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      in Soccer

      Chelsea sponsors Hyundai and Zapp could join Three in pulling out of deals in £170m loss for Blues

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      CHELSEA sponsors Hyundai and Zapp could join Three in pulling out of their deals after club owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned.Abramovich had his assets frozen by the UK government due to his close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
      Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK governmentCredit: AFP
      The Russian has had his assets frozen, including Chelsea, and he will now not be able to sell the clubCredit: REUTERS
      Three have pulled their £40m-a-year sponsorshipCredit: GETTY
      The Blues have been blocked from selling home and away match tickets and merchandise sales have also been halted as a result of the sanctions.
      The club lost their £40million-a-year sponsorship deal with telecommunications company Three.
      Official Chelsea partners Zapp are also reviewing their partnership with the club.
      Hyundai also shared the following statement: “Hyundai has become one of the strongest partners in football over the years and the company supports the sport to be a force for good. We are currently assessing the situation with Chelsea.”
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Chelsea.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.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;}MAKING A POINT .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;}Chelsea face points deduction if they go into administration
      The club’s deal with Hyundai is worth £50m whereas the arrangement with Three comes up to £120m in total, which means the west Londoners are facing a loss worth up to £170m.
      Chelsea could also face a nine-point penalty IF the club end up in administration as a result of a lack of income.
      Were they hit with that punishment today, they would drop to seventh in the Premier League table with Arsenal and Manchester United moving up into the Champions League spots.
      The Blues are five points above the Gunners and six points above fifth-placed United.

      It comes as:

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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Should points margins stay the same between now and the end of the season, both West Ham and Tottenham could also leapfrog Chelsea in the table.
      According to the Daily Mail’s Rob Draper, the sanctions will be reviewed in May.
      Chelsea’s travel for away games could also be affected.
      The club only allowed to spend £20,000 on travel for away matches.
      That throws their trip to Lille in the Champions League into major doubt.
      Chelsea beat the French side 2-0 in the first leg of their last-16 showdown in February, with the second leg on Wednesday night.
      The club would ordinarily fly out on a private plane the day before the match and stay in a luxury hotel.
      However, that is likely to breach the £20,000 budget laid out in the ‘Russian regulations.’ More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

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

      by

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

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      in Soccer

      Inside Karim Benzema’s car collection worth £6m, including a new £2.5million Bugatti Chiron and £1.5million Veyron

      by

      HE’S a real petrol head…As one of the world’s leading forwards, Karim Benzema has made a packet out of the game.
      Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has an incredible car collectionCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      On Instagram Benzema happily shows off his famous cars
      So is it any wonder that he houses these sweet rides in his garage.
      The Real Madrid star, who knocked PSG out of the Champions League with a stunning 17-minute hat-trick, drives a car collection worth an estimated £6million.
      Last year he added a £2.5 Bugatti Chiron to his fleet, and he also has a very rare Bugatti Veyron worth £1.5million, as well as a Ferrari 458 Spider and many more cool cars.
      Feast your mince pieces on the 34-year-old French striker’s enviable motors.
      The new addition…
      Benzema showed off his latest cool whip – a £2.5million Bugatti Chiron – on Instagram.
      The hypercar absolutely trounces the already brilliant Veyron in terms of performance.
      It’s top speed is limited to 261 mph, while it’s capable of reaching 0-62 mph in just under 2.5 seconds and 186 mph in 13.6 seconds.
      It’s not just a hypercar, it’s a hyper hyper car.

