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      in Soccer

      Ukraine boss Shevchenko’s son Kristian, 15, is future star at Chelsea’s academy and could qualify to play for England

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      ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO’S son is part of Chelsea’s academy – and could qualify to represent England through his residency status.Former Blues star and ex-Ukraine boss Shevchenko Sr could one day see his son Kristian play in white.
      Former Chelsea star and ex-Ukraine boss Andriy Shevchenko’s son Kristian, 15, is at the Blues’ academy
      Kristian Shevchenko turned 15 last November and is the second of the former Blues striker’s four sons.
      He was born and raised in London, making him potentially eligible to play for the Three Lions as a UK passport holder.
      Shevchenko scored Chelsea’s opening goal in a 4-0 win against Watford in 2006 – just his second Stamford Bridge goal following his £30m move from AC Milan – the day after his son’s birth.
      He and team-mates Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba marked the goal with a ‘rock the baby’ celebration.
      And in 2020, Shevchenko confirmed his son was playing for the Blues youngsters, saying: “My second son is training at Chelsea academy.
      “This is a very good school, which brought up more than a dozen players of excellent level.”
      Kristian would also qualify to play internationally for Ukraine and likely the USA and Poland via his mother’s citizenship – Shevchenko’s wife is Polish-American model Kristen Pazik.
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      Asked which national team he would like his son to represent in the future, the 45-year-old said: “I would like to face such a choice. I’d love to. If there is to be such a choice, then we will talk.”
      The ex-Ukraine international-turned-boss, who scored 48 goals in 111 games for his country between 1995-2012, is their all-time top scorer and was appointed manager in 2016.
      He failed to lead them to the 2018 World Cup in Russia after the team were knocked out in qualifying by eventual runners-up Croatia.
      Shevchenko eventually quit after losing to England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020.
      He then had a short stint with Italians Genoa, lasting just two months as he lost seven times with just one win.
      The former AC Milan striker famously struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League after leaving San Siro for Chelsea, scoring only 23 goals for the Blues during his two-season stay.
      Asked whether he believed the move to West London had been a mistake, he said: “In no way. I’m not even going to discuss that. I do not tidy up the past. Everything is as it should have happened, so it happened.
      “I have been living in London for the past 13 years. My family is there, it’s convenient there, plus I wanted my children to go to school there.” More

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      in Boxing

      George Foreman reckons Bruce Lee could have been world champion boxer as he was so good he left him with ‘chills’

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      BRUCE LEE could have become a boxing world champion, according to one of the legends of the sport George Foreman.A book charting the life of the martial artist, ‘Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend’, was released in 2020 on the anniversary of his death.
      Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend delves into the life of arguably the greatest ever martial artist
      George Foreman says watching Bruce Lee in action gave him ‘chills’Credit: Getty – Contributor
      Lee, who died in 1973 after suffering a brain injury, would have been 80 on July 20, 2020.
      Foreman has revealed that watching Lee do his thing in films left him with “chills”.
      And the 73-year-old claims that Lee could have made a big success in the sport where he himself became famous.
      In an excerpt from the book seen by SunSport, Foreman said: “Bruce Lee was a good athlete and he could’ve been a good boxer.
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      “He could have been anything. In his weight class, he would have been a boxing champion.
      “I remember I was in Hawaii in 1973 and I went in to see the movie Enter the Dragon.
      “When I walked out after the movie, on all my back I had chills on me!
      “I was the heavyweight champion of the world, by the way, but all I could think was, wow!
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      “I was in shock! He left all the audiences awestruck. Bruce Lee changed everything!”
      Foreman believes Lee will continue to have “a lasting impression” even another 50 years from now for his “box-office appear and his action skills”.
      He is credited with paving the way for what we know as MMA today with his founding of Jeet Kune Do – a martial art with “minimal effort with maximum effect and extreme speed”.
      Foreman retired from boxing in 1997 at the age of 48 and is a two-time heavyweight champion with a record of 76 wins and five defeats.
      Bruce Lee: The Life of a Legend by Fiaz Rafiq is available now in bookstores and on Amazon More

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      in Soccer

      Superstar XI who will NOT play at the 2022 World Cup including Haaland, Salah, Ibrahimovic and Aubameyang

