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      Premier League Big Six to make THIRD attempt to bring in five subs next week with Klopp and Guardiola leading calls

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      BIG Six clubs will make a THIRD attempt to bring in five subs to the Prem this week.
      The move will be backed by top bosses led by Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola.

      Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola are leading the calls for the Premier League to introduce five subsCredit: PA:Press Association

      But the clubs are growing increasingly angry at Prem bosses for failing to push strongly for the move.
      And that risks opening a serious rift among the Prem elite.
      SunSport revealed the letter from PFA chief Gordon Taylor that demanded League boss Richard Masters over-ruled the clubs to impose a switch back to five subs with immediate effect.
      Taylor’s letter was forwarded to all 20 clubs on Friday evening.

      Club leaders were told the matter will be put on the agenda at Thursday’s next meeting of the 20 ”shareholder” clubs.
      But it is understood that Masters declined to follow Taylor’s wish that he made clear his support for the policy.
      Instead of telling clubs that he strongly agreed with the PFA that the move was needed for reasons of “player welfare and health and safety”, Masters is said to have merely noted that clubs are divided but that there should be a further debate.
      He also failed to make any comment about the Taylor email other than to confirm he had been asked to circulate it to all clubs.

      We believe there has been a scandalous lack of leadership on this issue.

      And that response has infuriated a number of Big Six clubs, who believe the chief executive has failed in his duties.
      One club chief told SunSport: “We believe there has been a scandalous lack of leadership on this issue.
      “This is too important to be left to the clubs without strong guidance.”
      Another key club boss added: “It is simply ridiculous that the Premier League, which rightly sets itself as the best in the world, is so far behind everybody else on this.
      “We expected Richard Masters and Gary Hoffam (the Prem chairman) to do the right thing.
      “Instead, they don’t want to do anything.”

      Gordon Taylor has urged Richard Masters to take control of the situation
      As SunSport revealed, Taylor wrote: “We have been very concerned, and remain so, about the physical load on players who are now frequently required to play every two or three days or so.
      “The physical load on players is therefore hugely increased and the consequent fatigue that players are currently experiencing is leading to avoidable and distressing injuries.
      “Premier League Managers have been expressing concern on behalf of their players and there was a strong consensus that the 5five subs rule should now be adopted.
      “I therefore write to repeat our call to amend the rules in order to allow clubs to field five subs, with the number of substitutes on the bench increased to 9.
      “This is now paramount in the interests of player welfare and health and safety.
      “We respectfully request the Premier League Board of Directors and its Executive team to convince all of its member clubs to adopt and ask you to reintroduce the five subs rule with immediate effect.”

      Any reversion to five subs will need the support of 14 clubs, with both previous votes – first in August and then in September – having been defeated by 11 votes to nine.
      Last month, 15 of the 20 top flight managers agreed to lobby for a change.
      But SunSport has been told that at least three club chiefs have said they will ignore the views of their own managers and vote to continue with only three substitutes.

      Jurgen Klopp rages over Alexander-Arnold injury and the need for the Premier League to introduce five subs More

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      Wolves line up Salomon Rondon transfer swoop as cover for Raul Jimenez after his fractured skull

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      WOLVES are looking at former West Brom and Newcastle striker Salomon Rondon as possible short-term cover for Raul Jimenez.
      Nuno Espirito Santo is bare of options to lead his attack with his wafer thin squad exposed by the shocking injury Jimenez suffered last month.

      Wolves want to bring in former Newcastle striker Salomon RondonCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      The Mexican is likely to miss the majority of this season at least after fracturing his skull in a collision with David Luiz of Arsenal.
      But with few players expected to be available in the January transfer window, Wolves are looking at whether Rondon could provide the solution for them.
      He is currently playing for Dalian Pro in China but the club may be open to a deal.
      And the 31-year-old Venezuelan’s proven ability to lead the line in the Premier League makes him a viable option.

      Jimenez paid tribute to Wolves fans who raised £20,000 for a banner in his honour at Molineux.
      The Mexican picked up a horror injury at Arsenal when he fractured his skull in a sickening clash of heads with David Luiz.
      And supporters of the Midlands side clubbed together to pay homage to the striker at their stadium.

      Jimenez suffered a fractured skull in a clash of heads with David LuizCredit: EPA

      Wolves fans paid for an epic banner of Raul Jimenez at MolineuxCredit: AFP

      The giant 45m x 11m banner stretches across the upper tier of the Steve Bull stand.

