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Tottenham's Djed Spence has claimed that he predicted Paris Saint-Germain star Desire Doue's rapid rise to fame ahead of his Champions League heroics.

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• Doue lights up the Champions League final
• Spence claims he predicted Doue's rise to fame
• Ferdinand backs Spence – likened him with Neymar

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Doue's rise to fame with Paris Saint-Germain has been one for the books, as the French teenager helped Les Parisiens win their first-ever Champions League title with a brace against Inter Milan in the final. Rio Ferdinand backed Spence's claims that he had predicted Doue's rise to stardom, as the Manchester United legend also revealed that the Tottenham star had compared Doue with Brazilian icon Neymar.

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  WHAT HAS BEEN SAID

  After Doue's heroics in the Champions League final, Spence posted on X: "I tried to tell 'em, they laughed…"

  Speaking on TNT Sports’ Champions League Final Preview Show, Ferdinand had said: "I sat with Djed Spence, and I said: ‘Give me a young player’s name, up and coming, we might not have spoken about.’ This was a few months ago.

  "I didn’t realise he [Spence] went on loan to Rennes a couple of years ago, and he said: ‘I was with Doue there…Rio, this is like Neymar reincarnated.’

  "At the time, he wasn’t [in the] knockout stages yet, I was like: ‘Alright, steady a little bit.’ But then I started seeing him and watching him a little bit, I was like: ‘He ain’t too far off.’

  "He’s got huge potential, and I don’t know where his ceiling is."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Doue joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer from Stade Rennais after having also been linked with a move to Bayern Munich. This season, the 19-year-old made a total of 54 appearances in all competitions. He has grabbed 15 goals and 16 assists for the new European champions.

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• WHAT NEXT FOR DOUE?

  Doue has only made one appearance for France so far, having made his international debut in March. However, the teenage sensation could very well be a starter for Didier Deschamps' side in their Nations League semi-final against Spain on June 6.

With plenty of work to do in the summer, Arsenal have already reportedly set their sights on signing a midfield reinforcement who could arrive instead of top choice Martin Zubimendi.

Arsenal transfer news

Just days after Mikel Arteta told reporters that Arsenal would not give up on the Premier League title over his dead body, a blunt 0-0 draw against Nottingham Forest signalled the entrance of the grim reaper in the guise of what has been an unstoppable Liverpool side. Now 13 points behind Arne Slot’s side, the Gunners are all but down and out.

What Arsenal’s recent collapse has done, however, is expose just how much work there is to be done in the summer transfer window. Even before injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, their frontline was faltering. All those injuries have done is increase the need for an extreme overhaul when the transfer window swings open.

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The dream name at this stage seems to be Alexander Isak. Whether the Gunners have the spending power or profit and sustainability limit to match Newcastle United’s reported £150m valuation remains to be seen, however, and they may have to settle for their second choice. The same, meanwhile, can be said for their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.

With Real Madrid lurking, those in North London have already turned their attention towards a potential alternative to the Real Sociedad star. According to The Boot Room, Arsenal are now plotting a summer move to sign Pablo Barrios from Atletico Madrid.

A rising star, the 21-year-old has played a key part in Diego Simeone’s side this season as they set their sights on pipping Barcelona and Real Madrid to another La Liga title.

That success could come with the consequence of losing Barrios though, especially if Arsenal come calling when the transfer window swings open.

"Magic" Barrios would ease Zubimendi blow

If it’s not to be Zubimendi, then Barrios wouldn’t exactly be a disappointing second choice. The Atletico Madrid man has emerged from his side’s academy to have a growing influence on Simeone’s side, earning the praise of Jacek Kulig in doing so in the last year or so. Dubbed “magic” by the football talent scout last season, the midfielder has only pushed on ever since.

A younger option than Zubimendi too, Arteta would have the chance to watch Barrios reach the peak of his powers at the heart of his Arsenal side next to Declan Rice, who has looked in possession without such a player next to him at times in recent months.

