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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hall underwent mega three-year body transformation from winning World’s Strongest Man to shredded physique

      by

      EDDIE HALL underwent a massive body transformation after dropping over 30kg for his fight with Hafthor Bjornsson.The eagerly awaited clash of the titans – dubbed the heaviest boxing match in history – saw Hall lose out to the Icelandic giant on March 19.
      Eddie Hall has revealed his shredded physique on Instagram
      The former World’s Strongest Man has trimmed down for the mega boxing contest
      The pair had been waiting for nearly a year for the bout, with fight night twice postponed.
      Both men switched up their training routines for the heavyweight clash, having previously been rivals in the World’s Strongest Man competition.
      Bjornsson, aka Thor, has been boasting of his new, leaner physique, while Hall has also been trimming the pounds.
      Ahead of the originally scheduled bout, the 34-year-old Brit posted before and after photographs on Instagram comparing his build in 2017 and today.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-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-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TEN OUT OF TEN .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;}How Man Utd will line up with Gnabry and Antony but no Cristiano Ronaldo
      He wrote: “Left ⬅️2017 @ 196kg / 432lbs 💪 Right➡️2021 @ 161kg / 355lbs 🤽‍♂️.
      “Three years difference and 36kg lost!”
      Hall may have been cutting his weight in preparation for the fight but he was still building muscle like nobody’s business – putting away 7,000 calories a day.
      Six meals a day are prepared for the giant by his wife, Alex, with curries, baked potatoes and plenty of vegetables on the menu.
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      The Beast is also underwnt a gruelling cardio regime to build his fitness for the showdown.
      Hall said previously: “Me and Hafthor have been big-time competitors for a long time.
      “We’ve got a hell of a history competing against one another.
      “We absolutely f***ing despise each other beyond belief. If he was on fire I wouldn’t p*** on him.” More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Motorsport

      Inside Lewis Hamilton’s amazing Colorado Mountain mansion that F1 star reveals is ‘home full of love and memories’

      by

      LEWIS HAMILTON’S incredible mansion in the Colorado mountains is the place he loves to stay.And late last year, stunning model Camila Kenrda was spotted enjoying it too.
      Lewis Hamilton claims the house in Colorado is full of ‘love and memories’
      Lewis Hamilton loves to go for a spin on a snowmobile while out in Colorado
      The British superstar – who has won seven Formula 1 world championships – has an incredible property portfolio.
      In 2019, Hamilton splashed out a whopping $38.5million on a stunning penthouse in New York.
      Prior to that, he paid out $21.7m on a unique six-bedroom detached villa in West London, which he is currently refurbishing.
      He also owns a three-bedroom apartment in Switzerland and like many F1 drivers, he has a house in Monaco.
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Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}FEELING THE PINCH .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;}We can only afford to feed our 5 kids ready meals – it’s a nightmare
      But in the past, Hamilton has revealed that the place he likes to call home is in Colorado, America.
      Speaking to the BBC, he said: “I’ve never really been home [before].
      “In my winter, I go to the mountains [in Colorado], which I really see as my main home, because it’s a house and it’s full of love and memories from people, the family that come every winter.
      “Where I live in Monaco, it’s been somewhere I go back to and I’d call home but it lacks those memories.
      “I’d be there for short periods of time. So it’s not been the easiest.”
      Even Lewis Hamilton’s dogs appear to enjoy their time in Colorado
      Lewis Hamilton likes to spend the winter in Colorado
      Lewis Hamilton likes to bombard his 20.9million followers with snaps
      The Formula 1 legend likes to exercise outside if the weather is nice
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      Hamilton has given fans a glimpse of his Colorado home on Instagram.
      He has shared a snap of himself enjoying pancakes for breakfast while sat outside.
      The F1 star loves to soak up the views and explore the wilderness that surrounds the house.
      Hamilton has even taken his dogs for a spin around the lake on his paddleboard.
      There’s no end of activities that he can do while up the mountains with his loved ones.
      He has sped around on a snowmobile, raced up the hills on his motorbike and snowboarded down the cliffs.
      The inside of his Colorado pad has been kitted out with as much wood as possible.
      He has a huge wooden bookshelf, complete with a globe and a number of other statues.
      The British superstar likes to make the most of the incredible views
      Lewis Hamilton pictured enjoying breakfast with a view
      The British star has given fans a glimpse inside of his Colorado home
      Lewis Hamilton poses for a snap with his beloved pet pooches
      Hamilton matched Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles in 2020.
      And in the same year he was knighted in the 2020 New Year’s Honours list.
      Lewis Hamilton pictured enjoying the view after a bike ride up the mountain
      The 36-year-old can brush up on his snowboarding skills while he’s up the mountains
      Lewis Hamilton reveals sickening racist abuse after British F1 legend was told ‘go back to your own country’ More