      Jimenez shared a video of the artwork and wrote: “Amazing!
      “I am very grateful to all the people who have been supporting me during this process.

      Salomon Rondon reveals he wanted to stay at Newcastle – but knew he had no chance as soon as Rafa Benitez left More

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      Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori wanted by Nice in loan transfer with Blues game time hard to come by

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      FIKAYO TOMORI is being tracked by Nice for a loan move next month – and the deal is unlikely to be hit by the new post-Brexit transfer regulations.
      British players now have to qualify for work permits before European sides can sign them up, which is hitting a number of proposed switches for young players fresh out of the academy.

      Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori could be on his way out on loan in JanuaryCredit: Reuters

      But though Tomori’s game time at Chelsea has been limited this season, the fact he has proven Premier League experience plus an England cap is enough to see him secure enough points to be cleared to play in France.
      Tomori has featured in just one top-flight match this term with Frank Lampard preferring a pairing of Kurt Zouma and Thiago Silva.
      The ex-Derby loanee has been involved in just three fixtures this campaign, with his last outing coming in the Carabao Cup defeat against Tottenham on September 29.
      But despite being out of favour in West London, several Premier League clubs have shown an interest in taking the centre-back.

      One of those looking to secure his services are Newcastle, but Chelsea are not keen on letting him move to a rival in the Premier League.
      The 22-year-old is interesting Nice on a short term deal until the end of the season after they lost defender Dante to a knee ligament injury.
      Chelsea have no interest in selling Tomori at this stage as they belief he could still mature into a top class defender, but are unable to give him game time as they mount a title challenge.
      Speaking last month, Lampard opened up on Tomori’s decision to turn down a loan move to West Ham.

      He said: “I think there’s arguments on both sides. Fikayo is our contracted player. We know that West Ham were interested.
      “Fikayo took the decision not to go and that’s well within his rights. That had no bearing on my thoughts at all. He’s still a developing player.
      “When I say developing, he’s had a great two years. He got himself in the England team, was one of the best defenders in the Championship and then played 20-plus games for Chelsea.
      “It’s normal for a young player sometimes, in a squad as competitive as ours, where there are periods where you maybe aren’t playing every week.”
      ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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      Ben Mee opens up on premature baby ordeal when daughter Olive was born 16 weeks early at just 1lb 2oz

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      IN a year of perspective, Ben Mee gets the most emotional of reminders every time he looks into the eyes of his new baby daughter.
      In May, as Burnley returned to training after the first lockdown, football was the last thing on the skipper’s mind.

      Ben Mee opened up on his premature baby ordeal this summer

      As his team-mates began to get back to some form of normality, Mee and wife Sarah were going through an unimaginable trauma.
      Their second child, due in September, had been born the previous day — just 24 weeks into the pregnancy and doctors at Manchester’s St Mary’s hospital made the situation crystal clear.
      Baby Olive weighed only 1lb 2oz, and survival was far from guaranteed. In the midst of the pandemic, it was an even more horrific nightmare.
      Fortunately there was to be a happy ending, as mini Mee is now home with the family.

      Now, as Ben leads the battle on the field — the Clarets are at Arsenal today — the biggest fight of all has been won. Yet for a while it was far from guaranteed.
      He admitted: “Three weeks from the birth we had a feeling she would probably come early because there were some difficulties. She was due in September, but born in May.
      “We just wanted to get as far into the pregnancy as possible to give Olive the best chance to survive basically.
      “I was going to hospital every day, because Sarah was in there before the birth and it was obviously made more difficult with the pandemic. It was tough with all the restrictions and guidelines and of course a little girl in the midst of it.

      Bee Mee and wife Sarah were going through unimaginable trauma during the summer
      “Just a case of trying to get her and my family through it.
      “Luckily we got to a point where the doctors could do their work and did their best for us. Thankfully she’s doing really well now. She is on oxygen but we’d have taken that at the beginning.
      “At first I wasn’t even allowed to go in. They relaxed the restrictions a bit and I could see my wife but then with the baby we had to see her separately for the first six weeks or so.”
      Ironically Olive went home for the first time one day before she was due to be born had the pregnancy gone full term — and meeting brother Jaxon meant there was not a dry eye in the house.
      Mee added: “It was amazing to have her back, and my son met her for the first time because he’d not been able to see her. She’s met some of the family from distance, it’s been mad.
      “When we got told we were able to bring her home that was fantastic in itself. It was a big moment and bringing her to meet Jaxon was a very emotional day.”

