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      John Terry’s dad was furious he snubbed Man Utd for Chelsea so refused to join him on pitch as he signed first deal

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      JOHN TERRY once revealed his dad was so furious he snubbed Manchester United for Chelsea that he refused to join him on the pitch as he signed his first contract.Terry, who had been playing for West Ham at youth level up until the age of 14, had the choice of joining the Blues, United or Arsenal.
      Jonh Terry’s dad was so furious he snubbed Man Utd for Chelsea he refused to join his son on the pitch as he signed his first contract
      But after falling in love with Chelsea, the legendary defender defied his dad’s wishes and refused a United contract.
      And the former Aston Villa assistant manager Terry told the Footballer’s Guide to Football podcast in June 2020: “My dad never wanted me to sign for Chelsea.
      “Actually, on the pitch of me signing my schoolboy form at the club, my dad refused to go on the pitch with me.
      “I’m in the tunnel, the players are coming off the pitch and I’m waiting in the tunnel, Glenn Hoddle goes past and my dad’s going, ‘You’re not signing for this football club, we should sign for Man United’.
      “Again, me being me at the time I’m going, ‘I’m 100 per cent I’m signing here, if you don’t come out with me I’m going out to sign’.
      “And you needed a parent, so my mum said she would come and sign it with me, my dad’s going mad at my mum, ‘No you wont’.
      My dad never wanted me to sign for Chelsea. Actually, on the pitch of me signing my schoolboy form at the club, my dad refused to go on the pitch with me.John Terry

      “There’s a picture of my mum and Graham Rix signing my contract, but my dad refused and absolutely kicked off that night. Again, me being the character I was, I knew Chelsea was right for me.
      “One night that was probably supposed to be one of the best nights of my life turned out to be a tough one for a young 14-year-old to be honest.”
      Terry’s instinct to sign for Chelsea paid off, as he went on to win five Premier League titles and FA Cup’s as well as lifting the Champions League in 2012 before leaving the club in 2017.
      But the legendary centre-back revealed he did come close to joining rivals United, and even visited the club several times over a year with David Beckham.
      Terry said: “I actually went up to Man United for a year, so I was kind of travelling up in school holidays, I went up with David Beckham when he signed his first pro contract.
      “We went up in the car together, I was there on a two-week training camp.
      “I went up, stayed up for a couple weeks every school holiday really on my own, which was tough to be fair, being away from home.
      “Then I had the option between Arsenal, Chelsea and Man United and to be fair all of them went above and beyond.
      “The moment I walked into Chelsea, it just felt right, I know that’s going to sound really bizarre.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Terry won five Premier League titles before leaving Chelsea in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      Ray Parlour believes John Terry needs someone to take a gamble on him as a manager More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo left ‘raging’ as fouls were ALLOWED in Man Utd training to force him to pass ball quicker

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO was left ‘raging’ after Manchester United adopted a ‘no foul rule’ in training, Darren Fletcher has revealed.Ronaldo returned to Old Trafford this summer having initially played for Red Devils from 2003 to 2009.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was left raging when United introduced a ‘no foul rule’ in trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In his first spell in Manchester, he was quickly brought down to earth when then boss Sir Alex Ferguson pointed out that he needed to improve the speed and effectiveness of his decision-making.
      Walter Smith, Fergie’s assistant at the time, came up with a genius idea of getting Ronaldo to pass faster.
      Fletcher, who spoke to the Lockdown Tactics podcast, commented on the Portuguese phenomenon getting told a ‘few home truths’ by old-school Fergie and Smith.
      Opening up on United’s old training sessions, he said: “He [Ronaldo] had a tough time as well in the dressing room.
      “There were times he was holding on to the ball too much and his decision-making wasn’t there yet. He had a tough time, he got told a few home truths.
      “But he could deal with it, he was a big personality. The growth in the space of a few years in terms of his personal training, gym, he just became this absolute monster of a dedicated professional.
      “And there’s no doubt that environment at Manchester United helped him as well.
      “Walter came in and he basically decided to not give fouls in training. I know it was definitely for Ronaldo.

