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Tag: Inter Milan

  • Forgotten Arsenal star with most assists in Serie A likened to Inter Milan icon

    Forgotten Arsenal star with most assists in Serie A likened to Inter Milan icon

    Nuno Tavares is unlike any player that Serie A has seen before – the Arsenal loanee is a bullet train that can’t be stopped.

    The 25-year-old has been a revelation in Italy since joining Lazio on an initial loan deal last summer – which includes an obligation to buy for around £6million-£7m.

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    Tavares has been one of the standout players in Serie A this seasonCredit: Getty

    It’s a decision that the Gunners could live to regret with the flying left-back enjoying a renaissance in Italy after struggling to settle in England.

    No player has provided more Serie A assists than Tavares’ eight this campaign – six more than he managed from his 28 Arsenal appearances in all competitions.

    Signed from Benfica for £8m in 2021, the Portuguese defender was marred by inconsistency at the Emirates.

    He initially wowed fans with his athleticism when deputising for the injured Kieran Tierney, but his performances soon began to drop with his defensive qualities called into question.

    Deemed as surplus to requirements by Mikel Arteta, Tavares is now arguably Lazio’s biggest star.

    And he once again left spectators and pundits gobsmacked with his energetic display in Sunday’s 2-1 victory away at AC Milan to help lift Lazio up to fourth spot.

    Speaking on CBS Sports, ex-Brentford and Leeds winger Mike Grella insisted Tavares is a one-of-a-kind talent.

    Meanwhile ex-West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker likened him to Inter Milan legend Javier Zanetti.

    Discussing the full-back in his post-match analysis, Grella said: “Tavares… drug test him right now.

    “He should be in there getting drug tested right now!”

    Lazio have an obligation to turn Tavares' loan spell from Arsenal into a permanent stay

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    Lazio have an obligation to turn Tavares’ loan spell from Arsenal into a permanent stayCredit: Getty
    Tavares' eight assists come from just 20 Italian top-flight matches

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    Tavares’ eight assists come from just 20 Italian top-flight matches

    Interjecting, Reo-Coker was also quick to praise his work rate, as he stated: “He was like a Trojan horse today, he just didn’t stop.”

    Grella, who was still left in by Tavares, then declared that his uniqueness sets him apart from anyone that has previously played in the Italian top-flight.

    He remarked: “I haven’t seen a player like that in Italy maybe ever.

    “We’ve [CBS] have been covering it for the last four years, I’ve watched it my whole life.

    “But in the last four year, I haven’t seen a player that can run at that capacity and at that power – he doesn’t always have the final product.”

    Once again chipping in, Reo-Coker went one step further as he likened him to Zanetti – a player regarded as one of the greatest full-backs in history who won 18 major honours at Inter including the Champions League in 2010.

    Tavares is on his third loan spell away from the Emirates since joining in 2021

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    Tavares is on his third loan spell away from the Emirates since joining in 2021Credit: getty
    The defender's form in Italy saw him handed his senior Portugal debut in November

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    The defender’s form in Italy saw him handed his senior Portugal debut in November

    The 40-year-old said: “Do you know who he reminds me of though?

    “The great Inter full-back – Zanetti. There’s a comparison where he reminds me of [him] where I haven’t seen it in so long.”

    Having the final say, Grella then stated: “I don’t know if Zanetti was that quick, but my God, this guy is a bullet train.”

    Tavares’ only season at Arsenal came in the 2021/22 campaign, before he was shipped off loan to Marseille.

    He spent last term at Nottingham Forest, but flattered to deceive, with the Reds refusing to activate their buy-option following eight Premier League appearances.

    With Arsenal boasting a reported 20 per cent sell-on clause in Tavares’ contract, they will be hoping a suitor snaps him up from Lazio this summer to boost their transfer kitty.

    WATCH as two Arsenal fans CLASH over whether Mikel Arteta is good enough for the Gunners

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  • I was wanted by Barcelona and Inter but stayed at Man City for one reason

    I was wanted by Barcelona and Inter but stayed at Man City for one reason

    One of the most beloved cult heroes in Premier League history, Georgi Kinkladze is still adored at Manchester City, and the feeling is mutual.

    For younger readers, there was a time when the reigning four-time Premier League winners weren’t very good, but thanks to Kinkladze, they had something to smile about.

