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      in Soccer

      How Liverpool and Man City could be forced into an unprecedented PLAY-OFF for Premier League title at end of the season

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      LIVERPOOL and Manchester City could clash in an unprecedented Premier League title decider – only three days before the Champions League final.Top-flight rules state that a play-off will be used to determine the champions if two sides are level on points, goal difference, goals scored and in the head-to-head results between them.

      Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola could face an unprecedented title play-offCredit: Reuters
      With the league games at both Anfield and the Etihad having finished in 2-2 draws, that last element has already been confirmed.
      Man City have stolen a march on their fierce rivals in recent days with crushing wins over Newcastle and Wolves.
      Meanwhile, Liverpool dropped two points at home to Tottenham before labouring to a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.
      For a play-off to be needed, City MUST now lose one of their final two games of the season, with the Reds winning both by comfortable margins.
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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;}STARS ALIGN .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;}Omen hints Liverpool may WIN Prem as Salah, Mane and Jota equal Man City record
      For the unprecedented play-off to go ahead, Liverpool will now have to beat Southampton and Wolves 3-0 in both games.
      Meanwhile, City will have to lose 2-0 to West Ham and edge past Aston Villa 1-0.
      League chiefs have not yet made any formal planning for the event.
      But it’s understood the most-likely provisional date for what would be the most important single match in the history of the competition is Wednesday May 25.
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      Old Trafford – home of the biggest rival to BOTH clubs, Manchester United – is the most-likely venue to host the clash.
      That, though, would be hugely disruptive to Liverpool’s preparations for their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid in Paris on May 28.
      Other international calls would then interfere, with games being played across the world from June 5 onwards.
      It would mean Fifa having to give their consent for players from both sides to miss scheduled internationals in June, although that is possible given the magnitude of the match.
      But it still means the earliest other date for the game would be June 8, 17 days AFTER the end of the season.
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      Fortunately for Premier League bosses, the potential for a play-off to decide fourth place has ended.
      Tottenham beat Arsenal 3-0 on Thursday night – and with the Gunners winning their home tie against Spurs 3-1, there is now no scenario in which a play-off can occur. More

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      in Soccer

      Nemanja Vidic reveals best four Premier League strikers he faced at Man Utd, including Peter Crouch at Liverpool

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Nemanja Vidic has named the four toughest opponents he faced in the Premier League.The Serbian powerhouse, 40, spent eight years at Old Trafford after arriving from Spartak Moscow in 2006.
      Vidic has called Crouch one of his toughest-ever opponents
      And despite being overrun several times by Fernando Torres, Peter Crouch was the first Liverpool striker Vidic bemoaned facing.
      He told The Athletic: “My first experience was Peter Crouch.
      “I’d never seen a two-metres tall player before. He played for Liverpool and we played them in a cup game at Anfield.
      “I was thinking ‘Wow, what can I do today with this guy?’
      “Then I saw Bellamy next to him, not a great player on the ball but very, very fast. He would run into space, Crouch would jump into the air. I’d never seen football played like this.
      “I’d never had a No9 and a sharp, fast, player next to him. I knew how to deal with them individually but not both of them at the same time.
      “I played alongside Wes Brown, it was a tough game, a long game. We lost 1-0.”
      Vidic also mentioned Chelsea great Didier Drogba and his lethal combination of strength and intelligence.
      Didier Drogba was a nightmare for Chelsea’s opponentsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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      He added: “He was a very clever player who would get into the brain of the defenders. He was strong, but he was always thinking ahead.
      “He would think, ‘If the defender pushes me now I will go down’ or ‘Next time I will go strong’
      “He scored so many important goals, he was very consistent. I played against him when we were both at the peak of our careers.”
      Vidic’s watchlist finished with Manchester City legend Sergio Aguero and former Reds star Luis Suarez.
      He explained: “I’m convinced that Aguero was born as a defender. He knows where the ball will come and where he can attack.
      “I played against him when they beat us 4-1 in the Moyes season.
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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;}CRICKET IN MOURNING .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;}Australia legend Andrew Symonds, 46, tragically dies after car accident
      “[Suarez is] an energetic player. He’s different from Aguero who doesn’t run for 90 minutes – he’s a player who uses instinct. Everything is done in bursts. I don’t think he knows exactly what he’s doing but he succeeds.
      “The ball will go through a defender’s legs and people will think it’s an accident, but he has this sheer force to do it.”
      Luis Suarez joined Barcelona after taking the Prem by stormCredit: PA:Press Association
      Sergio Aguero retired after a health scare following a stunning career with Man CityCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury could have lost unbeaten fight record to railway worker John McDermott in his early years, before epic rise