      Fletcher says the tough love made Ronaldo much better on the ballCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fergie’s assistant Smith came up with the ideaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “And the boys were flying into each other and Ronnie was getting lumps kicked out of him.
      “Before, you wouldn’t get soft fouls but you would get a foul, he’d be taking the mick, draw a foul, win it, laugh, get the ball.
      “So Walter just decided there were no fouls now in training. Ronaldo, for two weeks, was going bananas, ‘Who’s this Scottish guy? What is this?’.
      “Basically, the lads tackled you anyway at United, but if you knew there wasn’t going to be a foul. Honestly, it’s amazing how quickly Ronnie started moving the ball and running because he knew he wasn’t going to get a foul, so there was no point hanging on to it.
      “And then he started to score more goals and get in more goalscoring positions.
      “Listen, it’s a small little thing but I feel the second half of the season under Walter Smith he made a big step. Don’t get me wrong, he made massive progressions off the back of that.
      “But it was just a small little thing for a few weeks that I remember Ronaldo being absolutely raging about, quickly accepting and then all of a sudden started taking one and two touch and passing and running more without the ball, and started scoring more goals.
      “I think something clicked in him like, ‘Oh, the skills are good but now this coaching style has made me recognise that if I move the ball quicker and run, with my physical attributes, I’m going to become more effective’. Great management, again.
      “You talk about Alex Ferguson, Walter Smith is right there beside Alex Ferguson.”
      Gary Neville has explained how he thought Ronaldo’s body shape changed completely when he came back from the 2006 World Cup.
      It was then that the infamous wink after Wayne Rooney’s sending off occurred.
      But more than that, former Man Utd star Neville said he came back bulked up and full of confidence.
      He said: “He came back from the 2006 World Cup and his maturity had changed. His appearance and physical attributes completely changed overnight.
      “He was scrawny, wiry and not very strong and then all of a sudden he was a supper middleweight boxer.
      “He was incredible from a strength point of view and the ability to leap, change direction, everything fell into place.
      “From that moment on you knew he was going to be really special.”
      Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo trains with boxer Gennady Golovkin More

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      Ten players who returned to former clubs and how it worked out with Cristiano Ronaldo back at Man Utd

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO agreed a stunning move back to Manchester United this summer.It came 11 years after he left to join Real Madrid in a then-record £80million move.
      Cristiano Ronaldo agreed a stunning move back to Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      From there, he joined Juventus but after three years the legendary forward made it clear he wanted to move on.
      And after initial talks with Manchester rivals City broke down, it gave United the green light to swoop in for the club icon.
      And his return came in the same window former United striker Romelu Lukaku also returned to Chelsea.
      With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at TEN players who’ve quit clubs with legendary status, only to return later in their careers.
      But how did they all get on in their second stints?
      ROMELU LUKAKU – Chelsea
      First spell: 2011-2014
      Romelu Lukaku scored on his second Chelsea debutCredit: Getty
      Second spell: 2021-present
      LUKAKU left Stamford Bridge in 2014 without breaking into their first-team and two loan spells away, firstly to West Brom and then Everton.
      After joining Everton permanently, he impressed enough to 2017 snub Chelsea and join United.
      It was mixed results for the Belgian, who left United in 2019 for Inter Milan, a move with rejuvenated his career.
      Lukaku in his second season in Italy helped Inter to a first Serie A title in 11 years, but in doing so attracted attention once again from Chelsea.
      The Blues were searching for a solution in their striker crisis and turned to their old boy.
      Lukaku was convinced to complete his ‘unfinished business’ in Blue and this summer re-signed for £97.5m.
      He made his debut against Arsenal, where he scored the opener to help Chelsea in a 2-0 win and has scored three times more since.
      DIDIER DROGBA – Chelsea
      Didier Drogba only furthered his incredible reputation at Chelsea with his 2014-15 returnCredit: AP:Associated Press
      First spell: 2004-2012
      Second spell: 2014-2015
      QUITE possibly Chelsea best striker in the Premier League era, Drogba won TEN trophies during his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
      The Ivorian won three Premier League crowns and the Champions League in those eight years – winning the European Cup with his last kick for the club.
      After two years away – at Shanghai Shenhua and Galatasaray – Drogba returned under Jose Mourinho in 2014 and helped the club win yet another league title to further cement his status as a Chelsea legend.

