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    Jack Grealish admits he plays better for Southgate than Guardiola as Man City star revels in free role with England

    JACK GREALISH claims he plays better for England than Manchester City.The £100million British record signing won a Premier League winner’s medal in his first season at the club.
    England star Jack Grealish believes he plays better for his country than he does for Manchester CityCredit: Rex
    Grealish helped the Citizens retain the Premier League title during the 2021-22 seasonCredit: Alamy
    But the former Aston Villa midfielder, who impressed as a Three Lions substitute in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Germany, said: “I feel that I’ve played a bit safe at City.
    “But when I come here with England, I train really well, I score goals, get assists and whatnot.
    “I do feel like I play with a lot more freedom here and hopefully I can transfer that into my club football and keep on improving.”
    Grealish, 26, made 31 starts for City and eight substitute appearances, scoring six times and delivering four assists.
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FOOTBALL.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}’CAN GET BETTER’ .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Southgate tells Grealish to be ‘more tactically aware’ to get more action
    He also stressed there are major differences playing for England boss Gareth Southgate compared to City manager Pep Guardiola.
    Grealish added: “Of course they’re two different managers so it’s always going to be difficult. Pep’s a lot more structured.
    “You can’t complain because of what he’s done in the game, how successful he is. Whereas Gareth is more ‘whatever you think’.
    “Obviously you have a formation and a structure but he says to me if you feel like you need to go to the other side of the pitch to get the ball then go and do that.
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    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    That’s not really part of the freedom, the freedom is more in myself. Hopefully I can try to transfer that to City.”
    Grealish hopes to start in England’s third Nations League match at home to Italy at Molineux on Sunday.
    Southgate is set to make a string of changes while the Three Lions are also at home to Hungary in Wolverhampton on Tuesday.
    The England boss says Grealish can be just as valuable from the start as he is coming off the bench – but has demanded more from him tactically.
    He said: “He can do both. If we didn’t trust him we wouldn’t put him on the pitch with 20 minutes to go in the belief he can make a difference.
    “At the start of the game the challenge for the wide players was to attack, defend and to try and score goals – high tactical level and you’ve got to be spot on – and that’s an area Jack can get better at.
    Grealish will be hoping to start against Italy on Saturday after impressing off the bench in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with GermanyCredit: Getty
    “What he did do was carry the ball as the game opened up with a little bit more space and opportunity.
    “The impact both he and Jarrod Bowen had was really important in those attacking areas.
    “There is a good challenge there among those players but we’ve got to keep pushing them.” More

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    Thibaut Courtois’s fiancé Mishel Gerzig stuns in blue lacey lingerie

    MODEL Mishel Gerzig certainly has winning ways — just her like new fiance, Real Madrid and Belgium goalie Thibaut Courtois.Mishel, 25, did a footie strip of her own to show off her Hunkemoller lingerie before sharing a snap of the ex-Chelsea star, 30, asking for her hand.
    Mishel Gerzig wows in blue lacey lingerieCredit: Hunkemoller
    Mishel is a regular visitor to partner Thibaut Courtois’ games for Real MadridCredit: Getty
    Mishel shared a snap of Courtois asking for her hand
    First he helped win the Champions League — now he’s celebrating being in glove.
    Courtois got on one knee during a summer retreat in a stunning setting on a yacht and Gerzig happily agreed to become his wife to top off the goalkeeper’s dream week.
    The Israeli supermodel took to social media and shared snaps of the former Chelsea’s star’s proposal and gushed: “Yessss to a lifetime with you.”
    It was fitting the pair announced their relationship on Instagram, as that is where they met, when the Belgian slid into Mishel’s DMs.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on Mishel Gerzig.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}SHE’S A KEEPER .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Courtois tops off dream week proposing to model girlfriend Mishel on yacht
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    Courtois led Real to their 14th European title with a Man-of-the-Match performance between the sticks in the Champions League Final.
    The Belgium international made a series of key saves to deny Liverpool’s biggest stars.
    Mishel shows off her figure in a pink bikini on the beachCredit: Instagram / @mishelgerzig
    Gerzig is an Israeli supermodelCredit: Getty
    Courtois led Real to their 14th European title with a Man-of-the-Match performanceCredit: Reuters More

