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      Man City legend Sergio Aguero must earn new contract as he enters final six months insists boss Pep Guardiola

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      SERGIO AGUERO is expected to start his bid to earn a new Manchester City deal tomorrow.
      The club’s 256-goal all-time leading scorer has less than six months remaining on his current contract and is free to talk to other clubs.

      Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero, 32, needs to earn his new contract as he goes into the final six months of his Etihad dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Sources close to the Argentine striker say he would like to stay — but has heard nothing from City.
      New Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is among a host of top bosses watching the situation with interest.
      Aguero has started just three matches so far this season and made six appearances as a sub as City chief Pep Guardiola eases him back in following his summer knee surgery.
      But Pep plans to start the 32-year-old in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Birmingham at the Etihad.

      Guardiola, 49, said: “With the players in this part of the season, everything is open.
      “Players who have contracts, players who are out of contract, players who want to leave, everything is open.
      “Like with managers. We have to win our positions or we’ll be sacked. With Sergio, there’s only me knows how much I miss him.
      “He is unique but he’s had a tough injury, really tough. The important thing is his mood is exceptional, better than ever.

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      “He is an important part of the group and he is incredibly loved.
      “He’s optimistic and positive, he’s been saying ‘I will do a good season, I will score a lot of goals’.”
      With Gabriel Jesus out since Christmas due to coronavirus, Guardiola has played without an orthodox forward in the wins at Chelsea and Manchester United.
      Aguero has made strides in his fight to return and there is optimism at the Etihad that he is approaching full fitness.
      Pep added: “In the last ten days or two weeks, his knee’s reaction was really good after the training.
      “This is the best news we can have. He’s going to start and the minutes his level will dicate, if he can play 90 minutes it will be great, or 30 minutes it will be great.
      “What’s important is he has good quality minutes as much as possible but we start from the beginning and we will see what happens.
      “It would be great to have him fit and in the best condition but we don’t want to put him under pressure.

      The Argentine has scored a club-record 256 goals since his 2011 arrivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He came off the bench against Chelsea last weekend but is hopeful of a start against BirminghamCredit: Reuters
      “On Thursday he trained really well, on Friday he was off but if he feels good he’s going to play.”
      City may also have a dilemma over another South American in 35-year-old Fernandinho, whose contract is also running down.
      The Brazilian midfielder is expected to leave in the summer but showed when he scored at Old Trafford on Wednesday that he still has plenty to offer.
      Guardiola said: “All I will say is I’m impressed more than surprised with his role as captain.
      “He’s leading the team in an exceptional way. I’m delighted for all the period together but especially in this season as captain.
      “It’s how he talks with his mates, his coaches, before the game, at half-time. And not just with the players about football — about life, how he behaves every day in training.
      “But it’s not just words. He’s the first who goes out and does it.”

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      in Soccer

      National League Chorley hoping to continue tradition of belting out Adele after taking on coronavirus-hit Derby

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      IT HAS been Adele of an FA Cup journey for Chorley so far.
      And tomorrow the National League North giant-killers are targeting ‘Someone Like Roo’ at their Victory Park home.

      Chorley are hoping for another FA Cup upset against DerbyCredit: Rex Features

      The National League side belt out Adele after a win

      The Magpies have seen off League One sides Wigan and Peterborough — as well as York and Gateshead — to get to the third round.
      And their traditional celebration for a big win involves belting out the Adele smash hit ‘Someone Like You’ in the dressing room afterwards.
      Jamie Vermiglio’s men could be singing it again, particularly with Derby boss Wayne Rooney and many of his first-teamers absent due to Covid.
      Andy Preece, director of football and assistant manager of Chorley, said: “We just needed a song that was special to us that everybody knew. It happened to be that Adele song.

      “Everybody knows the words to it, there’s a little bit in the middle where you can really get into it.
      “It’s just great to share something like that at the end of the game, great for camaraderie. You need that togetherness if you’re going to win big games.
      “When we got promoted, had big cups wins, it’s always been that one.”
      FA Cup treble boost: Back Chelsea, Man City and Spurs at 20/1

      We are just missing that shout-out from Adele. Maybe if we had the fans in and they were all singing it then it might have had a bit more prominence

      Preece believes it might even have caught the attention of the superstar singer if the fans had been joining in.
      He said: “We are just missing that shout-out from Adele. Maybe if we had the fans in and they were all singing it then it might have had a bit more prominence.”
      After battling through two qualifying rounds, Chorley were given a bye into the first round.
      They are used to over-turning the odds to get through but Preece insists they have come this far on merit.

