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      Paul Pogba warns Man Utd team-mates being ‘arrogant’ could cost them shot at the Premier League title

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      PAUL POGBA warned Manchester United: Don’t let arrogance blow our Premier League title shot.
      Red Devil Pog, 27, said: “We can’t be arrogant. We’re proud to be there, but we’re not there yet.”

      Paul Pogba has warned his Man Utd team-mates not to get ‘arrogant’ in their hunt for the titleCredit: EPA

      Table-toppers United lead Manchester City by two points after Pogba’s fine strike sealed a win at Fulham on Wednesday.
      Pogba said: “We want it more and more and more.
      “Never enough, we’re still far from the trophy.
      “We need to be humble. We haven’t done nothing yet. For sure, it’s better than last season.

      “It’s hard to get there, it’s going to be even harder to stay there.”
      The Craven Cottage win was United’s seventh after going behind in the  Premier League this term.
      United skipper Harry Maguire added: “We believe we can get three points from any position.
      “Two years ago, you wouldn’t say that we would challenge at the top of the table.

      “The players believe we can and this club expects to be challenging for the best trophies.”
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      Edinson Cavani pounced on a loose ball to level after Ademola Lookman’s opener at Fulham.
      Pogba reckons it showed that Cavani is United’s best striker.
      He added: “Edi is a top-class striker and there’s few strikers like this in the world.
      “The hardest goals are those goals. We have talented players — Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood.
      “But they don’t have Edi’s experience and they don’t have the same quality.”
      Next up is an FA Cup clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford — seven days on from the bitter rivals’ 0-0 Prem draw.
      Pogba added: “You have to forget about Sunday.
      “You must forget about beating Fulham and go again. If you win and think you’ve arrived, that’s when we’re going to drop.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Adidas launch revolutionary new Predator boot to be worn by Paul Pogba and David Alaba More

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      Crystal Palace investigating Mamadou Sakho after he was pictured in Salt Bae’s Dubai restaurant

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      MAMADOU SAKHO could be in hot water at Crystal Palace after footage of him at a Dubai restaurant without social distancing.
      The defender, 30, is in Dubai for rehab on a thigh problem at the Fifa Centre of Medical Excellence.

      Mamadou Sakho appeared on Salt Bae’s Instagram in DubaiCredit: Instagram / @nusr_et

      The Crystal Palace defender is in Dubai for treatment on a thigh injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He is permitted to travel on work grounds but was filmed on the Instagram of Salt Bae handing an Eagles shirt to the famous chef in front of a crowd.
      Palace are understood to be disappointed as they expect players to observe UK social-distancing rules, even when abroad, and are investigating.
      It comes after skipper Luka Milivojevic broke Covid rules by attending a New Year’s Eve party.
      Midfielder Eberechi Eze was also fined for watching his old club QPR in an FA Cup tie.

      After Milivojevic’s breach, Roy Hodgson admitted his disappointment at the incident.
      He said: “I know about it and obviously we condemn it.
      “We’re very upset about it, it doesn’t do the image of the club, it doesn’t do Luka’s image any good, but we’ll take responsibility for that as I expect Luka to take responsibility for it.
      “He hasn’t broken Premier League protocols per se because he’s negative and I believe the other player involved was negative as well.

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      Sakho handed a Crystal Palace shirt over to the famous restaurateurCredit: Instagram / @nusr_et

      “But that doesn’t matter, the fact is that there are government guidelines.
      “These guidelines are there for the whole world to follow and when high-profile people like football players break those rules and guidelines, it is a matter of concern and we will deal with it internally.”
      On Thursday, Palace signed striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, 23, on an 18-month loan from Mainz with the option to buy.
      Mateta said: “I’ll show the fans what I can do.” More

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      Wolves agree £18m fee for Willian Jose if they decide to make Real Sociedad striker’s loan transfer permanent

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      WOLVES have provisionally agreed a fee of almost £18million with Real Sociedad for their Brazilian striker Willian Jose.
      But only should they decide to make his loan deal permanent.

