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      Ex-Arsenal forward Robin van Persie names the six best players he has played with, including four Man Utd legends

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      ROBIN VAN PERSIE named the six best players he played with in his career – and four of them were Manchester United legends.The former Arsenal captain, who spent his last three seasons in England at Old Trafford, retired from football at the age of 35.
      Robin van Persie has named four Man Utd legends among six best players he ever played withCredit: AFP
      Van Persie, now 39, controversially moved to United in 2012 having rejected a contract extension offer from Arsenal.
      He went on to win the Premier League title in his first season at Old Trafford.
      And the Dutch hotshot seemingly has fond memories from his time in the red half of Manchester, naming four Red Devils stars amongst the best players he shared the pitch with.
      When asked to pick his most talented team-mate, he told BBC Sport: “So difficult to name one.
      “I would go for Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy.”
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      Van Nistelrooy left Old Trafford in 2006 – long before Van Persie joined United.
      But the two strikers played together for Holland, earning 172 caps and bagging 85 goals between them.
      The former Arsenal skipper also labelled former Red Devils duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand as the best two defenders he ever faced.
      Following a three-year spell at Fenerbahce, Van Persie moved back to his homeland to end his career at boyhood club Feyenoord, where he is now assistant coach under Arne Slot.
      He claims he could have stayed at Old Trafford for one more season back in 2015 as he still had one year left on his contract.
      But the striker decided to ‘move on’ when then-United coach Louis van Gaal made it crystal clear he was not in his plans.
      The Dutch forward fired Manchester United to the title in his first year at the clubCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Van Persie said: “Because I had one more year on my deal, maybe I should have stayed.
      “But then Van Gaal was the coach and he made it quite clear what his intentions were.
      “Then you have to make a decision: Do you stay and fight for your place?
      “Would it be an honest competition or not? Based on all that info, we decided to move on.
      “But three years is not three days, it’s still a long period, it’s still a big part of my football career, and in total 11 years of football in England… as a kid I would never have dreamed of that.” More

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      Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville NEVER received a single transfer enquiry from another club but wouldn’t have left Man Utd

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Gary Neville once revealed that no club EVER enquired about signing him – and said he would never have left Old Trafford anyway.The Red Devils icon, 48, said his head was never once turned during his time in the red half of Manchester.
      Gary Neville says no club ever came in for him – and that he wouldn’t have quit anyway
      A 2020 trip to Miami made Neville realise what he may have missed out on during his careerCredit: Instagram @gneville2
      While Neville claimed he never wanted to quit Old Trafford, travelling to the US for Inter Miami’s first-ever home game – with ex-team-mate David Beckham the team owner – opened his eyes to what he missed out on as a player.
      Nev made the incredible revelations during a chat with Geoff Shreeves on Sky Sports’ Off Script podcast in April 2020.
      When asked by Shreeves if any other club came knocking for him during his playing days, Neville replied: “None that I’ve ever been made aware and none that I’ve known of.
      “I imagine that Sir Alex in his post-Manchester United career or in his interviews when I left the club would have said that someone would have come in for me or something like that.
      “It would have come out. So no, I’m unaware of any interest that’s ever been shown in me.”
      I imagine that Sir Alex in his post-Manchester United career or in his interviews when I left the club would have said that someone would have come in for me or something like thatGary Neville
      Neville went on to say that, even if another team had made a move for him, he wouldn’t have accepted.
      The ex-England defender said: “Never for one second did I ever take the blinkers off.
      “I could never understand, for instance just before David Beckham left I knew a months before that there was probably something brewing.
      “I couldn’t get my head around it at the time – with me being so Manchester United – how any player that was at the club would ever think to want to leave.
      “I just couldn’t compute it at all. For myself it never once entered my head.
      “My contract negotiations, the longest was probably three meetings, when Peter Kenyon was the CEO.
      “They were normally done inside one or two meetings. They were always long contracts.”
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      But that’s not to say Neville thinks he was necessarily right to be a one-club man.
      His trip to the US in 2020 to watch Beckham’s MLS side, Inter Miami, play their first home game made Neville realise what he may have missed out on.
      Nev continued: “I remember thinking that what I thought in my mid-20s, when David left, I couldn’t understand it.
      “But then when I saw the furore around his first game in Miami.
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      “He’s played at Real Madrid, he’s played at AC Milan, he’s played at Paris Saint-Germain, he’s played in LA, he’s now got a club in Miami…
      “The experiences that he’s had in his life are just out of this world, and obviously if he’d stayed at Manchester United he would never have experienced them.
      “So is he richer in his experience for the bold decision that he made? He definitely is.”
      Gary Neville gives impassioned rant about greedy Big 6 and The European Super League More