      Suits you, sir! Benzema shows off his new £2.5m Bugatti Chiron
      His boy racer…
      In 2017, Karim Benzema showed off his limited edition Mercedes Benz-SLRCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      The Mercedes Benz-SLR goes from 0-60mph in only 3.5 secondsCredit: Handout
      Benzema’s Mercedes Benz-SLR sits pride and place in his garage, and so it should.
      Worth around £750k, it’s the special Stirling Moss edition version which can go from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds.
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      Karim showed off the motor in 2017 on his social media, shortly after crashing his Audi RS6.
      The show pony…
      Footballers like Karim Benzema love FerrariCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      The Ferrari 458 Spider costs around £200,000Credit: Alamy
      Footballers love Ferrari and Benzema is no different.
      He’s been seen regularly darting around the streets of Madrid in a class Ferrari 458 Spider, which has a value of around £200k.
      Other Ferrari 458 Spider drivers include Mesut Ozil, Frank Lampard and Theo Walcott.
      The company cars…
      As part of Real Madrid’s sponsorship deal with Audi, Karim Benzema can get his hands on any of their cars he wantsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Benzema has been spotted in Audi’s RS6 Avant C7, which is worth £90,000Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      A keen Audi driver, Karim Benzema also owns a Q5Credit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Corporate sponsorship is a wonderful thing for a footballer.
      Especially if you play for Real Madrid and Audi want a piece of you.
      Thanks to their marketing geniuses, Benzema has been seen in two of their cars – their RS6 Avant C7 model worth around £90k.
      As well as their standard SUV, the Q5, that retails for a modest £40k.
      A true gentleman’s car…Credit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      A Rolls Royce Wraith worth £250,000 sits pride and place in Karim Benzema’s garage
      Karim Benzema isn’t afraid of parking his backside on top of his Rolls RoyceCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      After all, you wouldn’t be a real millionaire without one, right?
      Benzema has the Wraith model, estimated at £250k, sitting pride of place in his Madrid mansion.
      He’s posted moody shots on social media of the beauty, which he hardly seems to drive.
      But he has parked his backside firmly on the car’s bonnet, which is surely sacrilegious.The statement car…
      The Lamborghini Gallardo is a firm favourite with footballers, including Karim BenzemaCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Able to reach a top speed of 202mph, Karim Benzema loves cruising around in his LamborghiniCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Karim Benzema can’t decide which car to drive to the supermercadoCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Popping down to the shops in a red Lamborghini will get you noticed.
      And if it’s a super-speedy Gallardo model, you’ll be sure that Benzema is in and out of the supermercado in minutes.
      Wayne Rooney once had one, as did Robinho when he was at Manchester City.
      It can reach a top speed of 202mph and is Italian craftmanship at its finest.And the Sunday car…
      The Mercedes-AMG Classe G63 is worth around £140,000Credit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Karim Benzema added the G-Wagen to his car collection in 2017Credit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Well, if your Sunday car is worth £140k!
      Benzema rides a very well looked-after Mercedes-AMG Classe G63 on his downtime.
      .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);}
      Often nicknamed the G-Wagen, it’s a comfortable ride that’s been described as one of the best SUVs in the world by motor experts.
      It certainly tickles Karim’s fancy, who added it to his car collection in 2017.Another Bugatti…
      Only 450 Bugatti Veyron cars were made by the French car manufacturerCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Karim Benzema’s astonishing Bugatti Veyron is worth around £1.5 millionCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Living life in the fast lane, Karim Benzema’s Bugatti Veyron is fastCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Benzema’s Bugatti Veyron can reach a top speed of 267.86mphCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      Big-spender Karim Benzema drives a car collection worth around £6millionCredit: Instagram, @karimbenzema
      What will Benzema drive next?
      His first Bugatti purchase was the ridiculously super Bugatti Veyron.
      Worth £1.5 million, and one of those cars that’s a collectors’ item that grows in price, Benzema clearly loves the stylish supercar.
      It’s the fastest roadworthy car in existence, able to hit a top speed of 267.86mph. Only 450 were ever made.
      Karim Benzema shows off his goal scoring skills in Real Madrid training More

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      in Soccer

      Twelve footballers who switched allegiances including Declan Rice, Jack Grealish and Matty Cash