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    Silverstone F1 bosses sue contractors who relaid track for £8m after Lewis Hamilton branded it ‘the worst job ever’

    SILVERSTONE chiefs are suing contractors who relaid the F1 track for £8million after Lewis Hamilton branded it “the worst job ever”.Bosses spent £2million on the new surface in 2018.
    Tito Rabat broke his leg in three places during practice in the run-up to the British MotoGP in August 2018Credit: AFP
    The Spaniard was one of five riders to crash in the wetCredit: AFP
    But the firm they hired, Aggregate Industries, is accused of leaving it bumpy, easily waterlogged and “breaking up” in places.
    Seven-times F1 champ Hamilton, 37, said in 2018: “It’s the bumpiest track I’ve ever experienced.”
    During practice in the run-up to the British MotoGP in August 2018, five riders crashed in the wet. One, Tito Rabat, broke his leg in three places.
    The fallout led the FIM, motorcycling’s governing body, to revoke Silverstone’s licence — throwing its F1 future into doubt.
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Silverstone.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-h98a3b{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(236,245,247,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-xpuujo{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-tqcu81{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(149,199,208,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-bq4915{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,97,108,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-bq4915:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TIRED TYRES .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Hamilton’s British GP tyre blowout blamed on Mercedes and not debris on track
    The loss of the MotoGP cost the iconic circuit, in Northants, at least £3.5million, court papers show.
    Relaying the track again with another firm cost £3.7million.
    In a High Court writ, lawyers for Silverstone claim the new track had “microbumps” which made racing vehicles vibrate at speed and visible day joint lines where different sections were laid at different times.
    They allege bitumen seepages led to “fatty” patches, while there was excessive water retention, with the track releasing foaming white liquid at times.
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    Silverstone called in Tarmac Trading Ltd to relay the surface in time for the 2019 British Grand Prix, the writ states.
    Silverstone is suing Aggregate for the cost of the cancelled MotoGP and further resurfacing and for loss of profits of around £624,552.
    The total amounts to £7,933,124 plus legal costs. More

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    Ashley Cole buys ‘£20,000 security dog’ after he was held at knifepoint in horrifying robbery

    EX-ENGLAND footballer Ashley Cole has bought his family a protection dog following his knifepoint robbery ordeal.Fiancée Sharon Canu shared a clip of the German Shepherd in training.
    Ashley Cole, pictured with fiancée Sharon Canu, has bought his family a protection dog following his knifepoint robbery ordealCredit: Instagram
    She wrote: “My baby went to school today” — adding a devil emoji. London-based Elite Protection Dogs has prices starting from £20,000.
    The company’s website says: “All our puppies come from military and police backgrounds with generations of experience.”
    The German Shepherds are also taught to search for missing persons, drugs and bombs.
    Sharon, mum to their kids Jaxon, five, and Grace, four, was at home with Ashley, 41, when a gang tied him up and threatened to cut off his fingers with pliers.
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15px;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-16djrfc{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-1skzs3j{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:1;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;padding-top:2px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-1x7hydu{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More on Ashley 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.nk-headline-heading{color:rgba(71,30,121,1);}.css-1uyse24:before{content:”;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;left:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;z-index:1;}.css-n392go{border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-1p5s3t0{padding:0;border-width:0 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);padding:12px;max-height:104px;min-height:98px;}.css-124tga5{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-5jzxpx{overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:3;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}DESPERATE PLEA .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Ashley Cole’s girlfriend begged ‘please someone’s coming’ as thugs broke in
    They made off with watches, phones, cash, a Gucci bag, and BMW smart key in Fetcham, Surrey, in January 2020.
    Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley had been clutching his daughter before he was bound with cable ties.
    His hands were doused with odour eliminator Febreze in an apparent bid to destroy DNA evidence.
    Kurtis Dilks, 34, of Clifton, Nottingham, has denied robbing the couple.
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    His trial continues at the city’s crown court.
    The Sun told recently how Man City’s Jack Grealish spent £40,000 on two guard dogs.
    Other stars to do similar include Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Marcus Rashford and Rio Ferdinand, plus Tour de France hero Mark Cavendish.
    Elite Protection Dogs says: ‘All our puppies come from military and police backgrounds with generations of experience’Credit: Getty More

