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      Football’s weirdest pre-match meals including Jamie Vardy’s omelette, Gareth Bale’s baked beans and Paul Scholes

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      PREMIER LEAGUE legends have served up fireworks on the pitch – and choose some real bangers when it comes to odd pre-match meals.You might think Jamie Vardy going from skittles and Vodka to Red Bulls, double espresso and omelette would take some beating…
      Gareth Bale believed in a ‘mountain of baked beans’Credit: YouTube @ SKS Tube Sports
      Paul Scholes added a couple of Turkish Delights to his beansCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Jamie Vardy went from Skittles and Vodka to loads of Red BullCredit: PA
      And you’d be right!
      But Gareth Bale, Paul Scholes, Pascal Gross and Andy Carroll are juicy contenders for top honours in our list of munching madness.
      It also appears many of football’s stylists believe a good old-fashioned British favourite gets them blazing out of the blocks early doors.
      To amend a childhood proverb, their motto seems to be: “Baked beans are good for your art – the more you eat the better you start.”
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      JAMIE VARDY
      The late-developing Leicester striker, 37, who went on to win 26 England caps, is undoubtedly the one to beat at the top of the dining table.
      And it’s hard to say it better than Vardy himself when describing how his pre-match routine graduated from Skittles, Vodka and a penchant for drinking Port from a Lucozade bottle.
      He said: “Three Red Bulls, a double espresso and a cheese and ham omelette is what makes me run around like a nut-job on a match day.”
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      And if you are not quite convinced that combination would meet the approval of a  sports nutritionist, then how about Vardy’s meticulous timetable for consuming it all on match-day….
      The 2016 Prem winner explained: “I wake up in the morning and then [have a] Red Bull. 
      “Literally I get out of bed, get the kids up and downstairs, get their breakfast sorted and then I’m straight into the Red Bull.
      “After that we meet at the stadium for pre-match and while I’m getting changed I’ll have a coffee – it’s better than taking ProPlus. 
      “Red Bull, coffee and then when we get over to the pre-match lounge, I’ll have my cheese and ham omelette with another can of Red Bull.”
      GARETH BALE
      The Wales legend raised eyebrows at Tottenham with his eating habits ahead of kick-off.
      The now-retired winger is one of the few players Real Madrid stars have compared favourably to Cristiano Ronaldo for pure athleticism.
      So perhaps his choice of “cuisine” is not to be scoffed at.
      Former Spurs team-mate Jermaine Jenas revealed the golf-crazy star’s ample eating.
      Jenas told TNT Sports: “The only meal I remember looking at and thinking why and how was Gareth Bale.
      “He used to have like five slices of toast and a mountain of baked beans.”
      PAUL SCHOLES
      The Manchester United legend added a strange twist to traditional nosh.
      The ex-England midfielder, now a pundit, went from box to box with his all-round skills.
      But before kick-off he’d go from chocs to chocs in a curious mix of sweet and savoury food.
      Appearing on the Back of the Net podcast, Scholes told presenter Gabby Logan: “Beans on toast, always, try to have it all the time. 
      “I always had a Turkish Delight as well, the night before the game.
      “It was a bit of a superstition, weird that. Two Turkish Delights and a cup of tea, but I’d always buy a packet of three and leave one.”
      ANDY CARROLL
      The giant frontman, 35, has been accused of having no nutritional nous at Newcastle – when he tucked into Yorkshire puddings and gravy before matches.
      The ex-Liverpool and England ace who is now with Amiens, admitted horrifying a Toon fans’ favourite with his heavyweight pre-loading.
      Andy Carroll’s pre-match roast horrified Newcastle team-mate Kevin NolanCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
      Carroll said: “This one time Kevin Nolan rang me up and said, ‘Will you pick me up cos my car’s not working… where are you?’ 
      “I said I’m just having a Sunday roast and he went mental, screamed at me on the phone, ‘Are you joking?’ and I told him I’d done that forever.”
      PASCAL GROSS
      Brighton’s ex-Tottenham full-back Pascal Gross is one of those players who in one sense eats quite normally… until you discover how he puts all the ingredients together.
      The four-cap German, 32, limbers up conventionally with rice, chicken and olive oil – only to turn bizarre by topping off the combo with Weetabix”
      WAYNE ROONEY
      The Man Utd and England icon is chewing over his managerial future after being sacked by Birmingham.
      So perhaps he might return to the high-carb comfort food he used to down before playing matches.
      The Everton all-time great, 38, once told FourFourTwo his pre-match ritual included Coco Pops and a banana.
      GARY NEVILLE
      The pundit has become a successful pundit and entrepreneur since his days at right-back for the Red Devils and the Three Lions.
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      But despite his sophisticated credentials, Nev gives Rooney a run for his money in terms of his simple intake before matches.
      The recent Dragons’ Den debutant made “spaghetti with sauce, yoghurt and Ribena” his pre-match cuisine.
      Ex-Man Utd and England team-mates Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney both had what might be considered child-like eating habits before gameCredit: Reuters More

