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      in Soccer

      Tottenham captain Harry Kane sees £100k Range Rover stolen by thieves in brazen daylight raid

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      ENGLAND star Harry Kane’s £100,000 Range Rover was stolen by thieves in a brazen daylight raid.
      A gang is believed to have targeted the vehicle after being filmed driving past it several times.

      Harry Kane is believed to be targeted by a gang after his £100,000 Range Rover was stolen by thievesCredit: Reuters

      The thieves sped off with it from outside an upmarket address in Chingford, East LondonCredit: WENN

      They sped off with it from outside an upmarket address in Chingford, East London.
      Kane, 27, is the third Spurs player to be robbed in recent months after his team-mates Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen were attacked by armed raiders.
      CCTV shows a car driving past Kane’s luxury motor several times last month.
      Thieves then used an electronic device to open it before stealing the car from outside an address in Chingford, East London.

      A source close to the £200,000-a-week striker said: “Harry feels he has been targeted by a gang who focus on footballers. The way the robbery played out didn’t feel like a coincidence.”
      A Metropolitan Police spokesman said in a statement: “On Sunday, 25 October police received a report of a theft of a vehicle from outside a residential property in the Chingford area.
      “Officers contacted the victim and carried out enquiries. No suspects were identified.
      “The investigation has been closed. If any further investigative or evidential opportunities are established this will be reviewed.”

      Harry is expecting his third child with childhood sweetheart wife KateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Dad-to-be Harry got hold of CCTV film of the theft.
      The insider added: “The footage shows a car driving past his motor a number of times. They were clearly doing a recce.
      “The road is in an upmarket residential area so it’s not hard to see why Harry and those around him think his car has been targeted.
      “Luckily he’d left no personal effects in the car or it could have been more distressing.”
      Sources close to Harry, who is expecting his third child with childhood sweetheart wife Kate Goodland, 27, say he was warned by police that the stolen car is unlikely to be recovered.
      The insider added: “The police told Harry that basically there was little chance of them recovering his motor because of how sophisticated these kinds of thieves are.
      “Obviously Harry is just happy no one was harmed and that they didn’t get away with anything irreplaceable or personal to him and his family.”

      CCTV shows a car driving past Kane’s car several times last monthCredit: PA:Press Association

      Kane was warned by police that the luxury motor is unlikely to be recoveredCredit: Reuters

      He is the third Spurs player to be robbed in recent monthsCredit: AFP or licensors
      Kane is the third Spurs ace to be targeted by criminals in recent months.
      In May his Tottenham pal Dele, 24, was held at ­knifepoint during a raid in lockdown at his home in North London.
      The robbers punched him in the mouth and threatened his girlfriend Ruby Mae, his adopted brother Harry Hickford and his partner.

      They made off with thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and watches from the £2million property in North London.
      In March Belgium defender Jan’s North London pad was broken into by armed robbers while he was away playing in a Champions League fixture in Germany.
      They terrorised his wife and young family before fleeing with valuables.

      Top goal for villains

      RANGE Rovers are a dream choice for organised crime gangs to target and they dominate the list of most ­stolen vehicles in the UK.
      Villains waste little time in shipping them abroad to Eastern Europe and North Africa.
      That gives them the opportunity to move them to places such as Dubai, where they are a particular favourite.
      Experts say Range Rovers and other premium vehicles are stolen to order by the gangs, who track their movements before choosing the right time to strike.
      The Sport model topped the list for thefts in 2019, according to latest analysis.
      It has replaced the BMW X5, which is now number two.
      The data, from stolen vehicle recovery service Tracker, reveals the Range Rover Vogue as the fourth most stolen car, the Range Rover Evoque as the seventh and Harry Kane’s model the Autobiography as the ninth.
      The data also revealed an increase in the number of cars stolen without the keys.
      Between January and July last year, 96 per cent of cars recovered by Tracker had been taken in keyless thefts, compared to 92 per cent during the same period last year.
      In the past few months, police forces all over the UK have issued warnings about the rise in thefts of Range Rovers and Land Rovers.
      Thieves have often succeeded by hacking the electronics to get in them.
      It has fuelled a huge spike in rural crime.

      Harry Kane smashes goals in during England training
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      in Boxing

      Katie Taylor dominates Miriam Gutierrez to defend WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO crowns in superb performance

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      KATIE TAYLOR proved she is worth every penny as much as boxing’s biggest earning men with a pound-for-pound stellar performance.
      The 34-year-old headlined a groundbreaking Wembley show against Miriam Gutierrez, with two other female fights at the top of the bill.

