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      My dad’s a legendary Champions League winner – I’m making my own way and will beat his Premier League goal tally

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      JUSTIN KLUIVERT is eyeing up his dad’s Prem goal tally — and a bit of dosh.Patrick Kluivert, 47, was one of the great forwards of his generation, scoring a Champions League winner for Ajax in 1995.
      Justin Kluivert is eyeing his dad Patrick’s Premier League goal tallyCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      The Bournemouth forward has scored three league goals this seasonCredit: AFP
      He also forged a fearsome partnership with Rivaldo at Barcelona while also netting 40 times in 79 appearances for Holland.
      But he found it tough at Newcastle, scoring only six goals back in 2004-05.
      Bournemouth winger Kluivert Jr has bagged three already this term in the league, and fancies his chances of overtaking his dad this season — starting with today’s trip to Toon to face pa’s old club. And he is ready to strike a wager as motivation.
      The Cherries star, 24, said: “I need to go over him, I need to! Why not?
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      “I don’t have an ongoing bet with my father but I will make one.
      “The second part of the season just started. I think last season at Valencia where I was, I scored two before Christmas.
      “And after I scored in total something like eight.
      “I want to do here the same, for sure! I think that it’s possible already this season, I will give my 100 per cent.
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      “I just need to enjoy the game — and then my qualities will take care of the rest. I played in six countries and scored goals everywhere . . . ”
      Having had to live up to such high expectations and carry such a heavy name on your back from an early age would have put most children off.
      Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel Messi
      But not Justin. He has embraced the pressure and  said: “Having Patrick  Kluivert as a father made me and motivated me.
      “It was no pressure but built the person I am today. It just motivated me to fill up these big boots.”
      Justin admits he is currently getting more stick than carrot from his dad.
      The former Ajax, Roma, RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia ace  says that  the Dutch legend is his most devoted supporter  but at  the same time his fiercest critic.
      When things go well on the pitch, his father hardly takes any notice but one mistake and he is straight on his back.
      It is this tough love  that ensures he does not get too big for his boots and keeps evolving.
      Kluivert Jr said: “Dad is my biggest fan and my biggest critic. But he’d tell me first what I did wrong, you know?
      Justin is ready to strike a wager with his dad for motivationCredit: Instagram @patrickkluivert9
      “Because what I did good, I know I did good.
      “But what I did wrong, he’ll tell me.
      “Then, course, as a dad he also tells me what I did right but especially what I did wrong!
      “And I listen to what he has to say.”
      Bournemouth chief Andoni Iraola has certainly made people listen after a horror start.
      He failed to win any of his first nine league games in charge.
      But with the Cherries now sitting pretty in 13th position, Kluivert has hailed the Spaniard’s “crazy” turnaround.
      Patrick Kluivert spent a season in England with NewcastleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He said: “He means a lot for us players.
      “When he came we lost a lot at the beginning but we just stayed focused, we knew what he wanted from the team.
      “And we didn’t change game plans but kept believing in ourselves and eventually it turned out quite good!
      “I have the feeling we’re still improving and we can do much greater things with him as a coach.
      “I am looking forward to that.”
      Iraola is ready to meet fire-with-fire against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle today.
      He is poised to throw his new Turkish striker Enes Unal into battle alongside Dominic Solanke.
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      Iraola said: “We need goals because Newcastle are an offensive power and it’s going to be a very open game.
      “We will press them and they will press us and there will be spaces.” More

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      Xabi Alonso is the ideal fit to fill Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool shoes – how successful he’ll be is impossible to predict