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      THIERRY HENRY – Arsenal
      Thierry Henry scored a couple of key goals for Arsenal on his return in 2012Credit: Getty
      First spell: 1999-2007
      Second spell: 2012 (loan)
      ANOTHER star who is quite possibly his old club’s greatest ever striker, Henry left Arsenal after eight years and two Premier League titles, including the 2003-04 ‘Invincibles’ campaign.
      Henry had his head turned by Barcelona in 2007 and would later move to New York Red Bulls, seemingly to wind down his career, in 2010.
      In 2012, he stunned Gooners by returning to the Emirates on a two-month loan deal as cover for Marouane Chamackh and Gervinho – who were both injured.
      Henry scored the winner against Leeds in his second debut in the FA Cup, before also scoring the winning goal in the dying moments of a 2-1 league victory over Sunderland.
      ROBBIE FOWLER – Liverpool
      Robbie Fowler scored 12 goals after re-signing for Liverpool five years after initially leavingCredit: PA:Press Association
      First spell: 1993-2001
      Second spell: 2006-2007
      KNOWN as ‘God’ by Liverpool fans, it’s fair to say Fowler was adored by the red half of Merseyside.
      He broke fans’ hearts by leaving for Leeds in 2001, where he would spend two years before joining Manchester City.
      After being released by City in 2006 following a spate of injuries and a worrying lack of form, Fowler would go on to score another 12 goals for the Reds, including eight in the Premier League.
      GARETH BALE – Tottenham
      Gareth Bale is currently back at Tottenham on a season-long loan from Real MadridCredit: AFP
      First spell: 2007-2013
      Second spell: 2020-2021
      BALE lit up the footballing world at White Hart Lane before becoming the most-expensive player in the world at the time of signing for Real Madrid.
      After huge success early in his Los Blancos career, the Welshman was frozen out under Zinedine Zidane.
      Spurs brought Bale back on loan last season, but he found his playing time limited under Jose Mourinho. He did manage to score 16 times for them before returning to Spain this summer.
      WAYNE ROONEY – Everton
      Wayne Rooney was Everton’s top scorer during his one season back at the club in 2017-18Credit: Getty
      First spell: 2002-2004
      Second spell: 2017-18
      ROONEY burst onto the scene with a screamer of a goal against Arsenal in 2002 before being snapped up by Man Utd.
      England’s all-time leading scorer enjoyed a glittering 13 years at Old Trafford – including five Premier League titles and one Champions League – before rejoining his boyhood club.
      Rooney was Everton’s top scorer in his sole season back at Goodison Park, but opted to quit to crack America with MLS side DC United in 2018.
      SOL CAMPBELL – Arsenal
      Sol Campbell stunned Arsenal fans by returning to the club following a failed stint at Notts County in 2010Credit: AP:Associated Press
      First spell: 2001-2006
      Second spell: 2010
      CAMPBELL sent shockwaves through North London in 2001 by signing for Arsenal on a free transfer from bitter rivals Tottenham.
      After five years at the club, the ex-England defender spent three years at Portsmouth before moving to Notts County – seemingly in the twilight of his career.
      But Campbell bizarrely quit the Midlands side days after his debut and decided to keep his fitness levels up as he hunted for a new club by training with Arsenal.
      Arsene Wenger saw enough to sign him up, with Campbell playing 14 times during the remainder of the 2009-10 season, before joining Newcastle – where he later retired.
      PAUL POGBA – Man Utd
      Paul Pogba has endured an up and down spell back at Old Trafford since returning from JuventusCredit: AP
      First spell: 2009-2012
      Second spell: 2016-present
      POGBA made just seven first-team appearances for Man Utd having worked his way through the youth ranks.
      Then aged 19, the French ace joined Juventus where he would forge a reputation for being one of the best midfielders on the planet.
      In 2016, United splashed a then-world-record £89m to bring him back to Old Trafford.
      And while his form has been up-and-down ever since, with his stint littered with speculation of a move elsewhere, Pogba has proven that on his day he is unstoppable.

