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      Alex Morgan’s transfer move to Spurs is a real coup for the WSL and shows America is not THE place for stars to play

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      MOST England fans will remember Alex Morgan for trolling the entire English nation after she celebrated by “sipping the tea” in their World Cup semi-final clash.
      But as the striker, 31, prepares to embark on a short-term loan deal with Spurs until January 2021 – I can assure you, that you can expect SO much more from her.

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      Alex Morgan is a popular figure in the women’s game and one of the latest big names to make the move to the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: © 2019 SOPA Img

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      Morgan, 31, made headlines last year with her famous tea-sipping celebration during the USA’s World Cup semi-final win against EnglandCredit: PA:Press Association

      Her signing is a huge coup for the WSL and it’s huge for the North Londoners to land a player of that caliber, as they look to push on in only their second season in the top division.
      Morgan is one of the most high-profile names in world football, a two-time World Cup winner and 2012 Olympic gold medalist.
      Not to mention, she has 9.2MILLION followers on Instagram – more than Spurs’ official account – which shows just how huge this signing is for the club.

      She will join the familiar faces of her Orlando Pride team-mates Shelina Zadorsky and Alanna Kennedy who are also on loan deals with the club.
      As well as FOUR fellow USA World Cup winners in the league who have decided to cross the pond as the country continues to struggle with the Covid-19 pandemic.
      Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle signed for Manchester City, while Christen Press and Tobin Heath headed for rivals United last week.
      One of the main reasons Morgan has signed for Spurs on a short-term deal, is to increase her game time as she tries to win a place in the US squad for the delayed Tokyo Olympics.

      Which seems a shame, as I would love for her and the other players on loan to be invested in helping raise the standard of our league more longer term then short term.

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      Alex Morgan made headlines last week after Tottenham announced their signing of the World Cup winner Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Morgan will look to make her debut for Tottenham barely FOUR months after giving birthCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
      And I’m obviously gutted she decided to join Spurs and not Arsenal!
      In August, Morgan made her return to action after the birth of her daughter Charlie on 7 May, but she left the pitch after a heavy collision.
      And the strike sensation will look to make her debut for Tottenham barely FOUR months after giving birth.

      I am buzzing to see so many World Cup winners now playing on our doorstep because during my playing days America was the place to be

      Not that fitness has been a problem for her, if the clips on social media of her doing grueling workouts while nine months pregnant are anything to go by.
      The videos even drew the attention of popstar Justin Timberlake who was one of Morgan’s many admirers and called her a “beast.”
      On a more serious note, the American league set up a Fall Series tournament consisting of four matches until October 17, but the lack of a regular season has led to many players moving to Europe.
      The Series hasn’t done a very good job of keeping players around – with many stars from Megan Rapinoe to Julie Ertz opting out.

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      Manchester City’s Sam Mewis is among the NWSL stars who have made loan switches to the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And one player even pointed directly at the handling of Covid-19 in America as to why she’s pursuing football overseas.
      I am buzzing to see so many World Cup winners now playing on our doorstep because during my playing days America was the place to be.
      The tables have clearly turned and Alex Morgan’s decision to play in OUR league is the cherry on the cake.

      Dele Alli gets debate about ‘top three best chocolate bars’ going on Tottenham’s new Amazon doc – and is NOT Bounty fan More

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      Havertz, Werner and Ziyech transfers give Chelsea the creativity to open teams up AND then clinically punish them

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      FOR Frank Lampard, it is at Stamford Bridge where he hopes his new signings will have the biggest impact.
      Last season, the Blues had the worst home form in the top six and West Ham scored as many as them.

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      Timo Werner is a deadly finisher and will relish Chelsea’s midfield creativity

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      Fellow new boy Kai Havertz will add a much needed creative streak

      In comparison, only three teams got more points than them on the road and only Man City scored more goals.
      It showed where their strengths were in the last campaign – on the counter and with less of the ball.
      At home, they struggled, mainly because teams knew how to get one over on them; sitting back and giving them the ball and looking to frustrate.
      But now, Lampard’s Chelsea finally have the players creative enough to open teams up – and then be clinical enough to take full advantage.