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    Kinkladze was a City icon despite the club going through a rough time and relegationCredit: Getty

    From 1995 to 1998 when the Georgian attacking midfielder was in Sky Blue, City went from the top tier to the third, and he was the only one bringing joy to suffering supporters.

    With 22 goals in 121 games, it was clear he was far too good to stay in Manchester, particularly when European giants like Barcelona and Inter Milan were sniffing around.

    However, Kinkladze did exactly that, and has explained to talkSPORT that it was the fans who made him hang around.

    Asked why he turned down clubs as big as Celtic, he answered: “Because I loved the club and fans so much I never had any second thoughts, I decided to stay.

    “I loved to play for City and whenever I have free time I still come back, it’s almost 30 years ago in 1995 I played for City but I always have a warm welcome here.

    “I never felt like I was a foreigner, it’s my second home and I’m really, really pleased about it.”

    His unique style made him a legend outside of Manchester too, and Kinkladze thinks it’s down to the skill he showed week-in, week-out.

    “It’s not the same as it was before,” he explained. “I don’t know. I think the way I played football at that time, there weren’t as many skillful players in the Premier League and as many foreigners, so I think I was maybe something special.”

    Fast forward almost three decades, and City are now a side any player would dream of lining up for, winning every trophy on offer with some of the best players in world football.

    Yet despite a European treble win in 2023 and a record four-year Premier League winning streak, things have gone wrong this term.

    The Georgian icon is regularly welcomed back to the Etihad

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    The Georgian icon is regularly welcomed back to the EtihadCredit: Getty

    Pep Guardiola’s side have dramatically dropped out of the title race, and are even under threat of missing out on the knockout rounds in the Champions League.

    With just one win and seven defeats in ten games, City head into the Manchester derby in the worst form they’ve been in for years, but Kinkladze is still confident, thanks to the man he calls ‘The best coach in the world’.

    Discussing recent results, he said: “This is football, you know, it happens, but I think it will stop on Sunday… I’m excited, I think we will win 3-1.

    “I think they’re the best team in Europe for me, how they play in possession and try to get the ball as soon as they lose it. They play attacking football so they’re a great team with great players.”

    Adding on why he’s so excited, he finished: “This game is always personal to me.

    “In my time Manchester United was dominating English football and we were always losing, now it’s my pleasure to see how they’re doing now.”

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  • Mikel Arteta escaping Arsenal red card to lead to major rule change

    Mikel Arteta escaping Arsenal red card to lead to major rule change

    Mikel Arteta has potentially sparked a change in football laws after wrongly escaping a red card in the Champions League.

    The International Football Association Board (IFAB) is expected to change the law on coaches interfering with the ball during play. The current rule book says they must be given a red card.

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    Arteta handled the ball prematurelyCredit: TNT Sports
    He got a telling off by the referee

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    He got a telling off by the refereeCredit: GETTY

    Arteta was deemed to have interfered with play during Arsenal‘s Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

    Matteo Darmian was fighting to keep the ball in near Arteta’s technical area, but the Spaniard picked it up before it crossed the line to go out for a throw in.

    Arteta was only shown a yellow card though, despite the laws of the game stating he should have received a red.

    According to ESPN, the IFAB recommended a change to the law at their Annual Business Meeting on Monday to ensure similar confusion in a similar incident does not happen again.

    While the decision at the San Siro was incorrect by law, the IFAB believes when a manager is only picking the ball up to help the game restart quickly, rather than interfere with play, a yellow card is a more suitable punishment.

    IFAB’s AGM is on March 1 and the body will need to decide whether to implement the rule or not.

    If approved, the new rule would come in in the summer ahead of the new season.

    Numerous managers have been given red cards for interfering with play recently.

    West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan, Kilmarnock manager Derek McInnes and Charlton’s Nathan Jones were all given their marching orders after interfering with play without meaning to.

    Despite Arteta swerving his fellow managers’ punishments, Arsenal suffered a 1-0 loss on the road courtesy of Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty.

    The Gunners bounced back in Europe was a 5-1 away thrashing of Sporting Lisbon.

    IFAB are also contemplating changing the rules surrounding dropped balls.

    Right now, if a team has possession and a pass hits the referee, they get the dropped ball regardless.

    The proposal is that if the pass is wayward and obviously going to the other team, then the dropped ball should go to opposition.

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  • Keown rages at Arsenal handball as Arteta slams referees missing ‘punch to head’

    Keown rages at Arsenal handball as Arteta slams referees missing ‘punch to head’

    Arsenal legend Martin Keown vented his fury after a penalty was awarded against the Gunners in contentious circumstances.

