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      I’m a former Premier League star now presenting completely different sport, I hadn’t seen it before I was offered job

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      JERMAINE JENAS revealed he accepted his latest presenting job in a new sport without ever watching it.The former Premier League midfielder, 41, retired in 2014 after a spate of injuries aged just 31.Jermaine Jenas is the new presenter of Formula ECredit: X/FIAFormulaEHe revealed all on That Peter Crouch PodcastCredit: YouTube He has since embarked on a wide-ranging career in the media, initially as a pundit before developing into a presenter. And Jenas is now fronting the coverage of the Formula E World Championship.However, he admitted on That Peter Crouch Podcast he was doing the new gig despite being completely new to Formula E.Jenas said: “I always loved Formula One and this particular job came about because FE is a brand-new sport, it’s only nine or ten years old.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”It’s a sport that revolves around sustainability and the excitement as well.”When they asked me to do it, I was like, ‘Look I’ve never seen this racing before. As much as I love F1, I’m going to have to do a lot of research and work into FE.'”They were like, ‘That’s what we want. It’s a brand-new sport, no one knows enough about it to enjoy it so you can take them on that journey.'”Once that pressure was off and they were telling me some of the venues I would be going to… Mexico, Sao Paulo, Monaco, Tokyo, these sounded like decent places to go.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJenas, who burst through at Nottingham Forest and was made captain at 17, joined Newcastle under Sir Bobby Robson where he was crowned PFA Young Player of the Year before eight seasons with Tottenham.The 21-cap England star finished his career with loans at Aston Villa and Forest then one final season at QPR.Jermaine Jenas threatens to WALK OFF TNT Sports set live on TV after Laura Woods’ brutal comment-He is still a football pundit for TNT and Match of the Day – with many tipping him to eventually replace Gary Lineker as the main presenter.That is especially because the former midfielder is now a permanent co-host of The One Show alongside Alex Jones.But he is still getting to grips with the unusual format of the Formula E presenting. Jenas added: “I love my football and it will always be my bread and butter but because I have started to drift into more of the presenting world as well, I’m testing myself.”The first one in Mexico, if you have ever seen a child thrown in at the deep end just trying to get to the other side, that’s what the whole hour felt like. It was so hard.”We’re doing it for three different channels – TNT, CBS and Roku – and TNT might go to an advert but Roku aren’t so they call it a soft break.READ MORE SUN STORIES”There’s none of that saying goodbye and welcome back to the show, it’s all really awkward joining it together.”It’s been a good start, I’ve done Mexico, done a doubleheader in Saudi then I go to Sao Paulo and Tokyo in March.”Jenas works as a pundit for TNT and Match of the DayCredit: PAHe earned 21 caps for England but retired aged 31Credit: GettyThe midfielder helped Tottenham win the FA Cup in 2008Credit: Action Images – ReutersJenas is one of the main permanent presenters of The One ShowCredit: BBC More

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      Bukayo Saka reveals his footballing ‘idol’ as Arsenal star names Man Utd legend over ex-Gunners heroes

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      BUKAYO Saka has risked upsetting Arsenal fans by revealing his footballing “idol” is Cristiano Ronaldo.The Gunners homegrown star, 22, said that as a child he looked up to the former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend.Ronaldo became a legend at Manchester UnitedSaka’s love for Ronaldo has grownSpeaking with the Men in Blazers podcast via the Daily Mail, Saka even said he has more respect for the 39-year-old Portuguese legend now that he is a player himself.He admitted: ”Personally I can’t (imagine playing for as long as Ronaldo), and that’s why I have so much respect for him.”Obviously, when I was younger, he was my idol.”But now that I’m playing football professionally, I have even more respect for him, how he’s managed to stay this disciplined and this focused and achieve everything.”Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, a Champions League, two League Cups and an FA Cup with Manchester United.He then secured a then world-record £80million move to Real Madrid in 2009 when Saka was just eight years old.BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAfter leaving United to play for Madrid and Juventus, Ronaldo made a fairy-tale comeback to the Premier League which saw him go up against Saka in 2021/22.The forward’s return to United only lasted just over a year because of a fallout with manager Erik Ten Hag which saw him move to Al Nassr in January 2023.Most read in FootballTop 10 highest paid footballers in the world revealed with no Premier League players making the top fiveHe is now the top scorer in the Saudi league as he chases another title.Saka is aiming to lead Arsenal to their first Premier League since 2004 as they battle Liverpool and Manchester City in a three-way title race.He recently overtook the Al Nassr star for goals and assists after the same number of matches at his age. After Arsenal’s 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United on Monday night, the Gunners closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool to two points and trail defending champions City by just one. More