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      Kalvin Phillips completes West Ham medical as he nears loan deal from Man City with option to make transfer permanent

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      KALVIN PHILLIPS has completed his West Ham medical as he takes a huge step towards completing his January loan.The Hammers have negotiated an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer.
      Kalvin Phillips has completed his West Ham medical ahead of signing on loan until the end of the seasonCredit: Alamy
      Phillips’ entire £140,000-a-week wages will supposedly be covered by West Ham, who have also paid Manchester City a loan fee to secure the midfielder.
      The 28-year-old has been desperate to leave the Etihad for more first-team opportunities with Euro 2024 on the horizon.
      He could be handed his debut in claret and blue against Bournemouth on February 1.
      Phillips won the Treble with City last season following his £45million move from Leeds – but he started just four games in all competitions.
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      And he has continued to struggle to break into the side, making just two starts this term.
      Phillips has not shown his best form in a Man City shirt – even breaking down in tears after a poor performance and deciding to call his ex-Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa for advice.

      Despite his restricted time on the pitch, West Ham look to have beaten competition from the likes of Juventus, Crystal Palace and Newcastle to his signature.
      The move will see David Moyes complete his midfield regeneration after ex-captain Declan Rice moved to Arsenal for £105m.
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      West Ham have already splashed the cash on Konstantinos Mavropanos, Edson Alvarez, James Ward-Prowse, Mohammed Kudus and now Phillips.
      The new signings have helped West Ham make it to the knockout rounds of the Europa League and fight for a fourth consecutive European qualification with the club sixth in the Premier League.
      West Ham are hopeful Phillips won’t be there only addition this January as the club pushes to sign 19-year-old winger Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland.
      There could also be departures as Said Benrahma attracts interest from Lyon and Marseille. More

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      Premier League club have massive £18.5million bid for in-demand Adam Wharton REJECTED by Blackburn

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      CRYSTAL PALACE have seen an £18.5million bid rejected by Blackburn for Adam Wharton.The Eagles are keen to bring in the 19-year-old midfielder with Cheick Doucoure ruled out until the end of the season through injury.
      Crystal Palace’s offer for Adam Wharton has been rejectedCredit: Rex
      But the Championship side are thought to want to see Wharton remain at Ewood Park until the end of the season as part of any deal – something Palace cannot afford to do at this stage.
      Roy Hodgson’s side are in need of additions this month, having won just one of their last 12 games.
      And pressure ramping up on the former manager ahead of the visit of Sheffield United next week.
      Palace are now weighing up whether to return with an improved offer for Wharton.
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      Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson said: “There’s been an offer and the club has said no, which I like.
      “He’s a great lad, I remember last year sitting at home with his parents drinking tea to discuss his development.
      “Now he’s a first-team player and I believe he’ll be an England player.”
      Wharton has played 29 matches this season and has been capped for the Three Lions Under-20s side.
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      Palace are also keen to sign a right-back and a striker this month with Hodgson having said that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman are working hard to add players this month.
      Eagles fans protested against Parish’s “weak decisions” taking the club backwards during their 5-0 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend. More