      Wolves have agreed an option to buy Willian Jose for £18m if he impresses on loanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 29-year-old is expected to fly to the UK next week to answer Wolves’ SOS call for an experienced striker to cover the long-term absence of Raul Jimenez.
      The Mexican has been out since fracturing his skull against Arsenal in November.
      However Wolves must first untangle the red-tape tying up Jose’s application for a work permit, complicated by new post-Brexit rules.
      And Nuno Espirito Santo is staying tight-lipped about his potential addition until the deal is complete.

      He said: “Things are going on but there is nothing signed yet so I can’t speak much about the situation yet.
      “Until he becomes a Wolves player I cannot say anything.  
      “I will speak about him when all the necessary things are signed and the deal is done.”
      Jose has scored 62 goals in 172 games for the Basque club, including a double in Sociedad’s 2-0 win over Cordoba in the Copa Del Rey on Wednesday.

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      And he has previously played for Real Madrid on loan after a brief six-month stint in 2014.
      Wolves spent £35million this summer on 18-year-old Fabio Silva, who scored his second goal of the season against West Brom on Saturday.
      But Nuno wants an older head to take some of the burden off the teenager as he adapts to the Premier League.

      Raul Jimenez sees Wolves team-mates for first time since horror fractured skull as striker visits training ground More

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      Emiliano Sala’s family demand the ‘full truth’ about tragic plane crash on 2nd anniversary of Cardiff striker’s death

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      THE family of tragic Emiliano Sala has demanded to know ‘the full truth’ about the Cardiff striker’s death.
      In a statement to mark the second anniversary of the fatal air crash that claimed the life of the 28-year-old Argentine, the family’s lawyer called for a formal inquest to be held after the trial of charter pilot David Henderson.

      Emiliano Sala’s family have demanded a formal inquest after David Henderson’s trialCredit: AFP

      Henderson denied endangering the safety of an aircraft and attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation when he appeared before Cardiff Crown Court in October.
      The 66-year-old is alleged to have arranged the flight from Nantes to Cardiff that crashed into the Channel near Guernsey and took the lives of Sala and the pilot, David Ibbotson.
      His trial has been set for this October and lawyer Daniel Machover, on behalf of the family, urged swift action by the UK authorities.
      Machover said: “It is a tragedy that two years have passed since Emiliano’s death and we still do not know exactly how and why he died. 

      “An inquest is the only way to establish the full truth. 
      “I very much hope that the Dorset Coroner will now set a date for the inquest to start immediately after David Henderson’s trial, so that Emiliano’s family do not have to endure another bleak anniversary with no answers.”
      The statement comes one month after former Man United star Fabio revealed he spoke to Sala on the afternoon of his tragic death.
      Fabio said: “In the afternoon he was going to take the plane, he asked me so many things about Cardiff, because he knew I had played there.

      “I told him that anything he needed or wanted from me, he could text me. And then, in the morning, when I heard the news, it was shocking.
      “Before he signed he asked me and I told him how the fans were, how everyone is in the stadium, how the club works.
      “He was such a professional and to be honest, I was happy for him, because I knew Cardiff fans would have loved him. He was a fantastic character.”

      Emiliano Sala crash – wife of pilot David Ibbotson says family will ‘never get closure’ as investigation to be published More

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      Jose Mourinho desperate for Danny Ings as Spurs line up transfer for Southampton contract rebel

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      TOTTENHAM remain keen on contract rebel Danny Ings, who wants to play in the Champions League.
      Ings, 29, is currently stalling on a new deal at Southampton.

      Spurs are keen on signing Danny Ings from SouthamptonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      His current terms expire in just 18 months.
      Ings is keeping his options open and would like to join a club playing in Europe’s elite club competition.
      Jose Mourinho is understood to be a huge fan of the England striker, who has scored 27 Premier League goals since the start of last season.
      Spurs enquired about Ings in September but were told he is not for sale.

