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    Jurgen Klopp warns Man City could be almost unstoppable with Lionel Messi transfer as Citizens eye £1.4m-a-week deal

    JURGEN KLOPP warned Liverpool’s chances of retaining the title will take a serious hit if Manchester City land Lionel Messi.
    City are close to agreeing terms of £1.4million a week with the Barcelona superstar — made up of salary, signing-on fee, bonuses and image rights.

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    Jurgen Klopp fears Man City will be unstoppable with Lionel MessiCredit: AP:Associated Press
    There is still some way to go to prise him from the Nou Camp.
    But Reds boss Klopp said: “Messi would clearly help Manchester City and make it even more difficult to beat them, which was already very difficult.”
     Klopp, whose champions face FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield today, is not convinced  City will pull  off the mega deal.
    He added: “For the Premier League, it would be great to have the best player in the world in the League.

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    Klopp admits there’s no chance of Liverpool signing Messi from BarcelonaCredit: AP:Associated Press
    “I am not sure the Premier League needs a boost but it would be, for sure.
    “It would be interesting to see, as Messi has never played in another league other than Spain.
    “Football is different here. I would like to see it but I am not sure I will.”
    Klopp admitted there is no chance  Liverpool could sign the Argentine maestro, 33.

    He said: “Interest? Who doesn’t want to have Messi in their team? But no chance.
    “The numbers are absolutely not for us, so we don’t even have to start thinking about it!
    “It is clear, there is no chance. But he’s a good player, to be honest!”
    Sunsport understands lawyers representing both City and Messi’s representatives have made substantial progress on a deal which will satisfy the player’s financial demands.

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    Man City boss Pep Guardiola is favourite to land Messi this summerCredit: AFP or licensors
    The record six-time Ballon d’Or winner, would be contracted to  the club’s parent company — City Football Group — and have a clause which will allow him to join fellow stable club, New York City, after leaving the Etihad.
    Boss Pep Guardiola has a similar clause with regard to joining the MLS side when he leaves City.
    Messi’s representatives were in touch with Barcelona yesterday to  request a formal meeting next week to discuss how he can leave the Catalan giants.
    He is determined to win the Champions League for a third time before he leaves European football and sees City as a good option.

    Obstacles remain regarding the clause in Messi’s contract, which the player claims allows him to leave for free.
    The fax which informed Barca of his transfer request was a bureau document which is a legal requirement meaning it can be used in any future court  proceedings.
    City are prepared to foot Messi’s legal bills in his bid to force his way out, but are also preparing for the possibility of negotiating with Barca.

    That gesture has been received warmly by Messi and his father and agent, Jorge, who felt let down when Barca offered no support  during the player’s trial for tax avoidance.
    Messi intends to turn up for training on Monday in accordance with employment law but expects an update from the club on their  position beforehand.
    City have ruled out allowing  Bernando Silva, Riyad Mahrez and Gabriel Jesus being involved in any swap deal, but Angelino and Eric Garcia are available.

    Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar More

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    Crystal Palace new-boy Eberechi Eze reveals watching Wilfried Zaha inspired his Premier League transfer

    EBERECHI EZE revealed how watching Wilfried Zaha helped spur him to the top after sealing his Crystal Palace move.
    Playmaker Eze, 22, last night joined the Eagles from Championship side QPR  in   a   deal   worth   up   to  £19.5million.

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    Eberechi Eze says he’s delighted to be at the same club as Wilfried ZahaCredit: Rex Features
    The south Londoner now hopes to emulate the likes of Zaha and Yannick Bolasie — years after being inspired by them observing from the sidelines.
    Eze said: “I remember watching Bolasie and Zaha in the Championship  and just thinking ‘That’s where you want to be, that’s the goal.’
    “It’s a great opportunity for me to come and show what I’m about and follow in their steps.”
    Palace saw off competition from the likes of West Brom to sign Eze, who  put pen to paper on a five-year  contract.

    The transfer is understood to be a £16m fee  broken up into two instalments, with a further £3.5m in add-ons as well as a sell-on clause.
    And Eze explained it was Palace’s vision for  where he would fit in and his future that convinced him to join.
    The England Under-21 star added: “The deal definitely shows their belief in me and I want to be here.
    “I want to to do as well as I can for this club and it’s a brilliant opportunity.

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    Zaha has been linked with a move away from Palace this summerCredit: Rex Features
    “It was the plan that was set out for me and what they have said about me and it’s the most in-line with what I feel about myself.
    “For me, that’s the most important thing —  more than ‘what the club is’ or whatever.
    “It’s the position they want me to play, their goals, where they want to be,  what they want to become, how they see me fitting in that system.
    “The style of football they want to play suits me. It’s perfect for me. It’s a great place to come.”

