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      Memory of tragic Jordan Sinnott inspired me to help disadvantaged people, says best friend & Rotherham star Matt Crooks

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      ROTHERHAM star Matt Crooks is motivated to be the best person he can and help disadvantaged young people by the tragic death of his best friend.
      Jordan Sinnott died in January last year aged 25 after being attacked by three drunk and violent thugs in Retford, Nottinghamshire.

      Matt Crooks and best pal Jordan Sinnott during their happy times together

      Matt Crooks dedicated his two goals at Stoke last month to his best mate

      While two of the low-lifes are behind bars, left behind are grieving friends, family and loved ones.
      Just a week after Sinnott’s funeral, his partner Kelly found out she was 12 weeks pregnant with their daughter Maisie.
      The little girl has been cruelly robbed of her father, who never knew he was about to become a dad.
      And Millers midfielder Crooks, 27, told SunSport: “Just knowing ‘Sin’ never got to learn about Maisie has made me think, ‘Don’t ever take your children for granted.’

      “Me and my partner Ashleigh already have a two-year-old son Elias and we’re expecting our second – a girl – soon.
      “I want to spend all my spare time with my kids and family. That is my priority.
      “If anyone wants to be a better man, a better family man, a better husband, a better dad, a better friend, they need look no further than Jordan for inspiration.
      “I strive to be all those things – and his memory will forever inspire me to be the best person I can possibly be.”

      Rotherham’s Matt Crooks won the SkyBet Championship player of the month

      The shirts in the Sinnott25 tribute
      Crooks has just won the SkyBet Championship player-of-the-month award for a superb run of form in January.
      It included two goals in a 3-3 humdinger with Stoke and another strike in a 3-0 win against Middlesbrough either side of the first anniversary of Sinnott’s untimely death. He dedicated those goals – and his award – to his friend.
      The pair grew to become close after meeting each other aged 14 when they both joined Huddersfield on the same day.
      Ironically, they were also both released by the Terriers on the same day in 2015.
      Crooks went on to play for Accrington, Rangers and Northampton before joining the Millers in 2019.
      And Sinnott played for Chesterfield in the EFL and non-league sides Altrincham, Halifax, Alfreton and Matlock, where he was contracted at the time of his death.
      The first thing the Rotherham midfielder sees each morning is a photo of his old pal.
      In his bedroom is a photo of Sinnott with Crooks’ baby boy Elias on his first birthday next to a bigger one of the Millers ace kissing his son.Crooks and his partner used to spend a lot of time with Sinnott and his girlfriend – making all four of them close.
      They even went on holiday together to Majorca.

      Footballers in Malawi with their donated shirts

      Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson backed the Sinnott 25 shirt campaign
      He said: “Me and Sin used to often go on holiday. I’m so happy we spent his last summer together.
      “We went to two weddings, had two holidays in Majorca and Ibiza and went to a stag do.
      “I will cherish those memories forever.”
      Both Crooks and his partner have continued to remain in close contact with Sinnott’s girlfriend and her baby daughter.
      He said: “At the weekend my missus went for a socially-distanced walk with Kelly.
      “She’s on her own with Maisie. We try to keep her spirits up. She’s a strong young lady – she’s doing really well.
      “I’m trying to be the best ‘uncle’ I can for Maisie now and to protect and look out for her. I hope she knows I’m always here for her.”
      Crooks is inspired to help others after setting up a charity to leave a lasting legacy in memory for his friend.
      The Jordan Sinnott Foundation’s mission statement is apt – helping people through sport.

      Steven Gerrard was another high-profile personality who paid tribute
      Anyone can apply for grant funding. It is for youngsters aged between five and 21 and for individuals or teams who need funding for sports-related activity.
      It could be an application from parents for money towards paying for a school trip or a pair of football boots they cannot afford for example. The Foundation is also going to help homeless people too.
      Crook said: “The family asked the football community to send Sinnott 25 shirts so they could be displayed at his funeral and then be donated to under-privileged youngsters.
      “Clubs and sports personalities up and down the country sent them in and more than 900 were received in the end.
      “People like Steven Gerrard, Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Reece James supported it.
      “We’ve already sent out a load to Malawi and, post-Covid, Kit Aid are going to send the vast majority of them across the globe.
      “A short time after the funeral I was telling my missus I wanted to do something because I didn’t want Sin to just be forgotten.
      “We decided to set up the Foundation with the idea of representing everything he was about.