      Yet they are still interested and could make a fresh move for him in the summer, particularly if they finish in the top four.
      Saints are ready to make Ings their highest-paid player.
      But a particular sticking point is believed to be the size of the release clause in any deal.
      When asked if he was confident Ings would sign a new deal, boss Ralph Hasenhuttl said after Wednesday night’s FA Cup win over Shrewsbury: “Yes.

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      “If he wants Champions League football, he must score ten-15 more goals for us and we can go there. It’s not impossible, I don’t think.”
      Spurs currently have Vinicius Jr playing back-up to Harry Kane.
      But he is only on loan at the club from Benfica and can return to Portugal in the summer, paving the way for Ings’ arrival.

      Jose Mourinho’s desperate striker chase takes new twist as Tottenham plot transfer swoop for Southampton’s Danny Ings More

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      Frank Lampard has three games to save his job as pressure mounts on Chelsea boss after abject form

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      FRANK LAMPARD faces a crucial fortnight for his future as Chelsea boss.
      The club legend is safe in the job for now but Tuesday’s abject defeat at Leicester has fuelled growing concerns that the axe is looming.

      Time is running out with Frank Lampard handed just three games to save his jobCredit: PA:Press Association

      Chelsea are outside of the European places following the Leicester defeatCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Upcoming games against out-of-form Wolves and struggling Burnley have now become pivotal matches instead of routine rollovers for the head coach.
      Then comes a daunting trip to Tottenham on February 4, which could also have a huge bearing on Lampard’s reign.
      Despite spending £217.3million on new players, Chelsea have slipped to eighth in the Premier League, losing five of their last eight games.
      Lampard, 42, is running out of time to turn things around and facing an increasingly uphill battle to convince owner Roman Abramovich he can lead the team, for whom he scored a record 211 goals as a player.

      Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, out-of-work German Thomas Tuchel and RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann are already being considered as possible replacements this summer.
      Club insiders fear the huge, rapid investment in new talent has given Lampard too much choice in his squad and that has led to problems.
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      There are also claims workaholic Lamps’ training can be too intense.

      Chelsea watched on as Leicester celebrated temporarily going top on Tuesday following the 2-0 win.
      Wilfred Ndidi placed home an early opener via the post after slack marking from a corner.
      And James Maddison took advantage of more poor defending from a lofted ball over the top to round off the scoring by the break.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Abramovich has spent over £110m on sacking managers since his 2003 arrival More

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      Prem clubs braced for fan ban to last ALL SEASON with chiefs prepared to make remaining games available on TV

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      PREM chiefs have steeled themselves for a fan-free season — despite the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine.
      The 20 “shareholder” clubs today confirmed that all matches up to the end of next month will be screened live on TV.

      The Premier League is braced for a fan-free seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But privately, League and club chiefs recognised it is unlikely fans will be allowed back through the turnstiles until next term.
      And unless there is a surprise change of heart from Government and health chiefs, that will mean the entire second half of the campaign being available for fans to watch “live” from home.
      In a statement released after the two-hour virtual meeting, a Prem spokesman said: “All Premier League fixtures from Saturday January 30 to the last weekend of February will be available to UK fans to watch.
      “Matches will continue to be shown via the existing services of broadcast partners Sky Sports, BT Sport, Amazon Prime Video and BBC.”

      Details of the broadcast picks for February were released yesterday and the Prem added that: “Confirmation of the remaining fixtures, up to match round 26, will follow in due course.”
      Tottenham and Manchester United are the hardest hit by the continued shut-out, losing around £6million in income for each home game behind closed doors.
      But while crowds of up to 2,000 were allowed for a few weeks in December, the subsequent clampdown in the face of the mutant strains of the virus saw the gates shut once again.
      Football has worked with the Government’s Sports Technology and Innovation Group — headed by Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross — on potential solutions that would let the fans back in.