    Eze becomes Palace’s second summer signing following the arrival of right-back Nathan Ferguson, 19, from West Brom.
    Boss Roy Hodgson said: “We are assembling the pieces of our jigsaw with regard to bringing in some fresh, young players who will provide  quality and energy.
    “Eberechi is an ambitious and  dedicated young man whose future looks extremely bright.”

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

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    Gareth Bale joins crew of football legends including Marcus Rashford and Jamie Vardy for new BT Sport ad

    GARETH Bale joins a number of football’s famous faces in a new TV ad — and dials it in from the golf course.
    The Real Madrid ace, 31, spent much of last season on the bench, but plays a starring role in promoting BT Sport.

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    Gareth Bale has joined a number of football’s famous faces in a new TV adCredit: BT

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    Man United’s Marcus Rashford appears in the ad
    The ad starts with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti leaking notes from a secret meeting discussing unlimited substitions in football.
    Word of the fictional rule change spreads and pundits including Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand are seen reacting.
    It then cuts to Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and wife Rebekah on the sofa on their holiday villa in Mykonos.
    Man United’s Marcus Rashford and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold also appear.

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    Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold also features

    The latter then video-calls avid-golfer Bale on the course and quips: “You might actually get a game now.”
    BT Sport is introducing a method of toggling subscriptions to its channels, Sky Sports and Amazon Prime to watch more Premier League footie.
    But Bale might be more interested in golf coverage.

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    The ad starts with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti leaking notes from a secret meeting

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    Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy and wife Rebekah feature in the BT Sport ad from the sofa of their holiday villa in Mykonos

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    Gary Lineker makes an appearance too

    England’s Nations League preparations in chaos as THREE members of Gareth Southgate’s squad test positive for Covid-19
    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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    Dubois confident he can ‘take over soon’ after seeing heavyweight rivals Anthony Joshua and Whyte suffer shock defeats

    DANIEL DUBOIS has warned his wobbling heavyweight targets that his growing confidence will help him topple them and become king.
    The 22-year-old was shoved into the limelight three years ago by promoter Frank Warren and was painfully shy about being the boy who had allegedly KO’d Anthony Joshua in Team GB sparring.

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    Daniel Dubois has enjoyed seeing ‘older targets and potential opponents lose’

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    Fellow British heavyweight Dillian Whyte saw his world title hopes rocked by a shock defeat against Alexander Povetkin
    Three years on he is the 14-0 British champion, with a couple of impressive scalps and he has watched from the wings as AJ and fellow Brit rival Dillian Whyte have suffered shock KO losses.
    Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Ricardo Snijders, Dynamite Dubois told SunSport: “It may not have come across but I am ferociously confident in my ability because of the work done in the gym.
    “I was a boy among men when I sparred on the GB team, I am a baby in terms of experience now in the pro game but don’t mistake my quietness for self doubt.
    “I’m not even that quiet or shy, you can’t afford to be when you are one of ten siblings and want to get fed. But when it comes to boxing my approach has been strictly business.

    I need to start driving soon because we’re out in the sticks now and I won’t fancy running to and from the gym through the rain and snow in the winter.
    Daniel Dubois

    “Beating Nathan Gorman for the British title – in a fight a lot of people thought was going to be 50-50 – just confirmed what I already knew about my potential.
    “And seeing older targets and potential opponents lose – in very good and hard fights – only makes me more confident I can take over soon.”
    Dubois is a product of the iconic Peacock Gym in Canning Town and his success has helped play a part in the Bowers family opening a second pro-only base in Epping.
    The state-of-the-art facility is also now only 20 minutes from the new Dubois family home.

    And DDD hopes getting into the heavyweight driving seat will make his commutes much easier.

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    Joe Joyce is in the sights of rival unbeaten British boxer Daniel Dubois
    He laughed: “My dad used to drive me to and from the old gym but this is close enough that he and my coach Martin could end up telling me to run over.
    “I need to start driving soon because we’re out in the sticks now and I won’t fancy running to and from the gym through the rain and snow in the winter.
    “There aren’t too many pavements or street lights out here so it’s great inspiration to pass my test soon.”
    The BT Studio bout should be little more than a lockdown keep-warm win ahead of the planned October 24 showdown against Joe Joyce.
    But Dubois wants to make a statement nonetheless.

