Latest news with #HectorBellerin
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Meet Chelsea and Real Betis WAGs ahead of the Conference League final: A Portuguese model, a Dutch sales tax employee - and a law graduate who gives legal advice to prisoners
Chelsea and Real Betis will face off to decide who is the latest winner of UEFA's newest club competition in a final that will be held in Wroclaw, Poland. While they also have aspirations of qualifying for next season's Champions League by finishing in the top five of the Premier League, the Blues will still be looking to become the first club win the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. Star players on show will include the likes of Cole Palmer for Chelsea, while Betis have Manchester United loanee and former Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin in their ranks. They will be supported in the stands by wives and girlfriends, who will likely be seen in the VIP section of the Stadion Wroclaw. But who are the WAGs in question set to be in attendance? Mail Sport takes a look at some of the wives and girlfriends who will be cheering on their partners on Wednesday. Noemie Romee - Filip Jorgensen (Chelsea) Filip Jorgensen is the latest to join the never ending list of Chelsea 's bursting player catalogue. The 22-year-old goalkeeper signed for the Blues from LaLiga side Villarreal for £21m and will look to beat out stiff competition from the likes of Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic to claim the number one shirt. The Dane will be cheered on and supported this season by his partner Noemie Romee who is his biggest fan. The stunning brunette is the 22-year-old's loudest cheerleader and often shares footage of her watching her boyfriend in action on her TikTok. Noemie also has an accomplished career of her own and works as a sales tax employee at the Ministry of Finance in Holland. It is believed that she has occupied the role since November 2021, having previously worked at a Dutch estate agent. Connie Grace - Cole Palmer (Chelsea) A nail technician who regularly travels, Cole Palmer's partner Connie Grace regularly posts updates on her Instagram profile, which boasts over 36,000 followers. Cole regularly likes her uploads, including sultry bikini snaps from her idyllic holidays to Ibiza and Bali. Her most recent glamorous photo was taken at Stamford Bridge - with the caption: 'Fur season'. He regularly likes her uploads, including sultry bikini snaps from her holidays to Ibiza and Bali The couple are said to have flown to Ibiza via private jet last August, where they enjoyed a 'quick trip' together, dining out on the harbour where they shared a romantic candlelit meal. Connie was also seen posing alongside the Chelsea star after he picked up the PFA Young Player of the Year award in September 2024. However, the GQ Men of the Year Awards in London was their first official outing. Mia McClenaghan - Reece James (Chelsea) While Reece James has struggled for minutes in recent seasons due to being blighted by injury troubles, he has been fortunate enough to have a supportive partner by his side. Mia finished her Law Degree at Royal Holloway University in the summer of 2022 after three years of studying. She often shares glamorous photos on Instagram, where she has more than 23,000 followers, also shows off snaps of her in designer clothes. In one sweet selfie with the defender she wrote 'love of my life' as the glamorous pair posed up a storm. She already works with prisoners at HMP Coldingley in Surrey, giving inmates legal advice. It appeared that the relationship was going from strength-to-strength after a year of dating In November 2020 Reece went public with his girlfriend for the first time and shared a glamorous Instagram snap for her birthday in which he described her as his 'best friend'. It appeared that the relationship was going from strength-to-strength after a year of dating with the couple posing in matching baby blue tracksuits in what appeared to be the kitchen of their new home together. Rosilene Silva - Antony (Real Betis) Antony, who joined Real Betis on loan from Manchester United in January, and girlfriend Rosilene Silva announced their engagement via Instagram in September. Antony and his childhood sweetheart - who have known each other since their school years in Sao Paulo - uploaded a joint post featuring three photographs. One of the pictures showed the 24-year-old footballer proposing on bent knee. Another featured Antony kissing his bride-to-be on her cheek. The other photo was of a heart-shaped flower arrangement that framed the words 'Case Comigo?', meaning 'Marry Me?' in Portuguese. Rosilene accompanied the post with the message: 'What God has in store for us is far more than we can imagine...' Carolina Silva - Pedro Neto (Chelsea) Carolina Silva, who has her own claim to fame by working as a model, is currently dating Chelsea speedster Pedro Neto. It is unclear how and when the pair met but the Portuguese beauty first appeared on Neto's Instagram feed in 2022. The couple have also been seen jetting off on holiday together on social media, as they travelled to various locations around the United States including Orlando, Disney World, Universal Studios and Miami. After Neto left Molineux for Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2024, Carolina thanked the Wolves faithful with a poignant Instagram message. She wrote: 'I will never forget the moments and people that this place brought me. We were very happy here. 