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      FINDING a manager is a doddle. Just how successful he will be is impossible to predict.All signs point to Xabi Alonso moving into Jurgen Klopp’s spot at Anfield and, further, that he will be an ideal fit to fill them with a sockfull of similar achievements to the German.
      Xabi Alonso has been strongly linked with replacing Jurgen KloppCredit: Rex
      A gentle warning here that it’s not always the case that past achievements guarantee future ones.
      At West Ham, we believed we had pulled off a coup with the appointment of Manuel Pellegrini, whose record included a period with Real Madrid and winning the Prem with Manchester City.
      It failed to work, the partnership lasted 18 months.
      Sometimes it’s the fit, the understanding and the trust between the manager, the players, the supporters and the board that guarantee success or failure.
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      As Kevin Kegan famously said about his time at Newcastle, his relationship with the board was based on trust and understanding . . . they didn’t understand him and he didn’t trust them!
      In 2020, Klopp led Liverpool to their first title in 30 years and with City monopolising it ever since, Anfield’s crown prince will have quite a task.
      Alonso has shown his potential at Bayer Leverkusen, especially with Saturday’s 3-0 pulverisation of Bayern Munich. That result extended Leverkusen’s lead at the top to five points  and make Bayern’s chance of an 11th consecutive title look rather sick.
      Pale at the best of times, Thomas Tuchel was an even whiter shade at the way he had been tactically out-thought by a manager who has only been in the job two years.
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      At Anfield, there might well have been a collective licking of lips.
      The Red half of Merseyside is bereft at losing Klopp, whose decision to take a break after this season, which I admire, had not been predicted.
      Jamie Carragher reveals absolutely savage X-rated text Gary Neville sent over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool exit
      Whatever Alonso or another appointment brings, I doubt his personality will ever match the impact of Klopp’s on Merseyside or this country.
      He is the German we all like. Sincere, passionate, honest and vastly knowledgeable, he is leaving so much behind he doesn’t need a statue.
      But while his successor is following the man who won Liverpool’s 20th top-flight title, the Kop board will surely regard Alonso as The One. He admits to Liverpool being his favourite among his many former clubs.
      Shortly before he left for Real Madrid, in 2009, he said: “I understand what Liverpool means to so many people.
      “It is such a special club and I just didn’t want to leave.
      Klopp is stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of the seasonCredit: PA
      “The fans couldn’t have done more to show me how they felt . . . If I went out for lunch or a coffee, there was always someone who would say, ‘We’d love you to stay’.”
      Alongside Steve Gerrard as the defensive midfielder in Rafa Benitez’s excellent side, he was a key player in arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history — 2005’s the Miracle of Istanbul.
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      Alonso considered it the best moment in his career, so how could he resist returning as The Gaffer.
      And once there, how he would fancy a few meetings with the great Pep  Guardiola and, probably his greatest pal in football, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, a boyhood friend with designs to overtake Pep and Klopp for the title this season. More

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      Chelsea make Ivan Toney No1 transfer target as Brentford hold out on club-record fee for striker

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      CHELSEA are planning a massive summer bid for Ivan Toney.SunSport understands the Brentford striker is seen as the “number one target” for their West London rivals.
      Chelsea are planning a summer move for Ivan ToneyCredit: Rex
      Mauricio Pochettino believes the Brentford forward can take his side ‘to the next level’Credit: Getty
      It is thought the Bees are holding out for a fee of over £80m for the striker, who has made a goalscoring return to the side following his gambling ban.
      To land Toney at such a price, Chelsea would need to offload a number of players in order to satisfy financial fair play requirements.
      But the side’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has told Blues owners Toney is a player who he thinks can take the side “to the next level”.
      Our source said: “Chelsea want Ivan Toney. Everyone knows Chelsea need a striker and, right now, he’s the best available striker in the Premier League.
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      “Pochettino has made it clear that if he is available, and that the club can make the deal happen, then they should move heaven and earth to get him. He believes Toney can transform his team, and can help deliver the goals to make them genuine title contenders again.”
      Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Toney as they look to bolster their attacking options.
      Details of the latest twist come just weeks after we exclusively revealed how Toney was “torn” over a January move.
      A source close to the player said Toney – previously banned for gambling offences – feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brentford and to the club’s manager Thomas Frank which means any move could be held off until the Summer.
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      The source said: “A lot of people assume Ivan will be on his way after Christmas, but no deal has been done – and nothing has been decided.
      “Ivan is torn over his future. Brentford have stood by him and the club have been brilliant. Part of him wants to help them by hitting the ground running straight away in January and scoring the goals which will ensure they stay in the Premier League.
      Mauricio Pochettino reacts to beating Crystal Palace 1-3
      “There are a lot of clubs interested in Ivan but his focus, for now, is getting back on the pitch at Brentford and doing the business for his manager Thomas Frank, to whom he feels he has a big debt to repay. The same goes for the fans.
      “He’s determined to get back in the England squad and Ivan fully believes in himself to make the first squad once he’s back playing football.”
      The source also said Brentford are under no pressure to sell their ace striker.
      “They don’t need the money,” the source said. “Toney is their player and they will only consider selling him if the offer is right for the club.” More