      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      “Sport was his life and we thought that would be a good route to go down.
      “We want to provide financial assistance and provide help through the power of sport and activities.
      “Sport is a big thing in people’s lives. It doesn’t matter what background you are from, you can become anything you want to be.
      “We thought if we can help people enjoy sport or be successful in it through Jordan’s name it would be fantastic. That would leave a lasting legacy fitting of a great person.”
      More than 1,000 people attending Sinnott’s funeral speaks volumes about how he captured people’s hearts with his happy life-and-soul personality.
      Crooks added: “I read recently it shows the kind of person you are by not how many friends you have but how many people turn up at your funeral. That made me smile.
      “I stood there and saw how many people attended and it made me emotional.”
      Finally, asked what he misses about his friend most, Crooks said: “Just him being there for a chat. I just miss his presence, whether it be by text or FaceTime, him being with me.
      “It’s been very hard but I’m determined his legacy will live on.”
      For more information about either applying for a grant or donating towards The Jordan Sinnott Foundation, please visit js25.co.uk More

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      Gareth Bale’s four Tottenham goals have cost the club a whopping £3.4m EACH since Real Madrid loan

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      GARETH BALE has been a whopping £17,400-a-minute flop at Tottenham — with his four goals costing a staggering £3.4million EACH.
      And club insiders fear the Wales superstar was so badly ‘damaged’ at Real Madrid he may never get back to anything approaching his best again.

      Gareth Bale is costing Spurs a fortune for very little return so farCredit: AFP

      Bale, who left Spurs for the Spanish giants in 2013 for a then world-record fee of £86m, returned on a season-long loan on September 19 — exactly 21 weeks ago.
      As part of the deal, Spurs agreed to pay £250,000 of his £650k-a-week wage — with Real Madrid footing the rest.
      In his 21 weeks in North London, Bale has pocketed £13.65m.
      But the move has not gone as planned, with the four-times Champions League winner making just 15 appearances in all competitions — a total of 785 minutes.

      That works out at £17.4k for every 60 seconds of first-team football this season.
      But if you ignore the cup action and focus solely on his Premier League return — a paltry 231 minutes across six games — that figure rises to £59k.
      And the four goals he has mustered in all competitions have cost £3.4m each.
      It is why Spurs are having serious doubts about taking up the option to extend Bale’s loan for a second season.

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      Jose Mourinho and his staff are shocked by how far off the pace the Welshman is after his nightmare spell at Real MadridCredit: Alamy Live News

      The Wales skipper hardly played in his last 18 months at Real after being frozen out by Zinedine Zidane over issues with form and fitness.
      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho warned Bale would not be the same explosive player he once was.
      But SunSport understands even Mourinho and his coaching staff have been shocked by how far off the pace and how much of a shadow of his former self the returning hero has been.
      Insiders insist they are not only concerned about the star’s fitness but also his confidence, application and attitude in trying to make this move a success.
      There are worries if the 31-year-old still has the appetite to play through pain.
      Mourinho says he left Bale out of his squad for Wednesday’s 5-4 FA Cup exit at Everton after he told him he ‘was not comfortable with some muscular area’.
      Spurs are losing patience and Bale is losing face.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Rio Ferdinand slams Tottenham after FA Cup loss to Everton More

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      England must use Phil Foden AND Jack Grealish at Euros, claims Three Lions great Wayne Rooney

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      WAYNE ROONEY wants Gareth Southgate to play BOTH Phil Foden and Jack Grealish at the Euros.
      England’s record goalscorer believes playmakers Foden and Grealish offer ‘something different’ and are too good to keep benched this summer.