    • 238 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s new manager Erik ten Hag lives above supermarket, studies Guardiola’s teams and loves Van Gaal and Cruyff

      by

      ERIK TEN HAG famously previously lived above a supermarket in Amsterdam, but the only shelf he stacked was his club’s trophy cabinet.The ex-Ajax boss, 52, has now officially started work as Manchester United’s manager – signing a three-year deal with the club.
      Erik ten Hag is Man Utd’s new managerCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The Dutch tactician is now in the Old Trafford hot-seat and is expected to be handed a £200million war chest to improve the fortunes of the Red Devils – although he is still waiting for his first signing.
      The quiet thinker had a 13-year playing career in Holland, before he revived the glory days at Ajax with a vibrant young team.
      In 2019, with a side that featured homegrown talents like Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and Hakim Ziyech, he reached a Champions League semi-final.
      Ten Hag, a keen golfer with a high-pitched voice, worked wonders given Ajax had not even competed in the knockout stages since 2005-06.
      Having already surpassed par, Ten Hag is becoming a Master. That’s why he was United’s hierarchy’s first choice.
      AJAX ICONS
      On the wall of his modest office at the club’s De Toekomst training ground hang photos of Johan Cruyff, Rinus Michels and Louis van Gaal.
      In an era when Ajax are surrounded by financially beefed up opponents, he has ensured the club have stayed competitive. This season, they were narrowly beaten by Benfica over two legs to exit the Champions League in the Round of 16 stage.
      So how has the former centre-back from a rural town in Twente transformed their fortunes?
      Ten Hag’s education in coaching goes some way to explain.
      In 2013, having spent his entire career in Holland, he moved abroad to work with the master of management.
      At Bayern Munich, Ten Hag cut his coaching teeth with the reserves while watching closely as Pep Guardiola revolutionised the German giants’ style.
      “Every day I get to work with him, I look forward to it. He inspires me,” he gushed.
      Ten Hag worked closely with Pep Guardiola for two years as Bayern Munich II’s managerCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola with his focus on attacking and attractive footballCredit: AFP or licensors
      .css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most Read In Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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      And his approach to training shows Ten Hag is a disciple of Guardiola, such is the obsession with detail.
      He has a particular focus on the character of a player.
      Ten Hag will note down how each individual responds to minor errors, losing the ball or committing a foul, and works out the mentality of his team to suit their opponent.
      Before being appointed at Ajax in 2017, these skills helped him guide Utrecht into the Europa League.
      DEVELOPING YOUTH
      Ten Hag suited Ajax due to his ability to nurture young talent into stars.
      Frenkie de Jong joined Barcelona in a deal worth £65million in 2019. Matthijs de Ligt joined Juventus for the same fee – boosting the club’s coffers.
      Ten Hag played a key role in the development of players like Memphis Depay, at PSV, and Marko Arnautovic, at FC Twente.
      He transformed Depay from a central midfielder to a wide position, with the coach’s focus constantly on attacking and attractive football.
      Yet, Ten Hag is also able to identify what his team needs.
      Among his youthful stars, are seasoned veterans including former Manchester United man Daley Blind and ex-Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic.
      Both were brought in 2018 by Ten Hag to redress the team’s inexperience.
      The Dutchman has spoken of his lofty ambitions to manage a bigger club.
      And with Ajax now firmly established back as one of Europe’s big guns under Ten Hag, felt his work at the club was done.
      Now, the challenge of the Premier League awaits. Can he succeed where other Dutch coaches have failed? Time will tell.
      Ten Hag’s first managerial job was with Dutch side Go Ahead EaglesCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Ten Hag rose to prominence in Holland by taking Utrecht to the Europa LeagueCredit: Rex Features
      Former defender Ten Hag focuses on developing youth by gaining their trustCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      in Boxing