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      Raheem Sterling snubbed ‘eye-watering’ Saudi transfer offer that would have TREBLED Chelsea star’s £300k-a-week salary

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      RAHEEM STERLING reportedly snubbed an eye-watering transfer offer from Saudi Arabia last summer.The Chelsea winger could have become one of the three highest-paid players in the Saudi Pro League.
      Raheem Sterling turned down an eye-watering offer from Saudi Arabia last summerCredit: Rex
      However, he instead opted to remain at Stamford Bridge for another season.
      According to the Telegraph, Sterling received an offer from the Middle East that would have trebled his Chelsea wages.
      The 29-year-old reportedly earns £300,000-per-week at the West London club.
      He would have become one of the highest earners in the league behind Cristiano Ronaldo, the report adds.
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      Sterling opted to reject the approach, though, having had no intention of leaving Chelsea after just one season.
      The former England international joined the Blues from Manchester City in 2022 on a five-year deal.
      He went on to score nine goals across all competitions in his debut campaign.
      However, those goals were not enough to prevent a 14th placed finish, the club’s lowest since 1994.
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      Sterling has already racked up five goals and six assists in the league this term, though, with only Cole Palmer providing more goal contributions for Chelsea in the Premier League.
      He will be hoping to add to that tally against his old club on Saturday evening as Manchester City welcome Chelsea to the Etihad Stadium.
      How Chelsea lined up against Liverpool in 2022 Carabao Cup final with just TWO of starting XI still at club
      A win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side could see them jump from 10th to seventh in the table as they look to remain in European contention.
      Chelsea then have a chance to win their first trophy under Pochettino in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool next weekend.
      Sterling won the competition five times with City, including four triumphs in a row between 2018 and 2021. More

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      Liverpool suffer another injury blow with Alisson ‘ruled out of Brentford clash due to hamstring problem’

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      ALISSON is set to be ruled out of Liverpool’s trip to Brentford on Saturday through injury.The Reds goalkeeper is not expected to be involved due to a hamstring problem picked up in training this week.
      Alisson will miss Liverpool’s trip to Brentford due to a hamstring problemCredit: Rex
      His absence adds to a growing injury list for Jurgen Klopp, which now stands at eight.
      Those include similar issues for Thiago and Dominik Szoboszlai as well as an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      However, Mohamed Salah is back in contention for the away clash with the Bees, Klopp has confirmed.
      He will be without his first-choice keeper, though, who has remained on Merseyside for further checks.
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      Caoimhin Kelleher is instead expected to start in goal for the Reds at the Gtech Community Stadium.
      It is currently unknown whether Alisson will be fit to return at home to Luton in midweek.
      Alisson missed three matches earlier this season due to a similar injury sustained against Manchester City in November.
      Meanwhile, he was also forced out of last weekend’s win over Burnley with flu before returning to training.
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      The Brazilian has kept seven clean sheets in 21 Premier League appearances so far this term.
      Liverpool have the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table in Saturday’s early kick-off.
      Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers
      A win will see them move five points clear of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, who both play later in the weekend. More

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      Mark Halsey: Record-breaking Lewis Smith has the natural ability to be Premier League ref… even aged just 30

