-track him and when he goes over to the first team he’ll be more ready.”I really enjoyed the performance. We had a blend of players spanning from under-14s to under-18s. “It’s always intriguing to see how they play together, how they fight together, and today, I felt we witnessed that in abundance.”It’s reassuring to know that if I field an under-14 who isn’t a regular in our training sessions, I can trust that they grasp our playing style and tactics.Most read in Football”Today, they demonstrated that understanding flawlessly, which is a testament to the diligent work of all our coaches.”The wonderkid made his debut for Arsenal U18s, aged just 13, as he helped the Young Gunners to a 4-0 win over Southampton.During his debut, Dowman was proved to be the star of the show when he was introduced in the second half.Gunner fans were stunned, one person tweeted: “A 13-year old in U18s, that is some achievement.” The midfielder is already turning heads, including Wilshere’s, whilst being Arsenal’s youngest player in the U18’s set up. I played with Ian Wright at Arsenal for six years… he used to go ballistic and fight rival players in changing rooms-Wilshere praised the teenager and admitted he “deserved” his chance with the U18’s side. He said: “He handled the moment admirably, sending an important message to the team that when we introduce players, they possess the quality to contribute effectively.” More

ARSENAL legend Bob Wilson fears Bukayo Saka will have to RETIRE by 25 years of age if continues to be “kicked out of the game”.The England international, 22, has already racked up 217 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 54 goals and providing 52 assists.Bukayo Saka has played in all of Arsenal’s Premier League games since May 2021Credit: GettyArsenal double winner Bob Wilson fears Saka could have to retire early due to the treatment from opposition playersCredit: RexHe also boasts the longest current run of consecutive Premier League appearances – featuring in Arsenal’s last 68 games, a run that stretches back to May 2021.But Wilson, 82, who won the Premier League-FA Cup double with Arsenal in 1971, believes the aggressive treatment from opposition players could significantly shorten Saka’s career.Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “What drives me demented is we have one of the best young players and, if we aren’t careful, football will lose him by the time he is 24 or 25 because Bukayo Saka will have been kicked out of the game.”Referees don’t seem to see or understand it.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”There are always a minimum of two players within five yards of Saka and often a third. If they can’t stop him, they kick him.”People say, ‘What do you mean? That’s too dramatic’. I say there has not been a more kicked player in the Premier League than Bukayo Saka.”If he is facing in an attacking position, and he is taking them on, that is the time I worry. I really worry for Bukayo.”He went on to add: “I see Saka up with the greats… if he is not kicked out of the game.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”He is clever, dangerous, and knows when to release it. I love him on one side and [Gabriel] Martinelli, with his sheer pace, on the other.”Saka’s manager Mikel Arteta spoke about the tough tackling the forward was being subjected to during an interview last year.Neville’s England squad prediction eerily comes true as Saka pulls out of Brazil and Belgium clashesHe added: “Bukayo needs to learn and improve how he protects himself on the pitch within the rules.”There was a very thin line with the way he reacted last week and he cannot allow that to take him out of the game and lose his focus.”He has been getting kicked since he was 10 years old. Wingers and talented players get fouled a lot and that’s his role in the team.”Obviously he attracts a lot of attention. It’s totally normal for the opposition to try to stop creative players and restrict the ball getting to them. That’s a challenge he has to face every week.”There are a lot of things we can do in training to help him learn when to take certain balls and what to do with them, how to use his body and how to jump.”But it’s very difficult to predict what the opponent is going to do.”READ MORE SUN STORIESSaka is enjoying statistically his best season yet, contributing 16 goals and 13 assists in 398 appearances in all competitions.He has not scored in three league games, but prior to that had netted seven times in just five Prem matches. More

CHELSEA chief Todd Boehly claims it’s “good news” that Blues fans care enough to abuse him.Supporters have chanted “Boehly, Boehly, you’re a c***” in protest at the club’s decline since he and his investment partners bought the club in 2022.Todd Boehly has had his say on fans’ criticismCredit: AlamyChelsea drew 2-2 with ten-man Burnley on TuesdayCredit: RexBut the Blues chairman said: “The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much.“That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners.”I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course.”Boos rang round Stamford Bridge again after Saturday’s 2-2 draw with relegation-threatened Burnley, who took a point despite playing more than half the game with only 10 men.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSome fans have begun to turn on boss Mauricio Pochettino as he struggles to deliver consistent performances from a squad that has had more than £1billlion spent on it since the takeover.But Boehly appears to be prepared to remain patient with Poch.The 50-year-old American said: “We just need to let the process develop and give them the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team.”In a wide-ranging interview with American magazine Forbes, Boehly talked about how and why he went from being an investment banker to a billionaire with major stakes in the sports and entertainment industries.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERA key reason why he thinks it’s good news that people care so much about Premier League football is the money it generates from TV rights.Boehly said: “The Premier League is broadcast into basically every country in the world.Simon Jordan slams ‘pathetic’ Chelsea fans for criticising Todd Boehly “I think North Korea and Russia are the only ones that don’t broadcast it.“It’s uniquely positioned on the clock in the U.S. because on Saturday morning, there’s not a lot of competition.”But Boehly is having to learn with the kind of personal sporting scrutiny he has not felt since he was a teenage wrestler for all-boys Landon School.He once failed by a single pound to make the weight for his 10-stone category at a match, and was bawled out by his coach.Boehly said: “It’s a really big way to let your team down.“Wrestling is pretty entrepreneurial. It’s all you. There’s nowhere to hide.”And it’s the same for Boehly now when Chelsea are struggling at Stamford Bridge.Boehly, 50, previously wrestled during his school daysCredit: Getty More