      Wayne Rooney’s Derby have been hit with a Covid outbreakCredit: Alamy Live News
      He said: “We’ve been the underdogs right through — we got York, Gateshead, Wigan, Peterborough and Derby.
      “The only one we were favourites for is the round when we got a bye!
      “But the wins we had over Wigan and Peter- borough weren’t flukes — we fully deserved those.”
      Preece himself is no stranger to the magic of the FA Cup, having experienced it as both player and manager.

      As a striker, he got the winner when lowly Stockport bundled Premier League QPR out in 1994 and helped Crystal Palace to the semis a year later.
      He was in charge of Northwich when they put a Charlton side containing Jonjo Shelvey and Darren Randolph out in 2009.
      Preece said: “I tell them about those games and hopefully it makes them realise that it can happen and does — and that it gives them a bit of belief.”

      Chorley’s assistant Andy Preece wants a shoutout from AdeleCredit: Refer to Caption

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      in Soccer

      John Terry’s plans to build poolside bar and triple garage at Surrey mansion given the boot

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      FORMER England star John Terry’s plans to build a poolside bar and triple garage have been given the boot.
      Terry, 40, assistant head coach at Aston Villa, also wanted to add staff quarters to his mansion.

      John Terry’s plans to build a poolside bar and triple garage have been given the bootCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it led to objections from neighbours and has been refused permission by his council in Surrey.
      The house, close to Chelsea’s training ground at Cobham, already has a library, stables and tennis court.
      Terry and his family regularly host parties around their pool.
      Councillor Imogen Jamieson said neighbours would get “no respite from noise nuisance throughout the year”.

      Terry had been hoping to build an outdoor party space complete with covered seating and a poolside barCredit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      The football star also wanted to replace the triple garage to house his flash car collectionCredit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      Surrey council refused plans for the proposed extension saying neighbours would get ‘no respite from noise nuisance throughout the year’Credit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      The replacement garage — for all his SUVs — was also deemed too large.
      Planner Chris Gent of Guilford Borough Council said “The proposed replacement garage, by virtue of its size, would be materially larger than the building it is to replace and would have a greater impact on the openness of the green belt than the existing development.
      “No very special circumstances have been demonstrated which would outweigh the inherent harm to the green belt.”

      Terry is now assistant head coach at Aston VillaCredit: AFP
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      in Soccer

      Arsenal worried Mesut Ozil will SNUB January transfer and pick up £8.75million wages plus loyalty bonus

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      ARSENAL fear they will be stuck with Mesut Ozil until the very last day of his contract despite him being linked with a January move.
      The out-of-favour midfielder, 32, still has 25 weeks of his Gunners contract to run, which means he is due to collect £8.75MILLION between now and the end of June.

      Mesut Ozil’s happy times at Arsenal appear to be well overCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the way his agreement is structured means he will also be due a hefty ‘loyalty bonus’ if he is still at the club when his huge £350,000-a-week deal expires.
      All of which has convinced the Arsenal hierarchy that Ozil will hang around until he has collected every penny due to him.
      Reports in Turkey claim Fenerbahce have agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the German worth £90,000 a week.
      But the Super Lig club are £275m in debt and have already asked fans to donate towards their wage bill.

      The £42.5m signing has also been linked with a move to join DC United in time for the new MLS season in March.
      But Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut said: “His priority is to stay at Arsenal but things can change very fast in football and he might go, so we are checking all the options for this month and for the summer.”
      It is nine months since Ozil last appeared for the Gunners and he has not even been registered to play in the Premier or Europa Leagues.
      Ozil has now entered the final six months of his deal and is free to talk to clubs abroad, with clubs in the MLS and Turkey both linked with the ex-Real Madrid man.

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      Up until their mini revival over the festive period, Arsenal had struggled for form.
      Some believed that could lead to Ozil coming back into the fold when Arteta names his 25-man squads for domestic competitions and the Europa League at the end of this month.
      Arteta had also stated that the German would not be offered a golden handshake to walkaway from the club.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Arteta insists Arsenal will not terminate Mesut Ozil’s contract despite banishing him from squad More

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      in Athletics

      Danny Mills’ Olympic hopeful son George discusses choosing track over football field after becoming national 1500m champ

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      GEORGE MILLS is one of Britain’s most exciting young athletes and was crowned 1500m national champion last September in Manchester.
      His father is Danny Mills, the former Leeds and Man City defender, who appeared for England at the 2002 World Cup finals.

