Who is Marc Cucurella? Barcelona academy sensation who debuted at the Camp Nou in his quest to become the next Jordi Alba
When the teams were announced ahead of Barcelona against Eibar in La Liga on Sunday there was a special moment of applause for Marc Cucurellas name.Recognition for the Bara academy product, who was finally about to experience his debut at the stadium he had spent so many years dreaming about while making his way through the youth ranks.4The only catch? He was taking the bow in an Eibar shirt. Cucurella, once targeted by Chelsea and Tottenham, participated in the pre-season tour of North America with Baras first team last summer, and was hopeful of more senior action in the current campaign following the departure of Lucas Digne to Everton.At the last minute he was informedErnesto Valverde would be counting on fellow Bara B player Juan Miranda as Jordi Albas deputy however. Instead of moping, the Catalan instead seized an opportunity to move to the Basque Country on loan for a year, a reflection of his healthy desire for fresh challenges.It proved to be a wise call. While Miranda has spent much of his year playing in the third division with Bara B, Cucurella has been trusted with a starting berth against La Liga giants like Real Madrid, Valencia and Real Betis, earning the kind of experience that are gold dust for a 20-year-old aspiring Barcelona player. On Sunday he added his boyhood club to that list of opponents. Bouncing around on the turf like a kid in the candy shop when Eibar came out to warm up, the Alella native wasnt the only person excited about the return to Barcelona. So too were the local media and fans, thanks to his exhibition performance against the best possible opposition earlier this season.On November 24th Cucurella produced a man of the match performance against Real Madrid at Ipurua, playing a huge part in ending Santiago Solaris four match unbeaten run after taking over from Julen Lopetegui. Against Real Madrid, because of my Bara history, I had an added incentive, the player admitted afterwards. It showed.4His pinpoint crossing from the left flank was the key cause of all three of the Basque goals in the historic 3-0 victory that was Eibars first ever over Madrid in La Liga, and the way he pounced on the shakiness of Los Blancos right-back Alvaro Odriozola in particular showed a ruthless streak fit of an elite-level footballer.Catalan newspaper Diari Ara described Cucurella as ridiculing the Madrid defender, who may have been grateful to be substituted with an injury after being embarrassed in the build-up to the on-loan Bara mans assist for Eibars second.4Used on the left wing instead of his more familiar deeper position, it was the afternoon that Cucurella truly arrived on the big stage, and his starting run has continued unchallenged in the six league games since, culminating on Sunday at the Camp Nou.Being picked to start against Bara could be seen as enough of an achievement in itself, but the loanee also did enough to suggest his run in Jos Luis Mendilibars side will continue. In the first half in particular he regularly won battles with Barcelona right-back Sergi Roberto, using his superior stature to beat him in the air, then bringing the ball down and surging forward to get a cross away or link up with team-mates when possible.Particularly promising was a move just before the break, when Cucurella positioned his body perfectly to beat the Bara defender to a contested ball then show him a clean pair of heels, resulting in Roberto hauling him down from behind to concede a free kick on the edge of the area.4Less straightforward were his attempts to do battle with Gerard Pique, who had the smarts and physical superiority to put the energetic youngster back in his place whenever they met in individual duels.That a 20-year-old cannot yet out-think or out-muscle one of the best central defenders in the world is hardly a revelation however, and when Cucurella was substituted in the 64th minute to applause from the Camp Nou he had done enough to show that there is plenty of potential ready to be exploited, albeit with room for improvement.Before the Eibar game Ernesto Valverde was asked about the prospect of bringing the wide man back to Barcelona in the summer and replied that he is having a great season and left the door open. Valverde will have seen clear improvements on Sunday compared to the player he watched in the pre-season last year.Eibar have the option to buy Cucurella this summer for a bargain price, but Bara have the final say on whether they will bring him back to Catalonia for the remaining two years of his contract, in which case his buyout clause would increase to 30m. The latter number reflects the true potential Bara thinks he has: its up to Cucurella to continue to improve and come back after a year in La Liga with his claim as Albas deputy undisputed.

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Burnley man Ashley Barnes KISSES Cardiff's Joe Bennett during

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Champions League final 2019: Alisson on justifying his £66m transfer fee, the art of goalkeeping and making history. Exclusive interview: Alisson was hand-picked by Jurgen Klopp to address one of
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Jose Mourinho's bottle-smashing celebration was 'totally

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HUGE REPORT The Spaniard may leave the Etihad Stadium in the summer in a move which could see him team up with Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is set to replace Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus, according to a report in Italy.
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5. Mark Noble. Mr West Ham, that's what he is. The current Hammers skipper has made more than 300 appearances for his boyhood club and while his performances recently have been a bit below par, he was one of the best in the Premier League a couple of years ago.

