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      in Soccer

      Chelsea need to sign these three stars in January, according to transfer supercomputer – including £100m teenage striker

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      CHESEA’S owners face a transfer dilemma in January on whether they should slow down their spending or continue splashing the cash.There is pressure building on Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino with the club 10th in the Premier League
      Mauricio Pochettino could be in line for some key additions in JanuaryCredit: Alamy
      A couple of key additions can vastly improve the BluesCredit: Getty
      And there is a growing expectation the club will spend in January to get them out of trouble.
      This would be coming on the back, however, of a £460million outlay in the summer as the club brought in the likes of Moises Caciedo, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Axel Disasi and Lesley Ugochukwu.
      This came on the back of a £600m outlay the season before as Chelsea’s new ownership group looked to stamp their identity on the club.
      Despite this, the club find themselves well off the pace of where they want to be, sitting in 10th in the Premier League and 12 points off the top four.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      So, given that Chelsea have invested such huge funds into their playing squad over the last 18 months, is further spending really the answer?
      The answer might actually prove to be yes but mainly because their recruitment to this point has not been good enough.
      But Total Football Analysis’ xGold tool has identified three players with similar profiles to top other top stars who could prove transformative for the Blues in the second half of the season.
      The xGold tool was previously used to identify names for Manchester United, with Chelsea now being the subject of the conversation.
      Most read in Football
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      1. Sacha Boey, RB, Galatasaray – £22m
      Sacha Boey has been identified as the ideal January recruit for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Boey impressed in the Champions League this season
      The first area we have looked at is right back following another injury to club captain Reece James, with Manchester City’s Kyle Walker being used as the blueprint to replace the position.
      They have already brought in one French right-back in Malo Gusto to act as a backup option but xGold has identified a second Frenchman who has an 88 per cent likeness to Walker in Sacha Boey
      Here we see an example of Boey’s dangerous movement when moving in possession
      Boey dominated the right flank when playing at Old Trafford earlier this season
      The 23-year-old has impressed in the Champions League with Galatasaray and has the kind of profile that could work well in the Premier League.
      Boey is a fullback who can defend effectively and pass and move forward to support attacks and also possess the ability to tuck inside and support the centre-backs.
      He is a superior defender to Malo Gusto with the ability to tuck inside and support his central defenders.
      Boey is fast and strong but he also displays good game intelligence and anticipation.
      Here Boey receives the ball and is intelligent enough to wait for his team-mates run before playing a pass
      How Boey’s profile compares to Kyle Walker
      And all of this comes at a cool estimated cost of £22m,
      With James’ injury and right-back being an increasingly important position from a tactical point of view, the signing of a RB like Boey would give more depth and quality to the Chelsea squad going forward.
      2. Joao Neves, CM, Benfica – £105m
      Joao Neves is the second name who has been identified by xGoldCredit: Getty
      He has caught the eye at Benfica this season
      Using Man City star Rodri as our second blueprint, xGold has returned an 85 per cent with Benfica midfielder Joao Neves.
      Neves, 19, is already a full Portugal international and has a profile that would slot comfortably into the Premier League.
      Neves is intelligent enough to find space in midfield to dictate play from
      Neves has proven himself capable of being a heavy influence on games
      Despite £222 pairing Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caciedo already in the Chelsea midfield, there is a sense that they are still missing a midfielder who can be a true controller in deeper areas.
      Adding a midfielder like Neves, who likes to drop deeper and build the attack by receiving the ball from his defenders in high volume, would bring another dimension to the Chelsea midfield.
      This allows him to support build up play by creating numerical superiority which can progress the ball through an opposition press.
      His exemplary passing range is added to by the variety of passes he can play, making him an all-action midfielder that would give Chelsea a strong base to build from.
      Neves’ passing range mark him out as an excellent conductor
      How Neves compares to Rodri
      Neves, however, will not be cheap. And his estimated cost of £105m could be a big pill to swallow after already coughing up north of £100m on two other midfielders.
      However, he has the potential to go on to become one of the top players in World football and he certainly stabilise this Chelsea midfield.
      3. Evan Ferguson, ST, Brighton – £100m
      Evan Ferguson is the third star identified who can transform ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Ferguson has been tipped as a star for the future
      Considering the goal struggles among Chelsea’s forwards, the third star identified by xGold is Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, based off an 80 per cent match on the blueprint for Napoli ace Victor Osimhen.
      Chelsea have been regular Brighton shoppers in recent seasons – Marc Cucurella and Moises Caicedo were both big money signings from the Amex – but they need to pay one more major visit to the Seagulls.
      Ferguson’s profile mean he is capable of both holding up play and scoring goals himself
      Ferguson has proven himself capable of dropping deep and leading the line
      There are few better young forwards in world football than the 19-year-old Irish international, who is equally comfortable playing on the shoulder of the last defender or with his back to goal.
      He is the definition of a forward that has ‘good feet for a big man’ and when receiving back to goal he has the ability to take the ball and combine with team-mates effectively in attack.
      Ferguson is also, however, capable of receiving and spinning defenders who get too tight to him before driving forward and attacking towards the opposition penalty area.
      At this point in time Chelsea are missing a forward who gives a real presence to the attack and who can hold the ball and bring others into the game.
      Here Ferguson recieves the ball on the edge of the area before turning and curling a shot into the bottom corner
      How Ferguson compares to Victor Osimhen
      Given the speed Chelsea have in the wide areas and the technical players they have in the midfield, we believe adding a top-quality forward player will be the key in linking everything together.
      Once again, Ferguson is not a player who will come cheap with some reports putting his cost as high as £100m, but Ferguson could feature at the top of their attack for the next decade.
      Read more on The Sun
      Conclusion
      Using data and player profiles we can use tools like xGold to cut through the noise and sheer volume of players that are available to a team like Chelsea to help them to make smart decisions in terms of their recruitment.
      Do you want more than just a match report when it comes to your football content? Get the daily tactical analysis, data and scouting from Total Football Analysis for just £5.20 per month. You get 10+ articles per week, 2x digital magazines per month and access to our huge archive of articles, reports and more! More

