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      Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock admits he has never suffered such a frustrating transfer window ahead of Watford clash

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      NEIL WARNOCK is “bitterly disappointed” with Middlesbrough’s transfer window and admits he has never experienced one like it.
      The 71-year-old saved the Teessiders from relegation after taking over with eight games to go last season and is preparing for tonight’s Championship kick-off at Watford.

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      Neil Warnock admits Middlesbrough’s transfer window has left him frustratedCredit: PA:Press Association
      Yesterday he secured experienced goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli on a season-long loan deal from Fulham to add to the free transfer arrival of Grant Hall from QPR earlier in the summer.
      But Warnock says he expected to have at least four or five new faces on board before the trip to Vicarage Road but has so far failed to land the two strikers and midfielder he wants.
      However, despite the lack of new arrivals to bolster his depleted squad, the veteran remains upbeat about getting extra bodies in to boost Boro’s promotion hopes before the October deadline.

      Warnock said: “I did expect us to have four or five players by now if I’m honest when I took over at the start of the season, but for one reason or another, it’s not been possible.
      “I am bitterly disappointed at that, but we’ve just got to get on with it.
      “I’m happy with the lads we do have, but it’s clear we need to get players in.
      “You look at our bench and it’s very fragile at the minute. There’s no point kidding ourselves about that.

      “But we know what we have to do and just for one reason or another we’ve not been able to get them in.
      “I’ve spoken to quite a number of players over the past few weeks and we’ve just not been able to get them over the line.
      “We’ve just got to keep positive, and also try and get the best out of what I’ve got. They’re a good group and this will be a great challenge for us.”

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      Marcus Bettinelli will make his debut at Watford after joining Boro on loanCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Due to the unique landscape created by the financial impact of the Covid outbreak, Warnock concedes that clubs, including Boro, must be sensible in the market.
      Although he admitted he has found it the most difficult one of his long career.
      Warnock, who has named Britt Assombalonga as new club captain, said: “I think there’s a mixture of quite a few things not helping us.
      “We’ve lost ten players since Covid. The reality is, we escaped relegation on the last day of the season and the squad is very, very thin and we’ve got to get players in.
      “We are all aware of that. I’ve never seen a market so difficult, if I’m honest. We just have to remain positive and do the best we can.
      “We’ve been close to three of four over the summer and for one reason or another we’ve just not got them over the line.
      “To go for four or five players and not get any of them over the line, that’s something that’s never happened before for me.

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      Britt Assombalonga has been named new Boro captainCredit: Getty Images
      “I think a lot of players are maybe still expecting what was on the table 12 months ago. It’s a different ball game now because of this pandemic.
      “But we haven’t been able to get deals over the line for various reasons.
      “We’re all disappointed – everybody at the club – that we’ve not got more bodies in. But that’s life at the moment. You’ve just got to carry on.
      “I always believed we needed four or five new players if we were to get into the top areas of the league, and I’m still optimistic we can bring some in.”
      Former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo, now a free agent, is believed to be heading to the North East to finalise a move over the coming days.

      And Wigan midfielder Sam Morsy is another of Warnock’s top targets.
      Warnock added: “I’ve been asked about 15 players since the start of the summer who we’ve supposedly been close to getting over the line.
      “So until I actually see someone sign on the dotted line I can only be optimistic.”

      Neil Warnock leaves fans in hysterics as Cardiff boss stares into TV camera More

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      Footie fan who missed 1966 World Cup final through illness set to make thousands by selling ticket

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      A MASSIVE football fan who missed the 1966 World Cup final due to a sudden illness is now flogging the ticket he never got to use. 
      Dave Courtney was 13 when he missed the biggest game in English sporting history when he fell ill through being tired from going to most of the tournament’s games. 

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      Dave Courtney missed the 1966 World Cup final due to illness
      The 67-year-old footy fanatic was so ill he cannot even remember celebrating the historic win.
      Now the retired crane driver is selling the ticket which was returned to him after being given to a stranger to attend instead. 
      It will go up for auction alongside other 19 tickets from the tournament and the back of a Wembley seat taken on the day of the final. 
      It is expected to fetch thousands when it goes under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire.

      Dave, of Stafford, Staffs, said: “I got up to go to the game but just felt too ill.
      “I think I was just tired out because, until that point, I’d been to all the World Cup Group B games which included West Germany, Switzerland, Argentinaand Spain.
      “I was at a quarter final match, both semi-finals, the third and fourth place play-offs – and I had a ticket for the final. But I never got to use it – someone else did.”
      Football fatigue kicked in after Dave, one of the youngest amateur football managers in the UK in the 1960s, went to four World Cup games in the space of a week just before the final. 