Whilst it seems that Zubimendi remains Arsenal’s first choice this summer, Barrios should not be far behind given the potential that he has shown in La Liga this season when compared to his fellow Spaniard, making his name one to watch.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sought to end the debate regarding his future at club level, with the all-time great ready to prolong his spell at Al-Nassr.

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• Record-breaking contract running down
• Has been linked with clubs around the world
• Poised to prolong spell in Saudi Pro League

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The five-time Ballon d’Or winner moved to the Middle East in 2023 after seeing his contract at Premier League giants Manchester United terminated in controversial circumstances. Ronaldo agreed record-breaking terms when heading to the Saudi Pro League.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  That deal is due to expire this summer, with no extension being signed as yet. Speculation has been raging regarding another fresh start for Ronaldo, who has been linked with several teams that are preparing to grace the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Ronaldo has, however, revealed that he intends to remain in Riyadh for at least another year. Al-Nassr supporters feared seeing the Portuguese GOAT move on after he posted on social media when the 2024-25 campaign came to a close: "This chapter is over. The story? Still being written. Grateful to all."

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  WHAT CRISTIANO RONALDO SAID

  The evergreen 40-year-old has now stated that he will be staying in Riyadh. He told reporters after hoisting the UEFA Nations League trophy aloft as captain of Portugal: "It won't change anything. Al-Nassr, yes. You know how old I am already, I'm closer to the end than I was at the beginning. But I have to enjoy every moment. If I don't get seriously injured, I'll keep going."

West Bromwich Albion maintained their place in the top six of the Championship with a 1-1 draw against Burnley at Turf Moor on Tuesday night.

The Baggies are fifth in the division, level on points with Coventry in sixth, and are two points ahead of Bristol City in seventh place, with nine games left to play.

Tony Mowbray’s side took the lead through John Swift but it only took three minutes for the hosts to equalise, as Joe Wildsmith inexplicably dropped the ball in front of Zian Flemming for a tap-in.

It was a well-earned point for the Baggies, whose hosts were given a red card at the final whistle for a cynical trip by CJ Egan-Riley, and that was down to several individual performances – including Swift’s.

John Swift's performance against Burnley

The English central midfielder is a Championship stalwart who knows the league inside and out, and knows how to compete against the best teams.

Performance in Numbers

He also has the individual quality to produce moments of magic for his side, which is exactly what he did against Burnley. His free-kick to open the scoring in the 20th minute was a thing of beauty, as he found the top corner with a strike that left the exceptional James Trafford unable to even react.

Swift also provided a reliable outlet in possession for West Brom, completing 90% of his attempted passes on the night, but was not particularly influential off the ball, winning one tackle and being dribbled past once.

Despite opening the scoring and being efficient with his passes, the 29-year-old maestro was not the best player on the pitch for the Baggies. That acclaim belongs to central defender Torbjorn Heggem.

Torbjorn Heggem's best game for West Brom

The Norwegian central defender enjoyed his best evening in a West Brom shirt on Tuesday night against the Clarets with an exceptional defensive effort to help his team to secure a point at Turf Moor.

Heggem has started all 37 of the club’s matches in the Championship this season and provided a consistent presence at the back for the Baggies, winning 66% of his duels in those games.

The 27-year-old colossus put in his best showing of those 37 appearances against Burnley, though, as he excelled in and out of possession all night.

There was little he could have done to prevent the only goal that West Brom conceded, as his goalkeeper let the team down with his mistake, but he did his best to ensure that the hosts did not find the back of the net multiple times.

As you can see in the table above, Heggem completed an even higher percentage of his passes than Swift did, without being dribbled past a single time and winning all of his physical duels.

It was the first time this season that the Norwegian titan made more than nine clearances in a Championship game and the first time that he made nine or more clearances whilst also winning 100% of his duels.

