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THE billionaire founder of Telegram has made a new will – splitting his £17bn fortune among his 106 kids.

Pavel Durov, 40, says he’ll treat all his children equally, whether born via sperm donation or “naturally”.

East2West

Pavel Durov is a Russian billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of Telegram[/caption]

East2West

The tech tycoon says he’ll split his fortune among his 106 children[/caption]

East2West

The self-exiled Russian tycoon told Le Point magazine that none of his children will be getting their hands on the cash for the next 30 years.

Durov said: “I want them to live like normal people, to build their lives on their own, to learn to trust themselves, to be able to create – not to be dependent on a bank account.”

Durov is the founder of Telegram messenger, which is known for its focus on privacy and encrypted messaging and boasts over a billion monthly active users worldwide.

Dubbed the Mark Zuckerberg or Elon Musk of Russia, the tech tycoon has an estimated net worth of £17 billion.

He told the magazine he drafted his will because he feels threatened after refusing to share user data with the secret services of Russia and Western countries.

Durov said: “My work involves risks – defending freedoms earns you many enemies, including within powerful states. 

“I want to protect my children, but also the company I created, Telegram. 

“I want Telegram to always remain true to the values I stand for.”

Discussing his alleged 106 kids, he said: “I decided that my children will not have access to my fortune until a period of 30 years has passed, starting from today…

“I want to make it clear that I make no distinction between my children: there are those who were conceived naturally, and those born from my sperm donations. 

“They are all my children and they will all have the same rights.

“I don’t want them to tear each other apart after my death.”

East2West

East2West

Durov is currently under investigation[/caption]

Durov said he has six children, for whom he is the “official father, with three different partners.

“The others were born from my anonymous donations. 

“The [Russian] clinic where I started donating sperm 15 years ago – to help a friend – told me that over 100 babies have been conceived this way in 12 countries.”

He added: “I have a newborn son – I’m missing his first months. 

“He doesn’t even have a passport because I wasn’t at his birth in Dubai.”

Durov is also a French citizen and currently lives in France, where he is under investigation.

He was arrested last year after flying from Azerbaijan to Paris with girlfriend Yulia Vavilova, 24, a gamer and crypto coach.

Authorities claimed Telegram’s lack of moderation, limited cooperation with law enforcement and features like disposable numbers and cryptocurrency make it an accomplice in drug trafficking, paedophilia and fraud.

When Durov refused to hand over data on Ukrainian protesters to Russian security agencies, he was effectively forced to give up his company and move abroad in 2014.

He said the French investigation into his affairs was “completely absurd”, adding, “Just because criminals use our messaging service among many others doesn’t make those who run it criminals.”

He said: “Telegram staff can’t see or read user messages.

“That’s why we’ve never revealed a single private message. 

“If a court flags a user ID in a criminal case, we review metadata – IP address, phone number. That’s it.”

Telegram is widely used by both Russia and Ukrainian sides in the war.

LOOKING for a cheap way to beat the heat this summer?

Look no further than Amazon for the perfect pool that will keep you cool as temperatures continue to soar.

Bestway

The pool takes just minutes to set up[/caption]

Bestway

The pool is perfect for hot summer days and it’s a bargain price[/caption]

The budget-friendly pool has just been slashed in price and is now just £8.99.

Reduced from £34.99, that’s an incredible 74% off.

Families are racing to get their hands on the Bestway 6ft inflatable pool, which is great for smaller gardens.

Better yet, the pool is easy to set up and can be ready for water in just 10 minutes.

Simply select a level surface, inflate the top ring and fill.

And when it comes time to take the pool down the simple flow control drain valve makes for easy draining and disassembly.

If you are on the hunt for something slightly bigger, the paddling pool also comes in 8ft and 10ft options.

With an average rating of 4.2 stars out of five on Amazon, it’s clear families have been loving the pool too.

One said: “I love how easy this is to set up and deflate. It does take a while to fill but that’s due to the capacity of the pool

“It’s easy to get in and out of. I will say is when you lean on the side you will loose water.”

“Great, cheap pool. Massive and only need to blow up 1 ring,” another wrote.

