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Jude Bellingham is capable of following in Lionel Messi’s footsteps, says Arrigo Sacchi, with the England international exciting Italy’s former boss.

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Big money transfer to La Liga giantsStarring for club and countryBeing likened to all-time greatsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Real Madrid midfielder, who moved to Santiago Bernabeu as part of a €103 million (£90m/$109m) transfer in the summer window, continues to see his stock soar. He has netted 10 goals through as many appearances for the Blancos this season – seeing him match Cristiano Ronaldo records along the way.

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Bellingham has also been starring for his country – helping the Three Lions to book their place at next summer’s European Championship in Germany. His latest eye-catching outing came against Italy at Wembley, as he won a penalty and teed up a goal for Marcus Rashford in a 3-1 win for England.

WHAT THEY SAID

Ex-Azzurri boss Sacchi now forms part of Bellingham’s growing fan club, with the legendary Italian coach telling : “He was dominant. Damn, he is so strong. He does everything. He always plays for the team. Only Messi had impressed me so much at his age. Of course, Bellingham is different from Leo, but if he remains this humble he can retrace his steps because Bellingham is world-class.”

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Bellingham is just 20 years of age, but he is fast closing in on 200 appearances at club level – for Birmingham, Borussia Dortmund and Real – while reaching 27 caps for England. He is the favourite to land the prestigious Golden Boy award in 2023 and may go on to challenge for the Ballon d’Or in years to come – much like Messi, who is about to land his eighth Golden Ball.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta suggested Martin Odegaard has been carrying a slight injury as he explained the captain's absence from the weekend's match.

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Odegaard missed Arsenal winArteta explained his absenceCaptain carrying 'a little thing'WHAT HAPPENED?

Odegaard was not involved in Arsenal's 5-0 win against Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday.

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The Norway international has been a permanent fixture in Arteta's starting XI this season, with only Ben White and William Saliba playing more minutes before the clash at the Emirates Stadium. His absence on Saturday raised concerns of an injury and Arteta has provided an update on his condition.

WHAT THEY SAID

"Obviously we went through all the minutes that everybody has played in the last three weeks and some of them they played an enormous amount of minutes," he said in a press conference. "Martin has been as well carrying a little thing and wasn’t very comfortable in the games. So we have players with enormous quality and we have to trust them, and we believed it was the right day to do so."

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It is not yet known if Odegaard will be included when Arsenal face West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior is close to agreeing a new sponsorship deal with Nike, according to a report.

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Vinicius in talks with NikeExpected to sign new dealWill become huge figure for brandWHAT HAPPENED?

The winger, represented by Roc Nation Sports Brazil chief executive Fred Pena, has been in negotiations with the global sports brand over an improved contract for several months, reports.

The deal could be finalised by the end of the month and is expected to see him become one of the main faces of the North American brand. Talks about the new deal are centred around marketing and furthering the Brazil international's development, rather than prioritising finances.

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The new deal will bring an end to a dispute between Vinicius and Nike that became public in February this year when he wore all-black boots for a Madrid match. It was reported that he rejected his normal colourful Nike boots as a display of his anger over his deal with the company, which he felt didn't reflect his rising status.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 23-year-old, who recently signed a new contract that keeps him at Madrid until 2027, has been represented by Nike since he was 13. His current deal lasts until 2028, but he has since developed into one of football's most famous faces, having won the Champions League crown and two La Liga titles since joining Madrid, he has also become a star of the Brazil national team.

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Vinicius will be in action on Wednesday when Madrid take on Braga. A win for the Spanish side will see them book a place in the last 16.

Everton could be forced to pay out £300m ($372m) to both Leicester City and Burnley after the Premier League hit them with a 10-point deduction.

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Toffees in dire relegation trouble after rulingLeicester and Burnley could seek compensationPayout could be as much as £300mWHAT HAPPENED?

The Premier League handed out the sanction to Everton on Friday, after the Toffees posted financial losses of almost £372m ($462m) over three years, more than £250m ($311m) over the threshold laid out in the league's rules. They have subsequently dropped into the relegation zone and have just four points from 12 games. Everton plan to appeal the decision.

AdvertisementGettyWHY EVERTON MAY OWE COMPENSATION

Per Ben Jacobs of , a group of clubs must decide if they want to seek compensation from Everton, having brought a collective action against the Toffees. They are Leicester, Burnley, Southampton, Leeds, and Nottingham Forest.