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      Tottenham spark fan fury after hiking season-ticket prices by SIX per cent as Supporters Trust release statement

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      TOTTENHAM have been blasted by their official supporters’ trust for raising season-ticket prices for next term by six per cent.The North Londoners cite “a significant increase in matchday costs outside of our control” as well as a “need to continue to operate on a sustainable basis” as the reasoning.The Supporters’ Trust are unhappy about more than just rising pricesCredit: RexFans are delighted with progress under manager Ange Postecoglou as Spurs sit fifth in the Prem, but less happy with a new off-field developmentCredit: GettyBut the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST) said they were “hugely disappointed” for its members.Spurs have some of the priciest season tickets in England.There has only been one season-ticket price increase of 1.5 per cent since their plush new stadium was opened in April 2019 – until now.Though the THST says the club using the lack of previous hikes and the increased matchday costs as justification “holds no water”.READ MORE TOP STORIESThe supporters’ trust also branded the removal of new senior concessions from the 2025-26 season by the club as “unacceptable”.Their statement added: “The club says the number of senior concession season tickets has risen to almost four times the number at White Hart Lane and says the increase is not sustainable.“We say these changes pull the rug out from under the feet of pensioners after years of loyal support.”Existing season-ticket holders have until May 20 to retain their seat for next season.Most read in FootballSpurs copped flak earlier this season for increasing matchday ticket prices this term, which saw the THST protest outside the stadium ahead of the first home game of the campaign against Manchester United.Tottenham were revealed to be the richest club in London in January following the results of the latest Football Money League from number-crunchers Deloitte.Every Premier League club’s most famous and also most surprising fanTheir revenues for the 2022-23 campaign of £549million were higher than Chelsea and Arsenal – making them the eighth wealthiest in Europe for that season.They are understood to make around £4.8m per Premier League fixture they host. More

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      Pep Guardiola cut the WiFi out in the changing room at Man City – players became like children, but now I understand

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      FORMER Manchester City star Bacary Sagna revealed Pep Guardiola cut the WiFi from the dressing room upon his arrival in 2016.Sagna spent only one year playing under Guardiola but it was more than enough to make him understand what a great manager he truly is.Pep Guardiola cut the WiFi in the dressing room when he joined Manchester CityCredit: PABacary Sagna agrees with Guardiola’s strict rules at Man CityCredit: PA:Empics SportThe Catalan tactician laid down the law from day one at the Etihad as he personally handled every last detail relating to his new team.The Barcelona legend imposed severe repercussions for those who didn’t adhere to his fitness regimen, as anyone who was found to be even slightly overweight would be immediately axed from his squad.The ex-Bayern Munich boss wouldn’t stop there as he also wanted to make sure his players were always completely focused at the task at hand.Therefore, the 53-year-old knew he had to get rid of any potential distraction – and that is why he cut the WiFi in the dressing rooms.Read More on FootballAt first Sagna was not really on board with that initiative as he felt he was being treated like a “child”.However, the ex-Arsenal defender quickly understood how important that sort of discipline was as it led to all of his players adopting the “right mindset”.And that is why the former full-back is not surprised City won the treble under Guardiola last season.Sagna told Chris Wheatley at the Web Summit in Qatar: “Pep Guardiola, to me, is the reference as a coach, because you need to be very disciplined.Most read in Football”You need to understand it’s not only on the pitch, it’s a whole life you need to adopt. It’s not only today.”It’s about the nutrition you’re going to have all week – as an example, if you’re 1kg ahead of your weight you’re out of the team! You don’t train.Incredible Phil Foden stat puts Man Utd to shame as Pep Guardiola calls City hero ‘best player in the Premier League’”He came to Man City and he cut the WiFi in the dressing room, so you become like a child. “At first, it’s upsetting because you’re thinking I’m not a child… I’m 30 years old, I don’t need to go through all these routes.”But then you understand why they won the treble last year, because everyone is kind of disciplined and everyone has the right mindset.”And if you don’t have the right mindset in sports you might shine [for] one year [or] two years. But after a while you’ll be gone because to stay at a high level is very difficult for a long time.” More