      Katie Taylor remains the undisputed world champCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      Katie Taylor dominated Miriam Gutierrez from start to finishCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd

      And, during fight week, the London 2012 Olympic hero insisted she will always fight for the sports brave women to earn parity with the big-money men.
      The undisputed lightweight queen – and WBO super-light champ – utterly dominated rock-hard Spaniard Gutierrez to put an exclamation mark on her bold bank statement.
      And, after Gutierrez climbed off the floor at the end of the fourth to hear the final bell, the judges scored it: 100-89, 100-90 and 99-91.
      After her resounding victory, Taylor said: “I am very satisfied, I thought that was a great performance.

      The Irish fighter was far too good for her previously undefeated opponentCredit: ©Mark Robinson Ltd
      “She was very durable and kept firing back so I just couldn’t get her out of there but I felt that it was a great performance.
      “She was heavy handed and could punch so I am just very happy today.
      “I felt I hurt her in the first 30 seconds and thought I would get her out early, how wrong I was!”
      Taylor almost had the Wembley show wrapped up in the first ten seconds.

      The Irish icon raced across the ring and unloaded a vicious volley into the visitor who was still trying to offer her gloved fist as a friendly greeting when the blows started raining down on here.
      But the 37-year-old survived the early assault and heard the second bell.
      Taylor needed twenty rounds and two controversial decisions to see off the two challengers from Delfine Persoon.
      And it looked like she was desperate to keep this mandatory defence out of the judges’ hands in her second behind-closed-doors fight.
      A ripper of a right hand thumped into Gutierrez’s skull and was followed up with a left hook.
      The 13-0 challenger was well out of her depth and Taylor looked eager to drown her in the third. A thunderous left hook rocked Gutierrez to her boots and buckled her legs.
      Taylor piled in and a right hand cracked into the wounded underdog again. But Gutierrez showed freakish resilience by absorbing the blows and staying upright.
      Every jab Gutierrez dared to throw was either slipped or maliciously countered and Taylor dropped her right on the bell at the end of the fourth with a mean right hand.
      Gutierrez was little more than a punchbag by the fifth, flailing wild shots that Taylor dodged for fun.
      In the sixth Taylor had her prey pinned on the ropes and pummelled her but heroic Gutierrez refused to wilt and her corner should really have thrown in the towel.

      In the seventh and eighth, Gutierrez was whacked and tagged repeatedly but she kept willing the 2012 Olympic hero on.
      The last four rounds were hard to watch as Gutierrez clung to life like a fish out of water.
      Taylor was free to showcase all of her skills, without showboating, and always with an evil intent. More

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      in Soccer

      Declan Rice wants to be England captain and admits he’s learning loads from skipper Harry Kane

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      DECLAN RICE aims to succeed Harry Kane as England captain — but for now he is happy learning from him.
      Rice, already the West Ham skipper at the age of 21, is impressed by the way Kane leads Gareth Southgate’s team on and off the pitch.

      Harry Kane inspires his England colleagues even when he is not playing, says Declan Rice, who hopes to keep learning from his international skipperCredit: Rex Features

      Declan Rice admits he always dreamed of being a captain and, having led West Ham, he eventually wants the same role for EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Hammers star said: “You feel his presence all the time.
      “He wasn’t involved against Ireland but beforehand he was in the changing room, getting everyone ready for the game.
      “He was talking to  the lads, going around individually.
      “For a youngster like me aspiring to be hopefully a future captain, to look at him and what he does, the way he goes around and speaks to players…

      “Like Gareth says, he might not be the loudest on the pitch but the way he takes the ball under pressure, the way he gets defences scared, he is a real leader.”
      And if Rice wants to learn about other kinds of leadership, he  has only to look to the player likely to partner him in England’s midfield today in Belgium.
      Jordan Henderson has skippered Liverpool to English, European and world titles in the last two seasons with his own vocal style of  captaincy.
      Rice said: “If you look at Jordan and what he’s done in the game for his whole career, but especially the last couple of years.

