Sport Features

IT’S been a breakout season for Liverpool star Curtis Jones in more ways than one.On the pitch, he has excelled for the Reds – leading the Arne Slot revolution to put them firmly at the top of the Premier League.In-form Curtis Jones has been one of Europe’s most impressive midfielders this seasonCredit: PAJones’ brilliant form has coincided with the Reds star becoming a dadCredit: InstagramIn the Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Jones, 23, earned rave reviews for his all-action performance.Not only did he help his side to a 2-0 win, he kept Jude Bellingham in his pocket for 90 minutes.And now, an incredible stat has come to light that shows perhaps his greatest characteristic.The England prospect is his country’s leading passer of the ball – having completed a higher percentage of passes than his rivals.Read more football newsInterim England boss Lee Carsley said: “Curtis Jones would be up there with the most talented players I’ve worked with.””He’s got everything you need as a midfielder. He can run, very fast, powerful, can score, can assist, he can defend, he can take the ball. All he needs is opportunity.”New Liverpool boss Slot has also purred about Jones’ ability this campaign.The Dutchman told the BBC: “He has a lot of qualities on the ball.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”He is never afraid to do something special with it, but sometimes he touches the ball a bit too much in my opinion because he is so confident.”But confidence is an important tool. He has an incredibly hard work rate and we trust him in defence. He is complete.”For him now, it is all about consistency. The best players turn up every three days and that is what he has got to show.”How Liverpool outsmarted Chelsea with Slot’s genius ‘traffic jam’ trick and Curtis Jones masterclassJones’ upturn in form has coincided with a personal milestone – becoming a father for the first time, in what is turning out to be a memorable campaign.Class distributorIn November, Jones made his England debut under Lee Carsley – soon after he welcomed daughter Giselle with partner Saffie Khan.He made his bow against Greece a night to remember, scoring with an audacious backheel flick.A few weeks before that he dominated Chelsea – scoring the opener and winning a penalty in a man-of-the-match display.However, despite that swashbuckling display – it’s his passing that has been highlighted.According to WhoScored.com, he is flying high when it comes to pass success rate data.Astonishingly, Jones has completed 94.8 per cent of his passes this season – and ranks sixth out of all players in Europe’s top five leagues.Compared to established stars Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, whose pass success rate is at 90.1 per cent and 89 per cent respectively, Jones is out on top among his Three Lions competitors.Even the likes of pass masters Martin Odegaard (85.9 per cent) and Bruno Fernandes (81.5 per cent) are trailing in his wake in the Premier League.Jones scored on his England debut against Greece and was a standout performerCredit: GettyBut it’s his passing that is proving to be Jones’ best weaponCredit: AlamyJones has a higher passing completion rate than any other England midfieldersCredit: GettyLiverpool legend Steven Gerrard believes there’s still more to come from Jones, who has found a new lease of life under Slot.”Rafa [Benitez] had to grab me to take me to another level, and the exciting thing for me looking in is that Arne seems the man who can really get Curtis to the next level,” Gerrard said.”If he [Slot] can get him there we will have a top, top international player on our hands. I am really excited to see his next 18 months and beyond.”Before he burst onto the sceneJones’ recent success is no surprise to those who tipped him for the top as he came through Liverpool’s youth ranks.He joined the club with the Under-9s and progressed quickly, making his U18s debut as an U16 player in the 2016-17 season, and went on to captain both the U19s and U23s.Jones was born in the city centre, and honed his skills on the street. He’s a local boy and received as one of their own.“At the top of my street, there’s a primary school,” he told The Independent.”In the evenings, we’d climb over the fence and play on their pitch or take one of the goals and just play in the street all night – we’d always put it back afterwards though.“I grew up the way a lot of Scousers do, just being a street kid, not having the best facilities, and making the most out of everything you can.”Man City’s Phil Foden battles for the ball with Jones during a 2017 FA Youth Cup gameCredit: PAUnder Liverpool boss Arne Slot, Jones’ game has continued to blossomCredit: APIn 2017, Jones became one of the most talked about youngsters in English football, when he led Liverpool to the quarter-finals of the Uefa Youth League with four goals.They went out to Manchester City, with Jones being one of the Liverpool players to have their penalties saved in the 3-2 shootout.Despite that upset, it helped cement his reputation as one of the most promising players of his generation.Stevie G influenceFormer Under-23s manager Michael Beale described Jones as a player “who can outplay you one-on-one, can play centre midfield, play wide and as a deep midfielder”.However, it was icon Gerrard who had a huge influence on the youngster when he was aspiring to make the grade at Anfield.Before the now Al-Ettifaq gaffer took up a post as Rangers manager, he enjoyed a stint with Liverpool’s U18 team in 2017.There, he got to work with Jones who admitted he wouldn’t be where he is today without Gerrard’s help.Steven Gerrard has a huge influence on Jones when the Reds legend coached the U18sCredit: Getty – ContributorSince breaking into the team in 2019, Jones has made himself a mainstayCredit: PA“A lot of people didn’t see the work both of us put in to push me on to get into the first team,” Jones said.