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Arsene Wenger EXCLUSIVE: All-English European cup finals due to 'aging squads' of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Bayern Munich by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 24 May
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Pochettino 'managed like a rookie manager' in final, says

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Andy Robertson hands Liverpool a major injury boost ahead of Champions League Final. The 25-year-old will have further checks on Thursday but the player and Liverpool medical staff are confident
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Arsenal boss Unai Emery has hailed Crystal Palace academy graduates Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and insists he has plenty of his own young players pushing for a place in his squad.
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Arsenal boss Unai Emery has hailed Crystal Palace academy graduates Wilfried Zaha and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and insists he has plenty of his own young players pushing for a place in his squad. The Gunners host Roy Hodgson's Palace on Sunday and are looking to maintain their place in the Premier League's top four.
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Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes Celtic star Callum McGregor has the mindset to play at the top level. to continue his success at Celtic, or to be a hit with another big club
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Tottenham's title aspirations took a major blow as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Burnley at Turf Moor. Ashley Barnes tapped in from close-range from a mishit Johann Berg
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Andy Cole is confident faltering Alexis Sanchez will eventually come good and show his true team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to get United firing in front of goal again. Manchester United's
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Chelsea transfer news: Blues could bid 31million plus Andreas Christensen for Roma ace Cengiz Under
Chelsea are considering a transfer bid for Roma star Cengiz Under which would involve money AND Andreas Christensen.The 21-year-old forward has been a hit in Italy ever since he moved to Serie A and the Blues are tempted to offer 31million plus their young defender for his services.1Under scored eight goals in all competitions during his debut season and his form caught the eye of Arsenal and Bayern Munich.Roma, however, have always held firm when clubs have enquired about the Turkey international and claimed he is not for sale.But, according to Calciomercato, Chelsea are ready to test Romas resolve by making a hefty offer for Under in January.The Blues are putting together a package that would include a cash payment of 31million plus defender Christensen. Christensen is said to be unhappy over a lack of playing time this season and he is prepared to leave in January.Roma are already on the hunt for a new centre-back and have held preliminary talks with Daniele Rugani of Juventus.

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Jurgen Klopp must win a trophy to be considered a success at

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Vincent Janssen has been captured in a photo training with Tottenham Hotspur's first team for the first time this season. The 24-year-old Dutchman has not played a senior match for the club since August 2017 and was expected to leave the club in the January transfer window.
Vincent Janssen - talkSPORT

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Much-loved commentator John Motson has criticised Marko Arnautovic for his desire to move to China. The West Ham striker recently revealed he wanted to leave the Hammers amid reports of a £35million bid from an unnamed Chinese Super League side.
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BREST midfielder Haris Belkebla has been sent home by Algeria just one week before the Africa Cup of Nations after flashing his bum on a Fortnite live stream. The 25-year-old has been replaced in

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Leicester City reportedly identify Monaco midfielder Youri Tielemans as a potential signing before the end of the January transfer window. Tielemans is regarded as one of the top prospects in
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Ajax Poised to Win Dutch League after 4-1 Rout of Utrecht Latin American Herald Tribune. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar equalized for Ajax in the 14th minute with an assist from Donny van de Beek, who went on to deliver the go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time.
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Chelsea eye deal for 'next Nemanja Vidic' Nikola Maksimovic as club turn to Torino defender after cooling interest in Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly. Nikola Maksimovic has refused to train with Torino
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Transfer news and football gossip: Manchester United interested in Boateng, Chelsea to pay Conte £11m, West Ham want Nasri AND Premier League ace.
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Why are Chelsea playing a friendly in Boston? Is Christian Pulisic involved? Who will feature ahead of Arsenal Europa League final? by: 161385360554578 — Talk Sport 15 May Chelsea take on the New England Revolution this week in a friendly match ahead of the Europa League final. The Blues are in Boston to take on the MLS side in a 'Final
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Manchester United have released their new home kit for next season