      Jordan Henderson is a perfect example of how to progress your career, says fellow England midfielder Declan RiceCredit: Reuters
      “I think it is so important for someone like me playing next to him to learn and get better.
      “We already know his qualities on the ball but what you don’t realise until you play next to him are his leadership qualities and what he brings to the team.
      “He is non-stop, always on you in a good way, in a positive way, and that gives you the confidence on the pitch to go out  and fight for the badge.”
      Rice always comes across as wise beyond his years, combining ambition and confidence with humility and respect.
      Southgate praised his character in the build-up to the friendly against the Republic of Ireland, not least because of the way he dealt with the death threats and other fallout that followed his decision to switch to England.
      A bookmaker successfully exploited that sensitive subject with a billboard that showed a heat map pattern for Rice and Jack Grealish — who also changed allegiance — in the shape of a snake.
      Rice said: “It was something I found really funny, actually.”
      But Rice takes captaincy very seriously and his third big role model is Mark Noble.
      ‘TAKING IT IN MY STRIDE’
      Although he remains West Ham’s club captain, Noble is finding his game time restricted this  season and boss David Moyes has turned to Rice to be his on-pitch leader.
      Rice said: “I’ve been privileged enough, if I look back at my time at West Ham in the academy, in the 16s, the 18s, the 21s, I was the captain in those age groups.
      “It’s just something that, as a kid, has always been one of my dreams, to captain a side.
      “Coming up with Nobes as the captain and me being the rising player in the team, the manager has given me the armband this season when Nobes isn’t playing, and I’m taking it in my stride.

      “I’m really lucky that I’ve got someone like Noble there to help me along the way.
      “I’m only 21 and I’m captaining the big games like Liverpool, Man City, so long may that continue.”
      All the way to captaining England one day,  perhaps?

      Ireland star Daryl Horgan understands Declan Rice’s decision to switch to England and ‘wouldn’t hold it against him’ More

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      in Soccer

      Rangers target Kenny McLean transfer from Norwich as Steven Gerrard sets sights on Scotland’s Euro 2020 hero

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      STEVEN GERRARD is looking to sign Norwich’s Scotland Euro 2020 hero Kenny McLean to boost Rangers’ title and European bids.
      Boyhood Gers’ fan McLean sent the Tartan Army to a major finals for the first time since 1998 with penalties in both of the shootouts on the way to glory.

      Norwich midfielder and Rangers fan Kenny McLean is being eyed by Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard after his penalty helped Scotland reach the EurosCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Kenny McLean might be keen on switching from the Championship to Rangers to get regular football before the Euros next summerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the lure of being a regular at club level in the run-up to the big games in the summer makes a move to Rangers appealing for the midfielder.
      Gerrard is keen on McLean, who has been in and out of the Canaries team since they were relegated to the Championship.
      McLean, 28, could be willing to go home as the Glasgow giants try to stop Celtic winning ten titles in a row.
      Rangers may  offer a deal paid in instalments or possibly take McLean on loan with a guaranteed buy in the summer.

      Rangers tried for McLean in the last transfer window.
      And insiders claim that the player would be up for the switch north if Norwich are willing to let him go.
      But Canaries boss Daniel Farke refused to consider selling McLean in their relegation season, insisting he was “incredibly important” and still developing.
      McLean himself has spoken before of an Ibrox approach.

      He told Si Ferry’s Open Goal: “There was talk a couple of times about Rangers but nothing ever materialised for me.
      “Even when I was out of contract at Aberdeen, I had six months left on my deal and there were talks but nothing too big to be honest with you.
      “Nothing for me to get excited about because there was nothing ever in front of me.”

      Scotland players do the conga and chant David Marshall in incredible Euro 2020 celebrations More

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      in Soccer

      Eric Dier thinks players will cop less abuse from fans when they can return to stadiums

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      ERIC DIER believes fans will cut down their abuse of players when crowds return to football.
      The Tottenham defender was banned for four games and fined £40,000 for climbing into the stands to confront a fan who had abused his brother and him after their  FA Cup defeat by Norwich in March.

      Spurs star Eric Dier, who was fined and baaed for this confrontation last term, feels fans will be calmer when they return after the lockdownCredit: Twitter

      Versatile England and Tottenham ace Eric Dier is desperate for fans to returnCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Dier still expects grief from some quarters — but he believes the shared experience of  fighting the pandemic WILL have an impact.
      He said: “I think the atmosphere in stadiums when fans get back will be incredible and it is something I catch myself thinking about. I can’t wait.
      “I think there will be a little bit of a change in dynamic from our side and their side, having gone through this very difficult time.

