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      Ivan Toney would have been PERFECT for Man Utd… but if he carries on scoring Chelsea could come calling

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      IVAN TONEY is a good friend of mine so I am very chuffed and pleased he has got his England call-up.It has been a long journey and he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
      Brentford striker Ivan Toney has been called up to the England squad for the first timeCredit: Getty
      Toney has banged in five goals in six Premier League games this seasonCredit: Reuters
      He never made it in the England age groups but he has still played at a really good level for a really long time.
      He left Newcastle and dropped down divisions to prove he could deliver.

      And with the way the England set-up is now, I think his story could become even rarer in years to come so, when we see a story like Ivan’s, we have to champion it.
      There were even a lot of question marks when Brentford bought him from Peterborough but he is a proper finisher and an all-round No 9.
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      Aside from blistering pace, he is good at everything, including his insane penalty record, which Gareth Southgate would have had on his mind after how the Euros ended.
      His Brentford boss Thomas Frank has even said in the past that Ivan should be in the squad purely based on that alone — but he has so many other strings to his bow.
      If he was doing what he is doing now at a more glamorous club we would be waxing lyrical about him.
      But because he is at Brentford, it is a bit more unfashionable.
      Toney scored a hat-trick in Brentford’s 5-2 win over Leeds last time outCredit: Reuters
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      This guy has proven for a few years now that he can do it on the next level.
      I remember Ivan was linked with Arsenal and Manchester United  previously and he would have shone there.
      He would have been a perfect fit for United in terms of what they currently need up front, as well as Arsenal until Gabriel Jesus redefined that role for them.
      If he has the year he will likely have, even Chelsea will be keeping an eye on him.
      He could go there long-term and be a real success under Graham Potter.
      You look at the certain type of striker nowadays, your Darwin Nunez or Erling Haaland who are 6ft-plus and are mobile and can score all different types of goals, you have to put Ivan in that category.
      He has always been a humble kid but he is very confident in his ability and when you score the amount he has over the past two years, you would back yourself.
      And he will certainly back himself to impose his character and personality on this current England squad and training camp under Southgate ahead of the World Cup.
      Troy Deeney believes Chelsea could look to sign Toney at the end of the campaignCredit: Reuters
      If he was doing what he is doing now at a more glamorous club we would be waxing lyrical about him.”Troy Deeney
      What makes me say that is how his game evolved massively simply by playing briefly with Christian Eriksen last season at Brentford.
      He used to come deep a lot and yet a few months with Eriksen saw him stay high on the defender’s shoulder and he grabbed more goals.
      When he is around better players he lifts and raises his own game and being at England will only see him kick on and do more.
      Ivan won’t get intimidated and he will take his game to a whole new level.
      He really will flourish if he is given the time on the pitch by Southgate.
      You’d like to think Southgate is seriously considering Ivan for the World Cup, alongside the likes of Tammy Abraham.
      We all know Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane are already going.
      He has seen enough of them already. So, in these upcoming fixtures you have to give Ivan and Tammy that chance and experience.
      Toney fired in 12 top-flight goals last campaign to help the Bees finish in 13th spotCredit: Getty
      If he has the year he will likely have, Chelsea will be keeping an eye on him.Troy Deeney
      Give them a full game each and see how they do, rather than bringing either on for 20 minutes.
      Give the pair of them a proper challenge and see if they can sustain their club form at international level against two of the very best in Italy and Germany.
      Also, Southgate will be arguably more interested to see how Ivan fits in around this group off the pitch.
      At World Cups, it is more about the culture and how you mix with the lads socially in a different country for almost a month.
      Elsewhere in the squad, there has been a lot of talk about the inclusion of some names who either aren’t in form or haven’t played much this season.
      I am talking of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Kalvin Phillips and Ben Chilwell.
      No English player has scored more than Toney in the Premier League this termCredit: Reuters
      But put yourself in the shoes of Southgate. He has never been let down by these players in an England shirt.
      Last time they were in a tournament they lost a final on penalties.
      Why would you now say someone like Maguire needs to be dropped because of some recent poor form for Manchester United, who aren’t playing well themselves?
      If he was at Manchester City and not playing well, when the team was flying, perhaps he needs to be dropped but it is not like that.
      It is fans getting too caught up in the short-term. I can see why Southgate has picked the players he has but he can never win.
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      Even if he picked his squad based on a poll on Twitter, there would still be complaints.
      He will live and die by his decisions but he knows that all too well by now. More