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      Mo Salah finally breaks silence on Liverpool return with passionate message to Egypt fans after backlash

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      MOHAMED SALAH has broken his silence after facing backlash for returning to Liverpool from the Africa Cup of Nations.The Reds winger left Egypt’s camp in the Ivory Coast after suffering a hamstring injury against Ghana earlier this month.
      Mohamed Salah has broken his silence on his Liverpool returnCredit: Getty
      He was later ruled out until at least the quarter-finals, if Egypt make it that far.
      In a post on Twitter, the 31-year-old said: “Yesterday I started the treatment and rehabilitation program and I will do everything possible to be ready as soon as possible and return to the national team as was agreed upon from the beginning…
      “I also love it and its people… try harder.”
      Salah’s return to England was met with backlash and accusations he had been “plotting” a departure from the tournament.
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      Those claims were despite the national team revealing they hoped he would return if Egypt are still in the tournament once he receives treatment at Liverpool.
      He had scored a 97th minute penalty to rescue a point in the Pharoahs’ opener against Mozambique.
      However, Salah was then forced off in the subsequent draw with Ghana last Thursday.
      Monday’s third consecutive 2-2 draw with Cape Verde was enough to see Egypt through in Salah’s absence.
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      The seven-time winners face DR Congo for a place in the last eight on Sunday.
      Liverpool hit back at the accusations against Salah this week, with assistant boss Pep Lijnders defending the Reds star.
      Speaking before their clash with Fulham, he blasted: “You should never doubt the commitment of Mo Salah. I never met a guy who is more committed to the life of being a professional football player.
      “I know that his country is devastated to lose him, we were devastated to hear that he got injured.” More

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      Dele Alli suffers further injury blow as Everton star is forced to undergo surgery again after ten-month absence

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      DELE ALLI has been forced to undergo surgery again in another injury blow for the midfielder.The Everton star has been out of action since March after suffering a groin injury whilst on loan at Besiktas.
      Dele Alli has been forced to undergo surgery againCredit: PA
      He returned to the Toffees in the summer but has yet to appear for Sean Dyche’s side this season.
      Dyche has now confirmed Alli has gone under the knife again after a blow in his recovery.
      No timeframe has been given for the former Tottenham man’s return.
      Speaking ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Luton, he told reporters: “Dele has required surgery. There is no time scale on his return. It is groin surgery.”
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      The Everton boss had hinted at a return for Alli last month after giving an update on his recovery.
      He revealed in December that the 27-year-old was “going well” and back training on grass.
      Alli’s last Everton appearance came in August 2022 before his loan switch to Beskitas.
      The ex-England international made 15 appearances whilst in Turkey, scoring three goals.
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      He has played 13 times for the Toffees since his move from Spurs in January 2022.
      Alli’s contract at Goodison Park is currently set to expire at the end of this season. More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea’s horror record for signing strikers on loan as they are linked with Karim Benzema transfer

