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      in Soccer

      Man Utd and Chelsea transfer target Frenkie de Jong is named after Brit pop group and loves his gran’s meatballs

      by

      DUTCH superstar Frenkie de Jong might have dreamed of playing for Barcelona, but it was a band from Merseyside that influenced his mum’s mind when she named him.Marjon Schuchhard gave birth to the midfielder, 25, enduring a 33-hour long labour, on May 12, 1997.
      Frenkie de Jong with mum Marjon Schuchhard, left, and brother Youri, centre
      Barcelona star de Jong is a target for Premier League giants Man Utd and Chelsea
      The healthcare worker was a fan of the band Frankie Goes to Hollywood – famous for 1980s belter ‘Relax’ – and named her first-born after them.
      Subtly, she replaced the ‘a’ for an ‘e’ as she knew no-one by that name.
      But it’s not the bright lights of Los Angeles for de Jong.
      Instead, Frenkie could be headed to England – with Man Utd and Chelsea declaring their interest in the 44-cap Holland international.
      Reports have suggested Barcelona are willing to sell de Jong, however he is reluctant to leave the Camp Nou because the club owe him wages of around £17million.
      A move to Stamford Bridge, though, could tempt him as de Jong craves Champions League football, despite the offer of a reunion with old Ajax boss Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
      Barcelona move
      It was back in 2019, the Catalan club forked out £65million for de Jong, who comes from the small village of Arkel in South Holland.
      He followed in the footsteps of Dutch icons Johan Cruyff, Ronald Koeman, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars in playing for both Ajax and Barca.
      So crucial was his decision to move to the LaLiga giants he spoke to both Koeman and Overmars before making the decision.
      “I asked [Marc] about Barcelona and he said, ‘It’s amazing, I went there for four years. It was amazing – the players and the people in the city, just to live there. If you get the chance, you have to take it’,” De Jong recalled.
      And he did, signing a five-year deal with the Spanish giants.
      The expectation around him was so great that many compared the youngster to Holland’s most outstanding export, Cruyff.
      “I feel honoured but I don’t think you can compare the two of us,” De Jong told The Guardian.
      De Jong began playing aged four after his grandfather took him to the local club’s open dayCredit: Soccrates Images
      Midfielder de Jong was picked up by Willem II at the age of sevenCredit: Soccrates Images
      De Jong shot to fame at Dutch giants Ajax before embarking on a Barcelona adventureCredit: Getty – Contributor
      De Jong chose Barcelona and signed a £65m move in 2019Credit: EPA
      “He is so much better than me. He had so much quality. I will never reach that level.”
      De Jong’s career began at the age of four when his father, a traffic warden, took him to an open day at their local club.
      “Frenkie outplayed all the eight- and nine-year old boys,” his grandfather Jan de Bruijn told Dutch newspaper NRC.
      Willem II, renowned for developing the likes of Virgil van Dijk, picked up De Jong at the age of seven.
      His grandfather would do the one-hour drive to Tilburg for training while his parents worked.
      Boy to man
      It was there at Willem II that de Jong met his girlfriend, Mikky Kiemeney, a former hockey player who debuted for HC Den Bosch’s women’s team in 2015, aged 17. They became engaged this summer.
      Kiemeney posted a photo of the childhood sweethearts on Instagram in September 2015 when De Jong signed for Ajax.
      Despite the move, De Jong would make the hour-long journey from the Dutch capital to his hometown to visit his mother.
      On the way, he would always stop in at his grandparents for his favourite meatballs.
      De Jong was part of the Ajax side that appeared in the Champions League semi-finals in 2019Credit: Getty – Contributor
      De Jong’s girlfriend is former hockey player Mikky KiemeneyCredit: Instagram
      Kiemeney and de Jong finally got engaged this summer
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Drogba growing up and was plucked from Spurs
      Those trips may not be as frequent today with Barcelona 1,000-miles away.
      And his love for the club might have somewhat waned, following the latest pay row. De Jong agreed to a pay cut during the pandemic, and is still owed £17million in back pay.
      He didn’t get to play with idol Lionel Messi either, who left for PSG last summer. But it’s still the club of his dreams.
      Childhood friend Sander Dekkers told NRC: “Joining the Messi club is very special to him.
      “But it is not enough. Frenkie wants to be the best midfielder in the world, yes, perhaps the best football player in the world.”
      Chelsea? Manchester? Hollywood? Wherever, Frenkie is going places.
      De Jong starred in Willem II’s academy where Virgil van Dijk was developedCredit: Soccrates Images
      The Dutch midfielder stayed until the age of 17 when he left for AjaxCredit: Soccrates Images
      De Jong had a slight frame during his days at Willem II before growing out and shooting up More