    Referee Istvan Kovacs called a handball against Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino in their Champions League defeat at Inter Milan despite his arm being close to his body and having little to no time to react.

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    Merino copped a penalty for this handball after the ball rebounded off his knee and onto his arm

    Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu made no mistake from the resulting spot kick in the third minute of first-half stoppage time to seal a 1-0 win for the Serie A side, and the incident left a sour taste in Keown’s mouth.

    “Is his arm in an unnatural position? It certainly isn’t,” Keown said on TNT Sports.

    “I don’t know who determines that… it’s ruining our game, it certainly ruins Arteta’s team talk.”

    Fellow TNT Sports commentator Ally McCoist was in agreement, and says a major rule change to handball laws is required.

    “The law has to change and the word ‘deliberate’ has to come back into it,” McCoist said.

    “That is not deliberate.”

    It’s unlikely a penalty would’ve been awarded if this happened in a Premier League game as new handball laws were introduced before the start of this season.

    In the Premier League, referees consider mitigating factors when deciding whether to penalise a handball.

    These include the player’s proximity to the ball, whether the player’s arm is used to support their body while falling and whether the player deflects or plays the ball onto their own arms.

    The Italian side was perhaps a little fortunate to not have given away a penalty earlier in the contest, with Merino once again in the thick of the action.

    Yann Sommer clattered into Merino but escaped giving away a penalty

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    Yann Sommer clattered into Merino but escaped giving away a penaltyCredit: AFP

    Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer jumped up and attempted to punch a cross from Gunners winger Gabriel Martinelli to safety.

    However, the Swiss international missed the ball and instead made contact with Merino, who got his head to the ball first.

    Yet Kovacs did not deem the incident worthy of a penalty and VAR shared the same view.

    Martin Keown CLASHES with Jim White on Arsenal’s discipline and red cards this season under Mikel Arteta

    Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was understandably frustrated after the match regarding Sommer’s incident.

    “I feel like we were very harshly done tonight,” Arteta told TNT Sports.

    Arteta also felt his team should ‘obviously’ have had a penalty as Sommer ‘punches him [Merino] in the head.’

    The Spaniard was also perplexed as to why Kovacs deemed Merino’s handball worthy of a penalty.

    “There is no danger in the box, there’s nothing you can do,” Arteta said.

    It was a bruising night for the Gunners

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    It was a bruising night for the GunnersCredit: Getty

    “The ball is very, very close to your body so I don’t know how you can get away from it.

    “But especially if you’re going to give that one, I think the other one has to be 100 per cent a penalty.”

    Arsenal were unable to find a route back into the game which also saw Kai Havertz go off with blood pouring from his head following a nasty collision with Inter defender Yann Bisseck.

    Arteta’s men have suffered a second defeat on the spin as well as three defeats in their last six outings.

    The Gunners must quickly shift focus to a bumper Premier League clash away to Chelsea on Sunday.

    Arsenal were hard done by just before half time but didn't ask enough questions of their Italian opponents

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    Arsenal were hard done by just before half time but didn’t ask enough questions of their Italian opponentsCredit: AFP

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  • What are Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures this season? Full match schedule

    What are Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures this season? Full match schedule

    Arsenal’s 2024/25 Champions League campaign is underway, with the Gunners looking to make it further in Europe than last season.

    Mikel Arteta‘s men started away against Atalanta and played out a goalless draw, and they now face Paris Saint-Germain, live on talkSPORT tonight.

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    Arsenal made it to the Champions League quarter-finals last seasonCredit: Getty

    Last year, Arsenal reached the last eight but were knocked out by Bayern Munich.

    This time, they’ll be aiming for the semi-finals at a minimum, but first, they must overcome plenty of tricky opponents to qualify as one of the eight best teams.

    The Champions League has expanded, and the format has changed this year.

    Gone are the days of groups of four, with each team now in the same league, and only the top eight sides after eight matches will automatically qualify for the last 16.

    The teams who finish 9th to 24th will all compete in a two-legged play-off, and sides that finish 25th or lower are eliminated, with no access to the Europa League anymore.

    So, the Gunners will have their sights set on ensuring they avoid the lottery of the play-offs.

    What are Arsenal’s Champions League fixtures?

    With a new format, the draw changed as well.

    Each team plays eight games, with four at home and four away, but rather than playing the same team twice, it’s a new side for each home and away encounter.

