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      Kevin De Bruyne to stay at Man City even if they are banned from Champions League in major boost to Pep Guardiola

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      KEVIN DE BRUYNE is set to hand Manchester City a huge boost by staying at the Etihad – regardless of whether they are banned from Europe.
      And Pep Guardiola will offer him the carrot of taking over the captain’s armband from David Silva next season.

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      De Bruyne is set to stay at Man City despite rumours of him considering quittingCredit: EPA

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      Guardiola has been given a huge boost – and could now make De Bruyne captainCredit: Reuters
      The Belgian set alarm bells ringing during lockdown when he said a two year ban from the Champions League might force him to consider his future.
      City will learn their fate on Monday when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announce the result of their appeal.
      But De Bruyne, 29, has told friends that his family is settled in Manchester and they are unlikely to push for a move this summer.
      Whether anyone could afford one of the top players in the world after the financial impact of the coronavirus is another complication.

      Guardiola has also thrown down the challenge for De Bruyne to show he can follow in the footsteps of fellow Belgian Vincent Kompany and become a City captain.
      The former Barcelona boss – whose team travel to Brighton tonight said: “It depends on him.
      “The leaders decide for themselves with their behaviour, how they behave on and off the pitch and the relation to the team.
      “How you think for the club and the team comes naturally without force. If it comes it will come. It depends on him and also his mates if they trust Kevin.”

      Guardiola has a dilemma over whether to continue playing de Bruyne and his other key men in the Premier League – knowing their priorities are elsewhere.
      City’s place in the top four is already guaranteed for next season so there is little riding on their final four league matches.
      Pep said: “I rotate at lot, the team. Kevin didn’t play against southampton, he played 30 minutes, didn’t play much in his level.
      “But then he came back at an incredible level the last game. That’s part of football.
      “All the players are involved, they are playing a lot of minutes since we arrived. There is not one player who didn’t play. The important thing is they are fit.
      “Arsenal is an important point but it’s also important to keep momentum and rhythm to the way we play. We just hope nobody gets injured.”
      Guardiola insists he is not taking much notice of whether champions Liverpool break the 100 point record set by City two years ago.

      He said: “If they do it they will deserve it. 100 points is so difficult.
      “They will deserve it and I will congratulate them but even if they don’t it’s still incredible.
      “Records will be broken sooner or later, not maintained for another two centuries. If it happens it happens. Honestly it’s not my business right now.
      “It’s my business to finish second and especially to try to win the two competitions we are still in.”

      Most valuable players in world revealed with Lionel Messi down in EIGHTH as Kylian Mbappe leads list at £189m More

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      Man United fan relieved after betting his entire £55k inheritance on Liverpool winning the Premier League

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      A GAMBLER breathed a huge sigh of relief after betting his £55,000 inheritance on Liverpool winning the Premier League.
      Manchester United fan Tony Ward, 55, had been waiting nervously on his mega-flutter since lockdown in March.

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      Man U fan Tony Ward won more than £91,000 after betting his entire inheritance on Liverpool winning the Premier LeagueCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      But the dad of three collected £91,000, including his stake, when Jürgen Klopp’s side were confirmed as champions last month.
      Tony inherited £55,000 when his mum Rose died in 2017 aged 82 — and put the lot on Liverpool back in October, at odds of 4/6.
      He said: “Liverpool were always looking like they could win the title. I picked them after a long, long debate.”
      He then watched Liverpool streak ahead of Manchester City, with the title a mere formality — until the coronavirus lockdown came.

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      The dad of three put £55,000 on the Reds being Champions back in OctoberCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
      Tony, who calls himself an “armchair” Man United supporter, then had an agonising wait before the season eventually restarted in mid-June,
      He said: “I would have got my stake back, I think, if the season had been cancelled. But that would have been unfair.
      “Liverpool were that far clear. They only needed six points.”
      The Kop idols, managed by Klopp, quickly got those, clinching their first top-flight title in 30 years and earning Tony his payout from Ladbrokes.

      He is now planning a foreign getaway while keeping the rest in the bank.

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      Last month Jurgen Klopp’s side eventually secured the titleCredit: Getty – Contributor

      He added: “I fancy a big holiday. The rest is for a rainy day.”
      Tony, of Bradford, West Yorks, said of his mum: “She wouldn’t have minded what I did with the money — not at all. She liked a flutter!
      “She liked the horses. But I’d give it all back to have my mum still around.”