      by

      TYSON FURY is the best heavyweight fighter of the moment – but it could have been very different.The Gypsy King completed a sensational comeback in the sport when he battered Deontay Wilder in February to win the WBC world title in 2020.
      Tyson Fury had a tough night against John McDermott back in 2009 – but somehow managed to get a wide points winCredit: Rex Features
      [embedded content]
      It handed the American his first professional defeat, and also maintained Fury’s own unbeaten record.
      The slugger has since gone to beat Dillian Whyte, and tease his retirement from the sport.
      But back in 2009 Fury managed to keep that 0 in his losses column when he came up against slugger John McDermott.
      Fury was heralded as one of British boxing’s best talents having blitzed seven opponents in quick time.
      His team decided to step things up against ‘Big Bad’ McDermott, with the English title on the line.
      McDermott went in to the bout on the back of two losses against Danny Williams, but his 30-fight record included many KOs that would test out the new golden boy’s chin.
      And while no stoppage came for either boxer, McDermott had seemingly put the skids on Fury’s blossoming career with a messy points win.
      Tyson Fury was the 1/6 favourite against John McDermott – but the fight didnt play out like thatCredit: Rex Features
      Going into the later rounds Team McDermott were in confident moodCredit: Rex Features
      It was far from a spectacular performance. But McDermott snaffled and bullied the younger man, with Fury, the 1/6 favourite on the night, left relying on distance flurries.
      Going into the final round Fury’s corner were heard telling their man that he was behind on points and needed a grandstand finish – that never came.
      Referee Terry O’Connor saw things differently and somehow scored it 98-92 to Fury.
      It led to McDermott’s promoter at the time, Frank Maloney, now Kellie Maloney, slamming O’Connor as a “disgrace to boxing”.
      Guardian writer Kevin Mitchell pulled no punches in his assessment of the result, saying at the time that he “cannot remember a worse decision in the sport”.
      He wrote that Fury “got away with a robbery of the highway variety” and that the boxing community “were left outraged by the decision”.
      It was Tyson Fury and his team who were left celebrating at the end of the 10-rounderCredit: Rex Features
      Tyson Fury said after the controversial points win that he would have retired if he had lostCredit: Rex Features
      Basildon boxer McDermott could barely believe the referee’s decisionCredit: Rex Features
      Boxing legend Jim Watt was commentating for Sky Sports, and his scorecard gave it to McDermott by two rounds, 96-94 with Fury only coming close after winning the final two.
      McDermott was crestfallen as he gave his post-fight interview ringside.
      He said: “What have I got to do to win it? I’m a nice gentle guy, he’s the one with the big mouth and I’ve been penalised for it.”
      Fury, 21 at the time, said that he thought he had won it, and admitted that he “would have retired” if he had lost the fight.
      The rematch was inevitable, and as luck would have it Fury came in a year later a different beast and knocked McDermott down three times on the way to a ninth-round stoppage.
      But the controversy of that first clash still lingers, with McDermott even claiming Tyson’s dad John admitted to him that his son had “lost the fight”.
      John McDermott and his then-promoter Frank, now Kellie, Maloney could not believe the decisionCredit: Sky Sports
      Basildon boxer McDermott believed his ‘face did not fit’ and thats why Fury got the points winCredit: Sky Sports
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the Basildon ex-boxer, who now works on the railways fixing overhead cables, admits the result still “annoys” him.
      He said: “I’m not saying I would have gone on to fight for the world title but it would have helped me, at the time.
      “A bit more money when there wasn’t much money in boxing. He’s a millionaire now and I’m struggling.
      “They thought I’d be an easy fight. They didn’t think I could dig deep.
      “I remember walking up to the punch bag and my trainer drew a line at 6’9” and said: ‘This is how tall Tyson Fury is’. I remember thinking: ‘How am I going to hit the bloke?’
      “I thought the judges were scoring it. But people were booing and I saw the referee holding Fury’s hand up. It’s just madness, I don’t know what happened. How can he score it 8-2?”
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      After the rematch McDermott, now 42 , only had four more fights before retiring on a victory against Matt Skelton in 2013.
      Fury, 33, meanwhile has completed a real fairytale and become undisputed heavyweight king.
      But things could have panned out very differently had the contentious result of 2009 been reversed.
      Tyson Fury is on top of the heavyweight boxing world while John McDermott is fixing up the railwaysCredit: Reuters

