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      in Soccer

      Lionel Messi was deceptive, provocative and unimaginably rude, says ex-Liverpool star Jerzy Dudek in sensational attack

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      FORMER Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek took an astonishing swipe at Lionel Messi in his autobiography, labelling him as “provocative” and “rude”.The Pole saw Messi up close over the course of many Clasicos, having acted as deputy to Iker Casillas at Real Madrid for four years after leaving Anfield in 2007.
      Dudek has taken a swipe at Messi
      And in his tell-all book Dudek, now 48, did not hold back when talking about Messi – who is set to leave Barcelona this summer. 
      He wrote of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner: “He was deceptive and provocative, the same as Barcelona and Pep Guardiola.
      “They were so ready to provoke you and they were able to do it to perfection.
      “That hurt Jose Mourinho and the whole team a lot.
      “I saw Messi say such rude things to Pepe and [Sergio] Ramos that you would not imagine from such a quiet and seemingly good person.”
      Cristiano Ronaldo is arrogant, but he’s a normal guy behind the scenesJerzy Dudek
      As well as Messi and Guardiola, Dudek also had his say on legendary ex-team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Raul.
      Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League hero continued: “Cristiano Ronaldo is arrogant, but he’s a normal guy behind the scenes.
      “It’s about how people perceive him, more or less.
      “Like Raul, he’s egocentric, incredibly competitive and a winner.
      Messi has regularly been the scourge of Real MadridCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      “Both would prefer their team to win 2-1 with their goals than 5-0 with other players scoring.”
      Clasicos regularly boiled over in the Guardiola vs Mourinho period, and clearly there is still no love lost between those involved.
      During one particularly bad-tempered affair in 2011 a poor challenge from Marcelo sparked a row – with Mourinho bizarrely poking Tito Vilanova in the EYE from behind.
      Lionel Messi’s obsession with ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali includes a shrine to boxing icon at Barcelona star’s home More

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      in Soccer

      Seven Liverpool players who should never have left Anfield, like Philippe Coutinho, Fernando Torres, and Michael Owen

      by

      PHILIPPE COUTINHO has the chance to redeem himself at Aston Villa, as he returns to the Premier League.The Brazilian, 29, flopped at Barcelona after a staggering £142million from Liverpool, but playing on our shores could reignite the old spark.
      Coutinho and Can are just two players to regret quitting Liverpool
      But Coutinho is by no means the first former Liverpool player to see his career stall after quitting the Kop.
      Take a look at SEVEN stars who’ve all regretted a move away from Merseyside…
      EMRE CAN
      Juventus (July 2018)
      AFTER his drawn-out Anfield exit, Can – now at Borussia Dortmund – played a big role in Juventus’ success in 2018-19, playing 29 times in Serie A, as well as making six Champions League appearances.
      However, after another big summer of signing at Juve, Can was left staring into the wilderness.
      Huge, free arrivals in the form of Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot quickly shifted Can down the pecking order.
      The Reds would go on to win their first-ever Premier League crown not long after he left. Can could have been a part of history.
      PHILIPPE COUTINHO
      Barcelona (January 2018)
      Coutinho has been given a second chance to prove himself at BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      AFTER leaving Inter Milan in January 2013 for just £8m, Coutinho quickly became one of Liverpool’s best players.
      As the years rolled on and the “Little Magician” continued to put in a series of glittering performances, the Brazilian then became one of the best on the planet.
      Barcelona came knocking and as is often the way, the South American’s head was turned.
      Coutinho quit the club in January 2018, much to the disgust of the Liverpool faithful.
      Ever since, the Brazilian playmaker has quickly faded into mediocrity. However, now he’s reunited with Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, that could all be about to change.
      JORDON IBE
      Bournemouth (July 2016)
      Jordon Ibe left Liverpool just as his stock was rapidly risingCredit: Getty
      THE English winger may not be in the same league as Coutinho or Can – but you had better believe he could have been.
      After joining the Reds from Wycombe, the Londoner worked his way through the youth ranks before bursting into the first-team in the 2014-15 season.
      After spells on loan at Birmingham and Derby, Ibe quickly showed his promise – before taking on a key role in 2015-16.
      Ibe made 27 appearances that season in the Premier League alone – and 41 in all competitions – including some Man of the Match displays, including the Merseyside derby against Everton.
      But as he believed he was slipped down the pecking order, Ibe left Anfield just one year into his new five-year deal to join Bournemouth.
      At the time, the winger was being tipped for a call-up to the England set-up – but now he is a free agent after Derby discarded him.FERNANDO TORRES
      Chelsea (January 2011)
      Fernando Torres was left to regret leaving Liverpool for Chelsea in 2011Credit: Reuters
      NOW this one always shows up on lists of “worst transfers ever”…
      Torres infamously left Liverpool in the January window of the 2010-11 season for a whopping £50m fee.
      The Spanish legend had shown signs of slowing down at the Reds after a series of frustrating injuries.
      But after joining Chelsea, Torres looked a shadow of his former self, scoring just 20 times in 110 Premier League games, compared to 65 goals in 102 Liverpool matches.
      The 110-cap international bounced around the world for the rest of his career, having spells at AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and Sagan Tosu in Japan, before hanging up his boots.
      MICHAEL OWEN
      Real Madrid (August 2004)
      Michael Owen spent just one season at Real Madrid after leaving LiverpoolCredit: AP:Associated Press
      LIVERPOOL born and raised, Owen spent 13 years at Liverpool in all, including his five seasons in the youth team.
      The striker scored 118 Premier League goals in just 216 games, quickly establishing himself as a legend for club and country.
      The 40-goal Three Lions forward believed he could do better, as Liverpool continued their PL title drought.
      He moved to Real Madrid in a shock move in the summer of 2004 for a fee of just £8m.
      Owen scored 13 times in his sole season at the Bernabeu before he made the “biggest mistake of his career” as he called it, in joining Newcastle in 2005.

