Retime

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s Phil Jones names his best five-a-side team, and puts Dimitar Berbatov in DEFENCE

      by

      PHIL JONES has named his dream Manchester United five-a-side team – and there is one major surprise.Few would argue that cool-as-you-like Dimitar Berbatov would be the perfect man for a smaller pitch.
      Phil Jones has named his ultimate Manchester United five-a-side team
      But not many would stick him at the back alongside Nemanja Vidic, especially when the Serb formed a rock-solid combo with Rio Ferdinand.
      David De Gea is, of course, picked in goal after years of being United’s last line of defence.
      Paul Scholes ties everything together as the creative spark in the middle, while Wayne Rooney stars up front.
      On his decisions, 30-year-old Jones told Goal in 2019: “I’ll go David [De Gea] No brainer.
      “Five-a-side so, do you know what? I’m going to be stupid here. I’m going to put Berba there. Berbatov.
      “Berba used to annoy me in training, every single training session. He used to play at centre-half and when I said to him ‘no, the manager asked me to play there’, he was like ‘no, go somewhere else’.
      “He was unbelievable. I’ll put Berba there.
      “And I’ll put… I’ll put Vida [Vidic] in there as well just because he throws himself at everything.
      Jones, De Gea and Berbatov line up for United ahead of 2011 Champions League group match against BenficaCredit: AFP
      .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);}LATEST MAN UTD NEWS.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);}.css-1m4l212{display:inline-block;transition-property:color;transition-duration:200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1m4l212:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7eo7xt{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:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;}.css-1p3zf0v{width:626px;height:104px;margin-left:0;}.css-vcp1ln{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-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;width:626px;height:104px;margin-left:0;}.css-s6ldkx{position:relative;width:100%;display:block;height:auto;padding-top:0;width:156px;border-radius:0;}.css-ksk4ta{opacity:1;display:block;border-radius:inherit;height:104px;width:156px;-webkit-animation:fadeIn 300ms;animation:fadeIn 300ms;}@-webkit-keyframes fadeIn{from{opacity:0;}to{opacity:1;}}@keyframes fadeIn{from{opacity:0;}to{opacity:1;}}.css-1b3rpqk{width:470px;height:104px;margin:0;padding:0 16px 0 16px;border:1px solid #dcdddd;background-color:#ffffff;}.css-1ip4d38{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-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(-4px/2);margin-right:calc(-4px/2);width:470px;height:104px;margin:0;padding:0 16px 0 16px;border:1px solid #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;}United news .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;}Man Utd want James Ward-Prowse EXCLUSIVE, Rashford and Lingard set to stay
      “Then I’m going to go with Scholesy. And I’ve got to go Wazza [Rooney].”
      Jones himself didn’t quite make his own team – and with his form this year it’s no wonder.
      The blunder-prone defender has managed four appearances this season in all competitions, after a length injury lay off.
      Phil Jones has played with some exceptional stars since arriving at United in 2011Credit: PA:Empics Sport
      Manchester United coach Emilio Alvarez is playing a key role in David De Gea’s future at Old Trafford More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Mino Raiola: From cooking pizzas to representing Pogba and Ibrahimovic, how Dutchman became biggest agent in football

