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    Callum Hudson-Odoi transfer exit a possibility before deadline day, admits Chelsea boss Frank Lampard

    FRANK LAMPARD admitted he cannot say for certain that Callum Hudson-Odoi will not make a deadline-beating move to Bayern Munich.
    The Chelsea chief insists Hudson-Odoi, who made his first Prem start of the season in yesterday’s 4-0 win over Crystal Palace, is a key part of his plans.

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    Callum Hudson-Odoi is once again being courted by Bayern MunichCredit: Rex Features

    Yet Bayern also declared their interest in the England attacker and are desperate to sign him.
    Hudson-Odoi, 19, only signed a five-year deal at the Blues 12 months ago and Lampard will hold talks with him before tomorrow’s deadline.
    Lampard said: “There is no definitive answer — by Monday we will know the answer.
    “Bayern might have declared their interest, which is one thing, but Callum is absolutely part of my plans.

    “What Callum wants comes into consideration.
    “He is our player and everything has to be right for everyone.
    “Callum showed what we wanted, especially in the second half when he was more aggressive, took on the full-back and got crosses in.”
    Bayern were linked with Hudson-Odoi before he agreed to his long-term contract with Chelsea.

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    Frank Lampard has refused to rule out a move away for Callum Hudson-OdoiCredit: PA:Press Association

    And they remain big fans, with boss Hansi Flick hailing the Chelsea attacker as ‘one of the biggest talents’.
    Quizzed over Hudson-Odoi in a press conference, Flick said: “I don’t know what will happen.
    “But he is one of the biggest talents in his position. So it is normal that a club like Bayern deals with him.”

    Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi shows off amazing ball control with Christian Pulisic More

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    Man Utd’s transfer priority should be a centre-forward and centre-back NOT Jadon Sancho, claims Teddy Sheringham

    TEDDY SHERINGHAM says Manchester United need a world-class signing — but not Jadon Sancho.
    The former United and Spurs star believes bringing in a top-class centre-forward or centre-back — or preferably both — should be the priority at Old Trafford.

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    Manchester United should not be prioritising a move for Jadon Sancho, according to Teddy SheringhamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Red Devils legend Teddy Sheringham believes his old club need a centre-back and a centre-forwardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Sheringham said: “I’m not sure that Sancho is the answer to what Manchester United need at the moment.
    “They’ve got tricky wingers. They’ve got flying players. If anything, they still need players down the spine of the team.
    “If they are going to be a top team, they need a top centre- forward and another top centre-half to play alongside Maguire.
    “You look at Liverpool and the signings they have made, Thiago and Jota. They are fantastic acquisitions, to make them even better than they were last year.

    “Have Man Utd done that? I don’t think so.”
    And Sheringham knows from experience that big-name transfers can have not only a direct effect on a team, but can also have an indirect impact on an entire club.
    Sheringham said: “I go back to when Jurgen Klinsmann came to Tottenham.
    “He was the biggest lift I’ve ever known at a football club.

    They’ve got tricky wingers. They’ve got flying players. If anything, they still need players down the spine of the team.
    Teddy Sheringham on Jadon Sancho

    “Around that time, Ossie Ardiles was the manager and he actually told me he was thinking about signing Maradona. I was like, ‘Wow, Ossie, let’s do it’.
    “About ten days later he came to me and said, ‘Look, I’m not going to sign Maradona. There’s too much baggage with him. But I think you’ll like his replacement — Jurgen Klinsmann.’
    “I was blown away by his name and by the way he came in and trained and played and lifted the whole club.”
    Sheringham believes the second coming of Gareth Bale at Tottenham is already having a similar impact, even before the Welshman has kicked a ball for the club.
    The former England striker, who had two spells at Spurs, said: “I can’t think of a better signing, apart from Lionel Messi, that Tottenham could have made to make them a better team all round.
    “I think he’s already lifted everybody just by being at the club. When he starts playing, it will be even better.

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    Jurgen Klinsmann’s arrival at Tottenham lifted the whole clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “That presence of a top player again, on the pitch, just gives you so much. It gives other people a bit more space.
    “When Bale plays, there’s going to be a defender on him plus a midfield player looking out for him, plus the winger, and that gives other people space on the pitch.
    “He might not play 50 games out of 50 for Tottenham. But the 30 games that he will play, I think he’ll be a great acquisition. A fantastic signing.”
    But Sheringham says the jury is still very much out on whether Jose Mourinho is the right man to take Spurs forward.
    He believes that if Mourinho can win a trophy and/or take Tottenham back into the Champions League, supporters will tolerate the team playing less attractive football.
    He said: “I know they were very good in the League Cup against Chelsea but that’s the first time I’ve seen it from a Tottenham team under Jose, I think.
    “I think he still needs to prove to everyone in the Tottenham camp, to the supporters, that he can get back to when he first came over and was managing Chelsea.
    “Winning would be enough, right this minute.