      @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}MOST READ IN FOOTBALL.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
      NICK BARMBY
      Leeds (August 2002)
      Nick Barmby struggled to maintain his best form when joining LeedsCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      OFTEN a forgotten man amongst Liverpool fans, Barmby enjoyed plenty of success at Anfield.
      The 23-cap England star was part of the squad that won a hoard of trophies including the FA Cup and Uefa Cup around the turn of the new millennium.
      But he left after just two seasons, in 2002, to join Leeds United – in what should have been then prime years of his career.
      Both the player and club quickly suffered a downturn in form, with the Elland Road giants relegated and Barmby making just 25 appearances in two years.
      After a loan spell at Nottingham Forest, Barmby played the final eight years of his career at his home-town team, Hull.
      ROBBIE FOWLER
      Leeds (November 2001)
      Robbie Fowler fell out with Liverpool management and quit in 2001Credit: PA:Press Association
      IN defence of “God”, as he was known by Liverpool fans, Fowler had spent 17 years at Anfield – including nine years with the youth teams.
      Fowler quickly became a club legend, scoring 120 Premier League goals in just 236 outings.
      But after reports of a rift with boss Gerard Houllier and his assistant Phil Thompson in 2001, Fowler left just a handful of games into the 2001-02 season.
      Having been a true icon in Liverpool, Fowler failed to settle anywhere else after joining Leeds.
      Fowler spent two years in Leeds, leaving the season before they were relegated to join Manchester City.
      He returned to Liverpool three years later for a cameo spell at the club, in which he scored eight times.
      The 26-cap England star wound-down his career with spells at Cardiff, Blackburn, North Queensland Fury, Perth Glory and Muangthong United before he returned in 2012. More

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      in Motorsport

      Lewis Hamilton shocked he has never raced for Ferrari during epic F1 career and admits ‘it’s not really been possible’

