Joey Barton charged by Football Association for allegedly placing 1,260 bets during 10-year period

JOEY BARTON

Joey Barton has been charged by the Football Association for misconduct in relation to betting.
The governing body has said Barton is alleged to have placed 1,260 bets over a 10-year period.

Barton, who earlier this week signed for Burnley until the end of the season, is alleged by the FA to have placed bets between March 26, 2006 and May 13, 2016.

FA'S CURRENT RULES ON BETTING 

Participants covered by the ban will be prohibited from betting, either directly or indirectly, on any football match or competition that takes place anywhere in the world.

The 34-year-old was handed a one-match suspension for breaking Scottish Football Association betting rules during his short stint at Rangers.

The midfielder admitted breaching the SFA's zero-tolerance rules, which forbid players gambling on any match.

He placed 44 bets on games between July 1, 2016 - when his Ibrox deal started - and September 15.
His Scottish suspension will carry over into his Burnley career.

He has until January 5, 2017 to respond to the latest FA charge.

BET THEY REGRETTED THAT... 

Martin Demichelis (May 2016)

Ex-Manchester City defender fined £22,058 for 29 bets on matches.

Lewis Smith (Mar 2016)

East Thurrock player banned for 17 months and fined £22,865 for placing 28 bets.

Steve Simonsen (Feb 2015)

Goalkeeper banned for two matches (one suspended) at Rangers for bets on 55 games.

Ronnie Moore (May 2014)

Sacked as Tranmere boss for bets that included a £1 double on his side to beat Colchester and Manchester United to beat QPR, from which he won £3.93.

Dan Gosling (Mar 2014)

Fined £30,000 at Newcastle for 'betting out of boredom' while injured, according to his mum.

Ian Black (Sep 2013)

Banned for 10 games and fined £7,500. Then of Rangers, he bet against his side three times.

Cameron Jerome (Aug 2013)

Fined £50,000 while at Stoke for repeatedly breaking FA rules.

Andros Townsend (May 2013)

Four-month ban (three suspended) and £18,000 fine at Tottenham.

Arsene Wenger defends Arsenal's Mesut Ozil after Man City criticism

OZIL

Arsene Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil's work ethic in the wake of a week of criticism for the Arsenal midfielder.

Ozil's performance in Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City became a lightning rod for some unhappy supporters, who shared a video online highlighting his failure to press the opposition.

But the Germany international regularly appears towards the top of Arsenal's running statistics, while this season's figures show he has won possession in the final third as often as team-mate Alexis Sanchez.

Wenger, speaking at his press conference ahead of the Boxing Day game against West Brom, accepted analysis of the way his side faded at the Etihad but said: "It's very difficult for me to come out on an individual - I have a debrief with the players themselves.

"To be absolutely fair I did not listen to all the criticism we got, but we have to accept it. People analyse and have an opinion and that's normal. We have to respond, and big players always respond to criticism on the pitch.

"I don't give [Ozil] leeway - when the team has no possession he has to do his job like everybody else. Usually he does it well.

"He suffers more when we don't have the ball and at City we didn't have the ball enough, but unfortunately if you want the ball you have to win it back.

"He is a guy who works much harder than people think - his body language goes against him sometimes. We are a team who wins it back high up with Sanchez and Ozil, and he does his job very well."

Arsenal were top of the table as recently as December 10, but go into Christmas fourth on the back of successive defeats, nine points behind Chelsea with Tottenham and Manchester United now breathing down their necks.

Wenger has lost Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain "for days rather than weeks", but hopes to have Aaron Ramsey available against Albion after three games out, while Danny Welbeck joined in full training on Friday for the first time since suffering a knee injury in May.

"Aaron is efficient offensively, has a high level of activity and is a complete box to box player," Wenger added. "He gives us options when he plays, but let's not be too premature. He has had some setbacks and I hope this time he will be alright.

"I am even more cautious with Welbeck. He will need some time, and today is his first team training. Of course it's fantastic for him - it's like starting a new career - but we have to be patient."

Jose Mourinho: Chelsea won't drop too many points this season

CHELSEA

Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's philosophy and strength this season will make them very hard to beat in the title race.