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    He said: “Joe has already had his warm-up fight and thankfully he won but he wasn’t convincing
    “It was the same Slow Joe we have always seen walking forward, taking shots and bullying people out.
    “This fight is one last chance for me to fine tune things and send Joe a final message: I am coming for you.”

    Dillian Whyte slams Frank Warren’s Dubois fight offer and says ‘he’s just trying to deviate from me facing Tyson Fury’ More

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    Premier League plunged into crisis as Pogba and Ndombele test positive for Covid-19 and Chelsea aces self-isolate

    THE Premier League was plunged into crisis tonight as more stars were poleaxed by coronavirus.
    Manchester United’s Paul Pogba and Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele were the latest confirmed to have Covid-19.

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    The Premiere League was thrown into chaos when aces including Christian Pulisic, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori were forced to quarantineCredit: Instagram

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    In another blow, it has been confirmed that Man Utd’s Paul Pogba has coronavirusCredit: BackGrid

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    And Tottenham’s Tanguy Ndombele tested positive for the bugCredit: Getty
    Eight Chelsea aces have been forced to stay at home after falling foul of government guidelines.
    Cases could rocket further after holidaying stars partied at pools, bars and clubs.
    Fans fear the new season — just 15 days away — may be delayed.
    Tonight ex-England star Chris Waddle called on the Uefa Nations League to be voided to give the Premier League a chance of kicking off on September 12 — eight weeks after the last season ended.

    Up to three England players are understood to have tested positive and may miss games against Iceland and Denmark.
    Waddle said: “It’s crazy and all about money. Why are we asking players to get on a plane and put themselves at risk of coronavirus to play meaningless friendlies?
    “It’s difficult enough with the Premier League starting so soon and players having to quarantine.”
    14 NEW CASES
    After the 2019/20 season restarted in June, players and staff were following strict coronavirus rules and tested twice a week.

    But many have been abroad since the season ended.

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    England’s Mason Mount (pictured with Didier Drogba) is isolating after a trip to MykonosCredit: Instagram @masonmount10

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    Jorginho is yet to report after holidaying in Capri, ItalyCredit: Instagram / @jorginhofrello

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    Midfielder Ross Barkley has been ordered to stay at homeCredit: The Mega Agency
    Up to seven out of 20 top-flight clubs reportedly have at least one player who has tested positive, or are quarantining with symptoms.
    Fourteen new cases have been reported at 12 clubs since teams returned to training.
    The figures are unofficial, with the league only expected to regularly publish test results when the campaign starts.
    England’s Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham, plus Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic are among Chelsea aces in isolation.
    Jorginho, Ross Barkley, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi have also been ordered to stay at home.
    Dimitris Christoforidis said some Chelsea players visited his Sant Anna Beach Club in Mykonos, Greece, last week.
    He added: “They were going out a lot to bars, clubs and restaurants where there are other people and places are not properly ventilated.”
    None of the stars have reported for training yet to minimise the risk of infection.
    The club is due to play Brighton in a friendly on Saturday.

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    Left back Emerson Palmieri has missed training Credit: PA:Empics Sport

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    Michy Batshuayi is self-isolating following his trip to CannesCredit: Instagram / @mbatshuayi

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    United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka must isolate after travelling to DubaiCredit: Getty
    Chelsea would not comment but it is known there are a number of cases at the club.
    Two unnamed England stars have tested positive after holidaying in Greece.

    [Chelsea players] were going out a lot to bars, clubs and restaurants where there are other people and places are not properly ventilated.
    Dimitris Christoforidis

    Mykonos does not require a mandatory period of quarantine upon return to the UK.
    But anyone who has been in contact with someone who is positive while on the island must stay home for seven days.
    West Ham’s Declan Rice holidayed with pal Mount and the other Chelsea stars in Mykonos, as did ex-Leicester pair Danny Drinkwater and Ben Chilwell.
    Tottenham’s Dele Alli was seen with Leicester’s James Maddison and Villa’s Jack Grealish in Ibiza.
    There is no suggestion any player has tested positive, or that they contributed to the spread of Covid.
    France coach Didier Deschamps confirmed Pogba’s positive test today.
    United added: “Everybody wishes Paul a speedy recovery.”
    Pogba had been pictured out in London restaurant Cipriani with his pregnant wife last weekend.

    Red Devils’ defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka must isolate for 14 days after travelling to Dubai, which is on the UK’s warning list,
    Man City’s Raheem Sterling has tested negative after attending the birthday party of sprint champ Usain Bolt, who has the virus.
    All top-flight clubs face testing in the next few days. Players are expected to be tested only once a week when the new season starts.