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      Tony says he will spend the money on a nice holiday and then save the restCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hails Pep Guardiola as the ‘best manager of our era’
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      Troy Deeney may not be scoring for Watford but with team-mates dropping deeper he doesn’t stand a chance

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      IT IS very easy to lay the blame at Troy Deeney’s door — but it is much more complex than that.
      He may not have scored since the restart, yet Watford are still 11 per cent more likely to win when their talisman plays.

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      Troy Deeney has come in for criticism from Watford fans since the Prem’s restart but it is unfairCredit: Getty – Pool
      And it is what Nigel Pearson’s players do when he IS in the team that makes it difficult for Deeney, 32, to have a real impact.
      I have been in relegation battles as a defender and the natural instinct is to drop deeper and deeper, forcing your midfield to do the same — leaving the striker isolated.
      The Hornets are doing the same, and an isolated Deeney is not an efficient one, as we saw in their 3-1 loss to Southampton late last month.
      Watford are at their best when they have the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Ismaila Sarr in line or even ahead of him for those flick-ons and link-ups.

      One of the best at supporting Deeney is the injured Gerard Deulofeu.
      He has missed the last six games but still has the most Hornets assists.
      I don’t care how good a centre-forward you are, if the rest of your team is dropping deep and you are marked by two central defenders, it is very difficult to have an impact.
      Fans argue Deeney should be benched in favour of a quicker centre-forward who can make runs in behind.

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      Danny Higginbotham has had his say on Deeney’s dry spell in front of goal

      But even top teams like Tottenham struggled with that when they tried to replace an injured Harry Kane with the likes of Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura.
      A pacy frontman may get in behind but instead of being 20 yards from team-mates, he is now 40 yards.
      Deeney can hold the ball up and bring other players into the game — you just have to be patient and take your opportunities.

      Watford footballer ace Troy Deeney slams Premier League return as son has breathing problems More

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      Premier League star says ‘I’m gay but I’m afraid to come out’ in anguished open letter

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      AS a kid, all I ever wanted to be was a footballer.
      I wasn’t interested in doing well at school.
      Instead of doing homework, every spare minute I had was spent with a ball.
      In the end it paid off.
      But even now I still have to pinch myself when I run out and get to play each week in front of tens of thousands of people.
      However there is something that sets me apart from most of the other players in the Premier League.
      I am gay.
      Even writing that down in this letter is a big step for me.
      But only my family members and a select group of friends are aware of my sexuality. I don’t feel ready to share it with my team or my manager.
      That’s hard. I spend most of my life with these guys and when we step out on the pitch we are a team.
      But still, something inside me makes it impossible for me to be open with them about how I feel.
      I dearly hope one day soon I will be able to.
      I’ve known since I was about 19 that I was gay. How does it feel having to live like this?
      Day-to-day, it can be an absolute nightmare.
      And it is affecting my mental health more and more.
      I feel trapped and my fear is that disclosing the truth about what I am will only make things worse.
      So, although my heart often tells me I need to do it my head always says the same thing: “Why risk it all?”
      I am lucky enough to earn a very good wage. I have a nice car, a wardrobe full of designer clothes and can afford to buy anything I want for my family and friends.
      But one thing I am missing is companionship.
      I am at an age where I would love to be in a relationship.
      But because of the job I do the level of trust in having a long-term partner has to be extremely high.
      So, at the moment, I avoid relationships at all.
      I dearly hope I will soon meet someone who I think I will be able to trust enough.
      The truth is I just don’t think football is ready yet for a player to come out.
      The game would need to make radical changes in order for me to feel able to make that step. The Professional Footballers Association say they are ready to help a player to come out.
      And they have said they will offer counselling and support to anyone who needs it.
      This is missing the point. If I need a counsellor I can go and book a session with one whenever I want. What those running the game need to do is educate fans, players, managers, agents, club owners — basically everyone involved in the game.
      If I was to make that step I’d want to know that I would be supported at each step of my journey. Right now, I don’t feel I would be.
      I wish I didn’t have to live my life in such a way.
      But the reality is there is still a huge amount of prejudice in football.
      There are countless times I’ve heard homophobic chants and comments from supporters directed at no one in particular.
      Strangely it doesn’t really bother me during the matches. I am too focused on playing.
      It’s when I get back on the plane or the coach and I have time to think that it gets to me.
      As things stand my plan is to carry on playing for as long as I feel able to and then come out when I have retired.
      It was great last month to see Thomas Beattie raise his hand and admit to being gay. But the fact he had to wait until retirement tells you all you need to know.
      Footballers are still too scared to make the step while they are playing.For the past year I have been getting support from the Justin Fashanu Foundation, not least to cope with the toll this is all having on my mental health.
      It is hard to put into words how much the Foundation has helped. It has made me feel supported and understood as well as giving me the confidence to be more open and honest with myself especially.
      Without that support I really don’t know where I’d be now.
      I know it might get to the point where I find it impossible to keep living a lie.
      If I do my plan is to retire early and come out. I might be throwing away years of a lucrative career. But you can’t put a price on your peace of mind.
      And I don’t want to live like this forever. More