      Wayne Rooney says Phil Foden and Jack Grealish must both start at the EurosCredit: AFP – Getty

      Gareth Southgate may only have room for one in his systemCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Foden, 20, has dazzled for Manchester City, while Rooney is also adamant Aston Villa skipper Grealish, 25, is top class.
      Rooney said: “Foden’s been one of the Premier League’s best players this season — Guardiola’s managed him really well.
      “He’s very entertaining and should just keep on doing what he’s doing. But there’s Jack Grealish, too. 
      “They bring something different to the national team and they just have to be in the squad for the Euros. And, arguably, they have to play. Because they’re THAT good.”

      While ex-Manchester United star  Rooney is confident Foden and Grealish can shine on the international stage, the duo must continue to show they have learnt lessons from recent off-the-field mistakes.
      Foden missed three  England games after being sent home from Iceland by boss  Southgate in September for flouting Covid-19 rules by inviting girls back to his hotel room.
      And Grealish was fined by Villa and apologised for breaking  national coronavirus lockdown guidelines in March.
      But Rooney, who netted a record 53 times in 120 games for his country, reckons three-cap Foden has the  temperament to become a senior star.

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      England legend Rooney says Grealish and Foden are both good enough to command starting placesCredit: PA:Press Association

      England boast the most-valuable squad of all Euro 2020 nations

      Rookie Derby manager Rooney, 35, added: “I saw him at City when my lad used to train there.
      “Phil would be there picking his brother up but what you want  is the first-team players being around the academy kids.
      “I spoke to Phil a couple of  times and you could see he’s a real level-headed lad.”

      Rio Ferdinand begs Man Utd to seal Jack Grealish transfer from Aston Villa whether Paul Pogba is sold or not More

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      Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg reveals how boss Pep Guardiola comforted him after dad’s tragic death ahead of Man City vs Spurs

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      PIERRE-EMILE HOJBJERG will forever remember the moment he and Pep Guardiola cried together.
      It was when the midfielder received the worst news imaginable — yet received support and advice from Guardiola, his then-manager at Bayern Munich.

      Pep Guardiola helped Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg deal with the news of his dad’s cancer and subsequent death in a tearful exchange during their time together at BayernCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tottenham star Hojbjerg hopes to dent the Manchester City boss’ title charge on Saturday.
      But regardless of the result, the pair will always enjoy a close bond.
      Dane Hojbjerg joined Bayern Munich from Brondby as a 16-year-old and was four months shy of his 18th birthday when he became the youngest player to represent the German club in the Bundesliga.
      Yet just a couple of days after he turned 18, in 2013, Hojbjerg’s dad, Christian, called to reveal that he was suffering from stomach cancer.

      Hojbjerg revealed: “Guardiola called me in and said: ‘I heard about your father, I’m incredibly sorry. Let’s just talk together’.
      “Then all of a sudden I started crying and said I was confused and scared.
      “Then he said to me: ‘The people you care about the most and who are closest to you, you have to stick to them, even if it costs a little in the workplace’.
      “He said that he would always be there for me. And then he started to cry and did not know what to say.”

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      Hojbjerg and Guardiola forged a tight bond in GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bayern president Uli Hoeness stepped in, and the player’s dad was flown to Munich for special treatment which the club paid for.
      Sadly, his father died of cancer in 2014 and Hojbjerg, now 25, added: “It has haunted me, of course, ever since.
      “Grief is a difficult thing. Suddenly, you feel that you stand alone — 18-years-old, you are out in the big football world and you have to make decisions that define your career.
      “When you are 18, 19, you don’t always see the big picture and the person that was always seeing the big picture was not there any more.”
      Yet Guardiola remained a big influence, even though Hojbjerg’s career at Bayern never really got off the ground.
      He added: “Tactically, I made a big step under Pep. For him it was about understanding the game, about reading it.
      “I liked the way he wanted to play football and thought about football.”
      He made 17 appearances in the Bundesliga across three title-winning seasons before loan moves to Augsburg and Schalke.