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      in Soccer

      The wildest footballers’ Christmas parties, from dwarf-tossing to fancy dress and shocking all-night benders

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      ‘TIS the season to be jolly, and if you are a footballer, potentially to get yourself in a whole lot of bother.The busy Christmas period of football is nearly among us, with clubs all around the land playing fixtures around the clock.
      Footballers’ Christmas parties can often be raucous affairsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Fancy dress, as seen on Arsenal’s stars, is often a priorityCredit: Instagram @kierangibbs
      But before then, some will indulge in a shenanigans of a festive party.
      Often, in the past, these have gone very wrong.
      From the extremely un-PC activity of dwarf-tossing to raucous all-night benders, these stars let their hair down maybe a little too much.
      Chelsea, 1994
      When notorious hardman Vinnie Jones is organising your Christmas party, expect fireworks.
      Read more football news
      But no one would have expected dwarf-tossing.
      Vinnie organised a lock-in at a West London boozer for a Chelsea party in 1994.
      As talkSPORT’s Tony Cascarino explained: “The idea was to pick up a dwarf and hurl him as far as you could.
      “I had a go, but I can’t remember how I did. They were heavier than I expected.”
      Most read in Football
      Vinnie Jones organised a lock-in at a pub for his Chelsea teammates where they took part in dwarf-tossingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Liverpool, 1990s
      Liverpool were the dominant force of football in the late 80s and early 90s.
      John Barnes, Steve McMahon, Ian Rush and Co enjoyed plenty of success on the pitch.
      Off it, they took fancy dress to another (controversial) level, with David Burrows once dressing up as Adolf Hitler.
      But, it was Barnes dressed up as a Ku Klux Klan member for one Christmas party that really took the biscuit.
      Speaking to BT Sport, legendary keeper Bruce Grobbelaar revealed about one night out: “There was a fellow in a white outfit with a pointy hat who was John Barnes, (he was) the Ku Klux Klan.”
      Another tale recounts Steve McMahon minding the door of the venue, when he was confronted by a man wearing a white sheet.
      “You can’t come in like that. John Barnes is in there,” McMahon is believed to have said.
      “No,” said the man pulling off his hood. “He’s in here.”
      Absolutely and I’d do it again… and go as Hitler to a fancy dress party.. fancy dress parties are there for you to make fun of people you go as and the kkk and Hitler are figures to be ridiculed so I see no problem in that… I wouldn’t go as kunta kinte with chains on…— John Barnes (@officialbarnesy) January 23, 2020

