Retime

Subterms

    More stories

    • 238 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City’s worst transfers in the Premier League era, from flops Boateng and Rodwell to £42m mistake Eliaquim Mangala

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY have invested over £1BILLION in the transfer market over the past decade so, naturally, there are going to be some flops.For every David Silva, Yaya Toure, or Erling Haaland there’s also been an Eliaquim Mangala or Jack Rodwell.
      Three great signings out of four weren’t bad for Roberto ManciniCredit: EPA
      Fortunately for current boss Pep Guardiola, most of the club’s most useless transfers came before the Spaniard brought them continued success.
      Here, SunSport details the five WORST signings City have made in the Premier League era….
      Eliaquim Mangala – £42m (2014)
      Mangala was strongly criticised by the media during his time at CityCredit: AFP or licensors
      Joleon Lescott left the Etihad Stadium after Manuel Pellegrini’s side won the title and Mangala was heralded as a ready-made replacement.
      The defender’s first two seasons saw the club drift away from the top of the table and he was often hammered for poor positioning and slow reactions.
      A solid loan spell at Valencia earned Mangala momentary reprieve under Guardiola but, after 15 appearances, the new boss binned him off before serious injury struck in a 2018 spell with Everton.Jack Rodwell – £12m (2012)
      Injuries curtailed Rodwell’s progressCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Rodwell was an up-and-coming star at Everton but became a symbol of City’s trigger-happy stockpiling when jumping ship at the age of 21.
      There was a problem, however: City already had an excellent set of central midfielders.
      Battling past Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Gareth Barry and Fernandinho was too much for Rodwell and he left after two years and just 25 appearances.
      MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
      Jerome Boateng – £10m (2010)
      It is painful enough seeing a former player go on to great things but City didn’t even get close to utilising Boateng’s full potential.
      Perhaps player and club were doomed from day one, the German tearing a tendon in his knee the week before the season began and aggravating it when a drinks trolley bashed it on a flight.
      A year later, Boateng asked to head back home and was allowed to leave for Bayern Munich – going on to win a World Cup, a Champions League and seven Bundesliga titles.
      Jo – £19m (2008)
      Jo arrived with a great record for CSKA MoscowCredit: Reuters
      A top striker in Russia when snapped up by Mark Hughes, Jo struggled to say the least – scoring once in nine league outings before being moved on six months into his stay.
      A brief upturn in form at Goodison Park gave the Citizens some hope of turning a profit… but a dismal 2009-2010 season on Merseyside dropped him back at City.
      Failing to take another chance the following season, Jo finally left to return to Brazil, having cost much more than Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta combined.Wilfried Bony – £25m (2015)
      Bony was sent back to Swansea in 2016 but couldn’t find form there, eitherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ten goals in 46 games, only six of which came in the league, is a poor record for any striker, but for an expensive forward at a club aiming to win the title? Terrible.
      The Prem top scorer for the calendar year of 2014, Bony initially couldn’t play for City due to African Cup of Nations duty and a summer bout of malaria came after a quiet start.
      That stunted his hopes for the following year and the club learned their lesson, from then on turning their attention away from signing top players from smaller sides. More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      I was forced to pay Chelsea millions, almost hit Jose Mourinho and was caught sucking the blood of a porn star