Mourinho says it would be very difficult for Manchester United to catch the Blues, who are top of the Premier League and 13 points ahead of his new side.

The 53-year-old was sacked by Chelsea last December after a torrid run for the then-champions, but says the way Antonio Conte has them playing at present, and the style in which they close out games, means they won't drop many points from now until May.

In an interview with Sky Sports News HQ, Mourinho said: "It's very difficult, you have to be honest and say that. Not just the difference in points, but also the Chelsea philosophy of play.

"They score one goal and they win, they defend a lot, they defend well, they are winning and in the last 20 minutes they bring defenders in, they don't care what people say, what people think, they just want to win.

"And because of that, I don't see them losing many points.

"It is mathematically possible [for United to win the league], but it is very difficult to happen for us. The difference is considerable."

United, who are four points off the top four following three straight wins, finished outside of the Champions League places under Louis van Gaal last term.

Mourinho says he does not wish to make fourth a target, insisting his side can achieve more than that despite the tough competition.

"For me to be happy, it's an accumulation of factors. For me to be happy is the way we end the season playing, the evolution of the team, the empathy with the supporters, the results in many different competitions we are playing.  

"So let's see where we finish, I don't want to say fourth, because I think we can do better than fourth

"But we have the risk of not doing fourth because the competition is so hard and the top teams have the same ambitions as we have. So I don't want to say fourth or third or fifth."

Chelsea will not buckle under title pressure, insists Antonio Conte

CONTE

Antonio Conte has warned title-chasing rivals that Chelsea won’t buckle under the pressure of leading the Premier League.

Chelsea are six points clear of Liverpool at the top of the table going into the festive period and are now overwhelming favourites to lift the title in Conte’s first season at the club.

But it remains to be seen how the Blues, under the Italian, will handle the pressure of leading the chase going into the second half of the season as the chasing pack try to hunt them down.

Conte has no doubts, insisting that being front-runners holds no fear for his team.

‘It’s good to stay in this position (at the top of the table),’ he said. ‘I don’t trust the people when they say, “It’s important now to stay behind, and there’s pressure when you’re top”.

 ‘I’d prefer the pressure of being top of the table. We earned this position. Now it’s important to keep it. It won’t be easy, for sure.

‘I think we must have the right pressure. We all know that, now, we are doing fantastic things. If I go with my mind at the start of the season, not one person thought or forecast that Chelsea would stay top of the table, for many reasons.’

Meanwhile, Conte has admitted his disappointment in losing coach Steve Holland to England.

The FA have confirmed that Holland will become Gareth Southgate’s full-time assistant manager with the national team at the end of the season.

He will continue to split his time between both roles until the season ends, but Conte said: ‘Steve is a very good professional and is helping me a lot with my experience at Chelsea.

‘He has great experience with this club. It’s a pity to lose him, I must be honest.

‘But, also, I can understand his choice. This type of situation can arrive only once in your life, to be a coach or assistant coach of your national team and your country.

‘For this reason, I understand him. It’s a pity because I’ve worked very well with him. For the future, it’s important to be focused on the present and work with this staff.

‘I have a great staff, a fantastic staff. There is a great spirit, a family spirit, with them. In the future, we’ll see.’

Chelsea are not much better than us... Tottenham are '100 per cent' title contenders, says Christian Eriksen

CHELSEA

Christian Eriksen believes Tottenham can '100 per cent' challenge for the Premier League title this season. 

The north Londoners, who face Southampton on Boxing Day, are one point outside the Champions League places; having lost two of their last five matches. 

But after sealing back-to-back top-flight victories, Spurs are beginning to show the form which saw them compete for the league crown last season.

And Eriksen is adamant they are not far off Chelsea, who are six points clear at the top of the table. 

When asked if Spurs could challenge for the Premier League title, Eriksen told Sky Sports News: 'Yes, 100 per cent, for sure.

'If you watch the first 44-and-a-half minutes of the game at Chelsea, I think we did very, very well. We showed we can compete with them.

'It's not like you can say "Oh they are much better". Yes, they are doing really well and have not lost for 11 games and are on a really good run.

'But for us it is just about keeping up with everyone else and being as close as possible to the top. Of course I really want us to do better than last season, when we did really well. 