And another happy shopper said: “As 40 year old kid, I wanted to something to enjoy and cool down with a cocktail at the weekend in 32C daytime.”

They added: “I am also 6 foot. Nice to lay out/slightly float and rest my head on the side. Of course designed for kids! But this could fit 2/3 adults sitting. Or one taller person sprawled out, with a beer gut, perfectly.”

Not only that, but the shopper noted they had no problems with inflating the pool, and noted it was up for four days “with no issue.”

More bargain pools for summer

The Range is offering an Avenli Prompt Set Pool Set for an impressive reduced price.

The budget retailer has slashed the price of its pool offering from £49.99 to just £34.99 .

Click and collect is available at no extra cost, which might be a better option if you want to collect for the weekend.

The inflatable measures 3m x 3m x 76cm.

Asda are offering up a shark themed pool, perfect for animal loving kids and it only costs £15.

Shoppers ordering via home delivery and click and collect will be charged £4.

Asda’s offering measures in at 1.93m x 2.21m x 68cm making it suitable for kids aged two and older.

THE alleged mastermind behind the murder of a man who was found naked and bound with duct tape texted jokes about the attack, a court heard.

Thomas Campbell was ambushed on his doorstep in an attack allegedly orchestrated by his partner’s ex-boyfriend.

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John Belfield, who denies murder and conspiracy to rob[/caption]

Steve Allen

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Thomas Campbell, 38, was found dead at his home on Riverside, Mossley, Greater Manchester[/caption]

His body was discovered by his neighbours the morning after three men “pounced” on him as he arrived home late on a Saturday night, a court heard.

Manchester Crown Court was told the 38-year-old was killed on July 3, 2022 after “very careful planning by a team of highly organised criminals“.

The alleged “mastermind” of the plot is John Belfield, 31, who is on trial and denies murder.

Thomas was dating Belfield’s ex-girlfriend and he was “hostile” about the relationship, the court heard.

The victim’s glam ex Coleen was previously convicted for manslaughter after his death, and she was jailed for 13 years in 2023.

The mum-of-four passed on information about her ex husband’s movements – including details she learned from her children.

Manchester Crown Court heard today how Belfield sent texts after the alleged attack which read the victim “must have bled everywhere”.

The 31-year-old travelled to South America after the victim was found.

He was extradited from the former Dutch colony of Suriname, to stand trial over the “harrowing and violent assault”, a court heard.

Jurors were told today of messages sent to Belfield by his alleged “right-hand man” Reece Steven.

Steven, 29, was previously found guilty of Thomas’s murder with conspiracy to rob and he was sentenced to life in prison.

Belfield’s driver Stephen Cleworth, 38, was also convicted of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob and was jailed for 12 years.

The identity of the third attacker remains a mystery.

In a conversation about Thomas’ horror injuries, Steven wrote: “Tommy crumble. Dripping in tom juice everywhere.”

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Campbell was she was jailed for 13 years in 2023[/caption]

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Belfield replied: “Must have bled everywhere.”

Steven answered: “I didn’t say blood mate. I said juice, U’re crazy, bro.”

Belfield: “Tom juice.”

Steven: “A little bit of Tommy ketchup.”

Belfield: “All the lights on but no one at home. Actually, the lights have been smashed out of him.”

Steven: “He ran out of sauce. Empty bottle. No lid on.”

Belfield: “He didn’t believe the team.”

Steven: “He’s just crum now. In the graveyard.”

In another message Belfield wrote how the police “know I’m the one in charge” but had “next to f***-all on me”.

He added: “Got a chance of getting away with it.”

In further texts while Belfield was in Suriname, jurors heard how the 31-year-old wrote to another recipient: “Just looking like what it is going to be to like for me.

“If I have an alibi, I cannot get found guilty.

“There is no evidence. I could have just been naive.”

He told the unknown person to “check if they have got warrants for the phones because if they haven’t, then they cannot be used”.

Belfield also sent a message to another recipient which read: “If the evidence is not strong enough against them, they cannot use it against me.

“The trouble is getting a not guilty. Got a chance of getting away with it.”

