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West Ham are among a cohort of clubs interested in signing Zenit St. Petersburg striker Sardar Azmoun.

The 25-year-old has managed 14 goals in 29 appearances for the reigning Russian champions this season, helping put Sergei Semak’s side to a nine point lead at the top of the table.

The Russian Premier League was suspended back in March but is set to resume later this month, which will give the sizeable cluster of clubs interested in Azmoun the chance to once again fawn over his performances.

One such side (via AreaNapoli) is West Ham, who were first linked with the frontman last month. The Hammers have endured their fair share of disappointing forwards over the past decade and their latest failed project is Sebastien Haller, who was snapped up for £36m from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

The Frenchman has failed to replicate the exceptional form that he showcased in the Bundesliga last season, managing just nine goal involvements in 27 games with David Moyes’ side enduring a torrid campaign.

West Ham are not the only London club understood to be interested in Azmoun, with Arsenal also being touted as a potential destination for the Iran international. The Gunners may be aided in their pursuit by the fact that Andrei Arshavin – who played for the club between 2009 and 2013 – is part of the transfer committee at Zenit.

Arshavin is thought to have already offered the player to his former teammate Mikel Arteta, who is on the lookout for offensive reinforcements with the long term futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang still uncertain.

Leicester are another Premier League side mentioned as having a passing interest in Azmoun while Milan and Napoli are similarly contenders.

As well as impressing for Zenit, the Iranian is also experienced on the international netting 31 goals in just 46 caps for his country so far.

He may have spent over four years on Tyneside, but any utterance of the name Papiss Cisse will always immediately bubble up memories of his outrageous start to life as a Premier League footballer.

Everything after that was basically null and void. Sure, he still scored a few goals in the four full seasons he had at Newcastle, but those of us without an affiliation to the Magpies rarely saw past those first six months.

Which is no way a discredit to his ability or what he achieved after the 2011/12 season, far from it, it’s simply because he was so frighteningly good in those 14 games that he reset the bar for what could be described as ‘impact’.

Seven years playing in France earned him a move to the Bundesliga in 2009, where he found his feet in top level football with 39 goals in 67 outings.

Cisse didn’t even have chance to finish the 2011/12 campaign before the Premier League snapped him up, in what will probably go down as Alan Pardew’s finest signing.

It was also Newcastle’s highest top flight finish in eight years, which was a largely in part to the Senegalese striker’s incredibly short bedding in period – as well as strawberry syrup, of course.

The Toon already had themselves an impressive forward hailing from the same nation in Demba Ba, who was finding the back of the net with his own credible regularity. But the need for another striker was clear, and Pardew made the £9.6m move for Cisse.

But even for someone with the arrogance of Pardew, nobody could foresee what would happened next. Seriously, it was sensational.

Coming on as a substitute in the 14th minute against Aston Villa for his debut, Cisse set the tone for the rest of the season.

Donning the famous number nine jersey, he fired a scintillating strike into the top corner to seal all three points for his new side. Great technique and a superb finish. Cisse was here and what a start,

A tricky trip away to Tottenham followed in which he has handed his full debut, but the Magpies fell to a crushing 5-0 defeat and Cisse was powerless to stop it. Great start on his first appearance, but maybe that’s it? Ha! Not a chance.

Back at St. James’ Park and Wolves were in town, but it was Cisse who showed the predatory instinct on this occasion, reacting quickly to a loose ball for a well measured finish to open the scoring. Two homes games and two goals. Not bad…

Then two games pass. No goals. Is he of the Georginio WIjnaldum ilk? Is he incapable of scoring away from home? Seems like he could be good, but he’s not all that, is he? Is he???

Oh, Norwich came up next in the north east…and Cisse scores again. This lad is actually good, isn’t he?

Time to pop off to the midlands and take on West Brom. Newcastle are chasing a European berth this season, so Cisse needed to find his (away) scoring boots. Well, 45 minutes gone, and he’s got himself a brace. Wow, have Newcastle uncovered a gem here? What’s going on?

Liverpool at home next. This is Cisse’s turf. He’s shown what he’s got, he’ll score again.

Hasn’t scored a header yet though, has he? Spoke too soon, 90 minutes later and he had, along with a sit-Pepe-Reina-on-his-backside bit of skill in the penalty box. At this point you could feel Pardew’s smugness, but, on this occasion, you have to praise him because he signed a man on fire.

