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      in Soccer

      Eric Dier hits back at Jose Mourinho’s claims he is suffering ‘crisis of confidence’ in new headache for Spurs boss

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      ERIC DIER has denied Jose Mourinho’s claims he was suffering from a “crisis of confidence”.
      Tottenham boss Mourinho made the comments earlier this month after axing the England star from his first team line-up following a dip in form.

      Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho comforts Eric Dier but the defender claims the Portuguese was wrong to say he has been lacking beliefCredit: Reuters

      Eric Dier says he has been ‘happy with my level for the majority of the season’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the defender rubbished the accusations, to give his under-pressure manager another headache.
      Dier insisted: “Confidence-wise, I don’t feel like I’ve been in a bad place all season.
      “I’ve gone through periods where I’ve had low confidence in the past so I know what it feels like and I haven’t felt that this season.
      “The most important thing is the reality and people’s perception versus reality can be different sometimes.”

      Dier was dropped for the recent 2-0 win over West Brom after giving away a penalty in a poor performance in the home defeat by Chelsea.
      That victory over the Baggies is Spurs only victory in their last six Premier League matches – although they have beaten Austrians no-hopers Wolfsberger twice in the Europa League to go through from their last 32 tie 8-1 on aggregate.
      Dier added: “We’ve gone through a difficult moment, but it’s important to keep things in context.
      “I feel like I’ve been happy with my level for the majority of the season.

      “There’s been obviously a dip in it, which correlates with the dip with the team in general and our performances in general.
      “But I don’t think my confidence has ever been in a negative place where it’s been in previous times. That’s all.”
      Dier is not the only Tottenham star to have been axed by Mourinho.
      But the centre-back said: “I’m a big boy, this is a ruthless profession and I focus on trying to do the best that I can every time I get an opportunity.
      “I always try to be the best version of myself, every day in training I try to improve constantly and then in games I know I can have good games and bad games, But I’m always relaxed because I know that I give everything I do have.
      “So everything on the outside doesn’t affect me so much because I’m confident in myself and I’m confident that I always try to give the best of myself.

      We’ve been going through a difficult time and now’s the time that as a group we’ve got to all step up and work together to push through this moment.
      Eric Dier

      “Sometimes it goes well, sometimes it goes badly but my effort never changes.”
      Dier helped Tottenham beat Wolfsberger 4-0 in their second leg on Wednesday.
      Spurs will find out their opponents in the last 16 of the Europa League when the draw is made today (FRI).
      The North Londoners, currently ninth in the Prem table, then host Burnley in the League on Sunday.
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      Dier said: “Obviously, it’s no secret we’ve been going through a difficult time and now’s the time that as a group we’ve got to all step up and work together to push through this moment, starting with the result on Wednesday night and taking that into the weekend.
      “The result on Wednesday was nice, but we know it’s just a small step.
      “We need to find our consistency again, find our level again and everyone has to push in the right direction to achieve that.”

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      in Boxing

      Ex-boxing champ Junior Witter fuming after cops find cannabis factory in house he rented out

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      EX-boxing champ Junior Witter was fuming after cops raided a house he rented out — and found a cannabis factory.
      The former WBC super lightweight title holder, 46, has owned the three-bed house since 2005.

      Boxer Junior Witter pictured at Brendan Ingle’s Sheffield gymCredit: Simon Wilkinson

      Neighbours called the police when they noticed the patio doors had been kicked in.
      Officers went in and found the remnants of a weed farm.
      It is thought a rival dealer may have tried to steal the plants from the house, in Sheffield.
      Angry Junior, who retired six years ago, said: “I own the property and rented it out.

      “There was a break-in and now I’m just left with a lot of mess to clean up.

      “I’m not happy with it at all.
      “I don’t have anything to do with cannabis, so it’s right annoying.”
      Police said they are investigating the drugs farm and the break-in.