      Non-League steward discovers biological dad is legendary US commentator Bob Sheridan – making him sole heir to £200m

      by

      AN adopted sports fan was stunned to discover his long-lost dad is a legendary US boxing commentator – making him sole heir to a £200million fortune.Simon Edwards tracked down his extended birth family in Galway, Ireland, who told him his birth dad is American household name ‘The Colonel’ Bob Sheridan, 78.
      A Hitchin Town steward has discovered legendary boxing commentator Bob Sheridan is his long-lost dadaCredit: East News
      Sheridan, right, is worth an estimated £200m and commentated on Muhammad Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ against George Foreman
      Simon aged 15 with a young Sheridan earlier in his career
      Simon – who now refers to himself as Colonel Jnr – told how he contacted Bob via an agency the day the childless widower laid his wife to rest.
      And Bob, famous for commentating on Muhammed Ali’s 1974 Rumble in the Jungle fight with George Foreman, in Zaire, knew instantly he was his son.
      Since discovering his famous dad, stunned Simon has had messages of support from superstars Angelia Jolie and J-Lo.
      The dad-of-two Simon, of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, told SunSport: “I always dreamed of being reunited with my long lost father.
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      “As a boxing fan I knew exactly who he was, so it was fair to say it came as a pretty big shock. It’s just been so wonderful getting to know him.
      “To other people it must seem amazing that this famous person is my dad, but for me it’s amazing to just know who my dad is and be in touch with him
      “I’d probably still be as blown-away if he was a plumber from down the road.
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      Sheridan is one of the biggest names in boxing, pictured here with Mike TysonCredit: Getty
      Edwards is planning a trip to Las Vegas to visit his birth fatherCredit: East News
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      “It’s so exciting to have all these plans to fly to America and meet him and make him part of my life.
      “And of course it’s totally surreal to be getting messages from people like Angelina Jolie.
      “But if I’m honest, I’ve managed to bag a place stewarding at Wembley for the European Championship – and I’m a bit worried all this might get in the way.”
      He added: “My mum and dad here are over the moon – they’ve always said if I wanted to find them they would be behind me.”
      Curious Simon tracked down his extended family to Galway and visited them in 2019 – sadly learning his birth-mum Rosemary Ruane, had died in 1985.
      He was told the unmarried hotel manager was one of nine daughters from the same Catholic family and had travelled to London to give birth after falling pregnant.
      Simon was born in Newham, London, in 1980 and put up for adoption through the Catholic Children’s Society.
      He was placed with retired British Aerospace scientist Mike Edwards and former healthcare worker Sue, who he still considers to be ‘his real parents’.
      During his 2019 visit Simon’s new-found family revealed to him his dad was Bob, who was an Irish-American baseball player, who visiting his family’s land in Galway in 1979.
      The Colonel’s family owned the land where Simon’s mum worked in a hotel and she befriended the US star before they had an affair.
      Edwards has two children – grandchildren of Sheridan
      Edwards is a Hitchin Town steward by day and hopes to work at Wembley at this summer’s EurosCredit: East News
      Overjoyed Bob said: “I was lost for words when I was told, I have spent every day on the phone with Colonel Jnr.
      “It has given me a new lease of life and I’m looking forward to the reunion with junior in Las Vegas later this year.
      “I can’t wait to just have a beer with my son and getting to know him. I love him more than words express.”
      Bob told SunSport: “I had just buried my wife.
      “I was besides myself when the chaplain from my military regiment said to be ‘I know you feel cheated by the Lord, but remember he only gave his own son 33 years on this Earth.
      “I got home and had a Guinness and I really felt like I had nothing left in my life.
      “Then I got a call from an agency saying, ‘You have a 41-year-old son – and I said ‘are you sure?’
      “They said all you have to do is see him once and you’ll know he’s your son. He looks just like you, he’s a great athlete like you.
      “I was thinking, an hour ago I had nothing to live for – now I have a son.
      “I asked how did this happen? Then I remembered this lovely girl I had been dating before I met my wife.”
      Bob Sheridan, pictured with Larry Holmes, is thrilled to have learned of his long-lost sonCredit: Getty
      Edwards is officially the son of Sheridan with DNA test confirming itCredit: East News
      Sheridan explained: “She was the manager of the Shannon Shamrock hotel where I had my farm there.
      “Rosie told me I could go into the hotel for whatever I needed, a shower, food – anything.
      “I asked her what would she get out of it? And she said, ‘I want you’.
      “It seemed like a simple request for the likes of me and we were lovers and that’s when Simon was conceived.”
      The Colonel added: “The first time I spoke to him I knew he was my boy. He sounds like me, he talks the same way as me.
      “My sports number was always six, Simon told me he played high level cricket and football and his number was always six.
      “Even down to the number on our uniforms we were the same.
      “It’s just been such a blessing, I can’t wait to meet him and take him to meet my brother’s family in Boston.
      “I only wish my wife had lived to see our son.”
      Sheridan is famous for his booming baritone and has called ringside action for over 10,000 fights, including nearly 1,000 world title bouts and 100 heavyweight title fights.
      He is known as the Colonel because of his rank in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts.
      The Colonel says the relationship has been confirmed by DNA, making him the ‘only heir to my fortune’.
      Simon, who also stewards at Lord’s so he can be part of the cricket, has a day job as a senior credit controller.
      Edwards is a keen cricketer and has also worked as a steward at Lord’sCredit: East News More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Ex-Chelsea stars who left the Blues to become world class, from Kevin De Bruyne to Mo Salah and Declan Rice