    • 225 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Man City star Kevin De Bruyne’s secluded retirement home in Belgium includes incredible pool and a basketball court

      by

      KEVIN DE BRUYNE will spend his life after football in a stunning Belgian home that includes a swimming pool and basketball court.The 31-year-old Manchester City star is married to wife Michele Lacroix after the pair tied the knot in 2017.
      De Bruyne with his wife Michele and their three childrenCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The house has a beautiful swimming pool on displayCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The Man City man also has a basketball court in his retirement homeCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      He also has three young children with partner Lacroix – Mason, 6, Rome, 3, and Suri, 1.
      And the five-person family often enjoy De Bruyne’s summer breaks from football by going to their house in Bolderberg, Belgium.
      De Bruyne flew out there before Euro 2020 as he attempted to swiftly recover from his broken nose and damaged eye socket.
      And the luxury home seemed to work for the Man City man as he returned to the national team in time for the tournament, only for Belgium to be knocked out in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Italy.
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      The Bolderberg-based home is where De Bruyne wants to rest up when his playing career comes to an end.
      It looks like the perfect place for a Premier League great to put his feet up once he is finished with football.
      But that could still be a way away yet as De Bruyne remains focused on delivering Man City more trophies.
      The attacking midfielder is currently in the US on tour with City.
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      De Bruyne was in action last night, getting on the scoresheet twice as he side beat Club America 2-1 in Houston.
      New signing Erling Haaland was left on the bench for the friendly, having only started training at the beginning of this week.
      Jack Grealish found himself booed by the crowd after going down in the box expecting a penalty.
      Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa tried to pick the England ace up, leading to Grealish shoving him.
      This sparked a melee, with SIX Club America players quickly surrounding Grealish.
      Michele shared several photos of the house to her InstagramCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      The modern-looking house is a sight to beholdCredit: Instagram @lacroixmichele
      Kevin and Michele have been in a relationship since 2014Credit: Instagram @lacroixmichele More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua reveals Wladimir Klitschko is hardest puncher he has ever faced despite Ruiz Jr and Usyk losses

      by

      ANTHONY JOSHUA named Wladimir Klitschko as the hardest puncher he has ever faced in the ring.The British star beat the Ukrainian with an 11th round knockout at Wembley in 2017 – but admitted he could have been “carried out on a stretcher”.
      AJ was floored the first time in his career when he came up against Wladimir KlitschkoCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Joshua, 32, suffered the first defeat of his career when he came up against 25/1 underdog Andy Ruiz Jr in New York back in 2019.
      The British star was left battered and bruised after he was knocked to the canvas four times by the hard-hitting Mexican.
      He was also outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk last year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      But he has revealed that it was Klitschko, 46, that possessed the most powerful punches he has come up against.
      During a JD Sports Instagram live prior to his first fight with Usyk, he said: “Who hit me the hardest? Yeah, Klitschko.
      “When I went in with Klitschko, yeah, I just knew this could go two ways.
      “I could either win or I’m gonna be laid out on my back. You know when you get carried out on a stretcher?”
      “It was the 15 that came after that as well. This guy’s a beast, he’s a beast.
      Andy Ruiz Jr floored the Brit four times before his shock victory last summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
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      “I was gonna say Ruiz Jr, but when he hit me that like a concussion on the back of my head.”
      Joshua was floored for the first time in his career when Klitschko landed a heavy right hand in the sixth round.
      But the Watford-born bruiser bounced back in spectacular fashion to add the WBA world heavyweight title to his IBF crown.
      Klitschko crashed to the canvas three times before Joshua secured the victory in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley.
      Joshua is determined to win back his belts when he rematches Usyk next month.
      The duo will meet again on August 20 in Jeddah, with Tyson Fury potentially being tempted out of retirement to face the winner.
      Anthony Joshua won the fight after he climbed off the canvas at WembleyCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Jonathan Soriano was prolific forward who matched Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records but missed out on Golden Shoe

