’Somehow’: Carragher claims what people were saying about Ancelotti at Everton after he wins another UCL

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 02, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Everton have been a mess on and off the pitch for years now and there doesn’t seem to be much light at the end of the tunnel.

Now, the Toffees have the no-nonsense Sean Dyche in their dugout after he helped the club avoid Premier League relegation this season.

But once upon a time, Everton were blessed to have Carlo Ancelotti at their club when he took the job from December 2019 to May 2021.

Yes, fast forward to the present, and the legendary coach has won his fourth Champions League trophy as a manager.

Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley on Saturday to secure their 15th European crown and Ancelotti’s seventh overall, as a player and a manager.

It’s a remarkable achievement for the 64-year-old and proof that he will go down as one of the greats of all time.

Jamie Carragher touched upon his legacy and how he is a ‘special man’ and a ‘legendary figure’ in the game, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (01/06/24 at 10:10 pm).

The former Liverpool man touched upon how, at Everton, ‘people had written him off’ and they felt that ‘he wasn’t going to come back at that top level’.

Ancelotti finished in the top half with the Merseyside club – the last time they have done so – and now Carragher feels he is back to his best.

Carlo Ancelotti helps Real Madrid win another Champions League final

“He is (a special man),” said Carragher. “I think he is the first person to be involved in seven European Cup-winning finals as a manager and a player.

“No one can sort of beat that. He is just a legendary figure in the game. A few years ago, people had written him off and felt like he wasn’t going to come back at that top level. Somehow, he found himself at Real Madrid after the Everton job.

“I have said this before. There are two guys there. Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti. We don’t rave about these guys being tacticians, like Klopp or Guardiola. But they are perfect managers for Real Madrid. They need that type of manager. That’s why they have been so successful. They have got the best players. You just play them in the right position, you don’t need to give them too much information. Just need a style or a strategy. It’s what makes this team work. Keep them happy. You see the system Real Madrid play. It’s not that conventional for most teams, but it suits the teams and the players they have, and when Mbappe comes next season, they might do something different.”

Carlo Ancelotti is one of the greatest ever

It’s rare for someone to be a great manager and a great player at the same time. You are either one of the two.

As a player, after Serie A success with AS Roma, he won the title and two European Cups at AC Milan, before doing so as a manager also.

READ MORE: Everton contact intermediaries to try and move on key £50 million star

Those trophies have continued, including winning the double when he was at Chelsea during the 2009/10 season.

The definition of a true all-round great and perhaps, for some, the best manager in the world right now.

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What Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold told Jude Bellingham after Real Madrid won Champions League

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 01, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

If Liverpool thought winning six Champions League trophies was incredible enough, Real Madrid have taken it to places beyond recognition.

On Saturday, Carlo Ancelotti guided Real Madrid to another Champions League triumph when they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 in the final at Wembley – a record 15th crown!

It was a star-studded event, with some of the world’s best on show, both on and off the pitch, including now-departed Liverpool boss, Jurgen Klopp.

The German would have been disappointed at the result because his former side were beaten, despite for an hour, being the better team.

One man who was happy at seeing Real Madrid win and Jude Bellingham lift his first European Cup was, Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Liverpool right-back is currently on England duty where he is preparing for Euro 2024 – Bellingham will join his teammates after his celebrations with Madrid are finished.

This was the midfielder’s first season at the club after his high-profile move last summer from Dortmund and he has taken La Liga by storm.

The 20-year-old has scored an incredible 23 goals and supplied 13 assists in all competitions and now he has club football’s biggest trophy to his name.

As you can imagine, Bellingham was delighted when he reacted on Instagram to the Wembley triumph.

In the comments section of his post, Alexander-Arnold sent his fellow countryman a message everyone will agree with.

Jude Bellingham helps Real Madrid beat Borussia Dortmund in Champions League final

Alexander-Arnold wrote: ‘1st of… Congratulations, brother.’ 

Jude Bellingham to win the Ballon d’Or?

Michael Owen was the last Englishman to win the Ballon d’Or and you feel it won’t be too long before an English player is lifting one of those coveted individual awards again.

Bellingham has to be top of the list, alongside Manchester City star Phil Foden.

READ MORE: Tony Cascarino thinks star Liverpool star could join Real Madrid ‘really quickly’

You feel a lot will depend on what happens at Euro 2024 and Copa America. If England win, then Bellingham’s chances of winning the Ballon d’Or increase tenfold.

But the same could be said for a certain Vinicius Jr, if Brazil are victorious in the Copa America, because he scored in yet another Champions League final.