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      ROOKIE ref Lewis Smith, 30, makes his big-time debut tomorrow, becoming the youngest official to take charge of a Premier League match this season.Smith is the man in the middle as Fulham take on Aston Villa, the highlight of a season that has seen him referee six matches in the Championship, four in the FA Cup and three in the EFL Cup.
      Lewis Smith will become the youngest Prem ref in history tomorrowCredit: Rex
      Mark Halsey is backing him to be a hit during Fulham’s clash with Aston VillaCredit: PA
      Here, SunSport’s Whistle Blower, ex-Prem ref MARK HALSEY, runs the rule over the new boy…
      LEWIS SMITH has the natural ability to be a Premier League referee.
      And it’s great to see a young talent like Lewis being given the chance to take charge of Fulham’s home clash with Aston Villa tomorrow.
      Like a promising player breaking into a first-team, if a referee is good enough, they are old enough and we should not hold the 30-year-old back.
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      Yes, Lewis has been fast-tracked through the system but the PGMOL have identified him as a future prospect and believe the time is right for his top-flight debut.
      He’s been well-prepared for his big test at Craven Cottage in recent weeks by officiating at tough Championship venues such as Leeds, Stoke and Birmingham – and even Barrow’s match with Forest Green in League Two on Tuesday night.
      It’s no secret that I’m a QPR fan and I watched Lewis perform exceptionally well when he officiated the Hoops against Millwall last month.
      That London derby is not an easy one to referee but he handled the game superbly, allowing the game to flow and engaging with the players.
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      Lewis only cautioned two players because his communication was good and that’s what players like.
      I’ve also spoken to people who have observed him this season and the feedback was similar to what I saw.
      Fans in hysterics as they spot Aaron Ramsdale’s cameo as referee delays Arsenal vs Liverpool clash
      Lewis is a very fit lad and isn’t fussy. He’s well liked and in the same mould as fellow Prem rookie Sam Barrott, who has also impressed in the top-flight this season.
      My only note of caution is we need to nurture these young talents.
      There is no hiding place in the Premier League and it’s a tough environment where mistakes from young officials will happen.
      We need to make sure they learn and develop and are coached in the correct manner so he improves his on-field performance but also gains mental toughness.
      It’s clear we are short of refereeing talent in the Prem and the likes of Michael Oliver, who became the youngest top-flight ref at the age of 25 in August 2010, and Anthony Taylor won’t be around forever so we need the next generation to flourish. More

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      Callum Wilson has missed two-and-a-half YEARS of his career as fans spot ‘freakish’ moment that caused latest injury

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      CALLUM WILSON has missed two-and-a-half YEARS of his football career through injury.The Newcastle star looks set to sit out the rest of the season after injury his pectoral tendon.
      Callum Wilson has missed two-and-a-half years of football through injuryCredit: Getty
      The Newcastle striker will be sidelined again after hurting his pectoral muscleCredit: PA

      Wilson, 32, will undergo surgery in a bid to repair the muscle.
      And he will be missing for around 12 weeks, which could see him absent for Newcastle’s run-in.
      Wilson picked up the injury in his side’s 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest.
      And with his contract expiring in 2025, the striker may have played his last game for the Magpies.
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      Wilson will also be sweating on his place in England’s squad for this summer’s Euros.
      But it’s just the latest in a long line of injuries for the hitman.
      As of today, he has missed 936 days of action through various setbacks.
      At Newcastle alone, Wilson has suffered EIGHT hamstring injuries and two calf setbacks.
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      At former club Bournemouth, he experienced not one but two cruciate ligament tears.
      And Wilson has missed a total of 154 games over the course of his 936 days in the medical centre.
      Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozers

      However, fans have been left shocked by how Wilson suffered his latest setback.
      He was wrestling with Forest defender Moussa Niakhate in the dying moments of last weekend’s game before feeling a pain in his chest.
      And one supporter reckoned it was nothing short of “freakish.”
      They said: “All his injuries seem to be most non-contact which is worrying. This one is just freakish.”
      Another declared: “This is potentially how he’s ended his Newcastle career, unnecessary wrestling.”
      One noted: “Just seconds before the final whistle, damn.”
      Another added: “Players can’t be physical now in case they get injured? It’s a freakish injury.” More

