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      Troy Deeney picks his six Prem wonderkids to watch this year from Palmer to Mainoo… plus one familiar name in the EFL

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      HERE are my six Premier League players that are under 23 to watch in 2024 — and one from the Championship with a familiar name.Manchester United and Chelsea each supply two starlets – despite the Prem giants both enduring a mediocre first half of the season.
      Che;sea’s Cole Palmer and Levi Colwill should have much more to celebrateCredit: Reuters
      MICHAEL OLISE – Crystal Palace winger, 22
      One of those I’m most excited by due to his explosiveness, tight control and ability to put the ball in the net.
      Arsene Wenger hailed him as one of the best young talents at the moment — I think that says it all.
      Olise’s been  unfortunate with injuries so his game time has been limited this season but five goals and one assist in nine games is not bad going.
      Michael Olise can scale even greater heights if he’s luckier with injuriesCredit: Getty
      COLE PALMER – Chelsea striker, 21
      Not only is this guy one of the best  in England right now, but I will expand that and say one of the best on the planet. He is that good.
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      Punters said he made a mistake leaving his boyhood Manchester City in the summer in a shock £42.5million switch after winning it all at such a young age.
      But the young man has proven to be worth every penny of his price tag, and does not look fazed in the slightest.
      I am certain he is going to have another amazing year in a Chelsea shirt, with the Euros also on the horizon…

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      LEVI COLWILL – Chelsea centre-back, 20
      Strong, fast. Just two things separate this kid from the rest in his position. Chelsea and England are lucky to have such a talent on their hands.
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      Produced some top displays as Young Lions won the Under-21 Euros  over summer and fitted in seamlessly back at Chelsea after Brighton loan.
      Tipped to become one of the  Premier League’s best centre-backs.
      RASMUS HOJLUND – Man Utd striker, 20
      He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and he may be struggling to find the net in this poor United team right now, but he is definitely someone to watch this year.
      The Dane has not got the Prem goals underneath him just yet – just the one in fact – but he causes defenders so many problems.
      He is sharp, responsive and has good finishing skills when he gets the right delivery, something that has been lacking from his United teammates so far.
      Before we know it, the whole world will be wanting to watch him – not just this year but for the foreseeable future.
      Rasmus Hojlund is short of goals for Man Utd but broke his Prem duck with a late Boxing Day winner at home to Aston VillaCredit: Getty

      HARVEY ELLIOTT – Liverpool midfielder, 20
      This probably would not be a popular pick by most football fans but this guy just loves proving the haters wrong and has really developed under Jurgen Klopp.
      He always puts in a strong performance when asked of him in both the Prem and in Europe – whether it is off the bench or starting from the off and he knows where the goal is.
      He has captained the England U21s on several occasions and it will not be long before he gets that senior national team call-up he dreams of.
      Given time, he will become an absolute asset to Liverpool, who already have so many exciting attackers in their ranks, none more so than Mohamed Salah.
      Harvey Elliott will become a key man for Jurgen Klopp’s RedsCredit: Getty
      KOBBIE MAINOO – Man Utd midfielder, 18
      In what has been a dull season for United, this teenager is the bright spark, and I have been watching him with interest since pre-season.
      Unfortunately, he was hit with injury – had he not, he may well have caught everyone’s attention sooner and nailed down a starting spot in Ten Hag’s side.
      But he has bounced back and United fans have not stopped raving about the potential on show. Credit to him, he has stepped into some big shoes.
      Kobbie Mainoo has been the shiniest beacon of hope for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty
      We may not be sure of United under Ten Hag, but we are sure of how much better Mainoo makes them when he is in the team.
      JOBE BELLINGHAM – Sunderland midfielder, 18
      While Jude Bellingham rips it up in Spain with Real Madrid, his younger brother Jobe is proving why people say they share many of the same traits on the pitch.
      The physique. The ball control. The strength. The swagger.
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      Mostly appearing in an advanced midfield role since signing from Birmingham last summer, his coaches have said his greatest attribute is his eagerness to learn.
      It is only a matter of time before Sunderland make a huge profit on the bargain £1.5m they paid for him when a big boy comes in and snaps him up.