The defendant then sent one person called Pacheco a text which read: “We did not use a blowtorch. We used hot liquid in a flask to burn him.”

He added: “Funny, innit. Police know I’m the one in charge but they know there is next to f*** all on me.

“I don’t even put the tracker on.

“They have no evidence to back up what they are saying. Just some story books.”

The jury heard Steven told Belfield: “I reckon you could squeeze a manslaughter. Accidents happen, bro.”

He also said in a voice note: “If you put all the cuts on his face aside and the burns that was off whatever.

“He’s got a f****** wound to the arm what got tarted up and a few bangs to the head.

“And he was f****** breathing when they called 999.”

Prosecutors argued Belfield was looking for “items of value” in Thomas’ Mossley home, in Greater Manchester.

Dr Philip Lumb told Manchester Crown Court yesterday that Thomas was discovered in the hallway of his home, lying on his back after the savage attack.

“He was naked apart from a pair of socks,” he told the court.

Dr Lumb said his ankles were “bound together tightly” with duct tape.

Injuries to the head and neck suggested a “sustained blunt sharp force physical assault”.

Dr Lumb argued that burns on Thomas’s body had been caused by a “hot liquid such as hot water”, MEN reported.

His arm was found with a “makeshift tourniquet” after an injury that would have bled a lot.

Dr Lumb concluded that Thomas’s cause of death included “multiple sharp force injures, blunt force head injuries” and “pressure to the neck”.

The court heard that there was a tracking device placed on Thomas’s car and “reconnaissance” was carried out in the days before he died on July 2, 2022.

The court was told that Belfield was responsible for putting the tracker on Thomas’s car and he was involved in the “reconnaissance” at his home.

He was not present at the scene of the death, the trial heard.

Belfield denies murder and conspiracy to rob.

The trial continues.

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Reece Steven, 29, and Belfield’s driver Stephen Cleworth were both jailed for their role in Thomas’s death[/caption]

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Images of the crime scene in Greater Manchester[/caption]

Cavendish

Thomas was found naked and bound with duct tape[/caption]

BARRY HEARN suffered a heart attack during Leyton Orient’s play-off clash with Stockport last month, his son Eddie has revealed.

But amazingly, the veteran promoter was back on his feet in time to attend the Dave-Allen Johnny Fisher fight just a week later.

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Eddie Hearn followed his father into the promotion business[/caption]

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Hearn’s heart attack occurred during Orient’s play-off clash with Stockport[/caption]

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Eddie has spoken out on his dad’s ordeal[/caption]

Hearn, 77, felt discomfort early on in Orient’s semi-final first-leg and had to be taken to hospital.

The snooker supremo subsequently had a third stent installed, having suffered two previous heart attacks.

Reliving the ordeal in a conversation with Boxing Social, Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn said of his dad: “He’s fine. Obviously it’s always very scary, that kind of thing. It was at the Orient match. It will do that to you, Leyton Orient.

“Five minutes in and he said ‘I’ll just see out the game’. Unfortunately he had to go down to the doctors and get taken to hospital, he had a heart attack.

“He had another stent. He’s had three stents now, three heart attacks.”

Hearn made a remarkably quick recovery, heading to East London’s Copper Box Arena just seven days later to witness Dave Allen’s knockout of the year contender against Johnny Fisher.

Eddie continued: “As far as he’s concerned he’s brand new now. He played cricket at the weekend for Essex Over-70s. He scored 60.

“It actually happened the weekend before the Johnny Fisher fight, so it was back in May, and he went to the Johnny Fisher fight, five days after the heart attack.”

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Hearn was in attendance as Dave Allen beat Jonny Fisher at the Copper Box[/caption]

Hearn, who turned 77 yesterday, was determined to get back on his feet quickly, with Eddie adding: “On the Monday he had a stent put in to his artery. Tuesday they let him out. So he gets back home Tuesday.

“So I’m like ‘right, well you won’t be coming to the Johnny Fisher fight’. He says ‘no I’m f***ing coming to the Johnny Fisher fight’.