'Hopefully we will finish even higher and we want to be in a position to do that so that is the main target.' 

Meanwhile, Tottenham have slashed the price of some tickets for their Europa League games at Wembley to just £5.

Sam Allardyce to talk to Crystal Palace after Alan Pardew sacking

SAM ALLARDYCE

Sam Allardyce is being lined up as Crystal Palace's new manager following the dismissal of Alan Pardew, Sky Sports understands.

The former West Ham and England boss' representatives will meet for talks with Palace chairman Steve Parish in the next 24 hours.

We understand there is no agreement in place yet between Parish and Allardyce, and while 'Big Sam' is favourite to replace Pardew, a deal is still some way off.

Sky sources have suggested Allardyce wants to find out how much he will have to spend in the forthcoming transfer window.

He is also keen to learn more about the management structures at Selhurst Park and how he will work with Parish and the American majority shareholders Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

The former England manager has made it clear he is keen to return to football management in the near future.

Pardew was sacked by Palace on Thursday afternoon, the Selhurst Park club having suffered eight defeats in their last 10 Premier League games.

Allardyce lost the England job in September after just one match in charge.

He was filmed discussing FA rules on third-party ownership of players with undercover reporters from the Daily Telegraph.

He confirmed last Friday that he was ready to return to the game, telling beIN Sports: "I think I will return probably in the new year if not before, depending on who approaches me.

"I don't think I can leave it where it ended. That is behind me now. That is a very difficult, dark period of my time but, moving on, adversity makes you stronger.

"I'm looking forward to the right place for me, whether that is in England or abroad.

"The Premier League has been a great challenge for me over many, many years and one I think I've managed to meet."

Arsene Wenger says Chinese football may become threat to Premier League

WENGER

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he was surprised by Oscar's £60m move from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG.

The Brazilian midfielder has been out of favour at Stamford Bridge since the arrival of new boss Antonio Conte, starting just five Premier League games.

But on Friday morning Chelsea and SPIG confirmed that the clubs had agreed a deal for the 25-year-old to move, with Sky sources understanding the fee to be £60m. That would mean the Blues make a profit of around £41m on the player.

Wenger says that the money being ploughed into Chinese football is potentially a threat to the Premier League, which has been the most powerful financial force in the market for many years.

'Yes, it's a surprise, it's a distortion," said Wenger. "Basically when you're a football player you want to combine the quality of the competition with the quantity of your wages.

"It's a surprise to me, but when I was in Japan, we had many Brazilian players. At the moment I think Oscar moves because he doesn't play in the Premier League. China gives him that opportunity as well,..they invest a lot of money at the moment.

"Will it be a future problem for the Premier League? It could become [one]."

Meanwhile, Wenger has defended Mesut Ozil's work ethic in the wake of a week of criticism for the Arsenal midfielder.

Oscar to Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG: Key questions answered

OSCAR

From Oscar's new team-mates to where Shanghai SIPG's finances come from, read our Q&A on the Chelsea player's big-money move...

Why's Oscar going to China?

There is one obvious reason why 25-year-old Oscar is switching the Premier League for the Chinese Super League: finances. The £60m transfer fee works out as a £35m profit for Chelsea on what they spent on the player in 2012. It was an offer too good to turn down.

The player is reportedly set to earn an astronomical £400,000 per week. Not bad work if you can get it.

But there is also an on-field factor for Oscar. He's found himself on the fringes of Antonio Conte's plans this season, making just five starts and four substitute appearances in the Premier League this season. He'll be a first-choice pick in Shanghai, while his Brazil team-mate Paulinho has shown it is possible to revitalise your career in the Far East, following his struggles in England.

Who will Oscar be playing with at Shanghai SIPG?

While a transfer to China may seem like a big culture shift for Oscar, there will be a few familiar faces at his new club.

Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas - who left the Blues five months before the player arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2012 - is their manager. He took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson in November (Eriksson is still in China but at second-tier Shenzhen FC).

Oscar's Brazil team-mate Hulk - who was signed from Zenit St Petersburg in June for £45.7m - is the club's star striker.

In the Chinese Super League clubs are restricted to four foreign players and one player from another Asian country. Shanghai SIPG's other international players are Argentinean midfielder Dario Conca, Ivory Coast youngster Jean Evrard Kouassi and South Korean Ju-Young Kim.