      by

      WHEN Adrian Mutu arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2003 for £15.2million, it was a new dawn.The club had just been taken over by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, and were threatening to outspend and topple Arsenal and Manchester United at the top.
      Adrian Mutu arrived at Chelsea the summer they were taken over by Roman AbramovichCredit: John Cassidy
      After testing positive for cocaine Mutu was sacked by Chelsea and banned for seven monthsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The prolific Romanian striker, who had prospered in Serie A with Parma, was part of a £111million spending spree that included the arrivals of Claude Makelele (£16m), Hernan Crespo (£17m) and Damien Duff (£17m).
      Pin-up Mutu was meant to be the superstar at the heart of the team, manager Claudio Ranieri’s main man.
      But while Chelsea went from strength to strength, Mutu’s career nose-dived.
      In September of 2004, after a fallout with new Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho over his fitness, Mutu tested positive for cocaine.
      A seven-month suspension from the game followed, and although he rediscovered his form at Fiorentina in 2006, his career was blighted by another ban (nine months) after testing positive for appetite suppressant sibutramine  in 2010.
      But today, Mutu cuts a different figure.
      He is leading by example as a figurehead for young Romanian footballers, after coaching the country’s U21 side.
      Today, he is manager of Rapid București and an inspiration for the stars of tomorrow.
      A NEW CHAPTER
      “I think I’m the right person because I know what happens when a player has problems with indiscipline,” he recently told BBC Sport.
      “I’ve passed through hard moments and I came back stronger. If one of my players happens to make a mistake I will tell them to learn from it and not to repeat it.
      Today, Mutu is using his experience to coach Romania’s next generation of footballersCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Mutu was a pin-up and playboy in his heydayCredit: Rex Features
      “I came back and I played better than before, proving to everyone that the young players who have made a mistake must be helped, not judged and destroyed.”
      Mutu, now 44, is full of ambition as a coach – following his stint with his country’s youth stars, followed by a stint as FC U Craiova boss.
      “My ambitions as a coach cannot be lower than the ones I had as a footballer,” Mutu added.
      “I always wanted to be better and better. I want to get to coach at least at the same level I played at, and my dream is to be the head coach of the Romanian national team.”
      A GLAMOUR PLAYER
      In his heyday, Mutu could arguably lay claim to being Romania’s greatest ever player.
      He shares his country’s goalscoring record with Gheorghe Hagi – both scored 35 goals.
      And in a glittering club career he found the net 203 times in countries including England, Italy, and India.
      Mutu and his first wife AlexandraCredit: Rex Features
      TV presenter Alexandra and Mutu had a long drawn out divorce after it was alleged he beat her, although the charges were droppedCredit: Action Images
      Mutu was linked to Hollywood actress Moran AtiasCredit: 2019 Star Max
      Porn star Laura Andresan and Mutu romped together and he sucked her bloodCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Mutu with second wife Consuelo Matos GomezCredit: Getty Images
      However, it was the twice divorced star’s off-the-field antics that hogged the headlines.
      When he first arrived at Chelsea, he faced charges for allegedly beating up his ex-wife TV presenter Alexandra Dinu. The charges were dropped, but a very public split ensued.
      Then he was linked to Hollywood star Moran Atias, after she bombarded him with a flurry of text messages.
      The fling with the Israeli-stunner, who modelled for Versace, only lasted a matter of months, but she later revealed he was her first serious boyfriend.
      In 2004, he was caught in a newspaper sting having sex and sucking the blood of porn star Laura Andreson.
      Mourinho wasn’t impressed and had had enough of the party boy.SACKED BY THE BLUES
      ‘The Special One’ and Mutu clashed when he reported for international duty after missing three weeks of action for Chelsea because of an injury.
      They argued publicly over his fitness, and the forward was fined the maximum two weeks’ wages – believed to be around £120,000.
      Later that month, a routine drugs test was carried out at Chelsea’s training ground in Cobham.
      Jose Mourinho and Mutu didn’t see eye-to-eyeCredit: Action Images
      Mutu failed a drugs test at Chelsea’s Cobham training groundCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Mutu claimed his failed drugs test was the result of taking a sexual performance enhancing substanceCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
      Traces of cocaine were found in his system, and Mutu was banned from playing football for seven months.
      He denied any wrongdoing, blaming his doping test failure on a drug to improve his sexual prowess.
      “I am not hooked on drugs,” he said.
      “I categorically deny this. The only reason I took what I took was because I wanted to improve my sexual performance.
      “It may be funny but it’s true. I did not take cocaine. I took something to make me feel good.”COMPENSATION
      After sacking Mutu, Chelsea have sought damages for his actions for more than a decade.
      Initially, the Romanian was ordered to pay the West London giants £15.2million, and there have been several court hearings through the years.
      In October 2018, the European Court of Human Rights threw out Mutu’s final appeal and insisted he owed Abramovich the princely sum.
      “We are exercising our legal remedies to recover the amounts owed to us and we will continue to do so,” a club representative revealed at the time.
      Mutu owes Chelsea £15.2m in compensation after his sackingCredit: Colorsport
      Mutu has remained silent after the European Court of Human Rights threw out his final appeal in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
      However, news on the dispute has gone quiet with both Mutu and Chelsea keeping mum on the situation.
      SIMPLY MISUNDERSTOOD
      For all his misdemeanours, Mutu might just be simply misunderstood.
      After all, this is a man who finished a law degree while playing at the top level, loves poetry and reads Dostoyevsky.
      “I guess I am the ultimate split personality,” he once said.
      And in 2013, he showed that he may have turned over a new leaf- showing compassion for a baby rescued from a Chinese sewage pipe.
      “I couldn’t figure out how to carry on living, how to eat my breakfast, when I saw this story on TV,” he said.
      “He’s a special child. When I saw the baby I said: ‘I must adopt him, he has been sent to me by God.'”
      During his playing days Mutu finished a law degree and spoke of reading poetry and loving DostoevskyCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Mutu married former Miss Romania Sandra Bachici in 2016Credit: Instagram
      Is Mutu still the playboy he once was?Credit: Instagram
      latest football features
      Mutu didn’t end up adopting that baby, but he did welcome a boy Thiago in 2018 with third wife Sandra Bachici, 30, a former Miss Romania.
      He also has one child from his first marriage to Dinu and two from his second marriage to Dominican model Consuelo Matos Lopez.
      Now a family man, Mutu appears to have finally grown up. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Liverpool star Daniel Agger is a tattoo artist and even invested in sewers when his career came to an end

