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      “He might one day be worth £200million the way he is going” – Former Man Utd star left stunned with Cole Palmer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Jaap Stam reckons Cole Palmer has the potential to become the world’s most expensive player.Palmer was again the shinning light for Chelsea as they were surprisingly beaten 2-1 by Fulham in a Boxing Day Christmas cracker.Cole Palmer has been tipped to cost £200mCredit: GettyJaap Stam is still hopeful Palmer will one day play for Man UtdCredit: GettyHe opened the scoring with his 12th goal of the season by dancing around three defenders and rolling it into the bottom corner.The goal was his 26th of 2024 and it broke Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s record of most Premier League Blues goals in a calendar year – 25 in 2001.Palmer is also well on his way to improving on the 22 Prem goals he managed last season and Stam thinks he could soon be worth £200million.He even remains hopeful the ex-City star will one day play for the Red Devils as he grew up in Wythenshawe as a boyhood United fan.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLStam told SportLens: “Seeing the potential of Palmer and him being just next door, you do wonder how Man Utd missed out on him, or maybe they did try and couldn’t get a deal over the line.”It would still be great to see him at Man Utd and being a fan of the club he would probably like that to happen as well.”However, in his current form there might not be any clubs who can afford him. “He might one day be worth £200million the way he is going.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe record for the most expensive signing ever goes to PSG when they signed Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 for £198m.Palmer’s team-mate Enzo Fernandez holds the Prem record when joining Chelsea for £106m last year.Cole Palmer reveals he failed PE in hilarious interview as fans tell Chelsea star to consider going into comedyAnd Jack Grealish’s £100m move from Aston Villa to Man City is the highest amount ever paid for an English player.The time to get Palmer was when Chelsea swooped in the summer of 2023 and signed him from City for £40m. More

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      Enzo Maresca gives blunt two-word response when asked about Noni Madueke’s Chelsea axing

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      NONI MADUEKE was axed for Chelsea’s London derby defeat to Fulham.Blues boss Enzo Maresca revealed that the England man had been dropped from the squad due to a “technical decision” rather than injury.Enzo Maresca axed Noni Madueke from Chelsea’s side to play FulhamCredit: AFPMadueke was not injuredCredit: GettyFulham stole their first Stamford Bridge win in 45 years thanks to late goals from Rodrigo Muniz and Harry Wilson, who had cancelled out Cole Palmer’s superb opener.The winger’s absence was all the more bizarre given that Maresca had to name two goalkeepers and three academy graduates on the bench to make up the numbers.Asked about Madueke’s absence, the Italian simply said: “Technical decision.”Madueke attended the game and sat with other team-mates not in the squad behind the home dugout.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMaresca has already dropped and publicly criticised Madueke, 22, for his attitude and training level this season.Speaking after the former PSV Eindhoven man grabbed a goal and an assist at Southampton, having been dropped for the previous game against Aston Villa, Maresca said: “He can do much more.”The moment he starts to score or assist and is happy, he starts to drop a little bit and the reason why he was not playing is because I do not like the way he trained.”He has to understand that he has to train good every day. He has to be ambitious.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAs far back as August, before Madueke had made a Premier League appearance for Maresca, the Blues boss said: “I really like Noni.”The only problem with him probably is that he has to understand he needs to be consistent during the week; every training, every training, every training.”But he is a good player and he is doing well with us.”Madeuke arrived from the Netherlands in January 2023 and has 15 goals in 66 Blues games. Maresca slams Madueke’s ‘ambition’ and fumes ‘I do not like the way he trained’ after Chelsea star’s goal and assist More

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      Bruno Fernandes SENT OFF just 90 seconds after half-time at Wolves as Man Utd star sees third red card of season

