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Oliver Glasner managed to get his third point of the season, having drawn three games in a row now. However, their most recent 0-0 draw against Manchester United still came with its negatives.

Crystal Palace were only able to hold 33% possession, with the away side generating 1.70 xG in the game. The Red Devils should have scored if not for Dean Henderson making seven saves.

If the plan is to continue with a back five, looking to hurt teams by attacking through the wingbacks, working it inside to Eberechi Eze, Eddie Nketiah and Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Eagles could do with some extra pace in those wide areas, which could see Glasner try something new.

Daniel Munoz, the unfortunate one to be dropped

Daniel Munoz has started all seven of Palace’s games this season, playing 610 minutes for Glasner’s side so far. The 28-year-old has played in a right-wing back role, tasked with providing width in attack, but also tracking back to form a back five out of possession.

From his heatmap against Leicester (Sofascore), you can see how high up Munoz is asked to play, looking to provide an attacking threat down that right-hand side, getting into good crossing positions, and making runs in behind to stretch the field of play for Palace, often freeing up space for the likes of Eze and Daichi Kamada.

Glasner could perhaps make a slight tactical tweak in this game, sticking with the same system, but removing Munoz (a natural fullback) with a more natural winger, who can create dangerous opportunities from this position on the pitch.

Palace's new wing-back option

Palace signed Ismaila Sarr from Marseille this summer, for a fee of around £12.5m. The 26-year-old winger has been praised for having “raw pace” by Troy Deeney, and this could be exactly what Glasner needs to insert into the side to give the Eagles a bit more bit going forward.

Since joining Palace, Sarr has only appeared off the bench, coming on in all seven games so far, playing 145 minutes in total. But could this be the week to start him, making a slight tactical adjustment to the side, and looking to grab their first victory of the season.

This tactical change would see Sarr playing in a new role, as a right-wing back, having to do his bit defensively, but then being able to provide the width for Palace, stretch play with runs in behind, and cause the opposition problems with that electric pace.

You can see from the metrics, Sarr would offer much more going forwards, adding extra creativity with his pass selection from wide areas (2.50 passes into the penalty area, and 4.17 key passes per 90), and threat running in behind, to generate chances for himself and his teammates.

On the other hand, by replacing Munoz with Sarr, you do lose defensive output, with Munoz averaging 3.67 tackles per 90, and 1.02 interceptions per 90. Comparatively, Sarr – who former Watford teammate Ben Foster called a “freak talent” – hasn’t made a tackle yet, and has only made 0.59 interceptions per 90.

Glasner will have a difficult decision to make, either go for the safer option in Munoz, or start Sarr to get on the front foot, open things up for the likes of Eze and Kamada, and go for their first Premier League win of the season.

Glasner must drop Clyne to unleash Crystal Palace star in a new system

The Eagles return to league action against Manchester United this evening…

By
Connor Holden

Sep 21, 2024

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in a deal worth up to £29 million.

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• Man Utd complete Dorgu signing
• Young Dane signs in initial £25m fee
• Defender makes Amorim admission

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  On Sunday, United announced the signing of the 20-year-old on a deal until 2030, with the option of an extra year. The wing-back has joined for £25m ($31m/€30m) plus £4m ($5m/€4.8m) in potential bonuses. The young Dane said this was a "special" moment for him, while making an honest admission about head coach Ruben Amorim.

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• Manchester United
  

  WHAT PATRICK DORGU SAID

  He told United's website: "I am incredibly proud to be able to call myself a Manchester United player; this is a very special day for my whole family.

  "I cannot wait to work with Ruben Amorim; his vision for this team and the future of the club is incredibly exciting. There is a clear plan set out for my development, and I feel that Manchester United is the perfect place to fulfil my potential and complete my huge ambitions."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  United have been looking for a wing-back for some time due to Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw's injury woes. This has been a troublesome position but the Red Devils will hope Dorgu can solve that problem for Amorim's team.

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• Manchester United
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Dorgu will be eagerly awaiting his chance to make his United debut, while also keeping a watchful eye on Sunday's Premier League home clash against Crystal Palace.

Looking to make it two wins from two in the Europa League this season as they square off against Lyon, Rangers have been handed an early boost with one player now set to return from injury to feature against the French side.

