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    Carlo Ancelotti’s genius tactics brutally expose Chelsea star as Real Madrid ‘eat him up’ for both goals

    FANS claimed Chelsea full-back Reece James was “eaten alive” by Real Madrid’s tactics.Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo gave James a torrid night as Real saw off the ten-man Blues 2-0 in Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
    Vinicius Junior leaves Reece James in his wakeCredit: Getty
    Vinicius Jr and Co gave Chelsea right-back Reece James a torrid eveningCredit: Alamy
    Real Madrid chief Carlo Ancelotti seemed to target James as a weak linkCredit: Getty
    Ex-Three Lions centre-back Rio Ferdinand insisted Vinicius showed the defender “no respect” and Glenn Hoddle blamed James for Real’s second goal at the Bernabeu.
    Fans piled in too, saying the Chelsea wideman “got no mercy” as Real swarmed onto him, both when he had possession himself and when a winger took him on.
    Bernabeu chief Carlo Ancelotti’s ruthless approach was praised, with one observer posting: “High intensity football….these guys are top top quality.”
    Another wrote: “Real Madrid players absolutely ate up Reece like a pride of lions to win back possession for the first goal.”
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    Karim Benzema’s tap-in and sub Marco Asensio’s clinical finish sunk Chelsea, either side of Ben Chilwell’s straight red card for impeding goalbound Rodrygo.
    And of Asensio’s decisive moment, ex-Chelsea manager Hoddle said: “Look at Reece James, he turns his back.
    “The ball is being played, you are down to 10 men. Someone has to switch them on and demanding they are on. They switched off. They were a man down.
    “You have one man less. You have to readjust. Someone has to move out to the edge of the box.
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    Armchair observers noted the way Real swarmed around Reece James

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    “You’ve got players turning their back, walking towards the post, turning his back on the play when the ball is played. You can’t have that.”
    And former Manchester United hero Ferdinand said: “Vinicius Junior showed no respect to Reece James tonight.
    “Whenever Vini had the ball, he went straight at James. He will do the same at the Stamford Bridge. He and Rodrygo play wide and high.”
    Vinicius’ slippery skills were also given full credit.
    One fan posted: “I love James but there’s absolutely no player Vini can’t skin 1v1 if given 90 minutes and isolated. ” More

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    Chelsea fans convinced Carlo Ancelotti would get into their starting XI after Real Madrid boss’ keepy-uppy masterclass

    CHELSEA fans believe Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti deserves to be in their starting line-up more than some of their stars.Ancelotti led Real to an easy 2-0 victory over the Blues in their Champions League quarter-final clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti showed some stunning skillCredit: Getty
    Fans believe Ancelotti deserves a place in Chelsea’s starting line-upCredit: Getty
    The Italian tactician watched Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio fire Los Blancos at a position of strength ahead of next week’s second-leg at Stamford Bridge.
    But fans watching from home also got to see some skill from the 63-year-old head coach, who dazzled them with a stunning keepy-uppy masterclass.
    Ancelotti got a magnificent touch as the ball flew out for a free throw with his swanky leather shoes.
    The ex-Bayern Munich boss then put together four kip-ups like they were nothing with his left hand in the pocket of his expensive suit.
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    Social media users took to Twitter and quickly pointed out that the Real boss showed more skill than all the Chelsea players, who put together hapless performance and lost Ben Chilwell to a red card.
    One fan tweeted: “Chelsea is so BAD that even Carlo Ancelotti started playing football.”
    Another posted: “Super sub appearance from Don Carlo today!”
    A third commented: “At the age of 63 Carlo Ancelotti is still a better footballer than any Chelsea player.”
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    This fan said: “Ancelotti has more swag than any Chelsea player.”
    And that one wrote: “In summer he might get signed by Chelsea as a playmaker.”
    Ancelotti coached Chelsea for two years and won the double in 2010 before his departure in 2011. More

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    Man Utd told exactly how much it’ll cost to secure Jude Bellingham transfer with Liverpool out of race for Dortmund star

    MANCHESTER UNITED and Manchester City will have to pay as much as £130million to land Jude Bellingham.Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s 19-year-old superstar, but Real Madrid remain in the hunt.
    Man Utd and City are tipped to be the main Prem contenders for Jude Bellingham, with Liverpool baulking at the asking price for the England aceCredit: Getty
    Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag could target major summer signings in midfield and attack for what he hopes will be a Champions League campaignCredit: EPA
    City are interested and United could also move if their takeover is completed in time for the summer window.
    Dortmund have not given up hope of keeping Bellingham for another season.
    But if he does decide to go, the Germans believe the £138m deal they did with Barcelona for Ousmane Dembele in 2017 is a yardstick for how much they should get for the young Englishman.
    French forward Dembele was just 20 — a few months older than Bellingham is now — when he moved to the Nou Camp for the enormous fee.
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    Any price in that region would smash the current British record, Chelsea’s £106m splurge on Enzo Fernandez in January.
    The numbers involved in the deal have forced Liverpool to back away, particularly as they are almost certain to miss out on the Champions League riches next term.
    What money they do have needs to be spent on several areas rather than blowing it all on one signing.
    City’s transfer funds will be focused on strengthening the midfield this summer, with Ilkay Gundogan expected to join Barcelona on a free transfer.
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    There is also a question mark over Bernardo Silva while talisman Kevin De Bruyne turns 32 this summer.
    City have shown in the past they are not afraid to break transfer records — splashing out what was then a British high of £100m on Jack Grealish in the summer of 2021.
    Their hopes of signing Bellingham have been boosted by Liverpool walking away but they are wary of Madrid.
    City do have a good working relationship with Dortmund, though, having signed Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji from them last summer. More