      TICKET COLLECTION
      The busy schedule included two trips to London and another to Everton’s ground, Goodison Park in Liverpool.
      He added: ““I got up on the day of the final and just felt totally lifeless. 
      “I had been travelling to the World Cup games with a Stafford company called Greatrex Coaches and they sent someone round for my ticket when my dad told them I was too ill to make the game.
      “Afterwards they returned the ticket to me, minus the stub, but to this day I have no idea who used it.”
      The disappoint lingers – 54 years on – but Dave’s 1966 World Cup dream could come to life in another way when his collection of 20 tickets from the event, plus the back of a Wembley seat used during England’s finest footballing hour, come up for sale at Hansons Auctioneers where they are expected to fetch thousands. 
      Dave added:  “I’ve kept the tickets in a scrap book since the 60s, then in 2016, the 50th anniversary of England’s World Cup win, I started collecting other tickets from the 1966 tournament.
      “There are 32 World Cup 66 tickets in total and I have 20 of them – plus the Wembley seat back. It was one of only 2,000 removed when the stadium closed in 2000.
      “The certificate of authenticity says it was specially installed ahead of the 1966 World Cup.

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      He is now set to sell his ticket and make thousandsCredit: Mark Laban Hansons

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      It was the biggest game in English sporting historyCredit: AFP – Getty

      “I suppose I could have one of the best collections of football memorabilia relating to the 1966 World Cup. I also have a programme from the event.”
      Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “As a huge football fan myself, this story really tugged at my heartstrings. 
      “How sad that Dave missed his big day out at Wembley – the 1966 World Cup final which turned into the most significant match in the history of English football.”

      Aston Villa sign Ollie Watkins from Brentford in club-record £33m transfer on five-year deal
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      Marcelo Bielsa can take Leeds back to the top.. and do it his way like Sinatra, claims Howard Wilkinson

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      MARCELO BIELSA is ready to take Leeds back to the top of the charts — by doing it his  way.
      That is the view of the club’s former title-winning boss Howard Wilkinson, who reckons Bielsa is the Frank Sinatra of the Premier League.

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      A giant mural of Marcelo Bielsa has been painted in LeedsCredit: Rex Features

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      The Argie tactician masterminded the Whites’ promotion bidCredit: PA:Press Association
      And although the 65-year-old Argentine has not got the voice of Ol’ Blue Eyes, Bielsa does possess the kind of star attraction that sets him apart from the chasing pack.
      Wilkinson, who was the boss in 1992 when Leeds last lifted the top-flight title, told SunSport: “I really admire Bielsa because he dares to be different.
      “That applies to what he does and how he is as a person. He’s got great belief in what he does and he’s able to get people around him to believe it too.
      “I suppose if he was a singer, he would be Frank Sinatra — he does it his way but funnily enough, I don’t think he’ll be prone to feeling too many regrets.

      “I like the way he doesn’t give a toss what other people might think or say about him because he knows what’s best for Leeds and he sticks to it.
      “But what makes him so different from Sinatra is that he’s clearly not bothered by the trappings of success or the need to impress others. He’s a one-off.”
      Wilkinson, now chairman of the League Managers’ Association, saw Bielsa win hearts and minds in west Yorkshire as Leeds stormed to the Championship title last season.
      The ex-England caretaker boss, 76, said: “The fans have really taken him to their hearts and that’s surely something that really must mean a lot, even to someone so down to earth.

      “There’s never ever a hint of him saying, ‘Look at me, aren’t I great?’ — because he’s a model of modesty and humility.
      “To see what he’s all about, just look at his touchline demeanour — the way he crouches, his dress sense but also where he calls home, or even the car he drives.
      “That disarming behaviour might be understated but will inspire those around him because it’s simple what-you-see-is-what-you-get, which players respond to.”

      Now back in England’s top division for the first time in 16 years, Leeds can look  forward to a Premier League opener at champions Liverpool on Saturday.
         But Wilkinson believes it is vital the club act to end the uncertainty over Bielsa’s future at Elland Road.
      He said: “As a manager, you’ve got to be able to work as if you’re going to be there for the rest of your life.
      “That’s why it’s vitally important they secure Bielsa’s services on a long-term basis.  If you don’t, you won’t convince the players and the directors of the best way forward to prosper in the Premier League.
      “You’ve got to plan for the long term because players engage more with the  journey than they do with the job.
      “So if they’ve got any sense, the powers-that-be will get Bielsa signed up to a long-term contract sooner rather than later.
      “I’m sure they will — because promotion after 16 long years outside the top flight is all the proof you need that they know what they’re doing.”

