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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic brands Swedish football a ‘f***ing joke’ in Twitter attack after 1-0 Nations League defeat to France

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has ripped into Sweden boss Janne Andersson for benching Dejan Kulusevski in the 1-0 defeat to France on Saturday.
      The AC Milan striker took to Twitter where he expressed his anger after Les Bleus emerged victorious in the Nations League clash.

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      Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic ripped into Janne Andersson after the 1-0 defeat against FranceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Juventus midfielder Kulusevski came on for the last 20 minutes against the world champions, with the player stating he was shocked to not be in the starting XI.
      His comments then drew a surprised reaction from Andersson, which led Ibrahimovic to quote tweet an article from Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet.
      The 38-year-old raged: “What a f****** joke. Further proof.
      “Incompetent people in the wrong positions smothering Swedish football.”

      Speaking after the loss, Kulusevski was asked whether he was given enough time to impress, he said: “No, no, I don’t think so.
      “I was shocked. It felt really, really good in training.
      “But unfortunately, that’s how football is.”
      Commenting on Kulusevski’s reaction, Andersson told reporters: “I haven’t spoken to him afterwards but if he has said it then that is clearly his opinion.

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      Dejan Kulusevski was limited to just 20 minutes in the match against Les BleusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We’ll have to talk about it. I haven’t experienced him as being very shocked.
      “He has done well in the training session, as have many others.
      “We will see if there will be more playing time on Tuesday. He has great qualities and is a great player and will grow into this eventually.”

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      AC Milan in pole position to land Real Madrid flop Luka Jovic as back up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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      AC MILAN have reportedly bid to take Luka Jovic on loan from Real Madrid after the Serb’s nightmare debut season in Spain.
      A tally of just two goals in 27 appearances was hardly befitting of a striker who cost over £50million when signing from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

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      Luka Jovic may not stay in Madrid after struggling in his debut campaignCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns 39 in October and will need back-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And Jovic’s future is up in the air as Real consider shuffling their pack for the new season.
      According to Tuttosport, Los Blancos are pondering a loan offer from Milan.
      The two clubs have recently been in contact over Brahim Diaz’s temporary switch to the San Siro, allowing Milan to discuss Jovic’s situation.
      Having first been keen on the 22-year-old when Ralf Rangnick was set to take over as coach, coach Stefano Pioli is now thought to also be interested in bringing him in.

      A forward such as Jovic is seen as key for Milan to challenge on both the domestic and European front next season.
      Particularly with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic turning 39 in a month.

      The Swede returned to the club in January and extended his contract for another year in the week.
      After forking out for Brescia starlet Sandro Tonali, the Rossoneri are expected to resort to loan deals for the rest of the window.

      Former Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly on their radar, as well as Federico Chiesa of Fiorentina.

      Premier League clubs are intersted in Luka Jovic – here is why More

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      Luis Suarez snubbed Cristiano Ronaldo from five best strikers of all-time list… but is now set to link-up at Juventus

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      LUIS SUAREZ may have to re-think his top strikers of all-time list as he edges closer to joining Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus.
      The 33-year-old is poised to leave Barcelona after he was told by new boss Ronald Koeman that he is not in his plans at the Nou Camp.

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      Barcelona striker Luis Suarez is reportedly close to joining JuventusCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Cristiano Ronaldo was not named in Suarez’s top five strikers list of all-timeCredit: Icon Sport – Getty
      Andrea Pirlo is said to be a huge fan of the Uruguayan marksman – who has one year left on his deal in Catalonia.
      Juve are looking to bring him to Turin on a free transfer, where they will pay the Blaugrana performance-related bonuses.
      Personal terms are understood to have already been agreed, with Suarez to pocket £256,000-a-week in Turin.
      And with the player set to link up with old rival Ronaldo, he may be wishing he didn’t omit the Portuguese legend from his top five forwards of all-time.

      In an interview with Bleacher Report in December, the former Liverpool star spoke of his favourite attackers – with all the entrants coming from South America.
      RONBELIEVABLE
      Unsurprisingly, his team-mate Lionel Messi sits at the top of the list in what he described as an easy choice.
      Suarez said: “Number one for me is Messi. Because he is one of the best in the world.
      “It’s an easy decision for me.”

      In second place is Argentine legend Gabriel Batistuta – who banged in 54 goals in 77 appearances for the national team.
      Number three is Suarez’s former international team-mate Diego Forlan, with the pair both scoring in the 2011 Copa America final win against Paraguy.

      Brazilian icon Ronaldo is fourth, with Suarez saying: “The fat one. The first Ronaldo. The Brazilian Ronaldo.
      “He’s really good. He’s so quick. He’s an intelligent guy. He’s a nice finisher. He had it all.”
      Completing the list is Ronaldo’s 1994 World Cup-winning team-mate Romario.

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      Chelsea flop Tiemoue Bakayoko close to £2.6m loan to AC Milan with Blues including £27m option to buy in transfer deal

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      AC MILAN ‘are now close’ to agreeing a £2.6million loan move to sign Tiemoue Bakayoko from Chelsea with a £27m option to make the deal permanent.
      The 26-year-old impressed in Italy two seasons ago during a year-long loan at the San Siro. 

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      AC Milan ‘are now close’ to agreeing a £2.6million loan move to sign Tiemoue BakayokoCredit: Reuters
      And after he made 23 appearances on loan at Monaco last term, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is keen to shift the midfielder. 
      According to Fabrizio Romano, Milan are in the final stages of sealing a deal to sign Bakayoko which gives them the option to buy him for £27m after an initial loan fee.
      The Blues have already added Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, Thiago Silva and Kai Havertz to their squad this year.
      It leaves Lampard is need of a summer clear out and Bakayoko is among those unwanted. 