      by

      EVERY time Kevin De Bruyne or Mohamed Salah put in a Man of the Match performance, Chelsea fans are hit with a pinch of ‘what might have been’.Unfortunately for Blues supporters, those two are now undisputed world superstars.
      De Bruyne has evolved into arguably the best midfielder on the planet since leaving ChelseaCredit: AFP
      Nathan Ake could be returning to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      But, before they reached their current elite level, they were once allowed to leave Stamford Bridge as underplayed, underachieving youngsters.
      And they’re not the only two either.
      We’ve taken a look at SIX players who could have been starring for boss Thomas Tuchel if they had not failed to make the grade at Chelsea before going on to become superstars elsewhere.
      Although the first one in our list may soon be back at Chelsea as the Blues line-up a stunning swoop for the Manchester City ace.
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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-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-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}GET YOUR GOSS .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;}Richarlison to sign for Tottenham, Neymar could leave PSG
      NATHAN AKE
      THE Dutch defender joined Chelsea’s youth ranks from Feyenoord in 2011, before moving to the senior squad a year later.
      But Ake made just seven appearances for the Blues in the Premier League and was loaned out to Reading, Watford and Bournemouth.
      Ake eventually found a permanent home on the south coast and became a star for the Cherries.
      Bournemouth fought hard to keep Ake for three years – in which he played over 100 times in the Premier League.
      But with Manchester United and City both knocking, the Cherries eventually cashed in to the tune of £40m following their relegation in the summer.
      Now at the Etihad, Ake has helped Guardiola’s City to two Premier League title wins – but now he could soon be back at Stamford Bridge.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in 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#dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-14dqn90{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(4px/2);margin-right:calc(4px/2);}.css-12an5ma{font-family:The Sun;font-size:20px;line-height:1.2;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;padding:1px 0px;}.css-12an5ma::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.261875em + -1px);}.css-12an5ma::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:calc(-0.25em + -1.3px);}.css-1tob514{color:rgba(32,134,98,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;margin-right:4px;}.css-1tob514:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}SLUR SHAME .css-1efa55o{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1efa55o:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Who is Nelson Piquet, and what did he say about Lewis Hamilton?
      BETTING SPECIAL – LATEST OFFERS AND FREE BETS FOR WIMBLEDON
      KEVIN DE BRUYNE
      NOW quite possibly the best midfielder on the planet, it’s barely-believable De Bruyne was a Chelsea misfit.
      Having signed from Belgian side Genk in 2011-12, the now-Manchester City star played just two Premier League games for the Blues.
      On the periphery of the first-team squad, De Bruyne was loaned to Werder Bremen, before being sold to Wolfsburg for just £16.7m.
      There, De Bruyne’s class shone through and his career took off, joining City for £55million in 2015.
      The pass-master has won three Premier League trophies at City in easily the club’s greatest era.
      MOHAMED SALAH
      SALAH joined Chelsea from Basel in 2014 – but played just 13 times in the league, scoring twice.
      In 2015 and 2016, the Egyptian was loaned out to Fiorentina and Roma – before joining the latter permanently, in a deal worth around £11m.
      After just one season in the Italian capital, Liverpool were surprise suitors, bringing Salah back to the Premier League in a deal worth £36.7m.
      In his first season at the Reds, Salah broke the Premier League record for most goals in a 38-game season.
      In his second campaign, he won the Champions League.
      And in his third, Salah inspired Liverpool to Premier League success.
      Salah is now easily ranked as one of the world’s best forwards – and will always be the one who got away from Chelsea.
      Salah has gone from strength to strength since leaving ChelseaCredit: AFP
      DECLAN RICE
      THE England international and his family were all huge Blues and he must have thought he was well on his way of achieving his childhood dream of playing for them when he was signed to their academy.
      But the midfielder was released by Chelsea aged 14 back in 2013.
      The determined star was not to be deterred, and after a successful trial, he was quickly snapped up by West Ham.
      Rice has not looked back since and has progressed through the ranks in East London and broke into their first-team at the end of the 2016-17 season.
      He is now the stand-out performer for the Hammers on an almost weekly basis, earning international recognition with Three Lions last year after switching allegiance from Ireland.
      Those displays caught the eye of several big boys, including Manchester United, but it is Chelsea who desperately wanted him to return.
      Declan Rice was released by Chelsea aged 14 but is now a star at West HamCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      NEMANJA MATIC
      SIGNED from now-defunct Slovak side Kosice in 2009, Matic was tipped to become an attacking midfield superstar at the Blues.
      The Serbian midfielder had played just twice in the Premier League and was loaned out to Vitesse in Holland.
      But after two years – and a switch to a more defensive role – Matic was sold to Benfica as part of the 2011 deal that saw David Luiz arrive at Stamford Bridge.
      But after starring at Benfica, Chelsea splashed out £21m – nearly 20 times what they initially bought him for – to re-sign him in 2014.
      Matic would later join Man Utd in 2017 but has now reunited with Jose Mourinho at Roma.
      Nemanja Matic left and rejoined Chelsea for nearly 20 times the original feeCredit: Getty
      TARIQ LAMPTEY
      THE full-back is another one that got away after his departure from Chelsea in 2020.
      He joined their academy aged just eight and won a host of honours alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham and Reece James on their rise through the youth ranks.
      Tariq Lamptey has suggested that he moved away from Chelsea in order to take his career to the next level.  The 20-year-old is a product of the Blues youth development system, having joined the club when he was just 8-years-old.
      Lamptey was promoted to the Blues first-team in 2019 after the arrival of Lampard in the dug-out.
      But he failed to receive as much game time as some of his other fellow academy graduates, making just one Premier League appearance for the club last season. 
      Brighton came in for Lamptey and Chelsea were happy to do business and cash-in on the youngster for £4m on deadline day.
      But since then he has blossomed for the Seagulls with a series of stunning displays, leading to speculation he could even be on the verge of a senior international call-up.
      Arsenal were linked with a swoop for the starlet, who Chelsea failed to include a buy-back option as part of his exit, but he committed his future to Brighton earlier this year by penning a new long-term contract.
      Explaining his decision to quit Chelsea, he said: “I had to look at where I would get the most football and how I could take my game to the next level.
      “I sat down with the coaches, family members and agents and thought about what’s best for me. It was a really tough decision.”
      Tariq Lamptey has blossomed at Brighton since his Chelsea exitCredit: Getty More