    Premier League rocked by 14 new coronavirus cases at 12 pre-season camps with fears over players holidaying together
    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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    Lionel Messi already in contact with Pep Guardiola as Man City lead transfer race for wantaway Barcelona superstar

    LIONEL MESSI has spoken with Pep Guardiola as Manchester City wait to see if he wants to join them.
    City are prepared to make a move for the Argentine superstar after he told  Barcelona he wants to quit.

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    Lionel Messi has already spoken to his former manager Lionel Messi as Man City ponder a move for the Barcelona legendCredit: AFP – Getty

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    Spanish TV claims president Josep Bartomeu would stand aside if Lionel Messi agrees to stayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Messi, 33,  and Guardiola held a telephone call earlier this week, although there is no suggestion a potential move was discussed.
    The pair remain close since their time together at the Nou Camp when they twice won the Champions League.
    Top Argentine newspaper La Nacion even claims Messi has told pals: “I’m going to talk to Pep so he can arrange my move to City. The soccer there is spectacular.”
    City are desperate to become kings of Europe and Messi is seen as the signing which may finally make that possible.

    He is understood to be open to a  City switch, but they are waiting for him to tell them that directly before starting negotiations.

    Barca are resigned to losing their star man despite Spanish TV claiming under-fire president Josep Bartomeu would stand aside if Messi agrees to stay.
    On Tuesday, Messi told the club  he wanted to leave after nearly two decades with the Catalan giants.
    He has grown increasingly frustrated at the team’s recent Champions League failures and his relationship with Bartomeu has deteriorated.

    Bartomeu has been a key figure in appointing Ronald Koeman as the new coach and  been a driving force in trying to push Luis Suarez and other  stars out.
    CONTRACT STAND-OFF
    Angry fans have been protesting since Messi handed in his transfer request on Tuesday.
    Bartomeu, 57, had already brought elections forward from next summer to March 2021 following an emergency board  meeting last week.
    But he could now depart his role even earlier.
    City remain the front-runners for Messi’s signature — if he can resolve the contractual stand-off with the club

    His deal stated he could leave Barcelona for free ten days after the  Champions League final on June 10.
    But with the season being extended due to the pandemic, Messi and his lawyers are arguing the clause should still stand.
    He is expected to return to training on Monday despite his plea to leave.

    Wayne Rooney says Messi can win Ballon d’Or at Man Utd or Man City if he joins the Premier League More

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    Lampard’s bubble bursts with EIGHT Chelsea stars in Covid-19 self-isolation just two weeks before new Prem season

    FRANK LAMPARD was rubbing his hands in anticipation of an exciting year ahead with Chelsea this time last week.
    New signings were rolling in with deals agreed for Ben Chilwell and Germany’s rising star Kai Havertz.

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    Eight of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea stars are in quarantineCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Timo Werner is looking to make his mark in the Premier League after joining from RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Lampard was also sneaking under the radar to snap up the perfect man to fix his defence with a crafty freebie for the experienced Thiago Silva, 35.
    Everything Chelsea were touching was turning to gold.
    Now Lampard dare not touch anything down at the club’s hi-spec, Surrey training ground because his team is riddled with coronavirus once again after a fresh outbreak.
    Chelsea’s head coach may still be rubbing his hands together with  optimism — but only while elbow deep in hand sanitiser.

    Those meticulous preparations to lead his club back up to the position of being genuine title contenders will now face a massive early challenge.
    One far greater than defending champions Liverpool, ambitious Manchester City or any dogged opposition can mount on a matchday.
    Lampard is not alone among Premier League managers in counting the cost of virtually the entire combined force of the top-flight playing staff dropping their boots at the end of a tiring and  protracted season to flit off on luxury foreign holidays.
    QUARAN-TEAM
    Once abroad, and in most cases to destinations not  considered high risk, it seems normal rules such as social distancing did not apply.

    Covid testing and bio-secure bubbles were abandoned in favour of far more earthy behaviour.
    The heady mix of sunshine and sense of release from lockdown and then the final completion of the fixture list must have been overwhelming, making it feel like the pandemic belonged to another world. If only.
    England captain Harry Kane is in enforced quarantine following a break in the Bahamas when it was added to the list of countries requiring isolation while he was there.
    His Tottenham team-mate Tanguy Ndombele actually has the disease.
    Lampard is missing EIGHT players with Ross Barkley, Jorginho, Emerson and Michy Batshuayi joining the initial four of Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori sitting it out in quarantine after holidaying in  the Greek islands.
    Abraham and Mount’s inclusion in the England squad for the forthcoming Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark must be in question.