      by

      THE name Jonathan Soriano might not be all that familiar to a lot of football fans… but perhaps it should be.The 36-year-old spent the majority of his career playing for unfashionable clubs including Red Bull Salzburg, Girona, and Beijing Guoan.
      Jonathan Soriano, just signed by Castellon, is the journeyman striker you’ve never heard of who rivalled Messi and Ronaldo’s goalscoring records
      But, at one moment in time, he was just as prolific as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – rivalling those two legends for the European Golden Shoe.
      However, because a points system favours players in tougher leagues to win even if they score fewer goals than a player in a so-called weaker league, Soriano missed out on the award.
      Incredibly in Austria, in just six years, the master poacher scored a staggering 172 goals.
      CATALAN BOY
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Stories.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}HOW COULD LEW .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’Ungrateful’ Lewandowski slammed by model & TV presenter after Barcelona move
      Soriano hasn’t always plied his trade in the lower leagues.
      In fact, he began his youth career playing at Barcelona’s cross-town rivals Espanyol before he was released in 2009.
      Then, he joined Barça with a view to play in the reserves for their third division side.
      Soriano showed promise and was given a run out by the first team – playing in the dying minutes of a 2–0 win at Cultural y Deportiva Leonesa in a Copa del Rey tie.
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      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Soriano joined Barcelona in 2009 after he was released by EspanyolCredit: AFP – Getty
      At 27 Soriano was left on the football scrapheap when he was released by Barcelona
      It was to prove to be his only appearance with the senior side, despite finishing the following season as top scorer in Spain’s Segunda Division B with 32 goals.
      In 2012, Barcelona refused to renew his contract and Soriano was left on the football scrapheap aged 27.
      REDEMPTION IN AUSTRIA
      With lots to prove, Soriano joined Red Bull Salzburg that same year.
      But in his first season, he needed time to settle and managed a modest five goals in 15 games from January.
      However, his second season was a different story. 26 goals in 32 league games showed his proficiency in front of goal.
      A highlight came in a 6-2 win over Wolfsberger – a game he netted a hat-trick in – just hours after he spent the morning with wife Cristina Sabater in hospital celebrating the birth of his daughter.
      The 2013-14 season was Soriano’s most prolific – with an astonishing 48 goals in 43 games.
      Soriano enjoyed his best years in football at Red Bull SalzburgCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In 2013-14 Soriano scored 31 league goals which would’ve been enough to win the European Golden Shoe awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Soriano once scored a hat-trick hours after his wife Cristina gave birth
      It was the same campaign he was crowned Europa League top scorer – netting a brace against Ajax as Red Bull Salzburg reached the last 16 before they were knocked out.
      His 31 league goals tied him with Luis Suarez and Ronaldo in the European Golden Shoe stakes.
      But it was a technicality he lost out on.
      HE WAS ROBBED
      Since the 1996-97 season, European Sports Media have awarded the Golden Shoe on a points system.
      The weightings are determined by the league’s ranking on the Uefa coefficients, which in turn depend on the results of each league’s clubs in European competition over the previous five seasons.
      So, players who score goals in one of Europe’s top five leagues have the opportunity to score more points than that of a player who plays in a lesser known league.
      Poor Soriano, then, wasn’t even in the running.
      With goals scored in Europe’s top five leagues counting for more in a points system for the European Golden Shoe, Soriano was robbed of the awardCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In his six seasons with Red Bull Salzburg, Soriano scored 172 goals
      “I understand that the Austrian league is not at the level of that of Spain, England, Germany… but whoever understands football knows that it is not easy to score goals anywhere,” he said.
      Soriano’s tallies of 29, 48, 46, and 32 from 2013-16 would have had him competing with Messi and Ronaldo, if it wasn’t for that points system.
      WHAT HAPPENED NEXT
      172 goals and six seasons later, Soriano moved to China.
      He spent two seasons at Beijing Guoan, following a recommendation by former Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute.
      A return of 31 strikes in 36 games in the Chinese Super League ensured he was a success. He even had a medal to show for his time there – winning the Chinese FA Cup.
      But then, as a free agent, Soriano moved to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal FC, where goals were harder to come by.
      One year later, the poacher returned to Spain with Girona on a short-term deal.
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      It didn’t quite work out there, with just one goal to his name in 16 appearances.
      He made eight goalless appearances for Castellon, before announcing his retirement from professional football.
      Soriano’s goalscoring touch alluded him at Girona
      In China Soriano won the Chinese FA CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo naps five times a day and lies in foetal position, says Man Utd superstar’s sleep guru