      by

      MINO RAIOLA came a long way from working in his father’s pizzeria back in Holland as a youngster.The Italian super agent, who helped shape the careers of Paul Pogba, Erling Haaland and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has passed away at the age of 54, following a long illness.
      Mino Raiola was famously known for working with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and securing him some whopping pay dealsCredit: Rex Features
      Raiola famously orchestrated one of the biggest moves in the world game, when he brokered the £90million world record deal that took Pogba back to Manchester United from Juventus.
      The transfer netted Raiola, who also counts Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Chelsea transfer target Romelu Lukaku and Gianluigi Donnarumma among his clients, a whopping £41m pay day.
      Born in Nocera Inferiore in Salerno, south-east of Naples, the Raiola family moved to the Dutch city of Haarlem when Mino was just one.
      There, they opened a pizzeria called Napoli in Haarlem’s Grote Markt and, not for the first time, Mino was the star with his sales patter, charm and customer service making him more than just a waiter.
      Raiola came a long way from tossing pizzas in his father’s restaurant in HollandCredit: Rex Features
      Client Paul Pogba’s moved back to Manchester United thanks to Raiola’s handy work
      Business was good and the family ended up with 11 restaurants. However, Raiola was keen to strike out in his own.
      By 19 he was a millionaire having bought and sold a local McDonald’s to a property developer.
      But he was destined for a life in football and played – briefly – for FC Haarlem. At 20, and after dropping out of a law degree, Raiola became technical director of Haarlem, who are now defunct.
      He had changed career again by 25 and joined Sport-Promotion who handled deals for Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp and Brian Roy among others.
      Italian Raiola first worked with players from his homeland of Holland, including Mark van BommelCredit: Getty Images
      Zlatan Ibrahimovic has previously described Mino Raiola as looking like ‘someone out of the Sopranos’Credit: Splash News
      .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);}
      But it was with a Czech player that Raiola really announced himself, overseeing Pavel Nedved’s £12m move from Sparta Prague to Lazio prior to a £25m switch to Juventus in 2001.
      Two years later Raiola landed one of his biggest clients. Former Juventus, Milan, Inter and Barcelona forward Ibrahimovic. But a relationship which has seen the Swede move for more than £115million since started oddly.
      “I didn’t really know what sort of person to expect, probably some sort of pinstriped fella with an even bigger gold watch,” Ibrahimovic said in his book, I Am Zlatan.
      “But who the hell turned up? A bloke in jeans and a Nike T-shirt – and that belly, like one of the guys in The Sopranos.
      The Italian football agent also helped Mario Balotelli get some big money moves during his careerCredit: Getty Images
      “And then when we ordered, what do you think they brought us? A few pieces of sushi with avocado and prawns? We got a massive spread, enough to feed five people, and he started stuffing himself.”
      First impressions did not put a young Ibra off and he has remained with Raiola since. However, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was not sold on the Italian when they first met to discuss Pogba’s future for the first time.
      At that point the French midfielder was on United’s books as a youngster keen to break into the first team.
      The Red Devils were desperate to keep one of the most talented players in youth system. But Ferguson knew United were in trouble as soon as he met Raiola.
      The super-agent became a trusted member of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s team, pictured here with the footballer’s wife Helena SegerCredit: Getty Images
      “There are one or two football agents I simply do not like. And Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba’s agent, is one of them. I distrusted him from the moment I met him,” Ferguson said.
      “We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.
      “He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus.”
      It was a long road to success for Mino Raiola, but one he never shied away fromCredit: Getty Images
      If you’re a footballer with Mino Raiola as your agent, it was a very lucrative careerCredit: Rex Features
      When United decided they wanted Pogba back at Old Trafford last summer it was always going to cost them.
      But with Raiola in Pogba’s corner United were forced to pay a world-record fee. Raiola pocketed an incredible £41m from the deal with Juve rewarding him for extracting such a high price from the Premier League club while United coughed up for getting the move completed.
      It was the same when Donnarumma moved from AC Milan last summer.
      The Italian keeper signed for PSG after starring at the Euros for his country on a free transfer, that secured an incredible fee for the agent.
      Reports suggested Raiola pocketed around £20million to bring Donnarumma to Paris.
      This summer, another Raiola client Erling Haaland is set for a huge transfer scramble – likely to net him a fortune.
      Sadly for the former pizza waiter, it will be a deal he won’t be able to see through. More

    • 213 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd’s reserve squad that won 2010 title under Solskjaer includes Gabriel Obertan and an economics expert