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted his surprise at never making the move to Ferrari.As the grandest name of Formula One over the decades, the Scuderia have previously employed legends including Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio and Fernando Alonso.
      Lewis Hamilton remains under contract with Mercedes until 2023Credit: PA
      The F1 legend opened up on his relationship with Ferrari back in SeptemberCredit: Splash
      But British star Hamilton has never stepped into the famous red overalls, and has not even been close to doing so.
      Links did emerge last year but the legend, who has recently fuelled retirement talk after missing out on the F1 title to Max Verstappen last month, remains under contract with Mercedes until the end of 2023 and has described a switch to the Prancing Horse as ‘never really possible’.
      Speaking to Sky Italia back in September, via GPToday, he noted: “For years, whenever I come to Monza and see the fans, I hear them saying, ‘Come to Ferrari!’.
      “It warms my heart but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari after so many years.
      “Because it’s a dream for everyone, a goal to be achieved.
      “It’s never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why.
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      “I wish them the best and in the near future I will just have to stop them from winning the world championship instead [laughs].
      “I have a couple of Ferraris at home that I can drive, but not the F1 Ferrari.”
      Hamilton was signed to McLaren from a young age and raced for six years with the British team, winning the 2008 world title.
      McLaren’s decline coincided with old team-mate Fernando Alonso joining Ferrari and a renewal of their fiery relationship was not on the cards.
      In 2013, he replaced Michael Schumacher at Mercedes and will now hopefully be vying for a record eighth F1 title crown. More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson chose David O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill as possible Man Utd manager in 2000 if he quit

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      MANCHESTER UNITED could have had Martin O’Neill, Alan Curbishley or David O’Leary as their manager in the year 2000.The trio were Sir Alex Ferguson’s picks if he had decided to leave Old Trafford at the turn of the century.
      Sir Alex Ferguson recommended three managers to take over from him at Man Utd in 2000Credit: PA
      Celtic chief Dermot Desmond revealed the trio had been eyed as replacements for the legend.
      At the time O’Leary, 63, was managing Premier League new boys Leeds while Curbishley and O’Neill were head coaches at Charlton and Leicester. 
      And Desmond told The Athletic he offered to increase Ferguson’s salary by 50 per cent with Scottish giants Celtic in 1997. 
      However the Red Devils boss’ wish to win the Champions League saw him remain with the Manchester giants. 
      And the Old Trafford side went on to capture the trophy two years later. 
      Desmond, 70, reportedly went back to Ferguson a few years later to enquire as to who the Glasgow-born manager would choose to replace him at United. 
      He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’NeillDermot Desmond
      And Ferguson, 80, told the Irish tycoon he had identified O’Leary, Curbishley and O’Neill as potential bosses at Old Trafford.
      The latter would eventually land the Celtic manager’s job thanks to a meeting with the club’s then directors – Brian Quinn and Pat Sheehy – which came about through Ferguson’s input. 
      Desmond said: “In 2000, I went back and asked him if he was to pick his replacement at that time who would it be. 
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      Alan Curbishley was also eyed as a possible Manchester United coach and Ferguson replacementCredit: Back Page Images
      “He said there were three people: Dave O’Leary, Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill. 
      “I said the one I’m interested in is Martin O’Neill. 
      “I had previously asked a prominent broadcaster if Martin would be interested in the job and I got a response in the negative. 
      “I then asked Alex if he would speak with Martin, to see if he would meet with me, and the response was that he would be very interested in meeting. 
      “So I met Martin for dinner and we got on very well. I introduced him to Pat and Brian and they also felt he was a remarkable individual, so we hired Martin.” 
      Having captured two League Cups with Leicester in 1997 and 2000, O’Neill went on to win three trophies in just over 11 months following his arrival at Celtic.
      And the 69-year-old and his team won three Scottish Premiership titles with a team boasting stars including Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton. 
      David O’Leary led Leeds United to the Champions League semis after being eyed as a potential Old Trafford managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But neither he nor O’Leary or Curbishley, 64, were able to come close to Ferguson’s trophy-winning record. 
      However the Northern Irishman proved to be the most successful of the three. 
      He went on to manage Sunderland and Aston Villa as well as doing a five-year international management spell with the Republic of Ireland. 
      His most recent managerial post was with Nottingham Forest with the Championship club sacking the coach just five months into the job. 
      Elsewhere, O’Leary’s tenure with Leeds came to an end in 2002 with the former Gunners player helping the Elland Road club to reach the semis of the Champions League. 
      And Curbishley’s 15-year stint at Charlton finished 2006 after he helped the club secure promotion in 1998. 
      It’s reported the managerial trio were identified prior to the eventual succession plan put in place for Ferguson with David Moyes landing the job as his United replacement. 
      However the former Everton boss, 57, who is now in charge of West Ham, lasted just eight months in the Old Trafford hotseat before being sacked in 2014. 
      United finished seventh in the league in the 2013-14 season. More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo says guilty pleasure is pizza as he shares tips on how to stay in shape as ripped Man Utd star over 30

