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Paul Pogba has “become a leader”, according to Adil Rami, with the Manchester United midfielder proving to be a driving force behind France’s World Cup triumph.

Having faced plenty of criticism for club and country heading into the showpiece event in Russia, the 25-year-old had much to prove under the brightest of spotlights.

He has always been comfortable operating in such surroundings and was able to raise his game to the levels expected of him as he controlled the French engine room alongside N’Golo Kante.

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A fine goal in a 4-2 final victory over Croatia topped off an impressive tournament for Pogba, as Les Bleus conquered the world for a second time, and he is now considered to have matured into a player capable of producing talismanic displays when those around him need them most.

Marseille defender Rami told L’Equipe after seeing Pogba star in Moscow: “I can tell you that Paul Pogba, I don’t know how and I don’t know from where, has become a leader. He proved it to us, he showed it.

“He’s a technical player, he has a lot of talent. He was able to battle defensively. Everyone loves players who do tricks, nutmegs, flicks. I can tell you that Paul became a leader. He’s the one that showed the way.”

He added: “Everyone expects nutmegs and stepovers, but football isn’t that. You sweat, you give your body to the cause. There are matches where you have to roll your sleeves up. Some people have understood that and him especially.

“He was the strong man of the France team. Defensively he helped the team. I could talk about everyone, but Paul showed maturity. Technique is good, but it’s the attitude that is the most important.”

Pogba will be granted an extended break by United on the back of his World Cup-winning efforts, but they will be hoping to see him replicate his international form in 2018-19.

The Red Devils, who are currently in America preparing for International Champions Cup duty, are due to open their Premier League campaign at home to Leicester on August 10.

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Ajax have completed the £14 million ($19m) signing of Daley Blind from Manchester United, the Premier League club have confirmed.

The Netherlands international moved to Old Trafford from the Dutch side in 2014 and went on to make 141 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Europa League.

He has now returned to his homeland and will be hoping to add to the four Eredivisie titles he won during his initial stay at the club.

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An agreement between Ajax and United was initially announced on Monday, with it expected that Blind will be signing a deal through to 2022 with the Amsterdam-based outfit.

At 28 years of age, he should be at the peak of his powers and will be hoping to deliver his best on a consistent basis back in the Netherlands.

He has been unable to do that in recent seasons, with Jose Mourinho having often favoured other options since taking the managerial reins at Old Trafford in 2016.

Blind was, however, to prove a useful asset for United throughout his time at the club, with his versatility allowing him to cover a number of different positions.

He figured at centre-half, left-back and holding midfield for the Red Devils, with his most productive season in England proving to be the 2015-16 campaign under Louis van Gaal in which he made 35 Premier League starts.

There were just 12 months left to run on his contract at Old Trafford heading into this summer and a move to pastures new had been mooted for some time.

Ajax have now got their man, with Blind ready to open a new chapter in his career after four enjoyable seasons in the English top-flight.

First of all I want to say how proud I am to be a part of the Manchester United family. To play for the biggest club in the world with such a history meant a lot to me. I had 4 great years with 4 trophy’s! (1/3) pic.twitter.com/6mUkmN4DTP
— Daley Blind (@BlindDaley) July 17, 2018

I want to thank everyone, the Managers, coaches, the medical department, everyone who helped me to settle in so quick at the beginning, of course my teammates and last but definitely not least the fans! (2/3) pic.twitter.com/URF7TzvE3x

— Daley Blind (@BlindDaley) July 17, 2018

I want to thank you for all the love and support I received and still get. I will never forget some of the special games and moments, I will miss you ‘The Theatre of Dreams’! But now its time to go home. 🔴 #MUFC (3/3) pic.twitter.com/GScz9Z6teb
— Daley Blind (@BlindDaley) July 17, 2018

Ajax finished the 2017-18 campaign four points adrift of Eredivisie champions PSV and will be desperate to recapture the crown this season.

They also have another European campaign to look forward to, with their Champions League efforts set to open at the second qualifying round.

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Neymar has “decided to stay at Paris Saint-Germain”, according to Luis Fernandez, while Kylian Mbappe is also set to shun interest from Real Madrid.

Both men have been heavily linked with summer moves to Madrid, with the Blancos forced to deliver public denials of bids being tabled.

PSG have maintained throughout that they have no intention of parting with any of their prized assets, with €222 million (£196m/$261m) invested in luring Neymar away from Barcelona in 2017.

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He saw his debut campaign in France ended by injury, before struggling to produce his best at World Cup 2018, and those at Parc des Princes are convinced he will be back on their books determined to prove a point in the upcoming campaign.

Fernandez, who is the sporting director at PSG’s training centre, told Radio Marca: “Neymar has decided to stay at Paris Saint-Germain.

