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

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      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.

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      “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

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

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      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.

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

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      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.

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      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.
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      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

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

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      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.
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      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.”
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      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

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

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      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.”
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      Chelsea outclassed the Citizens in Portugal with Kai Havertz scoring the only goal of the gameCredit: Getty
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      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

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      Pep Guardiola admits he needs a break as he heads to Barcelona and Man City stars arrive home after painful Chelsea loss

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      PEP GUARDIOLA admits he is ready for a break as he heads back to see his family in Barcelona this week.It has been a lengthy and demanding season for his Manchester City side -chasing the Quadruple for so long meant he has not seen some of his nearest and dearest since November.
      Etihad boss Pep Guardiola will take time off to recharge before trying to build on this season’s Prem gloryCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Man City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne arrives back with the black eye that finished his Champions League final earlyCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The next couple of weeks will be a time for him to switch off, enjoy some overdue sunshine and recharge.
      But he will not feel sorry for himself  for very long, as he sits on the beach.
      Very quickly his thoughts will start to turn to next season.
      He  is set to come back to England in early July to get ready to do it all  over again.
      Despite the rumours, he always planned to return — even if they had won the Champions League final against Chelsea in Porto on Saturday.
      Pep remains convinced there is more to do with City and this group of players and he has vowed to turn them into the best club in the world.
      After an outstanding campaign ended on a disappointing note in Portugal, he said: “I want to  go home  and be with  my family.
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      “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.
      “After that I’ll come back to the club. It’s going to be the best club in the world for the next few years.
      “I want to congratulate my players on an exceptional season and on the game they played on  Saturday.”
      Once again they came up just short in Europe — even though it was agonisingly close this time.
      And the planning has already begun over how they can finally bring the biggest  trophy of all to the Etihad.
      Guardiola has already said there will be changes before next season starts.
      There are a few positions of concern — with left-back still causing a headache despite the efforts of Oleks Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo  to fill in.
      Kyle Walker looks grim-faced as he returns home with Man CityCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Even Raheem Sterling’s future could be in the spotlightCredit: Zenpix
      It would be absolutely no surprise if Benjamin Mendy’s bitterly disappointing four-year stay at City is finally brought  to an end.
      Eric Garcia’s time at City is done and he returns to Barcelona — but fellow centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake may also want a chat about their futures after falling down the pecking order  this season.
      Guardiola’s surprising decision to  dispense with the holding midfielder on Saturday night makes you wonder if he is happy with his options.
      Fernandinho, 36,  is set to sign a new  12-month deal to stay — but surely cannot go on forever.  
      Rodri has not played in the biggest games in recent weeks while Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration of Jack Grealish in the past and would love to have him in his squad.
      However the cost involved means he would almost certainly have to sell one of his big names if he is to make a move for the England star.
      That puts Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez in the firing line and, in what promises to be a difficult summer, will the right offers come in?
      The priority, of course, will be a new forward — with Harry Kane right at the top of the list.
      Oleksandr Zinchenko and wife Vlada Shcheglova arrive backCredit: Zenpix
      Defeat is still emotional for Kevin De Bruyne and Benjamin MendyCredit: Zenpix
      Spurs will want a huge sum though and even City with their resources have been hit by the effects of the Covid pandemic.
      It will not be an easy deal to do this summer and Kane may have to be pushy if it is to get done.
      Should he do that, both clubs might still need to be creative, with players offered in part-exchange with the England captain valued at over £100million.
      City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain will meet with fellow executives this week to discuss their  summer plans.
      Last year, they moved quickly — securing deals for Ferran Torres and Ake within days of the end of the season.
      This year they may need to be more patient.
      Perhaps we will look at the striker position because we have a legend like Sergio Aguero leaving.Man City Chief operating officer Omar Berrada
      The feeling is that this is not a squad that needs major surgery after winning a third title in four years.
      Chief operating officer Omar Berrada said last week: “We’re looking at areas where we can potentially improve the squad.
      “But if you look at the performance of the team and everything they have done this year, it’s not that there is significant investment that we need to make.
      “Perhaps we will look at the striker position because we have a legend like Sergio Aguero leaving.
      “When the season ends, we will sit down and look at what we want to do in the transfer window.”
      Yesterday, City’s squad broke for the summer — plans for them all to fly back to Manchester together for a party were quickly scrapped.
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      But chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak will give his traditional end-of-season review this week and will reflect on another incredible year for this club.
      A third Premier League title in four years, a fourth straight Carabao Cup and a first-ever Champions League final.
      Most clubs in the world would have settled for that back in August.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Pep Guardiola gives his thoughts on Man City’s Champions League final loss More

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      Chelsea set to offer Thiago Silva, 36, new contract after Brazil veteran’s stellar first season at Stamford Bridge