      by

      MATTY CASH is one of several players to switch international allegiance after picking the country of his maternal grandparents, Poland.The Aston Villa defender’s move is emblematic of a significant trend in the game, with the world’s population now more global than ever.
      Slough-born defender Matty Cash has played for Poland twiceCredit: Getty
      Some moves have been controversial as stars gain multiple caps for multiple nations, while other more surprising switches have led to lesser-known players becoming household names in far-flung lands.
      Here, SunSport details twelve significant changes of allegiance.
      Declan Rice
      The West Ham midfielder was an integral part of the England side that reached the Euro 2020 final last summer, but had been playing for the Republic of Ireland only three years earlier.
      Born in Kingston-upon-Thames, Rice represented the Boys in Green in several youth teams but took time away from the international scene after three caps for the senior side, before officially swapping to England in March 2019.
      Declan Rice made three senior Ireland appearancesCredit: Sportsfile
      Jack Grealish
      Like Rice, Grealish was born in England but earned his first chance with the Republic thanks to his Irish roots.
      However, after winning the Under-21 Player of the Year award in 2015, he turned down a senior call-up and committed to the Three Lions.
      England fought hard to secure the services of Jack GrealishCredit: Reuters
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      FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS
      Wilfried Zaha
      Crystal Palace star Zaha rebuffed England’s approach to keep him in the Three Lions’ fold after several seasons out of the squad to link up with the Ivory Coast in 2017.
      Having broken out at Selhurst Park and moved to Manchester United, the winger earned two England caps but was persuaded to commit to the country of his birth to try and lead the team back to the World Cup.
      Wilfried Zaha was dropped by England after only two gamesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Michail Antonio
      Although England are not short of striking options, it was exactly as Antonio found the form of his life that he declared for Jamaica.
      Both Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate called up the striker but he did not make an appearance, before joining other English-born Jamaicans Liam Moore, Kemar Roofe, Ravel Morrison and more in signing up to the Reggae Boyz cause earlier this year.
      Jamaica have snapped up Michail Antonio to lead their lineCredit: Getty
      Taulant Xhaka
      After Ragip Xhaka moved his young family from Yugoslavia to Switzerland having served time as a political prisoner, his two sons discovered their ability on the football field.
      But Granit and Taulant took different routes in picking the country they wanted to represent, with the older brother opting for the nation of their heritage, Albania, while Arsenal star Granit chose to play for the Swiss.
      Xhaka brothers Granit and Taulant have squared off on the international stageCredit: Reuters
      Jamal Musiala
      In perhaps the most recent example of an international tug-of-war, 18-year-old winger Musiala agreed to play for Germany over England.
      The Bayern Munich winger starred for the Three Lions’ Under-21 team only last year but was fast-tracked by the country of his birth to earn a call-up to Germany’s Euro 2020 squad.
      Jamal Musiala has been quickly integrated into the Germany foldCredit: Reuters
      Ben Brereton
      Some players field accusations of picking the ‘easy’ option or of shunning the smaller nations when they change their allegiance.
      But it is hard to argue with the decision of Ben Brereton Diaz, as he is known when playing for Chile, to leave his distant England hopes to represent the South Americans – for whom he became an overnight fan favourite.
      Blackburn forward Ben Brereton has been a hit for Chile
      Diego Costa
      It is hard to say what might have become of Diego Costa the Brazilian, had he not switched to Spain in 2013.
      The then-world champions subsequently flopped with the striker leading the line while getting booed at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and he failed to deliver a major trophy for his adopted nation.
      Diego Costa’s Spain career did not get off to the best of startsCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
      France are hardly struggling for attackers having taken Karim Benzema, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe and more to the last Euros.
      But Aubameyang did make an appearance for Les Bleus’ Under-21 team and was also eligible for Spain before committing to Gabon.
      French-born star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hopes to lead Gabon to the World CupCredit: Corbis – Getty
      Folarin Balogun
      The youngster has a bright future ahead of him but it will not benefit England with the out on loan Arsenal starlet set to declare for the USA.
      The 20-year-old most recently appeared for England-under-21’sbbut he has also represented the USA at under-18’s level.
      Balogun was born in New York before moving to England when he was two-years-old and he is also eligible to play for Nigeria.
      Folarin Balogun is eligible for three different countriesCredit: Getty
      Alejandro Garnacho
      The Manchester United wonderkid has been called up to the latest Argentina squad.
      Garnacho is set to team up with Lionel Messi and Paulo Dybala despite being born in Madrid and representing Spain at youth level.
      The 17-year-old qualifies for Argentina through his mother and manager Lionel Scaloni is eager to secure his future before Spain call him up first.
      Alejandro Garnacho highlighted his potential with a brilliant solo goal against Everton under-18s last month
      Karamoko Dembele
      Countries around the world are constantly tracking the next generation to help build their squad, and several sagas are still ongoing.
      One example is Celtic star Dembele, 18, who has played for Scotland’s U16 and U17 squads, as well as England’s U15, U17 and U18s – with the Three Lions currently boasting the up-and-coming winger.
      Karamoko Dembele has chosen to play for England after outings with Scotland More

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      in Soccer

      David Beckham revealed Lionel Messi embarrassed him and forced him into retirement during clash vs Barcelona

