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      ‘Of course, it’s difficult’ – Ben Chilwell opens up on being bombed out by Chelsea before Crystal Palace lifeline

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      BEN CHILWELL refused to let membership of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ drag him down.The defender was frozen out completely by boss Enzo Maresca this season but kept his head up high in order to secure a move away.Ben Chilwell is enjoying a fresh start at Crystal PalaceCredit: GettyHe was frozen out of the squad at ChelseaCredit: GettyFull-back Chilwell is now on loan at Crystal Palace and one win away from Wembley in the FA Cup semi finals – a huge turnaround from the dark days in isolation at Stamford Bridge.Chilwell said to ITV: “Between the start of the season and January I was training by myself a lot of the days. “You’re not involved in the matchday squads and you kind of just wait for the opportunity when you’re going to go somewhere.“If you go somewhere in January and you’re miles off the pace or you’ve not put the work in, the only person that’s losing out is you.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“Of course, it’s difficult. Training by yourself a lot for a number of months isn’t easy. But the only person that was going to lose out if I wasn’t ready was myself. “So these past four or five months have given me an opportunity to mentally and physically just realign, refocus, reset. To go again.“There were a lot of circumstances and things going on at Chelsea that weren’t in my control, which I completely respect.“The things I could control was how I came into training every day and how I trained, whether by myself or with the group.Most read in FA CupJoin SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge“That’s just a reflection of myself and I wasn’t going to let myself down in those moments you can control you just control as best as you can.”Maresca bluntly told Chilwell that he simply did not fit into his tactical plans. It was nothing personal but it will have hurt.Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell completes loan transfer to Crystal PalaceChilwell, 28, is big on the mental side of professional sports and kept his chin up, finally bagging a loan move to Palace in January.Whether or not a permanent deal is struck at the end of the season, there is no way back for him at Chelsea while Maresca is manager.He held a Zoom call with Eagles boss Oliver Glasner about a temporary switch and knew straightaway he fancied moving to South London for a fresh start.Chilwell has played five times at Wembley at club level. With only one win so far.The Champions League winning left-back made his Palace debut as a sub in the FA Cup fourth round win over Doncaster Rovers. He has featured in the two rounds since.The fifth round win over Millwall was overshadowed by serious injury to Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who needed 25 stitches to a cut ear after a collision with keeper Liam Roberts.The Frenchman is declared fit to play at Fulham on Saturday and Chilwell says it is a huge boost both physically and mentally.He said: “He’s the glue of the place. He’s the loudest one in the changing room. The loudest one around here. You need a few of those don’t you?“You need those characters around the place always cracking jokes making people laugh. They’re the loudest ones when their team loses or their team wins.“They’re the most important figures in the changing room, so it’s definitely noticeable when he’s not in the building. Having him back this weekend will be a massive boost.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Before coming here I knew a lot of the players previously through the national team, through playing against them in the league. It seemed a pretty easy choice. I spoke to the manager also.“We had a talk over Zoom and kind of agreed on lots of lots of different things. So I think with the manager and the people that I knew here previously It was a pretty easy decision to come.” More

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      Man Utd quoted stunning £100million price tag for Premier League star, 19, who has scored just two goals this season

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly been quoted £100million for Southampton star Tyler Dibling.The 19-year-old has been one of the few shining lights for Saints this season.Southampton want £100million for Man Utd target Tyler DiblingCredit: GettyThe south coast club sit rock-bottom of the Premier League table with just two wins from 29 games.And their relegation fate could be sealed early next month, less than a year after winning promotion from the Championship.Southampton are on their second manager of the campaign in Ivan Juric, with predecessor Russell Martin sacked before Christmas.And fans are now resigned to at least another term in English football’s second tier.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, hopes remain high for the development of star man Dibling.The teen forward has only scored twice in the Premier League.But his all-action approach and lightning speed down the flanks has provided supporters with some rare excitement.Dibling, who had a brief spell at Chelsea in 2022, has attracted plenty of attention as a result.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMan United are thought to be strongly interested as they look to rebuild their squad for Ruben Amorim.Likewise, rivals Man City, Tottenham and Newcastle are also thought to have Dibling high on their shopping lists this summer.I told Rio Ferdinand to tell Sir Alex Ferguson to f*** off and the Man Utd legend’s reaction was pricelessBut Southampton have no intention of letting him leave for pennies.According to the Telegraph, Saints chiefs have slapped an eye-watering £100m price tag on him.The St Mary’s side are extremely reluctant to let Dibling leave and reckon he can orchestrate the club’s immediate return to the top flight.One Southampton star who looks likely to leave though is goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.The stopper only joined from Arsenal last summer for £25m but knows he needs to be playing regularly in the Premier League to secure his England spot at the World Cup. More