      John Barnes dressed up as a Ku Klux Klan member for a 1990s partyCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Arsenal, 1996
      Arsene Wenger had just landed at the club, while Patrick Vieira was one of his first signings.
      But initially the Frenchman couldn’t put a curb on Arsenal’s Christmas bash of ’96 and the drinking culture that ran through the club.
      “The tradition was we would go out and get absolutely leathered and then recover on our day off,” Dixon revealed to FourFourTwo.
      However, Vieira turned up to the shindig with his car keys in hand and planned on having a nice meal and a glass of wine before getting an early night.
      “The boys weren’t having that,” Dixon said.
      “So we took his keys from him, and soon Patrick was loving it and dancing on the tables.”
      Patrick Vieira was roped into a drinking session with Arsenal’s stars in 1996Credit: Getty
      Newcastle, 1998
      As a tradition, everyone loves a Secret Santa.
      Well, everyone except perhaps Duncan Ferguson, Dietmar Hamann and bald Georgian Temuri Ketsbaia when they attended Newcastle’s 1998 party.
      The gifts were handed out – but they were in incredibly poor taste.
      Ferguson was handed a prison shirt, referencing time he spent behind bards, German legend Hamann was given a copy of Mein Kampf, while Ketsbaia received a comb.
      Alessandro Pistone opened up his present to reveal a sheep’s heart that questioned his lack of commitment.
      “I’m sure it was a joke,” the Italian unconvincingly said.
      read more sport features
      Dietmar Hamann received a tasteless gift at Newcastle Secret Santa Christmas partyCredit: Getty
      Hamann unwrapped a copy of Adolf Hitler’s Mein KampfCredit: AFP
      Man City, 2004
      When you’ve got Joey Barton, there’s always a danger of things getting out of hand.
      The clue that something could boil over could have been who Barton chose to dress up as… Jimmy Saville.
      Armed with a cigar, Barton then got into an altercation with youth player Jamie Tandy at a Manchester hotspot.
      He used the lit cigar as a weapon, stubbing it out on the youngster’s eye.
      Barton was reprimanded by the club and fined six weeks wages.
      Tandy would later claim the incident ruined his career.
      Joey Barton and trouble go hand in handCredit: Rex Features
      Man Utd, 2007
      Party-pooper Sir Alex Ferguson banned Christmas parties from 2007 onwards. And this is why.
      Several of the Man Utd team enjoyed a 13-hour bender in Manchester, which included a trip to Long Legs strip club, as well as some eardrum-splitting drunken-singing at a karaoke bar.
      It was claimed that some players spent up to £4,000 on their night out.
      Wags were barred from attending, with witnesses saying the stars were wild and out of control.
      It must have helped for team morale, though, because the Red Devils would go on to win the Premier League and Champions League.
      Man Utd stars arrive at their Christmas party in 2007 before an almighty benderCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      The team ended up enjoying strip club Long Legs in Manchester
      Tottenham, 2009
      In 2009, Robbie Keane tried to pull the wool over Harry Redknapp’s eyes.
      He told the then Spurs gaffer he was taking his teammates to Dublin for a golf trip.
      But he wasn’t. Instead, they went on a pub crawl – taking in The Big Smoke’s brilliant drinking holes.
      Redknapp found out and went “mad”, according to Peter Crouch in his book.
      The 16 players involved were all fined £20,000.
      Redknapp said: “Wednesday was their day off and Robbie told me they were going to Dublin to play golf. I had no problem with that.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I am not happy and it will be dealt with, and dealt with severely.
      “I was shocked when I heard about it. I don’t see why parties should happen in today’s football – they’re more trouble than they’re worth.”
      Robbie Keane got himself in trouble with Harry Redknapp when he took his teammates to Dublin for a booze-upCredit: PA:Press Association More

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      in Soccer

      Meet first female Premier League referee Rebecca Welch, who worked for the NHS before becoming a full-time official