They also have China internationals Yan Junling, Fu Huan, Sun Xiang, Yu Hai, Cai Huikang and Wu Lei in their ranks.

Are they any good?

Shanghai SIPG have risen to become one of the strongest teams in the Chinese Super League - and they have big ambitions.

Eriksson was replaced after the 2016 season, despite taking the 2015 runners-up to a third-place finish and reaching the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.

The club won China's third-tier title in 2007 and the second-tier in 2012. They're now firmly established among the elite.

Where does their money come from?

Shanghai SIPG's big spending is fuelled by Shanghai International Port (Group), who run the Port of Shanghai. It's among the top 50 companies on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shanghai Government own 61 per cent of the company.

Who will Oscar be playing against?
Luiz Felipe Scolari's Guangzhou Evergrande - the 2016 champions - will be among Shanghai SIPG's main rivals for the 2017 crown and they have former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho and ex-Atletico Madrid striker Jackson Martinez in their ranks.

Former Chelsea stars Demba Ba (Shanghai Shenhua), Ramires (Jiangsu Suning) and Gael Kakuta (Hebei China Fortune) are also in the Chinese Super League. So too are former Newcastle duo Obafemi Martins (Shenhua) and Papiss Cisse (Shandong Luneng), and Italy striker Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) who was playing for Southampton this time last year.

One-time Arsenal forward Gervinho, Stephane Mbia (both Hebei China Fortune) who was at QPR, and previous Liverpool target Alex Teixeira (Jiangsu Suning) also play in the league.

Oscar could also come up against another former Premier League star, should Carlos Tevez complete his big-money move. The ex-Manchester United and Manchester City striker is set to become the world's best-paid footballer on £615,000-per-week at Shanghai Shenhua, according to reports.

What other players could go to China in the transfer window?
As well as Tevez, other players linked with big-money moves to China recently have included John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Alexis Sanchez.

While there is still yet to be a key player from one of the Premier League's title contenders to make the move, Chelsea boss Conte has described the finances in China as a threat to clubs worldwide.

With big money on offer, Chinese Super League clubs will be significant players in the upcoming January transfer window.

Diego Costa, N'Golo Kante bans 'good test' for Chelsea, Antonio Conte says

COSTA AND KANTE

Antonio Conte says the Boxing Day absence of Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante will be a good examination of Chelsea's winning form.

Bournemouth are Monday's visitors to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea will be chasing a 12th straight Premier League victory to consolidate their position of strength six points clear at the top of the table.

Eden Hazard will be part of the squad, but Conte is without two other men who have played key roles in that long winning run, with ball-winner Kante and regular goalscorer Costa both suspended.

Costa has scored three winners in Chelsea's past six games, and Conte said: "For sure they are two important players for us, that's clear.

"But we are working, we are working very well this week to try and find the solution to play good football, to continue to win, to take the three points.

"We all know against Bournemouth it will not be easy, they are a good team with a good organisation, but we are working very well and we want to continue.

"I have four days to evaluate the situation and find the best solution. This is a good test for us because we play this game without two very important players for our team."

Michy Batshuayi would be a like-for-like replacement for Costa, but Conte said: "We must be patient with him. The next step for him is to play more this season."

Frank Lampard was back training at Cobham this week and looked in good shape according to Conte, who said the club great "wants to continue playing" after leaving LA Galaxy.

Another Bridge stalwart is off next summer following confirmation Steve Holland is joining England's coaching staff on a permanent basis.

"Steve is a very good professional and he is helping me a lot as he has a lot of experience with Chelsea," Conte said.

"It's a pity to lose him, I must be honest, but I can understand his choice as this type of situation can arrive only once in life, to be a coach or assistant coach of your country."

Hugo Lloris 'excited' by Tottenham project as goalkeeper signs new contract worth £100,000 a week to commit to the club until 2022

LLORIS

Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2022.

The France No 1 has been a key player for the north London side since joining in the summer of 2012 from Lyon for a fee of around £12million.

And Lloris has now extended his stay with the new five and a half-year deal worth £100,000-per-week plus incentives; similar to the contract striker Harry Kane signed earlier this month.