      The likes of Kai Havertz operate best in tight spaces, and the young German midfielder will add that extra dynamic when opening up tight defences.
      And when fit, that’s exactly what Hakim Ziyech can bring also from out wide.
      And in Timo Werner, they have a deadly finisher that rarely lets chances pass him by – a dream attacking partner for someone like Havertz.
      Lampard now has gamechangers in his squad – both in his starting XI and also on the bench to really mix it with both Liverpool and Man City this year.

      And importantly, he has the ability to do it the Jurgen Klopp way or the Pep Guardiola way.
      Klopp’s Liverpool have a predictable and consistent starting XI – last season they had seven players who started 30 games or more.
      And with Pep’s City, you never really know what system and what faces he will go with when the team sheets come out, partly because of the strength in depth that he has.

      Lampard can now do it both ways. If his team is playing well he can stick with one line-up, but if he encounters issues or wants to adapt for new opposition he can do as well.
      Sometimes we get carried away with new signings and expect a manager to get them all into the starting XI at the same time, but that should not be the case.
      And Frank may be seen as the good guy in football, but he has shown from last season and with Derby County that he is not afraid to make tough decisions and leave out big names.

      Whether it is Werner, Havertz, Ziyech, Ben Chilwell or Thiago Silva, I am sure all will taste the subs bench at some point this season.
      But it will be done to reach the club’s collective goal – bridging the gap between Man City and Liverpool. They finished 33 points behind the latter last year.
      Where that begins is the start of the season. At the start of the last campaign Chelsea won just two of their first six games. They cannot afford to do that this time around.

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      Eden Hazard steps up training after angering Real Madrid by returning from summer break overweight More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘£615k engagement ring’ for Georgina Rodriguez is most expensive for a Wag

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has topped the footballers’ engagement ring league by giving his fiancée the most expensive sparkler.
      The Juventus star is thought to have splashed about £615,000 on the diamond number for Georgina Rodriguez.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo splashed over £600,000 on Georgina Rodriguez’s engagement ringCredit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina fuelled speculation Cristiano Ronaldo had bought her the £615,000 engagement ring by commenting on this Instagram postCredit: Social media

      According to GamblingDeals, who compiled a list of the most expensive engagement rings in football, England keeper Jordan Pickford was second on £500,000 for wife Megan Davison.
      Ashley Cole’s £275,000 ring for ex-wife Cheryl ranked third.
      But England ace Harry Kane was just tenth with £180,000 for wife Katie Goodland, according to jeweller Roseanna Croft.
      Georgina and Ronaldo have two-year-old daughter Alana together and are raising his other three children – surrogate twins Eva and Mateo, three, and ten-year-old Cristiano Jr.

      The couple first enjoyed on a string of dates towards the end of 2016.

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      Ronaldo is thought to have asked the Spanish beauty to marry him in 2018.
      The former Manchester United forward, who donated huge sums of money to help medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis, has always insisted they will wed.
      Telling Piers Morgan of the couple’s “true love” on ITV last year, he added: “She helped me so much. Of course, I’m in love with her.

      “We’ll be [married] one day, for sure. It’s my mum’s dream as well.”
      Georgina has been snapped wearing a ring a number of times and in 2018 gave the biggest hint she was engaged to Ronaldo by commenting on a post of a Cartier sparkler.
      The shop assistant-turned-model posted four heart-eyes emojis in response to a snap of the ring Ronaldo is rumoured to have bought her.

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      She was seen sporting the diamond sparkler at a glamorous party Credit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina showed off another huge sapphire ring on Instagram last month Credit: georginagio/Instagram

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      Ronaldo has always insisted they’ll get hitchedCredit: Instagram

      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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      Cristiano Ronaldo splurged £615k on engagement ring for Georgina Rodriguez – the most expensive for a Wag

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      CRISTIANO Ronaldo has topped the footballers’ engagement ring league by giving his fiancée the most expensive sparkler.
      The Juventus star splashed about £615,000 on the diamond number for Georgina Rodriguez.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo splashed over £600,000 on Georgina Rodriguez’s engagement ringCredit: Instagram @cristiano

      Georgina fuelled speculation by commenting on Cartier’s Instagram post

      England keeper Jordan Pickford was second on £500,000 for wife Morgan Davison.
      Ashley Cole’s £275,000 ring for ex-wife Cheryl ranked third.
      But England ace Harry Kane was just tenth with £180,000 for wife Katie Goodland, according to jeweller Roseanna Croft.
      Georgina and Ronaldo have two-year-old daughter Alana together and are raising his other three children – surrogate twins Eva and Mateo, three, and ten-year-old Cristiano Jr.