      The Sun joins Home Secretary Priti Patel and Met Police on county lines dawn drugs raids
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      in Soccer

      Marcelo Bielsa WANTS Jack Grealish to be fit to play Leeds… even though he makes Aston Villa ‘scarier’

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      MARCELO BIELSA hopes Jack Grealish CAN play against Leeds on Saturday – even if it makes Aston Villa “scarier”. 
      Euro 2021 hopeful Grealish was injured for Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Leicester and is struggling for the trip to Elland Road. 

      Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish has been hailed by Marcelo Bielsa as a ‘great player’Credit: PA:Press Association

      Elland Road boss Marcelo Bielsa says facing Jack Grealish would be a ‘stimulus’Credit: Reuters

      But the Leeds boss said: “He is a great player who can unbalance you.
      “I always prefer that opponents have their best players available. 
      “Even if that fortifies a team, and makes them more scary to face, they’re also a stimulus for us to face such players, to try to neutralise them.”
      Villa boss Dean Smith has been cautious about Grealish’s situation.

      But he said: “It’s not a recurrence of an outstanding injury or an old injury and it’s not going to be a long-term injury.
      “But I’m guided by the medical staff about how long he will be out, and Jack himself, so I can’t tell you any more than that really.
      “It’s pretty much on a game by game basis – if not maybe Leeds, then perhaps he’ll be back for Sheffield United.”
      Meanwhile, Smith’s Leeds counterpart Bielsa will not rush back talisman Kalvin Phillips in case he breaks down again. 

      Grealish’s fellow England midfielder Phillips, 25, has missed the last three with a calf injury. 
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      And the Argentine added: “When he got injured he had an option of having a quicker return. 
      “But his injury is in his calf and it’s in a place where we have to avoid a recurrence because that would make the situation worse. 
      “We’re being very cautious so that when he returns he returns for definite.”

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      in Boxing

      Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno seem to have found peace at last and there’s genuine warmth between the pair

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      FRANK BRUNO and Mike Tyson’s army of fans will be delighted that, despite their traumatic lives, they seem to have found peace of mind as they approach old age.
      The ex-heavyweight champions, who had two ferocious fights, met up for the first time in 25 years in Miami a couple of months ago.

      Former title rivals Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno met for the first time in 25 yearsCredit: Sky

      Their equivalent of a friendly fireside chat took place in the palatial surroundings at Tyson’s holiday home and is the basis of an absorbing 90-minute Sky documentary.
      Having covered their careers from the beginning to the end and spending a considerable amount of time reporting on their out-of-the-ring problems it did my heart good to see them both looking so well.
      They are now in their fifties and what comes across as they shared a sofa is that — not only were they comfortable in each other’s company — but also there is a genuine warmth and respect between them.
      There are exceptions but that is usually the case between fighters who have spilt blood together in brutal battles.

      Mike, who used to revel in being known as the Baddest Man on the Planet, has clearly mellowed and is now more like a cuddly bear. Frank certainly hasn’t changed. He is a laidback and endearing gentle giant outside of business hours.
      Anyone who knows nothing about boxing and tunes would never guess they used to ruthlessly beat men up for a living.
      During their light-hearted conversation, I expected them to suddenly proudly start showing pictures of their children and grandchildren.
      They hardly talked about boxing — more interested in touching on the hardships and adversity they had overcome.

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      The pair seem to have found peace and have a genuine warmth for each other

      Tyson and Bruno fought two heavyweight wars back in their heydayCredit: AFP – Getty
      As Tyson pointed out, Frank may have been to one mental facility but he has been around ten of them.
      They were reunited at Bruno’s request. Ben Hirsch, the talented director of the documentary, said: “Frank was keen to do it not just for entertainment purposes — but because there was unfinished business.
      “They hadn’t had a proper chat since their second fight which ended Frank’s career.”
      Most of Hirsch’s film is taken up with the background and build-up to to the fights in Las Vegas, seven years apart.