Speaking to the club's official website, he said: 'That's the way I show my commitment to the club, to my team-mates and the gaffer and to show again how much I believe in this project and hopefully the best years are ahead.

'Step by step we are building a strong team, a strong spine and then we are making a competitive team for the future.

'It's an interesting time with the new stadium so everyone at the club is excited and hopefully we'll continue our run in the league and try to reach the top four to get back into the Champions League next season.'

The goalkeeper posed for the now traditional Spurs photo with manager Mauricio Pochettino on Thursday after putting pen to paper on the new deal.

He has been one of the stand-out performers this season, building on a strong campaign last year in which he almost helped the club to a first Premier League title.

In 24 appearances for club and country this season, Lloris has kept nine clean sheets.

The 29-year-old, who will be 35 by the time the deal ends, is the latest in a string of Spurs players to commit their future to the club this season.

He joins Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Eric Dier are all among those all extended their deals in recent months.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes his old club are still in the title race and backs them to be even stronger next season

MANCHESTER UNITED

Rio Ferdinand insists his former club Manchester United are still in the race for the Premier League title this season, and believes they'll be even more of a threat during the next campaign.

United have improved in recent weeks after a tough start to life under Jose Mourinho, and are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, winning each of their last four.

Their return to form after a strong start to the season has seen the creep back into title contention, and former defender Ferdinand believes Mourinho's side will be in an even stronger position to challenge for the top prize in 2016-17.

 'I think next season will be the more important one for United,' said the 38-year-old.

'They've spent big this summer and they'll probably reinvest again next summer and go again the following season.

'This season, though, any one of six teams is capable of winning the league and United are in that mix.

'We need to keep being consistent and keep up a run of games where we build up confidence and get points on the board.'

Ahead of next season, United are set to dip into the January transfer market, with Benfica defender Victor Lindelof heavily linked with a £38million move to Old Trafford.

Mourinho's men are currently 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea, but only four points adrift of the top four.

United welcome Sunderland to Old Trafford on Boxing Day, before Middlesbrough visit two days later. The FA Cup holders then begin the New Year with a visit to the London Stadium to face West Ham.

Danny Welbeck returns to Arsenal training after seven month lay-off as Arsene Wenger admits club will be cautious with injury-prone striker

WENGER

Arsenal have been handed a huge boost with Aaron Ramsey and Danny Welbeck returning to full training on Friday.

Ramsey has started just two matches this season after injuring his hamstring in the club's season opener against Liverpool and he has suffered several setbacks, but the midfielder is in contention to play some part of their Boxing Day fixture against West Bromwich Albion.

Welbeck has been absent since May when he was struck down with a serious knee injury. Initial fears were that the England striker could be out for a year but he has recovered well and is back training with the team for the first time in nine months.

'I don't know yet will Ramsey be involved or not but he will be back in full training today,' Wenger revealed on Friday, adding: 'Good news: Welbeck will join in today for the first time — he has been out for a very long time.'

Arsenal's manager is, however, maintaining caution with both players given the extent of their problems. 'Ramsey has not played many games,' Wenger said. 'He has played maybe two games since the start of the season, but let's not be too premature. He's had some setbacks and I hope this time he will be alright.

'You know the strengths of Aaron. He's efficient offensively and he has a high level of activity and is a very complete box-to-box player so overall I think he gives us options as well in the team when he plays.'

The Frenchman added: 'I'm cautious with Ramsey and even more with Welbeck, because Welbeck will need some time. Of course it's fantastic, because for him it's like starting a new career, because he has been out for such a long time.

'But I'm a bit cautious with the little setbacks you have when you have been out for a long time. You have to be patient.'

Neymar among Brazilian stars honouring Chapecoense in charity match for plane crash tragedy club

NEYMAR

Some of Brazil's biggest footballing names took to the pitch on Thursday for a charity game in honour of Chapecoense.

Barcelona star Neymar was the main attraction at the game organised in honour of the club who lost 19 players in a plane crash last month.

There were several other big names from Brazil still playing professionally, including former Ballon d'Or winner Kaka, ex-Real Madrid and Manchester City forward Robinho, and Gabriel Jesus, who is joining City next month.