      by

      CRISTIANO RONALDO’s guilty pleasure is a pizza shared with his son.The football star is renowned for his impeccable condition that has seen him rule as one of the most physically dominant players in the world.
      Cristiano Ronaldo revealed his guilty pleasure is a pizza shared with his sonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Man Utd star shows off his physique with Cristiano JrCredit: The Mega Agency
      He was spotted out enjoying a reasonably priced meal with his proud mum Dolores Aveiro in September after she travelled to England to watch his second debut for Manchester United.
      But Ronaldo has admitted in the past that even he is a sucker for a cheat meal, with the Portugal legend opting for a pizza to avoid a ‘boring’ life.
      He told YouTube channel ChrisMD: “The key is to take care of your body, train, do your recovery and eat properly.
      “Although sometimes I do eat pizza with my son, otherwise it would be boring.”
      CR7 claimed in 2018 that he has a ‘biological age of 23′ – and wants to continue playing into his 40s.
      Apart from the occasional treat with his boy, Cristiano Jr, Ronaldo sticks to a strict diet and has implemented Pilates-based routines that focus on resistance work to strengthen his core.
      Post-match exercise has also become a huge part of his regime, as the Portugal skipper heads straight to the swimming pool after a game.
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      But when Ronaldo first came to England, signing for Manchester United for the first time in 2003, he arrived with motivation having been called “too skinny” earlier in his career.
      He revealed: “It’s true, I was skinny. I had no muscle.
      “So I made a decision at 11 years old, I knew I had a lot of talent, but I decided that I was going to work harder than everybody.
      “I started sneaking out of the dormitory at night to go work out. I got bigger and faster.
      “I would walk onto the field, and the people who used to whisper, ‘Yeah, but he’s so skinny,’ now they would be looking at me like it was the end of the world.”
      Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford at the end of the summer transfer window, 12 years after leaving for Real Madrid.
      Ronaldo’s top tips

      Hard work: Motivation to be the best is key – which Ronaldo’s five Ballons d’Or prove.
      The world is your gym: Don’t limit yourself to exercising in one place. Complete your routine at home in the morning or at night.
      Booze ban: No more wild nights out if you want to stay so sculpted.
      You are what you eat: Balanced diet with plenty of protein to fuel your workouts is best. Sugary foods are worst.
      Ronnie says relax: Downtime at home with family and friends is a must, as well as plenty of sleep.

      And as one of the highest-paid footballers in the world, he can afford luxuries like a Cryotherapy chamber – for muscle regeneration to help him continue at the top of his game.
      The £50,000, walk-in piece of kit works miracles on the body, with Ronaldo having one installed in 2013 after hearing it had worked well for ex-Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery.
      Standing in the chamber for around three minutes, liquid nitrogen freezes Ronaldo to between minus 160 and minus 200 degrees Celsius.
      Cryotherapy beats muscle soreness and reduces swelling, inflammation or sprains – allowing the Red Devils forward to be ready for the next match or training session sooner.
      It helps him recover from his five high-intensity workouts a week, which includes a lot of sprinting.
      Though the Portuguese poster-boy insists all you need is a bedroom and spare time to get in shape.
      He said: “We do a lot of sprinting drills in training and they can be incorporated into your workout whether you are in the gym or outdoors.
      “Try and add it to every workout you do. Fit in exercise wherever you can.
      Here’s what Cristiano Ronaldo eats on a daily basis
      “You can do an abs workout in your bedroom when you wake up in the morning or before you go to bed.
      “If you get into a routine then it makes it easier as it will become a habit.”
      Ronaldo is not a vegetarian and he does not eat a plant-based diet, but does limit his meat intake because of the higher fat content.
      Fish is a key part of his diet with Lisbon speciality Bacalhau a Braz – a mixture of braised cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggs – one of his favourites.
      Ronaldo has said: “I eat a high protein diet, with lots of whole grain carbs, fruit and vegetables, and avoid sugary food.
      “Eat regularly. If you train regularly it’s important to keep energy levels high to fuel your body for better performance.
      “I sometimes eat up to six smaller meals a day to make sure I have enough energy to perform each session at top level.”
      It’s a far cry from the skinny teenager he once was, pictured here with Portugal U21s in 2003Credit: AFP
      Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester United in 2004 without the muscle-bound frame we see todayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo had bulked up towards the end of his first spell with Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s favourite food is Lisbon dish Bacalhau a Braz – a mixture of cod, onions, thinly sliced potatoes and scrambled eggsCredit: Instagram, @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo, with Cristiano Jr, says downtime with the family is crucialCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo leaves Juventus training ground after ‘saying goodbye to team-mates’ ahead of Man City transfer More