      by

      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER may have struggled as Manchester United first team boss, but in 2010 he led their reserves to a league title. The Norwegian failed to land a trophy with the senior side, the closest being a Europa League runner-up in 2021.
      This Man Utd team won the Premier Reserve League title in 2010
      The group included some famous faces like Paul Pogba and Rafael da SilvaCredit: Getty – Contributor
      But in May 2010, Northern winners United took on their Southern counterparts Aston Villa at Old Trafford in the final of the Premier Reserve League.
      And after a dramatic 3-3 draw, the clash went to penalties.
      Ben Foster was the hero as he scored his spot-kick and saved two.
      But what has happened to the United players since that night?
      Ben Foster
      Kept behind Edwin van der Sar, Foster struggled for first-team opportunities at Old Trafford – managing just 23 in his five years at the club.
      He left for Birmingham and won the League Cup in 2011 before a long stint at West Brom .
      Foster later joined Watford in 2018 and is now entertaining fans with his Cycling GK YouTube channel as well.
      .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);}
      JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
      Rafael da Silva
      The Brazilian arguably had the best Man Utd career out of the starting XI after signing alongside his twin Fabio aged 16.
      They had to wait until they turned 18 to play but Rafael made his mark after that, making 170 appearances and winning three Premier Leagues before leaving in 2015 for five years at Lyon.
      He was with Istanbul Basaksehir played in their win over Solskjaer’s United last season before a move to Botafogo.
      Ritchie De Laet
      Right-back De Laet signed from Stoke in 2009 but only appeared six times under Ferguson and was shipped out on loan to Sheffield United, Preston, Portsmouth and Norwich.
      He signed permanently for Leicester in 2012 and had the bizarre honour of winning both the Premier League and promotion from the Championship – while on loan at Middlesbrough – in 2015-16.
      De Laet later turned into a lethal centre-forward at Melbourne City before heading to Royal Antwerp in his native Belgium.
      Corry Evans
      Evans’ United time was overshadowed by his older brother Jonny’s as he failed to make a senior appearance.
      But he has enjoyed a decent career, nonetheless, operating either at centre-back or in midfield for Hull, Blackburn and now Sunderland – and notching up 69 Northern Ireland caps.
      Oliver Gill
      Son of former Man Utd chief David, Gill looked to have a promising career ahead of him – especially when he was named on the bench for a Champions League clash in December 2009.
      But despite winning the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award in 2011, the defender left the club immediately afterwards to study Economics at Durham University.
      Joe Dudgeon
      There were high hopes for Dudgeon who made his Under-18s United debut aged 15 and got a squad number in 2009-10.
      The left-back, still only 30, struggled with injuries and after four years at Hull retired in 2015 and is now working with Manchester City and Northern Ireland’s U17s as assistant manager.
      Solskjaer holds the trophy with skipper Corry EvansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The United Reserves, including Paul Pogba, celebrate the penalty shootout victoryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rodrigo Possebon
      Possebon was brought over from Brazil in 2008 and made eight appearances in his first season, including coming on for Cristiano Ronaldo for an FA Cup debut.
      He went on loan to Braga for the first half of 2009-10 but came back to win the Reserves title before a journeyman career in his country of birth.
      A few weeks in Vietnam with Ho Chi Min City didn’t work out and he was last seen as director of football at Ferroviaria in Brazil’s fourth tier, before leaving last year.
      Oliver Norwood
      Norwood joined United’s academy aged seven but, like many, did not get a first-team appearance and was sent out on loan.
      He then had two years at Huddersfield and another two at Reading before signing for Brighton, where he won promotion to the Premier League.
      The midfielder then did the same at Fulham and Sheffield United on loan before joining the Blades permanently.
      Cameron Stewart
      It is a similar tale for Stewart who showed plenty of promise but ultimately never reached the holy grail of the first team – instead joining Yeovil and Hull on loan.
      The latter signed him in 2011 but he was never a regular and shipped out time and time again the same happened at Ipswich – he was released by Lincoln in 2018 and appears to be back at Ipswich coaching their youth side.
      Mame Biram Diouf
      Diouf scored twice for Solskjaer in that victory over Villa 11 years ago, including an 88th-minute equaliser to rescue the game and send it to penalties.
      He scored his solo first-team goal on his debut after replacing Wayne Rooney in January 2010 and flipped in front of the Stretford End.
      But that was as good as it got for the forward who went to Hannover and Stoke and is now with Hatayspor in Turkey.
      Oliver Norwood operated in the centre of midfield, just as he does for Sheffield United nowCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Mame Biram Diouf slots in his first equaliser of the game to make it 1-1 just before half-timeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Federico Macheda
      The Italian striker scored United’s equaliser from the penalty spot to make it 2-2 at Old Trafford and then dispatched from 12 yards in the shootout.
      But his famous moment at Old Trafford came a year earlier – against the same opponents – with his dramatic injury-time winner before six loans in four years and joining Cardiff in 2014.
      He’s now with Panathinaikos in Greece.
      SUBS
      Gabriel Obertan
      The former PSG winger came on for Stewart 11 minutes into the second half but lasted 19 minutes before William Keane came on in his place.
      Obertan made 28 first-team appearances between 2009 and 2011 when he signed for Newcastle.
      After his five years at St James’ he has had stints in Russia, Wigan, Bulgaria and Turkey with Erzurumspor.
      Is now with USL Championship side Charlotte Interdependence.
      Will Keane
      Another man who played at United alongside his twin brother, with Michael Keane now at Everton, striker Will missed his spot-kick.
      The striker managed three first-team matches, two of which came under Louis van Gaal in 2015-16 but signed for Hull in 2016 and is now at Wigan in League One, where he has scored 36 goals in 80 games.
      Paul Pogba
      The French midfielder came on with four minutes to go but little did we know what would happen to him after that.
      Ferguson let Pogba go to Juventus in 2012 but four years later, United paid £89m to bring him back to Old Trafford and the pantomime drama has continued since – some good, some bad, some ugly.
      It appears his time with United is up for a second time, with his contract soon to expire and no new deal yet agreed.
      Scott Wootton
      One of the two unused subs at Old Trafford, Wootton had joined from rivals Liverpool.
      But after six years, a Champions League appearance and a series of loans, he joined another of the Red Devils’ rivals, Leeds, then Plymouth, Morecambe and now Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.
      Ron-Robert Zieler
      Zieler enjoyed a successful spell with Hannover in his homeland before a brief, underwhelming stint at Leicester in 2016-17.
      But his career highlight was being part of the 2014 World Cup-winning Germany squad. Still with Hannover 96.
      Pogba is the only one still at Old Trafford but did spend four years away at JuventusCredit: EPA
      Ron-Robert Zieler, left, was part of Germany’s World Cup squad in 2014Credit: AFP More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      AC Milan legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘hated’ Edinson Cavani and three others in his career, says former team-mate