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      in Soccer

      Josef Bican was ‘Czech Cristiano Ronaldo’ who’d be worth £300m today with Man Utd star still well off his 1,468 goals

      by

      JOSEF BICAN would have been as famous as Pele if he had played in a different era.That is the view of a Fifa historian as Cristiano Ronaldo hunts down the former Czech striker’s formidable official goal tally.
      Josef Bican is the highest official goalscorer of all timeCredit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo is closing in on Bican’s 805 goal haulCredit: Getty
      No one is certain of the exact number of goals he bagged as Bican’s career spanned from 1931 to 1955 when record keeping was not quite as efficient as it is in 2022.
      But the most common tally credited to the former Slavia Prague ace is 805 goals – 779 for club and 26 international – according to Fifa.
      As with Pele, the lines are somewhat blurry when it comes to official and unofficial goals scored.
      The Brazil legend has even changed his Instagram bio to read ‘Highest goalscorer of all time (1,283)’ in a bid to cling onto his self-awarded title.
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RONALDO.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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      Pele is actually only credited with 757 official strikes – with his higher total generally understood to include goals scored in friendly and tour matches.
      Ronaldo, 37, returned to Manchester United last summer and bagged 24 goals – as well as becoming international football’s all-time leading scorer – to surpass Pele’s total and move on to 815.
      But even on unofficial goals, Fifa still give the crown to Bican with a staggering 1,468 – even though Ronaldo has now overtaken his official tally of 805 goals.
      Fifa note on their website: “The Brazilian legend [Pele] includes in his tally goals scored in unofficial games.
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      “And if we were to do the same for Bican, his mark would be an estimated 1,468 – even if these figures are difficult to verify given their era.”
      Bican was born born on September 25, 1913 in Vienna and died in Prague on December 12, 2001.
      He is believed to have scored his stunning 805 goals in just 530 games – a goal rate which would surely see him worth at least £300million in today’s market.
      Bican played for Austria at the 1934 World Cup in Italy before switching his allegiance to his adopted homeland of Czechoslovakia – now the Czech Republic.
      He scored 14 goals in 19 games for the Austrians before making the switch – which was still permitted in the 30s.
      Having played for Hertha Vienna – like his father had – Bican switched to Rapid Vienna in 1931 and started his professional career where he spent six years.
      In 1937, Bican transferred to Slavia Prague where he fell in love with the club and the country.
      Bican played for Slavia for 11 years and later became their manager.
      During his time in Prague, he successfully applied for Czech citizenship and played for the country 14 times between 1939 and 1949 – scoring 12 times.
      Bican did not represent his new nation at the 1938 World Cup in France because of an admin error. And the next two tournaments were cancelled because of World War II.
      Pele claims he holds the crown but his 1,283 unofficial tally includes goals scored in friendlies and tour matchesCredit: Instagram / @pele
      Czechoslovakia – along with several other Soviet countries – refused to participate in the 1950 World Cup.
      And these World Cup absences are why Fifa historian Radovan Jelinek thinks the goal machine was not more well known.
      He said: “Bican was incredibly unlucky at the height of his career. There was no World Cup in 1942 or 1946 because of the war.
      “If the 1942 edition had taken place, for example, he would surely have become more widely known. Perhaps he might even have been as famous as Pele.”
      Describing his goalscoring prowess on Czech TV in 1990, Bican said: “When I talk to young reporters, they always say, ‘Mr Bican, scoring was easier back in your day.’
      “So I ask them, ‘How come? Look, are there opportunities today?’ And they tell me, ‘Of course there are, many of them’.
      “And I say, ‘There you go. If there weren’t opportunities, it would be difficult. But if there are, scoring is the same as it was a hundred years ago, and it’ll be the same in a hundred years’ time too. It’ll always be the same.”
      Reports suggest Bican could run 100m in 10.8 seconds – just half a second slower than the world record at the time.
      Bican’s father Frantiesk fought in World War I and returned unscathed but ironically it was football that killed him.
      The Hertha player picked up a serious kidney injury during a game and eventually died from the problem. More

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      in Soccer

      I had to work harder as a woman to make it in football, Capello shooed me and comments can be brutal, says Alison Bender