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO’S secret weapon is that he sleeps five times a day and snoozes in the foetal position, according to a sleep expert.Sleep guru Nick Littlehales has lifted the lid on the amazing routines behind the Portuguese superstar’s success.
      Cristiano Ronaldo takes his sleep very seriouslyCredit: AP
      The Portuguese legend is said to go for a lie-down five times every dayCredit: Splash News
      Sleep guru Nick Littlehales has revealed all about the five-time Ballon d’Or winners sleep secretsCredit: Reuters
      Littlehales landed one of his first gigs in football when he wrote to Sir Alex Ferguson and offered his services.
      The Manchester United chief enlisted the help of the former bed company director to help with Gary Pallister’s back problem.
      Over 20 years on and Littlehales is now helping advise some of the biggest names in world sport.
      Red Devils ace Ronaldo used to need a decent rest after Fergie let United’s stars kick the forward to toughen him up.
      And the 37-year-old proved a sponge for sleep advice when then Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti invited Littlehales to come and work with Los Blancos.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was told to take five 90-minute sleeps a day and sleep on fresh sheets in the foetal position.
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      During his Madrid days, he was the only player awarded access to their customised sleeping pod at their training centre, meaning that the forward napped alone.
      Ronaldo also stops staring at screens an hour and a half before bed.
      Research shows the blue light emitted keeps your brain ticking during sleep by suppressing sleep hormone melatonin.
      Speaking to the Independent back in 2017, Littlehales said: “Anyone who has ever worked with Ronaldo knows that if you have a discussion in the corner of the room, he will come over and ask what you are talking about.
      “I was invited to Real Madrid when Carlo Ancelotti became manager.
      “I was standing on the edge of the training pitch, talking to the Madrid staff, when Ronaldo ran over.
      “He had been training all day and you would have expected him to run straight to the dressing room for a shower but he asked what we were discussing.
      “He was interested in what I was trying to do because as an athlete he has always invested in himself.
      The only thing he is concerned with is: does it work for him?Nick Littlehales
      “From what I have learned from working with him, Ronaldo is not interested in fad diets, he is not interested in copying others.
      “The only thing he is concerned with is: does it work for him?”
      Former Chelsea ace Michael Essien once claimed he needed 14 hours of sleep a day to ensure he was at his powerful and energetic best in games.
      And 15-time tennis Grand Slam winner Pete Sampras would insist on pristine new sheets every night and banned his wife from even touching him once he got into bed.
      But Littlehales says the key to a good night is sleeping in a mattress with just TEN CENTIMETRES of foam. Aside from his work with football and rugby league clubs, Littlehales has also advised golden British cycling couple Laura and Jason Kenny.
      He added: “Why, when you go camping and start sleeping on a thinner mattress, do you wake up feeling fantastic?
      “I’ve been working with Team Sky for a number of years and during every Tour de France, Giro d’Italia or Vuelta a Espana, we go ahead to the hotels making sure the cyclists sleep on exactly the same mattress every night.
      “All you need is ten centimetres of foam.”
      Littlehales was previously employed by Sir Alex Ferguson at Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Olympic heroes Jason and Laura Trott are two of his clientsCredit: Getty Images More