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      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could have bought Arsenal instead of Blues but was mistakenly told they weren’t for sale

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      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH could have bought Arsenal instead of Chelsea— but he was mistakenly warned off the Gunners by ignorant Swiss bankers.And the billionaire Russian oligarch tried several times unsuccessfully to lure Gunners talisman Thierry Henry to Stamford Bridge when the Frenchman was in his pomp.
      Roman Abramovich could have taken over Arsenal instead of Chelsea but was told the Gunners were not for saleCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The stunning revelations have been made in book, The Club, penned by two Wall Street Journal writers.
      They spoke at length with executives from leading Premier League clubs.
      The book claims in 2003, Abramovich hired Swiss bank UBS to examine the economics of English top-flight football.
      One of its findings was that ‘Arsenal were categorically not for sale’.
      Abramovich instead took over Chelsea for £140million and went on to win five Prem titles and a Champions League.
      The book also says former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein believed the club’s owners would have cashed in if Abramovich had offered.
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      Another claim is Abramovich met with Tottenham’s chairman.
      But ‘while his Mercedes trundled along Tottenham High Road, he looked out and said in Russian, “This is worse than Omsk” —  the grim Siberian outpost where he had a refinery.’

      The Club: How the Premier League Became the Richest, Most Disruptive Business in Sport, by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg, £20 John Murray publishers

      Abramovich took charge at Chelsea instead, overseeing five title wins sinceCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri’s grandad was WWII hero who saved two American pilots shot down over Italy