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    Kepa ‘passed Real Madrid medical but had transfer vetoed by Zidane’… before joining Chelsea for FOUR TIMES the price

    KEPA ARRIZABALAGA was on the verge on joining Real Madrid before Zinedine Zidane blocked the transfer, according to reports.The Chelsea goalkeeper is set to feature at the Bernabeu tonight as the Blues take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga almost joined Real Madrid before his Chelsea transferCredit: Getty
    But he almost became a Real Madrid player in 2018 – just a few months before signing for Chelsea.
    That’s according to AS, who claim the shot-stopper even passed a medical at the club.
    The report claims Real activated a buyout clause in his Atletic Bilbao contract worth £17.5million.
    And after the deal fell through because Zidane felt his side did not need a new keeper, Chelsea came knocking.
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    But unfortunately for Blues, Kepa had put pen to paper on a new contract in the meantime, and increased his release clause to an astronomical £71.6m.
    Chelsea were happy to pay it and let Thibaut Courtois leave for Real Madrid in the same summer.
    The Belgian was named European goalkeeper of the year in 2022 after helping Los Blancos win their 14th Champions League title.
    Courtois helped Real beat Chelsea in last year’s quarter-final and is expected to line up tonight.
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    Kepa, 28, remains the most expensive goalkeeper of all time, with Liverpool star Alisson second after joining the Reds for £55m. More

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    Meet the stunning Chelsea and Real Madrid Wags as two European giants collide in tasty Champions League clash

    CHELSEA and Real Madrid are set to go head to head in a mouth-watering European clash.The Spanish side will be heavy favourites over the two legs with the Blues enduring one of their worst seasons in the modern era.
    One of the newer girlfriends is Ben Chilwell’s stunning partner Cartia MallanCredit: Instagram
    Thibaut Courtois has been with Mishel Gerzig since 2021Credit: Instagram
    Cheering on both teams will be the players’ stunning wives and girlfriends.
    They will be hoping to give their partners the final push over the line in the fascinating Champions League grudge match.
    Chelsea
    Belle Silva, other half of Thiago, has been left frustrated by Chelsea’s struggles this seasonCredit: Splash News
    Belle is very active on social mediaCredit: Instagram @bellesilva
    Izabel Kovacic has been married to Mateo since 2017Credit: Instagram
    Kovacic is set to face his former side as Chelsea travel to the BernabeuCredit: Instagram / @izakova
    Kai Havertz has spoken about the pressure that football has placed on his relationship with Sophia WeberCredit: Instagram
    The glamorous Paige Milian is the childhood sweetheart of Raheem SterlingCredit: Getty
    Few Blues Wags have made more headlines in recent months than Thiago Silva’s beautiful wife, Belle Silva.
    She has rarely been shy about giving her opinions on the club’s failings and seemed to have particularly little patience for ex-manager Graham Potter.
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    Belle has even left fans speculating on the defender’s future with some of her social media posts.
    Less active on social media is the girlfriend of Kai Havertz Sophia Weber.
    The misfiring German forward, 23, revealed last month how his lack of form has effected her due to the “pressure on our shoulders”.
    The pair are believed to be childhood sweethearts and have been together longer than Ben Chilwell and his girlfriend.
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    The left-back, 26, went Instagram official with Cartia Mallan on Valentine’s Day.
    Fans have since been gushing over the Australian model’s beauty with Chelsea supporters flooding her social media comments.
    Mateo Kovacic’s stunning wife Izabel is also popular.
    She married the midfield ace in 2017 and they had their first child together in October 2020.
    Croatian legend and former Real Madrid teammate Luca Modric is the godfather.
    Another well-known Wag is Raheem Sterling’s fiancee Paige Milian.
    The pair have been engaged since 2018 and Paige was regularly seen in Qatar cheering on the former Manchester City ace.
    Real Madrid
    Mishel Gerzig is the beautiful fiancee of Thibaut CourtoisCredit: Instagram
    Sandra Garal is believed to have met Marco Asenso when she worked at Real MadridCredit: Instagram / @ssandragaral
    Real Madrid Wags met up for tapas a little over a year ago just before Los Blancos went on their now infamous Champions League knockout stage run.
    The club may well need to do it again if they are to land major silverware this season as the league title already looks out of reach.
    The biggest supporters of club stars will be their wives and girlfriends, including Thibaut Courtois’ fiancee Mishel Gerzig.
    The pair have been dating since the summer of 2021.
    Cheering on Marco Asensio is Sandra Garal. The pair are engaged and it is believed they met when she was working as a public relations officer at Real Madrid.
    Meanwhile, David Alaba is with long-term girlfriend Shalimar Heppner.
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    She is the daughter of famous German chef Frank Heppner.
    Asensio and Sandra Garal are engagedCredit: Instagram / @ssandragaral
    David Alaba’s partner Shalimar Heppner has a father who is famous in GermanyCredit: Getty More