This shows that the West Brom star was consistently in the right place at the right time to make vital interventions to prevent Burnley from creating more chances to trouble Wildsmith.

West Brom must rue losing loan ace who's now worth more than Maja & Fellows

This former West Bromwich Albion loan ace has gone on to have a very successful career after the Hawthorns.

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By
Kelan Sarson

Mar 2, 2025

He set a new career-high for clearances as a West Brom player, clearing his previous high by seven, whilst also being perfect in his physical battles, which illustrates both why it was his best performance for the club as well as why he was even better than Swift.

Already setting their sights on summer reinforcements, Newcastle United are now reportedly racing to sign a future star who has compared himself to the great Arjen Robben.

Newcastle transfer news

The Magpies have been forced to endure two quiet transfer windows in succession due to PSR constraints, culminating in an inconsistent couple of seasons under Eddie Howe. In many ways, two wins and two defeats in their last four games perfectly encapsulates Newcastle’s season, with their return to winning ways against West Ham United last time out at least coming at a good time ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

Newcastle star has just made himself as undroppable as Bruno for Wembley

This Newcastle United star will now be more sure of his starting spot for the EFL Cup final against Liverpool.

By
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Away from the action, meanwhile, those at St James’ Park are seemingly preparing to splash the cash once again at long last which has seen several names emerge onto their radar. The likes of Emanuel Emegha and Tammy Abraham have threatened to steal the headlines as of late, which could be a good indication of the direction that Newcastle are heading this summer.

It would certainly make sense to welcome another forward too, with Alexander Isak reportedly at the centre of interest from the likes of Liverpool and Callum Wilson currently on course to leave as a free agent this summer.

That said, it’s not just forwards who find themselves on the Magpies’ radar. According to The Boot Room, Newcastle are now actively scouting Sindre Walle Egeli and are eyeing a summer move to sign the young Nordsjaelland winger ahead of the likes of Liverpool, Atalanta and Everton.

Still just 18 years old, Egeli is undoubtedly one to watch ahead of the summer transfer window. What he does not have in experience, he certainly does not lack in talent, either, having previously compared himself to Bayern Munich legend Robben.

Speaking to Eurosport, as relayed by The Boot Room, Egeli said: “I would say that my left foot is clearly my greatest skill. You can say that I’m a bit like Arjen Robben, since I’m on the right and like to cut in.”

"Fantastic" Egeli could complete Newcastle attack

Whilst Jacob Murphy has enjoyed an excellent campaign at Newcastle, it remains to be seen whether he has the star power to truly match Anthony Gordon and Isak on a consistent basis. And that’s where Egeli could come in. The 18-year-old is a rising star and could complete Howe’s frontline for years to come to form a potent front three.

Having scored six goals and assisted a further five in 23 games this season, the right-winger has found himself at the centre of Jacek Kulig’s praise, with the football talent scout describing him as a “fantastic prospect” earlier this month.

Outscoring Murphy throughout the current campaign, Egeli may just be getting started and Newcastle would be wise to make their move before his price tag moves out of their range.

One to watch, the Norwegian could quickly steal the headlines when the summer arrives and the Magpies potentially make their move.

England are hoping to have a secret weapon in their pursuit of World Cup glory, with Harry Kane and Co using special £60 body-scanning pills.

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• Three Lions expect to qualify for 2026 tournament
• Already preparing for testing conditions
• Electronic pills measure temperature and heart rate

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Three Lions have made a positive start to their qualification campaign under Thomas Tuchel, and will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record when facing European minnows Andorra on Saturday.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  During the build up to that game, the England squad have been readying themselves for potentially testing conditions in North America next summer. Temperatures in the United States could soar above 30 degrees Celsius, while humidity must also be factored into the equation.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Superstars such as Kane and Jude Bellingham have been asked to perform 45-minute, high-intensity bike sessions inside a 36°C tent, with scientists and medical staff able to use real-time data in order to monitor performance.