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      How DC United could line up under Wayne Rooney with Man Utd legend signing Phil Jones, Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison

      by

      WAYNE ROONEY could look to bring his former Manchester United team-mates Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison AND Phil Jones with him to DC United.The 36-year-old agreed and signed a $1million-a-year contract to take charge of the MLS side.
      Rooney signed a deal until 2023 with an option for a further yearCredit: AFP
      This is how DC United could look under Wayne Rooney with Jesse Lingard, Ravel Morrison and Phil Jones
      Rooney made a swift return to management after stepping down as Derby’s gaffer last month following their relegation to League One.
      However, Rooney has a “Coleen release clause” in his contract that would see him allowed to leave DC sooner.
      United icon Rooney is reportedly free to head back to the UK and rejoin his family if a Premier League club comes in for him.
      Attention will now turn to who could follow Rooney to the MLS.
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      SunSport recently reported how Lingard could be on his way to the MLS with multiple clubs looking to snap him up.
      The 29-year-old is a free agent following his release by Manchester United.
      He has been linked with Premier League sides West Ham, Newcastle, and Everton, but he could be tempted to link up with Rooney.
      And he could be joined by fellow United team-mate and academy graduate Morrison, who is also currently unemployed.
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      Morrison was signed by Rooney for Derby last year, with the attacking midfielder featuring in 38 games in all competitions.
      It was the most amount of games the 29-year-old has ever managed in a single campaign, with the ex-Hammers ace chipping in with five goals and four assists.
      And having tested himself in Italy, Mexico, Sweden and Holland, Morrison could look to challenge himself in yet another country.
      SunSport also revealed that Rooney is considering handing Jones a chance to revive his career in America.
      Jones, 30, who has suffered a nightmare time at Old Trafford over the past two years.
      Here SunSport takes a look at how DC United could line-up under Rooney in their usual 3-4-2-1 formation.
      Rafael Romo will keep his spot between the sticks having only signed for the Audi Field outfit.
      Centre-backs Steve Birnbaum and Brendan Hines-Ike will likely retain their starting spot and would be joined by Jones.
      Versatile Julian Gressel will slot in down the right channel, with Sami Guediri to be deployed on the opposite flank.
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      A central midfield pairing will likely see Drew Skundrich partner Chris Durkin in the middle of the pitch.
      Lingard and Morrison would then feature in an advanced position behind top scorer Taxiarchis Fountas, who has nine goals from 11 matches in 2022 so far. More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea signing Omari Hutchinson, 18, has been compared to new team mate Raheem Sterling and is a viral sensation

      by

      CHELSEA moved quickly to sign talented Arsenal youngster Omari Hutchinson.The wing-wizard, 18, was highly-rated by boss Mikel Arteta – regularly featuring in first team training last season.
      Omari Hutchinson unveiled as a Chelsea player, with the club’s head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser
      Omari Hutchinson is highly-rated at their Hale End academyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mikel Arteta was impressed by Hutchinson and included him in first team training
      On Instagram Hutchinson penned an emotional goodbye to Arsenal
      But, after seven years at Hale End – Cobham will be where he sees his football career growing.
      And he left Arsenal with a heavy heart.
      “Dear fans, it’s time to say goodbye,” he wrote on Instagram.
      “My experience with Arsenal has been a fantastic and memorable one.
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      “I will always remember my time here and the beautiful journey it has taken me on.
      “This will be one to remember and never to forget.
      “Arsenal made me feel most welcomed and respected, so huge thank you to all the staff and coaches and my team-mates – it’s been a real pleasure.
      “Lastly, a colossal thank you to all the Arsenal fans who have supported and shown me love.
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      “Words cannot describe how I value, respect and love you all!”
      Arsenal’s loss could certainly be Chelsea’s gain in the years to come.
      High hopes
      On a weekly basis last campaign, Gunners fans were left purring by the attacking midfielder and a piece of magnificent skill he had performed during an Under-23 game.
      Back in October, Hutchinson produced a stunning backheel assist in a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
      While in January, it was the Blues who were left stunned by Hutchinson’s incredible solo goal in a 4-1 loss in the Papa John’s Trophy.
      His form excited boss Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu, who believed they may have found the next Bukayo Saka.
      Like Miguel Azeez, Charlie Patino and Nikolaj Moller, Hutchinson was on the fringes of a first team call-up, earning rave reviews among the Arsenal coaching staff. However, he never did get that first team call up.
      An attacking midfielder with quick feet and bags of pace, Hutchinson was spied listening attentively to his Spanish boss during coaching sessions in the past few seasons.
      Former Arsenal star David Luiz was also impressed by his efforts – and embraced the youngster with a high-five.
      FULL OF POTENTIAL AND BELIEF
      Back in 2020, Hutchinson signed his first pro contract with Arsenal, who he has been with since the age of 11.
      “A proud day for me and my family and I look forward to pushing on and continuing to work hard,” he wrote on his Instagram as a caption for a photo that showed him inking his deal.
      Cheekily, he added: “Debut soon to come.”
      The confidence he has in his ability translates to the swagger he plays with on the pitch.
      An attacking midfielder who has drawn comparisons with Raheem Sterling, Hutchinson boasts fine dribbling skills and an eye for a goal playing on the right wing.
      Ironically, Sterling will now be his team mate at Stamford Bridge – so he will able to learn first hand from his hero.
      [embedded content]
      Hutchinson signed his first pro contract with Arsenal in 2020
      Hutchinson, pictured with Pele, had been with Arsenal since he was 11
      A quick midfielder, Hutchinson can play out wide or as a No10Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Big Performance from the boys in a 4-1 Win against Tottenham 👌🏾 Good to get back on the scoresheet plus and assist ⚽️ 🅰️ We go again 🦍 pic.twitter.com/RIZld1a2wM— Omari Hutchinson (@omarihutch7) January 24, 2021