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'Pep laughs': Jose Mourinho delivers brutal Chelsea & Manchester United dig after Champions League final

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 01, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Chelsea are preparing to name their new manager after the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, whilst Manchester United are undecided on Erik ten Hag.

Only as far back as 2021, Chelsea, who were led by Thomas Tuchel at the time, shocked the world by pulling off a surprise Champions League win over Manchester City.

The 2024 edition of the Champions League final took place on Saturday at Wembley, with Real Madrid beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0.

Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was working for UK television and doing punditry work ahead of his expected move to Fenerbahce where he will become their new manager.

When Pochettino left in a surprising fashion, there were some calling for the return of Mourinho, but it’s pretty obvious that the powers that be at Stamford Bridge wouldn’t be able to handle him.

Meanwhile, over at Old Trafford. After a season that saw ten Hag produce Manchester United’s worst-ever league campaign in over three decades, he made amends by winning the FA Cup.

Mourinho was asked about the goings-on at Chelsea and Manchester United because it’s not exactly been the elite level they have been used to.

But in typical Mourinho style, he stated that Pep Guardiola ‘laughs at the mess’ of these clubs, as he told TNT Sports.

Pep Guardiola laughing at Chelsea and Manchester United

“I have no idea,” responded Mourinho with a motionless look on his face when asked about Chelsea. “I have no idea. Tottenham, I have an idea. 

“This is Tottenham. Always fighting to be fourth, which would be amazing between the fourth, fifth and sixth. Next season Europa League. Of course, they can win it. They look stable and they are investing more. Amazing club. Amazing facilities. Such a beautiful stadium. You can feel it. Chelsea, I really don’t know.

On Man United: “A little improvement, but more of the same. I think Pep (Guardiola) laughs at the mess of the other clubs.”

Enzo Maresca set to become the new Chelsea manager

The Italian is being brought in because he will accept the orders of those who are at the top more than that experienced coach.

Conor Gallagher is a key player for Chelsea, but it seems as though he will be heading for the exit door this summer.

READ MORE: Todd Boehly told not to sell Chelsea’s ‘most important player’ this summer

Sources have told HITC that Tottenham are planning a double transfer raid of Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah.

Pochettino didn’t deliver Champions League football. You have to question, if Maresca also falls below that line. Does that mean he is booted out by the end of the season?

Going by what the owners have done so far, the answer to that would be yes. And if that happens, then it just creates more instability.

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'That was special': Liverpool forward explains Jurgen Klopp advice that ‘really hit me’

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 01, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has revealed the big lesson he has learned from outgoing manager Jurgen Klopp.

Since joining Liverpool back in January of 2023, following a rather successful World Cup campaign for the Netherlands, the Dutch forward has, at times, struggled to burst into life under Jurgen Klopp.

After nearly nine years at Anfield, the iconic German manager will depart Merseyside and take a break from football after what was a gruelling time in charge of the Reds.

Former Feyenoord manager Arne Slot has taken over at the club and the Dutch manager will be hoping to stamp his authority at Anfield.

Gakpo on Klopp lesson

Despite the German manager leaving Liverpool, fans won’t be quick to stop talking about Klopp’s impact with a live Q and A with comedian John Bishop proving how popular he will remain on Merseyside.

As for the players, former PSV forward Cody Gakpo has spoken about the big lesson he learnt during his time under the enigmatic former Borussia Dortmund boss.

“If you look at the impact he has had on the club, the fans, the players, many of whom have experienced him for much longer than I have these one and a half years: that has been very valuable to everyone,” he told De Telegraaf.

“The most important thing I learned from him? That you don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. When he really hit me? That is not a specific moment, but it is a gift that he was able to trigger us as players in a different way every time, to give just an extra percentage or one and a half. That was special.”

Gakpo’s time to shine

Despite how close Gakpo appears to be with Klopp, he still hasn’t yet become a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League for Liverpool.

In 18 months at Anfield, the Dutchman only has 15 goals to his name and will certainly want to improve on these numbers ahead of next season.

Perhaps in Slot, who is Gakpo’s compatriot, he could be given a new lease of life. Slot certainly has a history of getting the best out of strikers with Mexican Santiago Gimenez, netting 23 Eredivise goals under the Dutchman at Feyenoord.

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‘You have got to’: Pundit tells Jadon Sancho what to do about his Manchester United future

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 01, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

Darren Bent has attempted to give some advice to Jadon Sancho as he prepares to return to Manchester United after a successful loan spell at Borussia Dortmund.

Erik ten Hag and Jadon Sancho seemingly had a major fallout which dominated the first half of the season for Manchester United with the English winger being frozen out of the team by the former Ajax manager.