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Things weren’t always easy, but he was the perfect person at the perfect time to help me.”He was the main coach who really told me what I had to work on. It was my all-round game, but also my all-round person. He knew the talent I had and put the fine details to me.” More

FRASER Forster is set for an extended run in the Tottenham first team, following an injury to a long-term injury to first choice No1 Guglielmo Vicario.The unlucky Italian has undergone surgery on a fractured ankle suffered in a match against Man City and faces “months” out, according to Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.Fraser Forster is set for an extended run in the Tottenham teamCredit: GettyLionel Messi hailed Forster for the best goalkeeper performance he’s seenCredit: GettyBarcelona’s stars were in awe of Forster after a Champions League defeatCredit: Getty Images – GettyBut that won’t faze seasoned pro Forster, 36, who will be a welcome face in the dressing room before a match day.It has been said that shotstopper has been good for team morale as the joker of the pack amongst his teammates.While his goalkeeping ability has been hailed in the past by Argentinian legend, Lionel Messi.Away from the pitch, Forster has also had celebrity romances in the past.Read more football newsSunSport delves in the world of the former England goalie.”He performed inhumanely”Forster came through the ranks at Newcastle, but he first came to prominence playing for Celtic.After a loan spell in Scotland in the 2011-12 season, he was snapped up by The Bhoys the following summer for £2million.It was the 2012-13 campaign where the giant goalie, who stands at 6ft7in, produced a performance that was hailed as “the best goalkeeper display I’ve ever seen” by Lionel Messi.Most read in FootballForster played twice in the group stages against the Argentinian, including in one of the most famous night’s in the club’s recent history.Flashback as Fraser Forster trains with the England squad in 2014 Celtic, incredibly, beat a Barcelona team that featured Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez, Dani Alves, Xavi, Andres Iniesta and more 2-1 in Glasgow.Forster’s display left a lasting impression on the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.After that match, in which he made seven saves, he earned the nickname ‘The Great Wall of Glasgow’.Messi even admitted that Barcelona considered signing him.”Fraser Forster’s performance against us was talked about for a long time,” Messi said, according to the Daily Star.”There was a game in Scotland where he performed inhumanly, it’s the best goalkeeper performance I’ve seen.”The Argie World Cup winner added: “When Victor Valdes said he was leaving, we even talked about him playing here. I was sure that he would end up at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.”Famous exesNot only is Forster popular with one of the best players of all-time, he’s also dated celebrities.In 2009, he met future The Apprentice star Leah Totton when she was studying medicine at University of Anglia.Glam Leah Totton was Forster’s long-term girlfriendCredit: Rex FeaturesTotton won The Apprentice in 2013 and partnered up with Lord SugarCredit: GettyAussie beauty Olympia Valance was linked to Forster in 2018Credit: GettyNeighbours star Valance even went on a date with the former England keeperCredit: Gettyread more sport featuresThey dated for four years, before splitting up as she geared up to star on the reality TV hit.Leah and Forster rekindled their romance after she won the 2013 show, but it wasn’t to be – with the long-distance romance fizzling out.She went on to launch the Dr Leah Botox Clinic, and has been very successful in her own right.In 2018, Forster was then reported to be dating Aussie soap beauty, Olympia Valance.The Neighbours beauty received a large bouquet of red roses on her birthday from the giant keeper.She posed excitedly with the flowers, captioning the snap: “The birthday that keeps on giving. What a surprise @fraserforster!!!! I’ve literally never seen so many roses! THANK YOU!!!!!’Valance sent tongues wagging again when she posted a picture of her and a mystery man enjoying a date in Los Angeles, which was believed to be Forster.It’s not known why it didn’t work out. Beforehand, Valance had her own celebrity romance with One Direction star Niall Horan.Joker in the packAlthough Vicario’s injury will be a blow for Spurs, Forster will offer a much-needed morale boost in the dressing room.Guglielmo Vicario’s injury is a blow for SpursCredit: GettyBut ‘joker’ Forster should be on hand to entertain his teammates and improve moraleCredit: RexMany of his former teammates have said that he is the joker of their team.Most recently, Timo Werner was asked in a chat with the Premier League’s YouTube channel who is his funniest teammate is.He said: “I love a lot about Fraser Forster and his jokes, but in