      Ben Mee takes his Burnley side to Arsenal on Sunday nightCredit: Reuters
      How Mee stayed focused on his football during those early weeks when Olive was in hospital is amazing in itself.
      Yet Burnley’s trip to the Etihad in June, their first after the lockdown, actually offered the chance to speak to someone who had been through the same ordeal.
      Manchester City David Silva’s son Mateo was born after only 25 weeks, and the Spaniard was able to offer some welcome words of comfort.
      It is a game remembered for Mee’s post-match condemnation of the Burnley fans who flew a White Lives Matter banner over the stadium. To him, it was a night of reassurance.

      He said: “I didn’t know many people who had been through it so you want a positive story, because you never know what’s going to happen, and David was reassuring.
      “Mateo was two years old and a normal young boy and that was nice to hear. It was very good to speak to him at that time, because Olive was in hospital about ten minutes away from the stadium.
      “Football-wise, those 90 minutes on the pitch and training were a massive relief, especially at a time when you can’t see your friends and family.”

      Arsenal vs Burnley – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      Crystal Palace line up Christian Kouame transfer with Fiorentina star set to cost £20million

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      CRYSTAL PALACE are lining up a major move for Fiorentina forward Christian Kouame next month.
      The Eagles had the Ivory Coast attacker on their hitlist at the start of this year when he was with Genoa, but he chose to stay in Italy.

      Christian Kouame is being chased by Crystal Palace in a £20m transferCredit: Getty Images

      Palace boss Roy Hodgson has money to spend after failing to land Watford winger Ismaila Sarr in the summer.
      Kouame, 23 — who would cost £15-£20million — has been in and out of the Fiorentina side and has only scored once this season. But Palace remain big admirers of his talents.
      Sarr is still on the radar but the Hornets need him for their promotion push.
      The Eagles want another scorer because Christian Benteke is out of contract next summer — the same time Michy Batshuayi goes back to Chelsea after his loan.

      The south London club were also reportedly looking at Chelsea left-back Patrick van Aanholt.
      The Dutch defender is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with the Eagles already eyeing up potential replacements.
      Marseille star Jordan Amavi – who spent two seasons at Aston Villa – is another option in defence.

      Crystal Palace vs Tottenham – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      England ace John Stones made my life hell after World Cup fame went to his head, says ex Millie Savage

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      ENGLAND ace John Stones’s ex has told how he callously dumped her, saying: “I’m done. I don’t feel free and I don’t love you anymore.”
      Millie Savage, mum to their daughter, three, said: “The last two years have been hell and it is ongoing. I wouldn’t want to put anyone through this. He has been an a***hole.”

      Millie Savage has told how she was cruelly dumped by John StonesCredit: Paul Cousans – The Sun

      She says the England ace made her life hell after World Cup fame went to his headCredit: Darren Fletcher – The Sun

      Stones started dating beautician Olivia Naylor weeks after he and Millie split

      John Stones’s devastated ex says World Cup fame went to his head — adding: “I thought we’d spend our lives together but I feel he’s become a bully.”
      Millie was left heartbroken when their relationship crumbled after the England ace’s heroics in summer 2018.
      The couple, who met when Millie was 14 and have a daughter, three, split in November that year.
      Weeks later she got an Instagram message from a mystery sender revealing that the £175,000-a-week Man City defender, 26, had started secretly dating Olivia Naylor.

      Millie, 27, added: “You see these girls in the nightclubs who throw themselves at footballers.
      “John has moved on with one of those girls and I feel bullied ever since by his wealth and power.
      “Footballers are treated as gods and John bought into it wholeheartedly after the World Cup. He let fame get into his head.
      “For footballers the rules of normal life become blurred.

      I feel bullied by John’s wealth and power
      Millie Savage

      “We are just mortals to them, but in reality it is like looking after a child who has no concept of how the real world works.
      “I put my hopes to one side and supported him throughout his career. I kept him grounded.”