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      Sean Dyche says he was right to be sacked by Burnley and throws hat into ring for Bournemouth manager job

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      SEAN DYCHE has thrown his hat into the ring for the Bournemouth job – but says Burnley were RIGHT to sack him last season.The 51-year-old was shockingly axed by the American owners of the Clarets in April after a decade in charge.
      Sean Dyche says Burnley were correct in sacking him last seasonCredit: Rex
      Dyche twice took Burnley into the top flight and qualified for the Europa League in 2018 – the club’s first time in European football since 1967.
      But his exit came after Burnley recorded just four Premier League wins to leave them 18th and four points adrift of safety.
      He was replaced by Mike Jackson, but the caretaker was unable to keep them in the top-flight as the club slipped down into the Championship.
      Dyche believes that he would have kept the Turf Moor side up, although he also insisted that it was the correct decision by the club’s chiefs to fire him.
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      He told SPORTbible: “People go ‘oh you’re hard done by’, we didn’t win enough games, fact. That’s your job as a manager, win enough games. So I will never hide behind that. 
      “There’s other reasons, millions of different reasons about why but the facts are the facts. We had a team that could have won more games and we didn’t win enough games.” 
      Dyche continued: “The argument would be, and I said this on parting, that the eight games that were remaining were arguably the best run of games on paper because the Premier League is very difficult.
      “But on paper the best run of games of the season, that’s the only thing I couldn’t get.
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      “I was like ‘well that’s the best run and you’re taking us out two days before the best run’ but the owners are under pressure to make decisions, not an easy decision, a big, brave decision for someone who has been there as long as I have.
      “Like I said, with all that being considered, you still got to win enough games and we didn’t do that.”
      Newly-promoted Bournemouth are still searching for their next full-time manager after they sacked Scott Parker just four games into this season.
      And Dyche admitted that he would be keen on the job, saying: “There’s nothing that I wouldn’t look at.
      “Because in my career, I didn’t play in the Premier League but played loads of cup games against Premier League clubs and I played in all the other divisions.
      “I managed in the Championship, the Premier League as well. I’d never disrespect any club. I’ve been around the game since I was 16.
      “My belief in management, and I’ve always made this clear to the owners at Burnley and Watford, just tell me what I’ve got to manage.
      “What is hard for a manager is when you get told you’ve got to manage this and then a month later, this comes along.
      “Then the goalposts keep changing and different figures appear and you’re like ‘where was the structure we all agreed on’.
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      “Usually the best scenario in my experience is tell me what you want me to manage and I’ll manage it to the best of my ability.
      “Money is a big one. So just tell me that we haven’t got any money and then I’ll manage the best I can with no money. Or tell me we have got some money. The greyness is really hard for managers.” More

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      James Rodriguez completes shock Olympiacos transfer after ripping up Qatar contract to join ex-Real Madrid pal Marcelo

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      FORMER Everton and Real Madrid star James Rodriguez has completed his shock move to Olympiacos.The Colombian playmaker had been looking for an exit from Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan where he was under contract until 2024, which included a £5.2m annual salary.
      James Rodriguez has signed for OlympiacosCredit: EPA
      The Colombian (right) will reunite with Marcelo (centre) in Greece
      Now Olympiacos have handed him a way out and a return to Europe after reaching an agreement with the 31-year-old.
      And they officially announced the arrival of the South American this afternoon after he agreed to terminate his deal at Al-Rayyan.
      The Superleague giants have been in talks with Rodriguez for several days.
      Now they have managed to get the transfer over the line before the summer window in Greece slams shut tonight.
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      Al-Rayyan confirmed the departure of the the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner earlier, saying: “Al Rayyan terminates the contract of Colombian professional James Rodriguez by mutual consent after reaching an agreement between the two parties.”
      The length of his new contract has not yet been disclosed.
      His arrival is the second major signing by Olympiacos over recent weeks after they landed Rodriguez’s former Real team-mate Marcelo.
      During his one season stint with Everton under Carlo Ancelotti, Rodriguez scored six goals and got nine assists in 26 games.
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      The former Bayern Munich loanee has also claimed he’d happily rejoin Everton earlier this year.
      Rodriguez insisted that he only left the ‘spectacular club’ because then-boss Rafa Benitez didn’t trust him as a player.
      But he irked Toffees’ fans after once admitting on social media he didn’t know who their next opponents were. More

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      Red Bull Salzburg chief Christophe Freund watches clash against Chelsea as he is linked with Blues sporting director job