      by

      ALISON BENDER has worked for Real Madrid TV, Sky Sports News, TalkSPORT and ESPN and her CV and contact book would be the envy of football journalists across the land.But as a woman and mother in a male dominated world it has not been plain sailing for the presenter – particularly the time she was ‘shooed’ away from Real Madrid training by Fabio Capello.
      Alison Bender on duty for Premier League Productions outside West Ham’s London Stadium
      The mum-of-two discussed challenges she faced as a woman in the male dominated football industry
      The sports reporter started out as a TV runner but has now worked for some of sports’ biggest broadcasters and news outlets
      The reporter and mum-of-two recalls feeling seedy after a meeting with Avram Grant, the challenge of breast-pumping in stadium toilets and feeling awkward about taking players’ numbers in public.
      As well as having to endure questions about which stars she was ‘sh***ing’ when she went to interview the games’ biggest names.
      Speaking to SunSport’s Will Pugh in 2020, the impressive 44-year-old sat down to discuss her career so far as well her optimism for the future of women in football.
      Here’s what she had to say.
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      Q: You’ve had an enviable career, how did you get to where you are today?
      A: It always makes me feel old looking back but when I take stock, I realise how lucky I am to have had the career I have had. I love doing this, I’d do it for free – don’t tell anyone!
      I’ve always wanted to be in TV so it was TV before football for me. My first job was in TV as a runner. I made teas and coffees, rolled the auto-cue, wrote scripts, edited – pretty much everything.
      And then I just worked my way up from there until my big break came when I was asked to set up Real Madrid TV in 2005.
      I bought a one-way ticket to Spain and had to create an entire channel with a team of six presenters. I was hooked.
      Bender got her big break when she launched Real Madrid TV in 2005
      Q: Have you had to work harder as a woman in the football industry or are you just wired that way?
      A: It meant I had to work harder. I basically put myself through a degree in football. I read every book that was out there.
      When I was covering the Champions League, instead of just relying on my knowledge I’d go and research every single Champions League game that ever existed because I was so afraid I would miss something.
      I think I am wired that way as well, I love working hard. But you feel like you’ve got a lot more to prove [as a woman].
      I don’t ever like to dish dirt on my colleagues but I’ve heard men say things on TV that I know for a fact if I’d said them I’d be absolutely hammered and my career would be over.
      A simple slip of the tongue, it’s so easy to make a mistake but as a girl I think you just can’t have that error. Everything is scrutinised.
      Q: Have your experiences in the industry changed since you started out?
      A: It’s massively improved. There’s still a long way to go but some of the things I experienced then I can’t imagine girls going through now.
      And the thing is, these days they’ve got Twitter and Instagram so if anything happens girls can put it out there and say ‘this is unacceptable’ but I didn’t have any of that.
      I remember when I was on Sky Sports News reading comments about how I looked like I’d had a stroke as I speak out of one side of my mouth.
      I’d never in my life noticed it but after reading those comments I was so conscious of the way I spoke.
      The opportunity with Los Blancos launched her on to bigger things back in the UK
      Bender was conscious of the way she spoke after comments about her appearance on Sky Sports News
      Q: Are there any particular incidents that stand out?
      A: When I was at Real Madrid TV Fabio Capello was the manager at one point.
      I remember watching training because I was so interested and so passionate and I desperately wanted to learn off the best.
      I was there with my notepad writing down every single player that was at training, what they were doing and what Capello was saying.
      But he always seemed suspicious of me and he didn’t like the fact I would stand close and he would always shoo me away.
      I was sure it was because I was a girl.
      And one day we were bought in and told Capello didn’t like what we were wearing because it was “distracting the players” and we were all issued polo shirts.
      Ex-Real Madrid manager Fabio Capello took issue with clothes Bender was wearing while just trying to do her job
      And I never dressed sexily anyway and then hilariously the polo shirts were deemed too sexy as well.
      So there was always that sort of difficulty and I was just trying to do my job.
      And another time, I was 25 or 26 and I remember hearing some journalists discussing their meetings with various managers.
      And I thought this is really unfair so the next opportunity I get to go for a drink or a coffee with a Premier League manager I’m just going to say yes.