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      Roy Hodgson agrees to step aside for Glasner as Crystal Palace manager with Paddy McCarthy to take charge at Everton

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      PADDY McCARTHY is preparing to take charge of Crystal Palace’s visit to Everton on Monday night.Roy Hodgson is said to be recovering well after his health scare during Palace training on Thursday morning, though was still awaiting results in hospital according to the most recent update from the club.
      Paddy McCarthy will manage Crystal Palace against Everton as Roy Hodgson recovers from his health scareCredit: Getty
      Hodgson has agreed to step down as Palace boss for Oliver GlasnerCredit: EPA
      Hodgson was taken to hospital after collapsing during the training session.
      The former England manager, 76, has agreed to step aside from his role as manager with Austrian Oliver Glasner having agreed to come in as the new boss.
      However, Palace are aware of the sensitivity around announcing a new manager given the delicate situation, meaning it is unclear when the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach will be confirmed in the role.
      That means Glasner, who has agreed a deal until 2026 worth around £4million-a-year, will not be in charge at Goodison Park on Monday.
      The Eagles are just five points clear of Everton in the relegation zone after a dire run of form.
      Players had a scheduled day off on Friday, as they always do ahead of a Monday night game, while McCarthy and Hodgson’s long-time assistant Ray Lewington are expected to take training today and tomorrow.
      McCarthy has previous experience of leading the team, having done so away to Arsenal last season after Patrick Vieira was sacked and prior to Hodgson’s return to Selhurst Park.
      Fellow Premier League managers have been offering their support to Hodgson after the shock news this week.
      Most read in FootballRoy Hodgson’s record at PalaceHe’s had two spells at Selhurst Park…

      2017-21
      Games: 162Win percentage: 33%Goals per game: 1.2Goals conceded per game: 1.5
      2023-24Games: 38Win percentage: 32%Goals per game: 1.3Goals conceded per game: 1.6

      West Ham boss David Moyes, who has a close relationship with Hodgson, said: “I am hearing he is fine by what I have heard, so I am hoping that is the case.
      “I have always said I don’t know if I want to be working at Roy’s age, that’s for sure, but he is someone who loves the game and his longevity has been incredible in football.”
      Roy Hodgson ‘very grateful’ to be honoured with CBE

      Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou added: “It is a weird sort of occupation we have.
      “There are not many where people pretty much dictate or try to create a narrative where you are pretty much finished and also putting up your replacement.
      “Roy is still in the position, but that is the way of the world nowadays. I guess we sign up for it, so everyone kind of expects it.
      “But I don’t think it diminishes Roy’s standing in the game in any way and above all hopefully he bounces back quickly.”
      Who is Oliver Glasner?FORMER defender Oliver Glasner is a Europa League-winning manager.
      The Austrian, 49, spent his entire playing career in his homeland, and was a one-club man, playing 516 times over 19 years for SV Reid.
      But he was forced to retire in terrifying circumstances when he developed a brain haemorrhage after heading a ball in training.
      Emergency surgery saved his life but it spelled the end of him playing career, aged 37.
      Thankfully, Glasner recovered and embarked upon what has become a very successful coaching career.
      He reached out to Ralf Rangnick for a job and became sports coordinator and assistant manager at Red Bull Salzburg.
      Glasner was handed his first managerial role at former club SV Ried in 2014, guiding the club to a sixth place finish in the Austrian Bundesliga.
      He then moved on to LASK, where he served as both manager and director of football between 2015 and 2019.
      During that time, LASK won promotion back to the top-flight and returned to Europe before a second place finish in Glasner’s final season in charge.
      Following his success at LASK, Glasner moved to Germany with Wolfsburg in 2019.
      After securing Champions League football in 2021, the Austrian moved to Frankfurt.
      His maiden season with the club would end with European glory, as Frankfurt beat Rangers on penalties in the Europa League final.
      The triumph earned the club their third European trophy and first since 1980.
      Glasner left the Eagles last summer after a seventh place finish and a run to the Champions League last 16. More