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    The Blues are preparing for the opening fixture of the Premier League season in two weeksCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Blues fans cannot wait to see Hakim Ziyech in action following his switch from AjaxCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has tested positive for the virus and must follow the rules like everybody else for the next fortnight by staying put.
    One way of making sure he remains at Old Trafford this summer, perhaps.
    Ironically, Chelsea were the first English club hit by coronavirus as it ripped through normality in March.
    Midfielder Callum Hudson-Odoi detected a slight sniffle, had a swab jammed up his nose and was then hastily sent packing home.
    Even though he had not been near the training ground and did not actually feel ill.
    The gates to the Cobham complex were immediately slammed shut and the place deep-cleaned.
    The rest of the squad were banished to boring home workouts for weeks before anyone was allowed near the place again.

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    Chelsea are one of the favourites to win the Premier League in the upcoming campaignCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Reece James is looking to nail down a starting spot at right-back ahead of Cesar AzpilicuetaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Chelsea, with maybe more players in quarantine to come, are continuing  pre-season training as best they can.
    The club, understandably, will not and maybe cannot pinpoint the precise source  of the second wave of coronavirus, which has rocked them far more than the first.
    Testing of the players left working is proceeding as per usual, so no panicky measures this time.
    Lampard, with his coaching staff, is doing his best to soldier on — even though it will soon be easier to name the Chelsea players who are not in quarantine rather than those who are.
    Football is learning to deal with Covid and that could be the nub of the latest problem.
    The players, like a lot of people in this country, believe that the worst is over — that it will not happen to them.
    Blues midfielder N’Golo Kante downed tools with justifiable fright and asked not to train because of health concerns at the outset of lockdown in the spring.

    But he is now believed to be going in normally and is relatively unconcerned.
    His inclusion in the latest France squad underlines that he is fit and raring to go, even though there are spikes everywhere.
    In just a few months the approach to this deadly disease has changed dramatically with experience.
    But if many more players start getting the kind of results they dread from the wave of testing now being carried out as they return from truncated summer  holidays, things may start to look a little more shaky.
    Not just for Chelsea but for all clubs…
    There is a long way to go before serious doubts arise about starting the season on September 12.
    The Premier League remains calm about the latest wave of fresh cases and  quarantines.

    And Chelsea have no plans to ask for their opening game at Brighton on September 14 to be postponed.
    But coronavirus is like the bone-dry brush in Northern California — ready to reignite any minute.
    Footballers, like everyone else, might just need to curb their jet-set lifestyles for now to keep everyone safe.

    Chelsea confirm £50m Ben Chilwell transfer from Leicester City as he becomes Frank Lampard’s third addition to squad More

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    Premier League at war with Man Utd and Chelsea among clubs pushing for FIVE substitutions next season

    PREMIER LEAGUE clubs are at war over a NEW plan to bring in more subs next season.
    Manchester United and Manchester City along with Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are part of a group to table a request to allow FIVE replacements.

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    Premier League clubs are in disagreement over how many subs should be allowed in the upcoming seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The International Football Association board (IFAB) gave leagues the choice to extend the five subs rule for another season, with the Scottish Premier League opting to keep it.
    But the Premier League was against the proposal as clubs – including newly promoted West Brom, Leeds and Fulham – voted 13-7 last month to stick with the normal numbers.
    Many believed the five sub rule was unfair as it only benefited wealthier clubs with bigger squads.
    However it is back on the agenda for a Premier League zoom conference today after the unhappy leading clubs found enough support to raise it again.

    Now Rule 27 could be amended despite the majority being against it just a couple of weeks ago as some of them have changed sides.
    The move is angering those who think that it is too big an advantage for top clubs with big squad and benches full of talent that could win games late.
    Premier League bosses introduced the five sub rule alongside the increase of matchday squads from 18 to 20 in June to ease the blow of a condensed schedule on the back of a three-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.
    If the original vote is overturned, it will join a host of rule changes introduced by the Premier League for the 2020-21 campaign.

    The Premier League opening day fixtures for 2020-21 have been revealed

    Alongside the substitution vote, clubs proved the implementation of VAR in line with the FIFA protocol, meaning officials will now be encouraged to use pitch-side monitors to come to decisions.
    Referees will also penalise goalkeepers for encroachment on penalties with retakes ordered if the keeper saves a spot-kick with their foot over the goal line.
    There will also continue to be no leeway on offsides as assistant referees will be encouraged to keep their flags down on marginal infringements.

    England’s Nations League preparations in chaos as THREE members of Gareth Southgate’s squad test positive for Covid-19 More