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      KARIM Benzema’s astonishing wage demands may have been enough to put Manchester United off an attempt to land the former France striker.Even Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be unwilling to pay Benzema, 36, the equivalent of the £86m per year he is currently on in Saudi Arabia to bring the ex-Real Madrid man to Old Trafford for just four months.
      Karim Benzema is unsettled at Al-IttihadCredit: Getty
      But perhaps a bigger warning for United – and potential alternative Benzema suitors Chelsea – is the ill-starred record of on-loan strikers at BOTH clubs.
      Over the past two decades, United and Chelsea have made ten striker loan signings between them – although one of them joined BOTH clubs.
      Not that anybody could, in truth, suggest that Radamel Falcao was anything but a flop at either Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford.
      The Colombian, one of the world’s hottest striking properties before his January 2014 ACL injury, arrived at United at the end of the 2014-15 summer window.
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      He left after 26 Prem appearances, 29 in all competitions, brought a paltry four goals. Never close to the player he had been at Atletico Madrid.
      Undeterred, the following summer saw him turn up in SW6, a season-long loan spell with an option for a £38m full transfer.
      It swiftly became evident that option was never going to be taken up, even before the thigh injury that ruled him out of the second half of the season.
      Just 10 Prem appearances, 12 in all competitions, and a single goal – in a shock 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.
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      Radamel Falcao struggled to produce his best level at Man UtdCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Colombian didn’t perform any better at ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association
      And Falcao was not the exception, for either club.
      Even some of those remembered fondly did not necessarily deliver the numbers to justify that status.
      Sweden’s Henrik Larsson left a great impression during his fleeting three month stay in 2007. That, though, added up to a solitary prem goal and three strikes in 13 games in all competitions.
      More recently, in 2020, United brought in Odion Ighalo.
      The former Watford man did not manage a single Prem goal, finding the target three times in the FA Cup and five times in 23 games in total.
      And last term, Dutchman Wout Weghorst, a surprise arrival from Burnley, failed to score in his 17 Premier League outings, claiming just two in 31 matches across the entire campaign.
      Man Utd fans possess fond memories of Henrik Larsson despite a modest goal returnCredit: Getty
      Odion Ighalo had a largely forgettable loan spell at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      Wout Weghorst’s final game for Man Utd came in last season’s FA Cup finalCredit: Getty
      Not that Chelsea’s loan record is much better.
      After the Falcao flop, there were two other South Americans, the first arriving in 2016.
      Alexandre Pato arrived with memories of his wonderkid status at AC Milan beginning to fade amid a deluge of injuries.
      Struggling with his fitness at Stamford Bridge the Brazilian was unable to make an impression and managed just two appearances, although did score in a 4-0 win at Aston Villa.
      Then in 2019, Maurizio Sarri believed he could get a tune out of his former Napoli charge, Argentina Gonzalo Higuain.
      Maybe it was a gentle refrain, certainly not a belter. Five goals in 14 Prem outings, with five other scoreless matches across three cup competitions.
      And last term, it could be argued Joao Felix’s biggest impression was on the thigh of Fulham’s Kenny Tete when he was sent off an hour into his debut.
      The Portuguese, now at Barcelona, scored four times in 20 appearances, all of them in his 16 top flight games.
      Hardly a ringing endorsement of a track record.
      Alexandre Pato had a blink and you’ll miss it spell at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Gonzalo Higuain played for Chelsea under Maurizio SarriCredit: Reuters
      Joao Felix played for Chelsea last term as their campaign fell apartCredit: AFP
      There was, of course, one player who does not fit that pattern – and he was always a rebel.
      Carlos Tevez, signed on loan from West Ham in 2007, won two Prem crowns, the Champions League and the League Cup in two seasons at Old Trafford, in which he scored 34 goals in 99 appearances including 19 in the top flight.
      Yet for many, even some die-hard United fans, he was the first signal of the change in the balance of power in the city.
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      The infamous “Welcome to Manchester” posters unveiled when he controversially switched from the red half of Manchester to the sky blue one was a statement of intent, one that has been turned into concrete reality over the past 15 years.
      Maybe that history is a bigger reason for both clubs to think again about Benzema, or any other potential loan recruit. It hasn’t exactly gone too well in the past.

      Carlos Tevez joining Manchester City sent shockwaves through UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      My dad was a Man City cult hero, now I’m on the verge of completing transfer to Premier League rival