At this point he was breaking Newcastle scoring records, scoring every type of goal possible and striking fear into even the most seasoned Premier League defenders. It had to stop. It had to eventually.

So, Swansea come around next away from home and he scores another brace. ANOTHER brace, that included a gorgeous lobbed finish in the second half. This is getting ridiculous.

Now just stop it. This is ridiculous Cisse, mate. Stop scoring, you’re making everyone else look bad. Nobody comes into a new league and scores nine goals in their first eight league matches. Oh? They don’t? They score ten in their first nine???

Cisse certainly does, as Bolton found out next up on the fixture list.

Stoke next. What’s coming? A goal, obviously.

Wigan come and go. He doesn’t score. It’s outrage. who is this inconsistent striker who can’t score against Wigan? Can’t be all that, can he? Now with Chelsea coming up at Stamford Bridge next he’ll surely buckle under the pressure.

Well, folks, he didn’t. This striking sensation scoffed at the mere utterance of the word ‘pressure’ to score one of the finest EVER braces seen in Premier League history.

His first is sadly forgotten about, simply because his second was on another planet. But let’s not forget his flick up and resulting volley in the first half, as it was special in its own right.

But when you manage to score a goal that has its own sodding name – more commonly associated with a half-moon shaped fruit – then you’ve got magic in your boots. We all know the ‘banana goal’, go online and watch it again for the 1,000th time, it’s so worth it.

He wouldn’t score again in the remaining two matches of the season, but he sure went out with a bang. Falling neatly into the ‘streets don’t forget’ category for his 14-game showing that season, Papiss Cisse left his mark.

The Premier League was spellbound, he wasn’t supposed to take to it so quickly. But truth be told, everyone loved it. Whether you’re Newcastle or not, it was fabulous to watch.

People were smitten by him, and I’m not joking, a compilation of those goals online has over 1.3m views.

Hats off to the man from Senegal, England didn’t know what hit it.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has reportedly asked the players to take a further pay cut, as the club attempts to mitigate the financial strain of the coronavirus pandemic.

The playing staff agreed to take a hefty 70% reduction to their current salaries at the end of March, with the Blaugrana paying out more in wages than any other team in the world.

Lionel Messi alone typically earns around €35m annually, while Antoine Griezmann collects a healthy €17m per annum.

Messi previously admitted he wasn’t impressed at the manner in which the board went about securing the initial cuts, believing they pressured players into taking a pay cut when they were already planning to.

And now, Catalan radio station CCMA believe Bartomeu asked the Barça squad to take further pay cuts on 23 May, on top of the one already agreed, in what he described as a ‘new effort’ from the players.

The president is said to have taken advantage of his visit to the first team’s training facility two Saturday’s ago, and it’s understood he was there with the CEO Òscar Grau and another executive who has been working on the cuts, Albert Soler.

The players are yet to respond to the hierarchy’s latest demands.

It’s likely the second wave of cuts will also stretch to the staff, despite no mention of it in the latest report. The initial cuts also applied to the women’s football teams, the B team, the Under-19s as well as the basketball, handball, futsal and roller hockey teams.

The Blaugrana have been actively trying to offload several high-profile stars during the current hiatus as they attempt to balance their accounts by the end of June.

Ousmane Dembélé, Arthur Melo, Samuel Umtiti, Nelson Semedo and Philippe Coutinho are just a few of the names who could imminently depart Camp Nou, recuperating hefty fees in the process.

However, the Catalans should start to generate revenue through sponsors once La Liga makes its long-awaited return on 11 June.

Manchester United are to pay Shanghai Shenhua £6m in order to extend Odion Ighalo’s loan deal until January 2021, while covering at least a third of the striker’s wage packet.

Ighalo joined United in January, scoring four times in eight appearances before the coronavirus brought football to a near-universal halt.

His loan move was due to expire on 31 May, but United confirmed on Monday that a deal had been reached between the two clubs to keep the striker at Old Trafford for the remainder of the 2019/20 season and the first half of the following campaign.

Seen as a short-term, budget option, the Times have reported that the Red Devils will pay Shanghai a loan fee of £6m for the extension, in addition to covering around one third of Ighalo’s £300,000 per week wages.