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      Jordan Henderson says Liverpool exit ‘hurt me’ and responds after Southgate watches him for Ajax ahead of Euro 2024

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      JORDAN HENDERSON has confessed leaving Anfield was in his and Liverpool’s best interests – even though it broke his heart.However seeing the Reds on top of the Premier League has proved to the Anfield legend it was the right time for him to go.Jordan Henderson left Liverpool last summer after 12 years at AnfieldCredit: GettyHenderson signed for Al-Ettifaq but left after six monthsCredit: ReutersNow the 33-year-old admits he hopes there is a fairytale ending at the end of Jurgen Klopp’s farewell season.The Anfield legend, now at Ajax, admits he found it difficult at first when Klopp broke the bombshell news that he was bringing down the curtain on his extraordinary nine-year reign.But the former Liverpool skipper now believes the timing is right and hopes the German’s departure inspires his old club to lift the title as they chase an unprecedented Quadruple.Speaking ahead of Ajax’s game with Aston Villa tomorrow night, Henderson admitted: “It was a tough one when you first see it because Jurgen’s had an amazing time at Liverpool.Read More on Football”Everything we achieved was because of him.”He changed everything when he came in and I just hope the end of the story is a fairytale for him and the boys and the club because they all deserve it.”They all work so hard. Last season was so tough for so many aspects, off the field and on it. So for this season to be going as well as it has – I’m so proud of them.”I was the captain for so long there and all of the team still feel like my best friends, my brothers really for life.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”I just want to see them end the season like they’ve been playing the whole year really with the young players coming in.”I hope they can end the season on a high and win as many trophies as possible.”Jordan Henderson’s difficult season for Ajax continues as he’s dropped to benchHenderson was asked if he had any regrets about moving to Al-Ettifaq last summer to end 12 years at Anfield and head for his ill-fated spell in the Saudi pro league, after leading Liverpool to eight trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League title.”Not really,” he said.”Looking back it was the right time for me as a player – but also for them as a team and as a club – as much as that hurt at the time.”I was very emotional but looking back now it’s easy to see it was the right decision made by the manager and the club.”It was the best decision to freshen things up.”If you look at Virgil becoming captain, Trent becoming vice-captain, and how they have stepped up again this season, I think it’s given them another lift.”They’ve been two huge players for the team so I think it was the best thing for the club and you can see that with the performances this season.”As much as that hurts me I can understand that’s football and you move on.”I’m just so happy it’s worked out for them so far and I’ve just got my fingers crossed that hopefully there can be a fairytale end for Jurgen because he deserves it.”Henderson revealed he is still in touch with Klopp and hopes his announcement spurs the Reds on to further glory.He said: “Yes, I’ve spoken to Jurgen a little bit.”Obviously when I found out it was quite shocking news for everyone. But I wasn’t as surprised as everyone else was because he has been there for a long time.”The passion and emotion that he gives the team and the club – to do that for a long time must in the end wear you out.”I think that coming out like it has in the last few weeks will give them an extra energy boost for the remainder of the season.”I can see that already in him and the players as well.”Hopefully that gets them over the line and they win a few trophies over the next few months.”Gareth Southgate turned up to watch Henderson make his Ajax debut and the veteran midfielder believes that’s an encouraging sign as he targets a place in England’s Euro ’24 squad.”It was good for him to come and watch to see that he’s keeping an eye on me,” he said.”I definitely feel I can offer something to the national team, but I have got to be playing and doing my job here, that is my main focus.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But I feel I can help the squad and the team going forward in the next camp and hopefully in the summer.”Playing for my country is a huge thing and always has been.”Henderson joined Ajax in JanuaryCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Chelsea’s wild plan to build futuristic 60,000 seat stadium on the ROOF of Waterloo Station