      Jobe Bellingham is two years younger than brother Jude but with similar assets and has been praised for his willingness to learnCredit: Getty More

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      Arsenal lining up transfer swoop for Dutch wonderkid Jorrel Hato, 17, who has already captained Ajax

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      ARSENAL are plotting a move for Ajax defender Jorrel Hato, according to reports.The 17-year-old wonderkid has already captained the Dutch giants twice this season.
      Arsenal are plotting a move for Ajax defender Jorrel HatoCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta is understood to be keen to bolster his defensive options in the transfer market.
      He remains without summer signing Jurrien Timber, who is expected to be out until at least April with a knee injury.
      Meanwhile, Oleksandr Zinchenko is a current injury doubt and Takehiro Tomiyasu is now on international duty at the Asian Cup.
      According to the Telegraph, Hato has now been identified as a potential target by the Gunners.
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      The teenager is predominantly used in central defence but can also play at left-back, with his versatility appealing to Arsenal.
      However, the report adds that a summer move for Hato is being considered instead of a January transfer.
      Hato has been a standout performer for Ajax this season in an underwhelming campaign for the 36-time Dutch champions.
      He has already made 40 first-team appearance before his 18th birthday as well as wearing the captain’s armband on multiple occasions this term.
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      Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman also handed him his senior international debut back in November.
      Elsewhere, Arsenal continue to be strongly linked with Brentford’s Ivan Toney.
      The forward is seen as the preferred target in Arteta’s search for a new striker.
      Brentford, and manager Thomas Frank, remain determined to keep hold of their man this month. More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson taught Sir Dave Brailsford brutal lesson… and it could mean bad news for a handful of Man Utd players

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON taught Sir Dave Brailsford a brutal lesson which could impact Manchester United.The former British Cycling performance director is set to join the board at Old Trafford following Ineos’ takeover of football operations.
      Sir Dave Brailsford was taught a brutal lesson by Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
      United confirmed a deal with Sir Jim Ratcliffe for a 25 per cent stake in the club on Christmas Eve.
      Jean Claude Blanc will also join the board, with Brailsford set to be Ratcliffe’s right-hand man at the club.
      The 59-year-old previously worked for British Cycling and Team Sky, before Ineos’ takeover, overseeing Olympic and Tour de France success.
      It was during that time that he was taught by Ferguson to “get rid of people who aren’t working in the same direction”, according to cycling journalist Daniel Friebe.
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      He told Sky Sports: “I remember talking about conversations he’d had with Sir Alex Ferguson.
      “This is going back maybe 10, 15 years. I think one of the things that Ferguson used to say that Dave definitely retained was: ‘Get rid of the disruptive influences, get rid of people who aren’t working in the same direction as you’.
      “Dave, as far as I could see, really assimilated that. And that was one of the pillars of the team’s success, knowing when to get rid of people, knowing when people were not on the same page as you.
      “Speaking with physios, mechanics, that is something that happened at Team Sky.
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      Ferguson sat next to Brailsford during Manchester United’s loss to Nottingham ForestCredit: Rex
      “They wouldn’t necessarily do anything egregiously wrong, but Dave would get to a point and think, ‘This person is not for us anymore,’ and out they would go.”
      Brailsford was spotted sitting next to Ferguson during United’s defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend.
      The legendary Red Devils boss is often seen supporting his old club in the stands.
      Meanwhile, Ratcliffe and Brailsford both met with Erik ten Hag and his players at Carrington this week as Ineos’ deal edges closer to being finalised.
      Brailsford met with United’s players and staff this week alongside Sir Jim RatcliffeCredit: Getty
      He is set to be Ratcliffe’s right-hand man at Old Trafford following Ineos’ takeoverCredit: Getty More

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      Former Tottenham star Pascal Chimbonda comes out of retirement at 44 and signs HIMSELF

