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      Axed Chelsea boss Graham Potter in running for Man Utd job should Sir Jim Ratcliffe get rid of Erik ten Hag

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      GRAHAM POTTER is waiting on Napoli to make an official move — but keeping an ear out for Manchester United to call.The Serie A champs want to speak to Potter about becoming their new boss, with Antonio Conte also in the running.
      Ex-Brighton chief Graham Potter has an eye on the Napoli job but could also be in contention at Man Utd if Erik ten Hag is eased outCredit: PA
      Ten Hag is under pressure as the Red Devils are only in mid-tableCredit: Rex
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe is being linked to Potter as the Ineos owner’s sidekick Sir Dave Brailsford is a big fans of the ex-Seagulls chiefCredit: AP
      Potter is still well regarded by the Italians for his work at Brighton despite a nightmare spell at Chelsea.
      Napoli won the title under current Italy boss Luciano Spalletti but have slumped since Rudi Garcia took charge.
      But Potter is also a possible candidate for United when Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team takes charge if the Red Devils’ owners-in-waiting decide to get rid of Erik ten Hag.
      Ratcliffe’s sidekick, Sir Dave Brailsford — who is set to be the football face of the takeover — is a Potter fan and wanted him at French side Nice.
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      The Ineos owner – Britain’s richest man – has agreed a £1.35billion deal for a 25 per cent share of the club.
      And, despite recent delays, the 70-year-old still hopes to formally arrive at Old Trafford in time for the January transfer window.
      Ratcliffe is the only contender to seriously invent in the Red Devils after Sheikh Jassim withdrew his takeover bid.
      But if Potter, 48, did come in it would be seen as a big gamble.
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      Aftre successful spells in charge at Swansea and the Seagulls he lasted only eight months at Stamford Bridge.
      Notorious spending sprees only appeared to make his plight worse.
      And he departed the Bridge with their lowest points-per-game return of any Chelsea manager.
      In total he lost 11 of his 31 games in the hotseat.
      And a 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa as he left on April 2 this year with the Blues 11th in the Prem.
      Ten Hag has endured a frustrating season so far with United suffering their worst league start since 1989, after losing four of their first seven games.
      Old Trafford could be set for big changes when Ratcliffe moves inCredit: PA More

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      Ruben Loftus-Cheek reveals he’s ‘finally free’ at AC Milan after feeling like a ‘caged animal’ at Chelsea in brutal dig

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      RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK has admitted to finally being “free” at AC Milan after feeling like a “caged animal” at Chelsea.The midfielder left the Blues for Italy in the summer after 19 years in their system.
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek is thriving at AC MilanCredit: Alamy
      He has since thrived under Stefano Pioli, helping his team to the top of Serie A.
      Loftus-Cheek, 27, has hit the ground running with his new club.
      And such is his popularity there, that he has become the latest cover star of Gazzetta dello Sport’s Sportweek magazine.
      As part of their chat, he revealed: “I love reading, I like books that give inner peace and freedom.”
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      On the subject of freedom when it comes to his football, he then added: “At Chelsea I felt like a caged animal, I didn’t play as much as I wanted and when it happened I played in positions where I couldn’t express myself.
      “Here, however, I have a free mind, I play as a midfielder as I like and it’s like being a child again, when we played without worries.
      “If the whole team has this feeling, great things can be achieved: even winning the championship. We feel like the best.”
      At Chelsea, Loftus-Cheek was often deployed as a right wing-back under previous boss Thomas Tuchel.
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      The former Chelsea star is on the cover of SportweekCredit: instagram @sportweek
      Prior to that, he had frequently been asked to play further forward than his natural midfield berth.
      Loftus-Cheek joined fellow Cobham graduate Fikayo Tomori at the San Siro.
      Opening up about the rest of his new team-mates, he said: “Taken one by one, (Alessandro) Florenzi is the craziest, (Rafael) Leao the most beautiful, Malick Thiaw the one who fights the most, (Yacine) Adli the most elegant, (Mike) Maignan the leader.”
      Ten-cap England international Loftus-Cheek played 155 times for Chelsea, scoring 13 times and laying on 18 assists.
      He has since played seven times in Serie A, scoring one goal and setting up a further two.
      Loftus-Cheek, 27, often played out of position at ChelseaCredit: Getty More