Rangers injury news

To their credit, the Gers have finally found their form as of late, having initially endured a tough start to the season which featured a 3-0 thrashing courtesy of Old Firm rivals Celtic. Since that game, however, Philippe Clement’s side have been unbeaten in all competitions and extended that run last time out when they defeated Hibernian 1-0, courtesy of Tom Lawrence’s first-half effort.

Now, Clement’s attention must turn back towards the Europa League and arguably his side’s toughest test up against Ligue 1 Lyon. The French giants are no strangers to the European stage and enter the game with a point to prove after picking up just seven points from their first six Ligue 1 games so far this season.

Rangers failing to sign amazing loan star was a bigger mistake than Sima

The Light Blues will regret not being able to sign him on a permanent deal.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 2, 2024

The Gers have been handed quite the boost ahead of that challenge, however. As confirmed by Clement and relayed by Ibrox News, Mohamed Diomande is expected to feature against Lyon on Thursday following his return to training. The midfielder missed the game against Hibs, but has since made a swift return to put himself in contention once again.

Clement revealed the news, telling reporters: “Diomande will be back in the squad for tomorrow, Ridvan is back in training but will not be available.”

Of course, the bad news is that Ridvan Yilmaz is not yet ready to feature, but he is at least on his way and back in training with the rest of his teammates. He’ll be forced to watch on once again though, as Diomande makes his return.

"Aggressive" Diomande is a key man under Clement

Getting Diomande back fit and ready to feature after just one game on the sidelines should be seen as an impressive success by those at Ibrox, who will no doubt reap the rewards for his swift return. The 22-year-old started four of his side’s first five Scottish Premiership games prior to the game against Hibs, for which he was sidelined, to highlight just how important he can be for Rangers.

Diomande has unsurprisingly earned plenty of praise during his time at Ibrox so far, including from podcaster John Walker, who dubbed the midfielder’s press “aggressive” and a “diamond”.

No matter Lyon’s start to their campaign in France, if Rangers can secure all three points against the Ligue 1 side, then they’ll earn deserved plaudits. Victory would of course see them go two from two in this season’s Europa League.

The Englishman and the former City academy graduate grabbed late goals to produce yet another remarkable European turnaround

A late winner from Jude Bellingham concluded a hectic game that also saw Kylian Mbappe and Brahim Diaz find the net as Real Madrid came from behind twice to beat Manchester City 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The England midfielder found the net in the 93rd minute to complete an unlikely – but ever so predictable – comeback.

Los Blancos should have taken the lead inside 10 minutes when Mbappe found Ferland Mendy in front of goal, but the left-back squandered his shot from close range. He was made to pay soon after, too, as Erling Haaland swept a Josko Gvardiol lay-off into the far corner to give City a 1-0 lead. Mbappe had a good chance of his own on the stroke of half-time, but swept his shot over the bar despite being in acres of space in the box.

Bellingham had a good chance early in the second half, heading wide after some individual inspiration from Vinicius Jr, before Mbappe found the equaliser, as he scuffed a volley into the far corner from a Dani Ceballos cross. Bellingham should have made it 2-1 soon after, only to be denied by a save from Ederson.

They were made to pay after 80 minutes, when Ceballos clipped Phil Foden in the box, and Haaland made no mistake from the penalty spot. There was another twist, though, as Brahim steered home a late equaliser after an Ederson blunder before Bellingham latched onto Vinicius' weak effort to score the winner in stoppage time.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Etihad…

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Goalkeeper & Defence

  Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

  Made a few good saves. Couldn't do anything about either goal.

  Federico Valverde (7/10):

  Put in a shift defensively and was active going forward, too.

  Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):

  Turned in a rather mixed performance at the back. Nowhere for City's opener.

  Raul Asencio (6/10):

  Covered space well at times, but doesn't have the best relationship with Mendy in the channel.

  Ferland Mendy (7/10):

  Squandered a good chance early on, but handled himself well defensively.

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• AFP
  

  Midfield

  Dani Ceballos (5/10):

  Assisted Mbappe's equaliser, but then gave away a penalty with a silly challenge.

  Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):

  Full of energy and industry in midfield in his return from injury. Class.

  Jude Bellingham (8/10):

  Defensive work rate couldn't be faulted, and he was good on the ball at times. Didn't offer much at all going forward. That is, until he buried the late winner.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Attack

  Rodrygo (5/10):

  Lost his composure in the final third at times, and didn't create much. A really poor showing after an excellent run of form.