      The couple first enjoyed on a string of dates towards the end of 2016.
      Ronaldo is thought to have asked the Spanish beauty to marry him in 2018.

      Who is queen Wag?

      ACCORDING to a study by GamblingDeals, the top ten biggest prices paid by footy players were:

      Ronaldo & Georgina Rodriguez – £615,000
      Jordan Pickford & Morgan Davison – £500,000
      Ashley Cole & Cheryl – £275,000
      Kyle Walker & Annie Kilner – £250,000
      Wayne & Coleen Rooney – £250,000
      Rio Ferdinand & Kate Wright – £250,000
      John & Toni Terry – £250,000
      Peter Crouch & Abbey Clancy – £200,000
      Jack Wilshere & Andriani Michael – £180,000
      Harry Kane & Katie Goodland – £180,000

      Ronaldo, who donated huge sums of money to help medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis, has always insisted they will wed.
      Telling Piers Morgan of the couple’s “true love” on ITV last year, he added: “She helped me so much. Of course, I’m in love with her.

      “We’ll be [married] one day, for sure. It’s my mum’s dream as well.”

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      She was seen sporting the diamond sparkler at a glamorous party Credit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina showed off another huge sapphire ring on Instagram last month Credit: georginagio/Instagram

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      Ronaldo has always insisted they’ll get hitchedCredit: Instagram

      A loved-up Cristiano Ronaldo kisses Georgina while they dance to live music after dinner with pals
      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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      Said Benrahma set to join Crystal Palace as Eagles win £20m transfer race for Brentford forward

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      SAID BENRAHMA is ready to join Crystal Palace as they look set to win the £20million race for the Brentford flier.
      The Eagles have waited weeks for the right moment to go in for the Algerian wide-man and are keen to avoid an auction.

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      Crystal Palace have jumped ahead of Aston Villa and West Ham in the race to sign £20million-rated Said Benrahma

      Now Palace have stepped in after main rivals Aston Villa and West Ham turned down the chance of snapping up the exciting and unpredictable winger.
      Benrahma, 25, wants to play in the Premier League and is also happy to stay in the London area.
      So Palace could be able to pull off their latest coup shortly, having already signed fellow Championship star Eberechi Eze from QPR. 
      The move will give boss Roy Hodgson another attacking option and more width, but also puts the pressure on Andros Townsend.

      The former England cap could even be squeezed out if the right offer comes in as Palace do their own changing of the guard.

      Belgian side Club Brugge are also keen on Christian Benteke and could land the flop striker for £10m.
      Wages would be a problem but the Belgians found a way around that obstacle when they signed Simon Mignolet from Liverpool.
      Elsewhere, Palace are keen to send young Scottish midfielder Scott Banks to League One Rochdale on loan for the season.

      Crystal Palace complete £15m transfer for QPR ace Eberechi Eze after beating Premier League rivals to the attacker More

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      Greenwood and Foden were stupid and senseless… I pray they learn from this scandal

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      IF you’re waiting for the heavy hand of justice to come crashing down on bad boys Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden, don’t hold your breath.
      Football doesn’t work that way.

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      Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden were stupid and senseless but need to learn from this scandalCredit: PA:Press Association

      I’ve been raving about these two youngsters for a while now, Manchester United’s Greenwood in particular.
      I’ve been keeping an eye on his progress for the past three years and he looks set to become one of the Premier League and England’s best players.
      Foden is one of the most highly rated players of the next generation and will become a star at Manchester City.
      And that is part of the problem.

