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      Ex-Man Utd star Chris Smalling says trophy-hungry Jose Mourinho is ‘perfect’ manager for Roma

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      CHRIS SMALLING believes Jose Mourinho is ‘the perfect man’ for Roma – despite the pair’s fallout at Manchester United.Ex-Red Devils boss Mourinho took charge of the Serie A club – who haven’t won a trophy for 13 years – this summer.
      Chris Smalling believes Jose Mourinho is the ‘perfect man’ for RomaCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho has taken over as manager of the Serie A clubCredit: Getty
      Smalling, 31, has been in the Italian capital for two seasons after a decade at Old Trafford.
      During his time there he fell out of favour with manager Mourinho – who questioned Smalling’s professionalism and desire and even made a joke about his feet, saying, “We’re for sure not playing out from the back”.
      The defender told the BBC: “Coming to Rome and us not winning anything for a number of years now, I know how big a deal that would be to bring a trophy of some sort to the club.
      “I think the club has chosen the perfect man to be able to produce that because of his history.
      “I knew there would be some element building up over the summer where the media would potentially build up something of our relationship in the past.
      “But I think it’s a good thing because I’ve played under him. We’ve won trophies together. He made me captain in one of those finals as well.
      “Having the chance to play for someone you know is good, and also someone who is so successful and who is so determined to win trophies at all costs.”
      Mourinho’s spell in charge of Roma began with a 10-0 demolition of Serie D minnows Montecatini.
      The Portuguese was announced as the Italian side’s new manager in May, succeeding his compatriot Paulo Fonseca.
      Having worked as a SunSport columnist this summer, Mourinho arrived in Rome last week for his official unveiling.
      And he has got down to work on the training pitch as well.
      COMPETITION: SPOT THE BALL TO WIN A CAR AND CASH

      Mourinho, 59, took his side to nearby Trigoria as they stepped up their pre-season work with a match against lowly Montecatini.
      The exercise was a fruitful one, with Roma coming away with an easy win and 90 minutes in the legs.
      Defender Smalling posted on Twitter: “On to the next!”
      Roma will step things up with a friendly against Serie B Ternana on Sunday.
      Jose Mourinho trains with AS Roma for the first time More

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      Davide Zappacosta could end up stuck at Chelsea as Inter Milan turn transfer attention to Arsenal star Hector Bellerin

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      DAVIDE ZAPPACOSTA could end up marooned at Chelsea – as Inter Milan are making eyes at Hector Bellerin. Zappacosta, 29, spent last season on loan at Italian outfit Genoa, where he played 25 games and scored four goals from right-back.
      Zappacosta failed to nail down a first-team spot at Chelsea and has spent the last few seasons on loan at Roma and Genoa respectivelyCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Arsenal right-back Bellerin has ambitions of playing in the Champions LeagueCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      He is a good short-term option to replace Achraf Hakimi, who left for Paris Saint-Germain for a whopping £51.3million.
      According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Zappacosta is waiting for Inter’s call to return to Italy on a permanent basis.
      However, Arsenal defender Bellerin – who is three years younger than the Italian – is believed to be keen on a move to Inter too.
      The Spaniard handed in a transfer request at the Gunners, putting Inter on high alert.
      But Arsenal are unwilling to accept a loan with an option to buy, which is the only option the Serie A champions will consider at the moment.
      Bellerin has ambitions of playing in the Champions League, something Inter can offer next season.
      Back in 2017, he said: “You never know what can happen.
      “The truth is that all the top level players want to play the Champions League, especially when I’ve spent two years in.

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      “As a team we have not achieved qualification, and it is something that we all want to fix, but as a player I repeat that it is an important competition.”
      Bellerin appears to be Inter’s priority target at right-back.
      But should a deal fail to be struck, Zappacosta – alongside Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez – are back-up options.
      Antonio Conte sensationally quits Inter Milan days after lifting Serie A title after row with club’s Chinese owners More

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      Ex-Man City wonderkid Brahim Diaz leaving Real Madrid after just two-years as AC Milan seal £21.5m deal