      Millie and Stones were childhood sweethearts – they’re pictured at their prom in 2010
      Millie and Stones met at school in South Yorkshire. She was a devoted presence as he moved from Barnsley to Everton before joining City for £47million in 2016.
      A year later she gave birth. And at the 2018 World Cup in Russia the couple were pictured hugging in the stands after England beat Sweden 2-0 to reach the semis.
      MARRIAGE TALKS
      Millie added: “Before the World Cup John was just John. He was lovely, polite. He’d speak to people and was just daft.
      “We were like an old couple, we’d walk the dogs. We weren’t showbizzy.”
      Millie said she noticed a change in his behaviour after the tournament. He partied more with teammates and started drinking at home.
      Millie said he once returned from a casino at 7am and threw money at her.

      Before the World Cup John was just John. He was lovely, polite.
      Millie Savage

      Then in November he walked out leaving her in tears. Millie recalled: “We heard Rio Ferdinand had got engaged to Kate Wright.
      “I said, ‘That’s nice to see’. John knew I’d always wanted to marry.
      “We’d been together for years. I’d become a Stones. I asked why it hadn’t happened. He just didn’t want to know.
      “We came home and went through our normal routine. Later that night I said, ‘Look John, I know it annoys you when I bring up marriage but you’ve got to understand it from my perspective’.

      She was a devoted presence in his life as he worked his way up from Barnsley to CityCredit: Getty

      Millie gave birth a year before the 2018 World Cup in Russia

      The couple were pictured in the stands after England’s 2-0 win against Sweden

      Millie says she noticed a change in him after the tournamentCredit: Getty
      “He refused to answer then replied, ‘Look Millie, I’m done. I’m not happy. I don’t feel free and I don’t love you anymore’.”
      Stones left their Cheshire home and stayed in a flat at City’s training ground, as we reported.
      Millie said: “I couldn’t believe what was happening. I had no income, no money of my own.
      “Some people may think I was daft but I gave up everything for him when he signed for Everton and he asked me to go with him.”
      After laying out his feelings, Stones — a starter in last night’s 0-0 Manchester derby — told Millie how he saw his future without her.
      She added: “He said, ‘I’ll always look after you. I want us to get on, but this is my house’.
      “Straightaway I knew what I was going to have to deal with. He left me there crying and that was it.”
      Soon after Millie received the mystery Instagram message titled: “Must Open, About John.”
      It read: “Hi Millie, Please be with a family member or friend when you open this.
      “I’m so sorry you have to find out this way and hope you can understand my reasoning for wanting to be anonymous with all the mess and publicity around the situation. You need to speak to John about Olivia Naylor.

      The couple, pictured in 2013, had even spoken about marriage before the shocking split

      They were all smiles as they took their last picture together

      Millie was left with nothing as she had given up everything to support himCredit: Paul Cousans – The Sun
      “He has had a baby to her this Christmas, and she talks about how they are biding their time for now but they will be together once he has settled with you financially.
      “It has been weighing on my conscience as it is so wrong what the pair of them have done.
      “I hope I’ve done the right thing to inform you as it is hard to know what’s best in these toxic situations. All I can say is keep your chin up. X.”

      I couldn’t believe what was happening. I had no income, no money of my own.
      Millie Savage

      Beautician Olivia’s baby was born a month after Stones left Millie — but the child is not his. We reported on his new relationship in March 2019.
      Millie added: “It’s like a Jeremy Kyle episode. John denied knowing Olivia at first but later said they’d known each other long before the World Cup.
      “He told me, ‘Olivia is ten times the woman you’ll ever be’. And after everything I gave up for him he rang to say, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I’d have done better’.
      “I think back to when he hugged me at the World Cup. We were elated — but it’s been cheapened.
      “I suspect he thought Olivia’s baby was his, so he left suddenly in November because he knew he was living off borrowed time. The thing is, it’s not his.”
      Millie stayed in their home but became aware that Stones was accessing CCTV via a phone app.
      Millie recalled: “During the Covid lockdown he was sending messages about my comings and goings. I was creeped out. I felt like I was being constantly watched.”

      Game over for couple

      2006: John Stones meets Millie Savage while a pupil at Penistone Grammar School, South Yorkshire.
      2008: The two begin dating.
      AUGUST 2016: Stones signs for Manchester City from Everton for £47million, a then-world record fee for a defender.
      DECEMBER 2016: Stones has a tattoo of Millie’s face inked on his arm after claims he cheated on her with events organiser Jessica Peaty.
      APRIL 2017: The couple celebrate the birth of their daughter.
      JULY 2018: Millie flies to Russia to support Stones at the World Cup.
      NOVEMBER 2018: The couple split.
      MARCH 2019: The Manchester City ace is reportedly seeing former beautician Olivia Naylor.
      NOVEMBER 2019: Stones has the tattoo of Millie removed from his arm.
      MAY 2020: Millie accuses Stones of watching her on home CCTV.