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      Roy Keane claims Cristiano Ronaldo WASN’T one of the five world-class players at Man Utd he played with at

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      ROY KEANE played alongside some of the biggest names in Manchester United’s long and illustrious history  – but only FIVE players were worthy of being called world-class.And club legend Cristiano Ronaldo was NOT one of them.
      Roy Keane says Denis Irwin was world class but left Cristiano Ronaldo off his list
      The former Red Devils captain, who acrimoniously left the club in 2005 – made the stunning revelation after his old side was held to a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in September 2019.
      Keane stunned United fans across the globe by telling left Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher: “We never gave ourselves an opportunity to talk about players being world-class.
      “But if I look back now, you’d have to class Giggsy [Ryan Giggs].
      “I always class the world class players as lads who were doing it for nine, ten, 11 years – obviously Giggsy’s done it for a lot longer, but to me, that’s the key to being a really good player – you’ve got to be consistent.

      “We see players now, they have a good month and [they’re] patting themselves on the back.
      “You have to be good for years and years, and Giggsy would have been a prime example.”

      Keane’s world-class list also included fellow United legends, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona and Mark Hughes the latter of whom he dubbed a “brilliant striker.”
      But it was his old friend and former room-mate Denis Irwin who received the most glowing review.
      The former Republic of Ireland international said of his countryman: “My God, imagine if Denis Irwin was playing now.
      “He could play left-back, right-back, get you a goal, knew how to defend, never injured, a brilliant guy in the dressing room.
      “Denis would be world class to me – and he’s a Corkman!”
      Keane’s omission of Ronaldo left United fans gobsmacked as the Portuguese superstar was the first Red Devil to win the Ballon d’Or since George Best in 1968.
      But the notoriously hard-to-please Irishman’s snub of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner was likely down to the fact they only played together for two seasons, when Ronaldo was still developing.
      Keane captained United during a historically successful period for the club and won the Premier League seven times with the club.
      He walked out on the club in 2005 after an explosive in-house interview criticising his team-mates’ display after a 4-1 defeat to Middlesbrough. More

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      Where Lionel Messi’s 15 wonderkids he thought would be future superstars are now, from Mason Mount to Joao Felix