      When Bruno, who was the challenger, arrived in Vegas from his Arizona training camp for the first one in 1989, he was dreadfully homesick and extremely tense.
      Terry Lawless, his worried and desperate manager, knew he somehow had to get Bruno to get rid of his tension.
      Secretly, he got Dr David Silverman, the famous Vegas psychiatrist who treated the showbusiness stars of the Strip, to help Frank relax.
      I got to hear of it and broke the story in SunSport that Bruno was having hypnosis.
      Dr Silverman even put Bruno under in the dressing room before he went out to challenge Tyson for his title.
      Not that it did any good. Frank was out on his feet after Tyson’s fifth-round barrage.

      In 1996, Bruno was the defending champion. Knowing what he was about to face, he crossed himself so many times during the ringwalk that I remarked that he looked like a man walking to the gallows.
      He was battered to defeat in the third round.
      Tyson will go down in history as one of the great world heavyweight champions.
      Bruno, as popular in Britain today as in his heyday, will always be the most lovable.

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      in Soccer

      Paul Gascoigne is having intensive Italian lessons ahead of his stint in its version of I’m a Celebrity

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      PAUL Gascoigne is having intensive Italian lessons ahead of his stint in its version of I’m a Celebrity — to avoid the need for subtitles.
      Producers also want fellow contestants, including models, actresses and beauty queens, to understand the Geordie, 53.

      Paul Gascoigne is having intensive Italian lessons ahead of his stint on its version of I’m A CelebrityCredit: Getty – Contributor

      We revealed this week how the former England star who has fought drugs and booze problems, passed a series of physical and mental tests to sign up.
      He has been in quarantine in Milan and will travel to an island off the Honduras coast this weekend.
      A source said of the star, who played for Rome’s Lazio in the 1990s: “Paul has a basic grasp of Italian and he can make himself understood. But what we really want to avoid is having subtitles too often as that would ruin it.
      “The idea is to get him up to a good conversational level so he can talk with the other competitors.

      “We are expecting some exciting TV from Paul.”
      Called L’Isola dei Famosi (Island of the Famous), the reality show is a ratings hit in Italy.

      Gazza will be on L’Isola dei Famosi with Miss Italy 2019 Carolina Stramare, 22

      Actress Angela Melillo, 53, is a contestant the same age as Gazza

      Fashion heiress Drusilla Gucci will also star on the Island of the Famous

      Another contestant in the Italian show is Daniela Martani — a Covid denier
      Contestants this year include 2019 Miss Italy Carolina Stramare, 22, and fashion heiress Drusilla Gucci.
      Actress Angela Melillo, 53, will also be there as well as outspoken vegan Daniela Martani, 47, who has sparked controversy in her native Italy by being a Covid denier.

      The source said: “The women on the island are all very attractive and range in ages from 22 to 53 — the same age as Paul — and most of them are single. 

      “It should make a fascinating watch to see how Paul interacts with these women who are very opinionated and have strong views.”
      It will be hosted from a studio in Italy by model Ilary Blasi, 39, wife of former Italy striker Francesco Totti.
      Gazza has assured docs he has overcome his battle with booze and drugs and passed the tests with flying colours, unlike some younger hopefuls.

      Paul Gascoigne posts an Instagram snap from Italy

      Gazza works up a sweat in funny dance vid before being dropped in jungle with former Miss Italy bombshell
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      in Soccer

      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s stunning new £430million Solaris yacht pictured for the first time

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      ROMAN Abramovich’s new £430million superyacht is pictured in all its glory for the first time.
      The 460ft Solaris, which will have eight decks including a helicopter pad, is nearing completion.

      Roman Abramovich’s new 460ft Solaris worth £430million is captured for the first time in all its gloryCredit: Carl Groll/TheYachtPhoto.com

      The Chelsea boss’ superyacht, who already owns £475 million superyacht Eclipse, will be the most powerful yacht in the worldCredit: AFP or licensors

      No expense has been spared and its two advanced electric engines will make it the most powerful yacht in the world.
      Solaris is almost ready for sea trials and should be handed to the Chelsea owner, 54, by the summer.
      A source said: “This will be the yacht of the year when she is launched later this year.”
      The yacht is being built at the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany.