      Tyson Fury says ‘you never get bored of beating Deontay Wilder up’ as he longs for trilogy after coronavirus crisis ends More

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      in Boxing

      Boxing legend Muhammad Ali was stood up by Elvis Presley as he arrived ‘high or drunk’ at 4am to watch sparring session

      by

      MUHAMMAD ALI was once stood up by Elvis Presley who turned up “drunk or high” at 4am to watch the boxing legend in a sparring session.George Dillman, who trained with both the People’s Champion and Bruce Lee, revealed the two icons then went antique shopping after the King of Rock and Roll sobered up.
      Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend features amazing stories about the legendary fighter
      Elvis Presley once turned up 12 hours late to watch the heavyweight king sparCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Presley and Ali were famously close friends in the final years leading up to the former’s death in 1977.
      Elvis memorably gifted the heavyweight king with a custom-designed robe that mistakenly read “People’s Choice” ahead of his win over Joe Bugner.
      But Dillman recalled another time the legendary singer made another hilarious gaffe after he turned up needing a little less conversation during plans to watch Ali spar.
      Speaking to Fiaz Rafiq for his book, Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend, the American revealed Elvis arrived 12 HOURS late to a training session after a particularly wild night.
      He said: “Muhammad came over to me, and he said, ‘You can’t tell everybody. Tomorrow be here at 4 o’clock.’
      He showed up at 4 a.m. Ali woke up the cook and had the cook make some breakfast and coffee. Elvis, from what they told me, was a little high or drunk.George Dillman
      “He usually boxed at 2 o’clock – this is when he did his sparring. He says to me, ‘Tomorrow I’m going to train at 4 o’clock. Don’t come at 2 o’clock, come at 4 o’clock. You can’t tell your students, you can’t put it in the newspaper.’
      “‘Nobody’s to know that Elvis Presley is coming to watch me spar.’ I said, ‘Serious?’ He said, ‘Yes. Elvis Presley is coming here and we’re going to train, you and me. And I want Elvis to see what we do.’
      “Four o’clock came and we kept waiting and waiting. No Elvis. I’m going to make a long story short. Muhammad Ali, at about 6 o’clock, said ‘I’ve got to get my boxing in’.
      “So they started the boxing and he sparred with the sparring partners. Then after that we had dinner over in the kitchen and we sat around waiting for Elvis.
      “I think somebody called to say he was coming late, he’s coming late, he’s coming late! No Elvis, no Elvis, no Elvis! It got late at night, it was 9pm or 10pm at night. I said, ‘I’m heading home. I doubt he’s going to show.’ More

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      in Soccer

      Football legend Harry Redknapp reveals his two worst transfers… and both were for West Ham