KAKA

It wasn't just footballing heroes who did their their bit on the pitch, with stars including F1 driver Felipe Massa also playing.

The match took place at Pacaembu stadium in Sao Paulo, with all donations going to the Neymar Jr. Project Institute in Praia Grande, a children's foundation launched by the forward.

ROBINHO

The game was between two sides named Ousadia - meaning 'Boldness' in Portuguese - and Pedalada, meaning 'Progess', ended 13-9 to Ousadia, wearing yellow. 

A total of 71 people were killed on November 28 when a plane crashed in Medellin, Colombia. 

It had been carrying the Chapecoense squad to play in the final of the Copa Sudamerica, the South American equivalent of the Europa League. As well as players, a number of club officials and journalist also lost their lives.

JESUS

On Wednesday Chapecoense announced their first signings since the tragic crash, as they attempt to rebuild for next season.

They will however have the services of Alan Ruschel, one of only three players who survived.

He briefly returned to the pitch for the first time after being released from hospital to kick-off another Chapecoense charity match on December 22. 

Oscar to Shanghai SIPG transfer agreed... Chelsea confirm Chinese Super League deal with Brazilian set to earn £400,000-per-week

OSCAR

Chelsea have confirmed a £52million fee has been agreed with Shanghai SIPG over the sale of Brazilian midfielder Oscar.

He will become the most expensive signing by a Chinese Super League club, joining up with former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas in January as clubs in the Far East continue to splash the cash.

Oscar has fallen out of favour under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, playing 11 matches this season but has not started in the Premier League for the leaders since mid-September, when Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool.

OSCAR'S CHELSEA STATS 

Games: 203

Goals: 38
Honours: Europa League (2012), League Cup (2015), Premier League (2015)

Chelsea said: 'Chelsea Football Club and Shanghai SIPG have agreed terms for the permanent transfer of Oscar.

'We thank Oscar for his wonderful service and wish him the very best of luck for the future.'

Brazil striker Hulk became SIPG's record signing in June, joining from Zenit St Petersburg for £47m on £320,000 a week — but Oscar will leapfrog his countryman as the club's top earner.

The club have decided to cash in, having paid £19m to sign Oscar from Brazilian club Internacional four-and-a-half years ago, as Conte looks to revamp his defence in the next two transfer windows.

Oscar will be the latest player with Chelsea connections to play in China, following Didier Drogba, Ramires, Nicolas Anelka and Demba Ba.

He leaves Stamford Bridge having won the Premier League title, Europa League, League Cup and twice winning the club's goal of the season award.

Given the riches on offer, the Chinese Super League is quickly becoming a serious option for Europe's most high-profile players.

Oscar joins the Chinese side at a time of financial boom for the league, with five of the 14 best-paid footballers in the world now playing in the CSL.

Graziano Pelle, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Jackson Martinez are all recent arrivals in the league, while Villas-Boas himself is also on big money, earning £11m-a-year since replacing former England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson.

Chelsea manager Conte has recently spoken of the 'danger' posed by the big-spending Chinese Super League sides, who now boast the financial clout to outmuscle Premier League rivals.

Speaking last week, before the Oscar deal was officially announced, he said: 'The Chinese market is a danger for all teams in the world; not only for Chelsea but all teams in the world.

'But I think that we must be concentrated on our work. I think that this league is fantastic and to play in this league is a great opportunity, a great honour.

'You must be very proud to play in this league. Because I think now it's the best league in the world.
'For this reason, I don't worry about this.'

Shanghai finished third in the league last season, meaning that their Asian Champions League campaign begins early in the play-off rounds in February.

They have never won the Super League, but did finish second under Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2015.

THE TOP-10 BEST-PAID FOOTBALLERS IN THE WORLD

1) Oscar (Shanghai SIPG) £400,000 per week £20.8m per year*

2=) Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) £365,000 per week £19m per year**

2= Lionel Messi (Barcelona) £365,000 per week £19m per year**

4) Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) £346,000 per week £18m per year**

5) Hulk (Shanghai SIPG) £317,000 per week £16.5m per year

6) Paul Pogba (Manchester United) £290,000 per week £15m per year

7) Neymar (Barcelona) £289,000 per week £15m per year**

8) Graziano Pelle (Shandong Luneng) £260,000 per week £13.5m per year

9) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) £260,000 per week £13.5m per year

10) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Manchester United) £250,000 per week £13m per year

* Transfer is set to be completed in January

** All estimated figures are pre-tax, except in these cases where figures are post-tax. Sums may vary according to bonus payments.