In 2021/22 Burnley finished in the final relegation spot, while Leicester did so in 2022/23. Everton survived, and the pair are deemed to have a "potential claim", per a ruling in May. They could demand as much as £300m, but the Premier League will have to seek that action.

DID YOU KNOW?

Everton now face a relegation battle due to the points deduction and will hope their appeal is successful. No club has ever been handed such a hefty penalty while playing in England's top division.

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The international break has lightened the pressure on Everton but they will return to action on November 26 against Manchester United at Goodison Park. Sean Dyche will have to raise his players for such a difficult encounter, especially given their updated league standing.

Lionesses forward Lauren Hemp has revealed she is a massive Lego fan but has been left 'absolutely devastated' by a recent mishap.

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Hemp loves to play with LegoReveals her favourite creationAdmits an accident has left it in piecesWHAT HAPPENED?

Hemp has revealed that one of the ways she likes to unwind away from the football pitch is to play with Lego. The Lionesses and Manchester City is a big fan of Star Wars Lego in particular but has admitted a recent favourite creation is now in hundreds of pieces once again.

AdvertisementWHAT LAUREN HEMP SAID

"This a really sad story because I've done a Yoda. And I was painting my wall the other day and I was trying to move a bookshelf on my own," she told Sky Sports. "I was pushing it and pushing it and suddenly this thing that felt like a brick dropped on my head and it was Yoda. He smashed into thousands of pieces and I was absolutely devastated."

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Hemp may have been struggling with her Lego creations off the pitch but on it she remains an integral player for both club and country. The 23-year-old was on target last time out in the WSL as City battled back to beat United in the derby. Hemp also struck the winner against Belgium for the Lionesses in the Nations League in October.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Hemp isn't the only high-profile football who loves playing with Lego. Former Manchester United and England star David Beckham is also a big fan, with Ben Foster previously revealing how he would bring entire sets on international duty.

"He used to bring Lego sets to England. He would go into his room and just do Lego all night," he told his Fozcast podcast. "‘It would proper chill him out. He would just sit there, do his Lego set, have a nice time. Lovely."

Joao Felix criticised Diego Simeone's defensive managerial style, as he prepares to face his parent club with Barcelona this weekend.

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Said players "want to attack" in apparent Simeone digJoined Atletico Madrid in 2019 from BenficaWill play his parent club for Barca on SundayGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

Felix endured an inconsistent spell at Atletico after making a big money move from Benfica in 2019. The Portuguese international never really settled in the Spanish capital, and has joined the Catalan club on loan this season.

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In an interview for , Felix voiced his displeasure with Simeone's setup: "For sure [I prefer] this style [at Barcelona] – me and every player. If you ask every player, if you ask the players from Atletico, too, they would prefer to play more time on the attack, for sure. If they don't answer that, they are lying. Of course every player wants to attack, wants to have the ball and to score goals."

Felix also admitted he is looking forward to the fixture: "It's a special game for me. Atletico was my home for the last four years, so of course I [left] with some good moments there. It's always special to play against my old teammates. It will be good to see them again and to see how we play against them."

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Felix has endured a mixed start to life in Catalunya. After scoring in his first two starts, he went 13 contests without finding the net. The Blaugrana, meanwhile, have struggled for form, and could end the weekend seven points off the top of the table if results don't go their way.

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WHAT NEXT FOR FELIX

The attacking midfielder will face off against his own team on Sunday, in a crucial fixture in the scope of the La Liga title race. A win would proper the Balugrana back among the favourties, while a loss could see them slip out of contention early.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson was taken to hospital on Thursday following advice from the club's medical staff.

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Hodgson fell ill and was hospitalisedManager won't be in charge in next gamePalace said to be considering replacementWHAT HAPPENED?

The Premier League team had to cancel Thursday's press conference as the manager fell ill during the training session earlier in the day. The 76-year-old has since made a recovery and is walking unaided and speaking to doctors, reports, but he will undergo further tests. However, he will not be in charge for Monday's match against Everton as assistants Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington will likely lead the team.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWHAT CRYSTAL PALACE SAID

The club announced in a statement posted to their website: "Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today’s training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital. Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery."

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Palace are said to already be considering making a change in the dugout amid their disappointing results this season. The Selhurst Park club are 15th in the league table and five points clear of the relegation zone. The club are said to be considering hiring former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner as Hodgson's replacement in the coming weeks.

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Palace travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton in a vital game for both sides. Everton are third-bottom of the English top-flight and both teams are looking for three points to provide a boost to their hopes of surviving the drop.