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      IN 2020, Lionel Messi picked out 15 young stars to watch – but where are they now?The Argentina World Cup winner, 35, named his favourite wonderkids for a Topps ‘Lionel Messi Designed Set’ card pack.
      We look at how the 15 youngsters Messi picked out as ones to watch have fared in the year that followedCredit: Reuters
      Messi selected a hatful of young English talent among his crop – with no fewer than FOUR Three Lions stars making the grade.
      But the 15 youngsters have endured very different years since Messi’s announcement.
      Take a look at where they are now.
      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
      Alexander-Arnold has struggled a bit for consistency since his epic riseCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      MESSI got a first-hand view of the Liverpool right-back’s talent in the 2018-19 Champions League.
      Read more Lionel Messi news
      Alexander-Arnold, 24, was in blistering form as the Reds thumped Barcelona 4-0 in the second-leg of their semi-final clash – and even took the corner leading to Divock Origi’s winning goal to send them to the final.
      Still Liverpool’s No1 right-back, Alexander-Arnold has faced criticism over his defensive ability in the last few seasons.
      However, he reinvented himself in midfield for England in the recent win over North Macedonia.
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      HOUSSEM AOUAR
      Houssem Aouar excelled for Lyon in his first full seasonCredit: AFP or licensors
      LINKED with a move to Arsenal, Aouar captained Lyon and has already won caps for France.
      Technically superb, the versatile midfielder, 24, was expected to complete a big-money move to another of Europe’s giants in 2021.
      However, a loss of form and questions about his temperament emerged and he failed to make the World Cup squad.
      He recently signed for Roma on a free transfer, where he will play next season.
      FRENKIE DE JONG
      Frenkie De Jong is still waiting to find his top form at BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      A former team-mate of Messi, the Argentine knows all about De Jong.
      The Dutchman, 26, moved from Ajax following their run to the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final.
      While De Jong is yet to replicate his top form at the Nou Camp – time is certainly on his side.
      Man Utd thought so, anyway, and were desperate to sign him last summer. However, he snubbed their offer – preferring to stay at Camp Nou.
      MOUSSA DEMBELE
      Moussa Dembele moved to Atletico Madrid on loan in 2021Credit: Alamy Live News
      THE French striker, 26, joined Atletico Madrid on loan from Lyon with a view to a permanent move back in 2021.
      But, he failed to impress Diego Simeone – and was soon back to France.
      The ex-Fulham and Celtic forward was rated one of Europe’s most-sought-after stars after a sensational three-year spell in France.
      Dembele has scored 70 times in 172 matches in all competitions for Lyon.
      JOAO FELIX
      Joao Felix is slowly starting to find his feet at Atletico MadridCredit: Reuters
      ANOTHER Atleti forward, Diego Simeone added Felix to his squad for a record £113million in 2019.
      But the 23-year-old has failed to live up to the hype expected of him.
      A poor return of 34 goals in 131 games and has meant Simeone is ready to cut his losses.
      Man Utd are one of the clubs that have been linked with the fallen wonderkid.
      A loan move last season to Chelsea in January, where he scored just four goals in 20 games, won’t have helped his cause for a future move.
      PHIL FODEN
      Phil Foden has been in exceptional form for Man CityCredit: AFP
      THE Manchester City star, 23, is making a name for himself across Europe.
      As well as Messi, Foden has garnered praise from the likes of Arsene Wenger.
      Under Pep Guardiola, Foden has flourished and become a full international.
      The clamour for him to be England’s main man at the World Cup was too much for Gareth Southgate to resist – and he inspired the Three Lions to a 3-0 win over Wales.
      KAI HAVERTZ
      Kai Havertz has struggled mightily since his £70m move to Chelsea last summerCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      AFTER Messi’s comments, Havertz teased clubs across Europe by showing off his unquestionable talent at Bayer Leverkusen.
      After Chelsea opted to splash £70m on the midfielder/forward, Havertz, 24, was expected to take the next step.