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      CHELSEA will offer Thiago Silva a new-one year deal after the 36-year-old’s superb first season at the club.Silva signed on a free last summer and made 34 appearances, including seven in a hectic May.
      Chelsea want to keep Thiago Silva after his amazing first season in English footballCredit: Getty
      Brazilian centre-back Thiago Silva has thanked Frank Lampard, who was sacked as Chelsea boss in January, for signing him last summerCredit: Reuters
      In 18 of the games where Silva started, the Blues kept a clean sheet.
      Despite turning 37 in September this year, the Brazil centre-back has impressed Stamford Bridge boss Thomas Tuchel and will be rewarded with a new contract.
      Silva had to go off in the 39th minute of the Champions League final win over Manchester City, due to a groin problem.
      After he hit out at former club Paris St-Germain, insisting he was always made the scapegoat for the club’s Euro failures.
      Silva spent eight seasons with super-rich PSG, who have never won the Champions League despite a huge investment on plays.
      And his last game for the club – where he landed 23 winner’s medals, including seven successive titles – was in the 1-0 Champions League Final defeat by Bayern Munich in August.
      Speaking of what it meant to get his hands on the trophy, Silva said: “It’s incredible and special for me – the most important moment of my career – especially considering the pressure we had in Paris to win it.
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      “Whenever Paris was eliminated, people wanted to find a culprit and it was me all the time. It’s too bad.”
      Silva also paid tribute to ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who lured him on a free to Stamford Bridge.
      Lampard led Chelsea through the group stages before being replaced by Tuchel.
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      “It was special, it was my first year here,” he added.
      “Tuchel changed everything, the team mentality. But it’s also important to talk about Lampard.
      “Without him, it was difficult for me to win here, thanks to him for letting me sign here.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      Reece James’ Champions League final masterclass for Chelsea adds to Southgate’s England right-back headache for Euros

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      FOR Gareth Southgate, there could be such a thing as having too much choice at right-back.Just as the England boss looked like whittling it down to a straight shootout between Premier League winner Kyle Walker and La Liga champion Kieran Trippier, Reece James performs out of his skin on the biggest club stage of all.
      Reece James’ superb Champions League final display has underlined Gareth Southgate’s wealth of options at right-back for EnglandCredit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold will hope he is still in contention for Euro 2020 but his situation is unclear after a difficult seasonCredit: Getty
      Where this leaves Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold is anybody’s guess.
      But James was immense in Chelsea’s Porto fairytale — along with England pals Ben Chilwell and Mason Mount.
      He could arrive at the England camp this week with Raheem ­Sterling still in his pocket. James made seven tackles in the game — FOUR more than any other player — and also produced the most clearances with five.
      He epitomised the body-on-the-line approach of Thomas Tuchel’s side, whose plan to be “a stone in City’s shoe” worked a treat.
      Southgate seems to have doubts over Alexander-Arnold’s defensive capabilities and you can see why he may turn to James.
      Like so many of his team-mates, 21-year-old  James’ game has  progressed under Tuchel, who initially benched him in favour of Callum Hudson-Odoi when he first took over.
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      Asked of Tuchel’s qualities, James summed up how the German  turned the Blues from a season of collapse to champions of Europe.
      The right-back said: “He’s  honest. He believes in us and that we can win many titles together.”
      Southgate’s dilemma is slightly less painful on the left, with Chelsea’s  Chilwell battling Luke Shaw.
      Shaw has had his best season yet in a Manchester United shirt but Chilwell has been scintillating in the last few months.
      He was excellent in  Saturday’s 1-0 Champions League final win over City, keeping former Leicester colleague Riyad Mahrez at bay — and not far behind James in the statistics.
      Surely Chilwell’s  Estadio Do Dragao display will have firmed up his spot v Croatia in England’s Euros Group D opener on June 13.
      Kieran Trippier is firmly in the England picture after helping Atletico Madrid to the LaLiga crownCredit: Getty
      Man City’s Kyle Walker offers England pace and versatilityCredit: Getty
      After Chelsea’s heroic defending landed  their second Champions League title, Chilwell said: “We knew their strengths going forward. We defended for our lives.
      “We’re all tired but when the Champions League’s up for grabs, it doesn’t really matter.”
      One man who looks certain to be in Southgate’s line-up is Mount.
      The Blues playmaker, 22, teed up Kai Havertz’s 42nd-minute winner with a perfect pass from deep.
      Mount consoled England pal Phil Foden, 21, at the final whistle as the City star lay on the turf.
      Mount said: “I said they deserve to be here because of what they have done this season.”
      Mount also paid tribute to his family, adding: “I dreamt of this as a kid.
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      “My dad came down from the stands and I burst into tears.  It is a  long journey to get here so for my  family I thank them.
      “They gave me everything and I am reaping the rewards.”
      England could  be reaping rewards this summer if Southgate goes with Chelsea’s terrific trio.
      ⚽ 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