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  TELL ME MORE

  The reports that pills, which cost just £60 each, are also being used to record body temperature and heart rate. The electronic devices travel through the gastrointestinal tract and allow decisions to be made on individual hydration and recovery.

Jadon Sancho is a player who looked to be a shrewd addition after his debut off the bench against Bournemouth earlier in the season, but it’s safe to say he’s not lived up to the hype.

The 24-year-old joined on loan with an obligation to buy from Manchester United in the summer but has seen a decline in form under Enzo Maresca, failing to register a single goal or assist in any of his last 13 appearances.

Such form over the last few weeks has led to murmurs over his future at the club, with the Blues prepared to pay a fee to send him back to his parent club at the end of his spell.

The former Borussia Dortmund star has massively struggled for a consistent home after his move to United, with his temporary spell in West London another one to add to his growing list of disappointing periods.

Given his form and the interest in ending his spell over the next few months, it would be a surprise to no one to see the club delve into the market, with one player appearing to catch the eye in recent days.

Chelsea make enquiry for another attacking talent

According to Italian outlet TuttoSport, Chelsea have made an enquiry for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz over a potential transfer during the summer window.

The Blues aren’t the only Premier League outfit to register interest in the 19-year-old, with Liverpool and Manchester United also in the hunt for the teenager’s signature.

The Turkish international has registered six goals and four assists in his 41 appearances throughout 2024/25, with one of his efforts coming in the Champions League.

The report states that Maresca’s men have already asked about a potential move, whilst trying to include the youngster in a deal that saw Renato Veiga move to the Old Lady in January.

Given his tender age and recent form in Italy, it would be no surprise to see Juve demand a hefty fee for his services, but he would be a better option than another player who’s already moving to London.

Why Yildiz would be better than Quenda for Chelsea

Over the last couple of days, it was confirmed that Chelsea had agreed a deal to sign Sporting CP’s 17-year-old Geovany Quenda, forking out a small fortune for his services.

The Portuguese star cost the Blues a deal in the region of £42m before add-ons, with the winger spending the remainder of the campaign at his boyhood club and also returning on loan next year.

He’s set to move to the Bridge ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, looking to cement his place in the first team and be a key figure in their ambitions of returning to the pinnacle of the English top flight.

Maresca’s side beat Manchester United in the race for Quenda, hoping to do the same with Yildiz this summer, with the Turkish star possessing a lot of qualities to further bolster their attacking unit.

In 2024/25 to date, he’s managed to outperform the Sporting sensation in numerous key areas, highlighting how much of a phenomenal addition he would be for the club.

The Juve star, who’s been labelled “one of the best left-wingers in the world” by one analyst has managed more combined goals and assists this season, whilst also managing to get more of his efforts on target – showcasing his clinical edge.

He’s also completed more dribbles per 90, whilst also achieving a higher take-on success rate, showcasing the threat he possesses with the ball at his feet within the final third.

Given the pending move for Quenda, it would be another huge investment from the hierarchy as they try to take the club back to their previous heights.

However, it’s an exciting prospect given the stats Yildiz has produced in recent times, undoubtedly offering another huge threat within the final third for the manager.

Boehly may have found the new Juan Mata at Chelsea & it's not Palmer

Chelsea could well have a new creative “magician” at Stamford Bridge soon

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Mar 23, 2025

Manchester United have shortlisted Nice star Marcin Bulka as an alternative to Andre Onana as they look to improve their goalkeeper options.