“He wants to succeed, after not achieving much at the World Cup. I think he wants to win titles with PSG.”

While Neymar did little to increase his value in Russia, club colleague Mbappe thrived in a global shop window.

The 19-year-old striker helped France to claim a second World Cup crown, with his pace, neat footwork and eye for goal landing him the Best Young Player Award.

Talk of a move to Madrid has built on the back of those efforts, but PSG have taken up the €180m (£159m/$211m) option in his loan move from Monaco and are looking forward to being the ones to benefit from his ongoing development.

Fernandez added on Mbappe: “He will also stay.

“He has said it, 100 per cent. He wants to win the Champions League with PSG.

“[FFP] does not worry me. The important thing is that both Neymar and Mbappe want to stay at PSG.”

PSG are currently preparing to open their International Champions Cup campaign, where they will face Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, before starting the defence of their Ligue 1 title against Caen on August 12.

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Celtic’s Champions League qualification campaign got off to a serene start as they cruised to a 3-0 victory against Alashkert in Armenia last week.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have reached the group stages of the competition in both of the last two seasons and matching that run is the Hoops’ minimum target.

Latest odds

Celtic have enjoyed 7-0 and 4-1 wins in their most recent friendly fixtures this summer, against Shamrock Rovers and Standard Liege respectively, as well as their victory in the first leg of this tie.

Indeed, bet365 offer just 1/16 (1.12) that the Hoops enjoy a home win here, while the same firm go 12/1 (13.0) that the match ends all square.

Alashkert were comprehensively beaten last week and Varuzhan Sukiasyan’s side are available at a chunky 20/1 (21.0) with bet365 to claim victory on Scottish soil.

Team news

Mikael Lustig, Christian Gamboa, Tom Rogic and Dedryck Boyata are all likely to be rested following their involvement in the World Cup this summer.

Record signing Odsonne Edouard who broke the deadlock in the first leg of this tie, is expected to spearhead the Celtic attack once more, while Scott Bain could deputise in goal if Craig Gordon is not deemed fit to play.

Celtic cruise?

The Hoops led at both half-time and full-time last week and bet365 offer just 4/11 (1.36) that Rodgers’ side repeat that feat here, while the same firm go 2/5 (1.40) that the Scottish champions win to nil.

Predictions

In their first competitive outing of the season in front of their home supporters, the Hoops will be keen to put on a show.

Therefore, it is the 8/5 (2.60) quote for Celtic (-3) to beat the handicap mark that could offer best value for punters ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier in Glasgow.

Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.

Celtic (-3) at 8/5 (2.60) for a 1pt stake with bet365

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Jordan Pickford’s efforts for England at World Cup 2018 have sparked talk of interest from Bayern Munich, but David Moyes is looking for the highly-rated goalkeeper to remain at Everton.

At 24 years of age, a player who made history in Russia over the summer by becoming the youngest man to keep a clean sheet for the Three Lions on the grandest of sporting stages has seen his profile enhanced considerably.

He is already the most expensive British goalkeeper of all time, with Everton having snapped him up for £25 million ($33m) in the summer of 2017, but another big-money move could be on the cards at some stage.

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Moyes, who made Pickford first choice at Sunderland during his time in charge at the Stadium of Light, hopes no switch will be made this year, with it important for an emerging talent to continue furthering his development in settled Premier League surroundings.

The former Everton boss told The Sun amid reports of interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern: “I think Everton is the right club for Jordan.

“It’s a big club, he’s only just moved and I would say to him it would be stupid to even consider another move if there was to be an option for him.

“I think it will help him being at Everton because he will get enough work and he’s got a chance to develop without every single thing he does being scrutinised.

“He is still young and he just needs to keep getting his games in. The last thing he needs to bother about is any speculation.

“If you go to the World Cup and do as well as he has done, you’ve shown you can stand on any stage.

“But all he needs to do is go back to Everton, keep working and look to improve. Don’t let anything slip, don’t be complacent.

“At the moment he is a young player who has played very well. But the key to being a top player is going back and performing just as well.”

Moyes has also backed Pickford to nail down the No. 1 jersey with England, with it possible that he could occupy that shirt for the next decade.

He added: “Near enough everybody accepts him as England’s No. 1 now and, at the age he is, that shows how good he is.

“But there’s also a chance that if he does it right, there is longevity for him. He could easily be England’s No. 1 for the next 10 years.

“He was always going to reach the top level because he’s got the ability.

“It was always about him putting the hours in, making sure he eats well and lives well.

“He looks much leaner now and he’s got himself in really good physical condition. But now it is up to him to maintain and improve on his standards.

“So many of the players now have their own chef and that might be one of the things Jordan could do if he’s looking to gain that one per cent extra.”

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