TODD BOEHLY has hinted that Mauricio Pochettino will be given time to get it right as Chelsea boss.The Blues have already sacked two managers since Boehly bought the club alongside Behdad Eghbali in 2022.Todd Boehly has spoken out about ChelseaCredit: ReutersMauricio Pochettino has struggled at the helmCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel was axed in September of that year, before Graham Potter received the boot in April 2023.Pochettino, 52, was appointed last summer, but has so far been unable to reverse the Blues’ decline.Chelsea sit 11th in the Premier League table, having slumped to a home 2-2 draw with ten-man Burnley on Saturday.The Blues were once again booed by disgruntled fans, but Boehly has pleaded for patience.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to Forbes, the 50-year-old said: “We just need to let the process develop and give them the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team.”The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much.”That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners.”I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERIn the wide-ranging interview, Boehly also spoke of his attraction to English football.He said: “The Premier League is broadcast into basically every country in the world. I think North Korea and Russia are the only ones that don’t broadcast it.Mauricio Pochettino takes swipe at Gareth Southgate as Chelsea boss reveals Ben Chilwell injury from England duty “It’s uniquely positioned on the clock in the U.S. because on Saturday morning, there’s not a lot of competition.”With Chelsea languishing in 11th in the Premier League, club icon Frank Leboeuf has ripped into Boehly and Co.The Frenchman, 56, told ESPN: “Sorry, but the people on the board have destroyed this club.”That’s what you have to face. How do you rebuild that? I don’t know, it’s going to take a long time.”I’ve talked about it a lot and I’m fed up repeating myself… as long as you don’t have people to rely on, meaning experienced players, you can’t build anything.”This is what you face when you’re trying to build an academy team.”Frank Leboeuf has ripped into Chelsea’s ownersCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

RAPHAEL VARANE was forced to pull out of a Manchester United game due to a “potentially fatal” concussion.The French defender has revealed the head injury left him feeling “abnormally fatigued”.Raphael Varane pulled out of a Manchester United match due to a ‘potentially fatal’ concussionCredit: GettyVarane has made 92 appearances for United since signing from Real Madrid in 2021.However, he has now explained how his career has been impacted by concussion.The 30-year-old told L’Equipe: “During a match, I performed a series of headers, and in the days that followed I felt abnormal fatigue as well as severe eye fatigue.”I reported to the staff that I was not fit to play and they strongly recommended that I not play. I took a test from a doctor, the results of which were passed on to the staff and I did not play the following match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But if I hadn’t asked to take these tests, I probably would have been lined up a few days later and, to be honest, I felt bad that I didn’t play the next game because of a migraine.”Varane also suffered from concussion symptoms during France’s 2014 World Cup quarter-final against Germany after a blow to the head in their previous match.He added: “I wasn’t going to miss a World Cup quarter-final because I was a little tired.”I felt eye fatigue. Looking back, I say to myself: If I had known it was a concussion, would I have said it, even if it meant not playing this match?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The staff wondered if I was suitable. I was diminished, but ultimately I played and rather well, even if I lost this duel against [Mats] Hummels [for Germany’s winning goal].”What we will never know is what would have happened if I had taken another impact to the head.Man Utd fans say ‘Erik ten Hag loves starting beef with players’ after spotting ‘ice cold’ moment with Raphael Varane “When you know that repeated concussions have a potentially fatal effect, you tell yourself that things can go very wrong.”Another heavy blow against Getafe during a 2020 LaLiga clash was followed by two crucial errors against Manchester City the following month.Reflecting on the Champions League tie, Varane said: “I felt it from the warm-up. I said to myself, ‘wake up’. I couldn’t concentrate on staying in my match, I was like a spectator.”The match went badly for me and, with hindsight, I realised it was linked to the shock I had suffered.”City would go on to win the match 2-1 and progress 4-2 on aggregate, with Varane playing the full 90 minutes despite his concerns.Varane attributed his errors against Manchester City in 2020 to concussionCredit: AFP More