  Vinicius Jr (7/10):

  Really mixed. Nowhere in the first half but immense in the second. Technically assisted the winner.

  Kylian Mbappe (8/10):

  Got an earful off his manager repeatedly for not tracking back. Bagged the equaliser – even if he entirely mishit his volley. Involved in the other two, too.

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• AFP
  

  Subs & Manager

  Luka Modric (N/A):

  No time to make an impact.

  Brahim Diaz (7/10):

  Came off the bench to grab an equaliser – somehow.

  Fran Garcia (N/A):

  Late legs and not much else.

  Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):

  Injury ravaged at the back, which had knock-on effects everywhere. Madrid were woeful at times, excellent at others, and deadly when it mattered. The Champions League voodoo lives on…

Manager Enzo Maresca could be without a “dangerous” Chelsea player till November, as an injury update comes out of Cobham this week.

Chelsea preparing for Liverpool after international break

A fantastic start to the new Premier League campaign for Maresca has seen the Blues clinch impressive victories over Wolves, Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton – whilst also cruising through to the next round of the EFL Cup at the expense of Barrow and beating Gent 4-2 in the Conference League.

Exit talks held as in-demand £200k-per-week Chelsea ace now wants to quit

The west Londoners want him gone as well.

1

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 16, 2024

Their early season record could’ve been even better, as Chelsea were arguably unlucky not to come away from their home game against Crystal Palace with all three points, with goalkeeper Dean Henderson putting in a heroic display at Stamford Bridge to earn Palace a 1-1 draw.

One of the most thrilling draws you’re ever likely to see – Chelsea’s 1-1 with Nottingham Forest in west London just before the international break – saw both keepers pull off sublime saves to keep the score level and ensure the latter side’s impressive unbeaten run on the road continues.

Maresca’s only defeat as Chelsea boss in the league came against English champions Man City on the opening weekend, and now an equally tough test awaits the Blues on Sunday as they prepare to take on title contenders Liverpool at Anfield.

Star players Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo, who have all been excellent so far, are set to play a key role on Merseyside – but the same cannot be said for others. Ben Chilwell is pushing to leave Chelsea, while uncertainty surrounds the futures of Mykhailo Mudryk and Carney Chukwuemeka, among others.

Omari Kellyman is also sidelined with a hamstring injury, expected to keep him out for the foreseeable, while defender Reece James has just resumed full training for the first time in months.

Chelsea could be without Reece James until November

The England international has been absent since pre-season, and while a return to Cobham training signals that a return to training may not be too far away, Maresca and his staff will be mindful of his torrid injury history as they look to ease him back in gently.

That is according to Standard Sport, who estimate that James could remain out at Chelsea until November, despite his recovery.

They believe Chelsea’s face-off against Noah in the Conference League on November 7 may be the game he makes his long-anticipated return, and Maresca will be hoping that the worst of his fitness record has now come and gone.

“He’s got everything. If I made the complete right-back, it would be him,” said Kyle Walker in a BBC interview about James.

“He can defend, attack, technically (brilliant) and can use both feet. He’s dangerous in the dead-ball situations, he’s quick.

“If I was to built an ideal right-back, I’d use my strength, Hakimi’s pace, Cancelo’s technical ability, Trent’s passing, Carvajal’s mentality and Reece James’ football brain. If I was to round all of them up in one, I’d be Reece. He’s got a little bit of everything!”

Sergio Ramos joined Mexican club Monterrey, setting up a future showdown with his ex-Real Madrid teammate James Rodriguez, who plays for Leon.

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• Ramos set to return to action
• Without a club since Sevilla contract expired
• Will wear the No. 93 shirt at Monterrey

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spanish icon's move to Liga MX marks a new chapter in his illustrious career after leaving Sevilla last summer. Ramos has chosen to wear the No. 93 shirt at Monterrey, a tribute to his legendary stoppage-time header in the 2014 UEFA Champions League final. That crucial goal in the 93rd minute forced extra time against Atletico Madrid, paving the way for Real Madrid’s historic 10th European title.

  Real Madrid paid homage to their former captain with a heartfelt message on social media, stating:

  "A tribute to all Real Madrid fans, a memory of a moment that changed our history. Always grateful, @SergioRamos. Good luck and success."