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      Trent Alexander-Arnold will be forced to break from nine-year tradition at Real Madrid thanks to little-known rule

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      TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD will not be able to wear his No66 shirt at Real Madrid due to a little-known rule.The Liverpool star’s contract expires this summer and he is ready to leave Anfield for free.Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid this summerCredit: GettyHe will be forced to ditch his No66 shirt due to a LaLiga ruleCredit: AlamyAlexander-Arnold will reportedly sign a five-year deal at Real Madrid and pocket £240,000-a-week.His move to Spain sees his spell at boyhood club Liverpool come to an end and his nine years wearing the No66 is also over.That is because a LaLiga rule prevents players having kit numbers above No25, corresponding to the size of a team’s squad.Only youngsters who are not registered in the senior squad, but can still play, are allowed to wear a higher digit on their back.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis future Real Madrid team-mate Raul Asencio is an exception to the rule amid a breakthrough season in the No35 shirt.The No66 has become synonymous with Alexander-Arnold after he was given it when he first started training with the first-team in 2016.It was handed to him as it was a free number and not low enough to think he was an established part of the Liverpool side.But Alexander-Arnold quickly broke into the starting XI in the unique number and has decided to keep it ever since.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKWhile playing for England, he has donned the No2, No7, No8 and No10 shirts.Despite him seemingly leaving Liverpool on a free, the club are still set to rake in cash from Real Madrid.’He’s going to Tranmere after this’ – Roy Keane rips into Trent Alexander-Arnold after ‘school boy’ defending vs Man UtdThe Champions League holders want to complete the signing in time for the revamped Club World Cup, which starts on June 15.Alexander-Arnold’s deal does not expire until June 30 and Real Madrid are therefore willing to pay around £5million to break the contract early so he can join his new team in the US for the tournament. More

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      Bastian Schweinsteiger went from zero to hero while getting jeered by own fans after Trent Alexander-Arnold-style saga

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      BAYERN MUNICH legend Bastian Schweinsteiger faced a saga similar to that of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2011.Alexander-Arnold, 26, has reportedly agreed to join Real Madrid in June when his Anfield contract expires and is expected to sign a five-year deal worth in excess of £220,000 per week.Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has reportedly agreed to join Real MadridCredit: PABayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger faced a similar predicament as Alexander-ArnoldSchweinsteiger was linked with an exit but he ultimately signed a new contract with BayernThis comes after months of intense speculation regarding the full-back’s future that even led to a section of the Reds’ faithful booing him at times, claiming his mind was focused on Real.Schweinsteiger, 40, faced the same problem 14 years ago when his Bayern contract was coming to an end.Just like Alexander-Arnold, he also came out of his esteemed club’s academy and was adored by fans as one of their own.The likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and – funnily enough – Real all tried to take advantage of the situation and lure the then Germany international.Read More on FootballAnd after a 3-0 victory over St Pauli on January 2, 2011, the German took the microphone from the stadium announcer to speak to the live crowd at the Allianz Arena.Schweinsteiger was met with a chorus of boos from the Bayern faithful, who thought he was about to announce his imminent departure.However, the crowd was swerved as the fan favourite instead confirmed he had signed a new contract.Schweinsteiger said: “I’ve been playing here at FC Bayern Munich for 12 years now.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”And I wanted to tell you, I have extended my contract and will stay at FC Bayern until 2016. Long live Bayern!”Schweinsteiger spent another four years with Bayern where he amassed a total of 500 appearances and won every title available until his departure for Man Utd.Trent Alexander-Arnold has agreed terms on a move to Real Madrid this summer, according to reports It’s not too late for Alexander-Arnold – who could become the seventh Englishman to play at the Bernabeu – to deliver a similar swerve to Liverpool fans as nothing has been finalised yet.However, the latest reports indicate that the Enland international is closer to an exit than he is to a new contract with Arne Slot’s side.Liverpool are also at risk of losing Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk at the end of the season as their deals also run out in three months. More