      The shed it is being constructed in is larger than Buckingham Palace.
      Solaris will have 48 cabins, accommodating up to 36 passengers, and a crew of 60.

      Solaris will boast 48 cabins which can accommodate up to 36 passengers

      The stunning superyacht will have eight decks, including a helicopter padCredit: Carl Groll/TheYachtPhoto.com

      The 460ft Solaris is being constructed in a shed larger than Buckingham PalaceCredit: Rex Features

      But Abramovich, who already has £475million superyacht Eclipse, will not be setting sail for Britain often as he has visa issues over his Russia links.

      The source added: “Details are being kept top secret but she will be a magnificent addition for the owner.
      ‘To give you an idea of the size of Solaris the yacht shed she is being built in is bigger and taller than Buckingham Palace so you have some idea of the dimensions.”

      A source said ‘Details are being kept top secret but she will be a magnificent addition for the owner’Credit: PA:Press Association

      A 282ft superyacht built for billionaire Roman Abramovich filmed crashing into St Maarten bridge
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      Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal can no longer take place among Europe’s elite for granted ahead of crunch Benfica clash

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      MIKEL ARTETA has warned that Arsenal can no longer take their place among Europe’s elite for granted if they lose to Benfica.
      Defeat in Athens will leave the Gunners in real danger of missing out on European qualification for the first time since 1996.

      Boss Mikel Arteta says even sceptical Arsenal fans now realise the value of the Europa LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Willian takes centre stage as Arsenal train for their clash with BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Arsenal loan midfielders Dani Ceballos and Martin Odegaard show the focus Mikel Arteta’s men will need against Portuguese giants BenficaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Arteta admits that even sceptical Arsenal fans now understand just how important it is for the club to continue in the Europa League. 
      He says: “It’s absolutely huge for this club to be represented in Europe but the competition in England is now so big that a few teams took it for granted for many years.
      “It’s very difficult to convince supporters that the Europa League is like the Champions League, because it isn’t.

      “The history of this club has been built on winning titles and playing in the Champions League.

      “But knowing the difficulties we’ve been through in the past years, the Europa League becomes a really important competition for us and if we manage to do something important in it this season we’re all going to be happy about that.
      “If you see the way this competition has evolved in the last four or five years and the teams that are involved, you would say that it’s another huge competition even if people don’t treat it that way.
      “So for us it’s vital to remain in this competition because it’s an opportunity to win a trophy and also to get access back into the Champions League, which is where we want to be.”
      Tonight’s tie is evenly poised following last week’s 1-1 draw in Rome and Arteta admits: “We have to treat this game like a cup final.

      “I really enjoy this kind of pressure and this is why I am here in this job. We all know the consequences of this match and if you’re not prepared to deal with that pressure you don’t belong at this club.”
      Arsenal currently sit 11th in the Premier League table and are already out of the FA Cup so tonight could represent their last chance of qualifying for Europe for a 25th consecutive season.
      Yet they also remain 11th in the UEFA rankings, which could benefit them if proposed changes to Champions League qualification are implemented.
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      Arteta says: “We need to maintain the fairness on the merits you have achieved to play in certain competitions, but the pandemic and the evolution of this industry needs some changes to make it sustainable and attractive again.
      “I would certainly change the number of fixtures involved because the schedule is too condensed at the moment and we’re risking the players and the quality of the game.”
      LIKELY ARSENAL LINE-UP (4-2-3-1): Leno; Bellerin, Luiz, Gabriel, Tierney; Ceballos, Xhaka; Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe; Aubameyang.

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      in Soccer

      Alan Pardew relishing Bulgarian title race and no VAR with CSKA Sofia but says local wrestling club is ‘a little scary’

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      ALAN PARDEW took the plunge into Bulgarian football because for once he fancied fighting for silverware instead of survival.
      And it is opening his eyes to a fascinating world of wrestling, bungalows and a brand of football that is at least “honest” to watch.