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Trent Alexander-Arnold's stunning season laid bare as Liverpool defender chalked up more Premier League assists than Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane Arsenal, Liverpool
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Jul 10, 2018 · Cristiano Ronaldo will leave Real Madrid and join Italian Serie A side Juventus in a $117.3 million deal, the Spanish club announced on Tuesday. In a stunning move that first emerged as a
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Watford vs Liverpool confirmed team news: Dejan Lovren replaces injured Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson starts
Liverpool have been forced into a change after a training injury has ruled out Joe Gomez for Saturday’s Premier League against Watford.The England defender suffered a minor ankle blow in training this week, a problem the club insist is not serious, and he is replaced by Dejan Lovren alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence.Meanwhile, captain Jordan Henderson returns to the starting line-up after a spell on the sidelines with injury, as Jurgen Klopp names a strong team.3The manager is taking no chances before their crunch Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain next week, withMohamed Salah,Roberto FirminoandSadio Manealso starting.Liverpool visit Watford on Saturday hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season and keep pace with Manchester City.The Reds currently sit second in the table, two points behind the league leaders.Their most recent match prior to the international break was a 2-0 defeat of Fulham, in which Jurgen Klopp’s side were well below their best.Criticism has been aimed at Liverpool this season for their failures to replicate the form they showed last term, but the Anfield club have still managed to win nine of 12 league matches to date.And they are being heavily backed to secure another three points on Saturday, despite coming up against a Watford side who have surprised all to sit seventh in the table.3

What the managers are saying:

Javi Gracia (Watford):“As a coach you always depend on the results, but at this moment I can say I am proud to be part of this project, not only for one year, but for a long time.“It is good for me, I feel happy here, my technical staff as well. We try with our job to help improve the team.“This stability is good for the players. Now we need to keep working hard because it is the only way we can keep this good moment going.”Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool): “Watford are really good. Good football, lively, well organised in a 4-4-2 mostly.“Deeney will be back I think. Mitrovic did really well for Fulham with a similar job two weeks ago. Quick wingers, very good centre midfielders.“This is for sure the best Watford team since I am in. And with a really good coach.”3

Team news:

The hosts are able to recall Etienne Capoue, who is available again after suspension, but while defender Sebastian Prodl has been training again following his leg problem, he is not involved against the Reds. Adalberto Penaranda has been granted a work permit so can now play in England, but will also not feature this weekend. Tom Cleverley and Daryl Janmaat continue to miss out.Jordan Henderson is fit enough to start for Liverpool, with Naby Keita fit enough for the bench, but Adam Lallana misses out on a place in the squad. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains on the sidelines with a long-term injury.

Confirmed line-ups:

Watford: Foster, Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Masina, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deulofeu, DeeneySubs: Navarro, Success Ajayi, Quina, Gray, Kabasele, Gomes, ChalobahLiverpool:Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Shaqiri, Salah, Mane, FirminoSubs: Mignolet, Matip, Clyne, Milner, Fabinho, Keita, Sturridge

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Crystal Palace's club doctor has complained of being racially abused before the team's game with Bournemouth at Selhurst Park.. Dr. Zafar Iqbal was making his way to the game with his children
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Luis Suarez: The Champions League teams the Barcelona striker has failed to score against away from home, including Celtic and Man United.
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Kante boasts just about every attribute needed from a defensive midfielder. His positioning, tackling and work rate are impeccable, while he also boasts a fine range of passing. Under new manager Maurizio Sarri, Kante has played every minute as Chelsea have gone unbeaten in 12 matches this season in the Premier League.

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The club are determined to keep the France midfielder and first opened talks in the summer over an extension. N'Golo Kante close to new Chelsea contract: Midfielder set for £290,000-a-week
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Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, a man with the spotlight constantly fixed on him, recently fell at an ice hockey match, and a video of the incident went viral.
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Tottenham Hotspur: Is this the under-strength Spurs team who will face Bournemouth and attempt to clinch Mauricio Pochettino has got a juggling act on his hands as he attempts to seal a place in the top four and keep players *fresh* for their massive European clash
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Manchester United takeover latest: Saudi Arabia Crown Prince gives up on club as Glazers pledge to be more hands-on Mohammad bin Salman was reportedly planning on making a huge £3.8billion bid
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Sam Allardyce compares Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to Brendan Rodgers' failed title challengers as they have 'fear of winning Premier League' Monday, 4 March 2019 Liverpool are starting to show the same 'fear of winning the league' as they did under Brendan Rodgers the last time they came close to ending their championship drought
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Atletico Madrid's classy leaked home kit for 2019-20 season is sure to be a hit with fans Talksport. While the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Koke take the headlines in the Spanish capital, the
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Manchester City's stars didn't have long to celebrate retaining the Premier League title as they went straight back to training on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's FA Cup final. Pep Guardiola's side
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Leicester City transfer news - Vicente Iborra completes Villarreal transfer, Adrien Silva latest. We brought you the latest Foxes transfer news as Claude Puel continues to mould his team
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Blackpool vs Arsenal: Confirmed Gunners XI for FA Cup clash as Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah start Arsenal begin their FA Cup campaign with a trip to Blackpool on Saturday evening. The Gunners have enjoyed great success in the competition in recent years, claiming the trophy on three of the last.. talkSPORT - Published on January 5, 2019
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Chelsea news: Ross Barkley hails 'magical' Eden Hazard after