      by

      DAVID BECKHAM has revealed he was embarrassed into retiring by Lionel Messi.The Manchester United and England legend, now 46, brought down the curtain to his illustrious career with a stint at Paris Saint-Germain in 2013.
      Being run ragged by Messi convinced Beckham to quit football
      Beckham retired from football in 2013, shortly after playing Barcelona
      And it was over two legs against Barcelona in the 2012-13 Champions League that Beckham realised it was time to hang up the boots, thanks to a certain Mr Messi.
      Beckham once revealed: “I probably decided to retire when Messi was running past me.”
      But he’s now taken it a step further by telling Argentine reporters he enjoyed those games – despite being run ragged and PSG being knocked out on away goals after a 3-3 stalemate.
      Beckham claimed: “We were ahead. [Messi] came on and Barcelona scored.
      “Despite my age, I enjoyed playing and the team was good in both games. We did things to be proud of. We didn’t lose to them.”
      Beckham enjoyed a trophy laden 15 years during stints at Man Utd and Real Madrid – tasked with taking on a young Messi a numbers of times during his spell at the Bernabeu.
      But “Golden Balls” opted to quit the club in 2007 and blaze a trail by joining MLS side LA Galaxy.
      BECK AND CALL
      Becks spent five seasons in Los Angeles, with two spells on loan at AC Milan during the American off-season.
      After quitting LA Galaxy, Beckham enjoyed one last hurrah at PSG – where he played 12 times in the second-half of the season.
      More-recently, Beckham has launched his very own MLS franchise, Inter Miami – and even has aspirations of signing Messi one day.
      The Argentine superstar, 34, is currently with PSG but Becks is keen to land him.
      Becks teased: “Well you know what, we’ve got great opportunities down in Miami.
      “We’ve been contacted by a lot of different players over possibly coming to join the team.
      “As with any owner, you really want the best players and if we have the opportunity to bring in players like Cristiano or Leo…
      “I have such admiration for them as athletes, if we could bring those players in then great.”
      Beckham hopes to one day bring Messi to Inter Miami
      .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);}
      And Beckham even weighed-in on the age-old Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate – saying the Portuguese star is nowhere near the Barcelona forward’s level.
      He said: [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him.
      “He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest.”
      David Beckham and son Cruz do 50 cycle crunches in hardcore home workout More

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      in Soccer

      Norwich 1 Brentford 3: Toney hat-trick in massive relegation six-pointer as Canaries edge towards Championship return

      by

      IVAN TONEY grabbed a hat-trick and the ‘Miracle Man’ made his full return on a perfect afternoon for struggling Brentford.Pre-match talk was all Christian Eriksen after it was confirmed he would be making his first professional start since June 12 at Carrow Road.
      Ivan Toney broke the deadlock in the 32nd minuteCredit: Ken Sparks/UK Sports Pics Ltd
      The Brentford striker secured his second and third goals from the penalty spotCredit: Getty
      That horrific day at Denmark’s Parken Stadium where he survived a near-fatal cardiac arrest thankfully feels like a lifetime ago after seeing Eriksen back ripping it up where he belongs.
      The 30-year-old made his first appearance for the club in a 38-minute cameo off the bench against Newcastle last week. Any worries he has some rust to shake off are now long gone.
      In a match tipped to be a nervy, scrappy relegation battle, Eriksen turned back the clock, gliding across the turf leaving Norwich’s midfield chasing shadows for 99 minutes.
      He even got into a scuffle with Brandon Williams on the deck before the Norwich full-back realised whose neck he was trying to grab.
      Eriksen’s influence was all over this vital victory for the Bees – their first in nine Premier League outings – and Toney collected the rewards with a maiden top flight hat-trick.
      After a 32nd minute opener – courtesy of an Eriksen corner – Toney then completed his trio with two second half penalties five minutes apart thanks to two VAR interventions.
      .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);}
      BETTING SPECIAL – GET CITY AT 25/1 OR UNITED AT 100/1
      Thomas Frank’s men never got out of second gear even with Teemu Pukki’s consolation strike in injury time.
      And while Brentford are now five clear of the drop – albeit having played more games – this is a damaging defeat for Dean Smith’s Canaries with clear daylight between themselves and safety.
      Frank brought in Eriksen for Matthias Jensen while Josh Dasilva missed out after his red card against the Toon. Smith replaced Angus Gunn with the returning Tim Krul in goal.
      There was an openness unbefitting of an early-March relegation fight as Sergi canos forced Krul into a decent stop, but it was from an Eriksen corner where Brentford took the lead.
      Kristoffer Ajer flicked on at the near post as Toney evaded Williams for a side-footed tap-in at the far post – his first goal since January 22.
      Norwich’s cries for a penalty were dismissed by VARCredit: PA
      The start of the second half was a tale of three penalty shouts, the first to Norwich as Williams’ cries were dismissed by VAR after being bumped over by Bryan Mbeumo.
      Another corner from the visitors at the other end then saw Gibson blindly raise a high boot to the face of Pontus Jansson on 52 minutes. Referee Anthony Taylor was sent to the monitor before pointing to the spot.
      Toney sent Krul the wrong way, and fired a second penalty into the same corner in the 57th minute after being caught in the box on the counter by clumsy Gibson.
      Rashica thought he had given the hosts some hope in the 67th minute but for more VAR – and Pukki’s close-range volley in the 92nd minute did little to rally a disheartened crowd.
      The Canaries looked dejected at full timeCredit: Reuters More