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      Wilkinson believes Leeds should take ‘inspiration’ from Burnley and also Sheffield United, who finished ninth last season after pipping Bielsa’s team to Championship promotion a year earlier.
      He said: “Who’d have thought little old Burnley would become an established Premier League side even though it’s a town of just 70,000 people?
      “But that’s down to the tremendous job Sean Dyche has done over the years and the faith the club put in him. And who would have thought that Sheffield United would hit the ground running in such an impressive way after promotion?
      “That’s down to Chris Wilder, who’s managed more than 1,000 games after starting off in non-league football with Alfreton.
      “It’s going to be tougher than ever for Leeds but sometimes you’ve got to win dirty, or scruffily.
      “And if the opportunity is there to improve the Leeds squad then they’ve got to grasp it.
      “There will be a lot of people who are wondering what all the fuss is about because Leeds have been out of the limelight for so long.
      “But Leeds should take heart from the fact that history proves they can live with the very best.
      “That said, they’ll need to be at it from the word ‘go’ because they won’t get 20 games to acclimatise in the Premier League.
      “The new fixture list sees Bielsa pitting his wits against Klopp at Anfield on the opening day of the season, followed by Pep Guardiola coming to Elland Road.
      “And then you’re off to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Wolves.
      “It could be a real baptism of fire. But whatever happens it will be exciting.

      “Leeds will have on their side a crowd  as raucous as they get. You know you’re in a game at Elland Road because the fans are so partisan.
      “Visiting players won’t know what’s hit them when Elland Road is full again because it’s an extraordinary theatre.”
      A theatre fit  for the Frank Sinatra of  football. More

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      Fara Williams says Lucy Bronze’s Man City transfer proves WSL is best in the world – but pay gap must be addressed

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      FARA WILLIAMS reckons Lucy Bronze’s return to the Women’s Super League proves the English top-flight is the best in the world.
      But the Lionesses icon, 36, says the pay gap between the top and bottom women’s clubs MUST be addressed before searching for equality with the men’s game.

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      Lucy Bronze signed for Man City after winning three consecutive Champions League trophies with LyonCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Reading ace Fara Williams believes the WSL is the best division in the world following the arrival of star signingsCredit: Rex Features
      Bronze signed for her former club Manchester City on a free transfer from European top dogs Lyon, on Tuesday.
      The 28-year-old won her third consecutive Champions League trophy with the French outfit last month.
      The result extended Lyon’s hold over the continent’s biggest women’s competition – as they nabbed the title for the seventh time in nine final appearances since 2010.
      But despite the French champ’s ever growing trophy cabinet – Bronze was tempted back to the Academy Stadium.

      She enjoyed her first stint with City in 2014 and helped the club win the WSL and Continental League Cup in 2016, as well as FA Cup a year later.
      Reading star, Williams, told SunSport: “The fact that Lucy Bronze wanted to come back highlights that our league has gone to a different level again.
      “I think she left to get better and to win trophies. And now she’s come back. I think that demonstrates where the league is at now.
      “There is a bigger attraction for those top players to want to play in our league.

      “I think we were very amateur when we started out and labelled professional really early on because people were trying to transition the game.
      “In terms of actually being professional and understanding it, I think the league was a bit behind, but now it has grown and developed.
      “You can see how professional all the teams and players now are and that attracts the big players.”
      Bronze is Gareth Taylor’s fifth summer signing, following the arrival of USA World Cup winners, Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle, Chloe Kelly from Everton, and Lyon’s Alex Greenwood.
      Chelsea bagged Denmark’s deadliest striker, Pernille Harder, for around £250,000 – a record-breaking fee in the women’s game.
      While Wales legend Jess Fishlock swapped stateside for the Madejski as part of a loan deal with Reading from OL Reign.
      But despite these new, glitzy, signings, Williams believes there are still players at smaller clubs struggling to make ends meet.