The Mirror claim the amount United will pay is actually £130,000 per week, while adding that there is not option to buy at the end of the loan, which has a total cost of £10.5m.

Prior to the official announcement, Shanghai had been proving to be stubborn negotiators, stating they would only accept a permanent deal for the Nigerian international, who they valued at £20m.

However, the uncertainty surrounding when the Chinese Super League will resume, coupled with the fact Ighalo is not allowed into the country at the moment due to China’s current strict border laws, meant Shanghai’s stance softened, and a formal agreement was reached.

The former Watford man was initially brought in on transfer deadline day as cover for Marcus Rashford, after United’s first choice forward suffered a back fracture against Wolves in January.

Ighalo was primarily used in the Europa League and FA Cup, and with United still in both competitions and facing the prospect of nine Premier League matches in the space of six weeks once the top flight resumes, he could still feature heavily for the Red Devils despite Rashford’s return to fitness.

The signing of the 30-year-old was initially mocked as a deadline day panic buy, but Ighalo soon proved to be a shrewd acquisition, popping up with a brace and turning in a man of the match performance against Derby in the FA Cup fifth round.

Shanghai have offered Ighalo a new year four-year deal, which they still expect him to sign once his extended loan spell at United finishes.

What do Newcastle United and your aunt who just won £400 on a scratch card have in common?

They’re both set to come into a bit of money, and will probably spend it recklessly.

If you haven’t heard, the Magpies – pending Premier League clearance – are about to be released from the clutches of Mike Ashley, and taken over controversially by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. Though there are still some hurdles to overcome…

Their prospective new owners are just a little bit ambitious. However, while they have been linked with Gareth Bale and Philippe Coutinho among an extensive list of unlikely transfer targets, there have been some dissenting voices who have suggested they will be unable to spend so lucratively while keeping within FIFA’s notorious Financial Fair Play regulations.

The Shields Gazette believe they have debunked any such claims, however, as university lecturer and Price of Football author Kieran Maguire – not an expert, according to his Twitter bio – says their thrifty spending in previous windows means they have a cushion to go big under their potential new leaders.

“I’ve crunched the numbers and NUFC have an FFP profit of around £82m over the past two seasons to the end of 2018/19. The allowable loss is £105million over a three-year period,” Maguire is quoted as saying.

“Assuming the new owners sign players on four-year deals, they could spend anywhere between £150-200m in one window or a season and still stay within the Premier League limit.

“There is little love towards Mike Ashley – and rightly so – but he’s leaving a financial legacy that is attractive to any rich successor.”

Wouldn’t it just be ironic if the stingy spending of Ashley – so fervently criticised by the Magpies fanbase – ended up being the very thing that facilitates the signing of Ousmane Dembele or something equally stupid?

It probably won’t be, but it’s worth a thought.

It’s fair to say things haven’t quite gone to plan so far for Pietro Pellegri since making a €25m switch from Genoa to Monaco in January 2018.

Unfortunately for Pellegri, who was labelled the ‘new Lionel Messi’ by Genoa’s owner back in 2015, he has become more recognised in recent times for his abilities on Football Manager rather than his on-field performances, as he’s majorly struggled with injuries.

Due to his injury record, it would be easy to forget that Pellegri has only recently celebrated his 19th birthday and has time on his side. Despite his lack of game time, it recently emerged that Manchester United are once again keen on signing him – having tracked the striker since he was 16-years-old.

With United reigniting their interest in the young Italian, 90min have decided to delve into his background and tell you all you need to know.

It actually wasn’t long ago when Pellegri first announced himself to the world as a professional footballer, making his debut aged just 15 years and 280 days.

However, prior to even joining Genoa, he and his father were invited by Man Utd to visit the club’s training facilities and watch the Red Devils take on Chelsea at Old Trafford – but they opted against a move, instead believing Genoa was the best place for Pietro. United spotted his talent early on, but they were aren’t able to make the move happen.

On Pellegri’s full debut for Genoa against Roma, he cooly slotted home to become the first player born in 2001 to score in Serie A. The then-16-year-old scored with his first touch of the game after just three minutes to immediately steal the headlines away from the departing Francesco Totti. Pellegri was hugely impressive and his confidence was immediately clear for all to see.

