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      Homesick Newcastle star confirms he wants to quit club to seal transfer to Italy as fans say ‘can’t blame him’

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      LORIS KARIUS has revealed he has hired a new agent in order to secure him a transfer to Italy.The 30-year-old German goalie joined Newcastle United in September 2022 as third-choice.Loris Karius has revealed he wants to move to ItalyCredit: AlamyHowever, he was thrust into the spotlight last season when he made his debut in the 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United.And Karius was back in action again after injuries to the two main goalkeepers forced Eddie Howe to use him against Arsenal last month as the Magpies were hammered 4-1.Even though he was on the losing side both times, the former Liverpool stopper did receive credit for his performances.But his contract is not expected to be renewed once it expires in June and the homesick Karius has now admitted that he is desperate to move closer to his girlfriend, football presenter Diletta Leotta, and their newborn baby daughter in Italy.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd he has hired ex-Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio, who is now an agent, to try and land him a transfer back near his family.Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Karius said: “I want to play more.“I would like to sign for an Italian club and I have chosen the agency of Claudio Marchisio to represent me.”Karius, who was previously linked with a move to Italy last year before agreeing a 12-month extension at Newcastle, is engaged to Diletta, who has 8.5 million followers on Instagram.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSKarius began his career at Mainz but is best remembered for his time at Liverpool, where he made 49 appearances, including the Champions League final in 2018.They were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid, with the German at fault for two goals after infamously throwing the ball out for it to deflect off Karim Benzema before fumbling Gareth Bale’s long range effort.Eagle-eyed fans spot Premier League referee ‘try to to tap up Champions League star for Newcastle’ He was subsequently loaned out to Besiktas and spent last season away at Union Berlin before heading to Newcastle on a free when his Liverpool contract expired.Diletta is well known as one of the most prominent presenters in Italian football.She presents Champions League and Serie A action on DAZN in Italy, where she is still based due to her busy career.But she and Karius often post loved up photos together, when their schedules allow.And Newcastle supporters did not seem to be concerned that Karius wanted to get back to his daughter and beautiful partner.One wrote that they “can’t blame him” while another added: “There is no shock there. Every time we play him, we send him out to fail.”The goalie’s gorgeous partner Diletta Leotta is living in ItalyCredit: INSTAGRAM / dilettaleottaShe has become a much-loved host of Italian footballCredit: RexThe couple celebrated the arrival of their first child last yearCredit: INSTAGRAM / dilettaleotta More

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      Everton boss Sean Dyche ‘involved in training camp row with his players after clumsy joke backfires’

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      EVERTON’S Portuguese training camp was “marred by an altercation” between their manager and players, according to a shock report.The Toffees are on an 11-match winless run – just one less than their worst Premier League record from the 1994/95 season.Sean Dyche allegedly had to be taken away from a row by James Tarkowski in PortugalCredit: GettyThe incident was sparked by a ‘joke backfiring’ involving Nathan PattersonCredit: ReutersThat led to boss Sean Dyche deciding to take his struggling squad overseas for the week in an effort to rebuild spirit.However, the Daily Mail has claimed that the training camp was dominated by an “altercation” between him and a number of his stars.This report states that Dyche “shocked his squad by aiming a jocular slap at the head of defender Nathan Patterson, 22, during a meal in the Algarve resort of Quinta do Lago”.The 52-year-old is said to have connected with the Scottish international “more forcefully than he intended”, which left some players unimpressed.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat allegedly led to tempers becoming “sufficiently heated” before Everton captain James Tarkowski stepped in.The 31-year-old centre-half took his former Burnley boss away from the scene “to allow any lingering ill-feeling to subside”.They left the table at which the players and staff were eating but returned to finish their meals with the rest of the party.The report then claims that Dyche was understood to have apologised to Patterson.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDyche’s “intentions were harmless” and the evening was “good-natured” apart from this incident, which left the right-back “embarrassed to be the centre of attention”.The Mail adds that Everton sources are adamant the incident was not a major bust-up and was just “a clumsy joke that backfired”.Ashley Young walks out of live TNT Sports interview after Joleon Lescott quip following Everton’s defeat to Man UtdHowever, “it caused a stir among fellow restaurant diners” and provided more unwanted attention amid the club’s struggles on and off the pitch.Everton’s miserable run has led to them slumping to 16th in the table and just four points above Luton in the relegation zone.They have already been deducted six points – which was reduced from ten on appeal – for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.And they look likely to get another points deduction this term after being charged with a second breach of PSR rules.Everton’s trip was reportedly described as a “success” ad the players were believed to be “in good spirits when they landed” back on Merseyside around 5pm on Friday with “all said to be resolved”.Everton are not back in Premier League action until March 30 when they visit Bournemouth. More