      Spurs star Hojbjerg will now look to put a dent in Guardiola’s title hopesCredit: Rex Features

      Hojbjerg has learned two very different lessons from Guardiola and current boss Jose MourinhoCredit: EPA
      The highlight was the DFB-Pokal final in May 2014, when Guardiola thrust him into the starting line-up.
      Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 with extra-time goals from Arjen Robben and Thomas Muller.
      In 2016, Hojbjerg moved to Southampton for £12.8million and then to Spurs for a bargain £15m last summer.
      He has become a key member of Jose Mourinho’s team, even though their recent performances have not been as great.
      Mourinho said: “I think maybe him being formed at Bayern had an effect on his mentality.
      “But I also think his DNA is his own personality. He’s a guy that works hard every day.”
      Asked to compare both managers, Hojbjerg said: “Mourinho and Guardiola are still hungry, even though they have won everything. Both work each day with incredible ambition.
      “Pep taught me to analyse the game very carefully.
      “At Spurs, Mourinho makes us as one machine. I am proud to be part of this machine.”

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      Fraudster splurged £175,000 on Man City ace Riyad Mahrez’s bank card – and star took 5 WEEKS to notice

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      A CROOKED forklift driver spent more than £175,000 on a bank card belonging to Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez.
      Sharif Mohamed, 32, spent £20,000 of the winger’s money partying and on designer clothes in Ibiza.

      Manchester City ace Riyad Mahrez, 29, took five weeks to realise a fraudster had spent £175,000 on his bank card

      Mohamed blew £20,000 of the winger’s money partying and on designer clothes in Ibiza and in the UK, his spree included a casino splurge

      Mahrez failed to realise for over a month that a fraudster had blown the money.
      The £200,000-a-week star took nearly five weeks to block the card Mohamed had got hold of to enjoy a taste of the high life.
      In that time, Mohamed burned through £20,000 partying in Ibiza.
      He guzzled champagne at trendy beach bars and blew thousands buying designer clothes from boutiques on the holiday island.

      In the UK, his spree also included a splurge in a casino — as well as more modest outings to Nando’s, KFC and Greggs.
      But the spending — equivalent to less than one week’s pay for the Algeria international — went unnoticed for more than a month.
      Commenting on the case, former Met Det Chief Insp Mick Neville said: “The most amazing thing is that someone can blow £175,000 on a bank card without the loser even realising.”
      The fraud, totalling £175,830, took place in 2017 while Mahrez, 29, was playing for Leicester City.

      A caller posing as the Etihad Stadium favourite phoned Barclays bank to order a new card in his name. Mohamed said that he was working on behalf of crooked bank staff who allowed him to use the card — but he produced no evidence to back up his claim.
      He travelled from his home in East London to Leicester to withdraw cash from ATMs to avoid raising suspicion.

      The fraud, totalling £175,830, took place in 2017 while Mahrez was playing for Leicester CityCredit: PA:Press Association

      Mohamed posed as the Etihad Stadium favourite to phone Barclays bank and order a new card in his name

      Former Met Det Chief Insp Mick Neville said ‘The most amazing thing is that someone can blow £175,000 on a bank card without the loser even realising’Credit: AP:Associated Press
      Prosecutor Alex Matthews said he admitted going on a trip to Ibiza where, apart from blowing thousands on champagne in bars, he visited designer boutiques.
      In one, he paid £1,400 for a pair of Armani jeans. Ms Matthews added: “He spent £900 in one and £600 in the other — and that’s just one night in Ibiza.”
      His spending on the trip included the flights, accommodation in the smart Shangri—La hotel and meals at the upmarket Edward John Lucas restaurant.
      Mohamed denied suggestions he had made a second trip to Ibiza or that he had used the card during another break in the Spanish region of Murcia.
      It was nearly five weeks before the card was stopped. Spending in the UK included a trip to Aspers Casino in the Westfield Stratford City shopping centre in London.
      His barrister, Daniel Higgins, appealed for Mohamed, from East Ham, to be given a suspended sentence, saying he had made little from the fraud.
      He said: “In terms of personal benefit he can’t exactly qualify. At least he had a very nice holiday and other benefits.
      “One of the difficulties is that this was during a period of his life when he was drinking and taking drugs and his ability to recall in detail is rather limited.”