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• Man Utd continue their quest for a new keeper
• Amorim wants competition for Onana
• Nice keeper Bulka is being monitored

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to French outlet the Red Devils have placed the Poland international on their shortlist as they assess summer transfer targets for a reliable shot-stopper who can hand quality competition to their Cameroonian No.1. With just one year left on his current deal and no progress reported on a contract renewal, United are presented with an opportune window to snap up Bulka.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Reports from indicate both Galatasaray and AS Monaco are closely monitoring his situation. The Turkish giants are seeking to strengthen between the sticks, while Monaco are reportedly reevaluating their current options, with neither Radosław Majecki nor Philipp Kohn making a convincing claim to the No.1 spot at Stade Louis II. Monaco, in particular, are believed to have already expressed interest in Bulka, with the player reportedly open to relocating to the French Riviera should a deal be agreed.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  A notable highlight of his season came in April, when Bulka recorded a remarkable 12 saves during Nice’s 3-1 victory over French champions Paris Saint-Germain. In addition to the 25-year-old, United are believed to be keeping tabs on Emiliano Martínez, the World Cup-winning goalkeeper currently at Aston Villa. Martínez’s future at Villa Park is also up in the air and the Argentine has drawn attention from several top clubs, including Atletico Madrid.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

  Despite his expiring contract, United have been informed that Bulka will not come cheap and Nice are expected to demand a fee in the region of £13 million ($17.5m), as revealed by That valuation may rise further if a bidding war emerges with multiple clubs vying for his services.

Everton are on the up with David Moyes at the helm, but the road to success under the Scotsman’s wing is paved with the mishaps of recent years at Goodison Park.

It’s been a long journey since Moyes left Everton to succeed Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United in 2013, and while there have been plenty of low points, the future is indeed bright.

Everton are ready to strengthen in the transfer market this summer, but new owners, The Friedkin Group, will be pleased that the new manager has hit the ground running, nine matches undefeated in the Premier League.

Everton will need to spend though, and hopefully retain the services of their most valuable players.

Everton's most valuable players in 2025

TFG’s successful takeover from Farhad Moshiri was met with universal relief and excitement from those of a Toffees persuasion, ending years of painstaking strife.

Dysfunction reigned for rudderless Everton as they fell away from their comparatively secure spot in the upper end of the Premier League, enduring several seasons of drama as they escaped the relegation zone and preserved their top-flight status.

However, Moshiri did oversee some positivity on the transfer front. Jarrad Branthwaite is the club’s most valuable player, worth £75m, and given that he was purchased from League Two club Carlisle United for just £1m in 2020, this is quite the success story.

He’s not the only Everton player worth a pretty, though. Iliman Ndiaye joined from Marseille for a £15m fee in July 2024 and has been a bright spark right through the campaign, Everton’s joint-top scorer this year with goals and utterly breathtaking in his slick and skilful movements.

Data analyst Ben Mattinson called him a “relentless forward” and said “he could be at least a regular squad player in every Premier League team.”

This is indeed the case. While exact figures haven’t surfaced pertaining to Ndiaye’s new market value, there’s every possibility that he could reach a bracket somewhere near Branthwaite down the line, such is his capacity to impress.

Saying all this, Moshiri did endure a few howlers in his time – and none costlier than when he blew the chance to sign one of the world’s most valuable players for a pittance.

You could say it was the Iranian businessman’s biggest error.

When Everton fumbled the most valuable player in the world

Everton have endured their fair share of transfer misfires over the years, but there’s little question the matter in question here is the pick of the rotten bunch.

One of the greatest currently doing it on the European scene, Moshiri and his Everton chiefs must still rue the day that they opted against signing Erling Haaland while he was in his footballing infancy.

The 24-year-old is a phenomenon, boasting a predatory instinct unlike anything the Premier League has seen before, not in this clinical consistency.

Winning the Premier League title in each of his first two seasons with the Sky Blues, Haaland has rewritten the striker’s script, hailed for his “unique” ability by his manager Pep Guardiola.

One that got away

The transfers that nearly happened but never did. This article is part of Football FanCast’s One That Got Away series.

When Guardiola’s affluent outfit activated the £51m clause in his Borussia Dortmund contract nearly three years ago, it was felt that the dominant English champions were getting one of the world’s best strikers for a bargain fee.