      The German star blew hot and cold for the Blues, showing glimpses of his talent – but never on a consistent level.
      This summer, Arsenal have taken a punt on Havertz who will hope to rediscover his form at the Emirates.
      LUKA JOVIC
      Luka Jovic tried to rekindle his form back at Eintracht FrankfurtCredit: EPA
      SIGNED by Real Madrid from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019, Jovic’s career has really stalled.
      The Serbian, 25, scored just twice in 21 LaLiga games before being shipped back on loan to Frankfurt last year.
      Jovic scored twice off the bench in his first game back in the Bundesliga – but didn’t exactly pull up trees.
      Los Blancos cut their losses in the summer – flogging him to Fiorentina where he scored 13 goals in all competitions last season.
      JOSHUA KIMMICH
      Joshua Kimmich continues to prove he is one of the best players in the worldCredit: AFP
      HARDLY a wonderkid at the time of Messi’s revelation – Kimmich was already 25. He’s now 28.
      The German feels like he’s been around for a decade already and is easily one of the best players on the planet.
      The versatile star can play in midfield or at right-back and has already won 79 international caps, while helping Bayern Munich to a famous Treble last season.
      Kimmich was part of the Bayern team who trounced Messi’s Barcelona 8-2 in the Champions League quarter-final, even getting on the scoresheet.
      KYLIAN MBAPPE
      Kylian Mbappe is arguably the best striker on the planet at presentCredit: AFP or licensors
      QUITE possibly the best striker on the planet right now, Mbappe has scored a sensational 212 goals in 260 league games for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The 2018 World Cup winner, 24, was set to move to Real Madrid last summer, but snubbed the LaLiga giants for a bumper £300million contract with the French club.
      However, he has now revealed he won’t be extending his contract beyond 2024 and has reportedly agreed a contract with Real Madrid.
      EDER MILITAO
      Eder Militao is yet to earn himself a regular spot in the Real Madrid XICredit: Getty Images – Getty
      HAVING moved to Real Madrid from Porto in the summer of 2019, huge things were expected of the Brazilian, who was handed a SIX-YEAR contract.
      Militao, 25, has shown flashes of talent after breaking into the first team.
      But Militao can’t dislodge Thiago Silva and Marquinhos in the Brazilian national team.
      MASON MOUNT
      Mason Mount has been in superb form for a struggling Chelsea this seasonCredit: Tom Jenkins/ The Guardian
      A FUTURE Chelsea – and possibly even England – captain, Mount has been superb for the Blues.
      Mount, 24, bizarrely seems to split fans – but has shown grit, determination and extraordinary talent in a struggling Chelsea team.
      The midfielder has gone from strength-to-strength since Messi comments.
      It’s expected Mount will go on to forge an incredible partnership with the likes of Declan Rice, Jack Grealish, James Maddison and Phil Foden for England in what’s increasingly looking like another ‘Golden Generation’.
      Although, Chelsea seemingly see him as surplus to requirements – as they negotiate a move away from Cobham to Man Utd.
      BENJAMIN PAVARD
      Benjamin Pavard is a key member of Bayern Munich’s rampant squadCredit: EPA
      MESSI was never going to leave the Bayern Munich man out of his list.
      After all, Pavard, 27, scored the goal of the tournament as France knocked Argentina out of the 2018 World Cup at the last-16 stage with a sensational strike in a 4-3 win.
      The versatile defender is now a regular in the Bayern XI, playing 162 Bundesliga games since joining from Stuttgart in 2019.
      CHRISTIAN PULISIC
      Christian Pulisic needs to fully recover from his injuries to show his true talentCredit: PA
      DESPITE struggling with injuries, Pulisic has shown fans – and Messi – just what he can do.
      Chelsea always seem to look more dangerous with the American, 24, in the team.
      Pulisic also led the USA’s charge in Qatar admirably at the World Cup last year.
      JADON SANCHO
      Sancho starred at Borussia Dortmund, but has struggled since moving to Man UtdCredit: EPA
      OF all the players on Messi’s list, Sancho has arguably been the most disappointing
      The Man Utd star, 23, was the subject of the longest-running transfer saga ever, seemingly in 2021.
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      Sancho eventually joined in a deal worth a staggering £73million.
      Back in January, he admitted to having to overcome “physical and mental” issues. More