Pellegri would go on to make ten appearances for Genoa’s senior side, scoring three times, before sealing a move away in January 2018. A whole host of European giants were looking to bring in the young talent (including United), but it was Monaco who secured his services for around €25m.

Sure, it was a lot of money for a 16-year-old, but Genoa were actually originally looking for around €40m as they were aware of his abilities. Pellegri wasn’t just any young player, clubs from around Europe recognised the talent he possessed.

However, since making the switch, Pellegri has struggled with injuries and, as a result, he has made just six appearances for his club. Moreover, the Italian did not feature at all in the 2019/20 campaign. Nonetheless, he became the first player born in the 21st century to score in Ligue 1 when he found the net against against Bordeaux.

That remains the only goal he’s scored for Monaco up to this point, however.

During Pellegri’s time playing for the youth teams at Genoa, he occupied the centre forward role in a number of different formations. The Under-19 side would use a 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 formation as well as the 4-3-3 set up on occasion. Despite the differing formations and approaches, Pellegri was the recognised centre forward when playing.

During this time, Pellegri was most threatening when playing in the 4-4-2 formation, linking up well with his fellow striker. He would be able to hold the ball up well before making his runs and finding space to fire a shot towards goal.

When Pellegri started against Roma on his full debut for Genoa, he operated as a supporting striker and he once again thrived. However, Pellegri can also operate as the lone striker, grabbing two goals against Lazio back in 2017 while operating up front by himself in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

As for his time at Monaco, his performances have been so rare that the systems he’s been used in there don’t carry much significance.

Pellegri is capable of shining either as a lone striker or alongside a supporting attacker, but the crucial thing for the Italian is service. He requires runners off the ball and service from wingers and full-backs to allow him to be most dangerous.

At just 19 years of age, Pellegri has time on his side. And despite being just a teenager, he is already fairly well built and physically imposing. Standing 6ft 2in, Pellegri is strong in the air, powerfully rising to either bring in long passes or knock the ball down with his head. Equally, the youngster can be an asset to his side in both boxes because of his aerial ability.

It’s therefore no surprise to hear that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is his idol.

Moreover, Pellegri has shown during his short career to date that he’s a player that can thrive on the biggest stages. Composed in front of goal and able to link up play, Pellegri has all the attributes to become a world class striker.

Not only that, Pellegri uses his understanding and awareness to make runs off the ball, showing his pace to beat a man or simply opening up the space for other players to attack.

Pellegri is actually a very complete footballer already. But it’s his injury record which, of course, is the major concern.

When it recently emerged that Man Utd are keen on signing him, a number of fans labelled it a surprise. But not because he isn’t good enough and could potentially be good enough to play for the Red Devils one day, instead this is a player that has managed just six appearances in over two years. Indeed, the last time Pellegri made an appearance for Monaco came back in September 2018.

Most notably, it is his groin and his hamstring that have proven to be the real problem areas – and this is a major concern.

Now 19, it is easy to look back in hindsight and perhaps argue that Pellegri was pushed too hard and treated too much like a fully developed adult when making a name for himself. However, if the appropriate measures are taken, Pellegri can overcome these issues and fulfil his potential.

In terms of his abilities on the pitch, Pellegri is not the most versatile striker. He is able to operate on the wing, but he is predominantly an attacker. In comparison, United’s young forward Mason Greenwood is capable of playing anywhere across the frontline comfortably.

However, although he doesn’t play in a number of positions, Pellegri is capable of adjusting his game based on the system used.

In the recent reports regarding United’s interest in Pellegri, there is no mention of a fee. Pellegri’s mammoth transfer fee as a 16-year-old speaks volumes about the potential Monaco saw in him, as well as his overall ability at the time.

Now 19, Pellegri is still young and has more than enough time to overcome his injury problems and blossom into a top level player. As a result, should Monaco allow him to leave, they would likely demand an interested party forks out a similar sum to the amount they paid for his services back in 2018.

However, due to the coronavirus, this may not be the case. The financial impact of the crisis shouldn’t be ignored and if United – or another club – were to come in with a reasonable proposal, Monaco may be inclined to sell. They have struggled to keep Pellegri fit and it could prove to be most beneficial for both the player and the club if they were to part ways.