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      Man City ‘make move to sign £44m-rated centre-back’ despite Pep Guardiola spending £200m on the position in three years

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      MANCHESTER CITY are interested in signing Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini, according to reports.The 19-year-old has impressed for the Serie A side.
      Atalanta star Giorgio Scalvini is attracting plenty of interestCredit: Rex
      Scalvini, 19, was identified as an alternative to Josko Gvardiol in the summer.
      And according to Calciomercato, City remain interested in his services.
      They add that he would be expected to cost around £44million to prise away from Atalanta.
      Scalvini has started nine of his side’s ten games in all competitions so far this term.
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      He has also become an Italy regular, already earning seven caps for the Azzurri.
      City could add him to an impressive pool of centre-backs, having spent over £200m on the position in the last three years.
      Ruben Dias cost £64.5m and Nathan Ake £41m in the summer of 2020.
      While £15m was splashed out on Manuel Akanji last year, and £77m on Gvardiol in August.
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      Man City have forked out on the likes of Ruben Dias and Nathan AkeCredit: Rex
      Should City push to sign Scalvini, they will have to fend off interest from elsewhere.
      Bayern Munich are reportedly eager to bring Scalvini to Germany.
      While Juventus would love to sign Atalanta’s star prospect.
      Scalvini played with Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund last season.
      The Danish forward subsequently moved to Old Trafford for £72m.
      Scalvini went up against Harry Kane on Tuesday nightCredit: Getty More

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      I landed dream move to AC Milan.. Ancelotti thought I was Jehovah’s Witness at airport but said I spoke to God on pitch

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      AN AC MILAN legend made the worst first impression on Carlo Ancelotti… until the very first moment he started playing football in front of him.Milan signed the relatively unknown at the time Ricardo Kaka in 2003 from Sao Paulo in a deal that was questioned by some while others, such as then Juventus executive Luciano Moggi, mocked his name.
      Ex-AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti thought Ricardo Kaka looked like a Jehovah’s WitnessCredit: Getty
      It didn’t get better for then Rossoneri manager Ancelotti when he first saw the playmaker landing in Italy as he wasn’t inspired by his look, which made him look like a “Jehovah’s Witness”.
      The Italian tactician immediately regretted that transfer before the former Brazil international even got the chance to kick a ball at Milanello training ground.
      But the current Real Madrid boss had to eat his words the moment the then 21-year-old got his first touch on the ball.
      The 64-year-old completely changed his tune as he was convinced Milan signed a “phenomenon” that “spoke directly with God”.
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      Ancelotti wrote on his autobiography Preferisco la Coppa: “Kaka landed at Malpensa Airport and I put my head in my hands: Eyeglasses, hair perfectly combed, the face of a good boy.
      “All he was missing was schoolbooks and a snack. My god, we signed a college student. Kaka didn’t look anything like a Brazilian footballer, he reminded me of a Jehovah’s Witness.
      “Moggi started to send shade: ‘With that name in Italy he’s done for. At Juventus we’re all constipated. We don’t pay for Kaka’. It was all in jest but I started to have doubts, maybe Moggi was right, it wouldn’t be the first time.
      “One day, finally, Kaka showed up to training and to adapt to his new surroundings.
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      “The first question I wanted to ask him was, ‘Did you let your mom and dad know you’re skipping school today?’ The security at Milanello could’ve asked to see his ID before letting him in.
      “Then, he stepped on the pitch still jet lagged and all: the heavens opened. With the ball at his feet he was monstrous. I stopped talking simply because I was at a loss for words. Words didn’t even exist for what I was seeing.
      “The Jehovah’s Witness was actually someone who spoke directly with God. And, I’m sure in one of those conversations, they talked about football.
      “In his first challenge in training as a Milanista Kaka found himself in front of [Gennaro] Gattuso, who gave him a terrifying shoulder barge, but Kaka didn’t even lose the ball. Rino [Gattuso] in his own way of encouraging his new teammate said: ‘F**k off’.
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      AC Milan legend Kaka changed Ancelotti’s mind immediately after his first trainingCredit: EPA
      “Then, after keeping the ball, Kaka played a 30-yard pass, taking even [Alessandro] Nesta by surprise who wasn’t able to intercept it.
      “At the end of every training [ex-Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani and I always spoke on the phone so that I could tell him what was going on, and then hear his thoughts.
      “That day I called him: ‘Mr Galliani, I have some news for you’. ‘Good or bad?’ ‘Good. Very good’. ‘Carletto, are you giving your resignation?’ ‘No, I’m staying, because we just signed a phenomenon’.” More