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      Liverpool legend Phil Thompson snubs Messi and Pele from his World XI but includes Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe

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      PHIL THOMPSON opted for Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe in his attempt at picking a World XI without two players from the same club or country.Naturally, some big-name stars were left on the cutting room floor when the Liverpool hero went without Lionel Messi and Pele.

      Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were among the former players carefully picking their line-ups and Thompson drew upon his experience to enlist stars of his 1970s and 80s pomp.
      Pat Jennings, Billy Bremner and Gerrard added a British touch to his XI, which also features 1970 World Cup winner Carlos Alberto.
      The right-back spent his career in the Americas and arrived ahead of attacking icon Pele and Neymar, given that he rules out any fellow Brazil or Santos player from the team.
      Men typically associated with only one or two clubs are prevalent, from Liverpool’s Gerrard to AC Milan defender Paolo Maldini and former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany.
      Joining them in defence is Mats Hummels, who has spent his entire career in Germany.
      Cristiano Ronaldo, snubbed by both Gerrard and Carragher, is picked by Thompson alongside Diego Maradona, Mbappe and Didier Drogba in the frontline.
      An Ivory Coast international who stuck with Chelsea throughout his peak, Drogba scored 303 goals during his career.
      Messi has not, meanwhile, because he would rule out any fellow Argentina or Barcelona players but ex-defender Thompson could have traded him in for Maradona when he made the call.
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      Likewise, bringing in Ronaldo condemns any other Real Madrid, Juventus, Portugal or Manchester United player.
      But given Thommo’s loyalties perhaps the latter was always unlikely to make an appearance.
      Featuring in Rangers boss Gerrard’s XI were the likes of Cafu, Roy Keane and Andrew Robertson, although he did agree on Kompany, Drogba and Mbappe being worthy of a place.
      He told The Football Show: “It took me more than a couple of hours, I was stewing on this for a couple of nights.
      “I felt like I had a team and I was happy with it, I had Zidane in it, I had [Roberto] Carlos, Baresi in it. Then you get a text of Carra saying, ‘No, no, no that’s wrong – they played together’.
      “It’s actually more challenging than what you think. But we got there in the end and I’m really pleased with the team I picked.” More

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      Robin Van Persie reveals how Sir Alex Ferguson called two stars who went out partying ‘a***holes’ after a loss to City