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    Michael Owen said his marriage was a sham and begged me for nude pics, Big Brother’s Rebecca Jane says

    A REALITY TV star has spoken for the first time about how England football hero Michael Owen told her that his marriage was a “sham” — as he asked her for nude pictures.Owen, 42, was at the centre of a scandal last year over his messages to ex-Big Brother contestant Rebecca Jane, 37.
    Rebecca Jane has spoken for the first time about how England football hero Michael Owen told her his marriage was a ‘sham’ — as he asked her for nude pictures.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    The reality TV star says Owen said he was in a marriage of convenience with childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall, above, and was ‘keeping up appearances’Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Footie legend Michael Owen on the pitch for EnglandCredit: Offside
    She now says he said he was in a marriage of convenience with childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall and “keeping up appearances”.
    But she also revealed she felt 5ft 8ins Owen was too short for her.
    Speaking in detail for the first time about the messages, Rebecca — a regular on ITV’s This Morning and GMB — said she felt like she was messaging a single man after the BT Sport pundit’s assurances.
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OWEN.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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    Rebecca, who runs a mental health business, said: “The story that Michael span me was that they were not really married and it was a sham.
    “He said it was a marriage of convenience for the sake of appearances and to keep their racehorse business going.
    “He told me his marriage was over, it was all a big façade and he wasn’t really married any more.
    “I should have perhaps investigated his situation a bit more and been more cautious — but I took him at face value.
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    “He fed me a load of rubbish over a six-week period when I was in communication with him and he wanted to meet me.
    “But it should be remembered that I actually turned him down — I turned him down quite a bit and didn’t meet him.
    “To be honest, he didn’t meet my height requirements.” 
    Rebecca also revealed she spoke to Owen’s wife Louise, 41, for an hour in the days after the story appeared — and said she was “understanding” and accepted her version of events.
    But the ex-footballer’s daughter Gemma was less forgiving, branding Rebecca “desperate” on social media.
    However, Rebecca hit back, saying the 19-year-old — who is due to appear on Love Island from tomorrow — was a “hypocrite”.
    Former Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle and Real Madrid star Owen’s squeaky-clean image was shattered last June when it was revealed he had begged Rebecca for nude pictures.
    He also asked Rebecca — who admits she was thrilled to be contacted by a childhood hero — to meet him at Chester races and urged her to “leave nothing to the imagination” in pictures which he would “judge” for her.
    Dad-of-four Owen, who has spoken publicly about his marriage and written two autobiographies, started following Rebecca on Twitter, before swapping messages on the site and then WhatsApp.
    ‘I feel sorry for you’
    He told Rebecca he had viewed one image of her 65 times as they swapped messages and calls during April and May last year.
    After Rebecca sent him pictures, he replied: “Tremendous by way.”
    Rebecca, who appeared on Big Brother in 2017 and has tens of thousands of social media followers, faced a storm when the story about their messages was revealed, although she did not speak publicly.
    And one of those who criticised her was Owen’s eldest child, Gemma, an international dressage rider who enters the Love Island villa in Majorca this weekend.
    As well as her “desperate” jibe on Instagram, Gemma also said: “I feel sorry for you getting your t**s out for a bit of fame” and branded her “the lowest of the low”. 
    She also accused Rebecca of “ignoring” an attempt by her mum Louise to speak to her.
    Rebecca, who lost her previous job at a mental health charity after the story came out and was then in hospital with Covid, said Gemma’s attack added to her woes.
    She said: “I thought it was immature and it caused unnecessary further distress.
    “It was her dad who was in the wrong, and not me — I had taken him at his word and she should have realised that. 
    “I also did not ignore her mum. She had messaged me on a social media site that I was forced to close down, and I did end up speaking to her in the end. 
    “What Gemma said about me was vile, and it seems hypocritical now that she is going into Love Island.
    She needs be careful now she is seeking fame. Good luck to her on the show, though — although I won’t be watching.”
    Mum-of-two Rebecca, whose business helps companies with the mental health of employees, sent a message to Louise, provided her number and asked if she wanted to discuss the messages days after the story came out. 
    She added: “I ended up speaking to Louise about it and in the end, after I explained what happened, she was lovely.
    “It appeared to me that Michael had fed her a load of rubbish too.
    “She thought it was someone else messaging me, like his social media manager, and asked me to prove it was him.
    “I sent her voice notes he had sent me on WhatsApp, and she checked dates and stuff and it all tallied up.
    “She was calm and really understanding, and agreed I hadn’t done much wrong.
    “She realised he had made the running and spun me a few lines.
    “It did make me wonder if it was the first time it had happened or if she had friends that it had happened to before.
    “And I think Louise realised Michael and I didn’t meet up and that he had got carried away.”
    Rebecca, who has a law degree and used to run a love cheat detective agency, says she faced sexual harassment from a boss at the mental health company she was working at when the story broke.
    And she was plunged into despair when the firm — from which she has now taken a payout — released a statement distancing itself from her in the wake of the story.
    Rebecca speaks about her work experiences, and her dalliance with Owen, in the Tim Marner podcast episode out next week.
    Owen and childhood sweetheart Louise married in June 2005, with pictures of their wedding appearing in Hello! magazine. 
    He had shot to global fame aged 18 when he scored a solo wonder-goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
    Owen was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year months later and went on to score 40 goals in 89 games for England.
    He and Louise founded a stables business in Cheshire and since retiring from football, Michael has worked as a pundit and covered last weekend’s Liverpool v Real Madrid Champions League Final for BT Sport.
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    In 2019 book, Reboot: My Life, My Time he spoke about marriage problems and revealed he had “stared into an abyss called divorce” as he struggled after retiring from football.
    Owen declined to comment