      JERMAIN DEFOE – Tottenham
      Jermain Defoe spent a decade at Tottenham save for one season at Portsmouth in the middleCredit: AP:Associated Press
      First spell: 2004-2008
      Second spell: 2009-2014
      DURING his first spell at Spurs – having signed from West Ham – Defoe became an England regular as he blossomed into a star striker.
      But in 2008, Tottenham sold him to Harry Redknapp’s Portsmouth.
      After just one season, Redknapp was now in charge of Spurs – and he paid double what Pompey had done just 12 months earlier to bring him back to North London in a bizarre transfer swoop.
      Defoe would go on to spend another five years at White Hart Lane, scoring a further 79 goals to end his Spurs career as the club’s sixth-top-scorer ever.
      JUNINHO – Middlesbrough
      Juninho played for Middlesbrough three times, ultimately helping them win the League Cup in 2004Credit: Getty
      First spell: 1995-1997
      Second spell: 1999-2000 (loan)
      Third spell: 2002-2004
      THE Brazilian magician loved Boro so much he played for them across THREE separate stints in his incredible career.
      Juninho helped Middlesbrough reach the FA Cup AND League Cup final in 1997, but would leave to join Atletico Madrid after they were relegated that same season.
      He briefly rejoined on loan in 1999-2000, but was hit by a frustrating injury.
      But Juninho came back fighting fit in 2002, helping the Riverside club win the League Cup in 2004, while also leading them to European football.
      NEMANJA MATIC – Chelsea
      Nemanja Matic returned to Chelsea in 2014 and helped them win two league titles in three seasonsCredit: PA:Press Association
      First spell: 2009-2011
      Second spell: 2014-2017
      CHELSEA signed the Serbian Premier League icon for just £1.5m in 2009.
      But Matic played just three times for the first-team before being loaned to Vitesse Arnhem and then sold to Benfica.
      After three incredible years in Portugal, Chelsea swallowed their pride and splashed out to the tune of £21m to bring him back to West London.
      Matic would go on to help the Blues win two Premier League titles, before the club made a near-£20m profit in selling him to Man Utd in 2017, where he remains to this day. More

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      How England’s U17 World Cup winners from 2017 are getting on now, from non-league to Man Utd and Champions League

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      THEY were the Young Lions ready to break through as the next Golden Generation.Back on 28 October 2017, Steve Cooper led England’s youngsters to Fifa Under-17 World Cup glory.
      What has happened to the English young guns that conquered the world in 2017?Credit: Getty – Contributor
      England were crowned U17 World Cup winners in October 2017Credit: Getty
      It is now nearly exactly four years to the day since the talented teens achieved that milestone, and several have gone on to bigger and better things.
      The victory led to head coach Cooper moving into club management with Swansea and suffering Championship play-off agony twice with the South Wales club.
      He is now in charge of Nottingham Forest and is currently performing a stunning transformation in form with the Tricky Trees.
      But for all the successes of Phil Foden and Jadon Sancho, not every member of his victorious team have progressed as expected.
      While some struggle for first-team football, others have fallen out of the Football League all together.
      Here, we run through which players have made their mark and which are yet to hit the big time after that historic win:

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      Curtis Anderson, 21
      Anderson was No1 in India and played a crucial role in guiding the Young Lions to victory with his penalty shoot-out heroics against Japan in the last-16.
      He left Manchester City’s academy in 2019 to join American second tier outfit Charlotte Independence and played ten league matches for them.
      The stopper returned to these shores to Wycombe Wanderers but has not played in the league for them and instead was sent out on loan to non-league Walton Casuals last term.
      He is now currently getting more experience on loan with National League South outfit Eastbourne Borough.
      Curtis Anderson was No1 for the Young Lions in IndiaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Josef Bursik, 21
      Was always considered as a potential long-term successor to Jack Butland at Stoke, the teenager was loaned out to gain first-team experience after the triumph with England.
      Bursik had spells in non-league with Hednesford Town and AFC Telford United before stints in the Football League with Accrington Stanley, Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough and Lincoln City.
      He began this campaign as No1 for Stoke and has played 21 Championship matches in total for the Potters.
      Josef Bursik has made the breakthrough in goal for Stoke CityCredit: Phil Greig 2020
      Billy Crellin, 21
      Fleetwood boss Joey Barton ended Crellin’s loan move to FC United of Manchester early after the National League North side won just one of 10 games with the then teenager in 2018.
      Barton recalled the ace, who made just one appearance for England in India, when he was just 19  and gave him a first-team start in the EFL Trophy.
      He went back out on loan to non-league Chorley before spending last season at Bolton in League Two and played 11 times.
      The starlet has made five league appearances for Fleetwood.
      Timothy Eyoma, 21
      The versatile defender, known as TJ, has caught the attention of Mauricio Pochettino, who gave him a first-team debut in Spurs’ 7-0 FA Cup third-round win over Tranmere.
      Eyoma was been a regular for Tottenham’s Premier League 2 side but was also named as a substitute for an FA Cup win against West Ham, having been on the first-team’s pre-season tour.
      But he went on loan to Lincoln City last season in League One and impressed that much that they bought him permanently from Spurs this summer.
      Timothy Eyoma was signed by Lincoln City in the summerCredit: Rex
      Lewis Gibson is highly-rated at Everton and is currently loaned to Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Rex
      Lewis Gibson, 21
      Three months before winning the World Cup, Newcastle academy product Gibson moved to Everton from St James’ Park for £6million.
      Despite not making a first-team appearance, U23s boss David Unsworth has heaped praise on the teen who can play left-back or central defence.
      The now England U20 international has gained further experience at Fleetwood and Reading and is currently on loan at League One Sheffield Wednesday.
      Marc Guehi, 21
      Captained England at the European Championships before scoring in the World Cup final, and then starred in Jody Morris’ Chelsea youth team that won five trophies last year.
      But the central defender, who was born in the Ivory Coast, is one of many that struggled to make a mark on the Blues first-team despite impressing for the U19s.
      And after shining on loan under Cooper at Swansea in the Championship last season, he is now a regular in the Premier League at Crystal Palace after they signed him in the summer.
      Marc Guehi captained England to World Cup glory and is now starring at Crystal PalaceCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Jonathan Panzo is now plying his trade in the French second tier at DijonCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Jonathan Panzo, 20
      After nine years in Chelsea’s academy, the central defender signed a five-year deal with Ligue 1’s Monaco in 2018 search of first-team opportunities.
      Panzo made the first-team after impressing former boss Thierry Henry who handed him a full debut in that December’s League Cup quarter-final win over Lorient.
      However, he has struggled since and was shipped out to Cercle Brugge in Belgian before he transferred to French second tier side Dijon.
      Joel Latibeaudiere, 21
      The World Cup winner was involved in a contract stand-off with the Premier League champions after only appearance came for the U21s in the EFL Trophy.
      The concerns over a lack of first-team games led to Latibeaudiere leaving in 2020 for Swansea after a spell on loan in Holland at Twente.
      Joel Latibeaudiere is now playing for Championship side Swansea CityCredit: PA:Press Association
      Steven Sessegnon has so far failed to make a major breakthrough at FulhamCredit: Alamy Live News
      Steven Sessegnon, 21
      Twin of former Fulham star Ryan Sessegnon, versatile defender Steven was breaking into the Fulham first-team under Slavisa Jokanovic with four League Cup appearances to his name.
      But after he was axed, a loan spell at Bristol City followed last season but he is now back at Craven Cottage.
      Although he has yet to make an appearance this term for the West London outfit.
      George McEachran, 21
      Younger brother of former Blue Josh McEachran, George has managed to impress at Chelsea in the youth ranks.
      The central midfielder has still not managed to progress into the star-studded first team squad.
      But he has gained experience with loan stints at Dutch clubs Cambuur and MVV although he is back at Stamford Bridge now.
      George McEachran is not getting regular action at Chelsea this termCredit: Getty
      Phil Foden is blossoming into one of the greatest talents of his generationCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Phil Foden, 21
      Golden Ball winner Foden, who scored twice in the final, is a favourite of Pep Guardiola’s and is also a regular in the England side under Gareth Southgate.