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      RB SALZBURG sporting director Christophe Freund was spotted at Stamford Bridge amid talks with Chelsea.SunSport reported on Wednesday that the West London club are in “advanced talks” to appoint Freund as sporting director.
      RB Salzburg chief and Chelsea target Freund was pictured watching the two teams on Wednesday night
      The Austrian greeted Mateo Kovacic after the gameCredit: Alamy
      The 45-year-old is expected to speak with Potter in the ‘coming days’Credit: Alamy
      The Blues shared a drab 1-1 draw with the Austrian club but a bit of extra spice was added with his appearance.
      Freund, 45, has held his current position at Salzburg since 2015 and has earned a reputation for unearthing talent in that time.
      He enticed Erling Haaland to the club three years ago from Molde and now Chelsea owner Todd Boehly wants to bring his talents to Stamford Bridge.
      ESPN’S Ben Jacobs claims that Graham Potter is expected to speak with him over the coming days.
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      Owner Todd Boehly likes Freund’s experience working within a multi-club model.
      One of the Austrian’s tasks would also be to oversee a potential network of clubs similar to the Red Bull setup for the Chelsea brand.
      Speaking at the SALT Conference in New York, Boehly said: “We’ve talked about having a multi-club model.
      “I think there’s different countries where there’s advantages to having a club. Red Bull have Salzburg and Leipzig in the Champions League.
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      “I want to continue building out the footprint. I think there’s different countries where there’s advantages to having a club.
      “We know people and human capital. We understand game plans and strategies. We’re not expecting to be the football experts to find the best talent, we are going to put those people in place.
      “The challenge that Chelsea has, when you have 18, 19, 20-year-old superstars, you can loan them out to clubs, but you put their development in someone else’s hands.
      “Our goal is to make sure we can show pathways for our young superstars to get onto the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time. The way to do that is through another club in a really competitive league in Europe.”

      On Wednesday night, Salzburg striker Noah Okafor stunned Stamford Bridge with a late equaliser, after Raheem Sterling had netted the opening goal of the Potter era.
      Chelsea now head into a double-header against AC Milan finding themselves bottom of Group E and needing a couple of positive results if they are to advance to the group stage. 
      Potter, a low-key man, was given a low-key entrance on his opening night at Stamford Bridge. 
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      And although it was a far superior performance to last week’s defeat in Dinamo Zagreb – which sealed Thomas Tuchel’s fate – the result was another poor one. 
      Chelsea are also believed to be considering a move for ex-Liverpool director Michael Edwards. More

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      Liverpool open to terminating Arthur Melo’s loan transfer in January if Klopp finds long-term midfield replacement

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      LIVERPOOL are open to terminating Arthur Melo’s loan in the January window if they find a replacement.The Brazilian, 26, completed a year-long temporary deal with a £32million buy option from Juventus earlier this month.
      Liverpool ‘would not be afraid’ of terminating Arthur Melo’s loan deal in January if they find a midfield replacementCredit: AFP
      But there is already word that Jurgen Klopp wants a long-term solution to his midfield issues.
      TUTTOmercatoWEB claim that the Anfield team “would not be afraid” to end the loan deal for Arthur if that happens.
      The ex-Juve man has played just 13 minutes of action so far – in the 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Napoli.
      Liverpool are in the middle of an injury crisis that is threatening to cripple their title bid.
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      Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcantara, Ibrahima Konate, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones, Fabio Carvalho, Calvin Ramsay and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been sidelined.
      Thiago was welcomed back against Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
      But Klopp’s team are already five points behind champions Manchester City.
      And Arthur was flown in to join fellow countrymen Alisson, Roberto Firmino a­nd Fabinho push through a difficult start to the season.
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      The former Barcelona ace left the Nou Camp for Juventus back in 2020 and helped them to Coppa Italia success. 
      But he only scored once and produced one assist during his two campaigns in Serie A.
      And according to the Italian report, the Turin-based side “don’t want him back either”. More

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      ‘Nobody would turn down an offer from Chelsea’ – Brighton star Moises Caicedo opens door to transfer reunion with Potter

