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      Premier League legend Olivier Giroud forced to issue grovelling apology after furious outburst at manager

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      OLIVIER GIROUD was forced to issue a grovelling apology after his furious outburst at his AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli.The former Arsenal and Chelsea star was raging after being substituted in the Serie A clash against Napoli on Sunday.
      Olivier Giroud was forced to apologise after his outburst during the Napoli gameCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
      Giroud was furious after being substituted during the Serie A clashCredit: Rex
      The Premier League legend was subbed off after scoring two goals for the RossoneriCredit: EPA
      Giroud, 37, put his side in the lead against the reigning Serie A champs with his two first-half strikes.
      Chelsea’s ex-striker fired in a header from Christian Pulisic’s cross and then repeated the trick just minutes later from Davide Calabria’s pass.
      But Napoli hit back in the second half after Matteo Politano’s breakthrough and Giacomo Raspadori’s free-kick.
      And the French international was fuming when he was replaced by Noah Okafor later in the game.
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      As he was taken off the pitch, the Rossoneri frontman refused to sit on the bench.
      He apologised to his boss Pioli for the outburst after the game.
      Giroud said to Sky Sport Italia: “I am only human, I am not a robot. I felt disappointed because I was convinced I could help my team-mates, that I still had energy left and wanted to stay on.
      “Of course, after five minutes I calmed down and apologised to the coach.
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      “I respect his decisions and I just want what is best for the team. I was frustrated because we should’ve won this game.”
      Giroud then revealed his frustration of losing the two-goal lead at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
      He continued: “On a personal level, I am happy for the two goals and grateful for the two great crosses from my team-mates.
      “However, I am disappointed with the result. We had the opportunity to win the game and created so many chances, but were unable to put the game to bed.”
      AC Milan are third in Serie A, three points behind rivals Inter, and have failed to make a breakthrough in their Champions League group stage fixtures.
      They have had two draws and one defeat in Group F and the French veteran said a failure to take chances is costing them at home and abroad.
      He added: “We created so many chances against Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund, but were not clinical enough. Today we could’ve had four or five goals.
      “Napoli reacted after our great first half. We knew it would be tougher after the break and their confidence was revitalised by their first goal, but we still could’ve done better.” More

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      West Ham ready to test Juventus with £35million transfer offer for Italy midfielder as David Moyes eyes shock deal

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      WEST HAM are reportedly ready to offer £35million to Juventus for Manuel Locatelli.The Hammers have enjoyed a solid start to the season despite losing their last two matches.
      West Ham could move for Manuel LocatelliCredit: AP
      The Hammers lost Declan Rice in the summerCredit: Reuters
      Midfielders James Ward-Prowse [L] and Edson Alvarez [R]joined West Ham in the summerCredit: Getty
      David Moyes’ side have proven to still be a capable team despite the loss of Declan Rice in the summer.
      The England international completed a £105million transfer away from the club as he joined London rivals Arsenal.
      West Ham spent the money wisely as stars such as James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez arrived to bolster the midfield.
      However, the club could look to further invest in strengthening the squad with a move for Locatelli.
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      Italian outlet Tutto Mercato has claimed that the Hammers are willing to offer the Serie A gianst £35m for Locatelli.
      The report does suggest that the bid will fail as Juventus are keen to offer the Italian a new contract.
      West Ham are not the first Premier League outfit to have been linked with a move for the international ace.
      Arsenal have also been touted with an interest in the midfielder in the past.
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      It was reported earlier this year that Locatelli rejected a move to the Emirates.
      Locatelli’s brother Mattia has explained that the love he has for Juventus was behind his decision to reject a switch to the Gunners.
      Speaking to Calcio Mercato, he said: “I still remember the negotiation [with Juventus]. For him it was very long.
      “There was also Arsenal, but he wanted Juventus. The clubs kept meeting, but without reaching an agreement.
      Where Locatelli could fit into David Moyes’ team
      “Every day I looked at the Gazzetta to check. In Sassuolo he trained separately, in him the desire to change. A real emotion.
      “On the day of his debut, he sent us a photo with the shirt and the words ‘I made it’.”
      Continuing to describe Locatelli’s love for Juve, Mattia added: “He gives everything for Juve. He loves those colours.
      “The first days? It didn’t seem real to him. And then I realised there was a reason he was there with them.
      “Manuel is very happy to be there.”
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      However, should West Ham be able to convince him to leave his beloved Juventus, then their midfield could look even stronger.
      Locatelli could line-up alongside Ward-Prowse and Alvarez in the middle of the pitch in what would be a trio that could rival many of the top clubs in the Premier League. More