      “Before we start talking about bridging the gap between the men and the women, I think we have to bridge the gap between the top and the bottom women’s teams.
      Fara Williams

      England’s most-capped player said: “There’s a massive gap in the women’s game between salaries that are given at the top to middle and bottom clubs.
      “Before we start talking about bridging the gap between the men and the women, we have to bridge the gap between the top and the bottom women’s teams, so that females aren’t struggling.
      “I think the problem is that there’s talk about being professional, but we’ve got players on salaries that can’t afford maybe to pay for their own car, mortgage or rent.
      “Or, for example, eat the correct food away from training.
      “So there are lots of things still to be done with with the teams that have a lesser budget.
      “And if we can bridge that gap, I think we’re starting to see a real difference.”
      The Reading star featured in her side’s 6-1 loss against Arsenal last time out, having recovered since undergoing thigh surgery in February.
      The Royals are hoping to bounce back from their drubbing at Meadow Park, as prepare to host Aston Villa at Madejski on Sunday.
      This season BT Sport is showing more Barclays FA Women’s Super League matches than ever before. Sign up contract free with a BT Sport Monthly Pass for just £25 per month. 

      Watch Arsenal ace Vivianne Miedema score incredible goal against Reading More

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      Man Utd boss Solskjaer set for Mason Greenwood talks as club move to protect young star after Iceland row

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      MASON GREENWOOD will hold talks with Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — once he gets the all-clear from his Covid-19 test.
      The forward and England team-mate Phil Foden were sent home after breaking coronavirus restrictions by inviting women into their Icelandic hotel.

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      Mason Greenwood will talk with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about his England shame if he tests negative for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      But United are determined to protect their 18-year-old star from further fallout as they get ready for the new Premier League season, which starts against Crystal Palace at home on September 19.
      Solskjaer welcomed £40million signing Donny van de Beek for his first day at the club since his move from Ajax last week.
      The 23-year-old was pictured alongside Solskjaer and Harry Maguire at Carrington.
      It was the first time Maguire has been seen publicly with  Solskjaer since his Greek nightmare last month — and it is the biggest hint yet he will remain as United captain.

      The £85m defender is awaiting a retrial after appealing against the suspended prison sentence.
      Both Van de Beek and Maguire hope to be joined at Old Trafford by Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho before the transfer window closes on October 5.
      United made progress on a deal over the agents’ fee yesterday but as SunSport revealed last week an agreement for the England winger’s wages is done.
      But  the two clubs are still miles apart in their valuation with Dortmund holding out for £108m.

      Across Manchester, Foden is yet to return to training with  City.
      Neither player is likely to be punished by their clubs, who feel public condemnation is enough.
      The FA may still issue a punishment, though.

      Neil Custis expects huge things from Man Utd’s Mason Greenwood in the future More

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      Liverpool face being knocked off their perch if they fail to land a major summer transfer, claims Gary Neville

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      GARY NEVILLE warned Liverpool they risk being knocked off their perch if they do not make a major transfer this summer.
      The champions have so far only brought in back-up left-back Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos for £11.75million.

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      Jurgen Klopp has been warned Liverpool could be knocked off their perch this seasonCredit: AFP

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      Gary Neville won the Premier League eight times with Manchester UnitedCredit: PA:Press Association
      They have been heavily linked to Bayern Munich playmaker Thiago Alcantara, who Neville feels could be the signing of the window.
      The ex-England right-back and Sky Sports pundit said: “It would be ridiculous to suggest there would not be a slight drop-off if they don’t somehow stimulate that squad by doing something.
      “To get to a Champions League final, then to get to a Champions League final and win, and then to go again with the Premier League is a huge emotional drain on the group of players for three years.
      “To ask them to achieve that same standard would be a superhuman effort.

      “That is where signing Thiago would give a big lift — to send a message to the rest of the players that we’ve signed one of the best in the world. He is world class and would give them a world-class presence in an area of the field where they don’t have that.
      “They have really good midfielders with good work ethic, but with him in there it would be another step.”

      Jurgen Klopp’s men kick off their new campaign on Saturday evening at home to new boys Leeds.

      Neville added: “Bielsa is front foot.
      They might get a bloody nose but he’ll get a bloody nose fighting the way he wants to fight.”
      SKY SPORTS is the home of the Premier League with more live games than any other broadcaster.

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      Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp and player Andy Robertson open up about their mental health More

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      Football never disappoints in its crass ignorance of current climate… as proven by Messi, Bale and Aubameyang

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      MY last column on the dysfunctional 2019-20 season was on the good, the bad and the ugly in football.
      To recap: we had financial meltdown  projected; empty stadiums; players refusing to take pay cuts; curfews being broken and the PFA . . . well, just being the PFA — an obstructive, outmoded and antiquated organisation.