      by

      DANIEL AGGER’S retirement is much like his playing career – mixing dirty work and artistry.Following his premature hanging up of the boots in 2016, at the age of 31, the former Liverpool hard-man decided to put money into his passion and necessity: tattoos and poop.
      Former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is now a qualified tattoo artist
      The Danish defender, now head coach at HB Koge, trained to be a tattoo artist and is now part of one of the biggest parlours across the world, called Tattoodo.
      But for Agger that was not it, as he had more money to invest in s***.
      Now 38, Agger launched a company in 2013 called KloAgger, putting £450,000 into a company that manages sewage systems in his native Denmark.
      So how did they come up with the name? KloAgger translates to ‘Agger toilet’.
      Agger is regularly involved with the firm but his younger brother Marco and their friend Rune Rasmussen oversee the day-to-day ongoings.
      Inked-up Agger is more interested in the tats.
      He started and finished his career at Danish club Brondby, and it was as a 15-year-old youth player that he got his first work done.
      “I was about 15 and on a school trip to Paris,” Agger said in an interview on Tattoodo’s website.
      LATEST FOOTBALL NEWS
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “It wasn’t something I’d thought about before. Me and a friend went into the shop and said that’s what we’re going to have and we got it. I still have it today.”
      But it’s been added to dramatically, with almost every inch of his body containing a tattoo.
      There’s the Viking graveyard across his back, the love hearts on his calves, Latin proverbs all over his body and the names of his family members etched in.
      “I see it as one piece,”, the qualified tattooist said. “When I speak to people I talk about my tattoo as one piece but obviously every tattoo has a story, some better than others.”
      One of the more recent is the ‘YNWA’ stamped onto his knuckles – the well-known Liverpool acronym for Anfield’s anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
      “Timing was quite good,” Agger said. “[There were] a lot of rumours sending me to another club for a lot of money but I knew I was staying.
      “Somehow I wanted to show that to the footballing world and this was a way I wanted to show it.”
      Agger did eventually leave Liverpool in 2014 and spent two years at Brondby before ending his career earlier than expected.
      Back problems throughout his career saw Agger rely on painkillers to see him through, but he believes they were his downfall.
      Danish defender Agger has also invested in a sewage companyCredit: Kloagger
      He runs it alongside his brother Marco and a friendCredit: Kloagger
      The name KloAgger translates directly to ‘Toilet Agger’Credit: Kloagger
      Agger’s sewage company is only based in his homeland of DenmarkCredit: Kloagger
      Agger leaves the daily running of the company to his brotherCredit: Kloagger
      “I have taken too many anti-inflammatories in my career,” he told Jyllands-Posten.
      “I know that full well, and it sucks, but I did stop it [in the end]. I am not gaining anything personally from saying this but I can only hope that other athletes do.
      “It could be that others take a pill or two less.”
      Agger’s passion for tattooing has somewhat been put on the back burner following his venture into management.
      The Dane took charge of First Division side HB Koge in March 2021 along with former international team-mate Lars Jacobsen.
      Agger guided his troops to a seventh-placed finish last season.
      However, he will no doubt be fuming with his squad today after they suffered a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of FC Fredericia at the weekend.
      The 38-year-old is more into his tattoosCredit: Twitter @danielagger
      Agger got his first tattoo while a 15-year-old boy on a school tripCredit: Action Images
      The former Liverpool centre-back has a Viking graveyard across his backCredit: Getty – Contributor
      He won the Community Shield and League Cup during his 12 years at the clubCredit: PA:Press Association
      Agger sees his tattoos as just one big artworkCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      The Dane is a qualified tattoo artist and invested in a big parlour called TattoodoCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      Agger got YNWA printed onto his knuckles during speculation over his future at LiverpoolCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      He was part of a strong Liverpool side alongside Steven GerrardCredit: Instagram @danielagger22
      Agger retired in 2016 at the age of 31 which he believes was due to painkillersCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Roman Abramovich refused to make any transfers with Tottenham, as Carlton Cole revealed he blocked move