A spokesperson for an Atletico Madrid supporters' group has claimed Joao Felix should not be allowed to return to his parent club.

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Accused of creating a hostile atmosphere in MadridSigned for Barcelona on loan this summerCelebrated jubilantly after scoring winner on SundayWHAT HAPPENED?

Felix angered Atleti fans by celebrating after scoring the winning goal for Barca against his parent club in their La Liga clash on Sunday evening. His reaction came after a number of incidents in the build up to the game, when he took shots at Diego Simeone's coaching style, and claimed that he wanted to stay at Barcelona.

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Alberto Garcia, the spokesperson for the International Union of Supporters Clubs of Atletico Madrid took offence to Felix's actions of the last seven days, and released a statement forbidding his return: "Now it turns out that he has been a Barcelona fan since he was a child and celebrates goals as if there was a title at stake.

"It was his second goal in La Liga, it’s not like he’s having a great season. It is ungrateful and disrespectful to a fan base that has been his and has treated him well. He has generated a hostile atmosphere for the Metropolitano and we do not want to see him again with the Atletico Madrid shirt on. He doesn’t deserve (the club) and he hasn’t understood this club or these fans."

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Felix has endured a mixed start to life in Catalunya, scoring five and adding three assists in 15 appearances for the club. Barca have reportedly shown interest in bringing the former Golden Boy award winner in on a permanent deal, but Atleti will not let him leave on the cheap.

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Felix will likely be in the XI as Barcelona take on Girona this weekend, where they will look to pull within one point of their La Liga title rivals.

Barcelona's financial situation remains precarious, with the club forced to continue paying former stars Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

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Barca in a financial messMessi, Alba and Busquets have since left clubBut wages to Inter Miami trio continueWHAT HAPPENED?

Messi left Catalonia way back in the summer of 2021, embarking on a brief stint at Paris Saint-Germain before eventually finding himself stateside two years later. Former team-mates Alba and Busquets joined him that same summer, putting an end to their illustrious careers at Camp Nou. However, have now revealed that all three are still receiving payments from Barcelona in a shocking new update on the club's financial mess.

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The reason for these continued payments owes to Barca's delayed salary payment structure, made in attempts to ease their financial burdens following the COVID-19 pandemic. The Catalan club put off paying the likes of Messi, Alba and Busquets during those difficult seasons, meaning they all remain on the club's salary bill as they wait to be reimbursed. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is still at the club, is another player affected.

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Outstanding payments to De Jong and the Inter Miami trio leave Barca's finances in tatters. The club's salary limit, according to the report, stands at €204 million (£175m/$189m), with recent information from UEFA suggesting Barca continue to exceed it by €300m (£257m/$324m). Their wage bill of €505m (£433m/$546m) is the second-highest throughout Europe, behind only PSG.

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The Catalan club are currently awaiting payment from German fund Libero Football Finance for the 49 percent purchase of Barca Studios. Even with that investment, and provided this year's budget is not exceeded, Barcelona can still only sign players on a one-in-one-out basis, writes .

Liverpool are considering approaching Roberto De Zerbi to replace Jurgen Klopp as head coach should they fail to bring Xabi Alonso to Anfield.

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Liverpool hunting for Klopp successorAlonso is top candidate to replace himDe Zerbi lined up as an alternativeWHAT HAPPENED?

The Reds are looking for Klopp's successor after the German manager confirmed he would be leaving at the end of the season. Ex-Liverpool star Alonso has emerged as the favourite to take over amid his incredible work at surprise Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen. The German club do not want him to leave, though, so the Anfield side are considering other options should they fail to bring in their main target.

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De Zerbi has been identified as one of the possible Klopp replacements, reports. The Italian impressed in spells in charge of Sassuolo and Shakhtar before making an impact at Brighton after replacing Graham Potter following his move to Chelsea. The Carabao Cup winners' interest is said to be at an "exploratory stage" and De Zerbi told reporters on Friday that he will stay at Brighton next season.

"Yes, I have a contract. I have decided nothing. My focus is on Brighton – 100%," he said.

DID YOU KNOW?

De Zerbi is not the only candidate on Liverpool's shortlist as Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim is also a candidate to succeed Klopp, while Julian Nagelsmann is also said to be an option. Furthermore, It has also been reported that Barcelona have settled on De Zerbi as their preferred option to replace Xavi as coach.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR LIVERPOOL?

Before Klopp's departure, the Merseyside club will hope to add more trophies to their collection this season as they remain in contention to win the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup. Up next, the league leaders face Nottingham Forest on Saturday.