      So I went for a drink with Avram Grant who was managing Chelsea at the time and I remember feeling really seedy and embarrassed coming home thinking ‘what have I done’ even though I did absolutely nothing wrong.
      After having an innocent and professional drink with then Chelsea boss Avram Grant, Bender was left feeling seedy
      It was really professional and I was just me keeping my contact book going, yet I still had this after taste of ‘have I done something wrong?’ that I don’t think a man would ever feel.
      It’s hard because you’d go to a football club to interview a player and you’d hear voices saying “Oh which one of those guys is she s***ing?”
      And I’d roll my eyes and try and suck it up but it would make me sad because you’d think someone actually believes that.
      But in the early days, it probably did benefit me. I was young and they liked young girls on Sky Sports News.
      But when you’re a journalist, it’s all about relationships. You want to have relationships with managers, players and PR executives.
      And every time I am seen giving my number out you can feel everyone staring at you.
      And I’ve always had to say: “Listen I’m taking your number but I’m a journalist and I’m going to be calling you for interviews. Let’s get this straight right away.”
      The 44-year-old thinks being female benefited her in some ways coming through as Sky Sports News ‘liked young girls’ on the TV at that time
      Q: You mention having a valid opinion rather than being a talking head. With so many bright, intelligent, vibrant women emerging and becoming established in sports media – Laura Woods at TalkSPORT, Rebecca Myers and Molly Hudson at the Times, Jacqui Oatley at Sky to name but a few – do you feel like football and sports audiences in this country are now more accepting of female voices?
      A: Definitely. I think the media has played a part. You have to see it to believe it.
      But it makes me sad as well because I remember when Kelly Cates got the gig at Sky everyone was like “Ooo wow she’s really good” because people don’t expect it.
      Same with Laura Woods, I’ve always been impressed with her. What I like about Laura, she’s definitely got her own personality and she’s not trying to be someone else.
      Everyone would ask me who I look up to and they always wanted a woman. But I would say “well I look up to some of the man too, do I have to pick a woman?”
      But I do worry for Laura. She’s going to have a great career but she’s going to come across a lot of the same struggles I had. It’s still there.
      It is a little better but I’ve already seen the vile abuse she gets on Twitter just for being an attractive girl.
      I know if she tries to have any kind of professional relationship with a player she’ll find it difficult. Thankfully she’s ballsy enough to handle herself, but it gets to the strongest of us, I’ve been there.
      Laura Woods has been making huge strides at Sky Sports and TalkSPORTCredit: talkSPORT
      Q: One thing is undeniably different for men and women: motherhood. How have you confronted and balanced your parental duties with work?
      A: It was really tough because I had a horrible pregnancy. I was ill for every single day of it and I felt like I’d been hit by a bus.
      I had to have loads of time off and my bosses thought it was so weird as I didn’t know when I was going to feel better again. I was dizzy all the time and I couldn’t even move let alone watch football.
      I was also petrified when the baby was born I would suffer depression because I’d had such a tough time. But luckily, when the baby arrived I was elated.
      When my son was born he was a bit sick so I was in hospital for six weeks.
      And I was so scared about losing my job, on the day he was born I was reading articles and tweeting them out.
      I didn’t really tell anyone I was having a baby and when I was pregnant I wore black and put my bump under the desk so no one could see.
      And it makes me sad now looking back as I think ‘why did I have to do that?’.
      Bender struggled during her first pregnancy but balances life as a parent and presenter with aplomb
      Q: Was that self-imposed or were you told you had to?
      A: No one told me I had to, I just felt like some of the sexier roles you want to look good and I felt really weird with a bump and I thought “does anyone really want to see this?” which is ridiculous because we should see it.
      But by the time I had my second baby I really embraced it and was really proud to show I was pregnant.
      But working while having to breast feed and pump in the toilets at Premier League grounds was tough.
      The mum would hide her bump on TV during her first pregnancy but learned to embrace it second time around
      Her work with Premier League Productions sees her pitchside most Premier League weekends like here at Stamford Bridge alongside Chelsea icon Gus Poyet
      The future still looks bright for the impressive presenter and journalist
      London-based Bender has worked for Chelsea TV
      And she has also fronted shows for ESPN More