    I think he still needs to prove to everyone in the Tottenham camp, to the supporters, that he can get back to when he first came over and was managing Chelsea.
    Teddy Sherringham on Jose Mourinho

    “I know a lot of Tottenham supporters and I think they would take a George Graham sort of 1-0, 1-0, 1-0, to take them to cup finals and win the cup finals, or even better than that, to get you up the league.
    “He’s been brought in because Daniel Levy’s thinking on the matter is, ‘Sod all this fancy football and not winning anything, we need to start competing and winning stuff’.
    “Hopefully that’s the reaction you are going to get from Jose and his players.”
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Sheringham’s old United team-mate and fellow 1999 European Cup Final goalscorer, is also under pressure to take United forward.
    Sheringham said: “He’s the nicest man I’ve ever met in football. He has a lovely family, lovely wife and two kids.
    “I was so surprised to hear that he was going into football management.
    “I thought he might be too nice, but I think he’s adapted to it very well.
    “He’s still a very young manager so he’s going to make mistakes and he’s going to be naive in certain aspects.

    “At the moment, I think he’s doing OK. He has to do better than last season.
    “If there is progression in the football club, I think you keep your manager.
    “As soon as there isn’t progression, the question marks are going to be out.
    “If you’re going to go one better than last year, you’ve got to be winning things and finishing closer to the top teams.”
    A big signing would be a big help to Solskjaer. Just not necessarily Sancho.

    Man Utd open Ousmane Dembele transfer talks with Barcelona as they eye season-long loan amid Jadon Sancho struggles More

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    Chelsea ready to pay £100k a week to ship Loftus-Cheek out on loan with Blues desperate to get midfielder some game time

    RUBEN LOFTUS-CHEEK could be  loaned out on the ‘cheap’ — with Chelsea keen to get him some game time.
    Midfielder Loftus-Cheek, 24, might follow Ross Barkley out of Stamford Bridge as Frank Lampard shakes up his squad and looks to keep them sharp.

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    Southampton have been linked with a loan swoop for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, while Chelsea could reportedly offer him in part-exchange to West HamCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s fellow England midfielder Ross Barkley has already left Chelsea on loan for Aston VillaCredit: Reuters

    Loftus-Cheek is on a stunning £9million-a-year contract but Chelsea are prepared to pay £100,000 a week out of his £173,000 pay packet to get him a  new temporary home.
    Southampton have been looking into the package while others are considering it before the close of business on Monday.
    Saints are weighing up whether he is better value than Nice midfielder Wylan Cyprien, although his club want a guaranteed buy at the end of a year,
    Aston Villa looked into a move but chose Barkley, who is on MORE.

    There are also suggestions Chelsea would be prepared to offer West Ham Loftus-Cheek AND Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger in exchange for versatile England star Declan Rice.
    Lampard is thought to fancy Rice for the holding role in midfield.
    And the Stamford Bridge legend said of Loftus-Cheek last week: “I’m very open with Ruben.
    “We’ve had a couple of conversations in the past week.

    “Ruben’s fit as a fiddle, he can play week in week out if he needs to, coming off the back of a lot of work.
    “He would have been playing games and fitter earlier, if it wasn’t for lockdown.
    “There’s a possibility that Ruben may go out to play games, because I think that would be great for him.
    “We hold him in very high regard here, I certainly do, and that could be a good option for him.
    “If that’s not the right option, he’ll be competitive in this squad as well, because of the quality that he has, and, hopefully, be a big plus for us.” More

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    Said Benrahma risks transfer stalemate as Brentford ace demands £16m contract – putting off Premier League suitors

    SAID BENRAHMA wants a massive £16million contract as the race for the Brentford ace takes an expensive turn.
    Speedy winger Benrahma was expected to be one of the Bees to fly the nest after the club missed out on the Premier League.

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    Said Benrahma is looking for a big Premier League paydayCredit: AP:Associated Press

    But despite Crystal Palace leading the hunt for the Algerian, 25, no deal has been finalised because of the  overall cost of the transfer.
    Benrahma, who also has a couple of advisers, seemed sure to leave but he is looking for a basic of £60,000-a-week plus extras — and a five-year contract.
    On top of a fee in the £20m region, it makes the whole swoop too rich for his admirers — although there is still time for him to get a Premier home in the extended window.
    Palace may come again if West Brom firm up their interest in a deal for winger Andros Townsend — though the Baggies may struggle to raise the funds.