“No, what are you doing? ‘I’m not missing the Johnny Fisher fight!’ I said ‘dad, chill out’. He goes ‘I’m not living my life like that, I’ve had a new stent, I’m brand new.’

“That’s what you’re dealing with. When he goes, he’s actually 77 today, my dad, it could be next week, or it could be in 10 years, you just never know when your time’s up.

“But you will be able to say he lived to the absolute max of his life. And that’s a great thing to be able to say.”

Orient went on to beat Stockport and book a place in the League One play-off final.

Ahead of the Wembley clash with Charlton, Barry revealed to SunSport that O’s’ play-off final defeat to Rotherham 11 years ago left him needing therapy.

Britain’s leading sports promoter told SunSport: “I’ve been paying for therapy ever since that day against Rotherham!

“I get nightmares about it. This is my opportunity to cleanse myself, take away my therapist bills, go back to normal sleep patterns.”

Unfortunately for Hearn, who sold the East London club in 2014, Orient were beaten 1-0 by Charlton under the Wembley arch.

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The father and son Hearn duo can often be seen at big fights together[/caption]

CORONATION Street star Georgia May Foote has revealed her beauty business has burned down in a fire.

The devastated soap actress, 34, took to Instagram to share the unfortunate news.

Instagram/Georgiamay112

Corrie star Georgia May Foote revealed her beauty business has burned down[/caption]

Facebook/Gmf Nails

She has been a nail technician for the past four years[/caption]

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Firefighters attended the Middleton storage unit fire[/caption]

Georgia is best known for having played Katy Armstrong for five years.

She penned: “Now as some of you may know I’ve been a nail technician now for the past 4 years alongside my acting.

“Unfortunately my beautiful little studio was affected by a huge fire within the storage world unit in Middleton last night.

“Not only has my business burnt down, but so has many other peoples.

“Along with peoples most loved possessions. My heart goes out to them all.”

She continued: “Even though as beauticians we can move into a new space, our stock and tools, which we spend years collecting have all gone. We can no longer work.

“My friends and fellow beauticians have to literally start again.

“With no way of even making the money to buy these tools.

“Some of them have children.

“I am asking if you could please help us all by just giving a little towards helping my friends rebuild their businesses.

“We would be eternally grateful.

“Fire is the most devastating thing. Thousands of pounds of stock has gone in seconds.”

Georgia‘s comments section was soon filled with reactions from her followers.

One penned: “Sending you all so much love this is just heartbreaking.”

Another added: “Love this! Let the community come together.”

While a third remarked: “So sorry. Let me know if I can help.”

Two years after leaving Corrie, Georgia’s character Katy was killed off-screen in a car accident.

Following her exit from the ITV soap, she took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2015.

She was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, where they reached the final and finished as runners-up.

HOLLYWOOD icon Halle Berry has shown off her sensational figure and ageless beauty in a joyful new video.

Stripping off to a bathing suit for some fun in the sun on a trampoline, Halle, 58, looked amazing.

The Flintstones actress was seen in the clip as she bounced on a trampoline in just her cheeky swimsuit.

As she jumped up and down, she was sprayed with a hose.

“Joy is a form of celebration – and today, we chose joy. Happy Juneteenth,” Halle penned in the caption of the joy-filled video.

“This type of joy is priceless,” said one of her fans.

“I swear @halleberry is the only Oscar winner who really just lives out loud,” penned a second.

“Aging backwards!!!,” declared a third.

“This is Halle stays young yall. love and happiness looks good on you,” added a fourth.

“This woman is in her 50s!!! If I didn’t know better, I would not believe it. Go ahead then Ms. Berry,” said a fifth.

“Love me some Halle living her best life,” penned a sixth.

This comes after Halle ditched her underwear last month at the Met Gala.

Halle attended The Met Gala 2025 on the first Monday in May as celebrities in their droves gathered at the iconic event hosted by Anna Wintour.

With a theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, Halle looked sensational as she listened to the brief and picked a suitable ensemble.

She could be seen rocking a black gown on the red-turned-blue carpet, which had sheer panelling adorning it.

The extravagant gown hugged Halle’s figure and sailed all the way down to the ground.

