More stories

  • in

    Harry Maguire almost certain to miss England’s Euro 2020 opener as Gareth Southgate gambles picking FOUR crocked stars

    HARRY MAGUIRE revealed he has only just started light training in his race to be fit for the Euros.The Manchester United captain looks certain to miss England’s June 13 opener against Croatia and is a doubt for the other group games.
    Harry Maguire picked up an ankle injury during Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa last month and has still not recoveredCredit: Rex
    EURO 2020 BETTING SPECIAL – GET £1 FREE BET FOR EVERY SHOT ON TARGET YOUR GOLDEN BOOT SELECTION HAS
    Boss Gareth Southgate also confirmed Jordan Henderson is not fully fit, while Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford are dealing with niggles.
    However, Southgate took a big gamble by naming all four in his final 26-man squad.
    Maguire, who damaged ankle ligaments against Aston Villa last month, said: “I have done little bits of running.
    “I don’t want to aggravate it too early as we still have nearly two weeks until the first game and it is a long tournament.

    “I am taking it day by day. I have not asked for a time-frame but I am looking forward to being involved.
    “It can improve dramatically in a few days and you can have little setbacks.”
    Maguire, 28, missed United’s Europa League final defeat to Villarreal in Poland a week ago, although he will report for England duty in Middlesbrough after his quarantine spell.
    Southgate, preparing for Wednesday’s friendly with Austria, stressed that Liverpool captain Henderson, sidelined since February after groin surgery, is not 100 per cent but may play some minutes at the Riverside.
    WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    The England boss said: “Both of the players are not where you would want them to be in terms of being available for the game against Croatia.
    “With Jordan and Harry, we selected a squad that, if they don’t get there, we are not in a situation where we haven’t got cover.
    “The most important thing is we don’t push them beyond the point they are ready for — that would be stupid, negligent.
    “We have had to modify Jordan through certain parts of the session. He will be involved in the game.”
    However, Grealish is struggling with a shin problem and Rashford has foot and shoulder issues.
    Southgate added: “Jack hasn’t been able to train every day and we have to manage his load.
    “Marcus we haven’t seen on the grass but he assures me he is happy with where he is at.”

    Gareth Southgate reveals Jesse Lingard will start against Austria despite being dumped from England’s Euro 2020 squad More

  • in

    Everton going head-to-head with Crystal Palace for Nuno Espirito Santo after Carlo Ancelotti’s shock Real Madrid switch

    EVERTON are battling Crystal Palace for Nuno Espirito Santo to take over from Carlo Ancelotti.Goodison supremo Farhad Moshiri is seeking his SIXTH boss in five years after Ancelotti rejoined Real Madrid on Tuesday.
    Nuno Espirito Santo is on the lookout for a new job following his departure from WolvesCredit: PA
    EURO 2020 BETTING SPECIAL – GET £1 FREE BET FOR EVERY SHOT ON TARGET YOUR GOLDEN BOOT SELECTION HAS
    Moshiri has put ex-Wolves coach Nuno top of a hitlist that includes Eddie Howe and Rafa Benitez.
    And Nuno’s fellow Portuguese Vitor Pereira – who has spent the last three years with Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG – also fancies the job.
    Ancelotti, who guided the Toffees to tenth this season, said: “I’d like to thank the board, players and Evertonians for the tremendous support they have given me.
    “I hope Everton can achieve the exciting opportunities they have in front of them.
    “While I have enjoyed being at Everton, I have been presented with an unexpected opportunity which is the right move for me and my family.”
    Palace have been in talks with Nuno for the past few days and he is their top choice to replace retiring Roy Hodgson.
    But the Toffees’ bigger budget and ambitions might sway Nuno.
    One stumbling block will be Duncan Ferguson’s role in the new Everton coaching team as Nuno may want his own staff.
    WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    Ferguson was being considered for the post but Nuno’s experience makes him favourite.
    Ancelotti had three years left on an £11million-a-year deal and Everton will get at least £30m in compensation.
    He takes over from Zinedine Zidane, six years after being axed by Real despite winning the Champions League.