      by

      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH refused to sell any of his former Chelsea stars to rivals Tottenham – and even blocked Carlton Cole’s switch.The former Blues striker revealed the Russian oligarch – who bought the West Londoners in 2003 – would not sanction any deal with Spurs.
      Chelsea”s former owner Roman Abramovich refused to do business with SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Carlton Cole, second left, in his Chelsea heyday, had agreed a move to Spurs but ex-Blues owner Roman Abramovich rejected itCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cole, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “I almost joined Spurs. I went and did my medical and everything.
      “Roman Abramovich found out and he said ‘you’ve got to come back, you’re not joining them’.
      “He said ‘you can’t go to Spurs, I don’t do business with them’.”
      The only Chelsea player in the Abramovich era to join Tottenham was Carlo Cudicini, with the reserve keeper allowed to leave on a free transfer in 2009.
      read more chelsea news
      Cole revealed that Abramovich tried to get him to move to Russia instead.
      He continued: “‘I’ve got an alternative for you’ [said Abramovich]. I drive back to Stamford Bridge with my uncle and my dad.
      “He had his interpreter with him. Roman Abramovich was there, we were talking. I was saying ‘where am I going?’
      “He said, ‘I will give you a new contract but you’ve got to go to CSKA Moscow. His other team.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      “I was trying to get into the England team. Those days you could not go abroad. If you go abroad you don’t get in the England team.
      “So I said to him, ‘I ain’t going to CSKA Moscow, pal.”
      Spurs and Chelsea have had a bitter rivalry on and off the pitch.
      Feelings escalated on the pitch, resulting in the Battle of the Bridge in 2016 when several players from both sides clashed.
      Abramovich was close to buying Spurs before he took over at the Blues.
      He was thought to have picked Chelsea only when they qualified for the Champions League in the 2002-03 season under Claudio Ranieri.
      It started an obsession with the English Premier League which after two decades resulted in multiple top-flight crowns and two Champions League titles.
      But the party ended for Roman, who was forced to sell up last year.

      Read More on The Sun
      Cole, who came through the ranks at Stamford Bridge, eventually left the club in 2006 to join West Ham.
      He has previously revealed he left after a lack of first-team opportunities at Chelsea.
      Cole left Chelsea in 2006 to join West Ham, where he scored 68 goals in 293 gamesCredit: Getty More

    • 225 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      I shared a Premier League dressing-room at Watford – players had disgraceful attitudes and the manager was miserable