    HEAR more of Rebecca’s story on the Tim Marner podcast on YouTube, Spotify or iTunes.

    Michael with daughter Gemma who will be heading to the Love Island villaCredit: Instagram/themichaelowen
    Former Big Brother star Rebecca lost her job at a mental health charity after the story came outCredit: PA:Press Association
    Michael has worked as a pundit and covered last weekend’s Liverpool v Real Madrid Champions League Final for BT SportCredit: GettyWe pay for your stories!Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? More

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    Michael Owen said his marriage was a sham and begged me for nude pics, says Big Brother star Rebecca Jane

    A REALITY TV star has spoken for the first time about how England football hero Michael Owen told her his marriage was a “sham” — as he asked her for nude pictures.Owen, 42, was at the centre of a scandal last year over his messages to ex-Big Brother contestant Rebecca Jane, 37.
    Rebecca Jane has spoken for the first time about how England football hero Michael Owen told her his marriage was a ‘sham’ — as he asked her for nude pictures.Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    The reality TV star says Owen said he was in a marriage of convenience with childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall, above, and was ‘keeping up appearances’Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Footie legend Michael Owen on the pitch for EnglandCredit: Offside
    She now says he said he was in a marriage of convenience with childhood sweetheart Louise Bonsall and “keeping up appearances”.
    But she also revealed she felt 5ft 8ins Owen was too short for her.
    Speaking in detail for the first time about the messages, Rebecca — a regular on ITV’s This Morning and GMB — said she felt like she was messaging a single man after the BT Sport pundit’s assurances.
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OWEN.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-gmec1d{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;height:auto;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:calc(-20px/2);margin-right:calc(-20px/2);}.css-fh9577{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-left:calc(20px/2);margin-right:calc(20px/2);}.css-65fvqt{max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-1exhbll{box-sizing:border-box;overflow:hidden;background-color:rgba(237,245,242,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;position:relative;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;max-width:302px;max-height:294px;}.css-bk55po{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;position:relative;margin-bottom:0;}.css-1shocxe{box-sizing:border-box;}.css-1a2irou{box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;}.css-1a2irou 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    Rebecca, who runs a mental health business, said: “The story that Michael span me was that they were not really married and it was a sham.
    “He said it was a marriage of convenience for the sake of appearances and to keep their racehorse business going.
    “He told me his marriage was over, it was all a big façade and he wasn’t really married any more.
    “I should have perhaps investigated his situation a bit more and been more cautious — but I took him at face value.
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    “He fed me a load of rubbish over a six-week period when I was in communication with him and he wanted to meet me.
    “But it should be remembered that I actually turned him down — I turned him down quite a bit and didn’t meet him.
    “To be honest, he didn’t meet my height requirements.” 
    Rebecca also revealed she spoke to Owen’s wife Louise, 41, for an hour in the days after the story appeared — and said she was “understanding” and accepted her version of events.
    But the ex-footballer’s daughter Gemma was less forgiving, branding Rebecca “desperate” on social media.
    However, Rebecca hit back, saying the 19-year-old — who is due to appear on Love Island from tomorrow — was a “hypocrite”.
    Former Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle and Real Madrid star Owen’s squeaky-clean image was shattered last June when it was revealed he had begged Rebecca for nude pictures.
