Chelsea star jorginho left red faced just days after ballon dor boast

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN pulled out of Chelsea’s FA Cup final squad just hours before kick off - leaving team-mates stunned. The defender told boss Thomas Tuchel that he was not ready to play. Christensen had played the whole 90 minutes of the previous match at Leeds. Surprised Tuchel was forced into an emergency reshuffle of his Wembley plans and started rookie Trevoh Chalobah in the Denmark centre back’s absence. Chelsea went on to lose the final 6-5 on penalties to Liverpool after extra time. An hour after the final whistle Tuchel confirmed that Christensen is leaving Chelsea when the season finishes next Sunday. READ MORE SUN STORIES CHELSEA NEWS Chelsea takeover to be CONFIRMED this week, Azpilicueta to Barca latest DAVE KIDD Tuchel moans about lack of depth - but Liverpool have built squad like few others Head coach Tuchel said: “We are losing Toni, we are losing Andreas, so this is tough.” … [Read more...] about Chelsea ace Andreas Christensen PULLED OUT of playing FA Cup final just hours before kick-off leaving team-mates stunned

BEHIND every great player, there's often a sad story that sparks their epic rise. Chelsea new boy Hakim Ziyech is no different . The Blues have confirmed that the mercurial midfielder will be signing from Ajax for £37million, a modest fee by today's standards. He exploded on the scene last season alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong for the Dutch champions on their epic run to the Champions League semi final last season. But before all of that, when he was a youngster, he had to overcome the heartbreak of losing his father. When Ziyech, 26, was just 10 his dad died following a battle with a long-term illness. From that day, he made it his mission to become a professional footballer and support his family after dropping out of school aged just 16. ONE OF EIGHT Ziyech was born in sleepy Dronten, a Dutch town that boasts a population of around 40,000 people. The youngest of eight children, his dad was Dutch, while his mum is Moroccan. By the age … [Read more...] about Chelsea’s new £37m star Hakim Ziyech went from troubled boy when his dad died to Ajax’s golden boy and summer transfer

It took over 120 minutes and 14 penalties to separate the two teams but it was Liverpool who were left with fond memories of their day at Wembley as they lifted the FA Cup for the eighth time . Everyone played their part in a tense, hot final of the oldest cup competition in world football, but who shone and who had a match to forget? Chelsea (4-3-3) Edouard Mendy No late substitution for Kepa this time. Tuchel must have hoped it was goalkeeper’s day. Mendy offered stern resistance when saving from Luis Diaz in the eight minute and maintained his stubborn streak. 7/10 Reece James Considering when and how to push forward, he must have had the words of The Clash ringing in his ears… ‘Should I stay or should I go?’ With Diaz haunting Chelsea’s right side, it was generally wiser staying. 7/10 Trevor Chalobah Whenever Chalobah was left one-on-one with Diaz it was tempting to contact the Met Police to report a mauling. Chalobah was exposed three times in the first … [Read more...] about Chelsea vs Liverpool, FA Cup final player ratings: Alisson awesome but Romelu Lukaku has match to forget

Bayern Munich want to sign Sadio Mane (Image: GETTY) Sign up HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Liverpool star Sadio Mane reportedly expressed an 'interest' in joining Bayern Munich after talks were held earlier this week. The Reds have put off contract negotiations with their biggest stars until the end of the season with still everything to play for in the final few weeks. Related articles Chelsea Cesar Azpilicueta looks for revenge in Liverpool FA Cup final Fabio Carvalho uses Man Utd on FIFA despite imminent Liverpool move All the talk over the past few months has been about Mohamed Salah's future at Anfield with Liverpool so far unable to meet the … [Read more...] about Liverpool star Sadio Mane ‘interested’ in Bayern Munich transfer after phone discussion

MANCHESTER UNITED fans have begged their club to sign RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku after he was named Bundesliga's Player of the Season. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has been constantly linked with a move to United , who sent scouts to watch him in action in April. United's pursuit was given a boost when it was reported that the France international was open to a Premier League switch. However, the Red Devils were dealt a huge blow when Leipzig's director Oliver Mintzlaff insisted the club had no intention of letting Nkunku leave this summer. But United fans desperately want the Old Trafford outfit to pull out all the stops to get Nkunku to Manchester, reported by ESPN. Nkunku's impressive haul of 20 goals and 15 assists in the German top-tier saw him pip Bayern Munich's prolific hit-man Robert Lewandowski to the award. READ MORE ON MAN UNITED United news Man Utd 'in battle' for Milinkovic-Savic whilst being 'in … [Read more...] about Man Utd fans beg club to sign Christopher Nkunku after RB Leipzig star named Bundesliga’s Player of the Season