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      WITH the World Cup just TWO months away, the line-up for the biggest tournament in football is complete.But plenty of big names have already seen their World Cup dream ended, including Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, whose Egypt team fell in qualifying.
      A best XI of players NOT going to the World Cup
      Salah failed to guide Egypt to back-to-back World Cup finalsCredit: AP
      And here SunSport have formulated a best XI of players who will be watching this year’s World Cup finals from home… or the beach.
      Leading the line for the best XI not at the World Cup are Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland and AC Milan man Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
      He might be one of the most prolific strikers on the planet, but Haaland’s Norway could only finish third in their qualifying group.
      Captained by Arsenal man Martin Odegaard – another to make the XI of stars not going to the World Cup – Norway finished behind both the Netherlands and Turkey.
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      And Ibrahimovic’s Sweden side also missed out on qualification – meaning Man Utd man Victor Lindelof is another absentee from the tournament.
      In an attack-heavy team, Salah joins Haaland and Ibrahimovic in the front quartet of our team.
      The Egypt forward blazed a penalty over the bar in their shootout defeat to Senegal, meaning last season’s top scorer in the Premier League will NOT be in Qatar.
      And propping up the front four is Gabon captain and Chelsea forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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      His side failed to get out of their qualification group as they finished below Salah’s Egypt.
      Elsewhere, in a stunning turn of events, Euro 2020 winners Italy were beaten in a play-off against minnows North Macedonia.
      The embarrassing defeat sees Leonardo Spinazzola, Giorgio Chiellini and Marco Verratti all included in the best XI of players not going to the World Cup.
      And Austrian skipper David Alaba will join them in having a month off after his country lost 2-1 to Wales in their play-off semi-final back in March.
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      Finally, Atletico Madrid keeper Jan Oblak completes the team after Slovenia finished nowhere near contention in their qualifying group.
      The World Cup gets underway on November 20, with the final scheduled for December 18 – an early Christmas present for football fans. More

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      in Soccer

      Brazil legend Roberto Carlos ‘agreed’ Chelsea transfer and only had to sign contract before deal collapsed

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      LEGENDARY full-back Roberto Carlos has revealed that he came “very close” to joining Chelsea in 2007.The Brazilian icon’s glittering Real Madrid career was coming to an end after 527 appearances and 13 trophies – but at 34 many people still thought he had something to offer.
      Roberto Carlos was one of the world’s leading left-backs when he departed Real Madrid in 2007Credit: Reuters
      And it turns out that Jose Mourinho, then in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, was one of them.
      The Portuguese already had Ashley Cole, who had arguably succeeded Carlos as the world’s finest left-back, at his disposal – but could have upgraded on deputy Wayne Bridge.
      Carlos himself, now 49, has lifted the lid on just how close he came to joining the Blues.
      Speaking to Goal in 2020, he said: “I had two proposals, Fenerbahce and Chelsea. Chelsea didn’t work out so I signed for Fenerbahce.
      LATEST CHELSEA NEWS
      “But, with Chelsea, it got very close. It was literally agreed and I just had to go there and sign the contract.
      “It was just a week before I signed for Fenerbahce and I had been to Paris to meet both Roman Abramovich and Peter Kenyon.
      “Unfortunately, in the final moments something didn’t work out just before finalising, which happens a lot in football. There was an issue with the lawyer.
      “It was all agreed, though, and I am 100 per cent sure I would have done well in the Premier League and it would have suited my characteristics.”
      I am 100 per cent sure I would have done well in the Premier League and it would have suited my characteristics.Roberto Carlos

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      As it happened, Mourinho was sacked less than three months later – while Carlos spent two years in Istanbul before returning to Brazil with Corinthians.
      While he may have been in the twilight of his career when approached by the Blues, it turns out that they weren’t the first English side to try and bring him to these shores.
      He continued: “I was still playing in Brazil with Palmeiras when Aston Villa came in for me in 1995.
      “But they couldn’t afford the deal, after that I went to Inter.”
      The iconic Brazilian was a key part of the ‘Galacticos’ era alongside David Beckham in MadridCredit: AP:Associated Press More

    • 213 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Gary Neville reveals regret over ignoring Ferguson advice and Simeone torturing him with tactics during Valencia spell

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      GARY NEVILLE admits he regrets not heeding Sir Alex Ferguson’s advice during his ill-fated spell as Valencia manager.Neville infamously took charge of the Spanish club during the 2015-16 season.
      Gary Neville admits he regrets not heeding Sir Alex Ferguson’s advice during his time at ValenciaCredit: Getty Images
      But he lasted just 28 games after picking up only ten wins before being sacked.
      Neville’s time at the Mestalla is now looked back on as a prime example of bad management.
      And Neville himself admits he should have paid closer attention to advice given by former Man Utd boss Fergie.
      Reflecting on his Valencia spell last year, Neville told Sky Sports: “Early on it was clear that some players were unhappy.
      “I should have made big decisions on players that weren’t committed to the club at that point.
      “I remember speaking to Sir Alex early on and his advice was: ‘Just get rid of them and protect yourself. Only have people in the dressing room that are facing the same direction as you.’
      “But I didn’t listen. I tried talking some players round to staying until the end of the season. But they weren’t happy.
      “I ignored Sir Alex’s advice.”
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      Neville also revealed how out of depth he felt against Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone, saying: “I felt like he was strangling me gently throughout the game.
      “I felt like he put his hands around my neck and thought ‘I’ll just toy with you a little bit.’
      “He was almost torturing me, football-wise, over 90 minutes.
      “At the end of the game I went to shake his hand and he just stormed off past me down the tunnel.
      “To me, you always shake your fellow manager’s hand out of respect, so I thought, ‘you are one horrible so-and-so.’
      “I admired that in his teams when I’d watch them, I’ve admired it since.
      “His team represent him. His bench was all over the place during the match, they’re all screaming and shouting.
      “I don’t know whether he’s like that anyway or whether he just thought, ‘I think I need to leave one on you here. You need a lesson.’” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea legend John Terry’s dad was furious he snubbed Man Utd for Blues and refused to join him 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
      Terry won five Premier League titles before leaving Chelsea in 2017Credit: PA:Press Association
      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’.
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      “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.
      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