      And Hutchinson knows a thing or two about performing against London teams. Last season, he was the star performer in the 4-1 rout of Tottenham for the U18’s – scoring another brilliant individual goal and grabbing an assist.
      And he is equally as adept playing in a No10 role, while he was also used at left-back.
      ARTETA WAS IMPRESSED
      A few months before Hutchinson penned his deal with Arsenal, he was drafted into a first team training session with Arteta and Arsenal’s main stars.
      Immediately, he impressed his boss with his passing, skill on the ball, movement and his determination.
      Of course, Arteta had heard from Hutchinson’s youth coaches that he was one of the most exciting players in the academy.
      That is now all academic now.
      But there’s still some way to go before we know he can do it with the big boys.
      Last season, he was raved about – scoring a goal in a 4-3 win away at Newport County in the Football League Trophy.
      Fans raved that he was Arsenal’s standout performer.
      His outstanding season was rewarded with an international call-up by Jamaica, which he accepted with glee even though he was capped at England youth level.
      In the Football League Trophy win over Newport County, Hutchinson was Arsenal’s standout playerCredit: Getty
      Ex-Arsenal first team star David Luiz was impressed by HutchinsonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hutchinson takes the ball past Alex RunarssonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Big things are expected of HutchinsonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      So it’s no wonder Chelsea are happy to have nabbed a Gunners youth star. “We are delighted that Omari has agreed to sign for Chelsea,” head of youth recruitment Jim Fraser revealed.
      “He is a brilliant addition who joins us as an exciting emerging talent hoping to make a quick impression in the senior game.” More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson’s three wives include one he caught having sex with Brad Pitt, one who is a doctor and ex-convict Kiki