With a plunging neckline, Halle’s ample assets were on full display.

The dress also had an ample amount of sheer panelling, which meant her slender figure could easily be seen.

The Hollywood star ditched her underwear for the occasion, with her modesty almost uncovered completely.

No underwear was visible through the sheer panelling, and fans noticed this.

“Pls where the panties?” asked one person on X at the time of the snaps making their way online.

Another said: “Should’ve covered the private part.”

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Halle wore a sultry look to the Met Gala in May[/caption]

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Halle can often be seen out and about looking ultra glamorous[/caption]

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She was seen earlier this month in a chic ensemble[/caption]

A FRESH Meat and Death in Paradise star has revealed her life changing health diagnosis at 39, saying she’s in tears and “still processing.” 

Kimberley Nixon famously played Josie in Fresh Meat, who seemed like a very shy Welsh girl, but was actually foul-mouthed and short-tempered.

Instagram/Realkimberleynixon

A Fresh Meat and Death in Paradise star has revealed her life changing health diagnosis at 39, saying she’s in tears and “still processing”[/caption]

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Kimberley starred in Fresh Meat, Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging, as well as many more shows[/caption]

Before Fresh Meat, Kimberley had been in films Wild Child and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

Since the show she’s appeared in Ordinary Lies, Death in Paradise and ITV drama The Salisbury Poisonings.

Now, the 39-year-old actress has revealed she has been clinically diagnosed with Autism and ADHD.

Sharing a collage of photos of herself crying “happy tears,” in a grey jumper, the star shared her update with fans. 

Kimberley wrote: “Happy tears. Still processing. Haven’t read the full report yet but…

“Today I was clinically diagnosed with Autism and ADHD.

“I feel lighter than I have in a long time because instead of feeling like my brain is “broken”, I know now that it was just doing things differently all this time.” 

She continued: “I want to go back in time and give my younger self a cwtch and save her a lot of time and heartache but I can’t change anything about how I got here really because then I wouldn’t be me.

“I’ve always shared the ups and downs – so I wanted to share this with the most compassionate and accepting bunch I know – and that’s been you lot over these past few years.

“From the midst of brutal Postnatal OCD through to today’s diagnosis, a lot of you have been with me every step of the way. Thank you, thank you.” 

Fans rushed to the comments to praise the star for her honest words, as one person wrote: “Congratulations on the first day of the rest of your life.” 

A second penned: “We hope it brings you some self-compassion and understanding,” and a third echoed: “Welcomeeeeee Go gently with yourself as you adjust to a new inner reality! Xx”

The star is a proud mum to a little boy, and also has a dog, both of which she shares occasional photos of on social media. 

In a sweet Father’s Day post recently, Kimberley praised her partner and posted a carousel of images of him with their adorable son. 

She wrote: “To the Dads who not only have a newborn but a struggling partner to care for.

“To the Dads that show up ALL the time even if they’re knackered or grumpy or even more knackered. To the Dads who care so deeply but show so little.

“To the Dads that really mean it when it’s 50/50. Or 60/40 or 70/30 depending what’s going on in life.

“To the Dads who hug and kiss their children and leave them in no doubt how loved they are. To the Dads who always stand up for their partner.

“To this Dad, who never looked away even when things got tough. Who always saw straight through to the heart of me when I lost myself and even I couldn’t see it. Who loves me and our son unconditionally but that doesn’t mean he’ll let us get away with stuff.

“Sometimes Dads get left out of the perinatal mental illness conversation. I’ve found in a lot of instances, they’re the silent, sidelined heroes keeping everything together. Remember that there’s help and support for Dads too.”

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The actress with the Fresh Meat cast[/caption]

Instagram/@realkimberleynixon

Kimberley has a little boy and a dog[/caption]

IF you have ever watched Peter Pan, you will be familiar with the Lost Boys.

Little babies who fell out of their prams and were carted off to Neverland, where they live in limbo.