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      CHELSEA once hatched a wild plan to build a futuristic stadium on the ROOF of Waterloo Station, it has been claimed.The Blues have long sought to expand Stamford Bridge, which has been their home since 1905.Chelsea’s amazing plan for a futuristic stadium on top of Waterloo Station has been revealedThe Blues are ready to move on from Stamford Bridge’s current 40,000 layoutCredit: GettyRoman Abramovich tried and failed several times to get plans off the ground.And SunSport revealed new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly remains hopeful of renovating their west London stadium to the sum of £1billion.The decision to remain by Fulham Broadway means the Blues face ground-sharing, potentially with a rival Premier League side, for up to six years.Yet that has still been deemed preferable to moving elsewhere, with the vacant site at Earl’s Court previously considered.READ MORE ON CHELSEAFormer owner Abramovich toyed with several locations during his time at the helm.The Russian famously mulled a controversial switch to the former abandoned Battersea Power Station, now home to luxury flats and bars.He also eyed White City before it was turned into Westfield shopping centre.And now it’s been claimed Abramovich even considered building a stadium at Waterloo in 2007.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBut in typical madcap fashion, the oligarch envisioned it on the roof of the busy central London train station.A property developer told the Athletic how Abramovich envisioned a mega 60,000-seater arena propped up on columns sitting atop the existing train line.Who could be Chelsea’s next manager after Pochettino?It would have filled in the space left by the Eurostar, which swapped Waterloo for Kings Cross that same year.And Abramovich planned on funding the project by also building high-rise flats around the stadium.However, the grandiose scheme was abandoned when it became clear how costly it would be.Robert Kennedy, a director of Homes Miller, said: “The Eurostar was leaving Waterloo for St Pancras, so suddenly you had the biggest open space in that corner of London above Waterloo Station.”Kennedy, whose company worked on the Oval, Murrayfield and the King Power Stadium, added: “You could drop columns down through the existing train lines, and build a platform, and then put a 60,000-seat stadium above it.“They were going to put high-rise flats around the outside to pay for it.“But the whole package ended up being a wee bit expensive.” More

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      I won bronze at London 2012 Olympics to make Team GB history… now I work for the Premier League in totally new career

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      KRISTIAN THOMAS won bronze with Team GB at London 2012 but now works for the Premier League in a completely new role.The retired gymnast was a part of the history-making quintet which came third in the men’s team all-around 12 years ago.Kristian Thomas won gymnastics bronze with Team GB at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: AFPHe now works as a player care and engagement manager for the Premier LeagueCredit: YouTube / Team EnglandIt was the first time in 100 years Team GB had won an Olympic team medal in gymnastics.Now 35, Thomas has been a player care and engagement manager for the Premier League since January 2022.His role sees him offer support to all 20 clubs and their player-care staff to help raise such provision at each club.He also canvasses player opinions and gives feedback to the Premier League for any potential rule changes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDiscussing his career change, he told Olympics.com in December 2022: “Ultimately sport is sport at the end of the day, and I like to think that what I bring to the role is that knowledge and understanding of what being an elite sportsperson looks like, whether you’re a footballer or a gymnast.”That exposure and competing under the spotlight and having a goal, a focus, training towards that, it might happen, it might not happen, the bounce-back resilience shown with injuries, setbacks, and so on, that still stays the same.”As for the impact of his work, he added: “Taking the knee would be a good example.”Recently the captains decided that instead of doing it every game, they would do it in selected matches instead and hopefully drive the exposure that way.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThomas also works for Commonwealth Games England and the British Olympic Association alongside his Premier League job.It follows a range of roles including motivational speaker and athlete trainer since retiring from gymnastics.Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel MessiAs well as bronze in London, Thomas was part of the team which finished fourth in Rio in 2016.He was also a Commonwealth and European champion in the men’s team all-around as well as winning European gold in the floor exercise.His best Olympic performance in the event saw him place seventh in Rio eight years ago.It came after he had made more history at the 2013 World Championships with bronze in vault, the first global medal ever won by a British male gymnast in the discipline.Thomas made history with Team GB in 2012 and competed again at the 2016 gamesCredit: GettyHe won European gold in two events during his gymnastics careerCredit: AFP More