      Now Millie is trying to move on with her lifeCredit: Paul Cousans – The Sun
      As The Sun on Sunday reported, Stones was spoken to by cops but not suspected of committing any offence.
      After the CCTV incident, Millie said: “John told me he wanted to move into our home with Olivia and her baby and that I’d have to leave.
      “It felt like he was kicking me out. I left in September with nothing. I couldn’t take a thing with me.
      “I walked out of that house as it was when John and I lived together.
      “The same curtains we chose, the bedding, the job lot. I mean, what kind of woman would want to move into the ex’s home?”
      Millie has moved to a new home paid for by the star where she can stay until their daughter turns 18.
      But she ran up legal fees of around £45,000 following the split and said: “To me he’s an a***hole who is trying to control me. All I’m trying to do is move on and be the best mum I can be.
      “Fame got too much for him when he went to City then the World Cup.
      “Everyone there has reached out to me because they’re in utter shock at his behaviour.
      “I want to see him succeed. Yes, he’s done wrong to me but at the end of the day he’s my child’s father. Whatever the present feelings between us I can never take that away from him.”
      A source close to Stones said: “John is a devoted and loving father and his priority has and always will be the welfare and total privacy of his daughter.

      “He denies and refutes the version of events described and has always gone above and beyond since his break up with Millie to protect his daughter.
      “He has now been in a happy relationship for almost two years and is moving on with his life.
      “He is saddened that Millie has taken this route for herself and their child. He won’t be making any comment.”

      Police speak to Man City’s John Stones after ex Millie Savage fears she’s being monitored on CCTV
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      Liverpool fear Diogo Jota will be out for TWO months after £45m star picked up knee injury against Midtjylland

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      LIVERPOOL fear Diogo Jota may be crocked for TWO MONTHS.
      The £45million forward injured his knee in Wednesday’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Midtjylland.

      Diogo Jota could be sidelined for two months through injury for LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images

      And reports in his native Portugal claim he could be out until mid-February.
      That would be a huge blow for Kop boss Jurgen Klopp.
      The German coach is already managing an Anfield injury crisis.
      Jota, 24, has made an immediate impact since September’s switch from Wolves.

      The star has scored nine goals in 17 appearances.
      But if the injury is as serious as feared, he could miss as many as 13 matches.
      And those include both Premier League games against title rivals Spurs and home clashes with Manchester United and Manchester City.
      Klopp said: “Diogo got a knock.

      “We have to wait to see how it is.”
      Liverpool travel to West London on Sunday to take on Fulham.
      They then welcome Spurs to Anfield on Wednesday for the top of the table clash.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer adamant Man Utd troublemakers have been booted from club and Paul Pogba isn’t one of them

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says he has got rid of the Manchester United troublemakers —  and Paul Pogba was not one of them.
      Solskjaer revealed he managed stars in his two years at Old Trafford who refused to train and play but refused to name any.

      Paul Pogba has not been a Manchester United troublemaker, says Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: Rex Features

      Pogba, 27, and his agent have been agitating to force a transfer — but Solskjaer says the Frenchman has never refused to play or train.
      Solskjaer said: “This is a team game and Paul is part of this team.
      “He’s very focused on contributing. He’s got the hunger and appetite to play and wants to play.
      “He wants to train and he trains.

      “There’s been other players refusing to train and refusing to play — they’re not here anymore of course — but Paul’s not once done that.
      “He’s just focused on performing when he gets a chance.
      “That’s the good thing about Paul. He’s got the quality and the desire to do well.”
      Despite this week’s elimination from the Champions League after defeat at RB Leipzig, the United boss added: “I feel we’re getting better and better and looking more like a Manchester United team I want, with fast attackers, a dynamic.

      “We have good players and individual quality that can create magic out of nothing — that’s always been at Manchester United.
      “We can see more of the penetration and consistency everyone says we don’t have.
      “We have won the last four in the league, which has become a good run, and hopefully that continues.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

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