    Albion like the former England international and would pay around £6m, while Eagles are reluctant to part unless they get a replacement.
    Townsend has started the season well for boss Roy Hodgson, so West Brom will have to push hard to make the move happen.

    But after Palace went down 4-0 to Chelsea on Saturday, Benrahma’s chance of becoming an Eagle may have improved.
    The talented star showed top flight clubs what he can do in midweek after helping Brentford batter Prem side Fulham 3-0 in the Carabao Cup.

    The Bees got revenge for their play-off final defeat at Wembley to Scott Parker’s side and Benrahma was at the heart of the display – bagging two goals including a sensational solo strike.

    Said Benrahma proves he has the right moves in Brentford training More

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    Crewe facing police and EFL investigations over alleged coronavirus breaches before postponed Oxford clash

    CREWE are facing a dual police and EFL probe for acting like Covidiots at Oxford.
    Furious U’s boss Karl Robinson accused the Alex of breaking coronavirus rules after one of their players tested positive and another showed symptoms.

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    Oxford boss Karl Robinson fumed at Crewe’s behaviourCredit: Alamy Live News

    Saturday’s League One game between the sides was only called off 32 minutes before kick-off.
    BBC Radio Stoke claimed Railwaymen midfielder Ryan Wintle had tested positive for Covid-19, with team-mate Omar Beckles reporting being unwell.
    Crewe said in a statement a player had been “notified this morning that he is Covid-19 positive” — yet Oxford claim he still travelled with the team to the ground instead of self-isolating.
    And Robinson insisted Crewe still wanted to play the match.

    The U’s chief stormed: “All the players have been in our dressing room but I’ll refrain from commenting on that.
    “One of their players got tested because of a young child and that player still ate with the team that night and travelled on the team coach.
    “Crewe turned up about twenty-five to two and told us about what was going on — and that’s the first we heard of it.
    “They didn’t want the game called off but I did not think that was right.”

    Police are investigating MP Margaret Ferrier, who travelled from Glasgow to London with Covid symptoms then returned home after testing positive.
    She has been suspended by the SNP and the Met are looking at possible offences related to Health Protection Regulations.
    Crewe now face a similar probe, while an EFL spokesman confirmed last night they will be talking to the club about the incident.
    Crewe directors refused to comment before leaving the Kassam Stadium.
    But injured Oxford captain John Mousinho fumed: “A few players were uncomfortable about the notion of playing but, thankfully, the decision was  taken out of our hands.
    “They have been in our dressing room and it was a sensible decision to call the game off.
    “There are rumours Crewe knew about the positive test this morning and we are not happy about that. I’m glad it did come to light.

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    Oxford boss Karl Robinson pleads his caseCredit: Alamy Live News

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    Oxford’s squad hear their game is called offCredit: Alamy Live News
    “The worst thing would have been to play because there is contact out there on the pitch.
    “The lads were just not comfortable about playing and I was surprised when the Crewe players came out on to the pitch.
    “I don’t know why they were out there — we were baffled by that.”
    The match is expected to be rescheduled for Tuesday week.
    An EFL statement read: “Crewe has advised the EFL it is unable to fulfil the fixture as players and first-team staff are now required to self-isolate  in line with EFL and Government guidance.
    “A revised date for the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.”

    Watch as Andy Carroll juggles ball in box before scoring sublime goal for Newcastle in Crewe friendly More

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    Euros matches in England under threat as Govenment admit coronavirus could wipe out seven Wembley games

    THE GOVERNMENT admit they cannot guarantee the Euros will go ahead in England next summer.
    Secretary of State for Sport Oliver Dowden confessed the coronavirus pandemic could prevent Wembley staging its seven planned matches.

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    Secretary of State for Sport Oliver Dowden has worries over the Euros taking place in EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Asked yesterday whether it was realistic the Euros will be staged next June, Dowden told SunSport: “I very much hope so.
    “But, given this virus and the unpredictability of it, I can’t give a cast iron assurance.
    “Fans wouldn’t want it to go ahead if it wasn’t safe to do so.
    ⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

    “But if it is safe to do so, then, of course, we will work to achieve that.
    “We’re planning on that basis, but this disease is with us this winter.
    “In making decisions on this I’m going to be driven by the health first.”
    The Euros were to begin on June 12 this year — taking place in 12 cities across 12 Uefa countries.

    They were postponed until June 12 next year as a result of the global Covid-19 crisis.