      by

      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has only hated four players throughout his career – and one of them is Edinson Cavani.Former LA Galaxy star Michael Ciani has revealed Ibrahimovic did not like people getting close to the Uruguayan.
      Edinson Cavani joined PSG one year after Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrivalCredit: EPA
      Ibrahimovic played alongside Cavani at Paris Saint-Germain from 2013 until 2016 before he joined Manchester United.
      The pair formed a formidable partnership on the pitch, but did not get along with each other on a personal level.
      Following his time with Ibrahimovic in America, Ciani has lifted the lid on the relationship between the pair.
      Speaking to RMC Sport, he said: “If you are close to Cavani, Ibra does not like it.
      “Either you are with Ibra, or you are against him.
      “He told me that everything was fine with Laurent Blanc at PSG.
      “The only person he did not get along with was Cavani.
      “He told me that he only hated three or four people in his career… and one of them was Cavani.”
      .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);}LATEST SPORT NEWS.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);}
      Cavani of course followed Ibrahimovic’s path to Old Trafford, and scored on his return to the team against Spurs last month.
      Despite only hating a handful of players, Ibrahimovic once threatened to kill whoever spoke to him after LA Galaxy lost.
      According to former team-mate Joao Pedro, he boasted about his wealth as he ripped into the players in the dressing room. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Barcelona wonderkids who failed after starring at La Masia, including PSG star Icardi and ex-Spurs ace dos Santos