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      Man City’s players were convinced the club would sign Ronaldo and Messi after takeover, reveals legend Pablo Zabaleta

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY legend Pablo Zabaleta has revealed how his ex-team-mates joked they’d be playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the takeover.The Premier League side became one of the richest clubs in world football overnight when billionaire Sheikh Mansour purchased the club in 2008.
      Man City players joked they would sign Messi and RonaldoCredit: Getty – Contributor
      They wasted no time in signalling their intentions by smashing the British transfer record to land Robinho for £32.5million.
      A host of huge money signings would follow over the years including Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Yaya Toure.
      And Zabaleta, who was the club’s final signing before the takeover, claimed how the rest of the dressing room were left nervous over their futures.
      He told La Nacion last year: “Ten days after my arrival, the purchase of the club by the people of Abu Dhabi is executed.
      “Four days later, they invest £40million for Robinho and there I said, ‘Now what do I do? I’m going to last six months here’.
      “We took it a bit as a joke and… in the locker room we started putting ‘Messi’, ‘Cristiano Ronaldo’. We were s******g ourselves.”
      The Etihad club tried to make their dream of signing Messi a reality in 2017 by offering Barca a then-world record £100m move.

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      But City’s chief executive Ferran Soriano was forced to admit defeat when the Argentine magician signed a new deal at the Nou Camp.
      Zabaleta would become a huge favourite during the new era at City making over 330 appearances in nine years.
      He won five major pieces of silverware including two Premier League titles before joining West Ham.
      Pablo Zabaleta is considered a legend at Man CityCredit: AFP or licensors
      Jack Grealish is left stunned as he finds out he will wear No10 shirt for Man City More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd boy wonder Charlie McNeill, 18, was signed from Man City and scored over 600 goals at youth level

      by

      MARCUS RASHFORD and now Charlie McNeill.Manchester United are rich with youthful strikers set to dominate their first team in years to come.
      Charlie McNeill has turned heads at Old Trafford since joining Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      McNeill, 18 was snatched from United’s crosstown rivals Man CityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But it’s the new kid on the block, 18-year-old McNeill, who is earning major plaudits.
      A £750,000 signing from crosstown rivals Manchester City, who will be kicking themselves for losing another top talent (think Jadon Sancho), McNeill has turned heads at Old Trafford.
      In 2018, he inked a six-year deal with Adidas that could net him over a £1million.
      And in his first season with United, he crashed in an astonishing 24 goals in 21 appearances in the Under-18 Premier League, settling in better than anyone could have hoped.
      But there shouldn’t really have been any doubts that his goalscoring prowess wouldn’t immediately translate with his new side.
      After all, McNeill scored over a staggering 600 goals at youth level.

      ALWAYS A RED DEVIL
      Astonishingly, McNeill has bounced between the Manchester clubs a few times.
      He was originally part of United’s academy and played alongside Greenwood.
      Adidas signed McNeill to a six-year deal back in 2018Credit: Instagram @charliemcneill9
      Since moving to Man Utd, McNeill has exploded into life in his new surroundingsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      COMPETITION: WIN ONE OF FOUR SUPERCARS OR A DREAM CAR AND £100k IN CASH
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      In 2014 he made the switch to Manchester City, where he established himself as one of the most impressive young strikers in European football.
      His record in front of goal was nothing short of amazing.
      For City’s U15s team he scored 110 goals in 72 games – while also registering 38 assists.
      Knowing they had to lure McNeill back, United fought off competition from Juventus and RB Leipzig to bring him back to Old Trafford in October.
      ‘RIDICULOUSLY GOOD’
      McNeill’s start to his second coming at United was phenomenal.
      According to the Manchester Evening News, they’ve been told by United sources that the hotshot teen has been ‘ridiculously good’ in training sessions.

      McNeill scored 24 goals in 21 U18 Premier League appearancesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Man United coaches have said that McNeill has been ‘ridiculously good’ in trainingCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      On his U18 debut his double earned United a 4-0 win over Derby County.
      And in a stunning 4-3 win over Liverpool, he showed how lethal he is in front of goal – bringing a Noam Emeran cross down with one touch before driving a shot into the bottom left corner.
      He’s a man who knows instinctively where the goal is.
      With the likes of Rashford and Sancho working alongside him in tandem, United should be good for goals in years to come.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Man Utd set to hand Mason Greenwood new long-term contract in 2021 after breaking into Solskjaer’s first-team More