      by

      HARRY REDKNAPP once told a reporter to “F*** off” after being called a “Wheeler-dealer” in a TV interview – but it’s fair to say the former West Ham and Tottenham manager did have a nose for a bargain.Despite signing Paolo Di Canio for West Ham, Robbie Keane for Tottenham and Niko Kranjcar for three of the clubs he managed, not all of his signings worked out so well.
      Harry Redknapp made a number of shocking signings as managerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Redknapp, 75, revealed his worst transfers during his time in the hit show I’m a Celebrity in 2018.
      Whilst there are a few names that might spring to mind including Paulo Futre, Bongani Khumalo and Titi Camara, it was two other West Ham signings that Redknapp deemed his worst.
      Redknapp was manager of the Hammers from 1994 to 2001 and signed nearly 50 players during his time in East London.
      Marco Boogers was signed by Redknapp for £800,000 from Sparta Rotterdam in 1995 after the manager was shown a video of him looking “different class.”
      Marco Boogers is considered one of Harry Redknapp’s worst signings in footballCredit: Allsport – Getty
      The Dutchman featured only four times for West Ham and did not start a single game.
      He was sent off early in his Hammers career after a horrific challenge on Gary Neville at Old Trafford before going missing soon after.
      Boogers failed to find the net in claret and blue and based on Redknapp’s comments, that is hardly surprising.
      Redknapp said: “Right from the word go Boogers’ attitude stank.
      “He was among the stragglers at the back whenever we went for a run, he didn’t want to work, he was lazy and the players all took an instant dislike to him.
      “I suppose you could say he could play a bit, but certainly he was nowhere near as impressive as the video had made him out to be.
      “He was declared ‘psychologically unfit for football’ – which only meant he’d persuaded a doctor to come up with some excuse why he couldn’t return – and disappeared somewhere back home.”
      He added: “We eventually found him hiding out in a caravan in Holland and only got him back by reading him the riot act.
      Florin Raducioiu is ranked as one of Harry Redknapp’s worst ever signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “But his attitude was no better when he returned and we got shot of him to Groningen in the Dutch league.”
      The other man Redknapp wished he had never signed was Romanian striker Florin Raducioiu, who Redknapp bought from Espanyol for £1.5million in August 1996.
      He had been impressed by his performances for Romania at Euro 96 where he scored his country’s only goal of the tournament.
      Although initially impressed, it quickly became clear to Redknapp that the Romanian was not going to cut it.
      He said: “I worked for a couple of hours with Raducioiu on the first day in training and I must admit he impressed me. He was a quality finisher and I really thought he’d be a success.
      “But the moment we got into anything physical, he didn’t want to know.
      “He just couldn’t face being tackled in any shape or form. Dicksy was anxious to get stuck in to him to see what he was made of, but Raducioiu made it clear that he wouldn’t be challenging for anything.”
      Julian Dicks was keen to “get stuck in” to Raducuioiu according to RedknappCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      He added: “In his first two friendlies, Raducioiu did nothing but moan about the rough treatment he was getting from opposition centre-halves.
      “Don’t ask me to explain how a former world class player can suddenly become a fairy, but something had obviously happened to Raducioiu and he’d completely lost it.
      “He’d been used to queuing for three hours in Bucharest for a loaf of bread and suddenly he was wearing a £28,000 watch. Perhaps the transition was too much for him.”
      The Romanian only featured 11 times for West Ham and managed to score two goals but Redknapp was not the only one he struggled to convince.
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      Harry Redknapp has revealed his worst two signingsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Paulo Futre, another Redknapp flop, reportedly called him a “big girl” in a training ground confrontation.
      Redknapp’s patience finally ran out when Raducuioiu failed to turn up for a League Cup tie at Stockport, which the Hammers went on to lose.
      He said: “You can imagine my mood the next day when a friend rang me and told me the previous evening he’d spotted Raducioiu out shopping with his wife in the Harvey Nichols store in London.
      “I knew then I had to get rid of him but it wasn’t easy.”
      Raducioiu finally left Upton Park in January 1997, returning to Espanyol. More

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      in Soccer

      Best footballers with superstar dads team, including Isaac Drogba, Etienne Eto’o, Theo Zidane and Charlie Savage