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      Players and managers are sick of VAR and this week’s errors reinforce West Ham’s call to SCRAP it

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      SINCE the Premier League season resumed on June 17, there have been 49 matches without incident.
      Yes, we have had empty stadiums, worn masks, socially distanced, had five subs and water breaks.

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      VAR got three decisions wrong on Thursday, including Fernandes winning a penalty despite stamping on KonsaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      But still there has been no significant safety or security incidents.
      Unless, of course, you include the incidents involving VAR.
      They got it shockingly wrong again on Thursday – making wrong decisions in three games.
      All involved penalties. Two that should not have been given – for Manchester United and Southampton – and one which should have been for Spurs.

      The frustration of players and managers is palpable.
      Everyone understands that refs make honest mistakes in actual time.
      But when VAR was introduced to right those wrongs, even with the luxury of time and dozens of angles to review, and yet they still get it wrong, well it just feels worse.
      Aston Villa manager Dean Smith called it “disgraceful” – I’m guessing that’s because like everyone he could accept the ref got it wrong on the pitch but couldn’t understand how VAR let them down on review.

      Even sitting at home most people could have worked out it was not a penalty but somehow VAR didn’t come to that conclusion.
      Spurs boss Jose Mourinho didn’t really have to say anything about Josh King’s blatant shove on Harry Kane which somehow VAR decided did not warrant a penalty.

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      Karren Brady wants VAR to be scrappedCredit: PA:Press Association
      Mourinho’s facial expressions and body language said everything his words didn’t.
      No one storms out of a press conference with more style than him.
      The conclusion for everyone after Thursday is VAR, brought in to right the on-pitch wrongs, has just not been effective in doing so.
      Something has to be done. Like scrapping it, as I said last week.
      The good news is football audiences are massively up post Covid-19 — hitting record TV numbers in the UK and across the world.
      But we all know that there is nothing like watching a match live.
      And the final stage of the five-step return of the Premier League is perhaps the most significant of all — getting the supporters back into the stadiums.
      It’s also the most complex.
      The aim of the Premier League, the Government and the SAG (the Safety Advisory Group who issue the licenses for the stadium to hold supporters) is to have fans back in FULL football stadiums by September.
      Before then we will need to work out the Government’s interpretation of social distancing — one metre, two metres or something in between.
      And we must work out how to reduce the risk of transmission during travel to and from the stadium.
      We need to reduce Covid-19 prevalence in the crowd, deliver high hygiene standards in catering, toilets and shops etc to reduce the risk to supporters and staff.
      To trial new ways of doing things there will be host of test events in August which will help form the policy going forward so we can finally open the turnstiles.
      The DCMS Stage Five Framework and Green Guide Additions from the Sports Grounds Safety Authority are due to be published within the next few days.

      They will then be analysed by the PL, trialled in August, amended (or not) and adopted by clubs and implemented.
      West Ham are lucky to have 66,000 seats so the chances are that even if capacity is reduced during the test events we will have the ability to let in tens of thousands of fans.
      We all need some good news. We need our supporters back — it’s just not the same without you.

      Jason Cundy is furious with VAR about Man Utd penalty given to Bruno Fernandes against Aston Villa More

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      Steven Gerrard once tore his penis so badly during a match that it left Liverpool doctor mentally scarred

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      STEVEN Gerrard once tore his penis during a Liverpool game so badly that it left the doctor who treated him mentally scarred, he has revealed.
      The Liverpool legend, now 40, required stitches on his tackle after he sustained an eye-watering laceration to his manhood during a cup tie.

