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      in Soccer

      Chelsea ‘refused to pay £66.8m to complete Alisson transfer’ before forking out even more for Kepa in 2018

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      CHELSEA rejected the chance to sign Liverpool star Alisson in 2018 – but instead spent MORE on Kepa Arrizabalaga.The Blues lost Thibaut Courtois to Real Madrid four years ago and were in dire need of a goalkeeper that would inspire confidence.
      Chelsea had the chance to sign Liverpool star Alisson back in 2018Credit: Rex
      Instead, Chelsea went for flop Kepa Arrizabalaga, who cost even more at £71.6mCredit: Getty
      According to the Daily Telegraph, the West Londoners initially targeted Alisson, who was enjoying a stunning two-year stint at Roma.
      But the Serie A side knew how desperate Chelsea were for a keeper and drove such a hard bargain that led the Premier League giants to look elsewhere.
      That is when Liverpool, who also needed a top shot-stopper, moved in for the Brazil international and signed him for £66.8million – a world record fee for a keeper at the time.
      Chelsea then eyed Kepa, who was impressing at Athletic Bilbao, and crushed Alisson’s record as they forked out a whopping £71.6m.
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      That made the Spaniard the club’s most expensive transfer in history, before Kai Havertz’s arrival in 2020.
      It initially didn’t work out for Kepa at Stamford Bridge, as he quickly fell out of favour after some high-profile errors and his Carabao Cup final clash with Maurizio Sarri.
      Thus, Chelsea quickly returned to the market for a new goalkeeper in 2020 when they signed Edouard Mendy, who helped the club win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup in 2021.
      Kepa has since had a revival under new boss Graham Potter and has some of the best goalkeeping stats in the division.
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      He has stopped 3.2 shots that were expected to go in, and made seven saves in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
      His stats rival Alisson, who has been so impressive at Liverpool he is considered among the best keepers in the world.
      The Brazilian has helped the Reds win a Champions League as well as a Premier League title.
      The 30-year-old was among the driving forces behind the Merseysiders’ push for an unprecedented quadruple last season.
      Liverpool won both domestic cups but came up short in the Prem and lost the Champions League final 1-0 to Real. More

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      Oasis legend Noel Gallagher was covered in blood and needed stitches after Dias’ dad HEADBUTTED him after Man City win

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      NOEL GALLAGHER says he was left covered in blood and needing stitches after being HEADBUTTED by Ruben Dias’ dad during Manchester City’s title celebrations back in May.The Etihad went wild on the final day of last season after City’s epic comeback against Aston Villa landed them the Premier League crown.
      Noel Gallagher says he needed stitches after being headbutted by Ruben Dias’ dadCredit: Getty
      Gallagher and Dias’ father got carried away celebrating Man City’s epic title winCredit: Getty
      Dias’ dad, centre, collided with Gallagher during the wild celebrationsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      The visitors were leading 2-0 with just 15 minutes left before three goals in five minutes put the champions ahead.
      And Pep Guardiola’s men ran down the minutes to scoop their second successive title after finishing just one point ahead of Liverpool.
      The City boss burst into tears at the final whistle.
      At the same time, fans flooded the pitch to mob their idols.
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      And there was also pandemonium in the boxes, with Oasis legend Gallagher ending up with a bloodied face following City’s third goal.
      That’s after he was accidentally headbutted by the father of City defender Dias.
      Gallagher’s tale came as brother Liam made waves by calling Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher a “b***end” on Twitter.
      Gallagher told TalkSport: “Let me tell you what happened to me yesterday. As the third goal goes in, there is absolute bedlam in the stadium.
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      “Where we sit, Ruben Dias’ family are a couple of boxes up. I’m jumping around like an idiot, passing my son around like the Premier League trophy, everyone’s lifting him up.
      “I turn around, Ruben Dias’ dad runs straight into me, headbutts me, I’m on the floor, covered in blood.
      “I don’t see the last two minutes, I’ve got to get taken down by St John’s Ambulance to get stitched up.
      “I’ve got stitches in my top lip, two black eyes. As I’m going down the corridor, Pep is running up crying and we hug each other.
      “He says, ‘What’s up with your face?’ And I said, ‘Go and be with your players!’
      “If you saw me today, I look like I’ve just arrived home from the eighties at Elland Road, I look like I’ve had my head smashed in. It’s unbelievable.
      “Lots of City fans are asking me what happened and I’m just saying, ‘You’ll never guess’.
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      “There’s not a mark on him [Dias’ dad]. He’s a big bear of a man. He almost knocked my teeth out.
      “I’ve got rehearsals today, but the good thing about that is I’ve got three Liverpool fans in my band!” More