      “We’ll be able to appreciate each other and how much we both need each other as well.

      “I can’t wait for fans to be back in the stadium but, unfortunately, those types of things will always exist.”
      Passions are sure to run high if England take on Scotland as  scheduled next June, after Steve Clarke’s team won their play-off against Serbia on penalties.
      Dier was in the England side that salvaged a 2-2 draw at Hampden Park in a World Cup qualifier in June 2017, thanks to a stoppage-time equaliser from Harry Kane.
      Dier said: “We all know about the history between England and Scotland. It’s going to be a fantastic game.

      “I really hope that there can be fans there to witness it.
      “I was lucky enough to play a few years ago in Scotland. The atmosphere was one of the best I’ve played in.
      “So it would be great to be able to experience that atmosphere again as a player. Hopefully the fans can experience it live as well.”

      Harry Kane reaching new heights for Spurs this season has not surprised his club and country team-mate Eric DierCredit: Reuters
      Dier remains quietly furious about his ban and how it came about.
      And his words have more resonance at the end of a week when the Greg Clarke saga has again raised questions about the FA’s leadership.
      The Spurs star said: “There is a time when I will talk about it when I’m retired or not playing in England any more.
      “I have some very strong views on the whole process really and the ban itself.
      “If you were to compare the ban and the fine to other things, you’d find some strange outcomes.”
      One thing Dier does not find odd is how Spurs team-mate and England captain Kane has somehow found a new level this season.
      Kane grabbed his seventh league goal of the season to snatch a late victory at West Brom last weekend and Dier said: “If you put in the amount of work and commitment he does then it’s only natural to  continue to improve.

      “He has so much to his game. His hold-up play is fantastic, he’s as good as anyone in the air, his finishing with both feet, and the way he brings his team-mates into play — we have seen that a lot more this season maybe than before.
      “He’s a match-winner, he’s done it on many occasions. That’s why he’s one of the best strikers in the world.
      “Everything else he does for the team — defensively, off the ball, the effort he puts in — is the best in the world from a striker.”

      Jose Mourinho wipes new shoes with towel and dances in bizarre Instagram video More

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      in Motorsport

      The inside track on F1’s ‘Rashford on wheels’ Hamilton as he stands on the cusp of history from those who know him best

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      LEWIS HAMILTON can equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula One titles today at the Turkish Grand Prix.
      Having already passed the German’s record of race victories, he can rightly lay claim to being F1 greatest-ever racing driver.

      Hamilton has led the way in F1 in promoting racial equalityCredit: AFP or licensors

      His on-track achievements aside, he has juggled them with his quest to promote diversity, challenge racism and raise awareness to environmental issues – and has consequently been dubbed “Marcus Rashford on wheels”.
      Here, SunSPORT quizzes those people who have worked closest with the 35-year-old to discover his extreme competitiveness that has helped him win all those titles – plus we can reveal a compassionate side that few people get to witness.
      We go back to his debut F1 season in 2007 with McLaren where on a team bonding exercise at the Finnish Olympic Institute, he showed his determination to be a champ.
      McLaren’s Number One Chief Mechanic at the time, Marc Priestley, was on that week-long team building exercise where Hamilton surprised the team by taking part.

      Priestley said: “We went away for a team building week at the Finnish Olympic Institute, which was a thing we did with the race team and the drivers used to come.
      “But on this occasion, we knew that Fernando Alonso, who was the other driver, was not scheduled to attend and we did not know who the other driver was going to be.
      “So we went to Finland but the next day after the announcement was made Lewis surprised us to turn up in Finland.
      “He had taken it upon himself to integrate himself in the team. It was an important thing to do but it was also brave, because we were a well-established group of pretty boisterous, macho guys and he was just a young boy.

      Lewis Hamilton has used his platform to highlight issuesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The ten greatest F1 drivers of all-time – according to SunSport’s motorsport correspondent Ben Hunt
      “So to step into that world was a brave thing. I remember him being very polite. He went around shaking everyone’s hand and introducing himself.”But the one thing that stuck out on that trip was just how competitive he was and how desperate he was to win.
      “We went tenpin bowling and Lewis was just incredible. He was getting strike after strike, spinning it down the lane, and we were like ‘have you done this before?’ and he was like ‘nope’.
      “However, as it turns out, the night before we did the bowling, he had gone in for some private lessons.”He had taped up this expert and had been having one-on-one coaching. It was all in an effort to ensure he was the best and the next day he smashed everyone.”
      Matt Bishop, currently Communications Director at W Series, held the same title at McLaren from 2008 to 2017 and worked closely with Hamilton.He is able to pick out many standout achievements on track, pointing to his nine successive podiums in his debut season, as one.
      But it was two phone calls 12 months apart that Bishop recalls that give his truest insight into what Hamilton is really like.