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Jack Grealish faces an uncertain time ahead of the Word Cup[/caption]

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Man Utd striker Marcus Rashford was on loan at Aston Villa in 2024-25 and his future is also unclear, although Newcastle are interested[/caption]

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Chelsea chose not to buy Man Utd loanee Jadon Sancho permanently[/caption]

There is a growing number of Premier League footballers finding themselves in a similar position as the spiralling wages syndrome of recent years starts to claim its first victims.

Led by Jack Grealish, players like Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford are now without roots and swinging in the wind, without a place to really call home.

Grealish is currently trying to plot a way out of Manchester City having been told his services are no longer required.

Effectively shoved out of his pushchair by boss Pep Guardiola and told to find somewhere else to live.

At present, one of England’s most naturally gifted footballers is caught in Neverland.

Italian champions Napoli have  recognised there is a gem of a player to be had, even if he is surplus to requirements at the Etihad.

To be fair, it doesn’t take a genius to work out that Grealish is a decent player, just down on his luck and caught in a tricky situation with a boss who doesn’t recognise his talents.

Yet the problem is the approximate £270,000-per-week wages that he trousers as an accessory to the £100million he commanded when signing from Aston Villa in 2021.

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Back then the British record transfer fee looked to be the  catalyst for one of the last great football mavericks to ascend new heights and become a superstar with the character to match.

It’s now all just fizzling out in a sad demise.

Guardiola can claim how much he loves ‘Jack’ all he likes. But there is only one real love for top-level players — and that is to see their names on the team sheet each week.

One minute off the bench in the last game of the season sums it up for the Brummie bad lad everyone adores. It’s time to go.

But with two years left on his contract, that’s roughly £28m in his bin.
We hear all that old guff about it’s not about money, it’s about football, but why should Grealish pay the price for the fact that Guardiola sold him a dream four years ago but couldn’t make it come true?

So now there is an impasse, and it’s not the first time it’s happened in the blue part of Manchester.

City signed Wayne Bridge from Chelsea in 2009.

Picking up around £60,000 a week back then was a decent whack for a player, though not in Grealish’s league, even accounting for inflation.

The move went t**s up and for the next four years full-back Bridge turned up for work, trained and did his bit but was sent on loan to West Ham, Sunderland and Brighton before finally moving to Championship side Reading.

He played barely 40 games for City overall but took his full pay cheque every month. It cost the club around £13m in pay — or just over £3m a game. Numbers associated with top footballers since then have gone fully cosmic.

Winger Sterling was signed by Chelsea’s new owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali in 2022.  Ironically, from Manchester City.

He wasn’t going to turn down the £300,000 a week being thrust in his hands by the naive Americans.

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Raheem Sterling struggled on loan at Arsenal from Chelsea[/caption]

Sterling is now a lost soul. He spent last season sitting on the bench on loan at Arsenal.

He is back  now and as part of the infamous ‘bomb squad’ of Z-listers under coach Enzo Maresca, needs to get out to play.

But those wages will now just get in the way. For another two years. Good luck finding a Premier League club willing to shell out £15m a year for a forward who scored one goal last season.

Ditto for striker Rashford, who will soon report back to Manchester United from his loan spell at Aston Villa amid interest from Newcastle.

And for his Red Devils club-mate  Sancho — a Champions League finalist in 2024 who  Chelsea paid £5m to get off their hands after a year on loan with them.

If no compromises can be found, that’s four full-blown England  internationals stuck in Limboland come the start of the Premier League season on August 16.

They’ll be able to pay their  mortgages — but what a waste for the game as a whole.

LAK OF LOGIC

SOUTHAMPTON chairman Dragan Solak claims VAR cost former manager Russell Martin his job.

Which doesn’t really make sense.

The Serbian told BBC Radio Solent that some of the baffling decisions that went against his team last winter robbed them of eight points.

He said: “I’m not saying we would stay in the league, but we would have had a much more competitive run and Russell would definitely still be leading the team.”

But if the decisions by VAR were the issue, then it can’t have been the fault of Martin.

So why didn’t Southampton’s top man recognise that and stick by his coach?

Saints have had four different full-time managers since 2022.
Just saying . . . 

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Russell Martin was axed by Southampton but is Ranges’ new boss[/caption]

EMPTY THREAT

THE Club World Cup is at  least trying new things.