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      Diogo Jota was snubbed by Portuguese club for meagre £2,000 transfer seven years before his dream £45m Liverpool move

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      DIOGO JOTA has been an overwhelming success since arriving at Anfield for £45million in 2020.He took just eight minutes to score his first league goal for Liverpool and since then has netted 34 times in 92 appearances.
      Diogo Jota has enjoyed a fine spell at LiverpoolCredit: EPA
      Yet if Jota’s flying start to life on Merseyside has been a real eye opener, it is nothing compared to the fact his first move broke down because he was seen as too big a risk… at just over £2,000!
      Nine years ago, Jota was cutting his teeth with Pacos de Ferreira and still a couple of seasons away from his Primeira Liga debut.
      When Ivo Rodrigues saw him starring for Pacos’ Under-19s in one of the 12 matches he would watch each weekend as a Vitoria Guimaraes scout, he urged his employers to move quickly.
      Rodrigues was convinced he had spotted a diamond, and at the weekly gathering as the club’s four scouts compared notes, Jota’s signature was made top priority.
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      As he was only on an academy deal, he would have cost just £2,164, plus a nominal “gesture fee” to Pacos, albeit in a gentleman’s agreement rather than legally required.
      By law, all a buying club has to fork out in Portugal is two payments of the minimum requirement of £1,082 over a year.
      But Guimaraes themselves, despite being an established top flight club, were anything but flush — and they felt a youngster with no experience was too big a gamble even at that price.
      So Jota stayed put. But little more than a season later he was off to Atletico Madrid for £6m, and taking the first steps on the road to stardom.
      Jota started his career with Portuguese club Pacos de FerreiraCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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      Rodrigues is back at Guimaraes after spells with Porto and Benfica and will never forget the day he first saw the kid who has become the new king of the Kop.
      He revealed: “Diogo was in his first season with Pacos de Ferreira.
      “It was December 2, 2013, they were playing Beira Mar and my eyes were drawn to him like a magnet.
      “He was the youngest on the pitch but I saw he was going to be a star, so after the game I waited outside the dressing room to meet him and his parents.
      “Then I went home and immediately typed the scouting report for my bosses at Guimaraes. The next day I told them to sign Diogo Jota with no further delay.
      “I watched him for a second time but, to be honest, that first one was enough. I was very clear that he should be a top priority and emphasised this several times.
      The forward could have moved to Guimaraes for just £2,000Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      “Guimaraes had four people watching games all over Portugal and then we’d all compare our reports.
      “Diogo was the one we saw least really, but the top in our list of priorities.
      “He could do things that other ones could not.
      “My persistence paid off and my bosses started the negotiations to sign him via his parents… I think it was because I drove them that crazy!
      “But unfortunately, Diogo couldn’t reach a financial agreement with Guimaraes, and he stayed at Pacos de Ferreira.
      “It was very sad to not see him at my local club. However, as a scout I was very happy with my work.
      “I spotted the boy, I informed my club he should be a priority, and I think after all these years, I can say I was right!”
      Despite joining Atletico, Jota was immediately loaned to Porto, spent the following season at Wolves, and moved permanently to Molineux for just over £13m in 2018.
      Klopp snapped him up in September 2020, and despite some claiming he would have a bit-part role behind Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, 25-year-old Jota has become a regular first teamer.
      Meanwhile, Rodrigues is now chief scout at Guimaraes, and is rated as one of Portugal’s finest talent spotters.
      His biggest success was taking Joao Felix to Benfica at 15, who eventually moved to Atletico for £112m.
      And he never had any doubts about Jota cutting it with the Premier League champions.
      He added: “It’s no surprise to see Diogo playing for Liverpool. When I am watching on TV, I see the same player I did in 2013.
      “After he went to Atletico I never saw him again — my job is to work in the shadows, stay behind the scenes.
      “I have always believed the best scouts are the one who can observe football without being observed. If you can do that, you have the chance to spot another Diogo Jota!” More