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      FORMER Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda has come out of retirement aged 44 – after signing HIMSELF. Chimbonda became manager of ninth tier outfit Skelmersdale United in October to kickstart his coaching career.
      Pascal Chimbonda is set to come out of retirementCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      It’s been a rocky start for the full-back, who hung up his boots in 2019.
      He hit the headlines for an X-rated half-time rant in a 6-0 defeat which saw him unleash 72 swear words.
      And Chimbonda was sent off during Skelmersdale’s clash with Barnoldswick Town in October, less than a week after joining.
      The Frenchman – who played in the 2006 World Cup – was handed a five game suspension and £50 fine for leaving his technical area after a row.
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      It was later reduced to three matches.
      Skelmersdale confirmed the reduction of his match ban and revealed he will be back in the dugout on January 27 against Bury.
      But in a fresh twist, when he returns he could be in action on the pitch – five years after last playing.
      That’s because Chimbonda has registered himself as a player for the club.
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      A statement read: “In other news, Pascal is now registered as a player, and we could indeed see him play against Bury on Saturday 27th January.”
      Chimbonda made 149 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Wigan, Blackburn and Sunderland.
      Skelmersdale currently find themselves rock bottom of the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.
      Chimbonda manages Skelmersdale UnitedCredit: Instagram / skelmersdaleunited More

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      Fans fear for Premier League stadium as river threatens to spill on to pitch after Storm Henk

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      FOOTBALL fans fear Nottingham Forest’s pitch could be flooded after footage emerged of the River Trent rising around the City Ground.Storm Henk is causing chaos across the country while a cold weather alert has also been issued by the Met Office.
      Storm Henk has caused the River Trent to overflow to within metres of the City GroundCredit: Twitter
      The City Ground is due to host the FA Cup tie between Nottingham Forest and Blackpool on SundayCredit: Getty
      Racecourse tracks, Powerleague venues and Worcester cricket ground are just some of the sporting venues that have been submerged due to the extreme conditions.
      And Forest’s home is the latest to be impacted by the floods.
      The Trent – which runs right past the City Ground – is getting closer and closer to the stadium ahead of the weekend.
      Footage shared on social media shows just how much the water is overflowing next to the Premier League venue.
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      Forest are scheduled to host Blackpool in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
      And while at this stage there is no threat of the match being called off, the clip caused panic among some football supporters online.
      One said: “Bloody hell! Never seen it that close!”
      Another added: “I thinks that’s the highest I’ve seen it since 2000.”
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      A Nottingham Powerleague has been completed flooded by the severe weatherCredit: Twitter
      A third replied: “Not far off the ground at all that 😮.”
      While a fourth responded: “They might have to postpone Sunday on health and safety grounds if still like this.”
      Despite fan fears, Nottingham Forest shared a video on social media at midday on Friday showing their players training and the caption: “Preparing for FA Cup action 🏆.” More

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      I’m an ex-Premier League star who played under Pep Guardiola – he bans you from training if you don’t follow simple rule

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      FORMER Manchester City star Gael Clichy has lifted the lid on Pep Guardiola’s tough Etihad regime — which includes being banned from training for not following one simple rule.Clichy, 38, spent six seasons starring for City between 2011 and 2017.
      Pep Guardiola keeps his Man City players on point with one strict ruleCredit: PA
      Gael Clichy spent six years at the Etihad, winning two titlesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      A Premier League and FA Cup winner with Arsenal, he added two more titles to his trophy cabinet after netting three goals in 203 games.
      Clichy spent most of his time playing under Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini.
      But he was around for the first season of Guardiola’s incredible City reign.
      And Clichy has revealed the no-nonsense approach taken by the Spaniard to keep standards high.
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      Guardiola arrived at City after winning six league titles and two Champions Leagues with Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
      The tactician, who has since won five titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League at City, quickly imposed his authority.
      And one rule for stunned players was that if they were two kilos over their target weight, they were not allowed to train.
      Clichy told Marca: “If you weighed two kilos more than what he considered your maximum weight, you didn’t train.
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      “In football, you always hear coaches say ‘if you’re overweight, you don’t train’.
      “In the end, if it’s an important player, the norm is swept under the rug because they need that player.
      “With Pep, if you were two kilos above the weight you should have after finishing the hard work and proper nutrition of the pre-season, you did not train.
      “I saw players who did not train during two weeks.”
      Reflecting on his short time with Guardiola, Clichy added: “My last year at City was Pep’s first.
      “I player more games with him in one season than with any other coach. But I have opposite feelings about that year.
      “I am grateful for what I learned under his direction but I would have liked it to have been more than one season.”
      After leaving City in 2017, Clichy went on to play for Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir and Swiss outfit Sevette before retiring in October to become France U21 assistant boss.
      Clichy worked with Guardiola for one season before leaving CityCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      Ex-Premier League Wag and ‘world’s sexiest woman’ looks sensational in tiny bikini as fans say she is ‘poetry in motion’