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      MOISES CAICEDO has admitted it would be a “dream” to move to Chelsea and work with Graham Potter again.The Blues were keen on the 20-year-old even before Potter left Brighton to replace Thomas Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
      Moises Caicedo says ‘nobody would turn down’ a move to Chelsea and could reunite with Graham Potter at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty
      And now the Ecuadorian is said to be a target in the January window, when the new boss can put his own stamp on things through the transfer market.
      Caicedo spoke to Argentine outlet Ole about the possibility of a reunion at the Premier League giants later in the season.
      He said: “It made me very sad now that Potter left for Chelsea, because he helped me a lot and I wanted to continue having him as a manager, but that’s football.
      “You never know. Today you can be here and tomorrow somewhere else, that’s the job of a footballer and a coach.
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      “At Brighton he worked very well and people love him very much. I’m very happy for him and for the great opportunity that was presented to him. 
      “Right now I’m very focused on Brighton and the World Cup. I want to have a great World Cup and then we’ll see what happens.
      “I think they are one of the best teams in the world and nobody would turn down an offer from Chelsea or any other club like that.
      “It’d be a dream to be in the best teams in the world and succeed there.”
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      The midfielder spent 18 months playing under Potter at Brighton.
      Caicedo had started every league game this term before the Englishman departed the Amex.
      The youngster was starting to flourish, fulfilling his dream of playing in the top flight.
      He revealed he wants to play at the very top and will do what he can to accomplish his ambition of winning a title.
      Caicedo added: “From a very young age I have dreamed of doing things very well in order to be at the top.
      “I like to win titles and it would be a dream to win the Premier League. That is why I have come here, not only to compete, but to win titles.
      “I want to be the Ecuadorian who has won the most titles in his career. I am working very hard for it and I want to achieve it.” More

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      Chelsea set to be joined by Man City in January transfer move for Rafael Leao after AC Milan rejected summer approach

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      MANCHESTER CITY are set to join Chelsea in the hunt for AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.San Siro technical director Paolo Maldini has confirmed the Blues had an approach for the winger knocked back in the summer.
      Rafael Leao is a reported target for Chelsea and Manchester CityCredit: Reuters
      And now City are hoping to pounce.
      The 23-year-old is “liked” by Pep Guardiola and his Premier League champions, according to Calciomercato.
      But Guardiola and Co will face stiff competition from Chelsea if they decide to swoop for the Portugal international.
      Exciting winger Leao was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the course of the summer.
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      Reports claimed the Blues had lodged a late offer for Leao in the final days of the window.
      And AC Milan technical director Maldini has revealed an official bid never arrived, but the Blues did discuss an informal offer.
      The proposal was immediately rebuffed by the Serie A champions.
      Maldini told Sky Italia, via SempreMilan: “Rafa knows that to become even stronger the solution is to stay with us. We are a young and growing team.
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      “We intend to do great things and grow with him. If he then reaches a higher level than Milan, we can think about it.
      “An official offer from Chelsea never arrived, but on an informal level it did. Of course, it was refused.”
      Leao has not let the speculation get to him with the winger enjoying a stunning start to the campaign.
      The winger has scored three goals and provided six assists in just eight games this season.
      But in a blow to Chelsea and City, AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli has confirmed the club intend to offer Leao a new contract. More

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      Arsenal joined by Newcastle in Youri Tielemans transfer race as Eddie Howe plots £17m January bid for Leicester star

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      NEWCASTLE have entered the race to sign Leicester star Youri Tielemans, according to reports.The Belgian, 25, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the King Power Stadium.
      Youri Tielemans has started five of Leicester’s opening six matches this seasonCredit: Reuters
      He has shown no indications of wanting to sign a new one and will look to end his Leicester stay.
      Arsenal have held a long-term interest in the midfield ace, while Manchester United have also been linked.
      But neither opted to meet the Foxes’ £25million valuation in the summer.
      According to French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Newcastle could sneak ahead of both and secure Tielemans’ signature in January.
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      They claim that the Toon are readying a £17m bid for the highly-rated star.
      Leicester could be under pressure to sell mid-season, rather than letting him walk for free next June.
      Club bosses are understood to want to recoup at least some of the £40m they splashed out to sign him in 2019.
      Whether Tielemans would accept a move to St James’ Park remains to be seen.
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      He has previously indicated that he wants to leave Leicester for a team competing in the Champions League.
      The Foxes lost Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last month, while stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice.
      Brendan Rodgers’ side sit bottom of the Premier League after picking up just one point from their opening six games.
      Of these matches, Tielemans has started five – remaining a key man despite doubts lingering over his future.
      Newcastle, meanwhile, have had an indifferent start – winning one, drawing four and losing one of their opening half a dozen matches.
      Tielemans could gather more interest over the winter months, as he competes for Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar. More