Introducing individual player walk-ons and scrubbing out-of-date traditions, such as crowds in stadiums, are notable innovations.

But best of all is the ‘most threatening player’ caption which appeared  in the corner of my  TV screen during Real Madrid’s limp 1-1 draw with Saudi minnows Al-Hilal on Wednesday.

I assume it’s meant in terms of attacking players putting pressure on the opposition goal. Of which there wasn’t much in this poor excuse for a game.

However, it did make me wonder what fun we could have had with such an analytic tool back in the days of Roy Keane and Duncan Ferguson.

STICKIN’ BOOT IN

THE new Premier League fixtures are out, yet two of its biggest teams are still playing competitive games — at the Club World Cup.

And when next season finishes we’ll roll straight into a World Cup, having seen nine Prem teams compete in expanded European competitions throughout the winter.

It’s final, depressing proof that football is 24/7, 365 days a year and now the backdrop to everyday life, every day.

COLE PALMER wants to follow in the footsteps of football’s icons by taking on the challenge as Chelsea’s No. 10.

Yet he is fast becoming one himself as his career shoots for the stars.
Palmer has been handed the coveted shirt number from team-mate Mykhailo Mudryk, 24, who is facing doping charges and a potential four-year ban.

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Cole Palmer is Chelsea’s new No.10[/caption]

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He has taken the number from the banned Mykhailo Mudryk[/caption]

Images of Chelsea’s most gifted player are plastered across every advertising banner, hoarding and online publicity shot as Fifa cash in on his growing fame at the Club World Cup.

While Palmer talks of his admiration for Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney and former Blues No .10 Eden Hazard, it is slowly dawning on him that he is being swiftly elevated in status too.

The forward, 23, said: “I wore No .10 growing up.

“Messi is the big one, Rooney and players like that. It’s an iconic number.”

Hazard wowed Blues fans from 2012 to 2019 and Palmer added: “I’ve seen him a few times at the training ground. He asked me for one of my shirts for his sons. To see him was nice, we had a conversation.”

Fame does not come easy for this understated lad from Manchester.

Palmer added: “I haven’t walked around Philly yet but I feel like America is different, they don’t really watch football.

“Back home I get recognised. At the start, it was a bit ‘wow’, but now I get used to it.

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“It’s just a game of football at the end of the day, like it’s not life or death.

“So I just try and enjoy it. I like to go and play five-a-side and go to the astro. I like PlayStation. I just do things a normal kid would do.”

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Palmer sparked intrigue as he wore a mask on the flight to the US[/caption]

Palmer can wave goodbye to normal as the face of the new Blues. His off-the-cuff style and habit of turning games on their heads in split seconds make him a huge draw.

After training this week, he was mobbed by dozens of schoolchildren. American kids who have grown to love him from 4,000 miles away.

Chelsea play Flamengo on Friday evening and Palmer has a special reason to play even better against the Rio giants.

He said: “Well, my uncle lives in Brazil and messaged me to say they’re one of their biggest clubs and that’s all they are talking about, so I expect it will be a good game. He messaged me to say please score.

“Playing a game every three days in this heat is difficult but it’s bringing us closer together as a team.”

One image of Palmer that sent shockwaves through Fifa saw him getting off the plane wearing a face mask.

Boss Enzo Maresca wrote the whole thing off as a practical joke.

But Palmer explained: “It wasn’t a joke I just don’t like the smell of planes. That’s why I wear a mask.

“Nothing else. Enzo doesn’t know, I didn’t tell him, but he didn’t ask me to be fair.”

Mudryk will be issued with a new squad number once his issues over a positive test for banned substance meldonium is resolved.

Palmer said: “I have not spoken to Misha yet but I will when the time is right.”

DEAR DEIDRE: DISCOVERING I was pregnant by my new boyfriend was a welcome surprise and I really embraced the idea of becoming a mum.

However, he has really shown his true colours by abandoning me and also getting a woman I loathe pregnant at the same time.

I’m 36 and have always longed for a baby. I previously tried for years with a previous partner and even went through IVF on my own, but fertility issues left me with little hope.