      by

      LA MASIA has long been heralded as one of the most revered talent hubs in world football.Barcelona’s fabled academy boasts an enormous list of talented graduates to have honed their skills in Catalonia.
      Not all Barcelona wonderkids quite make the gradeCredit: AFP – Getty
      From Messi to Guardiola, Xavi to Iniesta, Busquets to Puyol – the list can go on and on.
      Naturally, given its stellar reputation – players making waves within the academy quickly gather the excitement of fans and coaches alike.
      But what happens to those that don’t quite make the cut?
      Is it all downhill from La Masia failure? Or can things still be salvaged?
      We at SunSport, take a look.Giovani dos Santos
      Given that he made 37 first-team appearances for Barcelona, it seems harsh to include the Mexican as an outright failure.
      But things subsequently went badly wrong.
      Touted as “the next Ronaldinho”, Dos Santos waved farewell to the Camp Nou with a hat-trick against Real Murcia in his final match before signing for Tottenham in 2008.
      Within a year, however, he had been farmed out to Ipswich on loan, a humiliatingly quick descent for the fleet-footed attacker.
      Reportedly carried out of Spurs’ boozy Christmas bash in 2009 unable to stand, Dos Santos was never fancied by new boss Harry Redknapp – and he’s now a free agent at 32-years-old, following a spell at America in his homeland.
      Giovani was once dubbed ‘the next Ronaldinho’Credit: Reuters
      Oriol Romeu
      The 6ft midfielder plays in the classic mould of a La Masia midfielder, unflustered in possession – a metronomic figure at the heart of a team.
      His problem? He was never going to be better than Sergio Busquets, three years his senior.
      His Barcelona first-team career lasted all of nine minutes, featuring in a 0-0 draw with Deportivo La Coruna in May 2011.
      At 30, Romeu now enjoys regular Premier League football at Southampton, via stints at Chelsea, Stuttgart and Valencia.
      Romeu was good… but not as good as BusquetsCredit: Rex Features
      Jeffren Suarez
      When little-known academy star Jeffren rounded off Barcelona’s humiliating 5-0 romp of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid in stoppage time – it appeared the winger had the world at his feet.
      Having floated around the first-team for five years, Jeffren has finally achieved the pinnacle, scoring in a victory over their fiercest rivals.
      But things fizzled out spectacularly, as he was only to make six more LaLiga appearances for Pep Guardiola’s men.
      Injury subsequently wrecked his Barca chances, paving the way for a nomadic career – since turning out for Sporting Lisbon, Eupen, Grasshoppers and AEK Larnaca.
      At 32, he now plays for Thai club Lamphun Warrior.
      Jeffren once put Barcelona 5-0 up against Mourinho’s MadridCredit: Reuters
      Mauro Icardi
      If anyone proves that you can bounce back to be a superstar following La Masia rejection, it’s Mauro Icardi.
      The Argentine was bizarrely under-utilised by Barcelona’s academy, never even coming close to the first-team picture.
      He departed for Sampdoria, spending a season at the Genoan club before transferring to Inter Milan in 2013.
      A goal-laden, controversial spell followed, in which the striker fired 124 goals in 219 matches, became captain – and outraged the ultras.
      The 29-year-old is now playing for Paris Saint-Germain.
      Icardi was bizarrely under-utilised while on the books at BarcaCredit: FC Barcelona
      Isaac Cuenca
      Cuenca is another curious case of a winger once-fancied by Guardiola – before seemingly falling off the face of the earth.
      The pacey wide-man featured regularly at the beginning of the 2011-12 season, even providing a hat-trick of assists in a Champions League match against BATE Borisov.
      A serious knee injury curtailed his progress the following year, and an underwhelming loan spell at Ajax followed.
      He failed to ever recapture the magic of his initial months at Barca, and has since represented Deportivo, Bursaspor, Granada, Hapoel Beer Sheva, Sagan Tosu and Vegalta Sendai.
      Cuenca was a regular feature in the 2011-12 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Gai Assulin
      So-called football aficionados were convinced that Gai would be the next big thing, when at 16 he signed his first professional deal with Barcelona in 2007.
      At even that tender age, he was a regular for Guardiola’s all-conquering Barca B squad – the kind of pottering attacker long-associated with the famous Catalan club.
      When Pep stepped up to take the big job, Gai was tipped for first-team action.
      But it was Pedro, however, that made the step up on the wing – with Gai limited to just 56 minutes of a Copa del Rey tie with Cultural Leonesa in 2009.
      Having had a difficult relationship with then-Barca B boss Luis Enrique, Gai turned down a new contract in 2010 – instead joining Manchester City.
      He also failed to make the grade at the Etihad, however, and now is unattached – astonishingly having failed to ever add to his solitary international cap earned as a wonderkid in 2008.
      Gai Assulin was once highly-tipped for greatness, but played just once for BarcaCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Jonathan Soriano
      Soriano was a bizarre case from the get-go.
      He signed specifically for Barcelona’s B team as a 24-year-old from rivals Espanyol – dropping down two divisions in the process.
      The Spaniard then scored as prolifically as any striker has for the club’s reserve side – bagging 39 goals in 51 appearances.
      These exploits earned him just one first-team call-up, playing the final five minutes of that same Copa del Rey tie against Cultural Leonesa in which Gai Assulin featured.
      His unusual career took another twist in 2012, when he eventually stepped out of Barca’s reserves and into the Austrian spotlight, scoring 174 goals in just 203 appearances for Red Bull Salzburg.
      He then had a prolific couple of seasons in China with Beijing Gouan, before transferring to Al Hilal in 2018.
      Soriano returned to Catalonia, turning out for Girona as a 34-year-old until retiring last season.
      Traded LaLiga for Barca’s reserves as a 24-year-oldCredit: AFP
      Adama Traore
      Spotted playing for his local side as an eight-year-old in the Catalan town of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Adama was an extraordinary talent that sparked much excitement at La Masia.
      He was thrust into first-team action as a skinny 17-year-old in 2013, featuring in consecutive matches against Granada and Ajax… before disappearing from the fold.
      Traore returned briefly for two Copa del Rey assignments the following season – but he soon left under a cloud – frustrated at his lack of reward for outstanding performances in Barcelona’s B squad.
      He left for Aston Villa in 2015, but only really started to fulfil his potential under the unlikely tutelage of Tony Pulis at Middlesbrough.
      Now 26, Traore is back at Barcelona on loan – however recent reports suggest he could be back at Wolves after failing to impress Xavi.
      Adama featured for Barcelona as a 17-year-oldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Marc Muniesa
      Given the Spaniard’s lack of impact at Stoke City between 2013 and 2018, it is hard to believe that Marc Muniesa is a Champions League winner.
      The now-30-year-old collected a winners’ medal despite not actually featuring at all during the run to their 2009 triumph over Manchester United in Rome, by virtue of the fact that he was an unused substitute in the final.
      .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);}
      Muniesa had actually been red carded on his first-team debut four days previously.
      Like Ibrahim Afellay and Bojan, he swapped Barcelona for the Potteries after three more appearances – but was limited in his opportunities for Mark Hughes’ side.
      The most league appearances he made in a season was 19 back in 2014-15 – and after a stint at Girona, Muniesa now turns out for Al-Arabi in the Qatari Stars League.
      Muniesa is one of football’s lesser-known Champions League winnersCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Five Premier League stars who would become world class with move to top six club including Phillips and Saint-Maximin