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      Credit: YouTube/Bournemouth

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      Credit: YouTube/Bournemouth

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      Steven Gerrard needed stitches on his penis after it was torn during a Liverpool matchCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Andrew Massey was new to the role of the Reds’ team doctor – and the experience left him traumatised as Stevie’s was the first penis he sewed back together.
      Andy – promoted to the post of Fifa’s head doc in March – said: “Stevie came over to me at the end of the match and said, ‘Doc, you are going to have to have a look at this’.
      “I looked down and saw blood everywhere and thought, ‘Wow, that must be really sore’.
      “I was trying to think back to my medical training and nowhere in my training does it teach you how to stitch a penis.

      “I thought, ‘I don’t want the first penis I’ve stitched to be Steven Gerrard’s but it was’.”

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      Gerrard incredibly got up and carried on with the gameAndy joined Liverpool FC in 2013 as the academy doctor and match-day medical co-ordinator, before acting as first-team doctor on an interim basis a year later – a position made permanent after successfully sewing Stevie’s tackle.
      The medic spoke of his delicate job on Stevie for the first time on a footie podcast.
      Ex-Reds captain Stevie’s shorts ended up a bloodied mess during a January 2014 FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.

      Former Northern Ireland team doctor Andy cleared a room at Dean Court – Bournemouth’s home ground – and set about stitching the midfielder’s crown jewels back together.
      Praising Andy’s work Steven has said: “Doc Massey spoke to a few people and the room cleared.
      “I took off my shorts and underpants and had one last look. Ouch. I hoped I wasn’t saying goodbye to an old friend.
      FULLY CONCENTRATED
      “I got a jab first and then, careful not to look at what he was doing, I could tell he wasn’t feeling too comfortable about it either.
      “Doc Massey must have wished that he could have stayed at home treating the Academy kids’ cuts and bruises.
      “I didn’t talk much, though. I wanted him fully concentrated.
      “He did a good job. I felt no pain as he put in the stitches – four as he had predicted – and I walked back into the dressing room.”
      He added about the injury in his memoir: “The magic of the FA Cup was bloodied on the day my penis was cut and then stitched shut.
      “The only surprise that Saturday, was an eye-watering laceration to my private parts.
      “I pulled my shorts a couple of inches away from my waist and managed a sneaky check.
      “My underpants were bloodied.
      “My mind was racing, I was concerned that something serious had happened.
      “I discreetly pulled back my underpants as well as my shorts for a longer look.
      “I ran over to the touchline, straight to Brendan [Rodgers]. I also called over to Chris Morgan and Andy Massey.
      ‘I PLAYED ON’
      “I said to Brendan, ‘Look, I’ve got a problem here…’ I nodded down to my privates.
      ‘There’s a big gash … it’s bleeding,’ I said.
      “Chris acted quickly. He called a few of the backroom team over and they formed a little huddle so no one else could see what we were doing as I opened up my shorts.
      “Brendan peered down, grimaced and shook his head.”
      The footballer didn’t have the energy to celebrate their 2-0 win in the dressing room afterwards.
      Stevie, now Rangers FC boss, added: “I played on. The pain wasn’t too bad – just the dull ache that follows the sharp slicing sensation when your skin first gets cut open.

      “All the lads were falling about laughing. We had won, the atmosphere was good and they thought it was hilarious. I got zero sympathy from any of the lads.
      “The lads were absolutely p***ing themselves now and you can imagine how many jokes about inches and stitches, penis size and my future performances at home with Alex. I might have smiled but I could have throttled the lot of them.
      “A bunch of footballers are the last people you want discussing the state of your sliced penis.”

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      Bournemouth star Harry Arter will have been shocked at the results of his accidental studding of GerrardCredit: Rex Features

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      Stevie said he didn’t talk during the delicate interventionCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

      Jurgen Klopp says Adam Lallana is refusing to play for Liverpool again over fears injury might end big-money free transfer
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      Man United legend Alex Ferguson, 78, raked in £2m last year despite being retired

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      SIR Alex Ferguson raked in £2million last year to boost the value of his personal company to more than £12.4million.
      The former Manchester United boss’ wealth continued to soar seven years after he retired.

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      Sir Alex Ferguson’s company records show a profit of £2m for last yearCredit: PA:Press Association
      He has earned millions from book deals, personal appearances and public speaking engagements.
      Latest accounts for his company ACF (Alexander Chapman Ferguson) Sports Promotions show it declared a profit of £2,085,030 for the year up to June 30, 2019.
      They showed the company had assets of £19million against debts of almost £6.6million.
      Among his investments was a Goldman Sachs private equity fund called Distressed Managers.