      by

      CHARLIE SAVAGE is the latest footballer looking to emulate the success of their father as he continues to star for Wales U19s.The midfielder, 19, is currently impressing in Manchester United’s academy – where his dad, Robbie, started his career.
      A number of current footballers are looking to step out of the shadow of their famous fathers
      And he is just one of a number of current footballers that will be trying to make a name for themselves instead of living of their famous father’s reputation.
      Here, SunSport has made a 3-5-2 formation of a best XI of youngsters looking to forge a career for themselves.
      GOALKEEPER
      Joe van der Sar, 24, Pittsburgh Panthers
      Son of legendary shot-stopper Edwin, the Dutch goalkeeper began his career at Man United, where his dad spent six years before retiring in 2011.
      He then moved to Noordwijk before signing for Ajax in 2013 where Edwin is CEO.
      Now, he plys his trade in the US at university team Pittsburgh Panthers.
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      Joe van der Sar, left, is the son of Manchester United legend Edwin
      Joe is now back at Noordwijk, where he is looking to make his debut.
      DEFENDERS
      Harvey Neville, 19, Inter Miami
      Harvey started his career at United, before joining rivals Manchester City in 2013, before then linking up with Valencia after his father and uncle took charge of the first team.
      Returning to United in 2018, Neville made an impression in the youth team, with the right-back a regular in the Premier League 2 side.
      However, when his dad secured the Inter Miami job in 2021 he moved to the MLS, where he recently made his debut.
      Harvey Neville has made a number of appearances for United’s reserves this campaign
      Maxim Gullit, 20, Cambuur
      Son of Ruud and great nephew of Johan Cruyff, the centre-back burst on the scene this season for AZ Alkmaar’s second team.
      Although he failed to break into the first team, and since moved to newly promoted Cambuur last summer – making just five appearances.
      Maxim Gullit has starred for AZ Alkmaar’s second side this season in the Dutch second division
      Khephren Thuram, 20, Nice
      Lillian Thuram’s son is a defensive midfielder by trade, but is capable of slotting in at the back if needed.
      The teenager is already a key player for the Ligue 1 club, featuring in 63 games in all competitions in the past three seasons.
      Big brother Marcus is already making waves in the global game with Borussia Monchengladbach.
      Nice star Khephren Thuram has appeared in 24 games for the French club this campaignCredit: Getty – Contributor
      MIDFIELDERS
      Justin Kluivert, 23, Roma (on loan at Nice)
      Patrick Kluivert’s son made his debut for Ajax in January 2017 where he quickly became a huge hit with the fans.
      He made his international debut for Holland a year later, before linking up with Roma in the summer of 2018.
      Kluivert is currently on a season-loan at French club Nice, where he has five goals in 29 games.
      Justin Kluivert made his Holland debut in 2018 after starring for Ajax
      Theo Zidane, 19, Real Madrid
      Big things are expected of the talented central midfielder at the Bernabeu.
      The teenager has featured regularly in the Segunda Division B this season – and was promoted to the first team.
      Real Madrid believe Theo Zidane has a big future at the club like hid dad ZinedineCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      Mitchel Bergkamp, 23, without a club
      Son of Arsenal icon Dennis, the Dutch midfielder linked up with Watford last year.
      He joined the Hornets’ U-23 side on an initial six-month contract but failed to earn a new deal.
      Bergkamp is currently without a club.
      Watford brought Mitchel Bergkamp to Vicarage Road on a free transfer earlier this month
      Charlie Savage, 19, Man Utd
      Son of ex-United, Leicester and Derby star Robbie, Charlie has been called up by Wales Under-18s to face England.
      The 19-year-old is currently impressing in Manchester United’s academy.
      Savage Jr is now a regular for United’s Under-23s.
      Charlie Savage, son of Robbie, is now a Man Utd and Wales Under-19s starCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maurizio Pochettino, 21, Watford
      The winger – son of Paris Saint-Germain gaffer Mauricio – joined Watford along with Bergkamp in the winter transfer window.
      He made his one and only appearance for the club as an 85th minute sub in a 2–0 EFL Championship defeat to Brentford last season.
      Watford’s Maurizio Pochettino, left, was (almost) named after his father Mauricio
      STRIKERS
      Etienne Eto’o, 19, Vitória de Guimarães
      Son of Barcelona great Samuel, Eto’o started his career in Spain at Real Ovideo, just like his father, who made his debut on loan at Leganes from Real Madrid.
      Judging by his sublime set-piece goal for Cameroon Under-20s last year, he certainly boasts the same deadly finishing as his dad.
      However, he was released by Real Oviedo at the beginning of the season and has since resurfaced in Portugal.
      Samuel Eto’o’s son Etienne scores wonder free-kick on Cameroon debut before breaking down in tears
      Etienne Eto’o showed he possesses deadly finishing like his dad Samuel on his Cameroon U-20 debut
      Isaac Drogba, 21, Coimbra B
      Didier Drogba’s son is currently playing for Portuguese minnows, Coimbra B.
      He made his professional debut for Italian fourth division team Caratese the season before in a 4-1 win against Saluzzo, but failed to hit the heights set by his dad, Didier. More

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      in Soccer

      Neymar and Steven Gerrard feature in amazing Chelsea XI almost signed by the Blues before transfers fell apart