      SunSport talks to George Mills, one of the country’s most exciting young athletesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His dad is ex-England, Man City and Leeds star Danny Mills

      SunSport’s ROB MAUL spoke with the father and son about athletics, football and life lessons.
      Maul: George, given your dad was a famous footballer, was there an expectation you’d follow him?
      George: I grew up playing football like most kids. But there was never any pressure. If you ask me now, it’d be amazing to be a footballer but that’s not how life turns out. I won a couple of cross-country races for my school when I was 12-13. When I made the English schools teams, running snowballed from there.
      Danny: George was born in Essex in May 1999 but at three weeks old, my wife and I moved to Yorkshire when I signed for Leeds from Charlton. I’ve a daughter Mya (19), who is studying English Language at Uni, a son Stan (17), who is an Everton full-time scholar, and my youngest is Spike (15).

      Maul: Danny, at what age did George start to beat you in races?
      Danny: I’ve always been a keen runner. But it was about four years ago, when I was doing my first London Marathon for the Bobby Moore Fund. George was about 15 and I couldn’t keep up. I didn’t take that well in the slightest.
      George: He never let me win anything.
      Danny: For many years, that last 50m before getting back to the house, I’d suddenly put a sprint in, say I won and dip at the line! Sadly those days are long gone. I never let my kids win. I didn’t believe in that. Genetically my kids are all fit. But you can have as much talent as you like, the one thing you can’t teach is work ethic.

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      George is the 1500m national champion after success in ManchesterCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dad Danny is extremely proud of his son’s progress in the sport

      Maul: Has that tough love hardened George up?
      Danny: There were a couple of races early in his career where, like most young men, they get carried away, the ego and testosterone kick in. I gave him super tough love. I told him: ‘You didn’t do what your coach told you, you didn’t execute the plan, you’ve messed it up.’ Yes, you put the phone down and wonder: Have I been too harsh? Have I been OTT? So when he won the 2020 British trials, there was relief. Hallelujah, finally the penny had dropped.
      George: Winning that race was an amazing feeling. But strange because there was nobody there to share it with. It was a different experience but those are the times we are in.
      Maul: Tell me about the ‘Mills Mentality’?
      George: My best mate came up with that slogan. It’s all about giving your all, day-in, day-out, overcoming obstacles, being resilient and hard-working.
      Danny: If you’re going to do it – do it properly. Or don’t bother. I’ve a T-shirt on the wall that says: Play hard or get off the field. If you don’t you’ll never know how good you are. The mind gives up before the body.

      George and Danny are dreaming of an Olympics appearance for Great Britain

      There’s still a long road ahead but George is running on the right trackCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Maul: George, tell me about the injuries you have had.
      George: In April 2017 I got a stress fracture on my right tibia. November 2017 it was a stress fracture on my lower back. Then I had a grade three hamstring tear in May 2018 in the right leg. So, I didn’t race for two years. Sport is about dealing with the highs and lows.
      Danny: Sport is cruel at times. If you don’t win sometimes, it’s a big disappointment and that takes a lot of managing.
      Maul: George, are you hopeful of qualifying for Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics?
      George: I still see it as a long shot. There’s great competition in the UK within middle-distance running. You’ve guys like Jake Wightman and Charlie Grice, who’ve run 3:29/3:30. I still have to run the qualifying time. It’s all about continuing to improve. I’m based in Brighton and coached by Jon Bigg, whose wife is 1992 400m hurdles Olympic champion Sally Gunnell. I run past Steve Ovett’s statue down on the seafront most days!
      Danny: Even though the Olympics have been delayed, it is still a long shot. Athletes, especially 800m or 1500m runners, don’t really peak until 25, 26, 27 years old. So it’s an awfully long journey you have to go on and time well. But he’s just enjoying it.
      George Mills will receive support in 2021 from the British Athletics Olympic Futures Academy Programme

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      in Soccer

      Luka Milivojevic apologises for breaking coronavirus rules in NYE party with Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic

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      LUKA MILIVOJEVIC has apologised for breaking Covid rules by seeing in the New Year at a gathering with Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      As revealed by SunSport on Friday, footage emerged on social media appearing to show the Serbian pair celebrating the arrival of 2021 along with friends and family members at a London residence.