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON hammered ‘a***hole’ stars in front of their teammates for partying after a derby defeat, Robin van Persie once revealed.A 2-1 loss to Manchester City still left the Red Devils 12 points clear as they raced to the Premier League title – but Fergie was fuming.
      Van Persie helped Ferguson win the title during his final seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Two first-team players were humiliated in front of the dressing room for partying the night of the defeat with photographs of their exploits plastered over the walls.
      Van Persie told SoFoot: “During my first season with United we were 15 points clear at the top. We hosted Manchester City hoping to wrap up the title.
      “We lost, but were still 12 points clear. Most managers wouldn’t have made a drama out of the situation.
      “But the boss got really fired up. Things got extremely heated, as two of the squad had gone out after the defeat.
      “The day after the game Sir Alex had photos put up on the dressing room wall of the two players taken during their night out.
      “He told the entire squad: ‘Boys, if we don’t win the league it’s because of these two a***holes who opted to go out’.
      “I know the names, but can’t reveal them. The manager slaughtered them. It was amazing. He’d put up photos documenting where they were, at 2am, 3am, 4am etc, to underline just how stupid they had been.
      “He didn’t stop there, but warned us that if he heard of any of us going out before we’d won the league we’d be out of the team.
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      “He was merciless, saying: ‘I don’t care who you are or how many trophies you’ve won – if you go out before the end of the season I’ll sell you’.
      “After that speech, I had the two hardest training sessions I’ve ever had in my life. We went on to win the title. A manager has to know when to be tough, and when to take the pressure off.”
      United nonetheless crawled over the line to seal the title in Ferguson’s final weeks in charge of the team, winning three of his last nine games as boss.
      Robin van Persie criticises Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for smiling and being too nice More

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      YouTuber Jake Paul’s amazing car collection includes a £165k Lamborghini Huracan, and a £330k Ferrari 296 GTB he broke

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      WHEN YouTuber Jake Paul made it, the first thing he did was treat himself to his dream car.He splashed £165,000 on a brilliant blue Lamborghini Huracan and immediately posted an emotional video on social media sharing his delight about his expensive purchase.
      YouTuber Jake Paul boasts an insane collection of expensive carsCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      Paul shows off his ‘dream car’ – a Lamborghini HuracanCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      Paul also added a Ferrari 296 GTB worth £330,000 to his collection
      After just one day, Paul managed to break it doing doughnutsCredit: YouTube/Jake Paul
      Since embarking on a different career – from social media star to pay-per-view boxing villain – Paul’s car collection has grown extensively.
      Here’s his fine collection of cars in full, including one he broke after just ONE day.
      Ferrari 296 GTB, £330,000
      The first thing you want to do when you splash the cash on a car worth over £300,000 is drive it carefully.
      Forget that. After waiting 18 months to get his hands on a Ferrari 296 GTB, Paul managed to break it after one day.
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      Having done one too many doughnuts, the “low beam failure” warning popped up and the American was advised to go back to the dealer.
      He said: “I broke the car, guys.”
      Paul added: “I don’t know if I was supposed to drive it that hard on the first day. It literally just says, ‘Go to dealership.’ Straight up.
      “Like nothing else, just like, ‘You’ve ruined the car. Go to the dealership now.'”
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      On a recent shopping spree, he also got his hands on a £600,000 SF90 Spider and a 1958 Ford Fairlane, which can cost up to £70,000.
      LAMBORGHINI HURACAN, £165,000
      In 2018, Paul, 25, treated himself to a flashy supercar.
      And his bright blue Lamborghini Huracan Performante really is the most lavish thing he’s been seen behind the wheel of.
      Although he had to wait six months to get his hands on one, when it arrived the social media influencer declared it his ‘dream car’ and shot a video revealing his ’emotion’ that driving a Lambo was about to become a reality.
      Performance-wise, when Paul took it for a spin, he wouldn’t have been disappointed either.
      Boasting 631bhp, it’s capable of reaching 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 212mph.
      Paul is a huge fan of Lamborghini
      TESLA MODEL X, £80,000
      In the US, electric vehicles are all the rage amongst Angelinos.
      And the wealthier ones are now swapping their Toyota Prius for a much-more stylish Tesla Model X.
      Paul got his custom-wrapped by West Coast Customs Design – who famously looked after a host of celebs on MTV’s Pimp My Ride.
      The one-of-a-kind car also has carbon accents and sandblasted details, meaning it stands out from the crowd.
      Boxer Paul splashed on a £165,000 Lamborghini in 2018Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      The motor in brilliant blue stands out among his carsCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      The Tesla Model X owned by Paul, worth £80,000, was custom-wrapped by West Coast Customs DesignCredit: Instagram / @jakes.garage
      Here’s how Paul’s wrap looked before it was custom-wrappedCredit: Instagram / @jakes.garage
      ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM, £360,000
      It’s not all fast or eco-friendly cars for Jake.
      The internet personality has also been seen showing off a classic Rolls-Royce Phantom in white.
      It was a make he was first seen driving back in 2018 alongside brother Logan, when the pair appeared at a celeb bash in a gold Ghost model.
      Smitten by the luxury of it, Jake added a £360,000 Phantom to his collection. And why not.
      Paul first became acquainted with the Rolls-Royce brand in 2018Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      A few years later Paul was seen with his own £360,000 Rolls Royce PhantomCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul
      TOYOTA TACOMA, £40,000
      Nothing beats going off-road.
      That’s why Paul also has a sturdy SUV in his Toyota Tacoma in white that would’ve cost him around £40,000.
      A standard Tacoma boasts a 2.7-liter I-4 engine producing 159 HP and 180 lb-ft of torque.
      Judging by his Instagram, it’s Paul’s go-to motor when he wants to have some fun.
      Paul loves to go off-road and has a Toyota Tacoma in his garageCredit: Instagram / @jakes.garage
      FORD FOCUS RS, FROM £22,000
      After he scored success with West Coast Customs Design with his Model X, Jake returned with his cherished Ford Focus RS.
      Originally, he had it wrapped in black. But he wanted a change – and what he got was something completely different.
      It really is a showstopper and even has his name inscribed on the Continental tyres that were fitted new.
      Because of its colours, he nicknames the car ‘Rainbro’.
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      One of Paul’s most cherished cars is his £22,000 Ford Focus RSCredit: YouTube
      West Coast Customs design gave the Focus a complete makeover and he has now nicknamed the motor ‘Rainbro’Credit: YouTube
      DODGE RAM FROM £40,000
      Continuing his love of trucks, Paul has also been spied behind the wheel of a Dodge Ram 1500.
      The all-American SUV is reasonably priced with a starting price of just £40,000 – and the boxing star made sure he got the Black Ops model, inspired by the American Armed Services.
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      A powerful vehicle, latest models have a 3.6L V6 engine producing 305bhp.
      Maybe after dominating the boxing world, Paul wants to join the army?
      Favoured by the American Army Services and Jake Paul, the Dodge Ram is another favourite truck of the social media influencerCredit: Instagram / @jakes.garage
      Paul has reportedly amassed a fortune of around £25millionCredit: Instagram / @jakepaul More