      by

      WHEN Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003, Chelsea attracted the biggest names in the game.The Russian poured millions into his beloved Blues, particularly in his earlier years with the club, before he was forced into selling the club when he was hit by government sanctions.
      Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich forked out for a host of stars after buying Chelsea in 2003Credit: AFP
      Chelsea could have signed a whole host of superstars
      He quickly set his stall out in his first few seasons at the helm by bringing the likes of Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele and Didier Drogba to West London.
      That’s not to mention highly-rated young Porto coach Jose Mourinho.
      Chelsea have hardly struggled for trophies in the following years, scooping five league titles, five FA Cups and two Champions League triumphs. And it is astonishing to think that they could have had even more.
      Yes, the Blues were within touching distance of signing a whole host of other superstars.
      And here is an XI of those that could have brought yet more silverware to the already overflowing Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet:
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      GK – Alisson Becker
      The Brazilian stopper briefly became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he signed for Liverpool in July 2018 for £66.8million, but things could have been oh so different.
      In Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea thought that they had secured a long-term replacement to their legendary, Champions League winning goalkeeper Petr Cech.
      But that summer, the Blues became resigned to losing the lanky Belgian to Real Madrid, and Roma keeper Alisson shot to the top of their wishlist.
      As Brazil’s incumbent No1, coming off the back of an extremely impressive year with the Italians in which he helped his team to the Champions League semi-finals, Alisson was hot property.
      But despite Chelsea’s best efforts, he opted to move to Anfield instead, later explaining his decision to FourFourTwo magazine.
      He said: “I chose Liverpool for the same reasons I went to Roma when I first left Brazil—I thought this would be the best move for my career. Chelsea were changing their manager and not playing in the Champions League.
      “I’ve also always admired Liverpool’s history. This is a club with five European Cups in their trophy cabinet. I really wanted to be part of that history.”
      As it turned out, Alisson didn’t hold the title of world’s most expensive goalkeeper for very long, with Chelsea scrambling around the very next month to splash £71million on Kepa…
      Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk could have had a massive impact at Stamford BridgeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      RB – Dani Alves
      Barcelona and Chelsea formed an intense rivalry after a number of heated Champions League battles between the pair throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
      And after joining the Catalan giants in the summer of 2008, Alves became a key cog in these matches, rampaging down the right flank in what has become trademark fashion down the years.
      The Brazilian won an astonishing 23 trophies during his first time at the Nou Camp, but again things could have been very different, had he gone to Stamford Bridge instead.
      More than a decade later, the now 38-year-old revealed that he had given a move to West London from Sevilla in 2007 the green light.
      He told Sky Sports: “I didn’t go to Chelsea because of the club, not because of me.
      “I thought it was done, that I was going there to work with [Mourinho]. I don’t know if he got different information, that I didn’t want to go or whatever, because since then our relationship hasn’t been so good, but it wasn’t my fault.
      “I was convinced that I was going to work with him and form part of his team.”
      CB – John Stones
      “Money can’t buy you Stones,” Everton supporters gleefully sang.
      It was August 2015, and having just won his third Premier League title, Mourinho was desperate to land the highly-rated 21-year-old defender from the Toffees, to bolster his ageing defence.
      Everton held firm over the confident centre-back, however, much to the increasingly moody Portuguese’s ire.
      With John Terry’s once imperious powers on the wane, and having seemingly lost the dressing room, Mourinho was sacked four months later – while it turned out money could in fact buy Stones the year after, just not Chelsea’s.
      The Yorkshireman joined Manchester City for £47.5m in 2016, and has won three Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola.
      On his reasons for ultimately joining City, he told Soccer AM: “Guardiola was 100 per cent a major factor, if not the main reason for me coming.
      “There’s a lot of factors when you’re thinking about moving clubs but in my eyes he’s the best manager in the world to work with.
      “To be given that opportunity to work with him, I couldn’t say no.”
      John Stones went on to sign for rivals Man City insteadCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      CB – Virgil van Dijk
      Of all the names on this teamsheet, Van Dijk’s may sting Chelsea fans the most.
      The Dutch defender was highly sought after during his time at Southampton, but it was Liverpool, rather than Chelsea that opted to splash what had seemed an extraordinary £75m to prise him away from St Mary’s.
      But he has gone on to be worth every penny.
      Helping Liverpool to Champions League glory, and a key cog in their title win in 19-20, van Dijk’s incredible performances even saw him come second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or.
      Then Chelsea boss Antonio Conte had been desperate to land him, but revealed his side were priced out of the move.
      The surly Italian huffed back in 2018: “This is football. This is life. For sure he was our target, but as you know this is football.
      “We can have a lot of targets, but you must be able to reach those targets. The transfer market is not simple for any club.”
      LB – Roberto Carlos
      Legendary left-back Roberto Carlos was a key figure in Real Madrid’s ‘Galacticos’ side of the early noughties, wowing fans with his astonishing left foot.
      His 11 years at the Bernabeu came to an end in 2007, when he surprisingly moved to Turkey – signing for Istanbul giants Fenerbahce.
      But the Brazilian revealed a decade on that he had come close to joining Chelsea instead.
      The Blues had arguably the best left-back of his generation in Ashley Cole, but few would have said no to a 34-year-old Carlos as back-up – even just to take free-kicks.