      Hamilton won his Formula 1 Championship with McLaren in 2008 before making the difficult decision to leave a few years laterCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He added: “Some people think Lewis is a wannabe rapper. Rich as croesus but he is a good human. These stories don’t get told, but they show what a great heart he has.
      “In 2012 my mother was dying of terminal cancer and I was giving Lewis a media briefing. I was called away but left my phone on the table.
      “While I was out of the room, my mum called my mobile and he saw it flash up that she was calling me.”He took it upon himself to answer the phone and said “hello Mrs Bishop, this is Lewis, you son’s away from the phone at the moment”.
      “He then went on to say, ‘you know you should be very proud of him, he does a great job and I know you are not well and I am saying, stay strong, keep fighting and that we are thinking of you here’, and put the phone down.
      “I came back and I did  not even know he’d done that. It was not until I spoke to my mum some days later that she told me that story.”Part two is that in 2013, when he was not even at McLaren anymore, so there was nothing to be gained with me, and my mother died.
      “It was 10pm, Lewis was at the German GP so 11pm where he was, and my phone rang.

      Hamilton struggled in a chaotic and wet qualifying session ahead of the Turkish Grand PrixCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “It was Lewis and he said, ‘I have just heard this moment your mother had passed away and I wanted to call you immediately to say that if you are with your family, please pass on my condolences to all of them. I will remember your mother in my prayers tonight’.
      “He didn’t need to do that but it shows what a thoroughly decent person he is.” Bishop admits that there were times when he was difficult to manage.His relationship with pop-star Nicole Scherzinger made him front and back page news either side of the Atlantic.
      But Bishop says those days were all part of his growing up process to the figure he is today.He said: “It is since those days we have seen him grow into this statesman like man who stands for Black Lives Matter and is Marcus Rashford on wheels.
      “Lewis’s maturation from sports boy to statesman was an unstoppable evolution.”I think not only the sport but the world should be grateful for what Lewis does and what he stands for and for what he is yet to achieve.”It has now got to a stage where F1 needs Lewis Hamilton more than Lewis Hamilton needs F1.
      “When he does retire, the sport will miss him and we won’t realise how much we miss him until he has gone.”

      Hamilton enjoys – and then quickly regrets – a ‘shooey’ with Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo after his latest win at Imola two weeks ago Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Hamilton, of course, has yet to sign a new deal with Mercedes, but he is loving his life with the Silver Arrows.
      And while he might always come across in a positive light when he has not won a race, he is a different character when he is away from the race track.
      Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director, Andrew Shovlin, who also worked with Schuamcher, said: “For any famous drivers – when you look at Michael he was exactly the same – the reason they can appear a bit standoff-ish or rushing and not having time for people is because they cannot get away from this constant pressure to sign autographs and pose for a selfie.

      “But Lewis has a very compassionate side to him and when you see the real Lewis, which with all drivers, when you see them at the circuit it is not what they are really like as a person.
      “You can see it is not out of any sense of obligation it is just that he enjoys their stories and speaking to them and if he can inspire him, then he will.”At the circuit, that’s the time you really see him fully relax because all other times he has a job to do as an elite sportsman.” More

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      in Soccer

      England should build team around Jack Grealish – he reminds me of the great Alan Hudson

      by

      HERE’S one for the older readers . . . what do Alan Hudson, Rodney Marsh, Tony Currie and Stan Bowles have in common?
      All of them marvellously gifted players — and all of them ignored by England while others with a fraction of their talent racked up the caps.

      England should build their team around Jack Grealish Credit: AP:Associated Press

      Grealish is a similar player to Chelsea legend Alan HudsonCredit: Getty – Contributor

      Well, watching Thursday’s game against the Republic of Ireland, my mind went back to those days in the 1970s. Or at least it did whenever Jack Grealish was on the ball.
      Grealish is a young player who divides opinion like few others. Some don’t think he’s inter national class, others think he should be the main man.
      And the more I see of him, the more I am convinced he’s a guy England should be building the team around. I really think he’s that good.
      I tell you what, if he was playing for any other country, the only argument would be how to stop him, not whether he should be in the side in the first place.