It would, of course, be a risk for a club to splash the cash on an injury prone striker – but it could prove to be an outstanding piece of business if they are able to help Pellegri overcome his struggles.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has outlined his plans for both the end to the current season, as well as the 2020/21 campaign.

Like every other major football league, the Spanish top-flight was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. But clubs have been preparing for a return to action, with training resuming at the start of May, and the league was also given permission from Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to resume in June.

Speaking to Marca, Tebas revealed more details on his plans for restarting both La Liga and the Segunda División, as well as mentioning the date he has set for the following season to begin.

“We’ll restart, if God allows, on June 11,” the 57-year-old said. “We’re hoping that Madrid and Barcelona pass into Phase Two [of the lockdown de-escalation plan], which is where we can play.

“There are more than 130 people at LaLiga working so that everything can be done in a new way. Travel, organisation, everything. We’re prepared and the important thing will be the day we finish the league.

“We’ll start next season on September 12.”

Tebas also discussed how he planned to give viewers a choice in how they watch the remaining La Liga matches, which will all be played behind closed doors.

“Tonight, we have audiovisual tests so that the viewer can choose two images: the real one and one with a virtual crowd and crowd noise. We want to give the choice to the fans: silence or a simulation of the crowds. The tests I’ve seen are interesting and really catch your eye, but there will be two options.”

It’s already emerged that the league plan to begin with the Seville derby on 11 June, with ambitious plans to play games every day up until 19 July. This latest announcement from the La Liga president suggests that most teams will have a pre-season break of seven weeks before starting off the following campaign.

The three clubs of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid are also still competing in the unfinished Champions League, which is set to resume in August. Should it get played, the trio could have less than two weeks to prepare for the European club competition after the end of the Spanish league season.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kanté has returned to individual training, following a period of compassionate leave.

The Frenchman had been excused from training earlier in the week due to coronavirus fears, a move that was supported by Blues boss Frank Lampard and his teammates.

It was reported soon after that the midfielder was willing to sit out the remainder of the campaign while the threat of COVID-19 still loomed large, but he has now returned to prepare for the Premier League’s imminent return next month.

According to Goal, Kante returned to Chelsea’s Cobham training facility today to complete an individual session away from the rest of his teammates.

The Office of National Statistics have reported that black men and women are almost twice as likely to die after contracting COVID-19 – even when factors such as health, disability and social class are factored in.

Kante also scared his teammates in March 2018 by collapsing in front of them at the club’s training ground, though rigorous medical testing after this incident cleared him of any health concerns.

The World Cup winner has endured a injury hit season so far, making 22 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals. When he has played though, the midfielder has impressed and Lampard will be keen for him to play a part in Chelsea’s remaining Premier League fixtures, as well as their FA Cup quarter final against Leicester.

With or without Kanté, the Blues will return to action on 19 June after a restart date for top flight English football was agreed.

Chelsea resume their league campaign with a seemingly straightforward trip to relegation threatened Aston Villa. They are currently sat in fourth placed with a slender, three point lead over fifth placed Manchester United. The race for Champions League qualification is on, and Kanté’s presence will undoubtedly aid the Blues’ cause.

‘The heir to two players?’, is probably along the lines of your questioning, which, in fairness, is a valid point to make.

Both are Bayern Munich legends, with more trophies between them than is worth counting before giving up, and two of the finest players in their respective positions that both Germany and Europe have been fortunate to lay eyes on.

What’s key in that is that they do, in fact, play in two completely different positions. Like, totally different.

Ask Joshua Kimmich to play in either, though, and you’ll get a 9/10 performance without ever needing to drop a single concerning bead of sweat.

Now it’s key to point out that Lahm also did this with consummate ease. Even popping up on either full-back slots, all the while giving off the impression that it’d been drilled into him for every day of his life to date. He could play any position with almost arrogant ease, without ever looking out of place.

But so could Kimmich. Actually, so does Kimmich.

When Lahm retired from football he left behind a void in the Bayern side, Rafinha slotted into the right-back position. But while he rarely excelled into the astronomical heights set by his predecessor, he was still a reliable and safe option in that role.

Then there is Kimmich, who having been plucked from third division German football, has now propelled himself – in just over five short years – into the most complete footballer in Europe.