ARSENAL will be forced to field a makeshift backline with their top four charge hit by a crippling defensive crisis. The Gunners slipped to a dismal 3-0 defeat against north London rivals Spurs on Thursday. The result meant Tottenham closed the gap on fourth-place Arsenal to just one single point. Despite their derby pummelling, Arsenal are still just about in pole position for a Champions League spot with two games left each. But Mikel Arteta's side have arguably the tougher fixtures with a trip to Newcastle and a home clash with Everton on the final day. And they must now face them without key men after their defenders dropped like flies in their Spurs nightmare. READ MORE ON ARSENAL Free bets! The best free bets and sign up offers available from our bookmaker partners GUNNERS NEWS Arsenal 'back in for Umtiti', Gundogan interest, Depay enquiry Rob Holding was sent off for a second yellow card … [Read more...] about Arsenal will be forced to field makeshift back-four amid defensive crisis after Gabriel injury and Rob Holding red card

MIKEL ARTETA had his Arsenal side in for Sunday training ahead of Monday night's mammoth clash at Newcastle. But usual first choice centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes were both MISSING from the session. Mikel Arteta faces a defensive crisis as his squad travel to St James' Park looking to leapfrog Tottenham back into fourth-place. White was in the Arsenal squad for the north London derby defeat after missing two games with a hamstring injury, but remained an unused sub. It's unclear whether he will have recovered in time to feature from the start on Monday. Gabriel meanwhile was forced off late in the game against Spurs after picking up a knock. Read More On Arsenal GUNNERS NEWS Arsenal battling Brentford for Aaron Hickey, Neville SLAMS Granit Xhaka Free bets! The best free bets and sign up offers available from our bookmaker partners The Brazilian also appeared to be holding his … [Read more...] about Arsenal duo Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes miss training with boss Mikel Arteta facing injury crisis for Newcastle game

Even for a 54-year-old who seems to defy natural ageing, Jurgen Klopp can produce quite the turn of pace when the mood takes him. Barely had Kostas Tsimikas’ winning penalty rippled the net than the manager was haring towards Liverpool’s delirious supporters like an Olympic sprinter, his grin more manic than ever and his arms pumping like pistons. Truly, you could not begrudge him. For he had just entered uncharted territory, knowing, amid the joy of a maiden FA Cup triumph , that somehow, stunningly, the quadruple was still a possibility. When he committed to Liverpool until 2026, Klopp joked that his primary motivation was to keep his wife Ulla happy. But his crazed communion with fans reminded us that this was a bond that ran far deeper. With his madcap energy, his inexhaustible passion, he personifies this club’s sense of itself. Almost an hour after the final whistle, hardly a single person in red had left the building, conscious that this type of unbridled euphoria, … [Read more...] about Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool ‘mentality monsters’ push through gruelling final in pursuit of history

EMBATTLED Rebekah Vardy will quit the UK with footballer husband Jamie in the wake of her disastrous Wagatha Christie libel trial. The couple plan a move to the US regardless of the result. A source said of Rebekah : “She’s keen to be out of the country as fast as possible.” Wayne Rooney also furiously branded Jamie Vardy a “bottler” as the former England team-mates’ Wagatha Christie fallout erupted again . Three Lions legend Rooney claimed the Leicester City striker chickened out of giving evidence himself in court . A source told The Sun: “Wayne feels Jamie bottled it by not going on to the witness stand and saying what he wanted to say under oath. READ MORE ON WAGATHA DRESS TO IMPRESS Coleen and Becky spent thousands on trial clothes - but who wore it best? VARD LUCK Jamie Vardy’s hidden swipe at Rooneys in sensational day at Wagatha showdown “That way he could have been cross-examined like Wayne … [Read more...] about Under-fire Vardys will flee UK after Wagatha trial as Wayne Rooney brands Jamie a ‘bottler’ for not taking witness stand