      The problem is, when Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane are all available, will Grealish get in? I’m not so certain.
      But even with a fully-fit squad, Jack would still be one of the first names on any England teamsheet of mine.
      I’m not saying that should be at the expense of Sterling or Rashford. There’s no reason why all three can’t be in the same team.
      It would mean playing with a back four — and I know Gareth Southgate likes a back three at the moment — but that’s how I’d fit him in.

      A back four, two holding midfielders, Raheem and Marcus out wide, Kane up top . . . and Jack on the ball floating around as a No 10.
      You want to see players who excite you — and Grealish does that better than most. He’s someone who can change a game in an instant.

      Grealish has an eye for a pass and loves running with the ballCredit: Rex Features
      Rather like Hudson used to do. A couple of passes Jack made against Ireland were out of this world because he sees things others don’t. Again, very similar to Hudson.
      When he’s got the ball at his feet, his head is always up, he’s looking at opponents. He is in complete control, he just glides along and actually runs at people.
      That may sound obvious but these days it’s almost a dying breed. You hear coaches screaming: “Pass, pass, pass.”
      I want to see dribble, dribble, dribble. One-on-one, there are few better than Grealish at beating a man. He’s strong as an ox, too. Have you seen the size of his calves?
      He has three caps for England now, which is already one more than Hudson got in his whole career.
      I just hope that in years to come Jack isn’t another fantastic talent we look back on and scratch our head over why he never truly got the recognition he deserves.
      But I don’t want to see him playing in friendlies against opponents who aren’t in our class — and let’s be honest, England v Ireland was like Tyson Fury against the 20th- ranked boxer.
      I want to see Grealish playing against the best, in the biggest games of all. And I would love to see him playing against Belgium today for a start.
      With so many great young players coming through, it’s certainly a great time for Gareth to be England manager and I love how he is giving them a chance at this level.
      We saw the latest of them on Thursday, when Jude Bellingham came on. What a player he looks.

      Jude Bellingham impressed for England against IrelandCredit: Rex Features
      I’ve always said that if they’re good enough, then pick them and put them in your first team, not in an Under-21 game at a training ground.
      They learn more by playing “real” football, league football, and that often means sending them out on loan.
      That’s what I did with Rio Ferdinand and Jermain Defoe, who both went to Bournemouth. Michael Carrick went to Swindon and Frank Lampard was at Swansea.
      I don’t know if Jude thought he wouldn’t get a chance in the Premier League because Manchester United were supposed to be interested but he went to Borussia Dortmund.
      He’s getting more games than he probably would with United. It will be great for his development as a person too. It’s certainly paying off.
      With the likes of Jadon Sancho, Reece James, Phil Foden, Ashley Maitland-Niles, Mason Mount and Bukayo Saka, the future is definitely rosy for England.
      I just hope Grealish plays as big a part in it as he should.
      DANGERS OF TRIVIAL MATCHES
      YOU don’t need to be  a genius to know  what Jurgen Klopp is thinking right now — and I’ve got every  sympathy for him.
      He was already without Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, and then Joe Gomez gets a serious injury training with England.

      The international break has not been kind to Liverpool boss Jurgen KloppCredit: PA:Press Association
      Chris Wilder — already missing a load at Sheffield United — will have been just as angry as Jurgen, too, after Irishman John Egan went off at Wembley.
      Having a three-game international break now made no sense when the demands on players in the current climate are so great.

      I could understand bringing them together to give countries a chance to work on shape and patterns but these games were meaningless, pointless and dangerous.
      Of all the matches last week and this week, basically the only ones that matter are the Euro play-offs and the South American World Cup qualifiers.
      No one loves watching football more than me but on this occasion it did more harm than good.

      Aston Villa fans fume with Gareth Southgate after interview about Jack Grealish More

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      in Soccer

      England manager Gareth Southgate, 50, secretly battled coronavirus last month with players none the wiser

      by

      ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has been secretly battling Covid.
      The 50-year-old tested positive for the virus late last month after developing symptoms.

      ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

      Gareth Southgate secretly battled Covid last monthCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He didn’t tell his players about his diagnosis as he wanted to ‘just get on with it’Credit: AFP or licensors

      After self-isolating for ten days, the superfit England manager was straight back to workCredit: Rex Features
      He was forced to self-isolate for ten days before further checks came back negative.
      Concern was heightened due to his age but his fitness helped him fight off the deadly virus — with his England stars none the wiser.
      One source said: “He’s a professional, he just got on with it. Fortunately he’s very fit for his age.”