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      Pep Guardiola facing huge Jude Bellingham dilemma as Man City boss devises plan to ‘control’ Real Madrid star

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      PEP GUARDIOLA admits he faces a massive headache over how to stop Jude Bellingham.Manchester City and Real Madrid square up for the third year running, this time in the Champions League last eight. Pep Guardiola admits he faces a massive headache over how to stop Jude BellinghamCredit: RexBellingham’s Real Madrid face Man City in the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: GettyBut this time City must deal with Bellingham. Asked about the Three Lions star, Guardiola said: “The impact has been massive. “It’s a different team from last season. His influence is obvious, we have to try to discover what he does and control it.”The Euro heavyweights met in the semi-finals in the previous two years.Madrid went on to win the competition in 2022 with City finally lifting the trophy for the first time last season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBellingham brings a new dimension though — the England ace has netted 20 goals in 31 games for Madrid since joining them from Borussia Dortmund last summer.The first leg will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 9, the same night that Arsenal host Bayern Munich.The second legs are on April 17. And there is no respite for the winners — they will play each other in the semi-finals!While Guardiola’s men are defending champions, the City boss knows they are still rookies compared to their Spanish rivals.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSReal have won the Champions League in five of the last ten seasons.Guardiola added: “It looks like a little bit of a tradition, three years in a row playing the kings of the competition.Young stars set to shine at Euro 2024“With them winning 14 Champions Leagues, it’s not necessary to say what Real Madrid are in this competition.“For us, it’s a little bit new. For Real Madrid, it’s not special to play quarter-finals of the Champions League.“The last years we have been consistent — many times semi-finals, final, now quarter-final again — and we start to be in this routine to play in the latter stages.“And when you play latter stages you play against the best teams in Europe, Real Madrid are totally there.“This one is special and makes you feel like you go to Europe and play your best football. It’s so nice.”In the other half of the draw, Jadon Sancho’s Borussia Dortmund landed Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals while Paris Saint-Germain will face Barcelona. More

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      Chelsea hothead Nicolas Jackson has as many bookings as goals – but incredible gesture reveals his softer side

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      NICOLAS JACKSON has as many bookings as Premier League goals and on the surface looks like a bust-up waiting to happen.But SunSport can reveal there is a secret softer side to the 22-year-old Chelsea striker, one in stark contrast to his public image.Nicolas Jackson is starting to find his feet at ChelseaCredit: GettySenegalese Jackson did not own a pair of football boots until he was 16, while growing up in the poor town of Ziguinchor.It is something he has never forgotten and it was the inspiration behind a personal aid mission to help the kids of his old home town.While at former clubs Villarreal and Mirandes in Spain, kind-hearted Jackson scrounged spare kit from his team-mates throughout the season.Old boots, shirts, socks, shinpads. You name it, he took it all home and packed it away.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAt the end of the season, Jackson piled the lot into a dozen large boxes and took it all back to Ziguinchor — to give away to local children.Chelsea’s enigmatic forward paid the excess baggage fees out of his own pocket, which cost more than four times the price of his flight ticket.Despite playing in LaLiga, Jackson was not earning relatively big money at Villarreal. Even less at second-tier side Mirandes.But it did not stop him from digging deep to help the kids back home.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe £30million star has endured a turbulent debut season in the Premier League. But following a troublesome start during which he picked up five bookings and a ban before the end of September, he is now settling down.Could Jose Mourinho return to Chelsea?He has nine top-flight goals already — one short of the total Didier Drogba managed in his debut season at Stamford Bridge before going on to become a Chelsea legend.And boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “You all are now seeing how he is improving. The most difficult thing was to support him when it was tough.“He has the quality and the capacity. Now he is doing much better but still needs to improve a lot. The numbers are similar to Drogba in his first season.“That maybe gives the fans more belief in him and to be a little more patient with him but as always it depends on the circumstances.“He was the only striker and we demanded too much in every single game and in every single action, ‘Score, score, score!’ It is not easy.“Now, I hope people can start to understand he has the condition to be very good.”You all are now seeing how he is improving. The most difficult thing was to support him when it was tough.Mauricio PochettinoJackson admits adapting to English has been a challenge and it may be a clue to the hair-trigger temper he is working on.But being willing to fight for your team is not always a bad thing.He is also adopting subtle changes to his routine to make marginal gains.At least eight hours’ sleep every night, tweaks to his diet with the help of Chelsea’s expert nutritionists, eating precise portions of vegetables, carbs and proteins to get the best from his body.Poch added: “A player arrived here who needed support, needed help, needed to perform but with time, needed to adapt to the club.”READ MORE SUN STORIESChelsea welcome back Ben Chilwell, 27, to the squad for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final against his old club Leicester.The defender missed Monday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle with injury.Jackson with Chelsea manager Mauricio PochettinoCredit: Rex More