Having spent the majority of his Bayern career on the right hand side of a back four, hearing that he times his runs perfectly, surges up and down the touchline for 90 minutes, overlaps, crosses, can read danger and boasts tactical awareness…shouldn’t come as a major surprise. After all, he’s a right-back playing for one of the best sides on the continent.

But that he can do all the things Lahm was so magnificent at, while also turn into prime Bastian Schweinsteiger at the flip of a switch, demonstrates that we’re looking at a true gem here. Someone who could prove to be the heir to both players’ thrones in Bavaria.

Nine games into the current Bundesliga season and Kimmich had played four out of the first nine matches at right-back. He’d made that slot his own over the past few seasons and even then he was widely considered one of the best in world football in his position.

Throughout his time at the Allianz Arena, however, he’s been called upon to sit in a holding midfield role. Tactically the positions are incomparable, while the roles bestowed upon you in each role bear vast differences.

Yet, as ever, Kimmich has been unfazed by the task. Not even unfazed, to be truthful. He’s been a tranquility of magnificence.

Trying to find any flaw in his skillset is a challenge you wouldn’t bestow upon your worst enemy. You’d keel over and start weeping before you even got to his passing abilities.

He controls games from midfield in the way Lahm would do. Sometimes the German was so effective that you didn’t even know he was playing. Such was his grace in the centre of the park, the manner with with Bayern would tick over and recover the ball so effortlessly it seemed like they were forever on the attack.

But then in the manner of Schweinsteiger, who would grab the game by the scruff of the neck and bully the opposition, Kimmich has shown all the elements of that style too. He harasses and chases down possession, yet will charge with the ball and glide past opponents, crash a thunderous shot – or a glorious chip – goalwards or find a teammate with a defence splitting pass.

Right now we’re lucky enough to have Bundesliga football back on our screens. I implore you, next time Bayern are on, don’t give two hoots about anything else other than Kimmich. Watch him, study him and admire him.

Start analysing every facet of his game, eventually give up because there is too much to study, then go back to watching him, and then stop and think, ‘is there a single footballer in Europe right now who is more complete?’

I’ll do that bit for you: there is not.

Sometimes, you’ll do everything in your power to win. Even if that means you look a bit silly in the process.

This list is living proof that footballers actually are human, and some are just a little bit stranger than we imagined, to be honest.

A superstition can be the catalyst for a player’s incredible stretch of form, a team’s underdog run in a tournament, or a horrible statistic that links celebrity deaths to your name whenever you score (we’ll get to that).

Some might say that the decision to make this list 13 examples long is bad luck, but we here at 90min are hardcore, and don’t believe in any of that. Except on Sundays and Wednesdays…

Here’s 13 of the wildest superstitions floating around the footballing world.

Kolo Touré – Last Man Out

During his playing days, Kolo Touré insisted on being the last player on the pitch every time he played. This was a bit unusual, but okay… that was until he wouldn’t return to the pitch for Arsenal at half time of a match in 2009, because William Gallas was receiving treatment for an injury in the dressing room.

Touré wouldn’t return until Gallas did so, and Arsenal had to restart without their two centre-backs. To rub salt in the wounds, the Ivorian was booked when he did finally come back on, because he did so without the referee’s permission.

Chelsea’s Lucky Urinal

Unfortunately, this isn’t the last you’ll read of toilet-related superstitions in this list.

Chelsea legend and former captain John Terry revealed in 2016 that himself and Frank Lampard started a pre-match ritual in the dressing room that involved everyone queuing up to use the same urinal before Chelsea took to the pitch.

Terry explained that himself and Lampard began using one specific urinal of the three that were available in the Stamford Bridge changing room, after which they won the game. The following week, Ashley Cole joined the queue for this very urinal, which snowballed into the whole team doing so.

David Beckham’s Fridge Organisation

From ex-England captain to another, former Manchester United and Real Madrid wide man and celebrity icon David Beckham revealed in 2006 that he suffers with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

He explained at the time that he had to make sure that cabinets and fridges were neatly aligned, and would ensure that the items in his fridge were well organised, be it at home or in a hotel with the squad. If something didn’t fit neatly in the fridge, it would be stored elsewhere, to avoid messing it up.

When you consider how perfect his quiff has looked over the years, it makes complete sense.

Phil Jones’ Socks

For a man plagued by misfortune throughout most of his career so far, it seems a bit ridiculous to think that Phil Jones is superstitious.