      Southgate tested positive around October 25, derailing his preparations for the current international matches.
      He self-isolated at home in North Yorkshire, abandoning plans to attend Premier League games in person.
      Like Prince William, who was diagnosed back in April with coronavirus, he kept the news quiet with only a handful of people knowing.
      A subsequent test came back negative by November 5, enabling him to host a press conference on Zoom announcing his latest squad.

      Concern was heightened due to Southgate’s age but his fitness helped him fight off the virusCredit: AP:Associated Press

      He was in good spirits during the press conference ahead of the Nations League clash in BelgiumCredit: PA:Press Association
      England staff and players are regularly tested and Southgate, capped 57 times before becoming boss in 2016, has had several negative checks since.
      He works out and jogs daily — once dislocating his shoulder on a run ahead of the 2018 World Cup.

      He’s a professional, he just got on with it.

      The same year he showed his stamina and fitness on Bear Grylls’ ITV wilderness survival show.
      Grylls said: “The wild always rewards commitment and courage, and Gareth has both of these qualities in spades.”
      Southgate showed no after-effects of the virus during Thursday’s win over Ireland at Wembley.
      He was also in good spirits in yesterday’s press conference ahead of tonight’s Nations League clash in Belgium.
      Southgate has been a staunch admirer of the NHS throughout the Covid pandemic.

      Southgate has opened up about his rise to the top in his new book

      My fight to get to the top

      By Jane Atkinson

      ENGLAND manager Gareth Southgate has opened up about the setbacks that nearly made him turn down the top job and once left him feeling such “humiliation” he felt embarrassed picking his children up from school.
      Gareth shares his life lessons in an inspirational book written in conjunction with The Prince’s Trust that aims to advise youngsters who lack the confidence to achieve their full potential.
      He reveals: “After three years in my role as manager at Middlesbrough, I was sacked. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. It just felt like a humiliation.
      “On the school pick-up run, I felt like everyone was looking at me, and then I had to tell my kids. It was hard not to take it personally, and my self-esteem took a hit. It felt like I had failed in the job.
      “Then again, I reminded myself, I had been in a similar situation as a player. I knew that I could come through this.
      “As a schoolboy, I started training one evening a week with Southampton.
      “A lot of the apprentice players were brimming with confidence. Being the quiet one, it meant I really stood out. I didn’t help myself on my first day of training. I wore my school shirt and trousers, only to find that everyone else was in a tracksuit or jeans. It felt like a disaster before I’d even started.
      “The coach, Alan Smith, called me in and said, ‘You’re a lovely bloke but as a footballer you’ve got no chance’.
      “If I can go from a skinny, introverted teenager who was told he wouldn’t make it as a player to someone who played and managed his country then I’m a clear example that ‘anything is possible’.”
      Anything is Possible by Gareth Southgate is published by Century on Nov 26 at £16.99. Gareth will donate all proceeds from the book to the Prince’s Trust Future Leaders initiative.

      In March he urged fans to stay at home to help our hospitals.
      He said: “Life is very different for us all at the moment and sport rightfully stands aside to support a more important cause during these unprecedented times.’’
      In May he agreed to a 30 per cent cut in his £5million salary to help the NHS.
      Southgate also delighted two frontline workers by calling them personally to thank them.
      Southgate said: “It’s important the nation gets behind those playing their part in helping to return society to a sense of normality.”
      Last month, his preparations for the Wales game were thrown into chaos after Three Lions stars Tammy Abraham, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho breached Covid rules.

      His key tips

      BE brave. It takes courage to admit aspects of our personality need to shape up. Addressing our weaknesses can be a challenging but rewarding process.
      BE kind. Our conduct is key. We can fight our way to the top or play fairly to our strengths.
      FOLLOW your dreams. Breaking down a challenge makes it manageable. Take one step at a time making every step count.

      They attended a party with dozens of other guests, forcing furious Southgate to drop them.
      He said rules were being broken across the nation, adding: “There is a lot of disharmony now. We are all in this situation together.’’
      England will play Iceland at Wembley on Wednesday after the visitors got permission to fly from Denmark – where they play today.

      Gareth Southgate announces England squad for Ireland, Belgium and Iceland clashes
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