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      My dad infamously got David Beckham sent off at 1998 World Cup… now I’m forging my own path with Serie A champions

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      THE son of Argentina icon Diego Simeone is now forging his own career in Italy.Simeone, 53, made his debut for the Argentina national team in 1988 and went on earn 106 caps.
      Diego Simeone’s son is a professional footballer playing in Serie ACredit: EPA
      Giovanni Simeone now plays for NapoliCredit: Reuters
      But he became an enemy in the eyes of England fans at the 1998 World Cup after clashing with David Beckham.
      When the Three Lions took on Argentina in the round-of-16, Beckham retaliated to a tackle from Simeone by kicking out at him.
      The England legend was shown a straight red card for the offence and Simeone later admitted that he exaggerated his reaction and simulated an injury in a bid to get him sent off.
      Simeone retired from playing football in 2006 and went on to pursue a career in management.
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      He took charge of Racing Club, Estudiantes, River Plate, San Lorenzo and Catania before becoming Atletico Madrid manager in 2011.
      The Argentina-born boss has since overseen 637 matches with the club over the course of 12 years.
      Meanwhile, his son, Giovanni, is forging his own career in football.
      The 28-year-old made his professional debut for River Plate in 2013.
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      He spent the 2015-16 campaign on loan to Banfield before joining Genoa.
      Giovanni, also known as El Cholito, has also played for Fiorentina, Cagliari and Hellas Verona.
      He is now playing for Serie A champions Napoli.
      The striker joined the Italian giants on loan from Hellas Verona last season, but the deal was made permanent earlier this year.
      Giovanni made 33 appearances during his first season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, scoring nine goals.
      He has also made six senior appearances for the Argentina national team.
      Simeone famously clashed with David Beckham in 1998Credit: AFP – Getty More

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      Jose Mourinho set to LEAVE Roma at end of season with very familiar face in frame to replace him

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      JOSE MOURINHO will leave Roma at the end of the season, according to reports.The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss, 60, has endured a poor start to his third season at the helm of the Italian side.
      Jose Mourinho looks set to leave Roma at the end of the seasonCredit: Rex
      Antonio Conte has made it clear he would like to join RomaCredit: PA
      Roma sit 10th in the Serie A table after just three wins from their opening eight games.
      Mourinho’s three-year deal with the club expires at the end of the campaign.
      And journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed an extension “won’t happen”.
      He went on to add: “There are no negotiations ongoing, there have never been. So they’ll part company at the end of the deal in June.”
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      Another European move or a switch to Saudi Arabia are both options available to Mourinho – who was heavily linked with the Middle East during the summer.
      Meanwhile, Roma will be searching for the Special One’s replacement.
      And one man who has already stated his interest in the club is Antonio Conte.
      Mourinho and Conte have a long-standing rivalry having traded verbals in the past.
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      Conte, 54, has been out of work since being sacked by Tottenham last season.
      He has declined moves to Saudi Arabia as he waits for the right vacancy.
      And he recently named Roma and Napoli as sides he would be keen to join – while he also hinted at a return to Juventus.
      He said: “I’ve rejected a huge proposal from Saudi — I decided to say no.
      “I regretted leaving Juventus after just three years.
      “I’d like to try an experience in Roma or Napoli one day, but I usually prefer to join at the end of the season.” More