      The star is one of the biggest success stories from the tournament and already has three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four Carabao Cup medals in his trophy cabinet.
      Set to be rewarded with a new six-year contract after helping City to the Champions League final last season as well as the Three Lions to the last two of Euro 2020, Foden is set to become one of the finest talents of his generation.
      Tashan Oakley-Boothe, 21
      Was given a first-team debut by Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham with a substitute appearance in the EFL Cup win over Barnsley, but Oakley-Boothe never went on to make a regular breakthrough.
      He struggled with injury problems, which limited his involvement, before leaving Spurs in 2020 without playing in the Premier League for them.
      But he has made 18 appearances for Stoke City in the Championship since his departure.
      Tashan Oakley-Boothe never got a chance at Tottenham before his departure to Stoke in 2020Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      England U21 star Angel Gomes left Man Utd for LilleCredit: Getty
      Angel Gomes, 21
      Made his first-team debut before the 2017 World Cup and became the youngest ever Premier League player at 16 years and 263 days old.
      Gomes made several appearances after that but it was still not enough to keep him at Old Trafford.
      Despite United’s best efforts, the now U21 international quit the Red Devils to join French side Lille in 2020.
      He is spending this term on loan at Portuguese outfit Boavista on loan.
      Jadon Sancho, 21
      Another successful product of the squad, Sancho replaced Christian Pulisic in the Dortmund first-team, was named Bundesliga Player of the Month soon earned an England call-up after the World Cup success.
      He continued to flourish with the Bundesliga side after quitting Manchester City to join them in 2017.
      Now he is back in Manchester after United ended their long-pursuit to sign him this summer for £73m but some are yet to be convinced by his displays at Old Trafford.
      Manchester United forked out £73m for Jadon Sancho this summerCredit: EPA
      Nya Kirby continues to be unable to make a breakthrough at Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Nya Kirby, 21
      Tottenham academy product Kirby left Selhurst Park in January 2019 in search of first-team opportunities after 18 months without a game.
      The midfielder, 21, moved to League One side Blackpool and went on to spend time at Tranmere Rovers last season.
      He is still yet to feature for the Eagles in the Premier League.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi, 20
      A key figure in the final, Hudson-Odoi excelled at Stamford Bridge and broke into the Blues first team.
      Bayern Munich were soon chasing his services after he broke into the senior England set-up.
      But the winger eventually penned a new big-money deal at Chelsea which coincided with his form dropping.
      Tasted Champions League success with the club last season but is now struggling to get regular minutes under Thomas Tuchel.
      Callum Hudson-Odoi is having a tough time of it currently at ChelseaCredit: Rex
      Emile Smith Rowe is excelling for both Arsenal and England U21sCredit: Alamy
      Emile Smith Rowe, 21
      Another huge success story from the World Cup-winning squad.
      After loan stints in Germany at RB Leipzig and with Huddersfield Town, the attacker is now a fully-fledged member of both Arsenal’s first-team and the England U21 squad.
      And Gareth Southgate recently admitted the ace is on the verge of a senior international call-up.
      Morgan Gibbs-White, 21
      Became an instrumental figure in Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves team and is another one of the most successful products of the U17s squad.
      The midfielder, who scored against Spain in the final, was a regular in the first-team squad but has headed out on loan this term after his game-time was reduced.
      The winger, who had a spell on loan at Swansea, is now in the Championship with Sheffield United for the rest of the campaign.
      Morgan Gibbs-White headed out from Wolves to Sheffield United on loan this summerCredit: Getty
      Conor Gallagher is getting rave reviews on loan at Crystal PalaceCredit: Reuters
      Conor Gallagher, 21
      The midfielder is now fulfilling his potential in the Premier League after joining Crystal palace on loan.
      The Chelsea youngster is getting more headlines with each passing week under Patrick Vieira.
      Stints at Charlton and Swansea gave Gallagher his first taste of senior football after the World Cup success and that was followed by a spell at West Brom last term.
      Big things are expected of the England U21 international.
      Rhian Brewster, 21
      Golden Boot winner and one of the stars of the tournament, Brewster signed a five-year deal at Liverpool but the high hopes they had for him in their first-team never materialised.
      Following an injury, he went on loan to Swansea in January 2020 in the Championship and scored ten goals in 20 appearances.
      After missing a penalty in the Community Shield following his Liverpool return, Sheffield United forked out a whopping £23.5m but it has turned into a nightmare move.
      The striker suffered relegation with the Blades last term and has still not scored a league goal either in the top-flight or second tier in 33 appearances.
      Rhian Brewster was Golden Boot winner at the World Cup but his move to Sheffield United has turned into a nightmareCredit: Reuters
      Striker Danny Loader left Reading for Porto last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Danny Loader, 21
      Berkshire-born Loader only scored once in 28 games for Reading after his World Cup success.
      But the striker, who was back-up to Brewster in India and managed two goals in two games, caught the eye of Portuguese giants Porto and moved there in 2020.
      He bagged nine times for their B side last season but the England U20 international still has not played for the first-team in the league.
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      Gareth Southgate slams ‘not fluid’ England flops after dreadful 1-1 home draw against Hungary More