'Half of my heart will always be with you. Thank you everyone, we will miss you Wolves family.' Claudia Rodriguez - Marc Cucurella (Chelsea) Cucurella and Rodriguez met in 2018 while the Spanish international, who won the Euros for his country last summer, was playing for Barcelona. However, further details of how the pair met are unclear, but there is a clue about what Claudia does for a living. According to her Instagram, she is believed to work in the field of communications and marketing - but further details of her relationship with Cucurella have not yet emerged. Rodriguez was candid about the challenges her family has had to overcome as part of Cucurella's rocky start after moving from Brighton for £60million in the summer of 2022. 'It was difficult,' Rodriguez exclusively told Mail Sport at a screening of the first episode of Amazon's Married To The Game Season 2. 'The first year was very difficult because we didn't have the best year. 'So was very difficult for him and for me, also family, and now just the best part is we managed it, and I'm very proud. 'We need, sometimes chapters like that, you know, so today I'm proud of all of it.' Rodriguez is one of five partners of Premier League stars to feature in the second season of the documentary series, which aims to give viewers insight into the reality of life under football's microscope. Cucurella and Rodriguez allowed cameras to follow their daily lives, with the impact of their son Mateo's autism on the family one of the emotional flashpoints of the programme. The reality series also sees Rodriguez open up on the impact of a burglary which the family suffered shortly after the move to the west London club.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Chelsea stars touch down in Poland ahead of Conference League final against Real Betis - as 23-man squad is named
Chelsea players were seen arriving in Poland ahead of their Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday night. Players and staff were seen dressed in club tracksuits as they arrived at Wroclaw's Nicolas Copernic Airport on Tuesday evening. One image also saw playmaker Palmer checking his phone as he was about to board the team bus. Manager Enzo Maresca has named a strong squad for the final in Wroclaw, Poland, including the likes of Cole Palmer, Reece James and Enzo Fernandez. Goalkeepers Lucas Bergstrom, Filip Jorgensen and Robert Sanchez have all travelled. In defence, the Blues can choose from Josh Acheampong, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella, Malo Gusto and club captain Reece James. Chelsea published their full squad on their club website ahead of the final Further forward, midfielders Mathis Amougou, Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Enzo Fernandez are all available, From an attacking perspective, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Nicolas Jackson, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho will compete for a place in the starting XI. They will come up against a Real Betis side featuring Manchester United loanee Antony, former Real Madrid star Isco and ex-Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin. Prior to Wednesday night's final, the Verdiblancos' manager, former Manchester City and West Ham coach Manuel Pellegrini, said that Antony is looking to exact 'revenge' on the Red Devils after they loaned him out. On Wednesday night, Antony will get the chance to lift the Conference League trophy with LaLiga side Betis as they face Chelsea in Wroclaw, Poland. The 25-year-old winger has enjoyed far better fortunes in Spain than in England, performing well with the help of Pellegrini, 71. Speaking ahead of facing Enzo Maresca 's side, Pellegrini said: 'I can be proud of helping Antony. He told me he was not playing at Manchester United and was not happy. He wanted 'revenge' and to show what he can do. 'It's difficult with a €100m price tag. Antony is a very good player. I am absolutely sure that this is a huge time for him to continue improving his career.' Pellegrini also texted Maresca at the start of the season when they began in the Conference League, revealing: 'I sent Enzo a message when we started in the group. A very short message: 'I will see you in the final.' I also gave him a call when we won the semi-final.