      by

      EX-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri didn’t quite get hero status at Stamford Bridge, but his grandfather definitely is one.Grandad Goffredo Sarri risked his own life in WWII to save two US pilots shot down by the Germans over occupied Italy, hiding them and leading them to safety in a daring rescue.
      Ex-Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri grandad was a war hero
      Maurizio’s grandfather Goffredo Sarri who was an Italian partisanCredit: Courtesy of Sarri Family
      In 1944, Italy was under German occupation after the overthrow and arrest of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini.
      Allied forces were pushing up from the South, but German forces were dug in around the mountains surrounding Florence.
      Bill Lanza, from Revere, Massachusetts, was the gunner in a seven-man crew flying a B-25 Mitchell bomber on a mission to destroy a bridge when it was hit by German anti-aircraft fire.
      He miraculously bailed out as the plane came down in flames, and as he landed in a field he was immediately embraced by two young Italian boys.
      One of them was teenager Amerigo Sarri – Maurizio’s father.
      Sergeant William ‘Bill’ Lanza who was shot down 200 miles into enemy territoryCredit: Courtesy of Lanza Family
      An American B-25 Mitchell bomber similar to the one flown by Bill LanzaCredit: Getty – Contributor
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      The pilot died in the crash, flying the bomber into a mountain as he tried to allow enough time for the rest of the crew to bail out.
      Two men were captured, and four including Lanza managed to evade the Germans in the Val d’Arno countryside, 200 miles behind enemy lines.
      Lanza and Todd were told to hide in woods by a farmer, where they covered themselves with leaves.
      The farmer went to get Goffredo, Amerigo’s father who was a partisan, which meant he was opposed to the German occupation of the time.
      Without introducing himself, Goffredo immediately brought Lanza a bottle of wine and some cheese and told his new friend to go back into the woods and hide again.
      After sundown, Goffredo went to the spot where Lanza was hiding and walked him to the farm in civilian clothes.
      The remarkable story was later told by John Lanza, nephew of Bill, in a book called Shot Down Over Italy, published in 2010.
      Map of the doomed flight, showing where Lanza bailed out, 1, and the plane crashed, 7
      The book Shot Down Over Italy written by John Lanza, Bill’s nephewCredit: Bright Spot Books
      Lanza said, “In the afternoon, about four o’clock, I was hiding in the woods and feeling pretty good because the wine was strong and the cheese was delicious.
      “He (Sarri) was carrying a bag of civilian clothes. I changed from my military clothes to my new white shirt and an oxford grey suit.
      “I gave him my clothes, but kept my shoes.
      “The partisan’s last name was Sarri. That’s all I ever called him.”
      If caught, Lanza would’ve been likely viewed as a spy and could’ve been tortured and killed.
      While Sarri’s granddad could have been shot dead on the spot for helping the enemy.
      Lanza said: “After sundown, Sarri instructed me to follow him to his house.
      “So, in my new civilian clothes, I followed him down a dirt road. He was walking about seventy yards ahead of me.
      The Sarri family in 1968, with Maurizio’s father Amerigo kneeling at the frontCredit: Courtesy of Sarri Family
      US World War II hero Bill Lanza, taken in 2010Credit: Handout
      “While we were walking, two German trucks loaded with soldiers hurried past us.”
      Sarri took him and Todd to a cave on his land, and Lanza lived there for the next 65 days, as the family brought them pasta, soup and bread.
      The Germans knew the American airmen were being helped by the Italians, and flooded the area with troops.
      Amazingly, the cave Lanza and Todd lived in was only 1oo yards from the Germans’ local HQ.
      When people there got caught helping Americans – it was no questions asked. They killed about 200 that I heard ofBill LanzaShot Down Over Italy
      Lanza said: “They never knew I was there, but I definitely knew they were there.
      “I could see them doing calisthenics every morning from my cave.
      “I could hear their machine guns going all night.
      “They had a very fast sounding machine gun – much faster than the American ones – and it drove me crazy.
      “We slept on straw mattresses in our cave, but we sometimes washed ourselves and our clothes at a rain basin on the farm.”
      Lanza knew the risks Sarri was taking.
      “When people there got caught helping Americans – it was no questions asked,” said Lanza.
      “There were a lot of atrocities. They killed about 200 that I heard of.”
      Young Amerigo would often drop-in to check on the two pilots.
      Northern Italy in 1944, occupied by the Germans. Lanza was shot down south east of Florence, 200 miles behind enemy lines
      Lanza said: “Amerigo was a frequent visitor to the cave.
      “We liked Rigo and I think he liked us. We used to play games. One game was someone slapped your hand in the dark and you had to guess who slapped it.
      “Sounds silly, but we tried to make the best of our circumstances, and had a good time playing games.”
      Two months had passed since the pilots had hurled themselves from their burning plane, and the Germans began to give up their searched and started to pull their soldiers out of the Italian countryside.
      That’s when Goffredo prepared Lanza and Todd’s escape plan.
      He wrote a letter to the German commander telling him he was going to be escorting some miners through town.
      But of course, these were no miners.
      General Joseph McNarney sent a letter of gratitude to Goffredo Sarri
      The toughest task between Lanza and Todd’s freedom was crossing a bridge outside the village that was surrounded by Nazis.
      Lanza claimed: “The Germans were in foxholes and they were shooting at planes that were bombing the area.
      “They must have thought we were nuts because bombs and bullets were flying everywhere as we walked by.
      I put my trust in Sarri and he never let me down. Basically, we always trusted each otherBill LanzaShot Down Over Italy
      “They couldn’t be bothered with civilians and we were in regular clothes and looked like refugees.
      “We walked right past the Nazi trucks.”
      Lanza continued: “It is mind- boggling to me that I was able to walk past German soldiers who were looking for me.
      “You can imagine how nervous I was. I put my trust in Sarri and he never let me down. Basically, we always trusted each other.”
      Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini meets Adolf Hitler in 1940Credit: Alamy
      Nazi soldiers in a devastated Italian town during WW2 in 1944Credit: Hulton Archive – Getty
      Goffredo had done his duty and taken Lanza and Todd as far as he could.
      After staying in a sub-basement of a Silesian church with hiding Jewish families, the pilots managed to find safety with English soldiers.
      Their ordeal was over, thanks to the Lazio boss’s  grandfather, who later received a letter from the US General Joseph McNarney thanking him for his bravery.
      In 2015, Sarri was asked by Italian newspaper Repubblica about Goffredo’s astonishing act of heroism.
      He said: “He was called Goffredo, he was very proud of a recognition on a White House letterhead.
      “As a partisan, he recovered the pilots of a US plane shot down in Val d’Arno, hid them, and at that time they shot you for less.
      “One was called Bill Lanza, I know because his daughter and nephew wrote us a book.” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Marcos Alonso’s father was Barcelona hero and his grandad was a legend at Real Madrid