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      VIKTORIA VARGA has been called “poetry in motion” after stunning in a tiny white bikini.The former Premier League Wag looked sensational as she flaunted her physique in an Instagram post.
      Viktoria Varga showed off her physique in a tiny bikiniCredit: Instagram @vamaswim
      She modelled her own range of swimwear in her latest Instagram postCredit: Instagram @vamaswim

      She smiled whilst posing for the camera in the skimpy bikini, which was designed by her swimwear brand Vama Swim.
      Hungarian-born model Viktoria, who is married to ex-Southampton striker Graziano Pelle, has previously been dubbed the “world’s sexiest woman”.
      Her fans were once again left in awe with her latest upload, with one hailing her: “The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
      Another added: “Could look at you forever.”
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      A third follower also wrote: “Stunning.”
      Meanwhile, one more commented: “Poetry in motion.”
      Viktoria has 608,000 followers on Instagram, with her fans regularly treated to glamorous pictures and bikini snaps.
      She also often shares loved up posts with her footballer husband Pelle.
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      The former Premier League Wag was called ‘poetry in motion’ by her fansCredit: Instagram @vamaswim
      Viktoria has previously been dubbed the ‘world’s sexiest woman’Credit: Instagram @vamaswim
      The couple have been together for over a decade and tied the knot in July 2022.
      Former Italy international Pelle previously spent two years in England with Southampton, scoring 23 goals in 68 Premier League appearances.
      However, he currently finds himself without a club after leaving Parma back in 2021.
      She shared the video with her 608,000 Instagram followersCredit: Instagram @vamaswim
      Viktoria is married to former Southampton striker Graziano PelleCredit: Instagram @vamaswim More

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      Ange Postecoglou rules out £180k-a-week star ever playing for Tottenham again

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      ANGE POSTECOGLOU has ruled out Ivan Perisic playing again for Tottenham.The Croatian, who turns 35 next month, made a bright start under Postecoglou at the start of the season but then damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in September.
      Ange Postecoglou has ruled out Ivan Perisic playing again for TottenhamCredit: Alamy
      Spurs feared at the time it would curtail his campaign despite the veteran vowing to return ahead of the Euros this summer.
      But his manager has now confirmed the wideman will not feature again this term, meaning he has played his last game for the club with his expensive contract expiring in the summer.
      Asked if he expected Perisic to play again this season, Postecoglou replied: “No. He’s working hard, to be fair to Ivan.
      “He’s obviously got some national team commitments he wants to get back to as soon as possible. He’s been a significant loss for us.
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      “I thought this year he was going to be a really significant contributor because of his experience and we saw that in the first few games because of the way he impacted games.
      “But yeah, he won’t…he’s unlikely to play for us again.”
      Perisic was signed by Postecoglou’s predecessor Antonio Conte in the summer of 2022 on a two-year deal, believed to be worth £180,000 a week.
      He has made 50 appearances for the North Londoners, with his only goal for the club being the final one of Conte’s reign in March’s 3-3 draw at Southampton.
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      Reports have linked Perisic with a move back to Croatia with Hajduk Split ready to pounce.
      The move is in place as Spurs built a good relationship with the Croatian giants after snatching dream-signing 16-year-old Luka Vuskovic.
      Perisic is a lifelong supporter of the side and played in the youth ranks for the club from 2000-2006.
      Ivan Perisic looks to have played his last Spurs gameCredit: Getty More