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      Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi deal ‘faces being hijacked by Real Madrid with £50m transfer plotted’

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      ARSENAL’S bid for Martin Zubimendi is at risk of being hijacked by Real Madrid.The Gunners have been keeping tabs on Real Sociedad star Zubimendi, 26, ever since last year when they tried to lure him away from Spain.Arsenal’s bid for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi could be hijacked by Real MadridCredit: GettySociedad star Zubimendi has also been linked with LiverpoolCredit: RexThe North Londoners are going toe to toe with Premier League rivals Liverpool for the midfielder’s signature – with the midfielder having dramatically snubbed the champions-elect last summer.Now, according to El Partidazo de COPE, Arsenal – and the Reds for that matter – are now facing serious competition from Real who are pushing hard for the Spain international’s signature.As per the same source, Zubimendi’s agent is listening to offers ahead of the summer transfer window.And Real president Florentino Perez is making his move as he understands his team’s advantage.Read More on ArsenalThe reigning European champions can guarantee the talented Spaniard Champions League football next season as well as silverware in the near future.Sociedad, on the other hand, are 12th in Laliga with 17 points separating them from the top four.This comes after Imanol Alguacil’s side were eliminated from the Europa League in the Last 16 by Manchester United.Real are more than willing to meet Zubimendi’s €60million (£50m) release clause and the potential arrival of Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso in the dugout will have no affect regarding their plans.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The EmiratesThe same report claims the final decision now lies on the defensive midfielder.Zubimendi is highly rated and has been compared to Chelsea and Real legend Claude Makelele, Barcelona hero Sergio Busquets and Manchester City star Rodri.Myles Lewis-Skelly lost for words after finding out he has broken England recordArsenal and Liverpool were very keen to sign him last summer but he was persuaded to remain at his beloved Sociedad by manager Alguacil and sporting director Roberto Olabe.The pair prepared a presentation and pulled on the player’s San Sebastian heartstrings with pictures of his favourite local tapas restaurants and mountain hikes he enjoys in the Basque Country.The talented No6 has amassed a total of two goals and two assists in 38 appearances this season. More

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      Leah Williamson to use memorable Arsenal defeat of Bayern Munich as fuel for Real Madrid duel

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      LEAH WILLIAMSON hopes Arsenal’s Champions League knockout of Bayern Munich can fuel their battle for a semi-final spot. Her side are 2-0 down after losing their first-leg quarters game away at Real Madrid last Tuesday.Leah Williamson and her Arsenal team-mates aim to overcome Real Madrid in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finalsCredit: PAThe Gunners need to overcome a two-goal deficit in order to reach the contest’s semi-finals this yearCredit: PAThe last time Williamson’s side reached the contest’s last four was back in March 2023. Back then they overturned a 1-0 deficit to beat Bayern 2-1 on aggregate. And the Arsenal centre-back, 27,  hopes they can repeat this feat against Real Madrid in one of their biggest games this season. Williamson said: “The experience of overturning the quarter-final against Bayern Munich – that comes in handy for anybody that played in that game. That was a great memory. Read More Football Stories “Anybody that was involved in that game will take confidence from that knowing that we know how to do it.”Good things happen in football, bad things happen in football. “And when the good things happen you keep them in your pocket and just as much as the bad but you call them when you need them.”Arsenal’s game this evening will take place on pristine turf at the Emirates – a stark contrast to the muddy pitch they played on in Spain last week. Most read in FootballHeavy rain in Madrid left the turf at Alfredo Di Stefano stadium in a shabby state with players on sides getting covered in mud. However Williamson refused to blame the conditions for the Gunners’ first-leg defeat. She adds: “We were frustrated but more so at ourselves than anything else.Rainy weather ruined the condition of the pitch Arsenal and Real played on in Spain in the first leg of their quarters clashCredit: Getty”Whether pitch, weather, whatever it is, the standards of Arsenal are higher than they were last week.”The last time Arsenal won the Champions League was back in 2007 when they became the first English club to do so. Lifelong Gunners supporter Williamson, who dreams of helping them win again, said: “I’m an Arsenal fan and grew up at this club so that’s the dream.” More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal in transfer battle for two Olympiacos wonderkids but face fight with host of European giants