    Carlo Ancelotti confirmed as new Real Madrid manager as Everton boss makes shock return to Bernabeu to replace Zidane More

  • in

    Bobby Zamora remembers his own England squad heartbreak as old Spurs star urges more players to seek mental health help

    BOBBY ZAMORA knows how those England players reeling from major-tournament heartbreak are feeling today.James Ward-Prowse and Jesse Lingard are among those who failed to make the cut as Gareth Southgate yesterday whittled down his Euros squad from 33 to 26.
    Bobby Zamora has his own personal take on missing out on a big tournament and is now fronting a campaign encouraging men to seek help if needed
    Ex-Spurs, West Ham and Fulham striker Bobby Zamora won two England capsCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
    Zamora was left out of the Three Lions’ 2010 World Cup squad – although it was his own decision, rather than that of manager Fabio Capello.
    The striker had had a sensational season with Fulham, helping them reach the Europa League final, but had been struggling with an Achilles injury towards the end of the campaign.
    Zamora, 40, recalled: “I shouldn’t have even played the Europa League final. But it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me.
    “Fabio Capello was aware of how I was. I remember sitting in the back garden and having a conversation on the phone.
    He said, ‘I want you in the squad, you’re 100 per cent going to come’.
    “But I needed an operation. If I had gone, would I have trained? No. If I hadn’t trained, would I have been selected to play? Not really. It wouldn’t make sense.
    “I thought if I was there, all the other players would be looking at me thinking, ‘You’ve come all this way, but you’re not really part of this squad because you’re not playing’.
    Man Utd midfielder Jesse Lingard, outstanding on loan for West Ham, has narrowly missed out on the England squad for Euro 2020
    Southampton star James Ward-Prowse is another player deemed unlucky to not be going to the Euros with the Three LionsCredit: AFP
    “Probably looking back I should have just gone just for the experience. I do think about it sometimes. It’s a hard memory to think about.”
    Zamora made the second of his two appearances for England the year after the 2010 World Cup, but that was that for the then 31-year-old when it came to playing for his country.
    He does feel there is a big incentive just 12 months away for those who missed out this time, though.
    The ex-Spurs and West Ham forward added: “There’s a World Cup next year, another opportunity very, very close.
    “Maybe you take it as a positive. It drives you to improve and to be better, to make sure you’re in the next squad.”
    One man who will hope to be going to Qatar next year is Brighton’s Ben White.
    The 23-year-old was included in Southgate’s 33-man long list before then being omitted.
    Albion are bracing themselves for bids for the centre-back this summer, with Manchester United among his admirers.

    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    Zamora hopes White stays at the Amex but does think the fact that the defender’s team-mate Lewis Dunk has been consistently overlooked for England could be a factor.
    The ex-striker, who had two spells with the Seagulls, added: “Dunky is one of those players that if he played in Manchester United’s team or Chelsea, he would be in that squad without a shadow of a doubt.
    “The same goes for Ben White. I remember Ben when I was at Brighton my second time round.
    “Ben was a young lad who would come up and train with us. 
    “He had a confidence and a little bit of an arrogance about him. Not too much, just being up playing with the pros and not shying away.
    “That goes a long way and you can see that now, you can see how he is on the ball.
    “He has a very bright future and I can see him wearing an England jersey in the future.”
    I’m the typical guy. I never spoke about anything ever, until this year… I got to the stage where I felt I needed to speak to someone and it’s helped.Bobby Zamora
    The subject of mental health and how sport stars deal with the spotlight has come sharply into focus this week following the Naomi Osaka press conference furore at the French Open.
    Being left out of squads comes with the territory of being a professional footballer, but it does not mean it does not take its toll psychologically.
    Zamora himself has only felt ready to open up about any struggles he personally has been going through in the last year.
    The pandemic has had a devastating impact on his business interests which include property development, a travel business and football coaching.
    Zamora has been seeing a counsellor recently and has urged more people in football to speak out when they are struggling mentally.
    He is working Brighton-based mental health charity Strong Men, which supports men through grief and is running a campaign called #BAREYOURSELF to encourage sufferers to open up.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 22/1
    It is co-founded by Efrem Brynin, whose son James, an Albion fan, was killed on his second tour of Afghanistan in 2013.
    Zamora added: “Efrem is an inspirational guy and I was only too happy to help. 
    “I’m the typical guy. I never spoke about anything ever, until this year. 
    “This year has been so hard for everybody in terms of life, family, business, everything. Every person has been affected. It’s not any one topic.

    “I got to the stage where I felt I needed to speak to someone and it’s helped.
    “You’re vulnerable but afterwards you feel the relief of being able to get things off your chest.”