      by

      DAN GOSLING has launched a scathing attack on Watford’s relegation season, hitting out at the “disgraceful attitudes” of the “worst dressing room” he has been in and a “miserable” Claudio Ranieri.The Hornets finished 15 points clear of safety last season and worked their way through THREE managers.
      Dan Gosling has hit out at the bad attitudes in Watford’s dressing room last seasonCredit: Rex
      Gosling has also slammed Claudio Ranieri for his role in Watford’s relegationCredit: Reuters
      Gosling started the season under Xisco Munoz, who was replaced by Ranieri before Roy Hodgson took the club back down to the Championship.
      The midfielder was axed from the club’s 25-man squad by Ranieri and said the Italian’s spell was the worst time of his career.
      Gosling was reinstated after Ashley Fletcher left the club but hit out at players who didn’t care for or fight for Watford as they dropped back to the second tier.
      He said: “We had players walking into training saying they’d had enough now.
      read more football news
      “The team was down and we had players that knew they’d be leaving. Players were saying ‘well I’ve played 20 games, the team is down, I’m done here and someone else can have a go’.
      “I thought that attitude was a disgrace. There were a lot of disgraceful attitudes here last season and that’s ultimately the reason we went down.
      “It wasn’t a question of ability. Maybe some players didn’t always hit the levels they are capable of, but it was the attitude of individuals that did for us.
      “It was a real disgrace, easily the worst dressing room I’ve ever been a part of. So now that we’re clearing the decks and trying to build something new is refreshing.”
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Under Ranieri, Watford lost 11 of his 14 games in charge, winning just twice.
      Speaking to the Watford Observer, Gosling said: “That time with Ranieri was just really unenjoyable.
      “The training we did, the spirit they created, the staff that came with him – the whole thing was just miserable. They were miserable, and it made it miserable.
      “I was surprised they lasted four months to be honest. I have been in football a long time, and so have a few boys in the squad, and that time was as bad as it can get.”
      ROY METHODS OUTDATED
      The Italian was then replaced by Hodgson, who came out of retirement with long-time assistant Ray Lewington in a bid to keep them up.
      Gosling acknowledges that the ex-England boss was an upgrade on Ranieri but felt his methods too were outdated and that the veteran checked out before the end of the season.
      He said: “To be fair to Roy, what he did in training was very repetitive, but at least it was game-like situations. You do need to freshen it up a bit though. This is 2022.
      “Roy and Ray gave it a good go at the start, but after a while they seemed to give up as well. When you see that, and you see and hear arguments – well, what chance have you got?” More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Chelsea star Loftus-Cheek was bossed off pitch by Dele Alli in youth football but showboating put top clubs off