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are keeping tabs on two Olympiacos wonderkids ahead of the summer transfer window.Both teenage sensations are part of the Greek giants’ exciting new generation that won the Uefa Youth League with the Under-19s last season.Manchester United and Arsenal are keeping tabs on Olympiacos wonderkid Babis KostoulasCredit: GettyChristos Mouzakitis is also being eyed by Man Utd and Arsenal along with a host of European giantsCredit: GettyBabis Kostoulas and Christos Mouzakitis were among the main protagonists of that historic triumph that saw them become part of the first ever Greek team to win a European title, shortly before the seniors conquered the Europa Conference League.Both of them were quickly promoted into Olympiacos’ first team under manager Jose Luis Mendilibar last summer.Highly-rated forward Kostoulas, 17, has so far amassed a total of six goals and two assists in 33 appearances with the Piraeus outfit this season.And rising midfield star Mouzakitis, 18, has registered two goals as well as four assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.Read More on FootballSunSport understand that their ongoing rise to prominence has led to interest from Man Utd and Arsenal, but both Premier League giants are facing competition from a host of European rivals.The pair are also being monitored by Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Juventus.Tottenham, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly keen on Kostoulas, while SunSport can reveal that the Greece Under-21 international – soon to be a senior – has received interest from Spain.We can also report that Brighton, Wolves, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid are eyeing Mouzakitis.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThe midfielder stood out during the international break as he made his first ever start with Greece in Scotland and helped his team climb up to League A in the Nations League with a stunning 3-0 win.Kostoulas missed out on a call-up by manager Ivan Jovanovic due to a hamstring injury he suffered three weeks ago.’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewBut he is in contention for Sunday’s crunch derby against rivals Panathinaikos. More

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      Man Utd make contact with Olympiacos over wonderkid also chased by Arsenal but pair face stiff transfer competition

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      OLYMPIACOS wonderkid Babis Kostoulas is being eyed by Manchester United and Arsenal amid a stunning breakout season in Greece.Kostoulas, 17, burst onto the scene last term when he led the Piraeus outfit’s Under-19s to the Uefa Youth Cup.Manchester United made contact with Olympiacos over Arsenal target Babis KostoulasCredit: GettyKostoulas also received interest from Spain after Premier League, Bundesliga and Serie A linksCredit: APThat made Olympiacos’ youth team the first ever Greek club to win a European title shortly before the seniors made history by conquering the Europa Conference League.The versatile forward was quickly promoted to the first team under manager Jose Luis Mendilibar and earned a place in the starting line-up.The Greece Under-21 international, who will soon be joining the senior national team, has so far amassed a total of six goals and two assists in 33 appearances with Olympiacos this season.That has led to interest from several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa.Read More on FootballUnited have even made contact with the Greek giants, who are not keen to sell their most promising prospect this summer.Man Utd and other interested Premier League sides face competition from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and AC Milan.SunSport also understand there is interest from Spain for Kostoulas.This comes after last month’s reports suggesting Real Madrid are keeping tabs on the Greek teenage sensation.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordSunSport can’t confirm any interest from Real but the striker has certainly turned heads in LaLiga.Kostoulas was set to join Greece during the current international break for the Nations League play-offs against Scotland.’He’s got a sense of humour’ – Sky Sports panel in stitches after Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s stunt in live TV interviewHowever, the youngster didn’t make the cut due to a hamstring injury he suffered three weeks ago in the Europa League’s Last 16 first leg against Bodo/Glimt.However, SunSport understand the rising star will be in contention for Sunday’s crunch play-off derby against rivals Panathinaikos at Georgios Karaiskakis. More