    For more information on the #BAREYOURSELF campaign, go to strongmen.org.uk or text STRONG to 70085 to donate £5. More

  • in

    Harry Maguire determined to inspire England to Euro 2020 glory after Man Utd captain’s Europa League injury agony

    HARRY MAGUIRE rolled out of bed each morning hoping the pain in his ankle would have disappeared.The Manchester United skipper was praying he would make a miraculous recovery in time for the Europa League final against Villarreal a week ago.
    England centre-back Harry Maguire prayed in vain his ankle pain would ease in time for the Europa League final but is now focusing on the EurosCredit: Getty
    Harry Maguire paid a surprise visit to his old kids’ team Brunsmeer as part of WOW HYDRATE’S grassroots campaign with TescoCredit: Madeleine Penfold
    Instead, Maguire suffered heartbreak in the battle to return from ankle damage he sustained in a challenge with Aston Villa’s Anwar El Ghazi towards the end of United’s 3-1 Premier League win on May 9.
    Even though United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to rule the defender out of the showpiece at his pre-match press conference in Gdansk, Maguire was unable to run and watched the final training session from the dugout.
    Then the match itself was even more frustrating for United as they lost 11-10 on penalties to the Spaniards.
    Speaking yesterday, Maguire, 28, was asked about his first thoughts as he sat on the turf waiting for medical attention at Villa Park.
    He said: “The fear that I had was missing everything.
    “I knew it was quite a bad injury. When I got the results of the scan, I knew it would be unlikely I would made the Europa League final — but we also never ruled it out.
    “I would jump out of bed and put weight on my ankle, which I probably should not have done, and test it to see if the pain was still there.

    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    “Every morning, I woke up wishing the pain would be gone.
    “Unfortunately, it was not to be. I knew for me to start the Europa League final was very unlikely but I hoped to play some part.
    “However it was out of reach and just not possible.
    “Ahead of the final, I could still not run on the ankle.
    “But it is now improving and getting better, so I am just looking forward to the Euros.”
    Maguire arrived at Old Trafford from Leicester in an £85million deal in 2019, making him the most expensive defender in  football history.
    At Villa Park, he was making his 72nd appearance in the top flight for United, having not missed a single MINUTE of Premier League action until injury struck.
    Harry Maguire will be a key player for Gareth Southgate at the Euros, fitness allowingCredit: PA
    The centre-back could not play United’s final four Premier League games, but it was his absence from the final against Villarreal where he was really missed.
    Former Arsenal boss Unai Emery’s side took the lead from a set-piece, with just the sort of cross you would expect Maguire to block.
    But England boss Gareth Southgate will very much still by relying on him this summer after he was named in the 26-man squad for the Euros yesterday.
    Maguire added: “I generally try to play through injuries.
    “I know it was not the impact of the challenge at Villa that caused it.
    “It was more of a twist, so when I did that, I knew it would be some sort of ligament damage.
    “And obviously it was really bad timing for myself.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 22/1

    “To play so many games on the spin and not get many injuries, but to then miss the Europa League final and the end of the season for Manchester United, was disappointing for the club and  myself.
    “I have not picked up many knocks.  You have freak tackles, people falling on you, you twist things, but I have avoided muscle injuries.
    “But I am looking forward to getting back as soon as possible.”

    Harry Maguire, along with his brother Laurence who plays for Chesterfield, surprised his old junior football team Brunsmeer yesterday as part of WOW HYDRATE’S grassroots campaign with Tesco, www.wowhydrate.com

    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

  • in

    Harry Kane tips Jack Grealish to be England’s Euro 2020 wild card as skipper lauds Three Lions’ whizkids