      by

      DELE ALLI once fought for a starting place in the centre of England’s midfield with Ruben Loftus-Cheek… but at schoolboy level there was no contest, according to his former coach.When the Spurs star was playing youth football at MK Dons, he came up against the giant Chelsea prospect when the pair were just young teens.
      Dan Micciche was Dele Alli’s coach and mentor at MK Dons
      Dele Alli joins in the celebrations as England beat TunisiaCredit: Alamy Live News
      Alli, who hasn’t played for England since 2019, and his team mates bossed Loftus-Cheek & Co in an exciting 3- 3 draw, according to his former coach and mentor Dan Micciche and the playmaker continued to rise to any challenges put in front of him ever since.
      Micciche, 43, took the talented youngster under his wing when he was 12 years old and witnessed Alli’s meteoric rise to the top.
      The former Head of Academy coach at the Bucks club, who is now assistant manager at Crawley Town, told SunSport in 2018 how he encouraged Alli to be a free spirit on the pitch.
      Micciche also revealed that top clubs snubbed the playmaker, currently struggling on loan at Besiktas from Everton, when he was a youngster because they thought he was flash and showboated too much.
      Dele Alli has struggled to get into the England team since 2019
      As a fresh-faced 13-year-old, Dele Alli had big dreams of becoming a pro
      latest football features
      “The bigger the club we played, the better he performed,” Micciche said.
      “You could go to tough places away from home and he’d have no fear at all.
      “I saw him go to Aston Villa, at a time when they were in various FA Youth Cup finals and had a decent side.
      “They had England Youth international Dan Crowley, but Dele was better.
      “We played Tottenham in front of 5,000 people and Dele was up against the very talented Harry Winks and Josh Onomah, but Dele got the better of them and was instrumental in a 4 – 1 win.
      As a precocious talent, Dele Alli (front row, third from right) was the jewel of MK Dons youth team
      “And even Chelsea away, against his England rival Ruben, he completely bossed the game.
      “He just loved a challenge where he could prove he was better than others at higher profile clubs.”
      Micciche, who also worked with the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Phil Foden at England Under-16 level, was well aware he had a special talent on his hands, believing Alli’s raw skill had to be handled accordingly.
      That’s why the English coach, born to Italian migrants, let his star pupil play how he wanted to.
      “He was very different to most academy kids at that age.
      Playing with freedom at MK Dons allowed Alli thriveCredit: Richard Parkes
      Karl Robinson handed Dele Alli his first team break at MK DonsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      “Dele was more of a street player, very skilful, tried things which other kids wouldn’t attempt to try.
      “His thinking was very advanced, in terms of his awareness and creativity. He had very good feet and was always good in tight areas.
      “Ironically, the first game I saw him play was against Tottenham’s Under-12s. He caught my eye straight away, nutmegging people and he was very confident – scooping the ball over people’s heads, using the outside of his foot.
      “A lot of coaches might’ve thought he showboated too much and was flash.
      “But they were the sort of things that would get me off my seat and excite me as a coach, so I was very accepting of that and didn’t want to take that part out of his game.
      Dele Alli’s career has hit the skids since falling out of formCredit: Getty
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek stars for England at the 2018 World CupCredit: AFP or licensors
      “He’s more of a team player now and more disciplined in and out of possession. But when he was younger, he was more of an individual.
      “I didn’t make him a better technical player, he didn’t need that from me.
      “He needed to develop his strengths into super strengths and be put in an environment where he continued to love the club, practice and the game.
      “To sum it up, Dele needed to be put in an environment which would stimulate him to improve.”
      Dele Alli learned tactical awareness, had love and support and was challenged by coach Dan Micciche
      To keep his star man on his toes, Micciche often played Alli against opposition players that were three, four-years older than him.
      The pioneering trainer also tested his apprentice in matches starting with just ten men and playing on different size pitches.
      Nothing fazed the boy at all. But despite his advanced ability, a lot of big clubs were cautious of taking a punt on him before Tottenham eventually stepped in.
      “When I first went to MK Dons in 2007, I read Dele’s report that the previous coach had written,” Micciche told SunSport.
      In his younger years, Dele Alli had a tendency to over dribbleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “It said, ‘Needs to learn when to dribble, when to pass.’ What they were basically saying was he dribbled too much.
      “But I was never going to restrict his touches. I just had to find other ways for him to share the ball more and be a better team player over time, as development is a long term process.
      “But I didn’t want to take away his individual ability.
      “I think you’d lose him, his quality and his motivation for the game by doing that anyway.
      “But that’s why he didn’t have clubs or England youth scouts queuing up for him.
      Because he tended to showboat, Dele Alli put off a lot of big clubs in his youth days
      “How Dele played, dependant on what day you saw him play, could’ve put scouts off him.
      “Dele would do a Cruyff turn, get tackled and the other team might score or nearly score. Scouts might put in their report, ‘Takes too many risks’ or ‘Tries to do the wrong things in the wrong areas’.
      “Whereas, I wouldn’t have discouraged him from those things. For me, there is no right or wrong part of the pitch to do a Cruyff turn, it’s whether it works or not and you have to help him find solutions with his thinking that can work in the future.
      “Managing mistakes effectively becomes key and you have to consistently embrace and demand creativity.”
      Dele Alli has often credited Dan Micciche for his role in his development
      Alli’s temperament has been called into question on the pitch before – his spiky attitude often landing him in trouble with Premier League referees.
      That was a part of his game Micciche admitted he had to carefully manage.
      “Dele was a doer,” he said.
      “Some kids at youth level will ask a lot of questions, there’s a lot of dialogue and they can take longer taking things on board.
      Dele Alli didn’t ask many questions as a rising talent, he was “a doer”, according to his former coachCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Dele Alli celebrates gaining promotion to the Championship with MK Dons in 2015Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “But with Dele, his learning style was, ‘Quickly tell me what you want to do, so I can play longer.’ And that’s what he likes.
      “He could take a bit of tough love too due to our close connection and trust. I’d stick him in sin bins and that could be perceived as being harsh on him.
      “But it was with the thought of putting in some boundaries and telling him you wouldn’t get away with it at first team level.
      “I think where you get his respect is you adopt that approach with all the players. There was never any favouritism towards him, so he was aware of that.”
      Deli Alli during the 2018 World CupCredit: Getty Images
      Dele Alli in action against Tunisia in the 2018 World CupCredit: Reuters
      As well as controlling Alli’s attitude on the pitch, Micciche was keen to install tactical discipline into the promising youngster.
      A system was developed that helped Alli understand the central midfield role better.
      “What he’d end up doing was everyone’s job for them, because he didn’t trust his teammates at first.
      “I used to strip the pitch in three. I’d tell him when we had the ball he could go anywhere he wanted within those three channels.
      Dele Alli’s 16 league goals helped MK Dons go up from League OneCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “When we haven’t got the ball, you could only stay in the middle channel. I didn’t want him pressing the full-backs or pressing wingers, that wasn’t his job and it allowed him to conserve his energy to do what he did best.”
      Alli’s tough upbringing has been well-documented. Born to Nigerian father Kehinde and English mother Denise, his dad moved to the States just weeks after his birth.
      He was first raised by his mum, an alcoholic, before moving to Africa aged nine to be with his old man.
      Alli spent two years studying at an international school before returning to Milton Keynes to live with Denise.
      At Spurs, Dele Alli took on a bigger challenge but suffered with his form and was sold to EvertonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “Football was his escape and release,” Micciche said.
      “Where I got it right with him was separating anything else from the football and actually realising the academy and the club were his safe place.
      “He could be himself there, but he probably couldn’t do that at school where there’s lots of rules and he had to conform a lot.
      “With us, we gave him a lot of freedom on the pitch, we allowed him to express himself. It was a safe, not a soft environment.
      Now living the lifestyle of a Premier League footballer, Dele Alli can afford to fly in private jetsCredit: Instagram @Dele
      Dele Alli regularly featured in advertising campaigns when he was England’s poster boyCredit: Instagram @Dele
      “He could do what he wanted and turned up when he wanted within reason and the philosophy of the academy, but at the same time, if he missed training or was late, you have to remember he’s not the one who drives the car.
      “You can’t put the blame on him. He didn’t have the support network to get there half an hour before training starts.”
      However, Alli’s saving grace came in the shape of Alan and Sally Hickford, parents of another MK Dons prospect, Harry Hickford, who England’s number 20 calls his “brother”.
      They adopted Alli when he was 13 and he’s never looked back since.
      Dele Alli is close to Harry Hickford, parents of the foster family that cared for the England star from the age of 13Credit: Instagram @harryhickford_
      Through the years, Dele Alli has often called Harry Hickford his brotherCredit: Instagram @Dele
      Micciche added: “The Hickfords were incredibly loving and supportive people who did everything to ensure Dele was safe.
      “Thanks to them, he developed into a well-mannered and educated young person.”
      Since making his debut aged just 16 for the MK Dons, Alli’s continued to impress football fans all around the globe.
      He moved to Tottenham, courtesy of high profile scout Paul Mitchell now at Red Bull Leipzig.
      Alli was once one of the most promising talents in the Premier League but suffered inconsistent form in recent years, losing his place in the England set-up.
      He failed to hit the ground running since Mauricio Pochettino left, being largely overlooked by Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo, before Antonio Conte made the decision to sell him to Everton.
      However, he has since been frozen out at Besiktas, with the Turkish side claiming he has been under-whelmed by his performances, as his career remains in limbo.
      Becoming a footballing icon, Dele Alli has his own clothing range with boohooMANCredit: Instagram @Dele
      Dele Alli has the capabilities of playing for any team in the world, according to a former MK Dons coachCredit: Getty – Contributor More