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    Roberto Firmino ‘could be offered shock transfer lifeline by Real Madrid’ after Liverpool exit

    REAL MADRID are considering a shock move for Roberto Firmino at the end of the season, according to reports. The Brazilian joined Liverpool in 2015 from German side Hoffenheim and has made 359 appearances for the club but will leave in the summer after turning down a new contract.
    Firmino will leave Liverpool in the summer having been at the club since 2015Credit: Reuters
    Interest in Firmino is expected to be high given the attacking options he can offer and that he’s available on a free transfer.
    Spanish publication El Nacional have reported that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is aware of the situation around Firmino and may look to convince the 31-year-old to move to the Spanish capital.
    Star striker Karim Benzema’s contract is up in the summer although reports suggest an extension has been verbally agreed.
    The report adds that there are not many strikers that Madrid can sign because the club don’t trust them or they are too expensive.
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    El Nacional claim that Perez has ‘learnt a lesson’ after Madrid spent £52million on Luka Jovic who is now at Fiorentina after struggling at the Bernabeu.
    Madrid are also looking to spend big this summer on Borussia Dortmund’s midfield star Jude Bellingham with the Bundesliga outfit set to ask for in excess of £100m for the England international.
    Since joining Liverpool in 2009 Firmino has scored 109 goals winning everything under manager Jurgen Klopp.
    The Brazilian formed part of a lethal front three with now Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
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    The additions of Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Coady Gakpo have seen his first team opportunities limited.
    Firmino is still Liverpool’s second highest goalscorer in the Premier League this season with his most recent strike the equaliser in last weekend’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal. More

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    Real Madrid’s ‘bad cop’ Davide Ancelotti hatches dark arts plan to ‘trap’ Chelsea in Champions League

    REAL MADRID assistant coach Davide Ancelotti has hatched a plan to help them beat Chelsea in the Champions League.The son and right-hand man of manager Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to use the ‘dark arts’ to give the LaLiga side the advantage over the two legs of the quarter-final tie.
    Davide Ancelotti is hoping to force Chelsea’s player into being banned for the second legCredit: Getty
    Reece James and Enzo Fernandez are two of seven players risking suspensionCredit: Reuters
    Ancelotti is hoping to make the second leg at Stamford Bridge easier by getting Chelsea’s players booked at the Santiago Bernabeu.
    Frank Lampard’s squad currently have SEVEN players at risk of suspension heading into the first leg in Spain.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga, Thiago Silva, Enzo Fernández, Conor Gallagher, Reece James, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mykhailo Mudryk will all miss the second leg should they be cautioned on Wednesday evening.
    Therefore the Italian is hoping to get the Madrid stars to ‘tighten’ onto the Blues to trap them into getting booked.
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    Chelsea have collected 20 bookings in the competition so far this season, 14 more than Real Madrid’s total.
    The West London side have committed 111 fouls in the eight games in the current Champions League campaign.

    While Madrid have been a lot more disciplined and have no risk of players being banned for the second leg, unless they are given a red card.
    The clash is Lampard’s second game in charge since returning to the club as interim manager.
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    The former Chelsea midfielder lost his first game 1-0 to Wolves in the Premier League on the weekend.
    However, the Englishman has been backed for success by ex-Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink.
    The Dutchman believes that Lampard has a great chance to give the Blues a successful end to a difficult season by winning the Champions League. More

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    Man Utd face missing out on Harry Kane as two European giants target Tottenham superstar in free transfer swoop

    MANCHESTER UNITED could reportedly miss out on signing Tottenham star Harry Kane.The Red Devils are believed to be facing competition from European powerhouses Real Madrid and PSG.
    Manchester United face competition from Real Madrid and PSG for Harry KaneCredit: Getty
    The two clubs could make a move for the England International once his contract expires at Spurs, according to the Daily Mail.
    Real Madrid are starting to plan for life after Karim Benzema and PSG are set to lose both Neymar and Lionel Messi soon.
    The report suggests that Kane might see out his deal at Tottenham and leave on a free transfer.
    This would be a blow for Man United, as the 29-year-old is a key transfer target.
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    Kane has been in brilliant form this season, scoring 23 goals in 30 Premier League appearances.
    He has proved to be the most important striker in the league, having contributed to 42 per cent of Spurs’ goal total in the league.
    Erik ten Hag wants the club to sign two strikers this summer to bolster his attacking options.
    Brighton’s breakout star Even Ferguson is another target for the club, but the Dutch boss is also keen on signing a more experienced forward.
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    However, Brighton are planning on rewarding the 18-year-old with a new contract after impressing this campaign.
    The Irish striker has scored nine goals in 18 senior appearances in all competitions this season.
    Tottenham are also interested in signing Ferguson as a potential replacement for Kane.
    Evan Ferguson is another target for the Red DevilsCredit: Reuters More