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      ON December 23, history will be made.Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee to officiate a Premier League fixture.
      Referee Rebecca Welch is set to make history on December 23Credit: Getty
      Welch will officiate the Premier League match between Fulham and BurnleyCredit: PA
      The 40-year-old from Washington, Tyne and Wear will take charge of Fulham and Burnley at Craven Cottage.
      Just a few days later, Sam Allison will assume control over Sheffield United and Luton Town and become the first black official since Uriah Rennie 15 years ago.
      It’s a groundbreaking moment in England’s top flight, which was applauded by Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.
      “I think it’s a great moment,” he said. 
      Read more football news
      “For me, it’s got to be based on ability, not gender, ability to referee and I fully support it.”
      While PGMOL head of referees Howard Webb told Sky Sports: “They are both part of the PGMOL development group which fast-tracks talented officials through the pathway.
      “We have already seen three officials from the group take charge of their first Premier League games and now we have number four and five and it shows the value of that work.
      “We have not seen a female take charge of a Premier League game before so it’s significant, and Sam being the first black official with a whistle in the Premier League since Uriah Rennie.
      Most read in Football
      “It demonstrates people can make it through the pathway from groups that are not traditionally well represented.”
      But Rebecca’s path to the top was far from traditional.
      She admittedly fell into refereeing by mistake, before being the woman in the middle for the League Two fixture between Harrogate Town and Port Vale in 2019.
      Up until then she worked as an administrator for the NHS.
      Grateful to the NHS
      “The NHS are a crucial piece of the jigsaw to how I am here, with the flexibility they gave me,” Welch revealed.
      “I worked full-time but if I needed time off to go to games, if I needed to leave early or if I needed to go on any Uefa trips, they were always very accommodating. Never once did I have to say ‘I can’t attend a game because I have to go to work’ – their support was brilliant.
      Welch worked in the NHS’s business services authority for 17 years.
      She said: “I decided a couple of years ago to take a career break [from the NHS], just because I wanted to give football everything and I wanted to be in a position to, when I retire, sit back and say I gave it 100% and this was what I achieved.
      “Hopefully when I retire from refereeing I will return to the NHS and they’ll have me back.”
      Welch stepped away from a job with the NHS to work in footballCredit: Rex
      Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag complains to WelchCredit: Rex
      Welch first officiated an EFL game in 2019
      read more sport features
      ‘I didn’t want to ref’
      It wasn’t Welch’s plan to become a referee.
      She actually fell into it by mistake, after sharing a joke with Uefa B ref, Lindsey Robinson, and soon began juggling her NHS job with Sunday league games in County Durham.
      “Lindsey used to ref some of our games when I played local football,” Welch told The Telegraph.
      “I used to say how refereeing is ‘so easy’ and how referees always get it wrong and she said ‘well if you think it’s that easy, go and do it’ and that was it.
      “Still with no real ambition to referee a game, I just thought I’d go and do the course and learn a bit more about the laws of the game. Then I picked up the whistle, did my first five games and I stopped playing to start being a referee.
      “It’s a role people look at and think ‘why would you want to be a referee?’ but actually the rewards you get out of it, it’s completely changed me as a person, it’s completely changed my life, for the better. It’s kind of gone in a whirlwind. I’ve really enjoyed it.”
      Respect
      This season, especially, the Premier League has seen a staggering rise of abuse for officials from players, managers, and taunting from the crowd.
      Welch, herself, faced alleged misogynistic chanting towards her during a Birmingham City game that saw two 17-year-old boys arrested.
      She feels respected by the players, and believes there is a difference between abuse and disagreeing with decisions.
      Welch believes she has earned the respect from the prosCredit: Getty
      Welch believes there is a difference between someone who is abusing you and someone who is disagreeing with your decisionCredit: Alamy
      “A lot of people think that as a referee I go out on a Saturday and for 90 minutes I get a torrent of abuse – that’s actually not true,” she said.
      “There’s a difference between somebody who is abusing you and somebody who is disagreeing with your decisions. I do feel respected by the players.
      Read more on The Sun
      “I think the abuse side of it is a different avenue and that’s something that fortunately I haven’t been privy to, in my 11 years. I’ve never had somebody come in and give me abuse just because I’m a female referee or abuse because I’m a referee.
      “I’ve had people disagree with me because of the nature of the job I do, but there are some people who have come under that [abuse] so we definitely need to do more work in that area to stop that happening as we move forward.” More

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      in Boxing

      Inside George Foreman’s amazing car collection up for auction, including a priceless Ford GT and a massive tour bus

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      GEORGE FOREMAN’s amazing car collection is up for grabs.Over the years, the boxing legend, 74, has amassed a stunning array of motors from every decade.
      George Foreman amassed an amazing array of motors
      Foreman’s 52-car collection is up for auctionCredit: Instagram / @hagertymarketplace
      A vintage Chevy Impala is available as part of the collection
      There is a very old-fashioned 1932 Ford Model 18, as well as a kitted out tour bus.
      For the more sporty, there’s even a 2005-edition Ford GT supercar in bright red.
      The stunning cars have been made available by auctioneers Hagerty Marketplace.
      Foreman admitted: “I have been a car collector and enthusiast most of my life, but the time has come for me to share my cars with other like-minded enthusiasts.
      Read more boxing news
      “Being able to offer them to the more than million-strong Hagerty audience is the best way to ensure they get the attention they deserve.”
      SunSport let’s you take a peak through some of what is on offer.
      1959 Chevrolet Impala Tri-Power Convertible
      With an apparent 60,000 miles on the clock, George’s classic Chevy is picking up plenty of admirers.
      Like most of the collection, there’s no reserve price – with current bidding at around the £120,000 mark.
      Most read in Boxing
      It is finished in black over red vinyl upholstery with tri-tone cloth seat inserts.
      The 14 inch steel wheels wearing spinner covers and mounted with Coker Classic wide whitewall tires are a thing a of beauty.
      1932 Ford Model 18 Deluxe Coupe
      George’s collection begins with classic motors from the 1930s.
      The pick of them is the staggering Ford Model 18, that’s already drawn bids at around £52,000.
      It is a car famously ingrained in American pop culture as one of the original hot rods.
      It’s a collector’s item, not to be driven, which explains why it has only travelled 819 miles.
      The Ford Model 18 is a classic car in American pop cultureCheck out these amazing collections