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• Getty Images
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ramos spent 16 years at Real Madrid, having initially joined from Sevilla as a young prospect. During his time at the Bernabeu, he captained the side and led them to four Champions League triumphs and five La Liga titles. His impact was equally significant at the international level, playing a key role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory and their back-to-back European Championship wins in 2008 and 2012.

• WHAT MONTERREY PRESIDENT SAID

  Monterrey had been targeting the Spanish veteran since his departure from Sevilla and club president Jose Antonio Noriega revealed that multiple efforts were made to bring him to Mexico.

  "We have been trying to sign him since last summer, but we did not come to terms and we tried again in this new window," he said.

  "The team needs him, he has quality, enormous experience, enormous personality and he is an undisputed leader."

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• @Rayados
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  Ramos' arrival strengthens Monterrey’s squad as they prepare for a historic campaign. The Mexican giants are one of three Liga MX teams set to compete in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next summer alongside James Rodriguez's Leon and Pachuca. With his vast experience in high-stakes competitions, Ramos is expected to play a crucial role in Monterrey’s pursuit of silverware on both domestic and international stages.

Leeds United are currently competing to secure promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking in the Championship this season.

The Whites have only lost one of their opening nine matches in the division but are sat outside of the top two, having drawn four of the other eight outings.

Daniel Farke has never gone two successive seasons in the second tier without winning promotion, with two titles in three seasons in the league during his time with Norwich City.

The German head coach came ever so close to securing promotion in his first year in West Yorkshire, as his side lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley in the play-off final.

Leeds finished third in the Championship in the regular season but could not get the job done in the play-offs, losing to the Saints after beating Norwich over two legs.

The ex-Canaries head coach was brought in during the summer of 2023 after the Whites had been relegated under Sam Allardyce, who had been appointed as a firefighter after Javi Gracia and Jesse Marsch had both been sacked that season.

Leeds fell out of the Premier League a year after they cashed in on their star forward, Raphinha, who had been a huge success at Elland Road.

Raphinha's Leeds career in numbers

In the summer of 2020, Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa swooped to sign the Brazilian winger from Ligue 1 side Rennes for a reported fee of £17m to bolster the club’s attacking options.

Leeds had just been promoted from the Championship under the Argentine head coach and needed a bit of star power to avoid an instant relegation back down to the second tier.

Raphinha provided that with a return of six goals and nine assists in 30 appearances on the right flank in the Premier League, averaging a goal contribution every other game. He also could have had more assists as the gem created 12 ‘big chances’ for his teammates in total.

The left-footed magician then showcased his quality at the top end of the pitch once again in the 2021/22 campaign to keep Marsch’s side in the league, with a return of 11 goals and three assists in 35 games.

As you can see in the table above, Raphinha was let down by poor finishing from his teammates as they only scored three times from the 67 key passes and ten ‘big chances’ he created for them.

Barcelona then swooped to sign the Brazil international from Leeds for a reported fee of £55m at the end of the 2021/22 campaign, which left Marsch in need of a replacement for him on the flank.

First Impressions

What did pundits and fans alike think about their new star signing when they arrived? Football FanCast's 'First Impressions' series has everything you need.

The American boss then made the move to sign Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord ahead of the 2022/23 season in an attempt to replace the former Leeds superstar.

How much Leeds paid for Luis Sinisterra

The Whites reportedly splashed out a fee of £21m, more than they paid Rennes for Raphinha in 2020, and he was described as a replacement for the Brazilian whiz by The Athletic.

Whilst he was not a like-for-like replacement, as a right-footed left winger as opposed to a left-footed right winger, Leeds may have felt as though the Colombia international could replace the impact that the ex-Rennes star had on the pitch.

In the 2021/22 campaign, Sinisterra caught the eye with his outstanding performances for Feyenoord, with a return of 23 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Journalist Josh Bunting claimed that Leeds had pulled off a “master stroke” by signing the winger, who he described as a “frightening” forward, and it is not hard to see why when you consider his incredible record for the Dutch side.

As you can see in the table above, Sinisterra had proven himself to be a fantastic scorer and creator of goals in the Dutch top-flight, as Raphinha had in the Premier League for the Whites.

Unfortunately, though, things did not quite work out for the former Eredivisie superstar during his relatively short time at Elland Road after attempting to replace the Brazilian sensation.