      “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.” More

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      in Soccer

      Tottenham billionaire owner Joe Lewis has an amazing £113m superyacht, which features a full sized tennis court

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      WHEN you have an estimated wealth of around £4.3billion, you aren’t going to skimp on boys’ toys.And billionaire Spurs owner Joe Lewis is testament to that fact – owning an astonishing £113million superyacht which measures 321-feet long.
      Spurs owner Joe Lewis owns a £113m yacht called AvivaCredit: Tom Stockill
      The Aviva, once seen on the River Thames in 2018, is 321-feet longCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The East End-born businessman is believed to live on board the Aviva, once spotted docked on the Thames, which has been referred to as his mobile office.
      Better still, it has everything an 85-year-old would need in terms of amenities, including the very first full-size indoor tennis court ever installed on a yacht.
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      Lewis does not need to  be on dry land to get his tennis fix.
      After all, he has an incredible tennis court built into the Aviva – the first of its kind – that he and his guests can play on.
      At 20 metres long and 10 metres wide, the court area goes up to 6.65 metres high.
      And it’s not just for tennis, as the yacht’s designer Reymond Langton explained.
      “It is not only a lifestyle change for the owner but also for the crew as this is also the largest gym of any yacht,” the British design studio told Yacht Harbour.
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      The superyacht is the first boat to have a full-size indoor tennis court
      Crew on board the Aviva have been known to enjoy the tennis court found in the bottom of the boatCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      “The crew is encouraged to play with the owner and guests and when the court is not in use for padel (tennis), the net can be removed and the crew plays football and use other exercise equipment in the space.
      “It is after all a sports hall.”A MOBILE OFFICE
      Lewis, who made his millions in currency trading after running several restaurants and nightclubs from the 1960s, spends most of the year on his boat.
      For the Spurs boss, it’s not just a place where he can enjoy a luxurious life, the Aviva is perfect for working remotely.
      “Communication and information are critical to me.” Lewis said in an interview with regards to his requirements for his floating office.
      “To be effective, I need reliable phones and internet, these have improved much over the past few years, but, it is too expensive, too slow and not consistently reliable.
      “Aviva is more than an office; it is also my home for much of the year. So for me, it is relaxing working from home, wherever Aviva may be in the world.”
      It can also be used to entertain, just as it was when he invited the Spurs team on board in 2013 during their tour of the Bahamas.
      Then-skipper Michael Dawson said: “I had never met him before, so it was nice to go over there and a great experience.
      “What a really nice guy. And that yacht is unreal! But he’s just a normal guy. You could chat to him about anything. He tunes into all the games, he loves it. We just sat there chatting. He made us feel so welcome over there. It was relaxed. A lot of team-bonding together.”
      Lewis lives on the Aviva for most of the yearCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      Lewis has called the Aviva his modern day office in the pastCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      Dotted around its decks are sun loungersCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      BAHAMAS-READY
      It’s mostly in the Bahamas where Lewis – among the richest men in the UK – spends his days as a tax exile.
      And the Aviva, which can house up to 16 guests, is fully equipped for the Caribbean lifestyle.
      The exterior relaxation area features a circular set of lounging pads on the sun deck, as well as smaller lounging pads towards the yacht’s bridge.
      A cool swimming platform can also open up into the sea, that means you can have your own beach area with Aviva’s tenders coming out of side doors.
      Talking about boys’ toys, the superyacht even has a speedboat and jet skis on board.
      The Aviva is Bahamas-ready, has its own speedboat and a swimming platform opens up into the seaCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      The lower deck boasts circular lounging areasCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      PERFORMANCE
      The German-built Aviva, the 46th longest yacht in the world, took three years to complete.
      And it’s certainly not lacking in spec, either.
      Powered by an eco-friendly drive system, it can reach a top speed of 20 knots.
      The unique hull design that comes together with an electric propulsions system means that less fuel is used.
      Unbelievably, the Aviva can cruise at 11 knots purely on electric power only.
      Now, where can we get one?
      The Aviva can be powered using just electronic powerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Aviva is the 46th longest yacht in the worldCredit: Abeking Rasmussen
      German-built, the Aviva took three years to completeCredit: Abeking Rasmussen More

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      in Soccer

      Neymar’s dream five-a-side team features PSG team-mate Lionel Messi – but he picked Paul Pogba instead of a keeper

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      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 now 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 setup 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 30-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.
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      Four Premier League players 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, 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