      by

      BOXING legend Mike Tyson is the most settled he’s ever been.And that could be because of the influence of his third wife, Lakiha Spicer.
      Mike Tyson has married three different women in his lifetimeCredit: New York Daily News – Getty
      Tyson’s first wife Robin Givens had a dalliance with Brad Pitt while they were still togetherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Or it’s possible that the 56-year-old’s admitted cannabis indulgence has mellowed him out.
      But over the years his tumultuous lifestyle hasn’t lent well to being a married man.
      Before he walked down the aisle with Lakiha, better known as ‘Kiki’, he was wed twice.
      First, to American model Robin Givens in 1988, who he caught in bed with Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt.
      Then, to doctor Monica Turner for six years.
      ROBIN GIVENS, 1988-89
      The most explosive love affair Mike had came at the height of his fame.
      They married 11 months after their first date, on which they were reportedly joined by her mother and publicist.
      “My social skills consisted of putting a guy in a coma,” he wrote in his memoir, ‘Undisputed Truth’.
      “So maybe Robin was just what the doctor ordered.”
      According to Tyson, they had a hastily arranged wedding when Givens announced she was pregnant.
      Givens allegedly brought her mum along to her first date with TysonCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The pair walked down the aisle just 11 months after meetingCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Tyson revealed that Givens told him she was pregnant before later revealing she had a miscarriageCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      In a TV interview Givens called Tyson intimidating and said she was scared of himCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Givens was caught in bed with Brad Pitt while she was still seeing TysonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Pitt pleaded with Tyson not to hit him and made a quick exitCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      He had already given Givens and her mum £3million to buy a New Jersey estate, as well as put £6.5million in another account for her and her mum.
      But shortly after money was exchanged, Robin told Mike she had had a miscarriage.
      The pair later appeared in cringe-worthy interview with US journalist Barbara Walters, where Givens called Tyson “intimidating” and said her and her mother were frightened of his temper.
      Givens filed for divorce soon after the interview, but they continued to see each other.
      At that point, Givens began dating Brad Pitt – and Tyson walked in on the pair having sex.
      “Dude, don’t strike me,” Pitt said as he was faced with the fierce heavyweight, “don’t strike me.”
      “You had to see the look on his face,” Tyson wrote in his book.
      “He looked like he was ready to receive his last rites. He also looked stoned out of his gourd.”
      MONICA TURNER, 1997-2003
      You could’ve forgiven Tyson for swearing off marriage after his experience with Givens.
      Monica Turner became wife No2 in 1997Credit: EPA
      Paediatrician Turner met Tyson at a party thrown by Eddie Murphy, who starred opposite wife No1 Robin GivensCredit: Rex Features
      Tyson and Turner set up home in Maryland and hoped for the quiet lifeCredit: Reuters
      Tyson and Turner’s marriage lasted four years and she divorced him on terms of adulteryCredit: Reuters
      But in 1997 he said ‘I do’ to Turner in a quiet Muslim ceremony, seven years after they first met.
      Their paths first crossed in 1990 at a party thrown by comedian Eddie Murphy.
      The pair stayed in touch, even when Tyson was convicted of raping 18-year-old beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington and sent to an Indiana jail for three years.
      Every two weeks Turner visited Tyson in prison as their romance blossomed.
      When he was released they set up home in Maryland, where they had hoped to live the quiet life.
      But their romance wasn’t to last – with Turner filing for divorce and claiming adultery four years later.
      They have two children together – Rayna and Amir.
      LAKIHA SPICER, 2009-PRESENT
      Kiki, 43, first met Tyson aged 18, when they were introduced by promoter Don King after one of his bouts.
      However, it wasn’t until the early noughties that they began dating, and they married in 2009 – two weeks after the death of Tyson’s daughter, Exodus.
      Lakiha Spicer first met Tyson when she was just 18 in the early noughtiesCredit: Rex Features
      Lakiha is better known by the nickname KikiCredit: 2018 Jean Catuffe
      Kiki helped Tyson devise his one-man show on BroadwayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Most recently, Kiki helped develop Mike’s one-man show ‘The Undisputed Truth’ on Broadway.
      But, despite the longevity of their marriage, it’s been fraught with difficulties and suggestions of infidelity.
      Tyson said back in January that he had only been faithful to Spicer for the last two years of their marriage in an interview on rapper T.I.’s ExpediTIously podcast.
      Kiki has also had her problems with the law.
      In 2008, she was sentenced to six months in federal jail for defrauding £60,000 from a company owned by her father.
      She claimed she taught maths courses in the Sister Clara Muhammad School, however she allegedly used the school to launder money.
      Tyson married Kiki in 2009Credit: Getty Images
      In 2008 Kiki was sentenced to six months in federal jail for money launderingCredit: Getty Images
      Kiki was carrying Tyson’s baby when she was sentencedCredit: Getty Images
      Tyson credits Kiki with helping him overcome drug addictionCredit: Getty – Contributor
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      Kiki did time while carrying Tyson’s baby, and when she came out she found her husband hopelessly addicted to drugs.
      With her help, Tyson managed to beat his addiction.
      “I’m very happy me and my wife got together, because I don’t know how I would have survived out there”, he told US magazine People. More