      by

      FIVE of the Premier League’s hottest talents currently ply their trades with clubs outside of the ‘Big Six’. Kalvin Phillips, Allan Saint-Maximin, Declan Rice, Raphinha and Youri Tielemans are prized assets at their current teams, but could have their heads turned by the prospect of playing for one of the ‘Big Six’.
      Phillips is dubbed the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ by the Leeds faithfulCredit: Getty
      With Leeds facing a relegation scrap, and Leicester not hitting the heights expected of them, players may start to become agitated.
      And the lure of Champions League football could convince some players to part ways with their current clubs.
      Here SunSport takes a look at five Prem players who could be in line for a transfer to a ‘Big Six’ club to make the step up to be considered world class.
      Kalvin Phillips
      Phillips is already an established England international and starred for the Three Lions in their run to the final of Euro 2020.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 15px;}.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-16djrfc{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-1skzs3j{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.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);}READ MORE.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 a:not(.nk-card-link){z-index:2;position:relative;}.css-1uyse24{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border:none;}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,114,238,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(34,37,38,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .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;}’I’m not dead’ .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;}Mino Raiola tweets from hospital bed to deny widespread claims he died
      He’s been capped 19 times by Gareth Southgate and played 229 times for Leeds.
      But with his boyhood club still flirting with relegation, it could be time for Phillips to move on to pastures new.
      The 26-year-old midfielder has been linked with Manchester United as the Red Devils eye a midfield revamp, and could be the catalyst for a new era at Old Trafford.
      He has the ability to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Roy Keane and Michael Carrick, but undoubtedly has an incredible loyalty to Leeds and may be reluctant to leave.
      Phillips could follow in the footsteps of Roy Keane at United and at the age of just 26 has time to become another Old Trafford heroCredit: Getty
      .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);}
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Allan Saint-Maximin
      The scintillating Saint-Maximin is a sight to behold when he gets up to full flight in front of a packed St James’ Park.
      And although mega-rich Newcastle are building for the future under Eddie Howe, Saint-Maximin could be tempted if a club offering European football came knocking.
      Saint-Maximin is the first name on the team sheet at St. James’ ParkCredit: Reuters
      The 25-year-old seemed like a suitable addition to the dynamic attack of Liverpool.
      But the arrival of Luis Diaz looks to have put the brakes on that, although a £50m transfer to Aston Villa has been rumoured.
      That is if Steven Gerrard is unable to land Philippe Coutinho on a permanent switch.
      Declan Rice
      Rice is a player that is already well in the world-class conversation, but despite West Ham’s fine campaign and Europa League semi-final, a move could take him to the next level.
      He is already testing himself at European level, but Rice is a player who deserves to be playing in the Champions League.
      The Hammers want to build their future around Rice, but both Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old star – although City ruled themselves out.
      A move to the Blues would pair Rice with N’Golo Kante in midfield and see him learn under the stewardship of one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders.
      It would also seem him return to his boyhood club and link up with best pal Mason Mount.
      Rice has already rejected three contract offers over the past year but West Ham are holding out for a whopping £150m.
      Rice could look to test himself at one of the ‘Big Six’Credit: Getty
      A move to Chelsea would reunite Rice with best pal Mason MountCredit: Getty
      Raphinha
      The 25-year-old Brazilian has been rewarded with a Brazil call-up after impressing since moving to Leeds from Rennes in 2020.
      Ten goals in 30 Prem games this season have followed his six goals and nine assists in 30 league games in his debut campaign.
      And with a World Cup on the horizon this year the winger could be eyeing a move to a ‘Big Six’ club to prove his ability on the European stage.
      Raphinha has also been linked with a move to Liverpool and has even been urged to seal an Anfield switch by Brazilian legend Rivaldo.
      Raphinha (R) has been a revelation since joining Leeds for just £17millionCredit: Reuters
      Youri Tielemans
      Last but not least is contract rebel Tielemans.
      The 24-year-old Belgian star has just over a year remaining on his current Leicester deal and reportedly rejected an extension proposed to him by the Foxes.
      Tielemans scored the winner in the FA Cup final last season, a wondergoal against Chelsea, and has been linked with a host of the Prem’s biggest clubs.
      Some of Europe’s biggest names are also on red alert, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich joining Manchester United, Chelsea AND Liverpool in the chase for the Belgium international.
      Tielemans has the biggest clubs in Europe sniffing around himCredit: Reuters More