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      in Soccer

      Former West Ham and Liverpool star Paul Konchesky now runs a pie and mash cafe after hanging up his boots

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      WHEN planning for a life after football, maybe it’s best to think with your stomach rather than your head.That’s what ex-Charlton, West Ham and Liverpool star Paul Konchesky, now 41, did when he took over a cafe in Brentwood, Essex in 2015.
      Paul Konchesky now runs his own pie and mash cafeCredit: Splash News
      Former Charlton left-back Konchesky opened Konch’s Kafe in 2015 in Essex
      The former Premier League left-back renamed the site Konch’s Kafe, and started selling traditional East End grub like pie and mash and hasn’t looked back since.
      And making sure he’s keeping it in the family, Konchesky has got his mum Carol in to run her son’s operation.
      An experienced chef, she used to cook in the kitchen of the Royal Oak pub in Essex.
      LOVES HIS PIES
      Pie and mash is something that reminds the two-cap England international of his youth days as a trainee with the Addicks, even if his food-intake wasn’t quite fitting for a wannabe pro footballer.
      Konchesky told the Daily Mail: “There was this pie-and-mash shop next to our school in Dagenham.
      “Every Tuesday we’d all have mash and liquor for a pound in a takeaway cup.
      “Every Friday it’d be proper pie, mash and liquor, with jellied eels. And a cream soda. Without fail.
      “I used to be a right dumpling with a big fat face. I was quite tubby when I had my first fitness test at Charlton.
      “I was in the first team at 16 with John Robinson and that, getting crates of beer on to the team bus. And on the way home we’d stop for fish and chips.”
      Konch’s Kafe has been a big success for Konchesky since he retiredCredit: Rex Features

      Now a picture of health, and even completing the London Marathon in three hours 51 minutes after hanging up his boots, Konchesky resists the temptation of chowing down on pies.
      But he often pops in and greets customers, who love to quiz him about his football career.
      Occasionally, he’ll chip in in the kitchen, making teas and coffees for his clientele too.
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      WHAT’S ON THE MENU?
      The menu at Konch’s Kafe is vast, and offers everything you’ll need for a decent price.
      Cockney favourites – pie ‘n’ mash start at a reasonable £3.90, while if you want to add some jellied eels to the dish with a bit of liquor, you’ll pay £6.40.
      But if you don’t fancy that, there’s breakfast options, including the Mega Feast with two eggs, sausage, two bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, chips, beans or tomatoes for £6.25.
      For lunch, there are jacket potatoes and various sandwiches, and recent specials have included beef stew with dumpling and creamy potato for just £4.75, as well as a chicken curry with rice and naan for a fiver.
      However, it’s the pie and mash that’s getting customers through the door and keeping them happy.
      A boyhood West Ham fan, Konchesky fell in love with the Hammers and that East End delicacy thanks to his grandfather, who settled in England from Poland during World War II.
      The menu at Konch’s Kafe offers everything you’ll want
      A beef stew was recently on the special’s board at Konch’s Kafe

      GETTING SHIRTY
      And anyone who visits Konch’s Kafe will be taken by their surroundings – framed shirts from various opponents Konchesky has faced during his action-packed career.
      A West Ham No 3 shirt with his name on takes centre stage, there’s a signed sketch featuring his hero Julian Dicks, a signed England shirt, as well as a photo of tough defender taking on Teddy Sheringham.
      “I’ve always collected shirts: Henry, Vieira, Gazza, Ravanelli, Ronaldo, Scholes,” he said.
      “I’ve got an England shirt from John Barnes, who gave it to me when we were together at Charlton.
      “He signed it, ‘Remember me when you’re famous’. They’re all dirty. I’ve never washed any of them.”
      Clearly with his fingers in many pies, you’ll be thankful that Konchesky’s hands aren’t as dirty as his shirts when you pop in for your next pie fix.
      THE REVIEWS ARE IN
      You won’t be surprised to know that it’s scored five out of five on TripAdvisor’s site t he time of writing.
      Mandy R wrote: “Love this cafe not just because of the pie and mash but all the food is yummy and the staff are always helpful and a good laugh. They look after everyone, no ones ever alone at Konchs.”
      While Samuel A declared: “Very nice staff, very nice atmosphere with the pictures on the walls of ex west ham players and football history! The pies are a must! superb value!”
      And wendybrooks07 called Konch’s ‘best pie and mash in Brentwood’, adding: “Traditional Pie and Mash and liquor is just great from here – delicous and worth trying – my favourite.”
      On TripAdvisor Konch’s Kafe has scored 5 star reviews
      Jamie Redknapp and Mark Noble tuck into some grub at Konch’s KafeCredit: Rex Features
      Paul Konchesky’s love of pie and mash stemmed from his Polish grandfather who emigrated to the East End during World War II
      You won’t be disappointed with your meal at Konch’s Kafe
      Konchesky’s last Premier League club was Leicester City in 2015Credit: Phil Shephard-Lewis – The Sun More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua says Dillian Whyte was one of two boxers who have ever dragged him into trash talking ahead of a match