    The Champions League teams were divided into pots based on their UEFA coefficient ranking, putting Arsenal in Pot 2.

    From there, the Gunners were drawn to play against two teams from Pots 1, 2, 3 and 4.

    So, they are set to play a variety of sides, with one team from each pot at home and away.

    Arsenal 2024/25 Champions League fixtures and results

    September 19: Atalanta 0-0 Arsenal

    October 01: Arsenal vs PSG – live on talkSPORT

    October 22: Arsenal vs Shakhtar Donetsk

    November 6: Inter Milan vs Arsenal

    November 26: Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal

    December 11: Arsenal vs Monaco

    January: 22: Arsenal vs Dinamo Zagreb

    January 29: Girona vs Arsenal

    Inter Milan will be a very tough game for Arsenal

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    Inter Milan will be a very tough game for ArsenalCredit: Getty

    From Pot 1, Arsenal have been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.

    The French giants visit north London on Tuesday, October 1, while the Gunners face a daunting trip to the San Siro on Wednesday, November 6.

    In Pot 2, they’ve already played Atalanta and will then play Shakhtar Donetsk at the Emirates on Tuesday, October 22.

    Jamie O’Hara Believes Tottenham Showed Arsenal How To Win With 10 Men After Winning 3-0 Vs Qarabağ FK

    That means by the time the Gunners play their fifth Champions League game, they would have faced all of their Pot 1 and Pot 2 opponents.

    So, if they take a good number of points from those games, they should be in a strong place to take a top-eight spot.

    From Pot 3, Arsenal travel to Portugal to play Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday, November 26.

    Dinamo Zagreb are then the Gunners’ final home game on Wednesday, January 22.

    And in Pot 4, Arsenal head to Monaco on Wednesday, December 11 before their group campaign concludes with a visit to Spain and a match against Girona on Wednesday, January 29.

    If they don’t finish in the top eight, they will have to take part in a two-legged play-off to reach the last 16.

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  • Jose Mourinho trophy record: Special One embarking on new role with fantastic CV

    Jose Mourinho trophy record: Special One embarking on new role with fantastic CV

    Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers in the game, and he has an incredible collection of trophies from various countries.

    The ‘Special One’ was sacked by Roma following a two-and-a-half-year stint in January 2024, but he departed with his trophy collection greater than when he arrived.

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    Mourinho won the first Europa Conference League at RomaCredit: Getty

    The 61-year-old has won something at most of the clubs he has managed and counts Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United among his employers.

    He is now in charge of Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce and will be looking to add more trophies to his already impressive CV.

    Mourinho will always be considered one of the best and is a master of cup competitions.

    How many trophies has Mourinho won?

    Mourinho’s career is an incredible story and led him to be the man he is today.

    He started as manager of the Setubal Under-17s and 19s before Sir Bobby Robson spotted something and took him under his wing to Sporting Lisbon and Barcelona, where he worked as a translator.

    Mourinho rose through the ranks and became assistant manager at Barca until he managed Benfica for just ten games and then Leiria before getting the Porto job in 2002.

    Since taking over Porto, Mourinho has enjoyed 21 years at the top of European football and has won a staggering 26 major trophies, including two Champions League titles and three Premier Leagues.

    Mourinho won two top-flight titles in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge before returning nearly ten years later and winning another

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    Mourinho won two top-flight titles in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge before returning nearly ten years later and winning another

    Jose Mourinho major honours

    Porto

    • Primeira Liga: 2002–03, 2003–04
    • Taca de Portugal: 2002–03
    • Supertaca Candido de Oliveira: 2003
    • UEFA Champions League: 2003–04
    • UEFA Cup: 2002–03

    Chelsea

    • Premier League: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15
    • FA Cup: 2006–07
    • League Cup: 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15

    Inter Milan

    • Serie A: 2008–09, 2009–10
    • Coppa Italia: 2009–10
    • Supercoppa Italiana: 2008
    • UEFA Champions League: 2009–10

    Real Madrid

    • La Liga: 2011–12
    • Copa del Rey: 2010–11
    • Supercopa de Espana: 2012

    Manchester United

    • EFL Cup: 2016–17
    • UEFA Europa League: 2016–17
    • FA Cup runner-up: 2017–18
    • UEFA Super Cup runner-up: 2017

    Roma

    • UEFA Europa Conference League: 2021–22

    The former Real Madrid boss has been recognised as FIFA’s Coach of the Year four times, with different clubs on each occasion.