So I was delighted to discover that I am expecting. My boyfriend is 39 and we’d only been seeing each other a short while, but it didn’t take long before the excitement set in.

And I really thought we had a future together.

Then we had a huge blowout because he was being evasive about us moving in together, and I said he would need to share the load of having a newborn.

He stormed out — no goodbye, no explanation, he just vanished, leaving me to face everything alone. I was heartbroken.

Just as I was beginning to feel excited about the baby again, he got in touch and dropped a bombshell. He’d got another woman pregnant.

She’s someone I’ve never liked. We share mutual friends, and she’s always been sly — copying me, making passive-aggressive digs, even trying it on with an ex of mine.

We’ve had our fair share of drama and arguments over the years.

Now I feel betrayed all over again. I know technically we weren’t together, but he knew how I felt about her.

He says he wants to be involved with our baby and step up. But how can I trust him, especially when he’s having a child with her too?

DEIDRE SAYS: This is a lot to process, especially after everything you’ve been through to become a mum.

Your ex didn’t cheat but it’s the emotional betrayal and timing that’s so painful. Unprotected sex with someone he knows you dislike, so soon after leaving you, feels like a slap in the face.

Does having him involved feel supportive or stressful? You have every right to set boundaries that protect your peace and wellbeing.

Co-parenting is possible without rekindling a relationship. Talking to a therapist can help you decide what’s best for you.

Tavistock Relationships (tavistockrelationships.org, 020 7380 1960) can help.

GIRL MATE IS SINGLE AGAIN AND I WANT TO MAKE A MOVE

DEAR DEIDRE: AFTER years of hiding my feelings, the girl I’ve always fancied is suddenly single – and now I’m wondering what I should do next.

The last thing I want to do is overstep, but I’m terrified if I don’t make a move I’ll be stuck in the friendzone forever.

I’m 27, she’s 26, and we’ve always been close, but I never thought she saw me that way. She was with her boyfriend for a long time, so I kept my feelings to myself and stayed just friends.

However, she’s recently broken up with him, and I’m not sure what to do.

I want to make my feelings known, but I’m worried she might just be looking for a rebound, and I don’t want to be the one who gets hurt or used.

At the same time, I don’t want to wait too long and miss my chance.

How do I tell her how I feel? I feel anxious even thinking about it.

DEIDRE SAYS: It’s normal to worry about being seen as a rebound, especially after someone has just left a long-term relationship.

Take things slowly and be a supportive friend first. It’s likely she’ll probably need some time to heal.

When the moment feels right, be honest about your feelings without putting pressure on her.

While you can’t guarantee that she will reciprocate, being genuine and patient gives you the best chance of building something meaningful.

PAL IN LOVE WITH A SEX OFFENDER

DEAR DEIDRE: MY best friend has fallen head over heels for a convicted sex offender, and I’m terrified she’s putting love before her child’s safety.

We are both 37 and have been friends since school. I’ve always known her to be a great mum to her ten-year-old daughter.

But now I’m questioning her judgement.

She met this man online about six months ago. Not long into dating, he told her he had a conviction for a sex offence that happened “years ago”.

He claims it was a misunderstanding and that he’s a changed man. She believes him completely.

Her family and I have tried to warn her to be careful, especially with her daughter at home, but she says we’re being judgmental and that she knows him better than anyone.

Now he’s moved in with them, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. Should I leave her to trust her instincts, or is my sense of duty to protect that little girl the right path?

I feel torn. What should I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: You’re right to trust your instincts – when it comes to a child’s safety, it’s always better to be cautious. It’s deeply worrying that your friend is ignoring your concerns.

While people can change, sex offences are serious and not to be dismissed.

You need to have a very frank conversation with your friend. Explain, firmly but compassionately, that while you love and care for her, you’re extremely worried about her daughter’s well- being.

Let her know this isn’t about judging her relationship but about protecting a child.

If, after that, she still refuses to listen, you may need to consider raising a safeguarding concern with your local children’s services.

I’m sending you my pack, Worried A Child’s At Risk?, which has further advice and resources.