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA revealed only Dillian Whyte and Jarrell Miller have got under his skin as they dragged him into a verbal war ahead of their scheduled bouts.The former WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight champion knocked out the Body Snatcher in 2015, while his proposed fight to face Big Baby was scrapped in 2020 after the American failed multiple drug tests.
      Anthony Joshua has revealed he has engaged in trash talk with only two fighters
      After former WBC king Deontay Wilder labelled AJ not a true champion in 2021, Joshua was asked by SI Boxing’s Chris Mannix whether he feels the need to trash talk with boxers.
      He said: “Oh yeah, oh yeah. I went into my drawer and pulled out my long list of things to say, I’ve got a lot of things to say about Wilder.
      “But you don’t knock a man when he’s down, also. And that was at the top of the list. I have to stand by those principles.
      “But for sure, I think me and Wilder, as I say, are cut from a different cloth. He’s what we call… it begins with a ‘b’ and ends with a ‘h’. I’m not like that, I’m more of a man.”
      Before adding: “I don’t really get on the internet talking crap. The only times you’ve seen me talking recklessly is against Dillian Whyte and Jarrell Miller.
      “Other than that I’m an ambassador of the sport. I’m trying to be clean, representing my sponsorships, represent DAZN properly, I try to stay away from the typical stereotype of a heavyweight boxer.
      “It’s difficult but I have it in me to fire up and talk recklessly when needed.”
      Joshua was uncharacteristically outspoken in the build-up to his scheduled bout against Miller, as he branded the American as a “b***h” while declaring he pays his mum’s rent.
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      Speaking at their press conference, he said: “He is a former drug abuser, he hits like a fairy, he is the softest puncher in the division.
      “I pay his mum’s rent. He should bow down to me, I am his landlord. The only way he can win is a lucky punch. I am his landlord.
      “I am not here trying to play a gangster role, I am here to collect rent. Jarrell Miller is a b***h.”
      Prior to his seventh-round stoppage win against Whyte in 2015, Joshua branded his compatriot as ‘irrelevant’ and a ‘hater’.
      And in their last press conference, he stated: “He’s just another fighter. My heart don’t beat no fear for him.
      “I’ve trained for a 12-round fight, but I think it will go three or four rounds.”
      Anthony Joshua KO’s opponent so brutally his head guard flies off as world champ shares video of amateur fight More

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      in Soccer

      Graphic showing biggest club in every county across England causes outrage with Arsenal topping Chelsea in London