    His first trophy came in the 2002/03 season when he won the old UEFA Cup with Porto before guiding the Portuguese giants to the Champions League the year after.

    At that point, Mourinho was considered one of the best around and arrived in west London as the self-proclaimed ‘Special One‘.

    Fenerbahce Boss Jose Mourinho Leaves Fans In Stitches With Hilarious Pre-Match Antics!

    Chelsea then conceded a record-low 15 goals in the top flight as they won the Premier League during his first year in charge.

    Two League Cups, the FA Cup and another top-flight title followed before he mutually agreed to leave Stamford Bridge.

    A move to Inter Milan saw Mourinho stop Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in the Champions League before they beat Bayern Munich, and Mourinho’s old mentor Loius Van Gaal, in the final to be crowned kings of Europe.

    Mourinho's infamous celebration against Barcelona sums him up

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    Mourinho’s infamous celebration against Barcelona sums him upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Mourinho has a hugely impressive trophy haul

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    Mourinho has a hugely impressive trophy haul

    Real came calling, and though UEFA’s top prize evaded him, Mourinho collected three trophies, including the LaLiga title.

    Then came the return to Chelsea that started well but ended with the Blues outside of the top ten and several reports suggesting the players had lost faith in their boss.

    However, he was soon back in management with Manchester United, and though things ended badly again, Mourinho did win the Europa League and League Cup at Old Trafford.

    Staggeringly, his next club was Tottenham.

    Mourinho became the star of Amazon’s ‘All or Nothing’ series about Spurs but was sacked before they played the League Cup final against Manchester City, which still annoys him to this day.

    That would have handed Mourinho the chance to win Tottenham a trophy and keep his record going, but Spurs handed the reigns to Ryan Mason and they lost 1-0 at Wembley.

    Mourinho doesn't have fond memories of his time at Tottenham

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    Mourinho doesn’t have fond memories of his time at TottenhamCredit: AFP
    Mourinho is now having a crack in Turkey

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    Mourinho is now having a crack in TurkeyCredit: Getty

    The ex-United gaffer is now in Turkey and his Fenerbahce will go up against Galatasaray for the league title this year, while the cups will also be on his radar.

    In Serie A, his Roma side have finished sixth three years running and he was handed his marching orders in January 2024.

    He did, however, win the inaugural season of the UEFA Europa Conference League as Roma beat Feyenoord in the final in May 2022.

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  • Romelu Lukaku is one of Premier League’s worst ever signings… twice

    Romelu Lukaku is one of Premier League’s worst ever signings… twice

    talkSPORT’s Rory Jennings did not hold back when giving his views on wantaway Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku.

    The Belgian international has long appeared destined for a move away from Stamford Bridge, having not played for the club since May 2022, and it now appears that this could finally be happening

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    Lukaku had a dismal second spell at Stamford BridgeCredit: Rex

    talkSPORT understands that Chelsea are in talks with Napoli over a season-long loan for Victor Osimhen, in a deal which would see Lukaku head in the opposite direction.

    The former Manchester United frontman has spent the past two campaigns away from Chelsea, spending the 2022/23 season on loan at Inter Milan, before a spell away at Roma last term.

    And Jennings was only too pleased to be told of the potential bit of business, as he reacted to the news whilst hosting the White and Jordan show alongside Shebahn Aherne.

    He took the opportunity to welcome the would be signing of Osimhen by laying into Belgium’s all-time top goalscorer, saying: “Good riddance to Romelu.”

    And he didn’t stop there, going on to claim that Lukaku is not only the Blues’ worst ever signing, but that he also ranks among the poorest additions to any team in Premier League history.

    Reiterating his enthusiasm for the move, Jennings said: “I mean, this would be the dream. This would be the dream. 

    “Romelu Lukaku is Chelsea’s worst ever signing. I think it’s interesting Romelu Lukaku, actually, if you were to think about the worst Premier League signings of all time.”

    He then pointed to Lukaku’s perceived lack of success at both Man United, who he represented between 2017 and 2019, and then during his second spell at Chelsea who he rejoined in 2021, having previously been on the club’s books between 2011 and 2014.

    Jennings continued: “Think about the worst Premier League signings off the top of your head, whoever you think they are. I think if you did a list of ten, Romelu Lukaku is on that list twice.

    “He’s on it for Chelsea, and he’s on it for Manchester United. He has been the worst signing to the Premier League. One man is on the same list twice. 