      1960 Bentley S2 Long Wheelbase Park Ward Saloon
      Bentleys are the ultimate in luxury, no matter what the year.
      And this 60s version was what the brand was built on.
      George’s is in fairly good nick, with just 47,000 miles on the clock.
      Slight imperfections on the worn horn button and warped rear lights haven’t put off bidders.
      Currently, the bid stands at around £17,000.
      A classic Bentley from the 1960s was kept in pristine condition by George Forema
      read more sport features
      1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray “Split-Window” Fuelie Coupe
      Corvettes are a staple of Hollywood films from yesteryear.
      The Sting Ray is as classic and classy as it gets, often referred to as the “Father of the Corvette.”
      It’s no wonder the bidding stands at around £100,000.
      This motor is powered by a 327 cu-in, 360 horsepower V8 engine with Rochester Ramjet mechanical fuel injection.
      The Corvette Sting Ray is one of the ultimate in muscle cars
      1987 Ferrari Testarossa
      In the 1980s, the Testarossa was the best Ferrari you could own.
      It helped that it was driven by the coolest detectives of the era, Crockett and Tubbs in cult TV favourite Miami Vice.
      It was one of just 1,008 Testarossa’s produced in 1987.
      George bought it in 1992, and it has done just 3,400 miles.
      The iconic 80s Testarossa was made famous in Miami Vice
      Miami Vice made the Ferrari Testarossa cool
      1999 Prevost Vantare H3-45 VIP Premium Touring Coach
      When you’re a legendary boxer, entrepreneur, minister and author – you get invited all over the country.
      What’s the best and most comfortable way to travel? In your own coach, of course.
      Incredibly, George owned his own top-of-the-range tour bus that boasted it’s own king-size bed.
      Needless to say, bidders are queuing up for this, with it currently around the £90,000 mark.
      George Foreman enjoyed travelling in his own tour bus
      The tour bus boasts its own bed
      2002 Ferrari 360 Spider Six-Speed
      How George squeezed his giant frame into a Ferrari, is a mystery.
      Bearing in mind, his 360 Spider only has 1,600 miles on the clock – the answer there might be not that many times.
      It is powered by a 3.6 litre V8 engine, and capable of reaching a top speed of 180 mph.
      The bidding is at £112,000.
      George Foreman’s Ferrari 360 Spider from 2002 has only 1,600 miles on the clock
      2005 Ford GT
      The most wanted, most cherished, and highest bidded on star in George’s collection. It stands at £260,000.
      This is one for all car enthusiasts, with such a rich history behind it – the GT famously winning four Le Mans races in a row in the 1960s has been glamourised on the big screen.
      Read more on The Sun
      It boasts a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine.
      Incredibly, it has only driven 792 miles.
      The Ford GT is the most expensive car available for auction More

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      in Soccer

      Inside ex-Premier League star’s amazing £400-a-night hotel with spectacular pool bar just yards from the beach

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      IN 2018, the same year Dejan Lovren lifted the Champions League, he became a hotelier.It came soon after his clothing label, Russell Brown launched, although that didn’t have as much success and is now defunct.
      The 4-star Joel Hotel in Croatia pulls in visitors all-year round
      Joel Hotels boasts an infinity pool and incredible sea viewsCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      Former Liverpool player Dejan Lovren is the hotel’s ownerCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      But, his four-star Joel Hotel in a beautiful part of Croatia is very much here to stay, and is certainly THE place to stay.
      Lovren, now 34 and playing for French club Lyon, had the property built from scratch in Novalja on the island of Pag.
      The project reportedly cost him somewhere around £3million.
      And since it opened its doors, it has continued to provide a relaxing place to stay for tourists from all over the world.
      Read more football news
      What has it got?
      A two-minute stroll from the spectacular Plaza Strasko beach, the Joel Hotel, reportedly named after his two children Josip and Elena, has a boutique feel to it.
      There are just 16 rooms, and each has its own designer kitchen.
      They are split up into 11 one-bedroom apartments, 2 studio apartments, 1 deluxe apartment and 2 annexes.
      Each apartment includes a living room, as well as a spacious private balcony.
      Most read in Football
      Prices vary, with an apartment with a sea view costing around £215-per-night during high season.
      While a superior deluxe apartment is as much as £401-per-night.
      Pool, restaurant and bar
      Amenities haven’t been skimped on by Lovren.
      The outdoor infinity pool measures at 12 x 6 metres and is heated all-year round.
      Spectacularly, it offers a breathtaking view of Novalja and the surrounding mountains.
      There is also a state-of-the-art outdoor gym, for those who want to stay in shape on their holiday.
      But for others who just want to unwind and let it all go, there is an amazing restaurant and bar.
      On the menu is Mediterranean cuisine from meaty pasta dishes to a Tuna steak with sauteed vegetables.
      Rooms can cost up to £400-per-night during high seasonCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      Living rooms and kitchens feature in the superior apartmentsCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      Clean, pristine bathrooms offer plenty of spaceCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      Relaxing by the pool has never looked better at the Joel HotelCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      read more sport features
      The bar serves classic cocktails, as well as a variety of other alcoholic beverages.
      Visitors also have the option to rent a boat.
      The reviews are in
      The Joel Hotel is a favourite for guests who have reviewed their stay on TripAdvisor.
      In fact, it has recorded an impressive five star rating from 23 reviews.
      One visitor wrote: “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the best stay on Pag. Close to Novalja and close to Zrće.
      “The accommodation, amenities, the staff and the intimacy of the stay was brilliant. We stayed for five nights and had a great time. No more than eight people by the pool. Your own private oasis of comfort.”
      Another posted: “A breathtaking luxury building. Very friendly staff and approachable. The service is unmatched. The food is delicious – fresh ingredients, great served.
      Guests can rent a boat for the dayCredit: instagram @joelhotel_novalja
      The Joel Hotel restaurant gets good reviews online
      Guests can enjoy tuna steak
      Pasta dishes are also on offer
      “Do yourself a favour and visit this amazing hotel in Novalja.”
      While a third shared: “First of all, the hotel location is the perfect spot in Novalja. The view from the pool is just wow. Accomodation – very clean and nicely decorated. Friendly staff.
      “And best part is definitely food and drink. Enjoyed every meal and cocktail… best moscow mule I had.”
      A kind act
      Back in December, 2020 Croatia was hit by an earthquake with a reported magnitude of 6.4 that destroyed homes and buildings in Petrinja.
      Generous Lovren, who played 78 times for his country before retiring in early 2023, offered his help.
      Read more on The Sun
      The Adriatic Sea is in view of the hotel
      The hotel attracts high-flying clientele
      Dejan Lovren famously offered his hotel to families affected by a 2020 earthquake in his homeland
      He kindly gave 16 endangered families free accommodation at the hotel and urged them to get in touch with a personal message on Instagram.
      Not only a brilliant footballer, Lovren clearly has a heart of gold. More