      Prosecutor Alex Matthews said Mohamed blew thousands from footie ace Riyad Mahrez’s money on champagne and in designer boutiques

      Ms Matthews said: ‘He spent £900 in one and £600 in the other — and that’s just one night in Ibiza’

      Mohamed, of East Ham, East London, now faces jail

      He also enjoyed flights and a nice accommodation in the smart Shangri—La hotelCredit: Alamy

      But after listening agog to the spending, Judge Laurie West-Knights, QC, was unconvinced.
      He said: “I need to resolve whether he has come clean. If he is deceiving me at this stage, there is only one place he can go.”
      Mohamed admitted one charge of fraud at Snaresbrook crown court. He was bailed ahead of sentencing on February 25. He previously received a suspended sentence for a hotel booking scam and was jailed for 45 months in 2009 for robbery.
      But he now claims to be married and living “a modest life”.
      Mr Neville was left puzzled by the case, saying: “Why on earth would an elite footballer be spending at fast food joints and Britain’s favourite steak bake supplier?
      “Banks are normally very quick off the mark to spot unusual spending but if the sums were low then it probably wouldn’t flag up.”

      Dawn Ward’s daughter Taylor goes Instagram official with Man City footballer Riyad Mahrez
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      Liverpool warn Bayern Munich that Mo Salah is NOT for sale as Germans eye blockbuster transfer

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      LIVERPOOL’S message to Bayern Munich is: Mo Salah is not for sale.
      The German giants are the latest club to target the Kop striker after chief exec Karl-Heinz Rummenigge branded him the “Lionel Messi of Africa”.

      Bayern Munich are interested in signing Mohamed SalahCredit: PA

      Jurgen Klopp has no intention of letting Mohamed Salah leave AnfieldCredit: AFP

      But the Premier League champions have no intention of letting go of their prized asset.
      The Egyptian’s current £200,000-a-week Anfield contract does not run out until 2023.
      And last month the 28-year-old insisted he wants to be a Reds player for the rest of his career and “win as many trophies as possible”.
      However, Bayern have now joined Spanish clubs Barcelona and Real Madrid in chasing Salah.

      Rummenigge declared: “It would be an honour to have him.
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      “Salah is the Messi of Africa and has the skills to play for the best teams in the world.
      “What he has achieved can be compared to what Messi and Ronaldo did with Barca and Real.”

      Salah, who has bagged 22 goals in just 32 appearances this season, sparked speculation on his future in a Spanish interview in December when he refused to rule out the chance of joining either LaLiga outfit.
      However, he then declared: “I want to stay in Liverpool for as long as possible but the matter is in the hands of the club.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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      Scott McTominay hits out at ‘absolutely disgusting’ racist abuse aimed at Man Utd team-mates

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      SCOTT McTOMINAY hit out at the “absolutely disgusting” racist abuse suffered by his Manchester United team-mates — as Instagram finally vowed to punish offenders.
      Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe and Manchester United Women’s Lauren James joined a growing list of black footballers who have been sent vile messages this season.

      Scott McTominay says meeting ‘one of his brothers’ Axel Tuanzebe at training, knowing the defender has been racially abused, feels horribleCredit: Rex Features

      Axel Tuanzebe has joined a big list of targets for disgusting online commentsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Scott McTominay believes it’s an ‘absolute shambles’ that players like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial still face abuse onlineCredit: Getty – Pool

      A man who abused West Brom’s Romaine Sawyers was arrested last week.
      McTominay said: “It’s a disgrace. Honestly, it makes me feel sick coming in seeing Axel the next day after the game.
      “It’s an absolute shambles. That’s  one of my brothers who I’ve grown up with, and to see that happen to him is absolutely disgusting.”

      Manchester United Women’s teen striker Lauren James – sister of Chelsea star Reece – is among the victims of racial abuse on social mediaCredit: PA:Press Association
      United rallied round the victimised players.

      And Instagram have now promised to be quicker to ban the racists and will  work closer with police.
      The social media app admitted their systems have struggled to block abusive posts but have now launched a new initiative to tackle the problem.
      Fadzai Madzingira, content policy manager at owners Facebook,  said: “I am horrified that they have to deal with that sort of abuse. As a company we take it very seriously.
      “We’ve always had rules around people who abuse our community standards.