    Jennings was scathing in his criticism of Lukaku

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    Jennings was scathing in his criticism of LukakuCredit: talkSPORT
    The talkSPORT pundit believes that the striker also ranks among Manchester United's worst ever signings

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    The talkSPORT pundit believes that the striker also ranks among Manchester United’s worst ever signingsCredit: Getty

    “That’s how poor he is. That’s how bad he is.”

    Lukaku’s joined Man United for £75million and scored 46 goals in 92 appearances for the club, but failed to win any silverware while at Old Trafford.

    After swapping Old Trafford for Inter Milan and firing the club to the 2021 Serie A title, the Belgium international rejoined Chelsea for a then club-record fee of £97.5million.

    Despite the hefty price tag, he managed just eight Premier League goals in 26 appearances in the 2021/22 campaign, and Jennings slammed the frontman’s lack of professionalism during his second spell at the club.

    Referring to an explosive interview with Sky Italia in 2021 in which Lukaku criticised then Blues boss Thomas Tuchel‘s tactics and expressed his desire to go back to Inter, the talkSPORT pundit continued: “It was that bad on the pitch, but it was also that bad in the way that he conducted himself.

    “Remember what happened? He went over to Italy, [and gave] an unsanctioned interview.

    “Everything was going so well and he just goes and does an interview in Italy with Sky Italia and basically just says: ‘I wish I was playing in Italy. I wish I wasn’t playing for Chelsea’.”

    With Lukaku having not featured in blue since burning his bridges at the end of a tumultuous first and only campaign back in the capital, Jennings ended with a damning verdict.

    He added: “He would be in Chelsea’s worst ever XI.

    “Romelu Lukaku and Chris Sutton. They’re not going to score many goals. They’re not scoring many goals, those two. That would be worst ever Chelsea XI.”

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  • Dutch icon reveals why two huge Premier League transfers fell through

    Dutch icon reveals why two huge Premier League transfers fell through

    Wesley Sneijder has lifted the lid on his failed move to the Premier League.

    The 40-year-old – regarded as one of the finest midfielders of his generation – had two shots at a transfer to England.

    Inter Milan icon Sneijder almost made the move to England twice during his career

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    Inter Milan icon Sneijder almost made the move to England twice during his careerCredit: Getty

    Sneijder was one of the top players in the world during his time at Inter Milan, where he was part of their historic treble-winning squad from the 2009/10 season.

    Just months after lifting the Champions League, he helped inspire the Netherlands to the World Cup final having scored five goals in South Africa.

    A year later, iconic Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson almost prised Sneijder – Holland’s most capped player with 134 appearances – away from Italy in bringing him to Old Trafford.

    But despite being keen to join, his representative has been blamed for the deal failing to materialise.

    While Liverpool were then snubbed by Sneijder in 2013 in favour of Galatasaray after the Reds finished seventh in the Premier League.

    Speaking to talkSPORT about why he never played in England, Sneijder said: “I had the possibility twice.

    “The first one was for Man United, that was the thing my manager screwed up a little – my agent at the time.

    “And later on it was Liverpool, and I decided Galatasaray over Liverpool.

    Sneijder has revealed he came close to joining United and Liverpool while at Inter

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    Sneijder has revealed he came close to joining United and Liverpool while at InterCredit: talkSPORT
    The ex-Netherlands international scored 31 goals in 134 caps

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    The ex-Netherlands international scored 31 goals in 134 caps

    “Just because Liverpool was in that time not the Liverpool that it is nowadays.”

    Both United and Liverpool are now managed by Dutch managers in Erik ten Hag and Arne Slot respectively.

    Dutch Football Journalist Marcel Van Der Kraan believes Liverpool boss Arne Slot will ‘outshine’ Manchester United’s Erik Ten Hag and claims he’s been doing ‘mind-blowing’ things that have not been seen for 35 years

    And Sneijder believes that United, who finished eighth in the table last season, are better suited to win the league over their rivals.

    Giving his reasoning, he explained: “Because they have time to build something.

    “The coach will stay and they are confident enough in the coach to build on something. So I believe they will be stronger this season than last season.”

    Comparing the two managers, he remarked: “They are both good coaches.

    “Slot did an amazing job with Feyenoord and at United, they are very confident with Ten Hag.

    “He has extended his contract, also Ruud Van Nistelrooy, I just got the news that he will be involved.