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      BRUNO FERNANDES saw red for the third time this season.The Manchester United captain, 30, picked up his first yellow card in the goalless first half for a cynical trip on Wolves dangerman Matheus Cunha.Bruno Fernandes was sent off 90 seconds into the second half at WolvesCredit: ReutersFernandes could have no complaints after catching Nelson Semedo while already on a yellowCredit: Amazon Prime VideoThe challenge came immediately after giving possession awayCredit: Amazon Prime VideoAnd then just 90 seconds after the break, he flew into a late tackle on compatriot Nelson Semedo.The Portuguese playmaker was clearly frustrated at giving away possession.And his temper boiled over as he caught Semedo’s standing leg with his studs, sending the right-back tumbling to the floor. Referee Tony Harrington deemed the poor challenge worthy of a second yellow card, subsequently brandishing the red and sending Fernandes for an early bath.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe decision could not be checked by VAR because the ref did not award a straight red. The dismissal followed Fernandes’ red cards against Tottenham on September 29 and then Porto on October 3 just four days later. Fernandes became the first United player to be sent off three times in one season for 16 years… and it is still only December. In 2008-09, Nemanja Vidic’s three red cards including both home and away against rivals Liverpool in the Premier League. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFernandes’ tally of three is more than any other top-flight footballer this term – with Jack Stephens and Edson Alvarez locked as the only two to receive two. Admittedly, the ex-Sporting star’s first ever United red card against Spurs for a high challenge on James Maddison was overturned on appeal so he did not serve a domestic suspension. ‘Bruno Fernandes red card was huge VAR error’ in Man Utd loss to Spurs | Whistleblower, Mark HalseyBut the lack of discipline from the player who is supposed to be the leader on the pitch will be a major concern for new boss Ruben Amorim.Especially because the red card immediately sparked the drab Molineux clash into life – and all in the home team’s favour.Just a minute after going down to ten men, United had a lucky escape.Jorgen Strand Larsen headed in Semedo’s cross but the flag went up and a lengthy VAR check proved the striker was marginally offside.Wolves did take the lead on 58 minutes, though.Cunha’s inswinging corner flew directly all the way in, over a flapping Andre Onana and into the top corner to break the deadlock.Then Hwang Hee-Chan grabbed a second for Wolves in the 99th minute as they leapfrogged Leicester out of the relegation zone – while United’s travelling fans booed their flops off at full-time.Fernandes’ first yellow came when he fouled Matheus CunhaCredit: GettyHe knew he was in trouble as soon as he made contact with SemedoCredit: PAThe dismissal was the United skipper’s third of the seasonCredit: PAThings went from bad to worse following his sending offCredit: ReutersWolves ran out 2-0 winners at MolineuxCredit: GettyFernandes was sent off for this challenge on James Maddison – but it was later rescindedCredit: GettyHe also saw red against Porto just four days after the Tottenham early bathCredit: ReutersNemanja Vidic saw red three times in the 2008-09 seasonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      ‘We were very worried’ – Lukasz Fabianski injury update after West Ham star was stretchered off and given oxygen

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      WEST HAM goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski recovered from a shocking injury to watch his team earn a crucial win.Fabianski, 39, was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace and with an oxygen mask after a first-half clash with Southampton defender Nathan Wood.West Ham’s Lukasz Fabianski suffered a horror injury at SouthamptonCredit: ReutersHe was treated on the field by medics for approximately seven minutesCredit: ReutersThe veteran was wheeled away on a stretcherCredit: PAMedics rushed on to the pitch and treated the veteran for seven minutes.Concerned team-mates watched on while opposite number Aaron Ramsdale came up from his goal to check on him.Fabianski was covered by a blanket before being carried off amid applause from both sets of fans as Alphonse Areola came on in the 36th minute. But the veteran Polish goalkeeper was later well enough to sit on the bench.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHammers boss Julen Lopetegui said: “We were very worried about him.“He had a big knock around the head and neck. “He was not very sure about his actions.“Fortunately he is conscious in the dressing room. I talked with him.Most read in Football“The doctors say he feels better so I am positive about him.“He showed that more or less he had recovered his senses.Premier League legend takes over as Northampton Town boss as he returns to management after six years out“We were afraid, but now he is better.”Jarrod Bowen poked home the only goal of the game just before the hour mark.The narrow victory could have huge ramifications on the relegation battle come the end of the season with the Hammers initially moving 11 points clear of the drop zone.Saints, meanwhile, remain rooted to the bottom – cut six points adrift with just six points from their 18 games.The first-half incident left team-mates and opponents concernedCredit: ReutersAlphonse Areola came on for the stricken FabianskiCredit: PA More