This heated exchange was eventually resolved in January when United allowed Borussia Dortmund, who sold the Englishman to the Red Devils in 2021 for £73 million, to sign Sancho back on a six month loan.

It has been a successful spell for the English winger as he gears up for the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium.

Bent’s advice to Sancho

Speaking on talkSPORT, former Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has attempted to give some advice to the 23-year-old winger as he prepares to return to Old Trafford this summer.

“If I am him,” Bent began, “I know it must be incredibly difficult, I never played for a club the size of Manchester United, that is a juggernaut, it comes with big pressure playing for that club, sometimes things don’t fit, you have got to go back to a place where you know what you are doing, you feel comfortable, you are confident, and that’s at Dortmund.

“If they can maybe make a deal to keep him there, I would think about staying there for a couple of more seasons, get my confidence back and then go again. But trying to go back to United after this little period, no.”

Sancho’s future

It seems almost logical to suggest that if Ten Hag remains at Old Trafford, which HITC understands is still a possibility with the club’s top brass split on his future, the winger will depart permanently.

HITC have also reported that Dortmund are confident of signing Sancho on a permanent deal following the Champions League final, alongside left-back Ian Maatsen, who has also excelled in Germany.

Dortmund’s finances are understood to be tight this summer, so a deal for Sancho may well prove to be a difficult one. No matter what happens this summer, a move away from Old Trafford will be the best thing for the former Manchester City academy player.

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Exclusive: Arsenal's midfield search sees them turn to French star heading to Euro 2024

By: Muhammad Saeed on June 01, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

One of Arsenal’s main focusses this summer is to find a new central midfielder and they are working hard on finding the right man to come in.

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, as HITC has confirmed, was long deemed the club’s top target, but a move for the Spain international has not progressed despite Arsenal and Mikel Arteta’s efforts.

Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes are two other who The Gunners hierarchy admire, whilst they have also done their homework on the likes of Everton’s Amadou Onana and Benfica’s Joao Neves.

HITC can now confirm that Arsenal are looking at French midfielder Youssouf Fofana, a player they have been keeping tabs on for more than two years.

Now HITC understands that Arsenal have touched base with Fofana’s representatives and Monaco, as they consider a move for the 25-year-old.

Arsenal looking closely at Youssouf Fofana

Fofana has just 12-months left on his current deal and Monaco are open to a sale, something their CEO Thiago Scuro admitted last month.

“There were good opportunities for him to leave last summer. It was his decision to stay because of his personal goals,” he told Get French Football News.

“It was a very good decision for us because he had a very good and consistent season, for him too as it was probably his best season at AS Monaco. He is probably one of the players that we are open to selling. We will see the opportunities that he has. It is still too early to make a decision.”

Arsenal are not the only interested party in Fofana, who has just linked up with the French squad ahead of featuring for Didier Deschamps’s side at this summer’s European Championships. AC Milan, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are amongst the sides looking closely at Fofana and his situation.

Fofana has long been linked with a move to England, with Aston Villa, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and West Ham all previously expressing an interest. Now Arsenal could offer him that chance to make the switch across the Channel.

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Victor Osimhen latest as Chelsea make their stance clear on Napoli superstar

By: Muhammad Saeed on May 31, 2024 / comment : 0 HITC, news

HITC sources have confirmed that Chelsea have told Napoli they are not prepared to meet Victor Osimhen’s release clause, meaning as it stands they are looking elsewhere for a new striker.

The Nigerian has long been Chelsea’s preferred option but Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis’s refusal to accept anything other than his release clause worth around £115m – means a deal to take him to Stamford Bridge has not progressed.

It is understood De Laurentiis won’t even consider a deal that would see instalments paid, which Chelsea would have been willing to consider.

Paris Saint-Germain have long considered Osimhen as their prime attacking target to replace Kylian Mbappe – whose long-awaited move to Real Madrid will be made official following the Champions League final this weekend.

However, PSG are also showing some reluctance to sanction a deal that would be one of the biggest in football history.

The Saudi Pro League are long-term admirers of Osimhen and would be more than willing to pay his clause and make the Nigerian one of the highest paid players in world football, but it remains to be seen if he would be keen on a move to the Middle East at this point of his career.

Chelsea looking at other options including Benjamin Sesko

As for Chelsea – HITC understands that RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is a player they admire hugely but they have been made aware that the player’s preference is to join Arsenal.

Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres is another they have watched closely in recent months.

Chelsea are continuing to work hard on departures which include strikers Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku, whilst Trevoh Chalobah and Conor Gallagher are also amongst those who have been told they can move on by the club’s hierarchy.

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