    “So I think they can do a big job because they have amazing players at United. There has to be a team, they need time.

    “That is what it is looking like so far, they give time to build a team. I think this season they will go for some prizes.”

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  • I’m a World Cup winning ex-Arsenal star now worth £180m thanks to kebab shops

    I’m a World Cup winning ex-Arsenal star now worth £180m thanks to kebab shops

    Lukas Podolski is still scoring worldies at the age of 38, but it’s not like he needs to.

    The former Arsenal forward is currently plying his trade back in his birth country of Poland for Gornik Zabrze, and has an impressive 20 goals in 77 games.

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    Podolski has been a fan favourite at every club he’s played for, including ArsenalCredit: Getty Images

    Off the pitch he’s having just as much success, having made an estimated £180million in business.

    Podolski has had an illustrious career on the pitch, winning titles in England, Germany, Turkey and Japan while also turning out for footballing giants Inter Milan.

    His career highlight, though, was the 2014 World Cup win with Germany, although he might argue he has a bigger honour.

    Moving to Germany from Poland as a child, he was adopted by Cologne both as a player and a person, and remains an icon on and off the pitch as one of the city’s most adored sons.

    Leaving for Bayern Munich in 2006, he was soon back home in 2009, and started making a footprint off the pitch.

    Podolski opened a clothing store and later Ice Cream United in the city, but in 2018 he had his biggest success.

    Arriving back from Japan with Vissel Kobe after his European adventure with Arsenal, Inter and Galatasaray, Podolski had a brief trip home to open his much lucrative venture, a kebab shop.

    Fans queued in their hundreds to get a shot of the FC Koln icon, and his Mangal Doner x Lukas Podolski shop remains busy to this day.

    Podolski's chain recently extended to Berlin, and it shows no signs of stopping

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    Podolski’s chain recently extended to Berlin, and it shows no signs of stoppingCredit: @lukaspodolski
    His ice cream business is also a hit

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    His ice cream business is also a hitCredit: @lukaspodolski

    Speaking at the launch, he said: “You eat doner kebabs when you’re young, when you’re still playing and when you’ve finished playing – it’s a perfect solution.

    “Ideas just come — I don’t even really have a business plan right now,” he added.

    It’s hard to believe the latter statement, with the forward opening 30 chains, while also launching a music festival, sports centre, and even his own football tournament featuring legends.

    On top of that, Podolski was reportedly one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players on £100,000 per-week during his three years at the Emirates Stadium.

    A worldie against Piast Gliwice in the Polish league on February 10 proves Podolski is still deserving of the big bucks on the pitch, and the sky’s quite clearly the limit when it comes to his business ventures post-retirement.



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  • West Ham reject Scamacca offer and could change their mind on Ward-Prowse

    West Ham reject Scamacca offer and could change their mind on Ward-Prowse

    West Ham have rejected a £17million offer from Inter Milan for striker Gianlucca Scamacca, talkSPORT understands. 

    The Hammers man is one of a number of players who is looking to leave the Europa Conference League winners this summer.

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    Scamacca has been involved in West Ham’s pre-season tour but could be heading for an exit this summerCredit: Getty
    While their move for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse is in doubt

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    While their move for Southampton star James Ward-Prowse is in doubtCredit: Getty

    Scamacca has made 27 appearances since signing for the east London club last summer, scoring eight goals as they swerved away from Premier League relegation.

    But the Italian will have to wait to find his exit route now West Ham have declined Inter’s offer.

    Meanwhile, the Hammers are ready to walk away from their interest in Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.

    West Ham are refusing to meet Southampton’s £40m asking price for their captain, who is set to begin life back in the Championship with the Saints as they begin their campaign on Friday night, live on talkSPORT.

    That’s despite the Hammers looking for a replacement for Declan Rice, who was sold to London rivals Arsenal for £105m earlier this month – not to mention having a healthy transfer budget as a result.

    West Ham’s have also been unsuccessful in their pursuit of Man United duo Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay so far.

    The Hammers’ £20m bid for Maguire was knocked back by the Red Devils last week. Meanwhile, Man United slapped a £40m price tag on McTominay.

    David Moyes’s side haven’t made a signing in 47 days, bringing in just one player this summer – 17-year-old Sean Moore from Northern Irish club Cliftonville for an undisclosed fee.

    West Ham fans will begin to worry about their lack of incomings this summer

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    West Ham fans will begin to worry about their lack of incomings this summerCredit: Getty



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