      What they did by sneaking two women into the England hotel last weekend was not just silly, rash behaviour by two boisterous young lads, high on life.
      In the current circumstances, they could have brought all manner of problems into the bio-secure bubble of the England camp.
      The fallout could have gone way beyond embarrassment and shame. It was orchestrated, pre-planned deceit.
      We all know what happens when boy meets girl, a few drinks are taken and then things occur. But this wasn’t that.

      I have no personal vendetta against these boys. I pray they learn from this episode and, ultimately, it makes them better people.
      They were stupid and senseless. England manager Gareth Southgate has said the pair of hot-headed twits need to regain his trust before he can consider recalling them to his England squad.
      But when you are players of this sort of calibre, punishments rarely fit the crime. It’s how the system works in our game.
      In a couple of months, nobody will probably even mention an incident which put so much at risk for the sake of a few overheating hormones.
      That’s because good players get away with things.
      That’s how it has been and always will be.
      As a former manager, I have to admit being guilty of it myself. When you need your best players out on the pitch, you are caught between a rock and a hard place.
      The fact England are involved in a friendly against Wales next and then these two-bob Uefa Nations League matches nobody cares about, makes it even more convenient.

      I have an inkling Jack Grealish would have been bombed out of the England squad — possibly for good — if he’d been caught in this situation.
      Harry Redknapp

      I do wonder if, say, this was Jack Grealish involved in such a blatant breaking of the rules, what this would mean for his international hopes?
      I get a funny feeling he is not liked quite so much as Foden and Greenwood.
      I can’t say for sure, of course, but I have an inkling Aston Villa’s Grealish would have been bombed out of the England squad — possibly for good — if he’d been caught in this situation.
      Players never learn from previous generations, I find. So I would suggest managers need to sit down with young players and openly discuss the pitfalls of losing self-discipline in this manner.
      I know about life, especially at my age of 73.
      As manager at West Ham and Tottenham, we had characters that tested the boundaries for sure.
      One Christmas, the West Ham players came to me and said they planned to hire an open-top bus with a jazz band to take them from the training ground near Romford, into London’s West End.
      We were bottom of the league at the time and I pointed out that the route would take them through East London and the West Ham fans digging the road, or working on building sites, would probably lob bricks at them as they rolled past.
      CHRISTMAS CHAOS
      They took the point and downgraded their plans to just a minibus up to a nightclub.
      Even then we found out later that on the way home, a couple of players had set light to some of the seats.
      The club had to pay for the damage but we made sure we fined all the players to get the money back.
      At Spurs, there was the famous incident where I was asked in a press conference about the Christmas party and I revealed I had banned it.
      Unfortunately for me, I was too late telling the players and the day before they had all gone to Dublin on a bender and got wasted.
      Not only was I embarrassed but they had beaten me to it, so I could not punish them as I’d left it too late to lay down the law.
      I wish all the best for Greenwood and Foden, I really do.
      But they have to realise the magnitude of what they have done first in order to move on.
      FRANK MUST DELIVER NOW
      CHELSEA will have to do better this season.
      Frank Lampard is honest enough to admit that as he enters his second year as manager.

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      Frank Lampard knows there is room for improvement after his first season as boss at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But as they prepare for their first game tomorrow at Brighton he has had plenty of financial backing to make sure they improve.
      However, regardless of what is spent, if you’re not good enough, you get sacked.
      Frank did well with the squad he had last season. Finishing in the top four was considered enough by the owner clearly — or else he’d have been given the boot.
      No board of directors takes into account the budget they have provided for players etc. If you miss the targets, you’re out.
      I guess that’s what Frank refers to as the ‘non-negotiables’. Well, those targets will have changed this season for sure and Chelsea must finish higher than fourth and get a cup. And I think he’ll take all that in his stride.
      TIME FOR MOUR GLORY
      CHAIRMAN Daniel Levy says it is time for Tottenham to start delivering trophies. Bet Jose Mourinho couldn’t agree more.
      He is a serial winner and will want to target a cup this year to get some momentum building.