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Arsenal transfer news: Gunners lining up Kai Havertz as potential Mesut Ozil replacement. The Bayer Leverkusen star, 19, has caught the eye of Europe's top clubs with a stellar season in the
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How Bayern Munich could line up next season with Callum Hudson-Odoi, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez
Not too long ago Bayern Munich were one of Europe’s most feared teams, but they have somewhat lost their way over the past 12 to 18 months.They may have won the Bundesliga last season but it was a turbulent campaign, with Jupp Heynckes replacing Carlo Ancelotti as manager in October 2017, as well as suffering a surprise 3-1 loss in the German Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt.4It’s arguably been even worse this season, however.At the halfway point, Bayern are second in the league and six points behind Borussia Dortmund while in the Champions League they face Liverpool in the last 16 – a contest winger Arjen Robben labelled the ‘worst possible draw’.Bayern’s top brass are aware the club needs to rebuild especially with the likes of club legends Robben and Franck Ribery due to leave the club at the end of the season.4And naturally, a number of players have been linked with a move to Bavaria during the January transfer window, which has seenBenjamin Pavard’s move from Stuttgart in the summer being confirmed earlier this week.So how might we see Bayern line-up next season? Below you can see this potential XI for the German giants in the 2019/20 campaign.

Goalkeeper – Manuel Neuer

Bayern are clearly looking to get rid of the old guard and despite being 32 years old, Neuer is well and truly there to stay at the Allianz.His contract expires in June 2021 and given he’s one of the top goalkeepers in world football. It would simply be madness to let him go.

Defence

A reshuffle on both defensive wings could be in order at the Allianz.As already mentioned, 22-year-old right-back Pavard will officially join Bayern in the summer but they have also been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Lucas Hernandez.Left-back Hernandez, who was part of France’s World Cup winning squad with Pavard is hugely admired by Bayern and they are reportedly considering triggering his 80million release clause in January.Meanwhile, Nicklas Sule and Mats Hummels would carry on as the two centre-backs.

Midfield

With Robben and Ribery set to depart, Bayern could do with strengthening in midfield too.However, recruiting Pavard would allow for highly-rated Josh Kimmich to move from right-back to central midfield permanently alongside Thiago Alcantara – a position Kimmich is more than capable of playing and where his future surely is.They have the likes of Kingsley Coman and Serge Gnabry to call on down the wings but one of the big transfer stories in this window has seen Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi linked with a move to the Allianz.4Bayern are desperate to bring him in, making multiple offers for the 18-year-old and are even reportedly willing to offer him Robben’s shirt.With 18 months still left on his deal at Stamford Bridge, it’s still not clear where Hudson-Odoi’s future lies.

Attack

Up front, Bayern are sorted. They have two world class players in striker Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller to play just behind him.And with Sandro Wagner to call upon in case either of them get injured, there is no need for Bayern to be thinking about getting any more strikers for another few windows.

Starting XI

4

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Former Blackpool midfielder Andrea Orlandi has retired from football at the age of 34 due to a heart issue. READ MORE: Blackpool youngster Fin Sinclair-Smith seals short-term loan move to Widnes
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Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri admits he didn't know anything about the signing of Christian Pulisic - until it was done.. The Blues have splashed £57.8million to sign the 20-year-old American

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Everton 2-0 Bournemouth: Toffees win hard-fought battle of mid-table mediocrity. Marco Silva's side triumphed at Goodison Park to end their poor run of home results. By talkSPORT
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Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy reveals the time he

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Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho spotted in attendance at Ligue 1 match to watch Lille vs Montpellier. Manchester United's second-quarter financial results were released this
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Aston Villa striker Scott Hogan turned down other options to sign for Sheffield United despite Bristol City link. He had been strongly linked to the Robins
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Chelsea's out of favour striker Michy Batshuayi is wanted by Everton in a permanent deal, according to reports. The forward had his loan spell at Valencia terminated by the Spanish club after
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Arsenal fielded a strong team as well. With a strong home support behind them, Arsenal took the game to Spurs early on, which Spurs weathered before coming into their own culminating in a brilliant move where Son Heung-Min latched onto Dele Alli's through ball to slot home cooly past Petr Cech. The pattern continued in the second half.
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Steven Gerrard has attempted to explain the differences between Rangers vs Celtic in the Old Firm derby and the Merseyside derby which pits his former club Liverpool against Everton.
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But first they must go through the nerves and drama of the Championship play-off final. talkSPORT will have full, comprehensive coverage of the big game as this season's thrilling EFL campaign comes to an end. Derby booked their place at Wembley with a stunning win over Leeds at Elland Road.

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