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      Lionel Messi has finally accepted he has to stay at Barcelona after his transfer request but should be allowed to leave for freeCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Wales superstar Gareth Bale now seems to be contemplating life away from his lavish Real Madrid dealCredit: AFP and licensors

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      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang looks set to stay at Arsenal – with a huge new contractCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      As we prepare for the new season, what fresh delights await us? What have we learnt? Surely,  changes must be afoot?
      Well, no.
      Good  old,   ever-reliable   football carries on with ambivalence and dismissivenes.
      It never disappoints in its crass ignorance of the current climate.

      No sooner had financial Armageddon been avoided — for the time being — then we are under starter’s orders.
      Chelsea have raced to spend a quarter of a billion, followed by the Manchester clubs and others continuing to spend big.
      Given the required recession in football, surely there would be some respite in wage demands from understanding players?

      Of course, reality comes knocking and back in his box went Mr Messi.

      No chance. Look at Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang moving nonchalantly into a £15million annual salary.

      Meanwhile, Gareth Bale realises maybe playing elsewhere is better than sitting at Real Madrid drawing enormous wages.
      Then the daddy of them all, arguably the world’s greatest player Lionel Messi starts a feeding frenzy by deciding that Catalonia was no longer for him.
      He wants his independence and it cues £600million transfer demands, £100m salaries and the mess that apparently is Barcelona. Please!
      Apparently, Messi is entitled to leave for free and he’s earned that right.
      Okey dokey, so the best part of a billion quid  he’s earned as a Barcelona employee isn’t reward enough and somehow player power will prevail.

      Of course, reality comes knocking and back in his box went Mr Messi.There is some smattering of good form.
      Despite the howls of derision from Newcastle fans, that sham of a takeover came to nothing (and prompted tears from self-publicist Amanda Staveley).
      The Saudi deal failed to be concluded, preventing us seeing another ravenous spend-fest and the type of owner that perhaps isn’t in the best  interests of the game.
      Outside of the Premier League,  the EFL have finally woken from their slumber and started to introduce controls to save clubs — if not from themselves, certainly from the dire financial circumstances they face.
      Despite the mutterings of  the PFA’s Gordon Taylor — the Muttley-like character from Dick Dastardly — on how it is unlawful introducing salary caps, they are needed to ensure clubs are sustainable, and not dependent on the whims of owners.

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      Phil Foden and Marcus Greenwood were sent home by England after breaching coronavirus guidelinesCredit: PA:Press Association
      My feeling is that it should have been a percentage of turnover rather than one-size-fits-all flat budgets in Leagues One and Two — but something is better than nothing.
      Then back to the bad. We have the uplifting news of two of England’s most prodigious talents, Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, being sent home in embarrassment for smuggling girls into their hotel.
      Gormless sometimes isn’t enough to describe these players. Perhaps they got the idea from their team-mate Kyle Walker?
      So, some lessons learnt, some battles still being fought but, all in all, football rumbles on.

      This season, like all others, will be packed full of suspense and intrigue with the doof-doof of the EastEnders theme tune.
      Let the games begin.
      Listen to Simon Jordan and Jim White on talkSPORT at 10am Monday to Thursday.

      Man City’s ‘Lionel Messi transfer bid LEAKED’ with Barcelona offered £181m over 12 months and extra £18m in bonuses More

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      Danny Rose set for Tottenham transfer exit and favours move abroad after being frozen out of Mourinho’s plans

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      DANNY ROSE is on his way out of Tottenham after being frozen out of Jose Mourinho’s plans.
      The England left-back, 30, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Newcastle, has been training away from the first team although he is coming back from a minor injury.

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      Danny Rose could be set to move abroad after falling out of contention for the left-back spot at Spurs under Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Rose, who has only a year left on his £65,000-a-week contract, is likely to leave for a modest fee and favours a move abroad.
      He is featured on Spurs’ new fly-on-the-wall Amazon documentary having a heated chat with Mourinho back in January over his lack of game time.
      And in fact he was sent to the Toon after he branded team-mates “s***” and accused Mourinho of picking his favourites.
      Rose’s days at Tottenham were numbered when he was axed again for a 0-0 draw at Watford on January 18.

      He confronted Mourinho the following morning at the club’s Enfield training HQ.
      Rose asked the ex-Chelsea boss “what the problem is?” and complained he was being unfairly treated – which Mourinho denied.
      The defender later said: “If I have a problem or am not happy about something, I have to be able to have an honest debate or conversation with somebody.

      “He is a very straight talker, as am I.”
      And he admitted: “I can be a bit of a handful. There have been times I’ve said a few things in anger when we’ve lost.
      “But it’s just how I’m programmed. I want to win.”

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