Luis Sinisterra's time with Leeds in numbers

The 25-year-old endured an injury-riddled season with the Whites under Marsch, Gracia, and Allardyce, as he suffered three separate injury issues that kept him out of action for a combined 16 competitive matches.

Those fitness problems restricted his involvement on the pitch and meant that he was unable to do enough to prevent Leeds from being relegated back down to the Championship, after they had survived in both of Raphinha’s seasons at the club.

Sinisterra did score five goals in his 19 appearances in the Premier League, which is not a dreadful return given it was in a struggling time, but he did not do enough to create for others.

The Colombian flop did not create a single ‘big chance’ for his teammates and ended the season with zero assists in 19 matches, with 0.5 key passes per game on average, which shows that he could not replace the immense creativity that Raphinha provided.

After Leeds were relegated from the top-flight, the forward decided that he did not want to commit to a full season in the second tier and joined Bournemouth on loan for the 2023/24 campaign.

As you can see in the table above, Sinisterra’s injury problems restricted his involvement once again, as he only made 20 appearances and started just seven times.

Despite his lack of availability and his sporadic contributions in the final third, Bournemouth decided to sign him permanently earlier this year for a reported fee of £20m.

This meant that Leeds sold Sinisterra less than two years on from their swoop to sign him from Feyenoord, and he only spent one year at Elland Road after initially joining as a ‘frightening’ replacement for Raphinha.

Leeds could find their new Summerville in prolific Thorp Arch talent

The Leeds youngster has been in scintillating form for the U21s this season.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 16, 2024

An update has come to light on the future of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, with sporting director Edu Gaspar and manager Mikel Arteta set for crunch internal talks.

Arsenal targeting new striker for 2025 and it could be in January

Kai Havertz’s fine start to the new Premier League season, picking up where he left off last campaign, hasn’t affected Edu’s plans to eventually bring in a new number nine who can be that 20-plus goals per season frontman.

Arsenal could be without "underrated" star for Shakhtar after injury update

He may be unfit to play.

By
Emilio Galantini

Oct 22, 2024

Reports in the build-up to January have suggested that Arsenal are on the lookout to sign a new striker for 2025, and it could even be January, with well-connected former recruitment chief Mick Brown claiming that the addition of a forward is entirely possible at the turn of the year.

“Havertz has been brilliant recently,” said Brown to Football Insider.

“You have to give people like that a lot of credit because questions have been asked of him and a lot of people would have shied away. But he’s done a great job for them. You have to credit Mikel Arteta because he’s brought this out of him. I’ve heard, though, that if there was the right option out there, Arsenal still want to buy somebody in that position.

“The problem is there’s not a long list of players who are good enough to play that role and are also available to come to the Premier League. Arsenal won’t want to waste any money they have on a player they don’t need.

“They’ll be prudent, but I know they’ll be looking for areas they can improve, and I think that will be one even with Havertz playing as well as he has been.”

This also comes amid Jesus’ questionable form. The Brazilian is yet to get off the mark in all competitions this season, leading to doubts about his suitability to lead the line for Arsenal going forward.

There are suggestions that Jesus could leave Arsenal and Arteta is a real fan of Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush as his replacement – among other potential targets.

Gabriel Jesus set for exit talks with Edu and Arteta at Arsenal

According to GiveMeSport this week, Jesus is in line for internal exit talks with Arsenal. It is believed both Edu and Arteta will be involved in these discussions as well, with the ex-Man City star pondering his future despite retaining the faith of his manager.

The £265,000-per-week forward isn’t keen on playing a bit-part role during this stage of his career, which is exactly what has happened this season, considering he’s played just 89 minutes of league action this season and was an unused substitute in their 2-0 loss at Bournemouth.

Arteta openly spoke about his importance to the team earlier this year, though, calling the South American a “very important” player.

“Their contribution is super important, and we are really happy to have them,” said Arteta on Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“They certainly were two players who helped us to accelerate the process and generate belief and their presence has been very important for our success.”

adidas has revealed its new away kits for the 2025 European Championship, with world champions Spain among the six nations to get new looks.