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      Newcastle and Tottenham could seal transfer for Italy star ‘in a flash’ as Juventus set £52m asking price

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      NEWCASTLE or Tottenham could sign Juventus forward Federico Chiesa for £52million in the January transfer window, according to reports.The Italian, 26, suffered an ACL injury back in January which left him sidelined for the rest of the season.
      Federico Chiesa could be set for a Premier League move in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      But he has returned to action at the beginning of the new campaign and hit the ground running.
      Chiesa already has four goals and one assist in eight matches for Juventus.
      However, according to Calcio Mercato, he is continuing to be linked with a move away.
      And it is understood a fee in the region of £52m would be enough to tempt Juventus into selling.
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      Both Newcastle and Tottenham are monitoring Chiesa’s situation as they weigh up a potential offer in January.
      And the report states they could sign him “in a flash” if they step up their pursuit.
      Chiesa’s contract expires in June 2025.
      He joined Juventus on loan from Fiorentina in 2020, before the move was made permanent for £34m last year.
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      Last month, Manchester United were linked with a swoop for the attacker – who has 42 caps for Italy.
      Juventus sit third in the Serie A table, two points adrift of pace setters Inter Milan after nine games.
      They have already lost one high profile player this season in the shape of Paul Pogba after he failed a drug test. More

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      Chelsea keeping tabs on old striker as Villa and Brentford eye £45m transfer… and Jose Mourinho could be deciding factor

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      THREE Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on Roma star Tammy Abraham, according to reports.The 26-year-old has not played this season due to him suffering an ACL injury.
      Tammy Abraham could be set to leave Roma this summerCredit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho’s likely exit from Roma could lead to Abraham also wanting to goCredit: Getty
      Roma have replaced him with Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea and the Serie A side would consider making the move permanent.
      This and manager Jose Mourinho’s expected exit from the club at the end of this season could lead to Abraham wanting out of Italy.
      The striker is reportedly keen on a return to England.
      Chelsea have always kept an eye on their former player and Lukaku’s potential move to the Stadio Olimpico could facilitate a swap deal.
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      They also supposedly have a £67m buy-back clause in his Roma contract.
      Meanwhile, Brentford are also keen on Abraham and hope £45m will be enough to sign him.
      TeamTalk report that he could be high on the Bees’ wishlist should they sell Ivan Toney in the summer.
      Meanwhile, Aston Villa are open to bolstering their attack and manager Unai Emery is a big fan of Abraham.
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      He also proved popular while on loan at Villa Park back in the 2018/2019 season.
      Abraham is not expected to play again until February as he recovers from his long-term injury.
      He has enjoyed much success with Roma, scoring 27 goals in all competitions and winning the Conference League in his first season there.
      But last term he found the back of the net just nine times. More

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      Chelsea and Arsenal receive huge boost in Victor Osimhen transfer hunt but Prem rival have already made first move

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs have received a major boost in their pursuit of Napoli star Victor Osimhen, according to reports.The striker is on the radar of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
      Victor Osimhen is struggling to agree a new contract at NapoliCredit: Reuters
      Osimhen’s contract at Napoli runs until 2025 and talks over an improved deal are said to have stalled.
      Calcio Mercato report that his relationship with club chief Aurelio De Laurentiis is becoming frosty.
      The two disagree over the player’s wages and a release clause.
      Osimhen wants his salary doubled from £3.9m to £7.8m per year.
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      While De Laurentiis is insisting on a £174m release clause, with the striker keen for it to be lower.
      This comes after Osimhen’s relationship with Napoli soured after they mocked him on social media.
      Meanwhile, he continues to perform on the pitch, having netted six goals in ten games this season.
      The 24-year-old scored 26 times in 39 matches in all competitions last term as he helped fire Napoli to the Serie A title.
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      Manager Luciano Spalletti has since left to take over the Italian national team and new boss Rudi Garcia is reportedly unpopular with some at the club.
      SunSport exclusively revealed that Liverpool have already made the first move to sign Osimhen after sending scouts to watch him earlier this month.
      Several of Europe’s biggest teams are keeping track of the Nigeria international. More

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      Jose Mourinho ‘to quit Roma in 2024 with ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham following him for Premier League return’