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      Eden Hazard’s car collection: Belgium and Real Madrid star rides Audis, an Aston Martin, Mercedes cars worth over £500k

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      HE’S just as sleek off the pitch as he is on it.Eden Hazard, 30, may be struggling for form now at Real Madrid but he never fails to hit top gear off it.
      Eden Hazard always hits top gear off the pitch with his £500k car collection despite his struggles on itCredit: Rex
      A true ‘Petrol Header’, Eden Hazard owns a couple of AudisCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Belgian playmaker left Chelsea for the Bernabeu in 2019 and banks around £416,000-a-week with the Spanish giants.
      And that certainly goes a long way in helping him acquiring more flashy motors for his collection.
      As you can imagine from one of the best players on the planet over the last decade, Hazard’s garage is full of incredible cars.
      He has been spotted in various rides over the years, including a Mercedes Benz AMG GTR, Audi R8 V10, BMW X6, Audi RS4 Avant, Range Rover, Aston Martin Vanquish and Mercedes C Class.
      But how much are they all worth?
      Join SunSport in totalling up the numbers, that’ll leave you green with envy:

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      The Audi R8 V10 that’s part of Hazard’s collection is worth £110kCredit: Handout
      Audi R8 V10
      Able to hit a top speed of 205mph, Hazard should never be late to Madrid training ground driving this car.
      Brazil star Neymar also owns an R8, so Hazard’s in good company.
      Price: Around £110k
      BMW X6
      A stylish and reliable SUV, the classic number ten often took his X6 for a spin on match day.
      As a family man, this roomy ‘Beamer’ is also perfect to drive around his missus, Natacha Van Honacker and their four kids for a day out.
      Price: From £60k
      The BMW X6 is the perfect family car for Hazard, a dad of fourCredit: Handout
      Audi RS4 Avant
      A regular standard among footballers, including Real Madrid and Barcelona’s elite – who have deals with the car giants – Hazard loves the Audi brand.
      Price: From £60,290
      Range Rover Sport
      A Range Rover… every footballer should own one and most of them do.
      Hazard’s preference is the sport model because it’s comfortable and the ideal ride for when he finishes training and can stretch his legs.
      Should be more than enough room for his 5’8″ frame.
      Price: From £60,760
      Hazard may have scored himself another Audi after joining Real Madrid
      The Range Rover Sport is Hazard’s preference when leaving training
      The most expensive car in Hazard’s collection is the classy Aston Martin Vanquish worth £199,950Credit: Paul Tonge – The Sun
      Is classy Hazard pondering what motor to get next?Credit: Reuters
      Aston Martin Vanquish
      A classy gents’ car, the Vanquish is the most expensive motor in Hazard’s collection.
      James Bond star Daniel Craig once owned a limited edition version, which was sold at an auction for £344,000.
      Price: From £199,950
      Mercedes C-Class
      The luxury C-Class has been part of the German brand’s make-up since 1993.
      It was also one of the first cars Hazard rocked up in when he signed for Chelsea from Lille back in 2012. Needless to say, he’s moved on since.
      Price: From £32,260
      Cool Hazard is a motor car enthusiast
      The cheapest car in Hazard’s collection is a £32k C-ClassCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Hazard’s AMG GTR reaches a top speed of 197.6 mphCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Felipe Massa strikes a pose with car aficionado, Hazard
      And finally, Mercedes Benz AMG GTR
      Perhaps the best-looking in his collection, Hazard has a AMG GTR which has a horse power of 430 kW and top speed of 197.6 mph.
      Former Aston Villa and Man City ace Gareth Barry once had one once upon a time too.
      Price: From £99,245
      That gives us a grand total of £622,505 – over a half million pounds worth of cars! Now, that’s nothing to be sniffed at.
      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
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      in Soccer

      Most bizarre contract demands revealed, from no space travel to weight clauses and free moves for Catalan independence

      by

      PLAYERS are valuable commodities.So when they thrash out contracts with the world’s biggest clubs, it’s important to get everything right and nothing’s left to chance.
      Footballers like Lionel Messi reportedly have bizarre clauses written into their contractsCredit: Getty
      But there are times when stipulations are put in place by player and club to protect their interests, to let them fulfil their hobbies, or managers just don’t trust them.
      SunSport looks back at the wackiest clauses added by players and clubs.Messi business
      Back in February, with Lionel Messi’s future STILL up in the air before his free transfer move to Paris Saint-Germain, talk of what he would look for in his new contract away from Barcelona began to surface.
      Some of the clauses in his current deal were leaked by El Mundo.
      They included an agreement to learn how to speak Catalan, he must ‘adopt an adequate personal conduct and pace of life’ and not engage in doping, and if Catalonia became its own country he could leave on a free transfer.