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      GIO REYNA is closing in on a Premier League switch that would see him emulate his father in moving to England.The American, 21, burst onto the scene at Borussia Dortmund aged just 17, but has seen his playing time diminish this season.
      Gio Reyna has been out of favour at Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      Gio’s father Claudio Reyna starred for Man City in the PremCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Reyna has attracted plenty of interest, including from Prem side Nottingham Forest.
      Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are claimed to have agreed a deal to sign the 24-cap starlet on loan until the end of the season.
      It’s understood that the move could include an option to buy for around £12.5million.
      According to ESPN, Forest are facing stiff competition from Marseille for Reyna’s signature.
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      It’s claimed that the Ligue 1 side have also agreed terms with Dortmund, and that it’ll now be up to the player and his entourage.
      Two mystery clubs are also believed to be in the running to sign Reyna.
      The winger’s representatives include super-agent Jorge Mendes and famous father, Claudio Reyna.
      A former Manchester City and Sunderland cult hero, the elder Reyna enjoyed over five years in the Premier League.
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      Gio Reyna poses with father Claudio and mother Danielle
      He played over 100 times in the Prem between 2001 and 2007, as well as 112 times for his country.
      Reyna, now 50, left Man City for family reasons in January 2007, with boss Stuart Pearce saying at the time: “We are speaking with his representatives about the termination of his contract.
      “It is to do with family reasons, nothing sinister. I can understand the reasons he gave to me.
      “He believes his family has to come before his professional career at this stage. It is a case of working out a deal agreeable to player and club.”
      Gio is named after dad Claudio’s former Rangers team-mate Giovanni van Bronkhorst.
      And his mother Danielle, 50, was also a footballer, earning six caps for the US in the 1990s.
      Gio has never been short of confidence, even admitting last year that he’s always believed that he’s better than his old man.
      I always thought I was better than himGio Reyna on dad Claudio
      He told The American Dream podcast: “Soccer is in my family’s blood, so it was always going to be soccer.
      “It wasn’t forced in any way… to be completely honest, growing up I always thought I was better than him.
      “Like, in a respectful way, and I even used to tell him that when I was like, five or six.
      “My grandpa used to tell me the same thing, but I more thought it was cool that he was known and… at the youth development academy tournaments, people would ask for pictures and I took it as a positive – like I have so much to learn from and the guys on my team obviously really respected him.”
      A transfer away from Borussia Dortmund appears to be the correct course of action to get Reyna’s exciting young career back on track.
      Impressively he has already played 120 times for the German giants aged just 21.
      His progress has stalled this term, however, as he has started just once in the Bundesliga.
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      Claudio, meanwhile, now works as a technical advisor for MLS side Austin FC.
      He previously held a similar position at New York City FC between 2013 and 2019. More

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      Ex-Premier League Wag and ‘world’s hottest woman’ stuns in little black dress as fans say ‘thank you for existing’

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      VIKTORIA VARGA left fans stunned as she dazzled in an elegant dress.The former Premier League star’s wife has been dubbed the “world’s hottest woman”.
      Viktoria Varga stunned in a stylish black dressCredit: Instagram @vikyvarga
      The model dressed to impress as she enjoyed dinner in DubaiCredit: Instagram @vikyvarga
      Viktoria often strips down to revealing outfitsCredit: Instagram @vikyvarga
      She has been dubbed the ‘world’s most beautiful woman’Credit: Instagram @vamaswim
      Viktoria dressed to impress while enjoying a fancy night out at an Italian restaurant in Dubai.
      The 32-year-old looked incredible in a figure-hugging black outfit and high heels.
      She posted the stylish snaps on Instagram to the delight of her 611,00 followers.
      One awestruck fan commented: “You look gorgeous. That beautiful black dress looks amazing on you.”
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      Another added: “Class, beauty and style.”
      A third said: “Thank you for existing.”
      Viktoria is no stranger to leaving fans stunned, recently showing off her body in a gold bikini.
      The Hungarian model also gave fans a treat as she stunned in revealing swimwear.
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      She is married to former Southampton striker Graziano Pelle.
      The retired Prem cult hero scored 30 goals for the Saints in 81 matches.
      Viktoria has 611,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @vamaswim
      The beauty hails from HungaryCredit: Instagram @vamaswim
      Fans have labelled her ‘gorgeous’Credit: Instagram
      She is married to ex-striker Graziano PelleCredit: Instagram More