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      in Soccer

      Mary Earps is England’s TikTok queen with 1m followers thanks to her hilarious and heart-warming videos

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      SOCIAL media can be a powerful tool for a sports, when it is done right.Lionesses hero Mary Earps is ticking all the boxes on that front.
      England shotstopper Mary Earps has become of the game’s iconic figuresCredit: Getty
      Off the pitch, Earps cuts a glam figureCredit: Instagram @1maryearps
      The Sports Personality of the Year award nominee, 30, has had a remarkable year on the pitch.
      Following up her displays at the Euros in 2022, she starred in England’s World Cup campaign – memorably saving a penalty in the final with Spain before firing her teammates up with a series of expletives caught on camera.
      But it’s off the pitch where Man Utd star Mary is at her most endearing.
      She is known as the ‘TikTok Queen’ among her peers, drawing more than 1million followers to her account thanks to her hilarious and heartwarming videos.
      Read more Lionesses news
      Sometimes, the hilarity is at the expense of her teammates…
      The fall girl
      Often, Earps ropes in pal Millie Bright for her TikToks.
      Most recently, the goalie deputised for the Chelsea defender as captain.
      Put a camera in front of them, and they are a comedy duo to be reckoned with.
      Most read in Football
      Several of Mary’s clips include the centre back.
      Some of the most memorable include various dance routines the pair pull off in unison.
      The one that gets us, though, is a game where you have to guess the song and sing along.
      If you don’t, the other player – standing behind you – will clatter you with a pillow.
      Both Mary and Millie take considerable pleasure in whacking each other if they don’t know the song.
      It, strangely, makes for compelling viewing.
      Mary Earps usually ropes in Mille Bright for some TikTok funCredit: TikTok @1maryearps
      A guess the song game always provides hilarity between Earps and BrightCredit: TikTok @1maryearps
      Clowning around
      Mary is a model professional.
      She has to work hard to become a permanent fixture for her country, when she was dropped by former England coach Phil Neville she fought hard to win her place back.
      It was a moment that saw her consider retirement.
      Thankfully, she didn’t. And she is now one of the first names on the teamsheet.
      Clearly, she also provides plenty of light relief in training – and isn’t afraid to clown around.
      Case in point, a recent training session with Utd saw her showing off her skills.
      After pulling off a save, she runs to the camera to show off her face covered in bits of grass.
      She captioned the clip: “When you’re a goalkeeper and the groundsman has just cut the grass.”
      read more sport features
      A training session on a freshly cut pitch saw Earps covered in grassCredit: TikTok @1maryearps
      Beauty regime
      One thing TikTok is famous for is beauty tips.
      You can’t move on the platform for make-up advice, skin care tips and the like.
      Mary is, obviously, well aware of this.
      So, in the only way she knows how, the football star filmed her own beauty regime.
      First, she comically applied a face mask, then scrubbed her teeth with purple whitening toothpaste.
      Earps then applies a cleanser, a booster, and an eye cream to get rid of dark circles, followed by a moisturiser.
      All of this is brilliantly narrated by England star Jess Carter.
      Earps comically applies a face maskCredit: TikTok @1maryearps
      Purple whitening toothpaste is part of Earps’ beauty regime
      Success story
      No doubt her biggest success in the game came in the summer of 2022.
      England lifted the Euros, in front of home support at Wembley, against old rivals Germany.
      It was a nail-biting game, with Mary proving resilient to the end.
      After the game, as you can imagine, celebrations ran wild.
      Leading the chorus of songs was Earps, with a medal around her neck, dancing in the changing room.
      Various teammates join her in harmony during the momentous moment.
      Of course, that clip is pinned and has been played a whopping 4.4million times by TikTok users.
      Earps celebrates England’s famous Euro 2022 winCredit: TikTok @1maryearps
      Alessia’s worst fears
      Coming up an uncompromising centre half doesn’t scare England forward Alessia Russo.
      If anything, the Arsenal star is ready to mix it with the most physical of players.
      However, she does have one fear that was exposed by Mary… turkeys.
      During a recent England camp, the pair were taking a walk around their base when they stumbled upon a turkey in their path.
      Frozen in fear, Alessia wouldn’t go anywhere near it, prompting Mary to film the moment and narrate over the top of the clip: “Alessia is afraid of turkeys, everyone.”
      Read more on The Sun
      Alessia argued the case that it charged at them, but Mary wasn’t having any of it.
      It’s just another reason why Mary is the ‘TikTok Queen’.
      Alessia Russo’s scary moment with a turkey was captured by Earps
      The turkey, itself, was seemingly going about its own business More

