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      Pardew backs Fraser to bring best out of Carroll as ex-Newcastle boss reveals determination to get back into the dugout

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      A BRAND new season on a mild September evening — but here was a fixture that dreadfully missed two sets of the most brilliantly passionate and fervent fans.
      I completely agreed afterwards with both managers, David Moyes and Steve Bruce, that the game was disappointing — but I genuinely thought the lack of atmosphere was the missing link.

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      Ryan Fraser arrived at Newcastle on a free transferCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Ryan Fraser could offer a new dimension to Andy Carroll’s gameCredit: Rex Features

      Nevertheless, I’m sure Steve would have woken up yesterday morning feeling very happy with the 2-0 win, a clean sheet and two of his new signings both on target.
      There’s no question, Newcastle have bought well in the truncated summer off-season.
      As well as Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick, I also feel Ryan Fraser will be pivotal to their success this season.
      Fraser could bring a new dimension to Andy Carroll’s game.

      I worked with Andy and I genuinely believe if he can stay fit, he could thrive — particularly with the service of the two Bournemouth signings alongside him.
      There are grounds to be very optimistic for the Magpies.
      If they can remain disciplined at the back, they have goals and pace in the final third.
      It would be fair to say that my other old club, West Ham, didn’t really seem to have any spark.

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      Alan Pardew is keen to get back into management Credit: PA:Press Association

      And with Arsenal, who have definitely gone up a level, next on Saturday, it looks like it’s going to be another disappointing start for the Hammers.
      It hasn’t helped the manager having been thrown off kilter with the sale of talented youngster Grady Diangana to West Brom.
      I cannot reiterate enough how sad it is to watch a game like West Ham and Newcastle without the passion of the supporters.
      But we have to be grateful for being able to see any football at all right now.
      I’m itching to get back into management.
      I don’t wish any misfortune on managers, but I’m as ambitious and ready as ever to get back and working again in the game.

      Newcastle United unveil new signings Ryan Fraser and Callum Wilson More

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      Aston Villa to confirm £20m Emi Martinez transfer from Arsenal on Monday with ex-Chelsea ace Bertrand Traore to follow

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      ASTON VILLA have Emiliano Martinez in the bag after ironing out the final details of his £20million move from Arsenal.
      The 28-year-old Argentine has agreed a four-year-deal worth around £60,000 per week and completed his medical. 

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      Emi Martinez is set to be unveiled as Aston Villa’s new stopper after deciding to leave Arsenal Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      A deal for the FA Cup-winning keeper was sped through so he can train with his new team-mates this week as he prepares to make his debut in Villa’s opening game of the season at home to Sheffield United next Monday night.
      Dean Smith is also expected to sign Bertrand Traore after Villa agreed a fee of £17.5million to land Lyon forward. 

      Lyon have given the green-light to the deal for the former Chelsea academy kid, after Villa increased their original offer by a further £2million.

      The 25-year-old Burkina Faso international has lost patience with Lyon after failing to dislodge Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele from Rudi Garcia’s first-choice side.

       Traore recently spoke of his frustration when he told reporters: “I am 25 years old and I have played everywhere I have been.
      “I need to play. I have no time to waste, I’m no longer an 18,19 or 20-year-old player.”
      Villa are also in talks to sign Kosovan winger Milot Rashica, 24, from German side Werder Bremen. More

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      Brighton starlet Tariq Lamptey holds no fear as he prepares to burst old club Chelsea’s bubble

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      TARIQ LAMPTEY’S meteoric rise has happened so fast that even he has been left stunned by it.
      The 19-year-old has been a revelation since joining Brighton from Chelsea’s reserves in January and last week earned his first England Under-21 cap.

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      Lamptey, 19, earned his first England Under-21 call-up last week Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      What has been most impressive about the right-back’s progress in 2020 is how he shows no fear nor any regard for the reputation of the players he comes up against.
      That will no doubt continue to be the case when he faces Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and Co when his old side visit the Amex on Monday night.
      Lamptey said: “It’s happened so fast, it’s unbelievable.
      “Sometimes I just have to sit back and think, ‘Wow, this is a lot.

      “But I’ve worked hard to get here and I’m grateful that I’ve got the opportunities that I’ve been getting.
      “Hopefully it’s just the start and I can keep improving, building and getting better and better.
      “I’m very determined. Whoever I play against, you have to give them respect because they’re top quality players, but you also have to back yourself and have belief in yourself.
      “I believe that I have got the ability to make the best of it and get the better of my man.

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      Lamptey has made an impressive start to his Brighton career since leaving Chelsea’s reservesCredit: PA:Press Association
      “That’s just my game. I’m not scared to take on players or who is ahead of me, it’s just another player that I have to try to get the better of.”
      Brighton fans will be licking their lips at the prospect of Lamptey forming a partnership with Ben White down the right side fo Graham Potter’s defence.
      Both players look serious prospects who have the potential to be knocking on the door of the senior England team one day.

      He has energy, fleet of foot and he’s brave. We definitely like what we see
      Aidy Boothroyd

      Though Lamptey has a heck of a job given the incredible competition he has in the right-back berth.
      Had he not made the move from Chelsea last January, the likelihood is most people would not even know who he is.
      Let alone would he have turned out for the Lion Cubs in their 2-1 win in Austria last week.

      His international manager Aidy Boothroyd added: “I think it was a brave move and good move. I think he’ll flourish at Brighton.
      “We’ve seen him up close, he’s been in our Under-20s, our Under-19s, he’s been in our system before.
      “He has energy, fleet of foot and he’s brave. We definitely like what we see.”

      How Chelsea could line-up at Brighton with Thiago Silva, Chilwell and Ziyech all OUT but Lampard set to hand out debuts More

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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