      The man himself told Sky Sports: “I spoke to Roman Abramovich about it. We had a meeting in Paris but it didn’t happen due to a few small factors.”
      Carlos claimed to have had a meeting with Roman AbramovichCredit: Reuters
      CM – Steven Gerrard
      In July 2005, just weeks after lifting the Champions League trophy with the club he had played for since the age of eight, Steven Gerrard shocked the world by handing in a transfer request.
      He wanted to join up with Mourinho at Chelsea.
      The then Liverpool captain and now Aston Villa manager had grown tired of his contract stand-off with Anfield chiefs, and when the Blues made a £32m bid, Gerrard’s head was well and truly turned.
      Mourinho was a huge fan of the player, and perhaps was the man to solve the infamous Gerrard-Frank Lampard England dilemma – particularly with Claude Makelele available to field them with in a midfield trio.
      But the move failed to materialise and within a matter of days the darling of the Kop had signed a bumper new £100k-a-week contract.
      All was forgiven, all was forgotten, and Gerrard played another ten seasons at Anfield.
      But having never won a Premier League title, you could forgive the 41-year-old for occasionally wistfully looking back and wondering what might have been…
      Steven Gerrard nearly joined up with England team-mate Lampard at ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      CM – Paul Pogba
      Paul Pogba has divided football fans since his then world-record £89m return to Manchester United in 2016.
      But what few can dispute is the Frenchman’s outrageous talent when fit and on his game.
      His relationship with Mourinho famously broke down at Old Trafford, but that does not mean that the Special One was never a fan of his.
      In fact, in the same summer that Chelsea had courted Stones, having won the league in 2015, Mourinho wanted Pogba to spearhead the Blues’ title defence the following year.
      But his agent Mino Raiola and Juventus blocked the transfer after agreeing the Frenchman would stay put in order to try and win the Champions League instead.
      The late Raiola said: “Paul could have left [Juventus] last year because Mourinho – then at Chelsea – really wanted him.
      “But Juventus and I had an agreement: win the league title and the Champions League, then he can go.”
      Paul Pogba nearly joined up with Mourinho at Chelsea in 2015Credit: Alamy
      RW – Robinho
      The disgraced former star didn’t live up to expectations on the pitch.
      A once outrageously talented trickster known for dazzling defenders with his trademark stepovers in the white of Madrid, however, the Brazilian was courted by his compatriot Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2008.
      It had seemed a foregone conclusion that he would end up at Stamford Bridge… but then he didn’t.
      He instead shocked the world, by signing for Manchester City in Deadline Day’s dying embers.
      Back in 2018, he lifted the lid on the surprise transfer, telling FourFourTwo: “I wanted to go to Chelsea.
      “Scolari told me that I could make the difference for him in the team.
      “However, Real Madrid ended up badly with them, they didn’t like the way that Chelsea sold shirts with my name on them before the deal was done.
      “I am sure it was this that led to the negotiations to fail and it was a case of pride for Real Madrid.
      “They were also reluctant to let me move to a club that was playing in the Champions League that season. Chelsea were, but City weren’t.”
      CAM – Ronaldinho
      The Brazilian hit headlines last year for surprising reasons, but here we’re going to focus on his football.
      For in the mid-2000s, Ronaldinho felt untouchable.
      He was the planet’s most exciting player, dazzling defenders with his outrageous tricks, and winning fans around the globe with the immense swagger and charm that he played with
      It is well-known that he nearly signed for Manchester United in 2003, before instead leaving Paris Saint-Germain for Barcelona.
      But it is lesser known that Chelsea were also in for him.
      The man himself later revealed: “Chelsea tried to take me there once, and some other teams were interested in signing me, too.
      “The league there is so fast and so intense all of the time – it’s great to watch and not boring at all.
      “I don’t tend to watch all 90 minutes of Premier League games, but I will see more of the highlights and the goals in the Premier League than I see of other leagues around the world.”
      Ronaldinho and Neymar both could have ended up at Stamford BridgeCredit: AFP or licensors
      LW – Neymar
      Another major star that just got away from the Blues.
      The year was 2010 and an 18-year-old sensation by the name of Neymar was leaving jaws on the floor with his array of tricks and flicks while wearing the colours of Santos in his native Brazil.
      West Ham had surprisingly been the first Premier League side to dip their toe into the market for the wonderkid (now that would have been something..!), but had been rejected out of hand.
      Champions Chelsea were to be next, even tabling a £27m bid for the player.
      Like the Hammers, they were turned down, but kept trying, even reportedly setting up secret meetings with the player’s father in order to convince him that his son’s future lay in West London.
      The deal failed to materialise, however, with Santos amazingly being able to keep him for another three years before finally selling him to Barcelona.
      After much success in Spain, PSG made him the world’s most expensive player in 2017 when they splashed out £200m for his services.
      Wazza became Man Utd’s all-time leading goalscorer in 2017Credit: Reuters
      ST – Wayne Rooney
      Wayne Rooney, possibly the most gifted English footballer of his generation, became Manchester United’s all-time leading goalscorer after netting a free-kick against Stoke in January 2017.
      But four years prior to that, it looked as if the explosive striker wanted to leave Old Trafford for good.
      The fiery character had his run-ins with Sir Alex Ferguson, but it was when his former Everton boss David Moyes arrived in the summer of 2013, that Chelsea went all out to sign him.
      Rooney later denied handing in a transfer request in Sir Alex’s final season, but admitted considering his options.
      He told the BBC: “I went in to see him [Ferguson] and just said if you’re not going to play me it might be better if I moved on – then all of a sudden it’s all over the press I put in a transfer request, which I never did.”
      That summer, Mourinho, having just returned to Stamford Bridge, boldly claimed that Rooney was his ‘only transfer target’.
      Chelsea had a flurry of bids rejected, and Rooney ultimately stayed at Old Trafford. More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Boxing