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      BRAHIM DIAZ looks set to swap the Bernabeu for the San Siro in a £21.5million move to AC Milan from Real Madrid.The midfielder, who was a Manchester City starlet, will join the Serie A giants on a two-year loan, according to reports. 
      Brahim Diaz is set to join AC Milan from Real Madrid on a two-year loan dealCredit: Getty
      Football expert Fabrizio Romano claims the Italian side will have an option to buy the player for £18.7m (22m euros) as part of the temporary deal which runs until 2023.
      It is thought Madrid will have a buy-back clause worth £23.6m (27m euros) as part of the agreement. 
      Diaz, 21, who joined Real Madrid from Manchester City in January 2019, has struggled to cement a place in the LaLiga giants’ starting eleven.
      However, the versatile attacking midfielder has impressed on loan in Italy following a move to Milan in September 2020. 
      The player, who was a star for Spain in the Under-17 European Championships in 2016, racked up seven goals and four assists in 39 Milan appearances last term. 
      And the Malaga-born starlet helped Stefani Pioli’s side to finish second in Italy’s top-flight, twelve points behind champions Inter. 
      Diaz, who has returned to Spain to take part in Madrid’s pre-season, has a permanent contract with the Spanish outfit which runs until June 2025. 
      Goal claims the player will be given Milan’s famous number 10 shirt previously worn by former icons including Ruud Gullit and Clarence Seedorf.
      And it is reported the Rossoneri will cover the midfielder’s wages up to the end of 2022-23 season. 

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      Real Madrid’s wages for the 2020-21 season

      Diaz started his footballing career at Malaga before moving to Man City at 16 in 2015
      The player made his senior professional debut for the reigning Prem champs in an EFL Cup clash with Swansea City in September 2016.
      The Spain starlet went on to make 15 appearances for the Etihad giants before sealing a six-year £15.5million switch to Madrid in January 2019.
      Diaz is reportedly due to be given Milan’s number 10 shirtCredit: Getty
      Chelsea star Olivier Giroud in Milan to seal £2m AC Milan transfer after agreeing two-year deal More

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      Serie A BANS green kits from 2022-23 season after TV companies complain of colour clashes with pitches

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      SERIE A teams will have one less colour to choose from when designing their kits for the 2022-23 season. Clubs will no longer be able to wear primarily green kits after television companies complained that the players wearing green blended in with the grass.
      Green has been one of Sassuolo’s primary colours on their home kit for decadesCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      Lazio went bold with a neon green kit last seasonCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      The rule, however, only applies for outfield players, meaning goalkeepers will still be allowed to wear green.
      Although it’s not a problem for most top flight Italian teams, Sassuolo may have to rethink their colour scheme.
      Sassuolo’s home kit is predominantly green with black stripes, and green has been their primary colour for decades.
      However, it is yet unclear whether Sassuolo will have to axe the green completely.
      The distinguishable black stripes could help Neroverdi keep their famous green colours.
      Atalanta and Lazio, alongside Sassuolo, also donned green in the 2020-21 season.

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      Atalanta sported a grey-green Christmas Tree shirt, while Lazio went bold with a neon green away kit.
      According to Football Italia, the rule change will also apply for shorts and socks too.
      If three colours are used, one colour must be dominant across the shirt, shorts and socks.
      Antonio Conte sensationally quits Inter Milan days after lifting Serie A title after row with club’s Chinese owners More

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      Giorgio Chiellini ‘waiting’ for Juventus call after Italy hero’s contract ran out before Euro 2020 triumph

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      GIORGIO CHIELLINI hopes to extend his 17-year Juventus career following his heroics for Italy at the European Championships. The Serie A veteran will celebrate his 37th birthday in August a month after leading the Azzurri to their second Euros trophy win. 
      Giorgio Chiellini’s agent is hoping for new Juventus contract for his clientCredit: Marc Aspland EURO 2020 Newspapers Pool
      The Italy skipper, who began his senior playing career at 16 at Livorno, is currently out of contract. 
      The centre-back’s previous deal with Juve, who finished fourth in Serie A last term, expired in July. 
      His agent Davide Lippi suggests Chiellini is relaxed about his future despite him currently being without a club. 
      Lippi reportedly told Italian station Radio Radio: “Giorgio went to the Euros and focused exclusively on that. It takes two to sign a contract.
      “There’s no problem with Juventus, we said we’d meet up later in the summer, but we haven’t yet sat down to discuss a renewal.”
      Chiellini, who made 25 appearances for the Old Lady across all competitions last season, saw his Juve deal expire on June 30. 
      It is thought the defender, who once snubbed a move to Arsenal at 16, could consider a switch to a European giant.
      However staying in Turin reported to be his preference.
      Lippi added: “They’d have to make the offer first. As of today, there is nobody. We are waiting for Juventus to tell us when we can sit down and have a chat.
      “He was a symbol of Juventus for many years and we are waiting for a club.
      “Nobody has called, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they did, as he’s the only free agent in the Italy squad now.