    He also asked Rebecca — who admits she was thrilled to be contacted by a childhood hero — to meet him at Chester races and urged her to “leave nothing to the imagination” in pictures which he would “judge” for her.
    Dad-of-four Owen, who has spoken publicly about his marriage and written two autobiographies, started following Rebecca on Twitter, before swapping messages on the site and then WhatsApp.
    ‘I feel sorry for you’
    He told Rebecca he had viewed one image of her 65 times as they swapped messages and calls during April and May last year.
    After Rebecca sent him pictures, he replied: “Tremendous by way.”
    Rebecca, who appeared on Big Brother in 2017 and has tens of thousands of social media followers, faced a storm when the story about their messages was revealed, although she did not speak publicly.
    And one of those who criticised her was Owen’s eldest child, Gemma, an international dressage rider who enters the Love Island villa in Majorca this weekend.
    As well as her “desperate” jibe on Instagram, Gemma also said: “I feel sorry for you getting your t**s out for a bit of fame” and branded her “the lowest of the low”. 
    She also accused Rebecca of “ignoring” an attempt by her mum Louise to speak to her.
    Rebecca, who lost her previous job at a mental health charity after the story came out and was then in hospital with Covid, said Gemma’s attack added to her woes.
    She said: “I thought it was immature and it caused unnecessary further distress.
    “It was her dad who was in the wrong, and not me — I had taken him at his word and she should have realised that. 
    “I also did not ignore her mum. She had messaged me on a social media site that I was forced to close down, and I did end up speaking to her in the end. 
    “What Gemma said about me was vile, and it seems hypocritical now that she is going into Love Island.
    She needs be careful now she is seeking fame. Good luck to her on the show, though — although I won’t be watching.”
    Mum-of-two Rebecca, whose business helps companies with the mental health of employees, sent a message to Louise, provided her number and asked if she wanted to discuss the messages days after the story came out. 
    She added: “I ended up speaking to Louise about it and in the end, after I explained what happened, she was lovely.
    “It appeared to me that Michael had fed her a load of rubbish too.
    “She thought it was someone else messaging me, like his social media manager, and asked me to prove it was him.
    “I sent her voice notes he had sent me on WhatsApp, and she checked dates and stuff and it all tallied up.
    “She was calm and really understanding, and agreed I hadn’t done much wrong.
    “She realised he had made the running and spun me a few lines.
    “It did make me wonder if it was the first time it had happened or if she had friends that it had happened to before.
    “And I think Louise realised Michael and I didn’t meet up and that he had got carried away.”
    Rebecca, who has a law degree and used to run a love cheat detective agency, says she faced sexual harassment from a boss at the mental health company she was working at when the story broke.
    And she was plunged into despair when the firm — from which she has now taken a payout — released a statement distancing itself from her in the wake of the story.
    Rebecca speaks about her work experiences, and her dalliance with Owen, in the Tim Marner podcast episode out next week.
    Owen and childhood sweetheart Louise married in June 2005, with pictures of their wedding appearing in Hello! magazine. 
    He had shot to global fame aged 18 when he scored a solo wonder-goal against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup.
    Owen was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year months later and went on to score 40 goals in 89 games for England.
    He and Louise founded a stables business in Cheshire and since retiring from football, Michael has worked as a pundit and covered last weekend’s Liverpool v Real Madrid Champions League Final for BT Sport.
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    In 2019 book, Reboot: My Life, My Time he spoke about marriage problems and revealed he had “stared into an abyss called divorce” as he struggled after retiring from football.
    Owen declined to comment