Daily Mail
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ex-Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini leads SEVEN Premier League old boys for Real Betis against Chelsea in Europa Conference League final, including scorpion kick winger, Watford flop and Arsenal speedster
Real Betis' squad this season feels like a future quiz question destined to be asked. Their revival this season features so many familiar faces to the Premier League and English football and the Seville club even have silverware to play for. They take on Chelsea in the final of the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, May 28. The Blues will be well primed for their opposition, with many of them having faced a chunk of the Betis squad on these shores before. The journey for each of the players has been different but what most have in common is that they failed to make the cut consistently in the Premier League. Of course, they're being led by a Premier League stalwart in Manuel Pellegrini, too. Here's a look at the ex-Premier League players out to spoil Chelsea's party later this month. Hector Bellerin Arsenal 2013-22 Bellerin is one of the more recognisable names on the list having been on Arsenal's books for years. Known as much for his loud fashion choices as his speed down the right flank in north London, Bellerin's time with the Gunners started well. After finding his feet on loan at Watford, he returned to the club, that he'd joined from Barcelona as a teen, and played in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa in 2014-15. Bellerin ended up making 183 appearances for Arsenal and scored eight goals - only 24 players have played more Premier League games for the club. His time at the Emirates somewhat fizzed out after an ACL injury then loan to Betis which they made permanent. Adrian West Ham - 2013-19 Liverpool - 2019-24 Adrian has enjoyed the kind of career most players would love to have, returning to his boyhood side at the end. The goalkeeper left Betis in 2013 before joining Sam Allardyce's West Ham. He went on to make 125 appearances for the club before Liverpool picked up on a free as a back-up to Alisson. Adrian improved his trophy haul with the Reds, winning the Premier League, EFL Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup, albeit as a No 2. He joined Betis last summer on a two year deal and has played 16 times this term. Giovani Lo Celso Tottenham - 2019-24 Lo Celso is the man who makes Betis tick in midfield and is another who just couldn't stay away from the club. He represented them from 2018-20 before leaving for Spurs, initially on loan and then permanently. There weren't many consistent runs of form or games at the north London club, although he did manage to muster almost a half century of appearances before they decided to move him on. It has proved to be a much happier experience at Betis second time around after signing a four-year deal and is highly likely to start in a two at the base of midfield against Chelsea in the final. Antony Man United - 2022-present Has anyone mentioned that Antony is doing rather well at Betis? The Brazilian's form has been headline news both in Spain and over here - in part at least because it is mirrored by Man United's shocking season. It seemed increasingly ludicrous that United had spent £81million to take Antony from Ajax given his lack of, well, anything in a red shirt. He made a promising start but soon became a figure of ridicule. He's not only resurrected his career in Spain in a matter of months - he's been arguably LaLiga's best performer. Match-winning goals, outrageous pieces of skill and most recently a stunning free kick from range in the semi-final win over Fiorentina have turned him into an instant cult hero and Betis are desperate to keep him. It remains to be seen whether Ruben Amorim will give him another chance but Antony still has a few games left on loan at Betis and would love to sign off with a trophy to cap a brilliant, if unexpected revival. Pablo Fornals West Ham - 2019-24 Another member of West Ham's old guard thriving for Betis. Antony starts on the right and on the other flank, it is Fornals frequently given the nod. The technically gifted wide man became the Hammers' second most expensive signing ever when he joined for £24million in 2019. He was a streaky player, often scoring great goals but not in great numbers. One particularly memorable strike was a scorpion kick away at Bournemouth that was a goal of the season contender. And he'll hold a place in the hearts of West Ham fans for his contribution to their first trophy win in 43 years, the Conference League, in which he scored in the semi-final. Now he's looking to repeat the trick in the green and white of Betis. Romain Perraud Southampton 2021-24 The French full-back has been used regularly by Pellegrini on the left this season and some will remember him from his time at Saints. He signed a four-year deal with the south coast club in 2021 for £10million and in a strange quirk scored both of his goals for them against West Ham. A serious ankle injury in 2023 was the beginning of the end for Perraud, who was loaned out to Nice in Ligue 1 last year. Betis picked him up in the summer, bringing an end to his patchy time at Southampton. Cucho Hernandez Watford - 2017-22 More of a niche one, perhaps. Hernandez played for Watford, or was on the books at least, for four seasons. For three of those he was loaned out. Firstly he had a spell at Huesca, then Mallorca and finally Getafe. Hernandez thrived at Huesca, scoring 14 times but it was a more troublesome period at Getafe where he was banned for criticising a referee and suffered a broken foot. A hamstring injury ruined his final season with the Hornets in the Premier League, in which they were relegated and he ended up scoring five in 25 in total before leaving. Hernandez then had the best spell of his career in the MLS with Columbus Crew - establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in the league. He was voted into the MLS best XI two years running and scored 44 goals in 75 games for the club. Betis came calling and poached him for an undisclosed fee. He has four goals in 12 LaLiga appearances this season and those struggles at Watford feel a long time ago. Manuel Pellegrini Man City - 2013-16 West Ham - 2018-19 The gaffer. Who better to lead the team of Premier League old boys than the veteran boss who spent four seasons coaching over here. Pellegrini led Man City to the title in 2013-14 and two league cups before a rogue move to Hebei China Fortune in China having made way for Pep Guardiola. He lasted a couple of years in the far east before returning to the Premier League with West Ham but the man they call 'The Engineer' couldn't make it stick. Pellegrini was well backed in the market and backed by two record signings - Sebastian Haller (£45m) and Felipe Anderson (£36m). Pellegrini is fondly remembered at Manchester City having led them to the Premier League The club spent £155m in transfer fees during his short tenure but he was sacked in December 2019 after only winning five games all season. The club were 17th in the Premier League when he departed. But he's now enjoying a renaissance at the age of 71 with Betis - still without a hair on his coiffured head out of place. His blend of promising youngsters, experienced old heads and the magic of loanees such as Antony have helped deliver a superb campaign.