    ENGLAND captain Harry Kane has put his cards on the table ahead of the Euros and tipped a Jack to be the ace in Gareth Southgate’s pack.The Three Lions skipper rarely shows his hand and has a poker face many Las Vegas high-rollers would kill for as his success-rate from the penalty spot proves.
    Harry Kane can’t wait to see England’s kids fire at Euro 2020Credit: Getty
    Kane says Jack Grealish is a ‘real player’ with the Aston Villa star set to feature for EnglandCredit: Getty
    Jude Bellingham is another youngster set to play a part in the England squadCredit: Getty
    But he has gone all-in by backing “real player” Jack Grealish to be England’s trump card at the Euro 2020 finals.
    Kane said: “I love Jack, just love Jack as a player. Fantastic.
    “From when he came in and I started training with Jack, we just had a real connection.
    “He sees the game a lot how I see it in terms of how he passes, how he moves, always looking forward, always rapping balls in, trusting your team-mate to have the touch and be able to handle it.
    “He’s a real player and one who’s going to be very special for the future.”
    Kane’s ringing endorsement of the Aston Villa midfielder comes as England boss Southgate names his final 26-man Euros squad today.
    Grealish, 25, has played just one full game for his club since being sidelined for almost three months by a shin injury suffered in February.
    “I love Jack, just love Jack as a player. Fantastic.”Harry Kane on Jack Grealish
    Some of his off-the-field antics have also led to him being branded a joker.
    But there has never been any doubt about his ability.
    And the fella with the smallest shinpads and biggest calves in football has now received a leg-up from captain Kane.
    Speculation is mounting the Tottenham striker, who has told Spurs he wants to leave them this summer, and Grealish could be team-mates at a new-look Manchester City next season.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 22/1
    Kane has been hugely impressed by Phil FodenCredit: Getty
    How England’s path to Euros glory could look
    But Kane clearly wants the Villa skipper by his side before then as he bids to lead his country to glory.
    In the latest snippet of his  interview with Gary Neville on the former England and Manchester United defender’s The Overlap YouTube channel, Kane also gave an insight on some of his other Three Lions team-mates.
    Mason Mount capped a fantastic season by helping Chelsea to beat Manchester City 1-0 in Saturday’s  Champions League final.
    And Kane told Nev: “There were question marks over him about whether he should have been playing ahead of some of those who were playing. But he’s been great.
    “He is so good on the ball and he is a nuisance off the ball — the way we want to play for England suits him.
    “A real level-headed guy who just works hard. Quite quiet but not afraid to talk and talk on the pitch.”
    As for City’s Phil Foden, Kane added: “He is an incredible talent, this season especially.
    “You can see that confidence growing in him, thinking ‘This is where I belong, I’m on the big stage now’.
    “Football mad, he just loves football. Talking to Phil I get the perception that he is probably watching football all the time at home, any game that is on, and playing football with his mates.
    “You get the sense no stage is too big for them.”Harry Kane
    “He has been incredible this season and it is great to have players like that playing in Champions League finals and getting that experience at an early stage.
    “You get the sense no stage is too big for them. Of course there is still a lot they need to learn. But they just want to go and play and they’re confident in their ability — ‘Get me on the ball and I’ll make sure something happens’ — and that’s what we are going to need in a major tournament.”
    Kane said of City’s Raheem Sterling: “He’s a huge part of how we play with England, his pace, his directness, one v one against a full-back, cutting inside and scoring a good amount of goals.
    “He’s laid back, quiet but he has taken a leadership role in the team.  So whether it’s talking to one of the younger boys or talking up in meetings, he’s happy to do that.”
    And Kane feels West Ham’s Declan Rice will also be an important anchor for England in the middle of the park.

    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    He said: “I feel with Dec he has definitely progressed even better over the last year or so. His stature and the way he goes about his business, he’s getting more confident.
    “We’ve got a real good mix and I’m one of the older ones now. I’m 27 and I feel I’m about 35 with this group.
    “But they’ve been great and I hope we can really do something special in the summer.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

  • in

    Man City ready to offer Raheem Sterling AND Gabriel Jesus to Tottenham to seal stunning Harry Kane transfer

    MANCHESTER CITY are offering Raheem Sterling AND Gabriel Jesus to Tottenham in a bid to land Harry Kane.The Premier League champions are so desperate to beat neighbours United and Euro conquerors Chelsea to the England skipper that they will let both stars go in part-exchange.
    Man City are set to go all out to try and sign Harry KaneCredit: EPA
    Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling will both be offered to SpursCredit: Getty
    It is the latest twist in this summer’s biggest transfer saga after Kane, 27, told Tottenham he wants to leave in his pursuit of trophies.
    City is his preferred destination and he recently revealed the top-flight star he would most like to play alongside is Etihad ace Kevin de Bruyne.
    Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, under fire from their own fans after yet another season without a trophy and his involvement in the botched European Super League bid, is determined to keep his most prized asset, who still has three years remaining on his current contract.
    He hopes bringing back former boss Mauricio Pochettino will persuade Kane to stay at the club.