      Former Newcastle, West Ham and Crystal Palace chief Alan Pardew says he enjoys the different football culture in Bulgaria as he targets the title with CSKACredit: PA:Press Association

      Pardew’s colourful career took a new direction in November with his latest adventure as technical director for CSKA Sofia.
      For the first time in his life he is challenging for the title and it is uplifting — even if it is in a league only slightly more competitive than Scotland’s annual two-horse race.
      Bulgaria’s A League is ranked 23rd out of 55 Uefa member associations.
      Pardew’s club CSKA — which is pronounced “Ceskia”, he says —  are the traditional giants of the league with 31 titles, followed by fierce city rivals Levski on 26 and Ludogorets on nine.

      The problem is that Ludogorets have won them all in the past nine years.
      Pardew has been called upon to use his vast experience to help curb a stranglehold similar to that north of the border with Celtic.
      His experience with Dutch side Den Haag last season taught Pardew that there is more to life than peering up at the tiny elite of English football while scrapping for your life.
      He said: “I’ve been to cup finals as a player and a manager but by and large I’ve always been either fighting to stay in the Premier League or fighting to get out of the Championship.

      “In Holland my job was to keep them in the top division, which I did but for once it’s really nice not to be fighting against everything. I’m fighting for something.
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      “We have three points to make up on Ludogorets — we have lost one game this season, they have lost two.
      “After coming home from Holland there were offers from Championship clubs but living abroad with Den Haag played a part in taking this on.
      “Sure, the budgets aren’t on the same scale as our game, there aren’t eight sports scientists for every team, there aren’t training ground car parks full of cars that make your eyes water.
      “But there is a decent technical standard and referees who allow games to flow and tough tackling.
      “And there isn’t VAR. There are some things we don’t have here that I really don’t miss.
      “The owner wants to build a new stadium, I can advise them a bit on that, my experience with Crystal Palace and Steve Parish’s plans for that mean I can offer bits of advice.
      “There are some things that raise your eyebrows: the owner of our rivals  Ludogorets also owns the TV rights for the league and in England there would be questions about conflict of interest.
      “But it’s so enjoyable. The football culture is different.

      Alan Pardew and assistant boss Chris Powell left Dutch club Den Haag when the 2019-20 season ended early due to the coronavirus pandemicCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “I haven’t seen the ground with fans in yet but they seem pretty passionate.  Having managed Newcastle and West Ham I know a bit about that.
      “Although there is a wrestling club attached to the football club and some of them are in that and work at the training ground.
      “Some of them look pretty scary! I wouldn’t mess with the manager Bruno Akrapovic either.
      “At our training ground is a little ‘estate’ of bungalows for the players to sleep in.
      “Like a mini-Butlins or a Brookside Close.
      “What it means is that even when we have a 10.30pm Europa League game, like we did before Christmas, he had the players training at 9am on match day.
      “You wouldn’t get away with that in England — no chance.”
      Pardew is back in Sofia after Bulgaria’s winter break.
      The club has just loaned defensive midfielder Valentin Antov, 20, to Italians Bologna with a view to turning that into a  seven-figure permanent deal.

      On our day we could probably give the likes of Burnley or Leeds a game. The main thing is that over here the value we get out of players is incomparable to England.
      Alan Pardew

      The temperature outside is MINUS SEVEN and Pardew is a long way from his family but, after managing seven clubs in England and one in Holland, he feels at home close to a pitch — even in Eastern Europe — where he is watching training while talking to SunSport.
      He said: “The training ground is Championship standard, on our day we could probably give the likes of Burnley or Leeds a game.
      “The main thing is that over here the value we get out of players is incomparable to England.
      “For what they are paid they really put in a shift over here. There are not many English coaches here either, one or two.
      “The players are a mixture of homegrown, South Americans who haven’t quite found the Premier League and other foreign players — it’s a cosmopolitan mix.
      “I’ve signed up for a couple of years but there’s an understanding that if something came up I could move on but you know what? I’m enjoying it here.
      “I’m feeling refreshed and recharged already, the people are nice and the food’s good.
      “And there is also no VAR. I love it!”

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