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      Lew the outdoor adventurer
      When Robert Lewandowski was running down his contract at Borussia Dortmund both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were jostling for his signature.
      And in leaked documents, Real Madrid’s offer seemed far more lucrative.
      Alongside a £166,000-per-week deal and a £10m signing-on fee were several requests they didn’t want daredevil Lewandowski to do while he was their property.
      Skiing, paragliding, climbing, going on a motorboat and even riding a motorbike were big ‘no-nos’ for Madrid’s hierarchy… so that’s why signed for Bayern instead.
      Robert Lewandowski is still able to continue his outdoor adventures at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
      Reina toyed with
      When negotiating a contract, it’s important to be 100 per cent clear about what is being stipulated.
      When German forward Giuseppe Reina moved to Arminia Bielefeld in 1996, he demanded the club build him a house for every year of his contract.
      The club accepted.
      However, Reina didn’t specify what size he required.
      And Arminia provided him with a house made of Lego for the next three years.
      Giuseppe Reina in action for Arminia Bielefeld, who only joined under strict circumstances
      Redondo locked out
      Former Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder Fernando Redondo was excluded from Argentina’s 1998 World Cup squad for a bizarre reason.
      Manager Daniel Passarella had refused to pick homosexuals or players with earrings and long hair.
      Redondo was ‘guilty’ of the latter.
      He said: “I was in great form. But Passarella had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut.
      “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
      Fernando Redondo’s long hair cost him his international career
      Cooking up a treat
      Congolese midfielder Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien moved from Karlsruher to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1999.
      However, he had one simple request: that his new club pay for his wife to have cooking lessons.
      We’re not sure Mrs Guie-Mien took too kindly to this demand.
      She was not available for comment at the time.
      Rolf-Christel Guie-Mien made it very clear to his wife he kitchen skills needed improvement
      Brought down to Earth
      Swede Stefan Schwarz moved to Sunderland in 1999 — but the Wearsiders had one stipulation the former Arsenal man had to adhere to.
      Schwarz was told that any potential flights into space would not be tolerated.
      The Black Cats chief exec John Flicking said at the time: “One of Schwarz’s advisers has, indeed, got one of the places on the commercial flights [into space, due to take place in 2002].
      “And we were worried that he may wish to take Stefan along with him. So we thought we’d better get things tied up now rather than at the time of the flight.”
      In fact, rather than managing to go up, his career ended when Sunderland went down in 2003.
      Stefan Schwarz is presented as a Sunderland player, alongside Peter Reid in 1999
      Razor weighed down
      Former Premier League and England defender Neil Ruddock once admitted to eating 212 steak and kidney pies every year.
      And Crystal Palace were advised Razor did come with some extra baggage when they signed him on a free in 2000.
      Ex-Eagles chairman Simon Jordan wrote in his autobiography: “On approaching West Ham I discovered he was a free transfer, although he did have a weighty salary — which was not the only weighty thing about him.
      “Harry Redknapp, the West Ham manager at the time, told me to put in a weight clause.
      “So I decided to put a 10 per cent penalty on the contract we were proposing to offer him if he was over the recommended weight of 99.8kg, which by the way was still frigging huge.”
      Ruddock’s Palace debut was allegedly delayed because the club couldn’t find a pair of shorts big enough for him.
      Neil Ruddock has never been one of the slimmest footballers
      Driving a Honda
      Japanese legend Keisuke Honda joined Botafogo in January 2020.
      But moving to Brazil’s crime-ridden city of Rio de Janeiro had the midfielder fearing for his safety.
      So he stipulated he would need an ARMOURED VEHICLE as part of the deal.
      More incredibly, Botafogo agreed.
      But his stay in South America did not last long and the 35-year-old is now at Suduva in Lithuania.
      Keisuke Honda signed for Brazilian side Botafogo – but only after an unusual request was grantedCredit: AFP or licensors
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