      NO ITALY RETIREMENT
      Chiellini, who made six Euros 2020 appearances for Roberto Mancini’s side, has received 112 caps since making his senior Azzurri debut in 2004. 
      And it is thought the defender, who suffered a thigh injury scare during Italy’s group stage win against Switzerland, is showing no signs of wanting to call time on his international career. 
      This is despite rumours of the player potentially considering international retirement. 
      It is thought Chiellini is looking to help the Azzurri in their quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. 
      Lippi praised his client for battling his way back to fitness after a severe knee injury kept him out of action from August 2019 until February 2020. 
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      Lippi added: “Thinking of Chiellini away from the playing field at this moment is madness.
      “What he did after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament is incredible. 
      “What fuels him is passion and we saw in the Euros that the passion is still strong.”
      Chiellini hopes to be part of Italy’s qualifying campaign for the 2022 World CupCredit: Alamy
      Juventus star Chiellini admits he was a ‘fool’ to snub Arsenal’s £66k-a-year transfer offer when he was 16-years-old More

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      West Ham to try and tie Declan Rice down to bumper new deal using freed up wages from Anderson’s Lazio transfer exit

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      WEST HAM will use some of the wages freed up by Felipe Anderson’s Lazio transfer to try and tie Declan Rice down to a bumper new deal.The Brazilian is set rejoin the Italians for £5million – just three years after moving the other way for £42m – and the East Londoners will look to use the extra available cash to reward Rice with a lucrative new contract.
      Felipe Anderson is on the verge of rejoining Lazio from West Ham for just £5m – three years after moving the other way for £42m
      But the Hammers are looking to use some of Anderson’s significant wages to tie Declan Rice down to a lucrative new contractCredit: Rex
      Winger Anderson, 28, joined the Irons in July 2018 on a four-year deal – under the stewardship of then-manager Manuel Pellegrini and ex-director of football Mario Husillos.
      The transfer fee was a club record at the time and has been fully paid up.
      But after an impressive first campaign – in which he bagged ten goals and five assists from 40 games in all competitions – Anderson’s form fell off a cliff.
      He has scored just twice and provided eight assists in 33 matches since and was farmed out to FC Porto on loan last summer – for which the Hammers received a small fee.
      But Anderson only managed 389 minutes of game time for the Portuguese giants across 10 games, which has seen his value plummet.
      David Moyes is not a fan of Brasilia-born wide man who does not fit with the Scot’s industrious style of play.
      So the club have taken the decision to cut their losses and free up some significant room on the wage bill – much like they did with fellow flop Sebastien Haller in January.
      Anderson arrived in Italy on Tuesday to finalise the deal and was pictured in full Lazio training kit greeting some of his former team-mates at their training ground on Wednesday.
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      The deal will be officially announced imminently.
      Despite the circa £37m loss, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Hammers who have secured a 50 per cent sell-on clause as well as a transfer fee of around £3m, which could rise to £5m.
      At just 28, if Anderson rediscovers his form in Serie A – where he has played his best football to date – the Irons could still recoup some extra cash in seasons to come.
      His salary was in excess of £100,000-a-week at the London Stadium – a portion of which will be used to try and cement England star Rice’s long term future.
      The Hammers are working tirelessly to agree a new deal with the Three Lions hero to reward him for his outstanding performances, which helped secure the club’s Europa League qualification last season.
      Rice has rejected two substantial Hammers offers this summer amid interest from Chelsea and Manchester United – with the 22-year-old looking for more than what has been put on the table so far.
      The extra funds could also be used to pursue other transfer targets – an area in which Moyes has been ultra-successful since rejoining the club for his second spell in charge in December 2019.
      Bargain buys Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek proved to be sensational value for money at £5m and £19m respectively.

      Moyes signings Jarrod Bowen and Craig Dawson have also been fantastic with the decision to loan then-Man Utd outcast Jesse Lingard in January proving to be a stroke of genius.
      All of this has helped restore some faith in the club’s transfer policy among fans – which had been seriously eroded before the second coming of the Moyesiah.
      And Hammers supporters will be buoyed further if they can agree a new deal with Rice. The holding midfielder has proved he belongs at the highest level with his displays during England’s historic run to the Euro 2020 final.
      West Ham academy product Rice has three years left to run on his current deal, with the option of a fourth, and is not agitating for a move away from East London – where he has been since he was 14.
      But through his standing in the Premier League and now with England, the 24-cap star is on a far lower wage than the majority of players of his calibre. Particularly many of his heroic international team-mates.
      However, talks are ongoing between West Ham and Rice’s representatives and there is hope a deal can be struck soon now Anderson is off the books.
      Single-cap Brazil international Anderson started his career at Neymar’s old club Santos before moving to Lazio for around £7m in the summer of 2013.
      Haller left West Ham for Ajax for £22.5m in January after signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for £45m just 18 months earlier in the summer of 2019.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Premier League referee Michael Oliver sings along to England chants at Wembley during Euro 2020 final More