Bargain indeed. Everton must be absolutely kicking themselves for missing the mark with this one, for they had the chance to add the Norwegian machine to their ranks for the paltry fee of £3m.

According to retired England star Aaron Lennon – talking on the Football Daily Podcast – Everton were in with a shout to sign the talented young forward between 2016 and 2018, with former sporting director Steve Walsh even lining up the deal before Moshiri refused to put pen to paper and complete the acquisition.

It’s easy to lambast the decision in hindsight, but you can’t help but feel that this was a monumental howler from the ex-Everton boss. Walsh has even admitted they had a £3m deal lined up. At that time, Haaland was showing prodigious seeds as he posted 20 goals and six assists across 50 matches for Molde.

Given that the superstar, who has hit 138 goal involvements from as many matches in all competitions for City, is now worth £233m – according to CIES Football Observatory, the world’s leading football statisticians – it really is one to make fans cover their faces in dismay.

Not least because he’s the most valuable player in the world. Everton wouldn’t likely have been able to retain Haaland’s services for many years, but they could have banked a significant sum for his signature after enjoying the early fruits of his inimitable striking ability.

Were he to have plyed his trade in the Premier League at an earlier stage, moreover, Haaland’s market value likely would have been distorted, as is often the way for those playing in England’s top flight.

The positive knock-on effect it might have had on Everton’s progress over the past several years is significant; it could have been transformational.

Invariably deadly in the final third, Haaland is one of the most incredible goalscorers you will ever witness on a Premier League pitch. Against Everton alone, he has scored four goals from as many matches, albeit only winning two of his four contests.

Moshiri ultimately sold Everton having been mired in financial and legal problems for an interminable period. His struggle to strike a deal reflected his issues at the very helm.

So much went wrong behind the scenes, but had this deal been brokered, there is every chance that things could have been different, and several years of hurt for Evertonians all around could have been avoided.

Moyes is brewing the next Barkley in Everton star & it's not Alcaraz

Everton could have another talented academy graduate on their hands

By
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Mar 29, 2025

Paul Pogba has spoken out about how hard he found being banned for doping offences and has criticised Juventus for a lack of support.

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• Pogba hit with lengthy ban at Juventus
• Says club failed to support him adequately
• Struggled to cope with situation

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The former Manchester United midfielder was hit with a four-year doping ban in February 2024 while at Juventus but later saw his suspension reduced to 18 months on appeal. Pogba subsequently left Juventus, after his contract was terminated early, and is now set to join Monaco on a free transfer and make his return to competitive action after almost two years out of the game.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Pogba will be hoping for a new start back in France with Monaco as he bids to revive his career. Ahead of the move, Pogba has lifted the lid on his suspension and taken aim at Juventus for what he feels was a lack of support during an extremely difficult time in his career.

• WHAT POGBA SAID

  Pogba told TF1's that we wanted to ask Juventus for help such as "treatment or a "trainer" but none were forthcoming. He explained: "I wasn't entitled to that. They weren't really with me. Feeling that, it hit me hard. I didn't understand why. I told myself that I was at war with anti-doping but not with Juve."

  The midfielder went on to speak about how hard he found being banned, adding: "I don't understand anything. It was very hard. It was something that was taken away from me when I wasn't ready. The sentence and the way it was handed down… It was a shock. Four years in one go for doping, without explanation and without anyone listening to me. I also had to leave Italy because my children were right next to the training center. I would go with them and I would pass by the stadium every day. I couldn't do that anymore. I couldn't train. It was too hard for me. Not playing football, going with my children, passing by the stadium… My children ask me: 'Dad, when are you going to play? When can we go to the stadium?' I told them soon, even though I knew it was going to be complicated."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR POGBA?

  Pogba will now hope to put the last few difficult years behind him in Monaco. The 32-year-old is expected to sign a two-year contract with Adi Hutter's side, who will be playing Champions League football in the 2025-26 campaign.