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      WHICH club is the biggest in London?That debate has been sparked once again by a fan who produced a graphic detailing the biggest club in each county in England.
      Arsenal being picked over Chelsea for London has proved controversialCredit: Twitter @craigDLyons
      Arsenal have bragging rights in London at the momentCredit: Getty
      Sheffield United being chosen over Wednesday has also provoked outrageCredit: Reuters
      The supporter selected Arsenal for London, but many Chelsea fans believe that is the wrong choice.
      That is not the only region that has caused controversy with Sheffield Wednesday fans bemused that rivals United have been picked for South Yorkshire.
      Elsewhere, Colchester have been chosen over fierce rivals Southend despite the Shrimpers boasting double the average attendances of their neighbours this season, and in a division below too.
      Further north Lincoln fans have the bragging rights over rivals Grimbsy as the Imps have been controversially selected as the biggest side in Lincolnshire.
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      But fans in London have been the most vocal in defending their team’s right to be the best in the capital.
      The Gunners traditionally boast the best support in London along with the most trophies, and Mikel Arteta has claimed no club in the city is bigger.
      But in recent years Chelsea have become world champions and victors of the Champions League twice – a feat Arsenal have never achieved.
      As a result, some Blues cannot believe Arsenal have been chosen as London’s biggest club.
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      But with Arsenal in the title race this term having collected 24 points from an available 27, they could have a Premier League trophy to parade around come the end of the season.
      The Gunners are sat top, edging out defending champions Manchester City by one point.
      Chelsea, meanwhile, are lagging eight points behind.
      However, Blues fans will be feeling more confident with Graham Potter at the wheel.
      They’ve got off to an unbeaten start under the Englishman and stuck five past Serie A champions AC Milan across two games in the Champions League.
      One fan wrote: “Funny how the only club from the capital that has won two European championships doesn’t feature.”
      But an Arsenal fan said: “Lol so many pressed Chelsea fans. London has more Arsenal fans it’s a fact. Chelsea has more international fans i.e US. But Arsenal IS the club with the largest London fanbase. Deal with it.”
      A third football supporter added: “Is this one of those parody accounts? Imagine thinking that Sheffield United are bigger than Wednesday.” More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham’s Paratici ‘spat in football’s face’ by selling ‘phenomenon’ Joao Cancelo to Man City, Cassano claims

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      ANTONIO CASSANO slammed Tottenham chief Fabio Paratici for selling Joao Cancelo when he was at Juventus.The Portuguese international, 28, was bought by Manchester City in 2019.
      Manchester City signed Joao Cancelo from Juventus in 2019 with Danilo going the other wayCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Former Italian star Antonio Cassano slammed Juventus’ decision to sellCredit: Getty
      And he has gone from strength to strength under Pep Guardiola as the Cityzens won the title last season.
      Cassano believes Juventus made a terrible decision to let him leave.
      Speaking to Bobo TV last year, he said: “I understand that Inter does it [due to financial problems], but that Juventus sells him… it seems crazy to me.
      “£40million? I wouldn’t have even sold him for £400m.
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      “It was sporting director Fabio Paratici who sold him.
      “He doesn’t even know how he ended up at Tottenham.
      “Selling Cancelo is spitting in football’s face.
      “He’s a phenomenon, he would make a difference even playing as a striker.”
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      Paratici joined Spurs in 2021 and played a role in bringing Antonio Conte to North London.
      The Italian pair are now working together to try and bring the glory days back to Spurs.
      And they had a busy summer – bringing in the likes of Richarlison, Christian Romero and Yves Bissouma to strengthen their title push. More

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      in Boxing

      Deontay Wilder slams boxing saying ‘It’s dangerous, politics, cheating’ and will take psychedelic DRUGS to decide future

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      DEONTAY Wilder had claimed he will turn to psychedelics to help him decide whether or not to hang up his gloves.And the Bronze Bomber lashed out at boxing bosses for creating a ‘dangerous’ world of ‘politics and cheating’.
      Deontay Wilder was stopped by Tyson Fury in his last fight – and has claimed he will turn to psychedelics to decide his futureCredit: AP
      Wilder last stepped into the ring back in October for his trilogy fight against Tyson Fury.
      He was brutally dispatched by a huge Fury right-hand in the 11th round of the gruelling heavyweight slugfest.
      But he is set to return against Robert Helenius over the weekend – as he looks to bounce back from defeat.
      And the fighter, 36, has revealed he was planning to turn to Ayahuasca – a South American psychedelic brew – to help him decide his next steps before his return was finalised.
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      He told the Byron Scott Podcast back in February: “I’m thinking about doing Ayahuasca.
      “That’s gonna be my decision making process… Boxing’s put a bad taste because of what it’s done to me.
      “It’s dangerous, politics, cheating… I still have love for the sport though.”
      Promoter Eddie Hearn had been talking up the veteran Derek Chisora as a potential opponent should Wilder choose to step back into the ring.
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      But the Matchroom Boxing chief appeared to perform a U-turn on that suggestion after witnessing Del Boy’s lopsided defeat at the hands of Joseph Parker.
      Parker has since been mooted as a possible foe as he eyes his own American Dream to follow in the footsteps of pal Fury.
      Although his chances suffered a knock when he was defeated by Joe Joyce in a thrilling bout. More