    • 175 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Allan Saint-Maximin ‘got fined everyday’ for wearing earrings, says his Newcastle team-mate Jonjo Shelvey

      by

      NEWCASTLE star Allan Saint-Maximin used to get fined every day for wearing earrings at the club’s training ground, according to Jonjo Shelvey.The French winger has established himself as a firm fans’ favourite since his switch from Nice in summer 2019 due to both his dribbling ability and eccentric personality.
      Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin is renowned for wearing designer clothesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jonjo Shelvey revealed the French winger was fined regularly for forgetting to remove his earringsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 25-year-old grabbed plenty of attention when he donned a £180 Gucci headband during a match, which he was forced to cover up the branding on to avoid falling foul of Premier League sponsorship regulations.
      And the rogue patterned option he wore against Leicester in April got the winger a slap on the wrist by the league because headbands must match the team kit colours.
      Ex-Newcastle boss Steve Bruce once admitted that Saint-Maximin had been given a £100 “every other day” for earring offences.
      But Shelvey revealed the Frenchman’s outstanding form on the pitch helps him avoid falling out of favour with his training antics.
      .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);}
      The former Liverpool star also paid tribute to Saint-Maximin for working on the defensive side of his game.
      Shelvey told the Beautiful Game podcast in 2020: “He’s a lunatic. He’s class, man, some player. He’s some guy as well.
      “He’s just one of them who’s so laid back. Head to toe in designer gear.
      “He gets fined every day because he’s got earrings in and stuff like that but if he weren’t that good, you’d probably have the hump with him but when he’s that good, you don’t really want to have a go at him.
      If he weren’t that good, you’d probably have the hump with him but when he’s that good, you don’t really want to have a go at himJonjo Shelvey on Allan Saint-Maximin
      “He’s been outstanding. For me, as a midfield player, you try and get your head up and we’re a team that plays on the counter-attack so we just have to try and get the ball to him and let him try and dribble around 20 players.
      “He’s so quick – you just don’t know what he’s going do with the ball – and he’s so raw with his skill.
      “He’s improved a lot defensively because when he first signed, he didn’t really want to track back and things like that but the gaffer’s got him doing that.
      “That’s just going to make him even better.
      “I remember the goal he scored against Sheffield United with his head – the leap. That was up there with [Cristiano] Ronaldo’s leaping and you don’t see him in the gym or anything like that.
      “He’s just one of those footballers who’s got the electric pace and I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
      Saint-Maximin wears the earrings for as long as possible before kick-offCredit: Alamy
      The headband he wore against Leicester in April 2022 breached the rules on coloursCredit: AFP
      Saint-Maximin memorably wore a Gucci headband ahead of Newcastle’s win over Manchester United in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