    HEAR more of Rebecca’s story on the Tim Marner podcast on YouTube, Spotify or iTunes.

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    Former Big Brother star Rebecca lost her job at a mental health charity after the story came outCredit: PA:Press Association
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    Phil Thomas: Pogba should have been a Cantona or Henry… instead he leaves Man Utd as the ultimate ‘if only’ player

    IF the average Manchester United fan had three words to sum up Paul Pogba’s second coming at Old Trafford, most would be unprintable.“An absolute waste” or “what a disaster” would be among the milder responses. But in the main, you’d end up wearing out the asterisk key.
    Paul Pogba should have achieved so much more at Man UtdCredit: Getty
    Yet the briefest, and most cuttingly pointed, of epitaphs to bid the Frenchman farewell is this… “on his day”.
    Hardly the most insulting of phrases. Indeed, related to most footballers, usually it means the total opposite.
    Only Pogba isn’t most footballers.
    Pogba is as talented a player as there is, in any position, on any continent, in any era. Yet only on his day.
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    We should look back on his Premier League career as being one of the shining lights of the English game.
    We should be mentioning his name in similar terms to the likes of Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry, or Sergio Aguero and Didier Drogba.
    Only we won’t. Pogba will say farewell to the Prem as a flop. As a failure. An ‘if only’ kind of guy, rather than with a legacy as one of the greatest to grace these shores.
    When you talk of Cantona, Henry, those greats of bygone years, you never, ever use the phrase “on his day”.
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was sham & begged me for nude pics, says BB star
    Likewise with the stars currently tearing it up. Mo Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, even Harry Kane… not an “on his day” among them.
    You see when you’re talking about real talent, that doesn’t apply. Never will those words precede a description of the real top-level stars.
    It’s because for the absolute cream, the ones who deserve speaking of in hushed tones, “on his day” is pretty much every day. Or at least, every game.
    If De Bruyne has a shocker it stands out because he has very few of them.
    It’s the same for Salah, and Kane, Sadio Mane, Phil Foden plus a few more besides.
    Name a stand-out performance by any of the above and it’s a real puzzler for one reason — you’re spoilt for choice.
    Do the same for Pogba and there’s just as much head-scratching… to come up with any.
    Even the most die-hard United fan would struggle to go beyond the second half of a Pogba-inspired Manchester derby comeback and a goal scoring Europa League final against a still developing Ajax side.
    His United career — this time around — came to an end this week with an 800-word eulogy from the club’s media team. Eight. Hundred. Words.
    Clearly more creative thinking in that department than the Frenchman had shown in the midfield one for the vast majority of his time.
    The fact they were losing a World Cup winner on a free transfer for a second occasion, having paid nearly £90million to re-sign him, would usually be reason for riots.
    Instead, there was little more than a shrug of acceptance, and any dissent was directed at the player himself.
    That says it all from a set of supporters who never turn on their own.
    Yes, there have been spells over the last six years when Pogba, 29, has been plagued by injuries. When there has been a reason for maybe not being at his best.
    But there have been a lot more when there hasn’t. Of course, no one in their (legally obliged) right mind would ever accuse him of not putting everything in. Of not caring.
    Plenty would think it though. And it would be hard to argue with the opinions of those plenty as well.