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• adidas drop new away kits for six Euro 2025 teams
• World champions Spain among those to get new looks
• Tournament kicks off in Switzerland in July

Shop Women’s Euro 2025 kits at adidasBuy now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  La Roja will head into this summer's tournament as the favourites, having asserted themselves as the world's best by beating England in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. They'll do so with a fresh new pink and grey away kit, on an off-white base, which takes its inspiration from the cubism movement of the 20th century.

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• adidas
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Germany will be another frontrunner for the title, having made the 2022 final before suffering defeat in extra time to England. The eight-time winners will head to the Euros ready to show off a fresh new away kit which incorporates shades of red and pink, in a modern graffiti style. The design is to embody the vibrant murals found across the heart of Germany's cities.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Italy, a dark horse for the tournament, Belgium, quarter-finalists three years ago, Sweden, beaten only by eventual champions England in the semi-finals in 2022, and Wales, set to make their major tournament debut on the women's side, are the other nations to drop new away kits this week.

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• adidas
  

  WHAT NEXT?

  The 2025 European Championship gets underway in Switzerland on July 2, with the final to take place on July 27 at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

  Shop Women’s Euro 2025 kits at adidasBuy now

Malik Scott insists that he never intended to fight Jamie Carragher after seeing an ill-advised "loyal" quip aimed at his CBS Sports host wife Kate.

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• On-air quip made at Kate Scott's expense
• Malik threatened to address the issue
• Insists there is no tension in the CBS camp

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Liverpool legend Carragher courted controversy with an on-air 'joke' made during coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Porto in March 2024. His comment did not go down well, with Kate Scott and the rest of the CBS crew left feeling uncomfortable as red-faced apologies were quickly lined up.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Boxing trainer Malik, who has worked with former heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, said in the aftermath of the incident: "If Kate gets upset then it's a really big deal to me and I'll give him a call and if he doesn't pick up my call, then I'll show up in a physical manner so we can talk like men."

• WHAT MALIK SCOTT SAID

  Scott has now told when asked if there was ever any chance of scores being settled in the ring: "I didn't have any plans on fighting Jamie. But at the same time, I put it out there because my wife was hurt and I'm here to protect my wife and that was that. But Jamie, when we see each other, we shake hands, give each other big daps, have a laugh and move on.

  "Jamie and I always see each other, so it's not an intimidating thing. It's just a respect that men have with each other. That's all it is. I respect him, he respects me, and my wife respects him, and he's going to respect my wife. And he does respect my wife. There’s no grudge with Jamie at all. I love that whole panel."

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• Getty/CBS Sports/Instagram
  

  DID YOU KNOW?

  Malik recently made a guest appearance on the CBS panel, during a European tie between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu, during which he wore a hoodie that sported the names of the show’s cast with “Jamie” crossed out.

  He added on that playful jab at Carragher: “Well I had that hoodie and we just put a little flare onto it for the show. It was good. People loved it.

  “About six or seven months ago, Jamie Carragher was on the panel with my wife, Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, and Micah (Richards) – they were doing a game and it was an outside game and Kate was explaining to Jamie. that she was loyal to I believe a Manchester team (Manchester United).

  “Jamie acted like he didn't hear it so he said ‘Loyal to who? Not to Malik.’ And that went pretty bad. And it was probably the wrong kind of joke. And it just got out and when the word got to me, I put a couple of statements out that really went crazy. I was just verbally protecting my wife on the internet about that thing Jamie said.

  “So time goes by and here I am at the game the other day and I have my Champions League sweatshirt on and the best panel on sports is up there.

  “They came to me asking would I hop on the last segment. I didn't have the hoodie like that but by the time I got up there I had Jamie’s name crossed out and they basically asked me what I had on so I opened the shirt and I said, ‘I've got to get me another one because I basically crossed Jamie’s name out on that’.

  “That was a little get back at him from the beginning of the story, just the comment that he said about Kate. Then as the show went on they were asking me my favourite (on the panel). Of course, I'm going to say my wife. The one that I married is my favourite, Kate Scott. Then I said Micah. Then Jamie said, ‘Who's next?’ I looked at Jamie with a face and I said, ‘Don't you do it, Jamie’. And then we all had a good laugh and it was just good.

  “It was a really good experience. That's a very good crew. Best panel in sports in my opinion, chemistry wise. The producer really hit it right on the button with them. They got a great thing going. It was incredible. They’ve got the right individuals on there and it was fun more than anything.”