terms of funny actions, I think Emerson Royal.”This was backed up by Micky Van de Ven who previously said to the same question: “Fraser Forster! He’s always joking around in the changing room.”Former teammate Mohamed Elyounoussi also joked that Forster was a “class clown” during his time at Celtic.”Fraser is a really good guy,” he said in the Scottish Sun back in 2019.”At Southampton I talked to him a lot and in the end we were in the same situation. He was always quite positive down there.READ MORE SUN STORIESTimo Werner recently said Fraser Forster was one of his funniest teammatesCredit: RexTeammates Pedro Porro and Fraser Forster mess about on the training groundCredit: Rex”I’d say he was kind of a clown, he talked a lot and made a few jokes. He’s still the same guy here.”Fraser is a quality keeper. I think he was the best goalkeeper down at Southampton. He’s amazing when he’s at his best.” More

MAN CITY boss Pep Guardiola is in need of his family’s support more than ever.The Catalonian tactician, 53, cut a frustrated figure after seeing his side throw away a 3-0 lead in the Champions League against Feyenoord.Pep Guardiola’s stunning wife Cristina Serra has been his support system for 35 yearsCredit: Getty – ContributorCristina and his children Marius, left, Valentina, centre, and Maria, right have celebrated his successes with himCredit: PA:Press AssociationThe Spaniard appeared with red scratch marks over his face and head at full-timeIncredibly, the Premier League champions are now winless in six games, and it has Guardiola scratching his head… literally.In an interview after the game, he was seen with scratches on his head and nose.Guardiola was quizzed about how he got the cut on his nose and responded by saying: “My finger, here [makes a scratching motion]. My nail.The Spaniard then joked that City’s woeful form over the last few weeks has driven him to self-harm, saying: “I want to harm myself.”Read more football newsGuardiola later apologised for his comments and insisted he wasn’t making light of mental health issues.In the wake of City’s bad form, and the worst run in Guardiola’s career, he will be able to lean on his wife and partner of 35 years Cristina Serra.While his kids will also offer a distraction away from the stresses of football management.SunSport looks at the support team behind the world’s greatest coach.Most read in FootballThe missusPep met beautiful Cristina in Catalonia, when they were just starry-eyed teenagers.Guardiola left scratching his head as City blow 3-0 lead against FeyenoordShe comes from a fashion family dynasty, who own the Serra Claret boutique in Barcelona.It was there their paths crossed for the first time.Guardiola, then a youth star, was doing a modelling shoot for the late Spanish designer Antonio Miro in the shop, when he fixed his gaze on his future missus.They finally walked down the aisle in 2014 at a town hall on the outskirts of Barcelona.Earlier in the year, he revealed his wife is his fashion guru.He said: “My wife is the best in the world at many things, but especially in fashion. So she says normally to me, don’t wear this or wear that, so I follow her.”I am smart enough to know that when people are much much better than me, follow their advice and hers is really good.”Whenever City taste success, Cristina is often seen at the Etihad alongside Guardiola.She happily poses with the trophies his team has won, alongside their kids.Cristina Serra comes from a fashion family dynastyCredit: Bongarts – GettyGuardiola and Cristina met when they were teenagers at her family’s fashion boutiqueCredit: AFP – GettyCristina, daughter Maria and Pep enjoyed Wimbledon earlier this summerCredit: APread more sport featuresModel daughterPep’s eldest child is daughter Maria, 23, who has branched out on her own.To almost one million followers on Instagram, she shares her glam lifestyle.Unsurprisingly, the beauty is a model and has appeared in sexy bikini shoots for swimwear brand iBilovesyou.She also once reportedly dated a footballer.Back in 2021, Maria was spotted with ex-Spurs star Dele Alli in a romantic clinch.As we exclusively revealed, the pair didn’t care who saw them as they snogged each other at Cloud 9 rooftop bar in front of the DJ booth.Daughter Maria Guardiola has branched out on her ownCredit: INSTAGRAMUnsurprisingly, stunning brunette Maria is a modelCredit: INSTAGRAMMaria once dated Premier League footballer Dele AlliCredit: INSTAGRAMA few months later, they were spotted getting lunch at trendy Mayfair hotspot Novikov, before grabbing a coffee at Starbucks.However, six months later it was reported that Alli had split with Maria.Family timeIn 2023, after Pep’s most gruelling and successful season as City boss – winning the treble – family time was important.Pep and Cristina took their three children on a trip of a lifetime to visit to Egypt.Maria, son Marius, 21, and youngest daughter Valentina, 16, joined their parents to tour Cairo and Luxor and visit the Sphinx and Great Pyramid of Giza.Wearing a white outfit and a red baseball cap bearing the letter P, Guardiola received a special ‘Pharaoh’ trophy in photos taken by officials at the Ministry of Tourism.READ MORE SUN STORIESMarius Guardiola is Pep’s only sonCredit: SuppliedThe Guardiola family enjoyed a once in a lifetime trip to EgyptPep and his family pose in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza in matching outfitsCredit: SuppliedShowing a family that all pull the same way together, they were all dressed in neutral shades of white, as they beamed for photos.They’re a support system for Pep that never wanes. More