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      Wilfried Zaha BLOCKED from making Premier League return due to little-known rule but could still make shock transfer

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      WILFRIED ZAHA could be BLOCKED from a return to the Premier League in January by a little-known rule.But a shock transfer may still be on the cards.Wilfried Zaha’s hopes of a Premier League return could be dashed by Fifa rulesCredit: GettyZaha, 32, left Crystal Palace at the end of the 2022-23 season and joined Galatasaray.But after a superb opening campaign in Turkey, scoring ten in 42 appearances, he only featured as a substitute in the 5-0 Turkish Super Cup defeat to Besiktas on August 3 before being shipped out on loan to Lyon.However, his stint in France has not gone according to plan.The Ivorian winger has managed just 112 minutes of football across six matches, assisting one and starting one. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLAnd that means Lyon could terminate the loan deal and send Zaha back to Turkey.But Galatasaray could be open to letting the former Manchester United man join another team.Palace may have been willing to consider a loan swoop for their academy graduate – and speculation accelerated when he was in attendance for last week’s 5-1 thrashing by Arsenal. But it appears Zaha – who has 458 Palace appearances – may not be allowed to play for a team in the Premier League.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFifa rule 5.4 states: “Players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. “During this period, a player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs.Wilfried Zaha leaves press room in stitches with hilarious response to whether he is bothered about failed Man Utd spell”As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided they have fully complied with their contractual obligations towards their previous clubs, and provided that the provisions relating to registration periods and the minimum length of a contract are respected.”As a result, the Mirror claim Zaha may be prevented from representing a third team in the 2024-25 campaign after his 15-minute cameo in the Turkish Super Cup thumping should Fifa deem that an official match. And that could mean a dream return to Selhurst Park is off the cards. Palace owner Steve Parish did admit in the summer the club would love to sign Zaha once again – nine years after bringing him back from Old Trafford – despite links to Leicester and Wolves.Parish told talkSPORT: “I’d have Wilf Zaha back in a heartbeat. He’s part of our club, part of our history.”There’s a few people that can lay claim at the heart of the resurgence of this club and Wilfried is very much one of them.”We stayed in the division [Premier League] sometimes by the force of his will, so, of course, we would.”Unfortunately, that doesn’t look like it’s going to be possible this summer for various reasons. “I’m in contact with him every now and again. I am glad he had a good season last season and he fulfilled his dreams. He played in the Champions League, so it’s a great story for him but of course if he was available we would be interested.”And if Fifa take the hard-line approach, a transfer to a league that runs in line with the calendar may be possible. READ MORE SUN STORIESAccording to the Daily Mail, the MLS may be a suitable option with interested parties in North America, whose regular season starts in February and ends in October before the play-offs culminating in December. However, finding a team willing to pay his £72,000-a-week wages could be a major stumbling block. Zaha watched his old team lose 5-1 to ArsenalCredit: GettyThe winger was sent out on loan after one year at GalatasarayCredit: Getty More

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      Wayne Rooney clinging to job after Frank Lampard’s Coventry ruthlessly thrash his ten-men Plymouth team 4-0