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      in Soccer

      I often saw Wayne Rooney drinking like a madman and Steven Gerrard dancing shirtless, says ex-Premier League star

      by

      FORMER Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega once claimed he often saw Wayne Rooney “drinking like a madman” and Steven Gerrard “dancing on a bar topless” on nights out.The striker, 36, spent six-and-a-half years in England, with three-and-a-half of those in the North-West at the Latics.
      Hugo Rodallega claims he would regularly spot Wayne Rooney “drinking like a madman”Credit: Xposure
      During his time in the North-West he also allegedly saw Steven Gerrard dancing topless on a night outCredit: Xposure
      And he sensationally revealed during an Instagram Live in 2020 that he would regularly spot the Three Lions heroes out enjoying themselves.
      Speaking to friend and fellow Colombian footballer Johan Arango, Rodallega said: “If people knew how many times I bumped into Rooney in Manchester drinking like a madman or the number of times I saw Gerrard on a bar dancing shirtless…
      “They are human beings, there is nothing wrong with it.
      “I can count with one hand the number of footballers who don’t drink. All of them, all of us, go out and drink.
      “I have always said it. I enjoy drinking and dancing. I love salsa dancing.
      “There is nothing wrong with it. I know we are footballers, but we are human beings too.”
      Rooney was regularly spotted on nights out throughout his career, sometimes landing him in a spot of trouble.
      Former team-mate Gary Neville once revealed Wazza even managed to get in a scrap despite being man-marked by security guards all night.
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      Gerrard – who preceded fellow Merseysider Rooney as England captain – also liked a beer or two with pals.
      But things spilled over in Southport in December 2008 when he was caught up in a bar brawl although the Liverpool legend was cleared of affray.
      The pair have both gone into management since hanging up their boots, with Rooney recently quitting his role as boss at Derby County.
      Gerrard meanwhile was appointed as Aston Villa gaffer in November after an impressive spell in charge at Rangers.
      But Rodallega claimed the pair were quite the party-goers in their playing days.
      Rodallega scored 24 goals in 117 Wigan appearances between 2009 and 2012 before moving to Fulham where he grabbed 19 in 84 – in one of his first games for the Cottagers he accidentally gave Rooney a horror gash in his knee after catching him with a flailing boot.
      He moved to Turkey in 2015 with a switch to Akhisar Belediyespor which was followed by a spell at Trabzonspor.
      The forward then joined Denizlispor before heading back to South America in 2021 to join Brazilian outfit Bahia, where he still plays.
      Rodallega scored 24 goals in 117 Wigan appearances and would often see Rooney and Gerrard during his time in the North-WestCredit: AFP More