Eric Cantona tells Manchester City's defence to stop their 'mannequin challenge' as the United legend jokes about going to the Winter Olympics

 

CANTONA

Eric Cantona has urged Manchester City's defenders to stop their own 'mannequin challenge' after conceding eight goals in three Premier League matches.

The Manchester United legend, never one to stay quiet for long, believes that City can only put themselves in a position to win the league title if they sort their defence out.

Pep Guardiola's side rank 14th for clean sheets in the league with three and Cantona doesn't think that is good enough.

'If someone could tell Manchester City's defence to stop their mannequin challenge.. That's it guys, we got the joke. Eight goals conceded in three matches [Burnley, Chelsea, Leicester] you can [now] start moving again,' he said.

City, who beat Watford 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night, have been criticised in recent weeks for seemingly not respecting the art of robust defending.

Sportsmail columnist Martin Keown wrote on Tuesday that he wouldn't have been able to play for Guardiola given his stance on tackling.

Keown feels that City need to go back to basics and stop trying to change a way of playing that has previously worked. Cantona agrees with the former Arsenal defender. 

Another area of football Cantona feels doesn't need any tampering with is the format of the World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to change the numbers of teams at the World Cup from 32 to 48 from 2026.

But Cantona feels that would be the wrong thing to do as well as pointing out his dislike of the 46-year-old.

He said: 'Gianni Infantino, the new boss of FIFA: his last name could be translated by 'very small infant'. Well Gianni, stop acting like one! 

'I want 48 countries at the next World Cup, I want penalty shoot outs after 90 minutes in the group phase,' he added mockingly.

And although he enjoys talking about different aspects of the modern game, Cantona hasn't ruled himself out of putting his love for football on the back burner to look for a new passion even going as far as hinting at competing at the Winter Olympics.

'So for the year to come, I take on a new challenge,' he said. 'Beyond the wall, in the mountains where the White Walkers can rip you limb from limb and feast on your remains. Winter Olympics, ski jumping. Forget Eddie the Eagle, here is Eric the Seagull!'

WHY WOULD HE CALL HIMSELF 'ERIC THE SEAGULL'? 

The former striker once said in 1995 after being sent off for dropkicking a fan during Manchester United's match against Crystal Palace that 'when the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea'. 

Though it has never been explained, there was a suggestion that the media were the seagulls, his quotes were the sardines, and he was the trawler. 

In other words, the media were following him in the hope of him reacting and giving them a new line or story.

Juan Mata praises the 'formidable' Diego Costa, the 'great' Eden Hazard and the 'reliable' Cesar Azpilicueta as Chelsea maintain winning streak

 

AZPILICUETA

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata has praised his former club Chelsea and their players after gaining a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Since their defeat by Arsenal back at the end of September, Antonio Conte's side have won ten successive league fixtures, scoring 24 times and conceding just twice.

And Spanish international Mata believes that Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta have been influential to their impressive form since October. 

Right now Chelsea have a very important distance,’ the Spaniard told IBTimes.

‘They are winning everything, playing good or bad, because they have reached a very high level of competitiveness.

They are playing in a very worked way, a formation that their coach had used in Juventus for several years and is working very well here.

‘I think their players suit perfectly to that type of football. Diego Costa is at a formidable level, Hazard is also doing great… and also Cesar (Azpilicueta), who is the reliable man. They are winning every game.’  

Chelsea are just one victory away from matching the club record 11 straight wins achieved in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. 

The west Londoners visit struggling Crystal Palace in the early kick-off on Saturday and the players will be hoping to write their name into the club's history book.

Meanwhile, after a slow start to the season, Mata and his United team-mates find themselves 13 points behind the Blues in sixth place.

After two straight league wins, United will have renewed spirit going into their trip to West Brom on Saturday, but they come up against a side that has been in impressive form lately, winning four of their last six league matches.