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      in Soccer

      Glam footballer Madelene Wright’s sexiest posts that risked an Instagram ban, including wearing see-through lingerie

      by

      AS footballers go, none are more glam than Madelene Wright.The former Charlton star, who now plays for Leyton Orient Women, has lit up social media with a series of sexy photoshoots.
      Glam Madelene Wright leaves little to the imagination with her Instagram posts
      Sexy footballer Madelene now plays for Leyton Orient Women
      Most recently, Madelene stripped down to racy black lingerie and knee-high boots
      From showing off her stylish side with designer threads to a more risque snaps wearing lacy lingerie underwear, Madelene boasts charisma and model looks.
      But sometimes she pushes the boundaries of Instagram’s strict inappropriate content rules.
      SunSport wades through OnlyFans beauty Madelene’s posts for her most risque pictures that threatened to get her banned.
      Hitting a bum note
      Most recently, the blonde stunner tried on some racy black lingerie and shared the image with her fans.
      Read more on Madelene Wright
      She posted a photo with her hands placed on her bum, also modelling thigh-high boots.
      The upload was done to promote her OnlyFans account, giving followers a glimpse into what they might see on there.
      That led to several comments online, including one fan who wrote: “Undeniably radiant.”
      Barbie girl
      On trend and on point, Madelene channelled her inner Barbie for a post back in the summer.
      Most read in Football
      Wearing see through pink lingerie, the female sport influencer can be seen sat at a desk holding a dog.
      She appears the ultimate high-flying businessman, captioning her post “Barbie world.”
      However, she also seems to be flashing her nipples.
      Madelene channelled her inner Barbie in one photoshoot
      However, daring Madelene’s lingerie was see through and exposed her nipples
      Topless sunbathing
      Nobody wants tanlines.
      Especially Madelene, who on a break away opted to go topless as she sunbathed.
      Forget the sea view, the photo taken from behind offers far more.
      No caption was needed. Obviously.
      read more sport features
      While on holiday Madelene was desperate to avoid tanlines
      Breast foot forward
      Went it comes to her breasts, Madelene certainly isn’t shy.
      After she gave fans a glimpse of side boob on her holiday, she was happy to reveal her cleavage.
      In one particular snap, in lilac lingerie, she presses her hand against her chest.
      Needless to say, she looks incredible.
      Madelene shows off her impressive cleavage while cupping her breast
      Happy Valentine’s Day
      Back in 2021, Madelene got into the spirit of Valentine’s Day with another saucy pic.
      This time, she shared a nude picture in a bath surrounded by rose petals.
      It is the most daring Madelene has got.
      Again, it was a plug for her OnlyFans page. No doubt it would have attracted plenty of subscribers.
      Naughty Madelene shared a photo in the bath to promote her OnlyFans account
      Barely-there bikini
      Paid partnerships play a massive role in any influencer’s life.
      Madelene is no different, and unsurprisingly gets inundated with offers from various bikini companies to show off their swimwear.
      But, when OH POLLY and the gorgeous Madelene met, the results were almost NSFI (not safe for Instagram).
      This bikini was barely there.
      Madelene often models sexy revealing bikinis for brands on Instagram
      ‘Stress free’
      While laying on a paddle board in the sea, Madelene contemplated her life.
      While we don’t what she was thinking, she did caption a photo of her doing just that saying: “Stress free.”
      But, again it was her barely-there bikini that might have distracted from the sea view.
      Read more on The Sun
      Squint and she hardly appears to be wearing one.
      What do you think was her most risque post?
      Stress free is just how Madelene likes life More