      by

      IT is no surprise that Marcos Alonso has proven to be a hit at Chelsea, he comes from a dynasty of Spanish footballing aristocracy that dates back three generations.The 30-year-old Spaniard, who has become a key cog in Thomas Tuchel’s side, but isn’t the flashiest of players or the Blues star most likely to draw headlines.
      Marcos Alonso has been a club stalwart at Chelsea Credit: PA:Press Association
      He has titles, including the Champions League with the Blues and it seems the title-winning DNA has been passed down to him through the generations.
      Not just from his father, but his grandfather as well.
      His dad Marcos Alonso Pena – known as Marcos – was a Barcelona star who won the title under Terry Venables in 1985 and played alongside stars such as Maradona and Gary Lineker.
      And his grandad Maros Alonso Imaz – who was nicknamed Marquitos – was a key member of the greatest Real Madrid side ever that won the European Cup five times in a row.
      Together the Alonso family make up possibly the greatest footballing dynasty ever.
      Marquitos, third from the left, back row was part of the Real Madrid side that won five European Cups in a rowCredit: Getty Images
      GRANDFATHER – Marquitos, full name Marcos Alonso Imaz
      Born in 1933, the defender, affectionately known as Marquitos started his career at hometown club Racing Santander.
      Two years later he put in a great performance against Real Madrid – and the club decided to move for him.
      The defender would become an integral part of the dominant Los Blancos team alongside Alfredo Di Stefano and Ferenc Puskas that won FIVE European Cups in a row.
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      Real Madrid line up before the European Cup Final in 1956, Marquitos is third from the left, back rowCredit: Getty Images
      Playing across the three full-back positions in the club’s ‘WM’ formation, Marquitos was a stalwart in the starting XI.
      The club website describes him as “versatile and daring.
      “His true position on the pitch was at right-back, but he also showed tremendous qualities as a centre back.”
      Marquitos, who also won two caps for Spain, started in four of the five European Cup finals – and even scored in the first ever European Cup final in 1956.
      Playing against Stade de Reims, Real Madrid were 3-2 down when the defender poked home from close range to equalise. Hector Rial then scored the winner.
      Real Madrid’s Canario, Dominguez, Marquitos and Alfredo di Stefano hold the European Cup aloft, watched by teammate, captain Jose Zarraga after the final in 1960Credit: PA:Press Association Images
      “I passed the ball to Di Stefano and he gave it back to me,” said the Madrid legend on the Chelsea player’s website.
      “I fed [Ramon] Marsal but his shot on goal was parried by the French goalkeeper but it found me and none of the players of Stade de Reims could prevent both efforts. It brought me great joy!”
      Real went on to win the European Cup again in 1957, 1958, 1959 and 1960, the latter game being the amazing 7-3 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park that many experts rate one of the most perfect performances ever.
      Marquitos parades the cup around Hampden ParkCredit: PA:Press Association Images
      Alfredo di Stefano, Marquitos, Dominguez, Francisco Gento, Jose Santamaria, and Ferenc Puskas parade the Euorpean Cup around Hampden ParkCredit: Empics
      Watched by 135,000 mesmerised fans, the greatest Real Madrid side ever confirmed their place in the footballing hall of fame as a Di Stefano hat-trick rounded off a ground-breaking display.
      Overall, Marquitos played 158 times for Real Madrid, and earned two caps for Spain.He retired in 1971 after a short spell playing for Toluca in Mexico.
      Marquitos died on 6 March 2012, month before his 79th birthday.
      The Real Madrid time of 1964, with Marquitos in the back row, second from the left, with Di Stefano and Puskas in the front rowCredit: Cover
      FATHER – Marcos, full name Marcos Alonso Pena
      Marcos Alonso Pena was born in 1959 in Santander, and immediately was taken on by Real Madrid where his father had been such a legend.
      However it didn’t work out for the tricky young winger and he was moved on to his local team Racing Santander.