      Luka Milivojevic has apologised for breaking coronavirus restrictionsCredit: Rex Features

      Aleksandar Mitrovic and Milivojevic were filmed ringing in the new year

      Milivojevic’s behaviour was blasted by Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
      And now Milivojevic has publicly said sorry, vowing to make a donation to the local NHS service.
      The Eagles skipper, 29, said in a statement: “I want to publicly apologise for my actions on New Year’s Eve.
      “As captain of Crystal Palace Football Club I am fully aware that my responsibilities go beyond football, and that in this instance, I have let the fans, the club, my manager and teammates down.

      “In what is a really difficult and challenging moment for everyone, I am truly grateful that I am able to continue to do the job I love and I do not take this for granted.
      “I am very sorry to anyone who has been made to feel angry, hurt or upset by my actions.
      “I am making a donation to the local NHS service to help them continue their incredible work in our community fighting this virus.”
      His boss at Selhurst Park was seething when he discovered the rule-break.

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      The behaviour is a breach of tier four rules amid a rise in coronavirus cases

      Hodgson said at the time: “Our take on it is we disapprove totally, we are very disappointed that one of our players has broken the guidelines from the government at a time when so many are suffering from having to adhere to these guidelines.
      “It’s something which we are very disappointed about. But we’ll take our responsibility, we’ll apologise to everybody.
      “We will certainly make sure that Luka not only apologises but understands that what he’s done is totally wrong and we’ll deal with the matter internally.” More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea set to REJECT Fikayo Tomori loan transfer offers amid Leeds interest as Andreas Christensen suffers knee injury

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      FIKAYO TOMORI’S hopes of a loan move away from Chelsea look to have been scuppered by a knee injury suffered by Andreas Christensen.
      Tomori had been hoping to secure a temporary deal this month after finding his first team chances limited at Stamford Bridge this season.

      Chelsea will not let Leeds and Newcastle loan target Fikayo Tomori leave this monthCredit: Rex Features

      Tomori is needed as cover following Andreas Christensen’s knee injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But centre-back Christensen has undergone scans on the injury suffered in the draw with Aston Villa.
      And the club fear that will leave him sidelined for a period.
      That leaves Chelsea boss Frank Lampard short of defensive options.
      And Tomori is now seen as needed in the first team squad for the foreseeable future.

      Newcastle had shown an interest in taking the 23-year-old on loan until the end of the season.
      And Leeds have also been linked with Marcelo Bielsa seeing key defenders ruled out through injury.
      But if Christensen is ruled out for several weeks, Lampard would need the England star to provide cover for the hectic period of games over the coming month.
      Veteran Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma are the first choice pairing in the middle of defence.

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      And aside from Tomori, only Toni Rudiger is the other recognised central defender who would be available.
      Cesar Azpilicueta could also play as a makeshift centre-back.
      But with Reece James currently injured, he is needed to fill in at right back.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Bernardo Silva’s girlfriend Ines Degener Tomaz stuns in a cream bikini

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      MODEL Ines Degener Tomaz looks the cream of the crop — and footballer lover Bernardo Silva hopes to follow suit.
      The Manchester City ace, 26, could play a vital part as his side take on rivals United in the Carabao Cup semis tonight.

      Ines Degener Tomaz shows off her amazing figure in a cream bikiniCredit: Drope Clothing/Triangle News

      The Manchester City WAG proves why she is the cream of the cropCredit: Drope Clothing/Triangle News

      Portuguese pair Bernardo and Ines, 22, went public with the relationship last April and often share pictures online.
      Ines said on Instagram: “I am the luckiest person on Earth because I have the most wonderful person by my side.”
      It seems that dating through lockdown had a Silva lining for her.
      The semi-final against the two Manchester clubs will kick off today at 7:45pm, available to watch on Sky Sports.

      Ace Bernardo Silva hopes he will impress as much as his girlfriend as tonight he could play a vital part in the semi-finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Ines said to her Instagram followers ‘I am the luckiest person on Earth because I have the most wonderful person by my side’Credit: Drope Clothing/Triangle News

      The pair went public with their relationship last AprilCredit: Ines Degener Tomaz Instagram

      The semi-final kicks off today at 7:45pmCredit: Ines Degener Tomaz Instagram

      Bernardo Silva hangs out with model girlfriend Ines Tomaz on beach holiday
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