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      in Motorsport

      I lived a double life as a rally driver and drug smuggler – I had champagne and coke-fuelled parties before races

      by

      RANDY LANIER was a motor racing champion who won Rookie of the Year at the 1986 Indy500.But just a year later he was sentenced to life in prison without parole for drug smuggling.
      Randy Lanier lived a double life as a race driver and a drug smugglerCredit: NETFLIX
      He founded Blue Thunder and became IMSA GT champion in 1984Credit: NETFLIX
      Lanier fulfilled his dream of racing the Indy500 in 1986Credit: NETFLIX
      Born in rural Virginia, Lanier dreamed of becoming a race driver from the first time he heard a live broadcast of the Indy500 on the radio.
      The 69-year-old fulfilled his dream in 1986 following a rather unconventional path into the world of motorsport.
      It began when he moved to Florida in the 1960s when his love for cannabis turned into a money-making scheme.
      Lanier and his close associates began to smuggle in the drug from the Bahamas and his operation grew and grew.
      READ MORE IN SPORT
      After overcoming a setback in which Lanier was robbed at gunpoint in his home, the soon-to-be-racer was importing cannabis from South America, and with it he built an impressive fortune.
      Going straight to the suppliers meant Lanier began smuggling hundreds of thousands of pounds of cannabis worth millions of dollars.
      His scheme involved hiding the contraband in hollowed-out ballast tanks of barges, and the more he shipped in, the better his race car became.
      Lanier was already an amateur racer by the time he became a drug kingpin but his career never took off.
      Most read in Motorsport
      He blamed that fact on not owning and running his own team, so once he had the money he set up Blue Thunder and worked his way onto the IMSA racing scene.
      As Lanier put it himself: “To really be an up-front runner in racing, it takes not only a team, but a team with quite a bit of funds.”
      His own wife Pam described him as not the most “elegant” driver with Lanier following the Jeremy Clarkson handbook of power first, ask questions later.
      But it was a recipe for success and Lanier became one of the best young drivers on the circuit, thanks in part to the wisdom he no doubt learned from one-time Le Mans star Bill Whittington, his co-driver.
      Together the pair beat Indy500 legend Bobby Rahal to win the IMSA GT Championship in 1984, and with that brought further racing opportunities.
      Lanier then had the chance to walk away from his drugs empire for good when two representatives from Ford, who he had believed to be FBI agents, visited him at a race to offer him the chance to join their factory team.
      But he turned them down for one simple reason – friendship.
      Lanier stated: “My mind was already made up. I wanted to keep Blue Thunder together. That’s what friends do.”
      Lanier threw champagne and coke-fuelled parties before racesCredit: NETFLIX
      His secret life caught up with him and he was sentenced to life in prison in 1987Credit: NETFLIX
      Naturally, a self-funded racing champion with no discernable income raised eyebrows, but that did not prevent Lanier from expanding his operation – on and off the track.
      He began paying off the mob for access to ports with one job costing him £500,000 alone, and another involving one ship being diverted from landing in Louisiana to San Francisco – some 1,500 nautical miles.
      Lanier ploughed most of his money into his race cars but there was plenty of excess which was spent on speedboats as well as champagne and cocaine-fuelled parties before races.
      He then took things up a notch when he set his sights competing at the Indy500 by racing alongside professional daredevils like Rahal, Mario Andretti and AJ Foyt.
      Lanier fulfilled his childhood dream of racing the Indy500 in 1986 where he placed ninth – the highest ranking rookie in the race.
      But authorities were closing in and when his bookkeeper Charles Podesta was arrested, the game was up.
      Check out what these sport stars drive…
      Podesta confessed to his part in the smuggling racket and gave details on how the operation was ran by Lanier and his associates.
      In 1987 Lanier was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole but he was released after 27 years thanks to a presidential pardon from Barack Obama.
      He turned to yoga and despite claiming the US prison system was set up for recidivism rather than self-reflection, Lanier became a yoga instructor and a suicide watch volunteer – trained to sit and talk with people who tried to take their life – in prison.
      Following his release in 2014 he established Freedom Grow – a charity designed to help those sent to prison for cannabis-related charges regain their freedom.
      He remains passionate about cannabis, which he views as “just a plant”, and wants people to be given their lives back.
      Read more on The Sun
      Lanier said on the subject: “These people should not be currently incarcerated when there are 38 states, and all these corporations, making millions of dollars selling thousands of pounds of cannabis, legally, every week.
      “These people need to come home.” More