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      WAYNE ROONEY has been left clinging onto his job after Frank Lampard’s Coventry thrashed Plymouth 4-0. Argyle are now rock bottom of the Championship following the drubbing. Frank Lampard embraces with Wayne RooneyCredit: GettyJordan Houghton of Plymouth looks on in frustrationCredit: RexTatsuhiro Sakamoto opened the scoring while Ephron Mason-Clark’s goal was sandwiched in between a Josh Eccles double. Boos rang around the away section of the Coventry Building Society Arena. And Rooney – who only took over in May – now faces the Plymouth sack. Lampard meanwhile has taken Coventry to 14th after replacing Mark Robins in November. READ MORE IN football Plymouth have now lost their last three matches and are without a win in EIGHT. They have just four wins in their 22 league matches this season – with Rooney left fighting for his job. He told talkSPORT: “The first four or five minutes there was nowhere near good enough. “The goals they score is what we identified, really how Coventry score goals and where their threats come from.Most read in ChampionshipCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I think from a defensive point of view, especially in wide areas, in full-back areas, we weren’t switched on quick enough.”Rooney added: “We’re two teams, basically. One team at home, one team away, and we’re trying everything to try and fix that, whether that’s a psychology situation, we’ve tried absolutely everything to try and fix that. It’s a concern, of course.”Rooney was taunted with “sacked in the morning’ chants” and responded to questions over his future in the aftermath. He said: “It’s football, life. as a manager, you need to get results and win games, so I know that, I’m not stupid from that point of view. “So, yes, we have to dig in and find a way.”Rooney is fighting for his Plymouth jobCredit: Getty More

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      Liverpool release statement on Leicester clash as neighbours Tranmere are forced to postpone match due to fog

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      LIVERPOOL issued a statement amid fears their match against Leicester could be postponed.Merseyside has been hit by heavy fog on Boxing Day.Anfield has been covered in thick fog on Boxing DayCredit: PAThere were fears a pitch inspection would be neededCredit: AFPThat saw neighbours Tranmere cancelling their home game with Accrington Stanley at 2pm, just an hour before it was due to start.And there were concerns the Premier League clash would be subject to a pitch inspection ahead of the 8pm kick-off. But the Liverpool customer service Twitter account confirmed the plan is for the match to go ahead as scheduled.However, there was a warning for fans making their way to Anfield.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe tweet from @LFCHelp read: “If you are coming to the match today, please ensure you set off earlier than usual due to foggy conditions in and around Anfield stadium. “Please take care when travelling.”Earlier on, BBC Radio Leicester reported that Anfield was being “monitored” due to the intense fog. But worries over a pitch inspection were seemingly alleviated by club officials confirming to the media at 4.30pm that no such checks had been required.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd as things stand, the game is on track to kick off as planned despite the difficult weather conditions. The Met Office stated things are not expected to improve much before full-time at approximately 10pm.’He could have done many things’ – Gary Neville reveals gym run-in with Liverpool star after brutal commentary insultThe website’s Liverpool forecast said: “Remaining cloudy this evening and overnight with patchy rain and drizzle, especially over higher ground. “Turning foggy in places with generally murky conditions for many. “Staying frost-free with light winds across the region. Minimum temperature 4°C.”Liverpool go into the Boxing Day match against Leicester four points clear of second-placed Chelsea with two games in hand.The Blues suffered a shock home defeat to Fulham – conceding a 95th-minute winner at Stamford Bridge against their West London rivals. And that means Arne Slot’s men can extend the gap at the top by beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s struggling Foxes.READ MORE SUN STORIESLiverpool’s Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park was called off earlier in December due to Storm Darragh and is yet to be rearranged. The Reds have a bumper fixture list with TEN matches across four competitions before the end of January. Liverpool released a statement through their LFCHelp Twitter accountCredit: GettyThe forecast is not expected to improve much before kick-offCredit: Getty More

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      Nottingham Forest 1 Tottenham 0: Elanga scores winner as Spence red card and Dragusin injury cause chaos for Spurs