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      I spent 10 years working at Chelsea – forgotten star now playing in Cyprus was supposed to be a world beater

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      CHARLY MUSONDA was supposed to be a world beater according to former Chelsea scout Chris Robinson.The Belgian winger spent a decade with the Blues after joining their academy aged 15.Ex-Chelsea scout Chris Robinson believed Charly Musonda would become a world beaterCredit: YouTube @Rising BallersThe winger now plays in Cyprus after a spell with Spanish side LevanteCredit: GettyHowever, a series of serious knee injuries limited him to just seven first-team appearances.He showed glimpses of his ability, though, and even scored on his senior Chelsea debut.Robinson has now revealed he had tipped Musonda for the top after he arrived at the club.The former academy scout spent over 11 years with Chelsea, during which time he also worked as head of academy recruitment and scouting.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSSpeaking to Rising Ballers’ Perspectives podcast, he explained: “Unfortunately there’s a lot of players who you see at younger ages, who just don’t go on to fulfil their potential.”But to give an example, I think the one I would quote would be Charly Musonda, the Belgian boy who came to Chelsea at 15/16.”Attacking midfield player, winger, fantastic touch, great movement. He was quick, he would send players both ways, he could take defenders both sides, he could score goals, he could make goals. As talented as anybody I’ve seen at that age.”He played for Chelsea’s first-team, made his cup debut against Nottingham Forest I think in the FA Cup, scored I think as well in a game we won 5-1 from memory.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”Then he got a very bad injury. He went out on loan to a couple of places that just didn’t work and he was out for a long time with an injury.”He’s still playing now, my guess will be he’d be about 26 now, Charly’s playing in Cyprus I think. But in terms of sheer ability, he was as good as anybody I’ve seen at that age.”Charly Musonda broke down in tears after he realised Chelsea career was over following phone call from Petr Cech Musonda had loan spells in Spain, Scotland and the Netherlands after arriving from Anderlecht in 2012.However, the former Belgian under-21 international was hampered by a string of serious knee injuries.He even endured a two-year lay-off following knee surgery which saw him miss 125 matches across 759 days on the treatment table.After 10 years in West London, he joined Levante on a free transfer in 2022, before signing for Cypriot side Anorthosis last September.Now 27, he has so far made 11 appearances in Cyprus, where Anorthosis are currently sixth in the First Division’s Championship group.Robinson added: “I’d pick Charly out as an example of someone who I thought was going to be a worldie but he hasn’t yet, still time.”Musonda scored on his Chelsea debut but injuries limited him to just six more appearancesCredit: Getty – ContributorThe ex-Chelsea scout also highlighted Jeremie Boga, who was on the club’s books for nine years after signing aged 12 in 2009.”Jeremie Boga was a similar age to him,” he continued. “He’s still playing the game and he’s had a good career, but I thought he was going to be a world beater, again he got an injury.”So it’s often injury that comes in the way of these players, at the wrong time and it’s very hard to fight back from that.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBoga, who has won 18 caps for the Ivory Coast, made just one senior Chelsea appearance before being sold in 2018.He now plays for French side Nice after five years in Italy with Sassuolo and Atalanta.Robinson also highlighted the talents of Ivorian winger Jeremie Boga, now of NiceCredit: Getty – Contributor More