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      Pochettino’s bonding BBQ ruined by rain with Chelsea players banned from drinking booze and watched by nutritionists

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO hosted a BBQ for his Chelsea stars on Friday in the hope it will help them grill Leicester in the FA Cup.But the players were not allowed to scoff chargrilled treats with no fat, chips or booze – and all under the watchful eyes of the club’s strict dieticians.Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea BBQ was ruined by rainy weatherCredit: GettyHe had hoped to use the event as a bonding session for his playersCredit: GettyChelsea’s stars were unable to drink booze and closely watched by nutritionistsCredit: GettyIt also poured with rain for much of the afternoon but head coach Pochettino insists the team-bonding session is a key ingredient in making his squad a stronger unit.Speaking before the event, Pochettino said: “The idea is to share between the players and the staff. The staff are also invited.“I think we are going to be 120, 130 people. The most important is that the players understand what it means to be Chelsea players.“But we have to be responsible. I propose a BBQ but then there are two nutritionists who will control what they are going to eat.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWS“We drink water, orange juice, No alcohol, not to eat too much, eat protein. Green salad, no fries.“We will be all together. Of course having a barbecue doesn’t mean that afterwards we are going to score goals but of course it is about communication, feeling better.“So that this is not only a training ground where you come to work. It’s home and we want to create a good feeling between everyone. To get people to fight for the same thing – to win.”Specialist sausages and succulent cuts of beef were on the menu for the lunch served after training under a giant marquee at Chelsea’s Surrey training ground.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSPochettino says it is part of his masterplan to gel his squad of unknowns and untried rookies into a band of brothers.He said: “We use different strategies. All the players are different. They come from different countries from different backgrounds, from different cultures.Chelsea’s plans for £1bn new stadium“Paying attention to that is a big job. We analyse their profiles Not only their physical profiles but their characters. It is so important.”Pochettino also says he welcomes the appointment of a set-piece coach this summer even though he seemed to give a different point of view some time ago.Brentford’s Bernardo Cueva is set to join the growing band of coaches at the club as part of a wider strategy led from the boardroom.Pochettino said: “That is one area they want to reinforce, to move on, to challenge the people that are here.“We cannot go against the things that can help us to be better and to maybe help us to win games.“That is the idea of the owner, that is the idea of the sporting directors and we are very supportive.”Specialist sausages and succulent cuts of beef were on the menuCredit: X/ @ParrillasUK More

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      West Ham made me realise Rick Astley was right – so many Premier League stars come from humble beginnings

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      I DON’T think I’ve ever thought deeply about 80s pop star Rick Astley’s lyrics before but he was right — ‘Never Gonna Give You Up!’Watching Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio midweek made me realise there are a stack of footballers who have come from humble beginnings.Karren Brady writes exclusively for Sun SportCredit: PAMichail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen made the WEst Ham chief think about Rick AstleyCredit: GettySome are even in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad. It just shows never, ever give up on the dream.Our own Bowen was turned down by a host of clubs before making it at his home-town team Hereford United.He scored his first goal for them at Alfreton. From there he caught the eye and went to Hull, where his performances attracted our attention and even though Bowen was a late developer, he has flourished.Antonio started his footballing journey at Tooting & Mitcham before signing for Reading but even then he was loaned out to a variety of clubs only to hit his straps at Sheffield Wednesday.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLLook at Ollie Watkins. He was farmed out to Weston Super Mare on loan in his teens while at Exeter City. In this week where betting on the nags at Cheltenham has been all the rage, you’d have got pretty good odds on Watkins leading the line for Aston Villa in 2024.It doesn’t just stop there. Wolves captain Max Kilman couldn’t get into non-league Welling United’s side, but three seasons at National League side Maidenhead and he ended up at Molineux. Incredible.Another centre-half, 62-cap Harry Maguire, was already the grand old age of 22 when he was loaned out to Wigan.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERJohn Stones started his professional life at Barnsley before making the move to Everton and then Manchester City.Another central defender, Roma’s Chris Smalling, started at this season’s FA Cup giantkillers Maidstone United and did not make his Premier League debut until he was nearly 20.The Tap In West Ham’s Moyes Out fans should ‘be careful what they wish for’ ft. Tony CotteeJames Maddison left his teenage years on loan at Aberdeen, before breaking through in midfield at Norwich and then on to Leicester and Spurs.Jamie Vardy may be firing Leicester back to the Prem but as a kid he was released by Sheffield Wednesday and started his senior career at Stocksbridge Park Steels.Newcastle’s Callum Wilson spent his teenage years at Kettering and Tamworth, while his Toon team-mate Nick Pope was released by Ipswich and played for a host of non-league clubs before landing up at Burnley.Andy Robertson could help Liverpool win the title this season, but it wasn’t looking too rosy for him when he was rejected by Celtic and ended up at amateur club Queen’s Park.Another late bloomer John McGinn was in his mid-20s when he moved to Aston Villa after  starting his footballing career at St Mirren.Despite society’s obsession with youth success, it’s not realistic to expect that of many of us.Things take time. OK, yes, like a fine wine. Or keeping to the boozy theme, like the famous Guinness advert where we are told ‘Good things come to those who wait’.That is so true. The all-time top World Cup goalscorer, as any sports quizmaster will tell you, is Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16.But aged 20 Klose was playing in the SEVENTH tier of German football.READ MORE SUN STORIESTurn on Match of the Day this weekend and chances are Ian Wright will be on the pundit panel. That’s the same Ian Wright who, just shy of his 22nd birthday, was snapped up by Crystal Palace from non-league Greenwich.We started with Rick Astley and we’ll end with Take That. With some footballers, you must ‘Have a little . . . patience’. More