      Marcos Alonso Pena as an Atletico Madrid starCredit: .
      He moved to Atletico Madrid and in 1982 he became Spanish football’s most expensive signing when Barcelona paid 150million pesetas – or around £800,000.
      The record didn’t last long however. A few weeks later Barcelona paid £5million to sign Argentinian superstar Diego Maradona.
      Managed by Argentina’s World Cup winning boss Cesar Luis Menotti, Barcelona won the Copa del Rey in 1983, beating Real Madrid 2-1 in the final, thanks to Marcos scoring a spectacular diving header in injury time to clinch the cup.
      Credit: Getty Images
      Marcos, front row second from the left, lines up to play for Barcelona against Aston Villa in 1983
      Marcos, bottom row, far right, in the same Barca side as Gary Lineker, back row, third from left, and Mark Hughes, front row, far right, in 1987Credit: Bob Thomas Sports Photography
      Two years later Marcos was a key member of the Barcelona side that won La Liga in Terry Venables’ first season in charge, ending an 11-year barren run for the Catalan giants.
      The winger, who was capped 22 times for Spain, was one of the four Barca players to miss a penalty in a shoot-out defeat to Steaua Bucharest in the European Cup final in 1986.
      Marcos Alonso, right, on his debut for Spain, against England defender Russell Osman at Wembley in 1981Credit: Getty Images
      Marcos enjoyed a long career as a manager in SpainCredit: peps.mall@thesun.co.uk
      Gary Lineker and Mark Hughes arrived that summer but Barcelona failed to sparkle and Venables was sacked and Marcos sold back to Atletico Madrid in the summer of 1987.
      Marcos retired in 1991 and turned his hand to management, which took him to eight clubs in Spain, most notably in charge of his former club Atletico Madrid.
      His last managerial post was in 2008 when he was in charge of Granada 74.SON – Marcos Alonso, full name Marcos Alonso Mendoza
      Marcos Alonso was born in Madrid in December 1990 and, like his father and grandfather before him, joined Real Madrid’s youth academy aged 12.
      Marcos Alonso spent seven years at Real Madrid
      Alonso moved seamlessly through the various age groups until finally manager Manuel Pellegrini gave him his deubt, as a sub for Gonzaol Higuain in April 2010.
      That summer the 19-year-old defender joined Bolton for just £1.5million however as his career took a unexpected twist.
      Marcos Alonso during his three-year spell at BoltonCredit: Getty Images
      The young Spaniard spent three seasons at Bolton, playing 46 games for the club.
      He spent most of his time playing for the Under-21s at the Lancashire FA’s base and rarely featured in the first team as Bolton were relegated to the Championship.
      However he managed to win manager Dougie Freedman round and in 2013 he was voted The Bolton News’ player of the year but he turned down the offer of a new deal to sign on a free transfer for Italian side Fiorentina.

      Marcos Alonso was a hit during a loan spell at SunderlandCredit: Getty Images
      But he was soon back in England as Sunderland manager Gus Poyet brought him in on loan after he failed to make the first team in Florence.
      Alonso played 20 times as the Black Cats managed to avoid relegation, and Poyet wanted to make the move permanent in the summer.
      But Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella had other ideas and he became their first choice left back the following season.
      He spent two productive years at Fiorentina, making 85 appearances in the first team.
      Marcos Alonso joined Chelsea from Fiorentina in 2016Credit: Getty Images
      Alonso has been a revelation at Chelsea under manager Antonio ConteCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Marcos Alonso, right, as a young boy in Spanish kit, from his Instagram accountCredit: INSTAGRAM
      Chelsea boss Antonio Conte swooped to sign him for £24million, which at the time looked to be an extortionately high price.
      At the time, Fiorentina fan site violanation.com wrote: “While this may seem grossly excessive, don’t be fooled. It is grossly excessive.”
      But it has proven money well spent, as Alonso has gone to become a first team star. More