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      Manchester United are losing £6m income every home game without fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Covid passports are a genuine possibility, although it is expected that limited numbers will be allowed in the initial stages, with social distancing requirements still in place.
      The statement added: “The Premier League and its clubs are committed to an accessible solution for fans.
      “These plans have been made with the cooperation of our broadcast partners, working with us to deliver these additional matches while stadiums are missing the supporters who are such an integral part of the game.”

      Premier League to show all fixtures live in UK until end of February More

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      Chelsea sacking Frank Lampard would not be ruthless at this point – Abramovich knows his gamble has backfired

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      ROMAN ABRAMOVICH took an almighty punt when he appointed Frank Lampard as Chelsea’s manager 18 months ago.
      Like a pin-sticking occasional gambler on Grand National day, Abramovich ignored the form, plumped for a ‘name’, crossed his fingers and hoped for the best.

      Frank Lampard is clinging onto his job at ChelseaCredit: AFP

      Club legend or not, Lampard was poorly qualified for the job after just one moderately-successful season as boss with Derby in the Championship.
      Lampard knew it as well as anybody, insisting during his unveiling that his status as the club’s all-time record 211-goal scorer would help him for ‘about five minutes’.
      Now, Abramovich’s betting slip on that long-shot gamble will surely be torn up and tossed away before long.
      The one qualification Lamps possessed, a genuine feeling for the club where he spent the majority of his playing career, was an asset in the unique circumstances of last season.

      Facing a transfer ban and the loss of Eden Hazard, Lampard promoted players from the club’s fruitful but long-neglected youth system and helped reconnect Chelsea with its roots.
      Achieving a top-four finish was no mean feat, although defeat by Arsenal in the FA Cup final was a taste of things to come.
      Despite the feelgood nature of his maiden campaign, the Blues defence was horribly leaky, while team selections had an air of the bingo-caller about them.
      Once £228.7million was spent on six quality players in the summer, Lampard needed to up his game considerably — and has failed to do so.

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      Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has previously showed no hesitation in sacking managersCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Kai Havertz is just one of the big name signings who has flopped massivelyCredit: Guardian News & Media / Free to use by all titles in perpetuity under NMC agreement
      Lampard always claimed he neither wanted nor expected any ‘favours’ from Abramovich and he will not be disappointed. Russian oligarchs don’t do sentimentality.
      Abramovich has not been especially ruthless with his managers for almost a decade. His reputation as a trigger-happy maniac is out-dated.
      But we are now at the stage where sacking Lampard would not seem ruthless at all.
      Five defeats in eight Premier League matches, leaving Champions League qualification looking a remote possibility, only tells part of the story.
      Lampard’s Chelsea lack identity. Two of his most expensive summer signings, £70m Kai Havertz and £48m Timo Werner, look lost.
      There is no discernible playing philosophy. And the Blues are a quiet team, lacking the strength of personality to scrap in adversity.
      In the past four weeks, Chelsea have been thoroughly outplayed by Leicester, Manchester City and Arsenal.
      Earlier in the season they were well beaten at home by Liverpool, while their other two meetings with Big Six rivals were deathly dull goalless draws against Manchester United and Tottenham.

      It has simply not been good enough. Chelsea did not even play well in the two games they won during their past eight Premier League matches — against West Ham and a ten-man Fulham.
      There is no evidence that Lampard is the man to lead Chelsea to major trophies. Not on this season’s performances and certainly not on his slim managerial CV.
      Now, we have said much the same about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, an inexperienced manager with club legend status, whose appointment at United was a forerunner of Lampard’s own.
      Solskjaer’s fortunes have veered wildly over two years.

      And, having escaped several similar situations to that which Lampard now finds himself in, the Norwegian has led United into their first genuine title challenge since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
      If Chelsea cannot land the man they want — with Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick in the frame — then Lampard may yet be afforded more time.
      Then, Lampard could hope for a revival like Solskjaer’s — a consistent run of form which few saw coming.
      But there’s nothing to suggest it will happen for Lampard at Chelsea. In truth, there never really was.
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

      Frank Lampard reacts to questions about his future after Chelsea lose 2-0 at Leicester More