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    Fans aren’t even allowed in stadiums in England – the Euros seem like a distant dreamCredit: Getty – Contributor
    But the recent spike in positive cases, forcing major European nations back into local lockdowns, has raised fears that the tournament may be thrown into turmoil.
    The UK’s spike also forced the Government to extend its ban on fans inside stadiums, with Premier League bosses fearing that will remain in place ALL season.
    Dowden’s comments come just 24 hours after Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp raised serious Covid concerns over players jetting across the globe to play for their countries during the upcoming international break.
    UEFA’S 30% CAPACITY TRIAL
    Wembley is scheduled to stage England’s three group games, plus a last 16 clash, both semis and the final.
    Uefa last week announced supporters will be allowed into stadiums for its tournaments with a 30 per cent stadium capacity limit.
    But Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “While we all face a common enemy in Covid, different countries have different challenges.
    “We will allow for a coherent approach on a country-by-country basis — not on a competition-by-competition basis.”
    When prompted if the Government will have a cut-off point on making a decision, Dowden added: “Yes, there will be one, but we have got time and we’ll be doing this with a view to making the Euros happen.
    “I really don’t want to delay them again. If you do then you start to get a tremendous backlog of sports, they start to run into one another.”

    Eddie Hearn leaves Matchroom bubble after testing positive for coronavirus More

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    Romelu Lukaku ‘laughing’ at Man Utd for allowing Inter Milan transfer, claims Berbatov

    DIMITAR BERBATOV says Romelu Lukaku is now “laughing” at Manchester United for selling him.
    The ex-Old Trafford striker believes the club need to sign a centre-back and a goalscorer — after flogging Lukaku to Inter Milan for £73million  last term.

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    Striker Romelu Lukaku has been in smiles better form since joining Inter Milan from Man UtdCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Dimitar Berbatov believes he has been proved right that it was a mistake for Man Utd to offload Romelu LukakuCredit: Getty – Contributor

    The Belgium frontman went on to hit 38 goals and already has three in two games for the Italians this term.
    Berbatov, 39, said: “I said letting him go was a mistake and now he’s probably sitting at home laughing.
    “I like the strikers United have but they need that goalscorer that guarantees you 30, 25, or 20 goals.”
    He told BBC 5 Live’s Friday Social: “ “I think United should buy a defender, a centre back, one or two. 

    “Lack of concentration, positioning, tactical discipline, awareness of where the strikers are.
    “Hopefully they will buy a defender before the transfer window is closing.”
    Former Spurs’ star Berbatov added: “Not long ago United was the team that was fighting for the title.

    “Now it’s a success if they get to top four, which I think is not right.

    “But times have changed. The teams on top now are Liverpool and City and they should measure themselves against these two teams.”
    “Not long ago United was the team that was fighting for the title.”

    Solskjaer reveals Man Utd ‘have been working’ on transfers but refuses to stick boot into Woodward over failed targets More

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    Man Utd on brink of Edinson Cavani transfer and think veteran can echo Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s impact

    MANCHESTER UNITED are on the brink of landing Edinson Cavani on a free transfer.
    And club insiders are convinced the Uruguay striker can have a similar impact on the club as cult hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

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    Free agent Edinson Cavani is set to join Manchester United on a two-year dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    The Red Devils are hoping Cavani will have a similar impact to Zlatan IbrahimovicCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Cavani, 33, was released by Paris Saint-Germain in June and is due in Manchester on Sunday ahead of agreeing a two-year contract worth about £200,000-a-week.
    As long as he passes the medical there should be no problems finalising a deal because both parties are determined to make it happen.
    Some fans are already voicing fears that the move will see the club plunge into a financial fiasco like the one that cost £66million in wages for flop Alexis Sanchez.
    But sources insist the top brass view it more like the move that saw Ibrahimovic become a terrace idol.

    Cavani’s wages will be half the salary Sanchez was on — and he is said to be desperate to prove himself in England.
    And United believe he will be a  boost to the development of their young strikers.
    He joined PSG from Napoli seven years ago and his 200 goals made him the club’s leading scorer.
    Atletico Madrid, Benfica and Inter Miami had all expressed an interest in him, but could not meet his wage demands.

    And while United will pay top dollar in salary, it is a far cry from the £108m Borussia Dortmund demanded for first-choice target Jadon Sancho.
    Last night Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc insisted Sancho was going nowhere.
    The England winger was missing from the squad for Saturday’s 4-0 win over Freiburg.
    But Zorc told Sky: “Jadon  is our player and he’s got a long-term contract with us.
    “He was ill — there’s no transfers reason, that’s why Jadon is not playing.”

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