      Glasgow-born Sir Alex, 78, still works 20 days a year as a United ambassador. In 2018, he survived a brain haemorrhage.
      Last year he raised £400,000 for the NHS as a thank you for the care he received during his health scare.
      The Scottish football legend arranged a star-studded event in Manchester and handed over all proceeds to the NHS.

      Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Man Utd training as stars head in after celebrating derby win over City
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      Steven Gerrard once tore his penis during a match so badly that it left the doc who treated him mentally scarred

      by

      STEVEN Gerrard once tore his penis during a Liverpool match so badly that it left the doctor who treated him mentally scarred, he has revealed.
      The Liverpool legend, now 40, needed stitches on his tackle after he sustained an eye-watering laceration to his manhood during a cup tie.

      3

      Steven Gerrard needed stitches on his penis after it was torn during a Liverpool matchCredit: Kenny Ramsay – The Sun Glasgow
      Andrew Massey was new to the role of the Reds’ team doctor – and the experience left him traumatised as Stevie’s was the first penis he sewed back together.
      Andy – promoted to the post of Fifa’s head doc in March – said: “Stevie came over to me at the end of the match and said, ‘Doc, you are going to have to have a look at this’.
      “I looked down and saw blood everywhere and thought, ‘Wow, that must be really sore’.
      “I was trying to think back to my medical training and nowhere in my training does it teach you how to stitch a penis.

      “I thought, ‘I don’t want the first penis I’ve stitched to be Steven Gerrard’s but it was’.”
      Andy joined Liverpool FC in 2013 as the academy doctor and match-day medical co-ordinator, before acting as first-team doctor on an interim basis a year later – a position made permanent after successfully sewing Stevie’s tackle.
      The medic spoke of his delicate job on Stevie for the first time on a footie podcast.
      Ex-Reds captain Stevie’s shorts ended up a bloodied mess during a January 2014 FA Cup tie against Bournemouth.

      Former Northern Ireland team doctor Andy cleared a room at Dean Court – Bournemouth’s home ground – and set about stitching the midfielder’s crown jewels back together.
      Praising Andy’s work Steven has said: “Doc Massey spoke to a few people and the room cleared.
      “I took off my shorts and underpants and had one last look. Ouch. I hoped I wasn’t saying goodbye to an old friend.
      FULLY CONCENTRATED
      “I got a jab first and then, careful not to look at what he was doing, I could tell he wasn’t feeling too comfortable about it either.
      “Doc Massey must have wished that he could have stayed at home treating the Academy kids’ cuts and bruises.
      “I didn’t talk much, though. I wanted him fully concentrated.
      “He did a good job. I felt no pain as he put in the stitches – four as he had predicted – and I walked back into the dressing room.”
      He added about the injury in his memoir: “The magic of the FA Cup was bloodied on the day my penis was cut and then stitched shut.
      “The only surprise that Saturday, was an eye-watering laceration to my private parts.
      “I pulled my shorts a couple of inches away from my waist and managed a sneaky check.
      “My underpants were bloodied.
      “My mind was racing, I was concerned that something serious had happened.
      “I discreetly pulled back my underpants as well as my shorts for a longer look.
      “I ran over to the touchline, straight to Brendan [Rodgers]. I also called over to Chris Morgan and Andy Massey.
      ‘I PLAYED ON’
      “I said to Brendan, ‘Look, I’ve got a problem here…’ I nodded down to my privates.
      ‘There’s a big gash … it’s bleeding,’ I said.
      “Chris acted quickly. He called a few of the backroom team over and they formed a little huddle so no one else could see what we were doing as I opened up my shorts.
      “Brendan peered down, grimaced and shook his head.”
      The footballer didn’t have the energy to celebrate their 2-0 win in the dressing room afterwards.
      Stevie, now Rangers FC boss, added: “I played on. The pain wasn’t too bad – just the dull ache that follows the sharp slicing sensation when your skin first gets cut open.

      “All the lads were falling about laughing. We had won, the atmosphere was good and they thought it was hilarious. I got zero sympathy from any of the lads.
      “The lads were absolutely p***ing themselves now and you can imagine how many jokes about inches and stitches, penis size and my future performances at home with Alex. I might have smiled but I could have throttled the lot of them.
      “A bunch of footballers are the last people you want discussing the state of your sliced penis.”

      3

      Andrew Massey was left traumatised as it was the first penis he had fixedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      3

      Stevie said he didn’t talk during the delicate interventionCredit: Willie Vass – The Sun

      Jurgen Klopp says Adam Lallana is refusing to play for Liverpool again over fears injury might end big-money free transfer
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