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      Romelu Lukaku reveals he is ready to break silence on Chelsea transfer exit after Roma star ‘read so much bulls***’

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      ROMELU LUKAKU has promised to break his silence on his move to Roma as he wants to dispel myths about his exit from Chelsea.The striker joined Roma on loan in the summer and has scored seven goals in eight games under Jose Mourinho.
      Romelu Lukaku has promised to open up about his Chelsea transfer exitCredit: Getty
      Lukaku, 30, was heavily linked with a return to Inter Milan, where he spent last season on loan.
      Some reports suggested Lukaku only wanted to join Inter but the Belgian has now dismissed such speculation as it “did not make sense”.
      He revealed he will share the truth about his Chelsea transfer exit when the time is right, claiming many will be shocked when he does.
      Lukaku said: “I have to wait for the right moment. You all know me. When I speak, I don’t go around the pot. Then I don’t do politics.
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      “I know what has been going on behind the scenes, but when I tell my story, I want everyone to listen to my point of view for once and nothing is taken out of context.
      “The time is not yet right for that. We are in a good groove. At Roma, we won the last three matches and I left with good vibes. For the national team, it is also an important week. But I read so much bulls***.’
      “I had supposedly told myself I was going to a certain club [Inter Milan], but that didn’t make sense.
      “There were also a few clubs I wouldn’t go to. At one point, I was about to explode. When 90 per cent of what is said about you is not true, it is hard to keep your mouth shut.
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      “Five years ago, I would definitely have exploded, but now I didn’t put my energy into it. Not now, either. If I really told the truth here at this moment, many would be shocked.
      “I just want to make an example of NBA player LeBron James, even though I’m not like LeBron. Bam, bam, bam — that one took a lot of criticism but handled it unflinchingly. I want to adopt that mentality.”
      Lukaku scored just eight goals in 26 Premier League games following his £100million return to Chelsea in 2021.
      He jeopardised his Blues career just a few months after he signed as he revealed he wanted to return to Inter in a bombshell interview.
      Chelsea let him join the Serie A giants on loan the following summer and he has not played for the club since. More

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      Inter Milan chief hints at sensational transfer return for Andre Onana after horror start to Man Utd career

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      ANDRE ONANA could make a stunning return to Inter Milan one day, according to their CEO Giuseppe Marotta.The Cameroon star quit Inter to join Manchester United in a £47million summer deal.
      Andre Onana has had a difficult start to life at Man UnitedCredit: Rex
      Giuseppe Marotta discussed Inter’s former goalkeeperCredit: Rex
      Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag sanctioned the exit of long-term No1 David de Gea to clear the decks for Onana.
      But the 27-year-old has struggled thus far, making a series of high-profile gaffes.
      Ten Hag, 53, is determined to stand by his No1, having worked with him at Ajax.
      But reports yesterday suggested that the Dutchman would “be open” to dropping Onana should his struggles continue.
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      United signed Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as back-up on deadline day.
      Speaking at the Gazzetta dello Sport Festival, Marotta discussed the possibility of Onana ever returning to the Nerazzurri.
      He said: “Anything can happen in football, even if those who return do not always have positive results.
      “It was an important experience for him and for us.
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      “It was also a very successful deal for us to get him for free and sell him for all that money.”
      Inter replaced Onana with former Bayern Munich star Yann Sommer.
      The 34-year-old has enjoyed a positive start to life in Serie A, drawing plenty of plaudits from Italian pundits.
      Onana, meanwhile, was recently criticised by United legend Roy Keane.
      Appearing on the Stick to Football podcast, the Irishman said: “He’s had a really poor start.
      “To be a goalkeeper at Man United is a hard position, you need a big personality after you’ve made mistakes.
      “He’s already made a few mistakes, it’s not been a great start.
      “We’ve seen other goalkeepers that have come to the club with a big reputation but, after a few mistakes, there seems no way back for them.” More