    Could you seriously describe 29 league goals and 38 assists by a creative World Cup- winning midfielder over six years as anything but an unmitigated disaster?
    The only thing that’s worthy of is a “good riddance”. In these modern times, though, it merits a £3.8m “loyalty bonus”.
    Clearly for hanging around long enough to run down his contract and leave for nowt, allowing him to trouser another hefty signing-on fee, probably back at Juventus.
    That really does stink. About as much as the bulk of Pogba’s performances.
    By the time next season kicks off, the Old Trafford departures will probably be close to double figures.
    The fact many will see Pogba’s as the biggest blessing in disguise of all says everything.
    KLOPP CAN’T TOP ‘84 KOP
    Liverpool ended their Quadruple bid with just two trophies after losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League finalCredit: Rex
    IF there’s one good thing to come out of Liverpool’s failure to win the Quadruple – only one? – it is this.
    At least it should finally silence those trying to convince us this is the greatest team in the history of this famous club. A great team, of that there can be no doubt. But the best ever?
    There have been plenty of them at Liverpool over the years. But if you had to plump for one, it would surely be the 1983-84 European Cup, (old) Division One and League Cup winners.
    One in which centre-backs Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson played in all 51 league and European games.
     Ian Rush and Phil Neal missed three between them while Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish played over 40 apiece, as well.
    All six would make most all-time Liverpool line-ups… and this was in the same season, mind.
    Only 15 players appeared in the league in that treble-winning campaign. And two didn’t reach double figures between them.
    So, argue that Jurgen Klopp has the greatest SQUAD in Liverpool’s history to choose from by all means.
    But the greatest team? In my book, they don’t come close.
    ZLAT HAS A WORD
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s upcoming book is well worth a readCredit: Reuters
    GOT a sneak peek recently at the marvellous Adrenaline: My Untold Stories by that well-known shrinking violet Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
    In one sitting, it will make you love him and hate him, want to shake him by the hand and also by the throat.
    But believe me, you won’t want to put it down.
    It’s packed with amusing tales, and typically forthright views on some of the world’s greatest players.
    It is out on July 28. I’d advise you not to miss it.
    FALLIN’ ON CEF EARS
    YOU have to hand it to Aleksander Ceferin and Uefa — they never cease to amaze.
    In the wake of that Champ-ions League debacle, unbelievably they felt THEY should be the ones getting sympathy because they ‘only’ had three months to organise the final.
    Maybe they forgot whose decision it was to award the original game to Russia — a country that has stuck two fingers up at sport with its drug-taking corruption over the years.
    The fact things didn’t end even worse was entirely down to Liverpool supporters and was nothing to do with French police or any other officials.
    President Ceferin, Uefa and fit for purpose… three things you will very rarely hear in the same sentence.
    KAV ALL IN FOR JIGGO
    MOST players may be putting their feet up and soaking in the sun but Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh is still getting a sweat on.
    Or at least he will be next Saturday when — together with a collection of Lions staff and supporters — he gets on his bike in memory of SunSport legend Paul Jiggins.
    They are doing the Cycle for Jiggo, riding from London to Brighton to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation in honour of the lifelong Millwall fan and journalistic giant  who passed away in March.
    Anyone keen to donate can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/millwall-football-club-cyclingforjiggo More