    • 250 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Neymar names dream five-a-side team with PSG team-mate Lionel Messi – but picks Paul Pogba instead of a keeper

      by

      DREAMS do come true – or at least they do for Neymar.When asked to pick his perfect five-a-side selection in 2020 he selected Lionel Messi – who he plays alongside at PSG.

      But the Brazilian forgot to select a goalkeeper.
      Kylian Mbappe and Eden Hazard made the cut as the Brazilian insisted upon a forward thinking set-up that leaves Paul Pogba as the most defensive player.
      In fairness, any side facing such a team would probably never get the ball off them anyway.
      Another of Neymar’s former Barcelona colleagues Luis Suarez features with Mbappe also joining the winger.
      No Brazil stars were selected by the 31-year-old because he was asked not to in the chat with Red Bull.
      Neymar also selected a five-a-side team based on retired players and that too showed disregard for all things defence.
      latest football news
      Four Premier League legends were called up: Thierry Henry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham.
      Spanish playmaker legend and Barcelona boss, Xavi completed that quintet as once again a goalkeeper went missing.
      Neymar forms one part of PSG’s lethal forward trio alongside Messi and Mbappe.
      Despite being constantly linked with a return to Barcelona for the past couple of seasons, Neymar has stuck it out in Ligue 1.
      And with Barcelona now financially crippled, it seems highly unlikely the flamboyant attacker will be heading back to the Nou Camp any time soon.

      But fresh reports claim new PSG sporting director Luis Campos is ready to sell Neymar for the right price. Campos appointed Christophe Galtier as the club’s new boss.
      And before the transfer window closed in January, Neymar was said to have been offered to Premier League clubs, including Chelsea.
      However, there were no takers – possibly put off by his staggering £600,000-per-week salary. More