      The Frenchman was part of Chelsea’s pre-season squad last term with plans to allow the Frenchman the chance to fight for his place. 
      But after a disappointing summer he was loaned back to Monaco, the club he was signed from for £40m in 2017.
      Having had two consecutive loan spells, Chelsea are now keen to sell him permanently. 

      But Milan are reluctant to strike a deal to pay out for him immediately, and will have the upcoming campaign to decide whether they will sign Bakayoko permanently.

      They are also closing in on agreeing a deal to extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s San Siro stay by a year – having joined the Italian’s on a one-year deal last summer.
      It comes after Milan announced the loan signing of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid.

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      Andrea Pirlo to change Cristiano Ronaldo’s role at Juventus by ditching ‘Sarriball’ to start winning ball up pitch

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      ANDREA PIRLO has a new role for Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus as he looks to ditch ‘Sarriball’.
      The boss has introduced a new “methodology” to help his players win the ball high up the pitch.

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      Juventus appointed Andrea Pirlo to replace Maurizio Sarri in AugustCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Juventus adopted the Sarriball style of play last season – which is former boss Maurizio Sarri’s famed possession-based approach.
      But the new Juventus manager has implemented a training regime to change his team’s approach.
      Pirlo told JTV via Goal: “The aggression and the desire to win the ball back after losing it, that’s something we are working on a lot.
      “Looking at the last Champions League, the teams that went all the way were the ones who were trying to recover the ball in the shortest possible time.

      “That must be a characteristic that distinguishes us.
      “We will give all of ourselves, we will certainly have a great desire to show the fans that Juventus want to win the 10th consecutive Scudetto and possibly reach the end of the Champions League.
      “There’s a great desire and high expectations, but we are here, and we want to do our best.”
      Pirlo insisted spirits are high in the Juventus camp – even with some players away on international duty.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo looks set for a new role under Andrea PirloCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He continued: “The lads are eager to do well, they have found a new methodology with some new exercises they have never done and therefore this already brings enthusiasm.
      “The path will be long, also because we don’t have a lot of time to work with many players who are away. But we are working well with those we have available.
      “I hope I will have transmitted some concepts we are working on already for the first day and hope to find something in the middle of the pitch.”

      Manager Andrea Pirlo only pockets £1.6million-per-year after taking charge of the club

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      Lionel Messi obliterates Cristiano Ronaldo in who is best debate, according to stats from last decade

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      FOOTBALL’S age-old debate over who is the real GOAT has FINALLY been answered, with Lionel Messi easily beating Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Stats show the Barcelona superstar – whose father Jorge says he can leave the club for free now – has dominated his Portuguese rival over the last decade.

      Football fans have argued endlessly over which player deserves to be crowned the best on the planet.
      The pair have collected 11 Ballon d’Or trophies between them, but this is a debate that will long outlive their careers.
      Messi, 33, has spent his entire career with Barcelona where has won the LaLiga title ten times and four Champions League titles.
      Juventus star Ronaldo, 35, has won league titles in Spain, England and Italy as well the Champions League five times.

      However, WhoScored have used over 20 sets of data to rate their performances over the last decade.
      And there’s one clear winner.
      WHO’S THE GOAT?
      Messi has dominated Spain’s top-flight with an average match rating of 8.6/10 over the last ten years.
      Ronaldo has managed an average rating of 8.3/10 during his time with Real Madrid and now Juventus.

      The statistics claim there has only been one season in the last decade that Ronaldo has matched Messi on the pitch.
      Both of the stars were given a ranking of 8.3/10 for their efforts during the 2013-14 campaign.
      And Messi was way ahead of his Ballon d’Or rival in the most recent season, despite scoring fewer goals.
      In all competitions, the Barcelona star laid on 24 assists and scored 34 goals in 46 appearances.

      Cristiano Ronaldo has been the star of the show for Juventus this seasonCredit: Reuters

      Ronaldo racked up just five assists – miles adrift of Messi – and scored 35 goals – just one more than the Barca star – in 46 matches for Juventus.
      Twelve players, including Deco and Gonzalo Higuain, have had their say on who is the better player out of the two. 
      The pair have also given their opinions on each other when quizzed about their rivalry on and off the pitch.

      Lionel Messi has won six Ballon d’Or titles during his careerCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Man Utd star Chris Smalling ‘on brink of Roma transfer for £18m as breakthrough is made over permanent deal’

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      CHRIS Smalling is on the verge of sealing an £18million switch from Manchester United to Roma.
      United were demanding £20million for the defender, but are likely to accept the £18million fee plus bonuses, according to Sky Sports Italy.

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      Smalling has inpressed with his performances at Roma this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The deal seemed to be going nowhere as the Italian outfit were only willing to fork out £15million, which United rejected.
      Roma were keen to retain Smalling’s services after his impressive year-loan stint with the club.
      The 30-year-old revealed he was devastated to be leaving Roma and was willing to take a wage-cut to make the deal happen.
      In an emotional post on his Instagram page, Smalling said: “I’m gutted that I can’t finish what we started this season.”

      He made 30 appearances in Serie A, and his stellar performances earned him the title “Smalldini”, in reference to Italian legend Paolo Maldini.
      Other Italian icons lined up to praise Smalling, with Franco Baresi saying: “I was not sure an English defender could get used to Italian football as it is so different to the Premier League. Smalling’s attitude and approach has been good.”
      Smalling was sent out on loan after falling down the pecking order at United, behind Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.

      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no objections to the move, as he plans to free up room in his squad for more new signings.

      After splashing out on new midfield ace Donny van de Beek, United need to sell before making more signings as they aim to mount an assault for the title next season.
      Although Smalling has his sights firmly set on Roma, if the deal does fall through Newcastle, Everton and West Ham are said to be interested in his signature.

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