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      Arsenal star Granit Xhaka ‘willing to cut summer holiday short to force £15m Roma transfer’ after Euro 2020 heroics

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      GRANIT XHAKA’S highly anticipated move to Roma from Arsenal is expected to gather pace this week, according to reports. And the wantaway Emirates midfielder is reportedly prepared to shorten his summer holidays in a bid to get the switch over the line. 
      Granit Xhaka’s move to Roma is expected to gather pace following his impressive Euros performances for SwitzerlandCredit: Getty
      It comes amid reports of Arsenal technical director Edu entering talks with agent Jorge Mendes over a move for Wolves ace Ruben Neves. 
      Italian publication Calciomercato claims Arsenal and Roma are yet to agree to a fee on the sale of Xhaka.  
      The Gunners are thought to be after £15million for the Switzerland captain who impressed during Euro 2020. 
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      But Roma, who finished seventh in Serie A, are reportedly yet to budge on their offer of £12.7m (15m euros) plus add ons. 
      However, Calciomercato is predicting Xhaka’s Roma transfer will gather pace with new club boss Jose Mourinho thought to want the player in Italy next week. 
      And it is claimed the Serie A side could end up offering Arsenal their required asking price with the club having sold goalkeeper Paul Lopez and winger Cengiz Under. 
      Both players were reportedly deemed to be surplus to requirements. 
      And reports claim Mourinho is looking flog eight Roma stars this summer.
      Ex-Chelsea ace Pedro, Justin Kluivert and Steven Nzonzi are thought to be among the squad who no longer train with the first team. 
      Arsenal are reported to be after at least £15million for XhakaCredit: Getty

      Xhaka has made 220 Arsenal appearances across all competitions scoring 16 goals since his £35m move in 2016. 
      And the player, who has had a rollercoaster relationship with Gunners’ fans, helped the side to win two FA Cups in 2017 and 2020. 
      Xhaka led his national team to a shock 2020 Euros round 16 win against France before their loss on penalties to Spain in the quarters.
      The midfielder has two years left on his deal with Arsenal with his contract set to expire in June 2023.
      Jose Mourinho interrupts first Roma press conference to tear down broken window panel leaving journalists shocked More

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      Romantic Cristiano Ronaldo kisses Georgina Rodriguez on yacht at sunset as Juventus star takes break after Euro 2020

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO showed his romantic side by kissing girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez on their luxury yacht.The Juventus striker is making the most of his free time following Portugal’s early Euro 2020 exit before he reports back to pre-season duty in Turin.
      Cristiano Ronaldo locked lips with Georgina Rodriguez on board their yacht
      Rodriguez shared snaps of the couple’s intimate moment on social media
      Juventus striker Ronaldo is on holiday with his partner and family before returning to Turin
      Spanish model Rodriguez was whisked away by the five-time Ballon d’Or winner along with his family to Majorca last week.
      They have been travelling across the Mediterranean Sea on their luxurious £5.5million yacht which boasts five luxry cabins and six bathrooms.
      And Rodriguez, who recently caused a splash on social media by sharing a video of her swimming underwater, has taken to Instagram to share intimate snaps of her and Ronaldo.
      The 27-year-old posted a number of images to her 25.9 million followers where she and her beau can be seen locking lips at sunset in Mallorca.
      Captioning the upload, she said: “Loving you in the sea.”
      Her fans were quick to respond on the loved-up post, as one commented: “Can you guys get married already.”
      Another messaged: “You guys wanna kill me today?! I can’t take this cuteness.”
      A third added: “You two give me so much happiness.”
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      Ronaldo and Rodriguez shared a kiss at sunset while on vacation in MallorcaCredit: instagram.com/georginagio

      Rodriguez’s Instagram fans were loving the loved-up images of the pair

      Meanwhile one simply stated: “YOU TWO ARE TOO ADORABLE.”
      Ronaldo also uploaded a snap of him with Rodriguez to his 313 million followers where the pair are embracing on their yacht.
      PEREZ BLAST
      The pics come as a conversation from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in October 2012 was leaked in which the 74-year-old took aim at the Manchester United icon.
      Speaking of the forward, he said: “He’s crazy. This guy is an idiot, a sick man.
      “You think this guy is normal, but he’s not normal, otherwise, he wouldn’t do all the things he does.”
      With just a year left on his contract in Italy, Ronaldo is facing an uncertain future at Juve with Paris Saint-Germain believed to be keen to secure his services.
      Georgina Rodríguez showcasing her incredible body during swim More