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      Chelsea ‘set to raid Ligue 1 for Man Utd transfer target in shock swoop to bolster shaky defensive ranks’

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      CHELSEA are lining up a move for Leny Yoro to replace Thiago Silva, it’s claimed. Silva, 39, is entering the final few months of his contract and could leave for nothing in the summer. Leny Yoro of Lille is linked to ChelseaCredit: GettyAccording to The Standard, Chelsea are interested in Yoro as they weigh up their defensive options. Yoro has enjoyed a breakthrough season in France, causing Real Madrid and PSG to also keep tabs on the 18-year-old. The centre-back – dubbed the Raphael Varane – has made 34 appearances this season with two goals.Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked with the teenage defender in the past. READ MORE ON CHELSEAChelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino dropped Silva to the bench for their last two Premier League matches.But the Blues still had a defensive crisis with Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Levi Colwill still out. Chelsea have already spent over £1BILLION since American Todd Boehly took over the club. But it is claimed Boehly and co-owner Behdad Eghbali want to recruit two or three of the world’s best players under the age 23 for every position.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSAlternatives to Yoro are said to include Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo. And both are believed to have been sounded out as Chelsea plot another big summer of spending.Chelsea also in the market for a striker and a left-back, with seemingly no concerns about breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.Fans can’t believe what Tim Sherwood said to Cole Palmer on live TV as Chelsea star is left looking awkward More

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      Jurgen Klopp reveals he told Mo Salah to do something he’s ‘never asked a player to do before’ in Liverpool win

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      JURGEN KLOPP told Mohamed Salah to do something he’s never asked a player to do before in their 6-1 win against Sparta Prague.The winger scored his 20th goal of the term during the Europa League clash becoming the first player to do so for the seventh consecutive season.Jurgen Klopp asked Mo Salah to do something he has never asked a player to do beforeCredit: EPASalah scored his 20th goal of the season in Liverpool’s 6-1 win against Sparta PragueCredit: ReutersSalah, 31, played the full 90 minutes of the round of 16 clash on Thursday night – the first time in two months.But Klopp asked the Egyptian to do something that he had never asked his players to do before.The German said: “It was not the plan he plays 90 minutes, the plan was to take him off when we brought on Mateusz (Musialowski).”But Bobby Clark said (he felt something) and Mo is experienced enough that he recovers during the game.     “I told him not to defend any more – I never told a player that before.”Thursday night’s Europa League clash saw Salah provide two assists for Bobby Clark and Cody Gakpo, who scored twice, plus stunning strikes from Darwin Nunez and Dominik Szoboszlai.Klopp continued: “Mo is just delivering and delivering and delivering, his desire doesn’t stop, his quality is there and his desire to score doesn’t stop.”He has improved in so many aspects since he started here. That’s how it is, he will not stop.Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL”I’m less surprised than maybe some others, I thought it had already happened to be honest but he was injured for a while, otherwise he would have done it in January or February. But great, very good, and great to have him back.”Klopp who announced in January he will be leaving Anfield at the end of the term praised Salah.Jurgen Klopp calls out Gareth Southgate with brutal message on live TV after Liverpool held by Man CityHe added: “In seven years together with him, the one problem we never had was consistency.”Salah made his first start since New Year’s Day after a hamstring injury against Sparta.Liverpool sailed through to the quarter-finals 11-2 on aggregate and will now face Atalanta on April 11. More