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      Jose Mourinho and Daniel Levy will be as desperate as each other to win a trophy for Tottenham this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Tottenham’s boss should target the EFL Cup. Yes, it is considered second rate by the elite clubs but it can be a springboard to more glory.
      The top teams rest their best players and so it could be an easy get — and the fans would love it.
      Players will compete for anything. It’s how you drive them in training every week. They want to know there is something at the end for them in return.
      Of course, Tottenham could win the FA Cup, too, as they have a great squad.
      Go back to last summer and on paper you’d have taken theirs over Chelsea’s.
      I say don’t be shy about going for the EFL Cup, Jose. It could be the key to unlocking the door.

      Southgate says he would have sent Foden and Greenwood home from England duty in disgrace regardless of Covid-19 breaches More

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      Man City hope Sergio Aguero can make Prem opener vs Wolves despite knee surgery in June

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      MANCHESTER CITY hope Sergio Aguero will be fit for the start of the season after a rapid recovery from injury.
      The Argentine striker, 32, had knee surgery in late June and was expected to miss the beginning of the campaign.

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      Sergio Aguero is aiming to be back for Manchester City’s opener after knee surgeryCredit: AP:Associated Press

      But he has made quick progress in his rehabilitation.
      And he could now be available to boss Pep Guardiola for their clash with Wolves on September 21.
      SunSport understands Aguero is now pain free and his mobility is improving.

      City are hopeful he will be back in action within the next week, handing them a welcome boost. Guardiola’s side are starting their Premier League campaign, along with Manchester United, a week later.
      They only finished the 2019-20 season just over three weeks ago when they were knocked out of the Champions League by Lyon.
      Aguero missed the 3-1 quarter-final defeat, along with the majority of their run-in.
      City are in line for a £4.5million windfall if Jason Denayer joins Napoli in the transfer window.

      The Italians are looking for a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, who ironically is on City’s radar.

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      And they are weighing up a £22.5m swoop for the Belgian centre-back, who is captain of Lyon.
      City negotiated a healthy sell-on clause when they sold him to the French side two years ago.
      And it could help fund the move for Koulibaly, or one of the other players being tracked by Guardiola.

      The chances of agreeing a deal for the Senegalese seem increasingly slim, with the two clubs miles apart on their valuation.
      Napoli want around £80m for him but City believe that is unrealistic for a 29-year-old.
      The Italian club’s boss Gennaro Gattuso said: “Koulibaly has a precise asking price and if the club doesn’t get the money, he won’t leave.”

      Lionel Messi tells Sergio Aguero off live on Twitch as he tells Man City star to ‘stop messing around and go see physio’ More

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      Jadon Sancho’s Man Utd transfer won’t happen unless Dortmund reduce price as clubs ‘s*** themselves’ at Covid return

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      PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are calling a halt to transfer business amid growing fears about a second wave of coronavirus.
      The impact of the pandemic is a major factor in Manchester United’s reluctance to pay Borussia Dortmund £100million for Jadon Sancho.

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      Jadon Sancho could remain at Borussia Dortmund this seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the uncertainty about when or if fans will be able to return, not to mention the possibility of a new lockdown, is putting the frighteners on almost every club except big-spending Chelsea.
      A source said: “Covid is back and everyone is s***ting themselves.
      “Most clubs have spent all their money and those that haven’t are concerned about doing business in the current situation.
      “What if a major sponsor comes to you and says it can’t pay?

      “What are you going to do? Sue them?
      “There has to be doubt about whether the Champions League and Europa League can go ahead.”
      Rising infection rates in the UK and across Europe are a body blow to football’s hopes of emerging from the crisis.
      United will miss out on up to £5m for every match played behind closed doors, with Arsenal facing a similar shortfall.

      Unless Dortmund reduce the asking price for Sancho, 20, the much-touted deal will not happen.
      The cancellation of the Premier League’s £564m TV deal in China has just added to the crisis.
      Most clubs are likely to wait to see how things pan out and use the first three weeks of the season to assess if they still need to strengthen squads.

      Man Utd target Jadon Sancho embarrasses team-mate so badly in Dortmund training he is walked off pitch in pity More