    • 250 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      The rise of Benfica star Darwin Nunez, from surgeries and tears to being Man Utd target and goals against Liverpool

      by

      DARWIN NUNEZ is set to be the face of one of the summer’s biggest transfer sagas.West Ham came close to snapping up the £60m-rated Benfica striker in the January window on deadline day before a late collapse.
      Nunez showed his ability against Liverpool in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      The Benfica striker has attracted attention from the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      And now, some of the biggest clubs in Europe are set to join the chase in a bid to secure the services of a Uruguayan who has announced himself on the European stage this season.
      As well as scoring an incredible 25 goals in 21 starts domestically, Nunez, 22, has six goals in six Champions League starts.
      This includes a brace against Barcelona, one against Bayern Munich, one against Ajax and most recently two versus Liverpool in Benfica’s quarter final defeat.
      Now strongly tipped for a summer move to Manchester United, it is important to understand the player and the person behind the incredible goal-scoring statistics that could soon be arriving in the Premier League.
      .css-16e4f55{margin:16px 0;}.css-1546w7m{background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);margin:16px 0;}.css-1tapza8{padding:20px 15px;}.css-1bk4jdt{padding:20px 15px;}.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-16djrfc{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-1skzs3j{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.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);}Read More on The Sun.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 a:not(.nk-card-link){z-index:2;position:relative;}.css-1uyse24{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border:none;}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,114,238,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-kicker{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24 .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(34,37,38,1);}.css-1uyse24:hover:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,86,180,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:active:not(:disabled) .nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(0,62,129,1);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1uyse24:visited:not(:disabled) .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;}Real Madrid 2 Chelsea 3 .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;}Benzema goal sends Real to semis despite Blues’ heroic effort
      Nunez grew up in a poor neighbourhood called Los Piratas in Artigas – a Uruguayan village on the borders of Brazil.
      His upbringing in football was a tough one, suffering potentially significant knee injuries that required surgery as an 18-year-old.
      Despite this, his biggest attribute was always one of physicality and power, and after scoring 16 goals in his first season with Spanish second division outfit Almeria, Benfica took a punt on Nunez in September 2020 signing a five-year deal for a club-record £20m.
      Upon completing that move, it is said Nunez cried with his father in their family home having achieved his dreams after overcoming his knee issues.
      .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);}
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      But despite adapting well to the Portuguese league in his first season, the tears soon returned as his knee troubles resurfaced in May 2021.
      Those closest to him explain how emotions spilled over after he was subbed during a game against Farense, sobbing on the bench clutching his knee, raging with then-boss Jorge Jesus.
      Another poor performance against Sporting Lisbon, where he was clearly playing through the pain, saw him delete his social media account after feeling the wrath of the Benfica fans.
      More knee surgery that summer meant he missed the first few weeks of the 21/22 campaign but came back strong, and has been an unstoppable force since.
      Nunez is described by those who know him best as reserved and now in control of his emotions, especially as he has recently become a father.
      And since returning to social media, he has even embraced a meme targeting his long hair, and now often celebrates goals by pointing to it.
      WHERE WILL HE GO?
      Should he get his big move abroad, no one will be laughing at him. His representatives believe he is ready with Portuguese football always seen as a launch pad.
      But which club will he choose? SunSport understands that despite admiring Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, Nunez and his camp do not see it as the perfect fit.
      In their eyes, he needs space to run, a physical style of play and a guarantee of minutes, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham all preferable locations, while Manchester United is viewed as more of a risk due to their current situation.
      Just watching him against Jurgen Klopp’s men in the quarter final first leg in Lisbon showed what he is capable of, bravely battling with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate before pouncing on the latter’s mistake with a true poacher’s finish.
      Benfica manager Nelson Verissimo claims Nunez should be valued at the same amount that Joao Felix was when he left for Atletico Madrid for £113m in 2019.
      But Benfica were willing to part with Nunez for around £65m in January, and there is an understanding he will be allowed to leave for a similar fee in a few months.
      Especially given that super-agent Jorge Mendes will be leading the negotiations.
      Wherever he ends up, Nunez will be ready and determined to seize his moment.
      It is unlikely Nunez will choose Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as his next clubCredit: Reuters More