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      Mason Mount was determined to succeed John Terry at Chelsea after his dad told him to leave but now wants Man Utd switch

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      MASON MOUNT was determined to become a Chelsea legend like John Terry when he was a teenager, but now he is seeking a new challenge.It was 2014 and Mount, one of the most sought after 15-year-olds in the country, had to choose between a scholarship with the Blues and a raft of tempting offers to leave.
      Mason Mount has starred for Chelsea since 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Mount lifts the Champions League trophy alongside dad Tony in 2021Credit: Getty
      Uncles, aunts and grandparents offered advice to the talented teenager after dad Tony called a family meeting at their Portsmouth home.
      “I told Mason I thought he needed to move on to get the best opportunity,” Tony told SunSport.
      “I said, ‘No one at Chelsea’s academy has got into the first-team since John Terry — what chance have you got?’
      “Mason shot back, ‘I’ll be the next one.’ He said, ‘I’m not leaving Chelsea, it’s my club. I’ve been here since the age of six and I’m going all the way.’”
      Nine years on and Mason — so named by his mum as it means ‘man of stone’ — fulfilled that promise, having made himself a regular for the Blues, winning the Champions League for his club and starring for England at the Euros and the World Cup.
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      Sat in the garden of his Waterlooville home, Tony flicks through photographs on his iPhone which highlight his son’s rise.
      The snaps show him signing for Chelsea aged eight, bonding with best mate Declan Rice, representing England Under-21s and winning the 2018 player of the year at Vitesse Arnhem in Holland while on loan.
      But a photograph of a two-year-old Mason in the arms of his dad, who was a non-League manager in 2001, shows where his footballing education began.
      Mount vowed to become the first academy product since John Terry to make it in the first-teamCredit: Supplied
      An eight-year-old Mount joins ChelseaCredit: Tony Mount
      Mount, aged two, would watch his dad’s non-League side Havant Town
      Mount, with dad Tony, signing with Vitesse Arnhem in Holland on loan in 2017Credit: Tony Mount
      Tony, then boss of Havant Town, said: “I’m old-school and Mason has sat in dressing rooms with me kicking cups and doors while we’re 3-0 down at Kettering, and the language has been blue.”
      In 2004, Tony took a five-year old Mason to a club in Farnham for his first experience of playing on grass.
      “They started age six and Mason was five,” the father-of-four said. “I took him over there and they said, ‘He’s a bit small. Is he six?’ I said, ‘Yeah!’
      “Within two sessions he was playing with the Under-8s and dribbling round all of them.”
      Chelsea quickly spotted his talent. Mason was training with the Blues as well as the club his family raised him to support, Portsmouth.
      SAINT TO WINNER
      So when a friend invited them to rivals Southampton, so coaches could assess their trialists against a Chelsea player, the future starlet was hesitant.
      Tony said: “We were driving there and Mase said, ‘I won’t have to wear that shirt will I?!’ It’s embedded in him. I said he’d just have a bib on.
      “They split the boys into four teams and took them away to get changed. The first team came out wearing black, another in blue and then another in yellow.
      “I’m looking for Mason and thinking, ‘Please don’t come out in red and white! PLEASE don’t come out in red and white!’ And he’s come out in this red and white kit with a face like thunder.
      “He’s going ‘Dad! Dad!’ and pointing at the shirt. He played like a man possessed that night because he was so unhappy about this kit. He scored 14 goals.”
      Mount’s dad Tony told SunSport about his son’s rapid rise at ChelseaCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
      Mount became best mates with West Ham’s Declan Rice, left, in Chelsea’s academyCredit: Tony Mount
      Rice and Mount’s friendship endured as the two holidayed togetherCredit: Instagram @masonmount10
      Despite attempts by Saints and Pompey to sign Mount, it was too late. He’d fallen in love with Chelsea.
      He signed with the Blues aged eight and met fellow England international Rice at their Cobham academy. The duo quickly became inseparable.
      Tony, now a partner in an electronics manufacturer, said: “When Declan got released aged 14, we were all devastated. [Mason’s mum] Debbie was in tears and Mason was gobsmacked.
      “One minute you’re there and had been with Declan since the age of seven, travelling across Europe with the family and holidaying together, and all of a sudden he’s gone.
      “Declan is very strong mentally and got what he deserved at West Ham.”
      RAM RAID
      It was at the academy that Mason first met Jody Morris, Lampard’s assistant at Derby and then Chelsea.
      Former midfielder Morris was manager of the youth team when Mason stepped up. He thrived off Morris’ old-school approach and was appointed captain.
      Tony said: “I asked Mason about Jody and he said, ‘Dad, he’s very good. He’s a tough taskmaster, I love him and if I do something well he wants me to do it better.’”
      So when Morris called in 2018 to say Lampard wanted to meet, he jumped at the invite.
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea last summerCredit: PA:Press Association
      Mount signed a five-year deal at Chelsea in 2019. Both father and son travelled up to a London hotel and listened to Lampard’s pitch about going to Derby.
      “Talk about inspired! I wanted to play for Frank after that,” Tony said, laughing.
      “Frank was brilliant, explaining what he could give Mason. He knew him inside-out, was talking about games he’d watched Mason play.
      “We spoke to Steven Gerrard about going to Rangers, too, and he was similar: ‘I’ve watched Mason, know him and want him to come on a journey with me.’
      “Frank said the same: ‘Come with me and be my player, you’ve got everything I love.’
      “I said to Mason, ‘Don’t rush into it, we’ve got to think about it. I like Werder Bremen, and Norwich was a good meeting.’ He said, ‘No, Dad. I’m going to Derby. I want to work for Frank Lampard.’”
      Mount scored nine goals and got four assists at Pride Park, where he formed a strong bond with the Chelsea legend.
      And Mount asserted himself on the Blues’ first team after being handed his opportunity by his mentor Lampard and he went on to succeed under the management Thomas Tuchel, winning the Champions League.
      However, the 2022-23 campaign wasn’t so successful.
      Chelsea ended the season 12th in the Premier League table and without any silverware.
      And new Mount is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge.
      Man Utd have been pushing to sign the midfielder this summer, but they have seen three bids – with the latest totalling £55million – rejected.
      The Red Devils are now threatening to walk away from the deal entirely. More