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      HE would never admit it, but Nuno Espirito Santo must have particularly enjoyed this one.The tight-lipped Portuguese suffered a miserably short spell as Spurs boss back in 2021, getting the sack after just 17 games.Anthony Elanga hails his clincher for high-riding ForestCredit: GettyElanga bursts through to slot the hosts’ 28th minute winnerCredit: ReutersAnge Postecoglou, Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski react to defeatCredit: ReutersBut it has been a wholly joyful experience at the City Ground for Nuno, whose victory here over his former side sent Nottingham Forest into third.Current Tottenham incumbent Ange Postecoglou, in contrast, had to suffer chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” after a ninth league loss of the campaign.That seems premature given both the Aussie’s crippling injury list – with Radu Dragusin forced off late in this defeat – and how his side are faring in the cups.But many more of these, and you would start to fear for the 59-year-old, who saw Forest old-boy Djed Spence sent off in stoppage time.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHaving said that, there is no shame in losing to Forest this term – even if Nuno being at the helm is an extra sickener for Spurs fans.This is the only side to have beaten near-perfect Liverpool this season and who are now on a run of four straight wins in the league.Champions League qualification is becoming less and less of a pipe dream with every passing victory for the former European Cup winners.Few fans would be expecting it, of course.Most read in FootballCraig Pawson sent off Tottenham defender Djed SpenceCredit: AFPFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut they are certainly in the picture, and rightfully so on this evidence, having prevented the league’s top-scorers from netting and moving ELEVEN points above them in the process.Forest looked every bit the hard-to-beat, organised outfit that Nuno has turned them into throughout the game.Ruben Amorim reacts to Man Utd’s 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford They had bite in midfield – you always will with Ryan Yates – and a threat on the counter thanks to speed merchants Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga on the flanks.It is a formula that is becoming increasingly reliable, similar to the one Nuno produced at Wolves.As for Postecgolou’s box-of-chocolates Spurs, there really is no telling which version of them you are going to get from match to match.One thing you can bank on though is that for all their exciting attacking play, they will always give up chances.Particularly with the patched-up defence Postecoglou is having to put out over this festive period, including Spence starting his fourth game in a row, having waited two-and-a-half years to be included in a Spurs’ starting line-up.Tottenham signed the 24-year-old from Middlesbrough in 2022, but it was because of his stellar form on loan at Forest in their promotion-winning Championship campaign.The home fans referenced that with a chant of “You used to play for a big club” as Spence waited to take an early throw.While Brennan Johnson, who joined Spurs from the Tricky Trees last year for £47.5million and back starting here, suffered some pantomime-villain boos.Spurs were by no means poor in the first 45 here, but were also nowhere near their swash-buckling best.Son Heung-min should have teed up an open Johnson inside the first five minutes but instead weakly shot straight at Matz Sels.Hardman Yates clattered into Son five minutes late and copped his fifth yellow of the season – a surprisingly low amount but one that will see him suspended for Sunday’s trip to Everton.The two teams traded half-chances and long-rangers before Elanga broke the deadlock on 29 minutes.It was Spence who lost the ball, allowing Forest to break through Morgan Gibbs-White, who carried the ball downfield and then played a defence-splitting ball through for Elanga.The rapid Swede had the composure to match his pace as he slotted round the advancing Fraser Forster to complete a classic Nuno counter.It prompted the sacking chants towards Postecoglou from the standing section of the Peter Taylor Stand, who also aimed a “You’re just a fat Aussie b***ard” taunt at the Spurs chief.Postecoglou was facing up to a ninth league defeat before the New Year.His side would have gone in level had Johnson managed to beat Sels just before the break, but once again the ex-Newcastle stopper produced a top stop.That theme continued after the break when on 57 minutes, Johnson looked all the world as if he would score after ghosting in with a clever flick, but Sels proved his nemesis again.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpurs had few other chances, truth be told, and then saw Spence go in injury time after a foul on sub Jota Silva earned him a second yellow.Spurs had not lost on Boxing Day since 2003, when ‘Mad World’ by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules was top of the charts – a fitting theme to the crazy heights Nuno’s Forest are scaling this season.Forest keeper Matz Sels shows his delight at another fine victoryCredit: Getty More