      “What we’re announcing today is that we’re taking tougher measures on  people who violate those rules in Instagram direct messaging. Instead of just extending the time, we’ll be removing the accounts.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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      “That allows us to ensure we have a lower tolerance for that sort of abuse.
      “We’ll be closing those accounts more quickly in Instagram direct messaging than anywhere else on the platform.”
      Despite welcoming the move, Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden made it clear social media giants would be fined heavily if they failed to bring an end to the abuse.
      He said: “For too long the world’s most popular and powerful social media companies have failed to tackle the stream of horrific racist attacks on their platforms.
      “I welcome Instagram’s improved policies but racist abuse is still a fact of life for too many  people and more has to be done  to stamp it out.
      “We’re introducing a new age of accountability for these companies through our  Online Safety Bill. This could see huge fines for firms which fail to clearly and transparently protect their users.”

      Man Utd star Donny van de Beek’s looks heartbroken as he to sees he is about to be subbed against West Ham More

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      Kepa given Chelsea lifeline as Thomas Tuchel says keeper has clean slate before first game under new boss vs Barnsley

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      THOMAS TUCHEL has promised troubled Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga a fresh start.
      The £71.6million Spaniard starts his first game under the new boss in Thursday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Barnsley.

      Thomas Tuchel is set to give Kepa a clean slate at Chelsea, starting vs Barnsley on ThursdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Kepa was ditched by former boss Frank Lampard but Tuchel believes his world-record fee is a huge burden.
      Tuchel said: “From outside we had a view on his situation and some difficulties on the sporting side.
      “Maybe the circumstances of his transfer are a little bit on his shoulders. That was the impression from outside.
      “From inside, I see an open personality. A hard working guy with a lot of quality. He deserves to be here. 

      “The good thing for him is that we start new, that this is a new start for him because I don’t have a history with him. 
      “He does everything to impress in training and this is the only thing he could do.
      “It is a special position, it has its own rules. If you make mistakes, everybody sees it, talks about it so you need a lot of mental strength and quality.
      “Kepa gets the chance tomorrow and I hope he can show what he shows in training.”

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      Tuchel is keen for Kepa to play without the pressure of his £71.6m transfer fee burdening himCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Kepa has been in limbo with a huge fee and wages putting off rival clubs to buy him and end his misery – while Chelsea brought in Edouard Mendy to replace him.
      With Euro 2020 this summer his place as his country’s number one is in serious jeopardy.
      Tuchel said: “I want him to play a normal match.
      “He does not have to show me or anybody else that he is ready to be Spain’s No1 in the summer.
      “He has just to show his quality. Not more and not less. 
      “We have to manage our own expectations because I don’t expect him to score and to play with a clean sheet.
      “I just expect he is there and he helps us with the quality he has and gives a solid performance to help the team.”
      Midfielder N’Golo Kante will also start his first game under Tuchel’s new era against Championship opposition.
      Timo Werner is out with a dead leg to be replaced by Hakim Ziyech.

      Kepa is set to replace Mendy for the FA Cup fifth-round clash vs BarnsleyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      This will be Tuchel’s first FA Cup match as a manager and he is a fan of football’s oldest cup competition.
      The German, 47, who liked Tottenham as a kid, said: “If I’m looking for that in my brain now there is this huge stadium, Wembley, this famous name. And this pretty, pretty cup that I can remember.
      “We played out in the garden after watching these finals. To win cups and to play in cups is something all supporters and players love. 
      “Everything is possible in the 90 minutes… it has its surprises and you feel this tension in knockout games and it’s something you can only feel in cup games.
      “The closer you get to the final the more the tension and excitement grows.”
      Uefa have confirmed Chelsea will play the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Atletico Madrid in Bucharest due to restrictions on travel between the UK and Spain.
      Atletico fear they will lose home advantage and Tuchel has sympathy.
      He said “I can absolutely understand the feeling.
      “Do I have anything to do with it? No. Was it our decision? No.
      “So from now on, no more reflection for that. And they will be ready 100 per cent to fight in Bucharest against us.”

      Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel to unleash N’Golo Kante in new ‘double six’ role More