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      BOTH Jose Mourinho and Tammy Abraham are reportedly set to leave Roma at the end of the season.The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss arrived in the Italian capital in 2021 and led them to Europa Conference League success in his first season.
      Tammy Abraham and Jose Mourinho are allegedly set to leave Roma in the summerCredit: Getty
      He then guided them to the Europa League final last term but Roma have made an indifferent start to the current campaign.
      Mourinho, 60, is only under contract at the Stadio Olimpico until June 2024 and now it looks unlikely that he will be staying after that.
      TeamTalk claims that the Portuguese coach is “set to leave once his contract expires” and that his departure “will usher in a new era” in Rome.
      And they also claim that “several players will follow him out the door” – and one of those is 26-year-old England international striker Abraham.
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      The Chelsea academy graduate was one of Mourinho’s first signings in charge and he has scored 25 times in 75 Serie A matches for the club.
      This fresh update states that he is “keen on a return to the Premier League” and that he “loves playing under Mourinho”, with sources allegedly informing the publication that he “would be happy to call time on Italy next summer and return to England” should the manager depart.
      Roma are believed to be keen on turning Romelu Lukaku’s loan spell from Chelsea into a permanent arrangement.
      And Abraham is said to be “open to being involved in a potential swap” and returning to his boyhood team.
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      Chelsea have tracked his progress ever since selling him to Roma.
      However, they may face some stiff competition to sign him.
      A number of other Premier League sides are keen on the ex-Swansea City and Aston Villa loanee and are believed to have him on their summer transfer wishlists. More

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      Jose Mourinho’s sneaky tactics see Roma slapped with fine after controversial win over Monza

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      ROMA have been fined for go-slow tactics after Jose Mourinho’s latest controversial use of ball-boys.The former Manchester United boss also landed a one-game bench ban after he was sent off in the same 1-0 win over Monza on Sunday.
      Jose Mourinho will be banned from the bench against old club InterCredit: Rex
      Mourinho has continued to deploy contentious tacticsCredit: 2023 UEFA
      Italy’s Sporting Judge officially blamed Roma for their ball-boys taking too much time to get the ball back after Stephan El Shaarawy hit a late winner.
      Mourinho was shown the red card for mocking Raffaele Palladino and his Monza players with a crying gesture in stoppage time.
      The ex-Chelsea and Tottenham chief has now now been suspended for next Sunday’s trip to his old club Inter Milan.
      Roma were penalised 10,000 euros – about £8,700 – for having “objective responsibility” for the actions of their ball-boys.
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      And it’s just the latest example of Mourinho’s contentious antics with those unsung helpers.
      He famously praised a ball-boy for swiftly hurling the ball for Serge Aurier to take a quick throw and spark an equaliser in a 4-2 Spurs win over Olympiakos in 2019.
      But two years before that he notoriously ‘axed’ the kids at Old Trafford for being too slow at returning the ball.
      At one stage Mourinho even blamed such poor service from the sidelines for United’s indifferent home form.
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      And back in 2014 he exchanged words with a Crystal Palace ball-boy, who he felt was not giving the ball back quickly enough to Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta.
      Mourinho has previously summed up his outlook on the matter by stressing the touchline helpers must know how important their role is – and be up to the job.
      He said: “You want a quick throw-in, the ball boy needs to know that you want a quick throw-in.
      “The ball needs to arrive fast. The goal kicks, the tempo of the game, the ball boys can also play a part in a good structure.” More

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      Notoriously trigger-happy Pozzo family ‘SACK yet another manager’ with club languishing near foot of table

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      UDINESE are set to sack manager Andrea Sottil, according to reports.The Italian side currently sit 18th in the Serie A table, just inside the relegation zone.
      Andrea Sottil has been sacked as Udinese managerCredit: EPA
      Giampaolo Pozzo made the decision to change managersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And having failed to win a game so far this season, owner Giampaolo Pozzo has decided to change managers.
      Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports that Gabriele Cioffi is set to take over.
      Sottil was appointed as Udinese boss in June 2022 and was in charge for 50 games, losing 18 and winning just 13.
      The 49-year-old has struggled to get his team up and running this season, which is why club chiefs are now set to turn to Cioffi.
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      The Pozzo family are renowned for chopping and changing managers on a regular basis.
      Gino Pozzo, Giampaolo’s son, is the owner and managing director of Championship side Watford.
      The family took over at Vicarage Road in 2012 before Gino claimed sole ownership two years later.
      Over the course of 11 years, Watford have appointed 20 different managers.
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      The likes of Chris Wilder, Roy Hodgson, Claudio Ranieri, Xisco Munoz, Javi Gracia and Marco Silva have all had stints with the Hertfordshire-based club since the Pozzo family became owners.
      Current Hornets manager Valerien Ismael has been in charge since May.
      Gino Pozzo (L) is the owner of WatfordCredit: Getty More