In 2011, the Manchester United defender admitted that he had a ‘stupid’ pre-match ritual; Jones would decide which sock he puts on first on a matchday, depending on whether United were at home or away. If they were at home, and their name on the fixture list was on the left, then Jones would put his left sock on first. If they were away, he’d put his right sock on first.

Considering this was nine years ago, and looking at how Jones’ career has panned out since, I think we can assume that this one didn’t work.

Louis van Gaal and Numbers

Like a poor rip off of Triple H, van Gaal is the King of Quirks. From dropping to the floor, to forgetting players names, to doing photo shoots with topless women, he’s done it all.

An interesting one (of several) from his time at Manchester United was his decision to switch youth prospect James Wilson’s shirt number from 47 to 49. Usually after a breakthrough into the first team , a player’s shirt number would go down, not up. Not here.

Wilson revealed in 2014 that van Gaal ordered the change, because a striker should have the number nine in their shirt in some capacity, thus he strangely moved up by two numbers. Because that makes a lot of difference.

Jamie Vardy Having a Party

The secret behind Jamie Vardy’s title-winning form a few years ago was a bit outrageous.

He revealed in 2016 that during the season Leicester won the Premier League, he had picked up a pre-match ritual of drinking half a bottle of port every night before a match, followed by three cans of Red Bull on the day of the game.

Hardly the healthy diet that you’d expect from a footballer, but we can’t knock it.

Sergio Goycochea and His Toilet Habits

Goalkeeper Sergio Goycochea became a hero when his penalty saves sent Argentina to the World Cup final in 1990. In that tournament, he made a name for himself with outstanding performances in penalty shoot-outs throughout the knockout stages, but cites a strange superstition for his success.

Speaking to The Guardian in 2007, Goycochea revealed that he couldn’t leave the field to urinate in the World Cup quarter-final that year, so he did his business on the pitch before they got underway. Argentina won, so he continued to do his business on the pitch every time his side faced a penalty shoot-out.

Raymond Domenech’s Astrology

Euro 2008 was a tournament to forget for France, as they finished bottom of their group in a dismal effort. It was even worse, however, for the Scorpios within the French squad.

Then-manager Raymond Domenech was a big believer in star signs and astrology, and actually let it dictate his team selections. He famously left Robert Pires out of his French squads for a number of years while he was in charge, effectively ending his international career, because he was a Scorpio.

Domenech admitted that he didn’t trust Scorpios which is why himself and Pires clashed. He also made a number of other controversial decisions in his squad, excluding key members without explanation and handing inexperienced footballers game time instead.

Gary Lineker’s Weird Warm Ups

With 48 goals for his country, Gary Lineker remains England’s third-highest top goalscorer of all time, but the secret for maintaining such an impressive strike rate is a unique one.

Lineker would purposely not shoot during his pre-match warm ups, to avoid ‘wasting’ his goals before a match would kick off. We’d say this is ludicrous, but his 330 career goals suggests that there was method to the madness.

Mesut Ozil – Kit Man’s Nightmare

For the German playmaker, one knot simply isn’t enough. Ozil revealed in 2014 that instead of tying the laces on his football boots in normal fashion, he repeatedly ties them up with several knots.

He also noted that he must always put his right boot on first and step onto the pitch with his right foot. If he accidentally puts his left boot on first, he has to take it off and start again.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic – No Sex Before Matches

This one starts far away from the pitch, in the bedroom – but it’s not what you might expect.

Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic abstains from sexual intercourse before football matches, as he prefers to save the passion for the pitch. Otherwise, he believes, he’ll have a poor game.

David James’ Toilet Ritual

There’s a somewhat alarming number of toilet-related rituals in this list, so you’ll be delighted to know that this is the last example.

Before a game, ex-Liverpool goalkeeper and England international David James would wait until nobody was around, before heading off to the urinals and spitting on the wall.

The Ramsey Curse

This one is genuinely a bit freaky…

Aaron Ramsey has been widely recognised as one of the most assured and competent midfielders in Europe, and occasionally has an eye for a goal. Fans have noticed in the last few years, however, that every time the Welshman scores a goal, a celebrity dies shortly after.

Notorious examples include Eric Bristow, Burt Reynolds and Paul Walker. Terrifying stat.