      Floyd Mayweather names his five greatest boxers – snubbing Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson – but putting himself as No1

      by

      FLOYD MAYWEATHER declared himself as the greatest boxer of all time when asked for his top five – and snubbed both Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.The 45-year-old – who was announced as Boxrec’s No1 in June 2020 – believes he is levels ahead of everyone else after ending his career having won all 50 of his fights as a professional.
      Floyd Mayweather has named himself the greatest boxer of all time
      Mayweather appeared on rapper Fat Joe’s Instagram live video when he was asked with who his top five are.
      Breaking it down, he stated: “We’re going to have to go, OK we’ll go Money Mayweather, we got to go Pernell Whitaker, imma go, Roberto Duran, man you put me in a tight predicament.
      “As far as with the heavyweights, if we’re going to go heavyweights, I’m going to be honest, I’ve got to go Larry Holmes.”
      Fat Joe then interjected where he stated that he doesn’t believe Holmes is better than Ali or Tyson, to which Mayweather said: “Do you want me to give you the breakdown?
      “Larry Holmes beat everybody in his era, when Larry Holmes got beat by Mike Tyson, he got beat by a young hungry champion and he came out of a year’s retirement and got beat by Tyson.
      GO WITH THE FLOW
      “I’ve got to say Larry Holmes, he had the basic fundamentals, he had the jab and even right now he’s still living a great life because he made smart investments.
      “So he was good from the beginning of his career to the end of his career.”
      Detailing his final pick, Mayweather added: “Aaron Pryor, the only reason why Aaron Pryor lost a fight was because of drugs, he lost only one fight because of drugs.”
      Here SunSport runs you down Mayweather’s top five greatest boxers of all time:
      How Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul compare ahead of their fight
      1. FLOYD MAYWEATHER
      It comes as no surprise Mayweather has put himself in first place as he refers to himself as The Best Ever.
      The American – who picked up a bronze medal at the 1996 Olympics – won 15 world titles across five weight divisions.
      He holds notable victories against the likes of Manny Pacquiao, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Saul Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.
      And he easily defeated UFC mega-star Conor McGregor when he crossed-over to the ring back in August 2017.
      2. PERNELL WHITAKER
      The former boxer picked up world titles in four weight classes, as he finished his career in 2001 having won 40 out of 46 contests.
      Whitaker – who died at the age of 55 in July 2019 – still holds the record as being the longest unified lightweight champion in boxing history after defending his title six times.
      The iconic Roberto Duran makes Mayweather’s top fiveCredit: Getty
      3. ROBERTO DURAN
      The 70-year-old competed in a whopping 119 fights during his career that spanned 33 years from 1968-2001.
      During that time he won 103 times, winning world titles in four divisions as he became just the second fighter after Jack Johnson to step inside the ring in five decades.
      4. LARRY HOLMES
      Even though his entry puzzled Fat Joe, the 72-year-old is a three-time former heavyweight world champion.
      He was the only man to ever stop Muhammad Ali, while he also boasted victories against the likes of Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks as well as Earnie Shavers.
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      5. AARON PRYOR
      A two-time light-welterweight champion, the Hawk won 39 out of his 40 fights – with 35 of his victories coming by way of knockout.
      He finished his career in 1990 after knocking out Roger Choate in the seventh round.
      His only defeat came at the hands of journeyman Bobby Joe Young after he spent 29 months out of the ring. More