LIAM Delap has been one of the Premier League’s standout signings this season.Ipswich Town parted with £20million to bring the ex-Man City youngster, 21, to Suffolk.Liam Delap has been scoring goals for fun at Ipswich Town this seasonCredit: GettyDelap was a handful for Man Utd last weekendCredit: PAIpswich Town minority owner Ed Sheeran helped bring Delap to the clubCredit: GettyBut that will be money well spent if his goals keep Kieran McKenna’s side in the top flight.Already, Delap has managed six goals in 12 league games, and was a handful for Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd side last weekend.The 6ft1in centre forward, who was handed a Premier League debut by Pep Guardiola in 2020, was in two minds in joining Ipswich in the summer.That was until minority owner Ed Sheeran got involved to get the transfer over the line.read more football newsAnd now Delap is being touted as Harry Kane’s successor for the striker role for England.BBC Sport pundit Danny Murphy said: “I’ve seen him a bit quite a lot this season and I’d probably go as far as I say, for me, he the obvious long-term successor to Kane.”I think he’s the best young English striker out there.”I know he’s got a bit to learn and wisdom comes with experience and game time in this league.Most read in Football”But he’s got all the attributes to be a top international player.”Ipswich Town Football Club announce plans to redevelop 53-year-old stand in ‘exciting project’ with hotel and aquatics centre Sheer brillianceIt’s not often one of the biggest pop stars in the world has a hand in getting a transfer deal over the line.However, when it’s Ipswich Town superfan Ed Sheeran, then it becomes more understandable.When he’s not gatecrashing Sky Sports interviews with new Man Utd boss Amorim, the singer/songwriter is asking players to join the club he has shares in.Back in the summer, Sheeran got on a Zoom call with Liam Delap and convinced the him his future belonged in East Anglia.Liam Delap has become one of the league’s hottest strikersIn a story told be the club’s CEO Mark Ashton at a Soccerex event, we learned: “A local man, global superstar, sponsor of the football club, now a shareholder and now officially part of our recruitment team.”In the summer we were trying to persuade one particular player to join the football club and realised very quickly that he was an Ed Sheeran fan.”Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, hopefully that was a key part of getting the player across the line.”While Ashton remained coy on who the player was, he let the cat out of the bag when asked how the footballer was getting on this season.He replied: “Certainly scoring a few goals!”Delap came through the ranks at Man CityCredit: GettyAlready, Delap has been touted as Harry Kane’s successor for EnglandCredit: Rexread more sport featuresIt’s in the genesFootball is in Delap’s blood. His dad Rory played for Stoke City, and Delap Jr appeared on the set of Soccer AM in 2014 alongside his father.The former Stoke City and Ireland midfielder is best remembered for his insane long throw-ins.As a youth player, that was something that Liam also had in his arsenal.However, when one parent took exception to the youngster’s long-throws he refused to take another throw again.“I think he was put off when he was about an under-10!” Delap Sr. revealed in an interview with Radio Stoke.“One of the parents shouted that he was ruining the game when he took a throw and he hasn’t taken one since.”I don’t think that will be part of his game.”However, one thing he has inherited from his dad’s game is aggression.”(Aggression) always been a part of my game. I need it in my game,” he said in an interview with  the Manchester Evening News.Former Stoke City hero Rory Delap is Liam’s dadCredit: AFPLiam seen on the set of Soccer AM in 2014Credit: Twitter / @RoryJDelapLike his dad, Liam Delap has an aggressive streakCredit: Getty”When I’m on that edge it’s when I’m at my best, it’s just not tipping over that edge and everyone has told me that they’d never want to take it out of me, it’s just controlling that final tipping point of what is acceptable and what’s not.”You can’t really teach it, it’s just something I have and I’m so grateful that I’ve got it but it’s just now working a mechanism that I can control it to keep myself on the pitch.”I’ve got a lot better. I was a lot worse when I was younger so I think it’s just maturing and understanding what’s right.”Inspired by RonaldoA different type of player to his dad, blessed with power and pace, Liam is inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo.”I’ve always looked up to Cristiano Ronaldo. Just the way he plays, the pace and the power.In the past Delap has revealed he is a fan of Cristiano RonaldoCredit: GettyDelap knows he has to continue to work at his game to reach the topCredit: Getty”For me, he’s the best in the world so aspiring to someone who is the best in the world, your dreams just have to be high.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Listening to people that he’s worked with, the extras and lengths that he goes to look after his body and get better every day just shows why he’s at the top level.”You can have talent but talent on its own doesn’t work without effort.” More