    WIN £50,000! Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game

    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    But Levy knows it may not be enough to prevent the Prem’s 23-goal Golden Boot winner from leaving so he has slapped a whopping £150million price tag on the player’s head.
    City hope to offset some of that fee by using Sterling and Jesus as bait in a bid to seal a deal for Kane.
    Etihad boss Pep Guardiola is prepared to let both players go this summer as he looks to freshen up his squad following their 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in Saturday’s Champions League final.
    Sterling scored 15 goals in all competitions this season, but has fallen down the pecking order behind rising superstar Phil Foden.
    BETTING SPECIAL – GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 22/1

    The former Liverpool ace, 26, joined City for £44m in July 2015 and has two years left on his current £300,000-a-week contract.
    But the wages are not the only obstacle for Spurs – with Arsenal leading the chase for the Three Lions winger.
    Londoner Sterling had a trial with the Gunners and nearly joined them before Liverpool signed him from QPR’s youth team for £600,000 in August 2010.
    Jesus finished the season as City’s joint-top scorer with 23 goals in all competitions, alongside Sergio Aguero.
    Sterling still has two years left on his Cityzens dealCredit: Getty
    Jesus finished the season as City’s joint-top scorer with 23 goalsCredit: Getty
    But the Brazilian, 24, is still not widely regarded as their first-choice striker – and if Kane joins he will be understudy again.
    So Jesus might fancy a move to Spurs in order to play more regularly.
    And his current £90,000 a week pay at City means wages, even with an increase, would not be an issue for Tottenham.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

    Harry Kane shows off new bespoke golden boots More

  • in

    N’Golo Kante has won virtually everything with Chelsea and France and is the greatest midfielder of his generation

    YOU have to doubt whether N’Golo Kante even owns a trophy cabinet.The Chelsea midfield man, as humble and modest as he is gifted and energetic, would surely imagine that display cases are for show-offs.
    N’Golo Kante has won virtually every individual, club and country honour available, and is the supreme modern-day midfielderCredit: Getty
    Thomas Tuchel once tried to sign Kante for PSG and is reaping the benefits of the midfielder’s energy and drive as Chelsea won the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
    Kante has pretty much won the lot now — a Champions League winner’s medal to add to a World Cup, Premier League titles with two different clubs, an FA Cup and a Europa League.
    Then there are the gongs he would feel even less likely to boast about: the individual honours.
    A Footballer of the Year award and the ‘Man of the Match’ trophy from Saturday’s final against Manchester City, to go with the two he  collected after both legs of the semi-final against Real Madrid.
    We assume he keeps them all in a bin bag in his attic.
    Kante, 30, is the greatest midfielder of his generation — yet despite all that mountain of bling, he remains somewhat under-appreciated.
    It was as if Pep Guardiola had forgotten about Kante when he sent out a Manchester City starting line-up without a holding midfielder here on Saturday night — and nobody did more than Kante to exploit Pep’s flawed plan.
    Had Kante possessed the huge personality of Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira, he would rank alongside those two titans in the popular consciousness.
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    But as former Chelsea title- winner Joe Cole stated on Saturday, Kante has redefined his position.
    Cole said: “He’s staggering. I’m shattered just watching him.
    “I played with Claude Makelele, who I thought was the best in that position, until I saw this kid. He is Makelele plus extras.”
    Makelele was the midfield anchorman jettisoned by Real Madrid as they built their Galactico era.
    While the Spanish giants stopped winning major honours without the Frenchman, Makelele became a key element in Jose Mourinho’s back-to-back title-winning sides which kicked off the Roman Abramovich era.
    For a while, Kante was wrongly presumed by Chelsea fans to be the heir of Makelele — a player who would sit deep, win it and give it, a master of blissful simplicity.
    Ben Chilwell, seen fending off Kyle Walker, says Chelsea team-mate N’Golo Kante is ‘like two or three players’Credit: Getty
    When Maurizio Sarri employed Jorginho in the anchor role and Kante further forward, he received dog’s abuse from The Shed.
    But Thomas Tuchel has returned to the Sarri template to win Chelsea their second European Cup.
    He recognises that Kante is far more than ‘just’ a Makelele. His energy levels are so extraordinary that they should no longer produce ‘heat maps’ for him. Kante’s heat map is the entire pitch.
    As Chelsea’s fans sang long and loud at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday: “He’s here, he’s there, he’s every f***ing where, N’Golo, N’Golo.”
    Kante is a master tackler in an age where many old-timers will tell you  tackling is becoming a lost art, virtually outlawed.
    But he is far from just a destructive force and while his game is synonymous with extreme stamina, this is a multi-dimensional midfielder.
    His influence on Chelsea’s attacking play is often overlooked but his surging runs from midfield were a major reason for that semi-final victory over Real.
    For me he is, 100 per cent. He’s won everything there is to win and that’s not a coincidence because he is the best.Ben Chilwell
    Kante was adored by his team-mates at Leicester — where he was such a prominent figure in Claudio Ranieri’s 2016 title miracle — and the same applies at Chelsea.
    Elite footballers tend to be egotistical showmen but they appreciate the otherness of Kante.
    Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell, a kid at Leicester when Kante was powering the Foxes to their title, was asked whether the Frenchman is the best midfielder in the world.
    Chilwell said: “For me he is, 100 per cent. He’s won everything there is to win and that’s not a coincidence because he is the best.
    “He’s like two or three players. He tackles, he’s good on the ball, he’s an unbelievable person. I don’t have enough good words to say about him.”
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH

    Kante is yet to lose a Premier League game under Tuchel and the Blues missed him when they stuttered at the end of the season.
    And when the rest of Chelsea’s players kissed Old Big Ears before the trophy presentation, Kante merely gave it a touch and a smile.
    A smacker would have been far too ostentatious — a bloody great trophy cabinet, too.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Chelsea star Jorginho forced to have beard shaved off after agreeing to bet earlier in season if he won Champions League More

  • in

    Thomas Tuchel says new Chelsea contract ‘beginning of a dynasty’ as heroes arrive home with Champions League trophy

    THOMAS TUCHEL says a new two-year deal will be just part of a ‘fantastic beginning’ at Chelsea.The Blues’ head coach held talks with Roman Abramovich hours after leaving celebrations to mark winning the Champions League.
    Chelsea are set to offer boss Thomas Tuchel a new contract after guiding the Blues to Champions League gloryCredit: Getty
    The West London side beat Manchester City 1-0 on Saturday night to win the European Cup for a second timeCredit: Getty
    But Tuchel wants to make sure the billionaire Russian owner matches his own ambitions to take the club to the highest level possible.
    Chelsea are set to announce the extension for Tuchel – who took over from sacked Frank Lampard in January – as a reward for the club’s second European title.
    Tuchel said: “If we really want to build something I’m all in, I can tell you. And I’m happy to talk about it and discuss it. If our beliefs match, we go from there.
    “We have to check with the owner if this is his plan, I think it’s possible.
    “I think I have a clause that makes my contract a bit longer if I win the League or the Champions League.
    “I’m not 100 per cent sure but my manager said it weeks ago, I didn’t check. I said, ‘Let’s talk when it’s the case’.
    “Even if we have a longer contract, there are no doubts I want to stay and it’s not the most important thing.
    “I’m very happy to be here, it’s a fantastic beginning and we go now for the next one.”
    CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: CLAIM UP TO £800 IN CASINO BONUS CASH
    Chelsea outclassed the Citizens in Portugal with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the gameCredit: Getty
    WIN £50,000!Play Dream Team Euros – our FREE fantasy football game
    WIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!
    The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
    And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
    CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
    Dream Team Euros

    £50,000 jackpot
    The best fantasy football game this summer
    Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
    FREE to play

    Tuchel’s current 18-month deal expires at the end of next season.
    But his rapid transformation of the Blues from mid-table in the Prem into European champions has blown away Abramovich.
    The Chelsea squad flew back to the UK on Sunday afternoon after partying in Porto until 8.30am, following their 1-0 win over Premier League champions Manchester City.
    But Covid restrictions mean there can be no open-top bus parade in West London.
    Winning his first Champions League title will not trigger a transfer spree for Tuchel though.
    He said: “Two or three could be very good, but we don’t need another seven and another complete turnover.
    “We have some ideas, of course.”
    Chelsea have been interested in a reunion with their former striker Romelu Lukaku, now at Serie A champions Inter Milan.
    Chelsea could be handed a Champions League group of death in next season’s tournament

    Winning the top prize in club football though means even a move for superstar Erling Haaland at Tuchel’s old club Borussia Dortmund is no longer beyond them.
    One big move Tuchel definitely is planning is to bring his family to England as his wife and daughters stayed in Paris when he arrived in London in January.
    Tuchel said: “We will get a house in the middle of July and my family will come over in August and, of course, this is a huge part.”
    Chelsea players celebrate their Champions League win in the dressing room More